Savings Accounts

What is an Overnight Deposit?

Money market accounts are a flexible way to invest money safely while still having short-term access to it. To invest savings in a money market account, you need a money market account, which is held at a bank and has a variable interest rate.

Unlike fixed-term deposits, your capital remains available at any time with a money market account. It is not intended for daily payment transactions, but serves as a secure parking facility for available liquidity. Deposits are made by bank transfer to the money market account, and withdrawals are made to a deposited reference account.

There are no notice periods for money market accounts. In addition, there are no price losses, as it does not involve securities.

How High are the Interest Rates for Overnight Deposits?

The level of money market interest rates is influenced by various factors, including the interest rate policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the respective offers of the banks.

In Germany, the average interest rate on money market accounts is currently around 2.25%. In comparison, banks in other European countries sometimes offer higher interest rates.

Through comparisons and selected offers that are accessible via HGI, investors can achieve interest rates of up to 3.80%, depending on the bank, market environment and conditions.

Who Benefits from an Overnight Deposit Account?

A money market account is particularly suitable for investors who want to maintain access to their capital at all times and who place great value on security.

Typical areas of application are:
– short-term parking of money
– reserves for unforeseen expenses
– Supplement to longer-term investments such as fixed-term deposits

The comparison shows that money market offers, especially from banks in other European countries, often offer more attractive interest rates than classic offers in Germany.

What to Do when Overnight Deposits Need to be Paid out?

You can decide at any time via your money market account whether you want to have partial amounts or the entire investment amount paid out.

The payout usually takes place within one bank working day to the previously deposited reference account. Both capital and accrued interest are automatically taken into account.

The Advantages of an Overnight Deposit Account

The biggest advantage of a money market account is its high flexibility. Investors can make deposits and withdrawals at any time, change providers or deposit additional capital.

Further advantages are:
– daily availability of the credit balance
– variable interest rate
– no fixed terms
– statutory EU deposit guarantee up to 100,000 euros per customer and bank

How Safe is an Overnight Deposit?

Money market investments are considered very safe. The deposits are secured by several protection mechanisms.

Firstly, the equity of the respective bank is liable. In addition, the statutory deposit guarantee applies, which protects deposits up to 100,000 euros per customer and bank.

This security limit applies throughout the EU. Examples:
– Germany: 100,000 euros
– United Kingdom: 85,000 GBP
– Sweden: 1,050,000 SEK

Should a bank become insolvent, the national guarantee fund will take over the repayment within these limits.

How Deposit Insurance Works

In contrast to securities investments, there are no price risks with money market accounts. Investors who compare money market offers via HGI are not exposed to any additional market risks.

The deposit guarantee applies automatically and protects the credit balance up to the statutory maximum limit. There are no additional costs or obligations for the investor.

Double Protection through Voluntary Deposit Insurance

In some countries, there are additional voluntary security systems in addition to the statutory deposit guarantee.

A well-known example is the deposit protection fund of the Federal Association of German Banks (BdB). This fund is supported by over 130 private banks and in many cases offers protection beyond the statutory limit.

HGI at a glance

What is the Difference between Savings Accounts and Fixed-Term Deposits?

The central difference lies in the availability and the interest rate structure.

With money market accounts, investors can access their credit balance at any time, while the interest rate is variable and can change. With fixed-term deposits, on the other hand, the capital is invested for a fixed term, at an interest rate fixed in advance.

While money market accounts offer maximum flexibility, fixed-term deposits are particularly suitable for investors who value planning security and fixed returns.