Bank Accounts Where You Can't Withdraw (2024)

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Take an in-depth look at savings accounts where your money is locked away -and find out with Savvy which of these accounts is the best.

Bank Accounts Where You Can't Withdraw (1)

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, updated on September 11th, 2023

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Bank accounts which lock your savings away explained

Savings accounts where you can’t withdraw your money without losing interest are an ideal way to motivate yourself to be disciplined and save money. Compare locked savings accounts with term deposits and bonus saver accounts right here with Savvy to see what each type of account offers to keen savers. We compare financial products to make choosing the best account easier for you.

How do bank accounts where you can't withdraw work?

Bank accounts which limit access to your savings are known as locked bank accounts, also called closed accounts. Although you aren’t physically prevented from removing your funds, you’ll lose substantial interest or be penalised if you do.

Other types of savings accounts have withdrawal limits per month to encourage you to leave your savings alone. Such accounts can be valuable for those who find saving hard or who lack the discipline to let their savings grow. Savvy can help you find the best savings bank account by providing clear and precise information to help you compare accounts and find one that fits your banking needs.

What different types of conditional savings accounts are there?

Term deposits

A term deposit is one you make for a set period in return for a higher interest rate. The longer you leave your savings with the bank, the higher the interest rate you may be offered up to a set limit. You can’t withdraw your funds during your term deposit period (except in very exceptional circ*mstances and often with at least one month’s notice). The term of your deposit can vary from one month up to several years, with a tiered increasing interest rate depending on how long you leave your savings alone.

Restricted withdrawal savings accounts

These accounts give you a set interest rate on the condition that you make at least one deposit per month into the account and no withdrawals. For every month you meet this ‘no withdrawal’ condition, you receive the stated interest. If you do make a withdrawal, though, you won’t earn interest for that month, so there’s a strong incentive to leave your savings alone and watch them grow.

Bonus interest saver accounts

These accounts offer a basic interest rate and a bonus rate if certain conditions are met. If you do meet these conditions, which may involve depositing a certain sum per month or maintaining a minimum amount in your account, you can be awarded the bonus interest. If you don’t meet the conditions, though, you only receive the basic interest rate, which can be as low as 0.02% p.a. This is the ‘carrot on a stick’ method to encourage you to save your money and grow your balance month by month.

Others offer a set interest rate if conditions are met involving other linked accounts. These conditions may require you to make a certain number of purchases with a linked credit or debit card or make a set number of transactions in your linked transaction account. For example, you may have to make five credit card purchases a month or ten transactions a month in your linked transaction account in order to earn the advertised interest rate.

How do I choose between the different types of savings accounts?

  1. Decide how much money you want to lock away to gain interest for you. Think about how long you’re prepared to lock your money away for and how likely you are to need to gain access to your funds at short notice
  2. Consider whether you’re able to abide by conditions which may be imposed in return for a higher interest rate. Are you prepared to open a linked everyday account? Do you want to be locked into making a set number of transactions or depositing a set amount per month?
  3. Use Savvy’s free comparison service to compare the same type of account side by side. For example, if you’re comparing term deposits, compare three-month term deposits side by side so you can get a clear idea of which institution offers you the best deal
  4. When you’ve decided which savings or locked account is the best for you, click on the ‘open account’ button and begin the process of setting up your new account

More frequently asked questions about locked savings accounts

What if I need to access my funds in an emergency?

There are emergency provisions which will allow you to access the money you’ve locked away in a term deposit. These are known as ‘hardship provisions’. You’ll need to apply in writing to your bank explaining the hardship you are suffering if you wish to withdraw your funds. This will cause you to lose any bonus interest offered.

Do all banks offer term deposits for the same length of time?

No – not all banks offer term deposits for all periods, so it’s well worth using Savvy to compare different banks and financial institutions to find one that offers the term you’re after. The most common term periods are one month, three months, six months and 12 months, after which you’ll be able to choose from yearly increments typically up to five years.

How often is interest paid back into my account?

Interest can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually, depending on the type of account you choose. The more frequently you are paid interest, the faster your savings will grow, as you’ll end up earning interest on your interest, which is a process known as compounding.

Do banks pay loyalty bonuses for re-investing?

Yes – some banks offer additional bonus interest in the form of a loyalty bonus if you roll your term deposit over when the initial deposit period has finished. For example, if you take out a six-month term deposit and then decide to invest your money for another six months with the same bank, you may be eligible for a bonus interest rate on the second six-month term.

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FAQs

Is there a bank account that you can't take money out of? ›

With a certificate of deposit (CD) your money is stuck for a set time of your choosing — usually anywhere from one month to five years — while it earns a fixed interest rate. It's more restricting than a traditional savings account because you can't access your money until the term is finished.

Is there a savings account that you can't touch? ›

Once your CD matures, you'll have access to the amount you deposited as well as the interest you've earned. One big difference between a CD and a traditional savings account is that you cannot touch the money in a CD during the term. “You might put $10,000 into a two-year CD with a 2.5% APY.

How much cash can you withdraw in the bank without being questioned? ›

APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. Thanks to the Bank Secrecy Act, financial institutions are required to report withdrawals of $10,000 or more to the federal government.

Is there a bank account you can't withdraw from? ›

Your options include a term deposit or a savings account with withdrawal restrictions. Here's the difference: Savings account with withdrawal restrictions. Also called a bonus saver account, these offer extra interest each month you save money and make no withdrawals.

Can I get a savings account that I can't touch? ›

They're a type of savings account that 'locks in' your cash, meaning you won't be able to access your money during the agreed term. In return, you'll usually earn a higher interest rate. A common form of locked savings accounts are fixed rate bonds.

Can you set up a bank account that you can't touch? ›

Restricted withdrawal savings accounts

These accounts give you a set interest rate on the condition that you make at least one deposit per month into the account and no withdrawals. For every month you meet this 'no withdrawal' condition, you receive the stated interest.

What are the accounts where you can't touch the money? ›

A certificate of deposit, or CD, typically earns you interest at a higher rate than either a savings or checking account. The catch is that a CD has a specified term length. You cannot touch your money during that term. A term can range anywhere from three months to five years (60 months).

Is there a savings account you can't take money out of? ›

Fixed-rate savings accounts

Your interest rate is fixed, so it won't go up or down. For some fixed rate accounts, you can't take out your money before the term ends.

What bank account doesn't let you withdraw money? ›

5. CDs. A certificate of deposit, or CD, is another type of savings account. CDs typically pay a higher yield than traditional savings accounts because you agree to let the bank keep your money locked up for a specific term that could range from three months to five years or longer.

What is the $3000 rule? ›

Rule. The requirement that financial institutions verify and record the identity of each cash purchaser of money orders and bank, cashier's, and traveler's checks in excess of $3,000. 40 Recommendations A set of guidelines issued by the FATF to assist countries in the fight against money. laundering.

Can a bank teller ask why you are withdrawing money? ›

Have you ever wondered why bank tellers often ask questions about your transaction? They are doing it for very good reasons! An important part of the teller's job is to protect customers by watching for potential fraud. Some transactions may require verification of identification, which is a government regulation.

How much cash can you keep at home legally in the US? ›

While it is legal to keep as much as money as you want at home, the standard limit for cash that is covered under a standard home insurance policy is $200, according to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

How to lock a bank account so you can't take money out? ›

Lock it away

With a term deposit, your savings are locked away until the term ends. There are usually penalties if you take your money out early, which can stop impulse spending in its tracks. To help your savings grow even more, tell the bank to roll your term deposit over when the term ends.

Can banks stop you from withdrawing all your money? ›

For a standard depository account, there are no laws or legal limits to how much cash you can withdraw. Withdrawal limits are set by the banks themselves and differ across institutions. That said, cash withdrawals are subject to the same reporting limits as all transactions.

What bank has a locked savings account? ›

Commonwealth Bank offers term deposits, which could be used as locked savings accounts. It currently offers term deposits between one month and five years and you can lock in a fixed rate of return. If you need to withdraw your money early, Commonwealth Bank says you will need to give 31 days' notice.

What is a bank account you Cannot withdraw from? ›

Certificate Of Deposit (CD)

CDs have a fixed term, usually ranging from a few months to several years, and often lack liquidity compared to other savings accounts. You can't withdraw funds before the term without paying a penalty.

Can you lock a bank account so you can't take money out? ›

The account freeze will not allow you to withdraw money in any way, including through ATM machines or automatic payments, by writing a check, or through other transactions. You can still deposit funds but may also lose access to those funds.

Can a bank not allow you to withdraw money? ›

By setting withdrawal limits, the bank can control how much they have to distribute at any given time. Just as importantly, if not more so, withdrawal limits are a security feature. By limiting daily withdrawals, banks help protect their customers against unauthorized access.

How to block withdrawals from a bank account? ›

Write directly to the vendor/merchant to request no further debits to your checking account. You should provide the bank with a copy of the letter and inform the bank that these charges are no longer authorized. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

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