Britannica Money (2024)

You may have heard the terms “unbanked” or “underbanked” before. Unbanked describes people who do not use the services of any banking institution, and underbanked describes those who have insufficient access to financial services. Everyone can benefit from being banked, and the right bank account doesn’t need to cost you any money.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 2021 found that nearly six million households in the U.S. were unbanked. Many more are underbanked and obligated to use costly and sometimes predatory financial services to meet their banking needs. Before getting into the reasons why, let’s take a look at the key differences between being unbanked versus underbanked.

Unbanked vs. underbanked

Unbanked and underbanked sound almost like the same word, but their meanings are distinct:

• Unbanked. The FDIC defines an unbanked person as someone who does not hold either a checking or savings account with a banking institution insured by the FDIC. Unbanked people transact primarily in cash and store all their assets only in physical, offline formats.
• Underbanked. Using the FDIC’s definition, a person who is underbanked maintains an FDIC-insured checking or savings account but regularly uses alternative financial services such as payday lending. People who are underbanked may be obligated to frequently use costly financial services like check cashing, payday lending, and money transfer services because they have limited access to better banking options.

Four reasons why people don’t use banks

Some people are unbanked by choice. Others are underbanked, with a desire for equitable access to financial services. Here are four reasons why some people don’t use banks:

1. Insufficient or no banking access. Some people might not use any bank because opening a bank account is difficult or impossible for them. Most banks require a physical address and proof of residency, like a utility bill, which can present a major obstacle for the most vulnerable populations.

Underbanked people, despite holding one or more bank accounts, may live in areas that are not well served by any major banking institutions. Online banking should theoretically help overcome that problem, but first you need access to a banking app and/or computer and Internet access—things that many of us take for granted.

2. Concerns about banking fees. Some people are unbanked because of concerns about banking fees. Despite the wide availability of no-fee checking and savings accounts, a common perception among the unbanked is that bank account fees are too high. Another obstacle to adoption for the unbanked is the complexity of banking fee structures, which can make account fees seem unpredictable.

3. Poor financial self-image. People who have low or unstable incomes are susceptible to having a poor financial self-image, and that can lead to the decision not to open a bank account. The self-perception of not having “enough” money can lead a person to believe that a bank account is not right for them.

4. Distrust of banks. Major financial institutions can seem opaque, and banking scandals do unfortunately occur—causing some people to distrust all banks. For those who are especially concerned about privacy, not using any bank can seem to make sense. Banks are required to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, meaning they are obligated to collect customers’ personal information.

The benefits of being banked

Both unbanked and underbanked people can benefit from opening a checking or savings account—or both—and using those accounts to their full advantage. Here are some of the major reasons why having a bank account is a smart financial move:

• Safety. Keeping your cash in the bank protects it from various risks, including fire and theft. Money held in bank accounts is generally insured by the FDIC and protected up to $250,000. Very nice!
• Convenience. Having a bank account makes having and managing money much easier. Account holders can withdraw funds from automatic teller machines (ATMs) and can use free online services to transfer money and pay bills. People with bank accounts can spend cash or complete transactions using a bank-issued debit card.
• Low cost. Many banking institutions offer checking and savings accounts with low or no recurring fees. People with bank accounts generally pay a lot less money to financial institutions than those who rely on predatory financial services.
• Opportunities to build credit. Opening and maintaining a bank account can give you the opportunity to build credit. If your banking institution issues credit cards, then you may be eligible to establish a line of credit and, over time, build your credit score.
• Savings and budget automation programs. If you open both a checking and savings account, then you may be able to automatically save money and track your monthly budget. Many banks support programs that enable automatic deposits into your savings account.
• Interest income potential. Many checking accounts don’t earn interest, but some do. Most savings accounts pay interest. If you want to earn money by saving money, you can open a high-yield savings account to maximize your interest rate.

How to start your banking journey

If you’re ready to open your first bank account, then you need to know how to get started. Here are the major steps to opening a bank account:

• Determine your banking preferences. What account types or services do you want your bank to provide? Do you want a bank with physical locations? How concerned are you about account fees? Your first step is to determine your preferences.
• Evaluate your banking options. A Google search can help you research local and online banks. You likely have banking options that include online-only banks, banks with physical locations, and community-based credit unions.
• Ask questions. Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Every bank has customer service personnel available in a variety of communication channels to address your concerns.
• Establish the bank account. When you feel ready, you can visit a bank branch or go online to open your bank account. You will need to provide personal information and photo identification to enable the bank to comply with KYC and AML financial regulations.
• Follow the rules to avoid fees. Perhaps the biggest challenge in making the transition from unbanked to fully banked is avoiding fees. This might mean keeping a minimum balance. Never overdraw your balance. That’s when the fees can pile up. It will be a challenge in the beginning, but know that if it saves you from taking out a predatory loan, paying to cash a check, or wiring money, you’ll come out way ahead.

The bottom line

Everyone needs a financial footprint. For many, that starts with opening a bank account. We all have a different starting point on our financial journey, and someone who is unbanked or underbanked today may tomorrow be setting a monthly budget and planning for a healthy financial future.

It will take some discipline to get you through the transition from unbanked or underbanked to fully banked, but once you do, you might find some week-to-week financial pressure has been lifted.

References

• 2021 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households |fdic.gov
• Unbanked and Underbanked |guides.loc.gov