What Is a Minimum Balance?
For bank accounts, the minimum balance is the minimum dollar amount that a customer must have in an account to receive some service benefit, such as keeping the account open or receiving interest.
For margin accounts, it is the minimum deposit amount before margin trading is allowed, and after a stock is purchased on margin, the minimum balance is the maintenance margin requirement for the account.
Key Takeaways
- The minimum balance for a bank account is the minimum dollar amount that must be maintained to receive certain benefits or to keep the account open.
- In margin accounts, the minimum balance is the minimum deposit amount required before trading occurs, and the maintenance margin required in the account after trading has begun.
- Minimum balances can be enforced by charging fees, denying interest payments, or closing the account if the minimum balance is not maintained.
- Not all banks require minimum balances and there are often ways to avoid one, such as utilizing only online services, setting up direct deposits, and for students, opening a student account.
- Margin accounts require at least $2,000 as the minimum balance, as required by FINRA.
Understanding a Minimum Balance
When an individual opens up an account with a bank, they are often required to keep a minimum amount of cash in the account. This is the minimum balance and typically applies to checking accounts.
Depending on the bank, the reason for the minimum balance varies. Some banks may require a minimum balance just to open the account and others may require it for preferential treatment with added services. Banks measure and enforce the minimum balance in different ways. If the account falls below the minimum balance it may be assessed fees, denied interest payments, or closed.
The minimum balance is usually calculated as the actual dollar balance in the account but may be an average balance in the account over a certain period of time. This is beneficial for individuals who don't have a steady source of income. There can also be more than one minimum balance for the same account.
For example, a certain balance may be required to keep an account open, while a higher balance may be necessary to qualify for fee waivers or interest payments on deposits. Many banks have different tiers for their customers, such as a "gold customer" or "silver customer" that come with different services and require different minimum balances.
Banks require minimum balances for a variety of reasons. It allows the bank to have more deposits, which in turn allows them to lend more money and maintain certain regulatory financial ratio requirements. It also allows them to profit from fees if balances are not maintained. In short, it is a way for them to make money off of your account and to cover the cost of operating your account.
Not all banks charge minimum balances, and there are often ways to get around having a minimum balance requirement. These include banking online, setting up direct deposits, and for students, opening up a student account.
Minimum Balances in Margin Accounts
Margin accounts with a brokerage firm are subject to minimum balances. According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a minimum deposit of at least $2,000 on a margin account is required. In some cases, it could be more.
After a stock is bought on margin, the maintenance requirement specifies the minimum amount of equity to be maintained in the account at all times. FINRA rules require this minimum balance of equity to be at least 25% of the total market value of the securities purchased on margin.
It is at the discretion of individual brokerage firms to set the maintenance requirement percentage higher than 25%, with some going as high as 40% or even more depending on the type of securities purchased.
If there is a shortfall, the brokerage firm will issue a margin call, a demand that the investor deposit additional cash or securities to satisfy the minimum balance of equity. Failing that, the brokerage firm will unilaterally liquidate securities in the account until the minimum is met.
What Is an Example of a Minimum Balance?
An example of a minimum balance would be the amount of cash required in a bank account at a financial institution to reap a certain reward. For example, Bank ABC may charge $10 a month to keep a bank account open but if you keep a minimum balance of at least $200 in the account at all times, it will waive the $10 fee.
Is It Fine to Pay the Minimum Balance on a Credit Card?
Paying the minimum balance on a credit card will keep you from defaulting on your payments and allow you to keep the card open without issue; however, just paying the minimum balance means you are not paying off the entire debt you owe, which means that interest will be charged on the unpaid amount every month and this will keep increasing your debt on the card. You should pay the entire statement balance on your credit card, not just the minimum balance.
Do Banks Charge for Minimum Balances?
Some banks will charge you a fee to keep a bank account open if you do not meet the required minimum balance. Check with your bank what its requirements are and if they offer no-fee bank accounts.
The Bottom Line
Bank accounts come in different varieties depending on the institution. Not all bank accounts require a minimum balance, those that do often come with additional benefits, such as no fees and free checking.
When opening a bank account, make sure to know what is required so you can avoid unnecessary costs. If you have a large balance, make sure you're taking advantage of the different accounts that a bank has to offer so you don't miss out on any benefits that require a minimum balance that you can meet.
