New for Consumers

Release Date: March 2002

ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE FULLY INSURED?

When it comes to FDIC insurance, most bank deposits will be protected if the institution runs into trouble and is closed-either because each customer's deposits total less than $100,000 or because they qualify for additional insurance coverage. But some customers with more than $100,000 at one bank may exceed the FDIC insurance limit and these funds would not be protected if their bank failed.

Get the facts on the safety of your cash with Are You Sure You're Fully Insured?, a new free publication from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Read this guide to find out how FDIC insurance affects you-with numerous tips to keep your money safe. Get answers to frequently asked questions about bank failures, and take a quiz to test your deposit insurance IQ. Learn how the FDIC web site (www.fdic.gov) enables you to see if your bank is insured with FDIC's Institution Directory and calculate your insurance coverage with the Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator.

How can you be sure your deposits are protected? Make a list of all your accounts at each bank. Keep a record of the institution holding the account, the type of account, how much is in the account, and the names of your beneficiaries, if any. If necessary, make changes to your accounts to bring them within FDIC limits. Review the insurance coverage of your accounts regularly-especially if the amount in your accounts increases significantly or if there has been a change in your family that can affect the insurance coverage (such as the death of a co-owner or beneficiary), so you can bring accounts under the $100,000 limit, if necessary.

Access this and other valuable information in Are You Sure You're Fully Insured? by clicking on the "Free newspaper and magazine offers" link at www.pueblo.gsa.gov. Or use these two easy ways to get your free publication:

  • Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That's 1 (888) 878-3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and ask for Item 579J
  • Send your name and address to the Federal Consumer Information Center, Dept. 579J, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.

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  • Please check with Shantae Goodloe at (202) 501-1794 or by e-mail shantae.goodloe@gsa.gov if you plan to use this release after June 15, 2002.
  • If you would like to receive these releases by e-mail send a request to shantae.goodloe@gsa.gov or call (202) 501-1794.

GSA # 2551

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