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Demand deposit accounts (DDAs) are one of the most commonly used types of bank accounts. They’re an essential banking tool for handling daily financial needs and allowing easy access to cash.
Read on to learn more about how demand deposit accounts work, common examples, and the benefits and drawbacks they offer.
What is a demand deposit account, and how does it work?
Demand deposit accounts are bank accounts that allow the account holder to withdraw money without first requesting permission from the bank. Unlike time deposits (which require you to lock your funds in for a specific period) or investments (which require you to sell your assets in order to access the money), the funds in demand deposit accounts are readily available for withdrawal without advance notice or penalty.
Common examples of demand deposit accounts include checking accounts and certain savings accounts. Funds in these accounts are considered "on demand" since you can access the money whenever needed — you simply visit an ATM, swipe a debit card, write a check, or initiate a bank transfer. That makes demand deposit accounts ideal for everyday spending.
It’s important to note that there may still be fees involved for certain types of transactions, depending on your bank’s policies, such as using out-of-network ATMs or making excess withdrawals.
Some demand deposit accounts may also earn interest or even rewards, but this isn’t a requirement.
Examples of demand deposit accounts
There are a few types of accounts that fall under the category of demand deposits:
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Checking accounts: These are the most common type of demand deposit account. You generally use checking accounts to manage day-to-day transactions, such as paying bills, buying groceries, and making loan payments.
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Savings accounts: These accounts are designed to hold money long-term for goals such as building an emergency fund, saving for a down payment, or funding a future vacation. Typically, you can pull your money out as needed. However, some savings accounts limit the number of withdrawals you can make to six per month. If you go over this limit, you may incur a fee or other penalty.
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Money market accounts (MMAs): These accounts work like hybrid checking/savings accounts. They allow you to hold your savings and often pay competitive interest rates, but also often come with checks and/or a debit card so you can easily pull out funds as needed. MMAs also often come with higher minimum balance requirements and monthly fees.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a checking account and a demand deposit account?
Essentially, there is no difference; a checking account is a common type of demand deposit account. However, a demand deposit account can also refer to a savings account or a money market account.
Why is a checking account called a demand deposit?
Checking accounts are called “demand deposit” accounts because customers can deposit money into them and withdraw it whenever they want without providing advance notice to the bank.
Not all accounts work that way. If you put money into certain investment accounts, for instance, you need to notify the financial services firm or brokerage and sell those investments in order to receive the money.
What is the most common demand deposit account?
The most common demand deposit account is a checking account. However, traditional savings accounts and money market accounts are also types of demand deposit accounts. Between 94%-95% of U.S. households have at least one bank account.
