Why do banks pay their customers interest on the money in their savings?
Isabella Turner
Updated on February 20, 2026
Explanation: Banks utilize the cash saved on investment accounts to loan to borrowers, who pay enthusiasm on their advances. In the wake of paying for different costs, the banks pay cash on reserve funds stores to draw in new savers and keep the ones they have.
Why can banks pay interest on bank accounts?
In a way, a bank borrows money from their depositors by using the deposited funds to lend money to other customers. In turn, the bank pays the depositor interest for their savings account balance while simultaneously charging their loan customers a higher interest rate than what was paid to their depositors.
Why do customers have to pay interest?
Customers’ Ability to Pay Customers have to pay interest on their personal loans, home loans and car loans. The higher the interest, the less money in customers’ pockets. When interest rates remain low, customers have more cash after they pay their loan payments, and they can spend this cash with businesses.
What does it mean when a bank pays interest?
Simply put, interest is the percentage fee paid when money is borrowed or made when money is lent. 1. Interest earned is like bonus money the bank pays you just for keeping money in an account, such as savings.
How do banks make money on savings accounts?
A Penny Saved Is a Penny Lent It all ties back to the fundamental way banks make money: Banks use depositors’ money to make loans. The amount of interest the banks collect on the loans is greater than the amount of interest they pay to customers with savings accounts—and the difference is the banks’ profit.
How does interest work on a savings account?
Interest on a savings account is the amount of money a bank or financial institution pays a depositor for holding their money with the bank.
Why are banks paying so little interest on deposits?
The loan bucket reflected the margin above the Federal Funds rate that we earned on loans. The deposit profits were not as great as they appeared to be simply looking at interest expense, because one true cost of deposits is the free service provided to checking account customers.
How does the bank make money from your savings account?
Here’s how: The money your bank pays you interest with comes right from the savings or checking account you’re earning interest on. Part of how banks earn money involves leveraging your deposits to make profits, which, in turn, they pay back to you to keep your money with them.
What does the bank do with your money?
Banks use your money to make money Each time you make a deposit, your bank essentially borrows some of that money from your account and lends it out to other borrowers, whether it’s an auto or home…