Definition of "Truth-in-savings act"

Act passed by Congress in 1991, the purpose of which is to make it easier for consumers to compare deposit accounts among savings institutions (SI). Some of the act's more important provisions include: SI must pay interest on the full amount of a depositor's balance; SI must use a standardized formula for computing the annual percentage yield (APY). The APY is based on the interest rate and the method of compounding that interest; SI must disclose all fees imposed on checking, savings, money market, or Super NOW accounts as well as any other terms or restrictions. These disclosures are required before the account is opened, before automatic renewals, or upon the request of the savings customer. The savings institution must inform current savings account customers of the availability of the disclosures and include these disclosures with the savings customer's regular account statement; and SI must be in compliance with standardized rules concerning their promotional activities for advertising. All solicitations (whether in print, TV, radio, etc.) for savings deposits must state in a clear and conspicuous manner: annual percentage yield; period of time that the yield is in effect; minimum account balance required to earn the yield; minimum time period required to earn the yield; minimum amount required to open the account; interest penalty is required for early withdrawals; and the fact that fees may result in the reduction of the Annual Percentage Yield.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Agreement by an insurance company to pay a predetermined amount, as indicated in an insurance policy, should a loss occur. ...

Coverage providing funds for maintenance of a business as closely to normal as possible in the event of a loss of a key person, owner, or partner. ...

Choice of a lump sum payment for an injury incurred instead of a series of periodic payments, available under a health insurance policy. ...

Individual appointed by the insurance company as an independent contractor. The agent receives various expense allowances for office-associated expenses and direct commissions on products ...

Arrangement whereby the insured pays the insurance company a relatively small monthly premium payment. In exchange for this premium payment, the insurance company processes and pays claims ...

Form of excess of loss reinsurance under which each year's reinsurance premium is determined by the amount of the cedent's excess losses for a given period of time, usually three or five ...

Employee benefit plans under which both the employee and the employer pay part of the premium. Contribution ratios vary. For example, an employer contributes two dollars for every dollar ...

Same as term Direct Response Marketing: method of selling insurance directly to insureds through a companies own employees, through the mail, or at airport booths. The company uses this ...

Means of projecting the costs of pension plans on a level basis over a specified future period of time. The actuarial value of each employee's future benefits to be paid at retirement is ...

Popular Insurance Questions