FDIC & DIF FAQs

Q: What makes PeoplesBank a financially stable institution?
A: PeoplesBank is a Massachusetts-chartered mutual bank that is locally owned and managed.  Through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF), our deposit customers have unlimited coverage.  We are highly capitalized; in fact we are well over the FDIC’s definition of a “Well Capitalized Institution”.

PeoplesBank continues its commitment to the region’s community, civic and charitable organizations.  Recently, the Boston Business Journal recognized our corporate values and contributions to the area’s quality of life by naming us one of the top corporate charitable contributors in the state and top three in Western Massachusetts.

Q: What is the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)?
A: The FDIC - short for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - is an independent agency of the United States government founded in 1933. The FDIC protects depositors against the loss of their insured deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

Q: How much insurance coverage does the FDIC provide?
A: Effective July 22, 2010, the FDIC permanently increased coverage on all deposit accounts from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor.

Q: What is Notice of Changes in Temporary FDIC Insurance Coverage for Transaction Accounts?
THE NOTICE OF CHANGES IN TEMPORARY FDIC INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TRANSACTION ACCOUNTS
A: All funds in a "noninterest-bearing transaction account" are insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from December 31,2010, through December 31,2012. This temporary unlimited coverage is in addition to, and separate from, the coverage of at least $250,000 available to depositors under the FDIC's general deposit insurance rules. The term "noninterest-bearing transaction account" includes a traditional checking account or demand deposit account on which the insured depository institution pays no interest. It also includes Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts ("IOLTAs"). It does not include other accounts, such as traditional checking or demand deposit accounts that may earn interest, NOW accounts, and money-market deposit accounts.

For more information about temporary FDIC insurance coverage of transaction accounts, visit www.fdic.gov.

Q: What is the Depositor's Insurance Fund (DIF)?
A: The Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF) is a private, industry-sponsored insurance fund that insures all deposits above the FDIC limits at Massachusetts-chartered mutual banks. All deposits above the FDIC limit are insured in full by DIF. DIF has been insuring deposits since 1934.

All DIF member banks are also members of the FDIC. The DIF is examined annually by the Massachusetts Division of Banks and is audited by an independent auditor.

Q: What deposit accounts are covered through FDIC and DIF?
A: The FDIC and DIF covers funds in personal and business deposit accounts, including checking, savings and money market deposit accounts and certificates of deposit.