Your money stays in your bank account as long as you leave it there

There is no time limit on how long you can keep money in a bank account. You can deposit funds and leave them untouched for years, decades, or your entire life. The bank does not take your money back or close your account straightforward because time has passed. As long as you maintain the account and follow the bank's rules, your balance remains yours.

The real question most people are asking is different: what happens if I stop using an account, or if I inherit money and don't touch it, or if I'm worried the bank will seize dormant funds. Those situations have actual timelines and rules that vary by state and by bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Money in an active checking or savings account has no expiration date and can sit there indefinitely.
  • A bank may charge monthly fees on inactive accounts or eventually close them, but will not take your balance.
  • Accounts that receive no deposits or withdrawals for three to five years are typically considered dormant, depending on your state.
  • If an account is declared abandoned, your money goes to your state's unclaimed property program, where you can recover it at any time.
  • FDIC insurance protects up to $250,000 per account type at each bank, regardless of how long the money sits there.

What happens to money in an account you don't use

If you stop using an account—no deposits, no withdrawals—the bank may eventually declare it dormant or inactive. The timeline varies: some banks flag accounts after 12 months of no activity, others after three years. During this period, the bank may charge monthly maintenance fees, which will reduce your balance over time. Read your account agreement or call your bank to find out their specific dormancy policy.

The bank will not straightforward take your money. However, if fees accumulate and your balance drops to zero, or if the account sits untouched for a very long time (usually five to seven years, depending on your state), the bank may close the account and send your remaining balance to your state's unclaimed property division. This is called escheatment. Your money does not disappear—it moves to a government program where you can claim it.

How to find money sent to unclaimed property

Every state maintains a database of unclaimed property. If your bank account was closed and the balance was sent there, you can search for it using your name. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) runs MissingMoney.com, which searches multiple state databases at once. You can also visit your state's treasurer or comptroller website directly and search their unclaimed property database.

The process to recover your money is straightforward: you find your name in the database, submit a claim form with proof of ownership (usually a copy of your ID), and the state sends you a check or deposits the funds into an account you specify. There is no time limit on claiming unclaimed property—you can recover it five years after it was sent there, or fifty years later. The money is yours indefinitely.

FDIC insurance and how long it covers your balance

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures deposits at member banks up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per account type. This protection does not expire based on time. Whether your money has been in the account for one month or twenty years, it is covered the same way. If the bank fails, the FDIC will reimburse you up to the limit.

The $250,000 limit applies separately to different account types at the same bank. A checking account, a savings account, and a money market account are each insured separately. If you have $250,000 in checking and $250,000 in savings at the same bank, both are fully covered. Joint accounts are also insured separately—a joint account with your spouse is covered up to $250,000 in addition to your individual accounts.

When banks close inactive accounts

A bank can close an account for inactivity, but they must notify you first. The notification period varies by bank and state—typically 30 to 60 days before closure. When they close the account, they will send your remaining balance to you by check or transfer it to another account you specify. They cannot keep the money.

Some banks are more aggressive about closing inactive accounts than others. Credit unions and smaller regional banks may close accounts after one year of no activity. Large national banks often wait three to five years. If you want to keep an account open without using it, you can make a small deposit or withdrawal once a year to reset the inactivity clock. A single transaction—even a $1 transfer—counts as activity.

Inherited accounts and money that sits for years

If you inherit money and deposit it into an account, it has no expiration date. You can leave an inherited balance untouched for as long as you want. However, if the account is in the deceased person's name and you have not transferred it to your name or closed it, the bank may eventually close it as an unclaimed account. The funds will then go to unclaimed property.

If you inherit a bank account directly—meaning the account is transferred to you as the beneficiary—the money is yours and follows the same rules as any other account you own. There is no time limit on when you must spend it or move it. The only risk is if you do not actively manage it: fees could accumulate, or the bank could close it for inactivity and send the balance to unclaimed property.

How to keep money safe in a long-term account

If you plan to leave money in an account for years without touching it, take these steps: first, choose an account with no monthly maintenance fees or one that waives fees if you maintain a minimum balance. Second, make at least one transaction per year—a small transfer or deposit—to keep the account active. Third, keep your contact information current with the bank so they can reach you if needed.

For larger amounts, consider a high-yield savings account or money market account. These earn interest on your balance, which means your money actually grows while it sits there. The interest rate varies by bank and changes over time, but even a small rate is better than a checking account that earns nothing. Your money is still FDIC insured and has no time limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bank take my money if I don't use my account?

No. A bank cannot take your balance. They can charge monthly fees that reduce your balance, or close the account and send remaining funds to unclaimed property, but they cannot seize your money. If your account is closed, your balance goes to your state, where you can recover it anytime.

How long before an account is considered abandoned?

It depends on your state and your bank. Most states consider an account abandoned after three to five years of no activity. Some banks flag accounts as dormant after one year. Check your account agreement or call your bank to find their specific timeline.

What if I inherit money and leave it in the bank for 10 years?

Your inherited money can stay in the account for 10 years or longer with no expiration. The only risk is if the account is still in the deceased person's name—the bank may eventually close it and send the balance to unclaimed property. Transfer inherited accounts to your name to avoid this.

Is my money still insured if it sits in the bank for years?

Yes. FDIC insurance covers your balance the same way whether it has been there one month or twenty years. Up to $250,000 per account type is protected if the bank fails. The length of time you hold the money does not change the coverage.

How do I find money the bank sent to unclaimed property?

Search MissingMoney.com, which covers multiple states, or visit your state treasurer's website and search their unclaimed property database directly. If you find your name, submit a claim with proof of identity. There is no time limit on claiming your money.