Do millionaires keep millions in the bank?

Asked by: Ana Doyle MD  |  Last update: February 26, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (61 votes)

Millionaires also bank differently than the rest of us. Any bank accounts they have are handled by a private banker who probably also manages their wealth. There is no standing in line at the teller's window. Studies indicate that millionaires may have, on average, as much as 25% of their money in cash.

Do millionaires have millions in their bank account?

According to CNBC's Millionaire Survey , that portion was about 24% in 2023. While this doesn't necessarily mean a quarter of a millionaire's wealth is sitting in a checking account, it does indicate the importance of maintaining liquid assets.

Can you keep millions in a bank account?

A business owner might need several millions on hand for a project, so they need the funds to stay liquid and can't invest it. Your first thought might be to put the money in a bank. However, FDIC limits only protect up to $250,000 in cash, and $500,000 for joint accounts. You don't want to risk that money.

Where do millionaires keep their money if banks only insure 250k?

Millionaires can insure their money by depositing funds in FDIC-insured accounts, NCUA-insured accounts, through IntraFi Network Deposits, or through cash management accounts. They may also allocate some of their cash to low-risk investments, such as Treasury securities or government bonds.

What bank do millionaires keep their money in?

While preferences differ, many millionaires choose banks that offer private banking services tailored to high-net-worth individuals. Institutions like J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Citi Private Bank, and Bank of America Private Bank offer perks like personal bankers, waived fees, and wealth management services.

If I Wanted to Become a Millionaire In 2025, I'd Do This

44 related questions found

What bank does Elon Musk use?

X.com developed and operated a financial services website with banking services provided by First Western National Bank, an FDIC-insured bank in La Jara, Colorado. The company was initially funded by Elon Musk and Greg Kouri, who went on to fund Musk's later ventures: Tesla and SpaceX.

Where do rich people hide their money?

More rich people are using 'secret' trusts and LLCs to hide money from their spouses. Secret trusts and LLCs are increasingly common ways wealthy people are shielding assets in divorce. Trusts and offshore accounts controlled by a shadowy company.

Is it bad to have more than $250,000 in one bank?

The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per account holder, insured bank and ownership category in the event of bank failure. If you have more than $250,000 in the bank, or you're approaching that amount, you may want to structure your accounts to make sure your funds are covered.

How much money in the bank is considered rich?

Regarding net worth, having $1 million in liquid assets often puts you in the 'high net worth' category. But if you want to be considered very high net worth, you might need anywhere from $5 million to $10 million. For those aiming even higher, ultrahigh net worth status could mean having $30 million or more.

Where is the safest place to put 250k money?

It's important to have a savings account with a bank that's insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). This way, you won't lose your funds should the bank fail. The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category.

Can you deposit $100 million in a bank?

DDA/MMDA allows you to place funds into demand deposit and/or money market deposit accounts. You can deposit up to $100 million for each account type. With this option, you may receive expanded insurance protection and still have the flexibility to access your funds when you need them.

Where do the wealthy keep their cash?

Cash equivalents are financial instruments that are almost as liquid as cash and are popular investments for millionaires. Examples of cash equivalents are money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and Treasury bills. Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills.

Is it illegal to keep millions in cash?

Home » News/Blog » Is It Illegal To Have Large Amounts Of Cash? Having large amounts of cash is not illegal, but it can easily lead to trouble. Law enforcement officers can seize the cash and try to keep it by filing a forfeiture action, claiming that the cash is proceeds of illegal activity.

Can you live off a million in the bank?

Yes, it's possible to retire on $1 million today. In fact, with careful planning and a solid investment strategy, you could possibly live off the returns from a $1 million nest egg.

Where does Elon Musk keep his money?

Musk's best investments include PayPal, SpaceX, DeepMind Technologies, Tesla, and The Boring Company. Elon Musk is an engineer, industrial designer, and technology entrepreneur known for disrupting multiple industries. Musk holds the distinction of being the world's richest person as of January 2025.

Is it true that most millionaires inherited their money?

Business News Daily: “Further, a second study by Fidelity Investments found that 88 percent of all millionaires are self-made, meaning they did not inherit their wealth.”

How many people have $3000000 in savings?

Probably 1 in every 20 families have a net worth exceeding $3 Million, but most people's net worth is their homes, cars, boats, and only 10% is in savings, so you would typically have to have a net worth of $30 million, which is 1 in every 1000 families.

What net worth is considered upper class?

The top 10% of earners have an average net worth of $2.65 million. Even if you're squeaking into the upper class (the 80-90% range), you're looking at about $793,000. Moving down to the middle class, things get a bit more varied. The upper-middle class folks have an average net worth of around $300,800.

What percentage of people have $1000000 in the bank?

So, let's break it down – how many Americans have a net worth of $1 million or more? According to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances by the Federal Reserve, only about 12% of U.S. households have a net worth over $1 million. This means that the vast majority – 88% – are nowhere near that level.

How do millionaires protect their money in banks?

Millionaires don't worry about FDIC insurance. Their money is held in their name and not the name of the custodial private bank. Other millionaires have safe deposit boxes full of cash denominated in many different currencies.

Can you deposit a 1 million dollar check?

When it comes to depositing the check, you can only deposit so much into a single account—and it's not a million dollars. However, if you have multiple accounts, you can deposit so much into each account until the check is fully deposited. This is perfectly legal, but it will take some time to accomplish.

Is 100k a lot to have in the bank?

Having $100,000 in savings can be helpful for a number of expenses you may incur, expected or not, including a down payment on a house, sudden medical expenses or other homeownership expenses.

Do rich people keep cash on hand?

When managing significant wealth, maintaining cash on hand is a crucial strategy. High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), defined as those with at least $1 million in liquid financial assets, often keep a portion of their portfolio in cash. This approach ensures liquidity and addresses short-term needs effectively.

Why do the rich not cover their windows?

But for those in the highest income brackets, the calculus is different: People with a big home can more easily get natural light and privacy, and they don't need to worry so much about heating and cooling costs. Slowly, uncovered windows have become a status symbol.

Where should you not hide money?

Hiding Places to Avoid:
  • areas that can damage your valuables with water or invasive matter, such as the water tank of a toilet, inside a mayonnaise jar that still has mayonnaise in it, or a paint can filled with paint. ...
  • a jewelry box. ...
  • your desk drawer, bedside drawer, or underwear drawer. ...
  • inside CD cases.