What Is a NOW Account?

Definition and Example of a NOW Account

A NOW account is a negotiable order of withdrawal account. It is a checking account that earns interest. These accounts allow banks to require that customers provide at least seven days’ notice before withdrawals.

NOW accounts were created in response to a Great Depression-era law called the Banking Act of 1933. This rule kept banks from paying any interest on deposits that could be payable on demand. The goal was to avoid another bank run and keep banks safe and secure for consumers. Bankers started looking for ways to get around the rules and attract more customers.

In the 1970s, the CEO and president of Consumer Savings Bank in Worcester, Massachusetts, led the charge for banks to be able to offer checking accounts that paid interest. He came up with the idea of negotiable order of withdrawal accounts.

In 1974, Congress permitted NOW accounts in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In 1976, Congress expanded these accounts to all of New England. By 1980, anyone in the United States could get a NOW account and earn interest on their checking accounts.

How a NOW Account Works

A NOW account is similar to a regular checking account. A customer opens an account and deposits money, which can then be withdrawn via an ATM or used to make payments with a check, debit card, or online payment.

They differ from standard checking accounts because banks have the right to require at least seven days' notice on any withdrawals made from a NOW account.

When they were first created, NOW accounts were popular because they gave consumers the option of earning interest on a checking account, which was not otherwise available.

In 2011, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform allowed all checking accounts to bear interest. This removed the difference between NOW accounts and checking accounts, other than the ability for a bank to withhold your withdrawal for seven days in a NOW account.

The hold feature is seldom exercised, since most people could get regular interest-bearing checking accounts that didn’t have a hold contingency. Today, very few NOW accounts are used, as many types of checking accounts can bear interest.

Do I Need a NOW Account?

NOW accounts ultimately paved the way for standard interest-bearing checking accounts. However, few customers use NOW accounts, because many checking accounts pay interest.

The best rates are often reserved for those consumers who have significant deposits. Average interest rates for checking accounts are generally less than 1%.

To get the best deal on an interest-bearing checking account, you need to compare rates across institutions, because they vary. You do not, however, need to open a NOW account.

Alternatives to a NOW Account

High-interest checking accounts or money market accounts allow customers to earn interest on their money while retaining the easy access that a checking account provides. These can be offered through either banks or credit unions.

High-yield checking accounts often come with specific conditions for earning higher interest rates, such as:

• A certain number of transactions per month
• A minimum balance
• A balance cap, above which you earn lower interest

Credit unions typically have specific membership requirements to join, and you must check with each one individually to see if you qualify. If you don’t qualify for a credit union with a high-interest checking account, then you may want to check out online-only banks to get the best rate.

Because online-only banks have far less overhead than traditional brick-and-mortar banks, they can offer higher interest rates. Many online banks will offer high-yield checking accounts that earn higher interest than standard checking accounts. The available rate will depend on the bank and the size of your balance.