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

Form of insurance that insurance companies buy for their own protection, "a sharing of insurance." An insurer (the reinsured) reduces its possible maximum loss on either an individual risk ...

Table charting relative costs of a group of cash value life insurance policies derived by using the net cost method of comparing costs (traditional net cost method of comparing costs; net ...

Rule concerning stock sold and then repurchased or a similar security repurchased (warrants or options) within 30 full days before or after the day of the sale. Losses established from such ...

Employee's right to transfer pension benefit credits from a former employer to a current employer. ...

Same as term Corridor Deductible: type of major medical deductible amount that acts as a corridor between benefits under a basic health insurance plan and benefits under a major medical ...

Group that advises on employee benefit plans as to amount of benefits to be paid, how benefits are to be financed, and how employees are to qualify for benefits (vesting requirements). An ...

Analytical procedure to predict the failure rate of a system still in the design stage. ...

Provision commonly found in fire insurance contracts. If the insured knows that a hazard is increased, most property contracts permit the insurance company to suspend or terminate coverage. ...

Total limit on the amount of coverage an insurer will underwrite on an individual risk. The amount underwritten includes the amount to be ceded through a reinsurance agreement. ...

Popular Insurance Questions