Many investors do not realize that there are differences between a money market account and a money market fund. While the differences are subtle, they both have faintly distinct levels of risk. Due to this variance in risk, there is also a small difference in the money market rates offered between the two financial products. Investors should have an understanding of what these financial products are. Knowing how banks use these funds will help investors make the most informed decisions about how to allocate their investment capital based on the amount of risk they want to assume.
A money market account is very similar to a savings account at a bank. Most money market deposit accounts typically can have a minimum opening deposit and can provide customers with the ability to write checks against the account. A money market deposit account is virtually a risk free investment because the bank uses these deposits for cash equivalent investments used in their banking operations. The money market account deposits help the bank offer loans to its customers for homes, cars, and other purchases while providing investors good money market rates of return.
Money market funds carry with it a slightly higher risk profile because of the underlying investments purchased with the deposits in order to earn a higher rate of return. While with money market funds, capital is placed in low risk investments such as Treasuries and short-term debt instruments, these funds are still considered a very safe financial product for investors to own. Most money market funds have a set share price of $1 which does not change. Capital appreciation or dividends earned are either disbursed to investors or invested as new shares of the money market fund.
Money market deposit accounts and money market funds are very similar in design and the type of protection they offer investors. Depending on the amount of risk an investor wants to assume, money market accounts and money market funds offer excellent options for short-term investments with little risk to their principal.