- What Is a Prepaid Debit Card?
You’ve probably received a Visa, MasterCard or American Express gift card at some point. Or, you’ve bought one yourself. Prepaid cards can be found in the checkout line at the gas station or even in your mail as a reward… read more…
- What Is a Money Market Account?
Offering a higher interest rate than a regular savings account with the accessibility of a checking account, a money market account is a great place to stash your emergency savings. The hybrid kind of account has been an option since the 1980s… read more…
- What Is a Wire Transfer?
Perhaps you’ve found yourself in a situation (or two) where you needed to send or receive money as soon as possible. Whether it’s legal trouble, a large medical bill or an urgent trip, it’s not always easy to transfer money… read more…
- What Is a Credit Union?
A credit union is a lot like a bank, but with one big difference. It’s not for profit. So it’s not taxed. In theory, this allows it to pay higher interest rates to savers and charge lower interest rates to… read more…
- What Are the Different Types of Bank Accounts?
You have some money that you want to put in the bank. What type of bank account should you put it in to make sure you get the most bang for your buck? It can get confusing with all the… read more…
- What Is a Joint Bank Account, and How Do They Work?
You might associate joint bank accounts with married couples or couples who live together. While those are common situations when a joint bank account can work, there are a number of other relationships that could benefit from a joint bank… read more…
- How to Make a Budget
Ever wondered what the key to financial success is? While it’s hard to pin down one single key, having a budget plays a part. Having a budget is crucial to taking control of your finances. It helps you take stock… read more…
- Where Can I Cash a Money Order?
Money orders, a popular alternative to checks, provide a secure way of sending and receiving funds between banks. They especially come in handy for sellers when you don’t know or trust the buyer. Anyone can request or choose to pay… read more…
- What Do You Need to Open a Bank Account?
If you’ve never opened a bank account before, you’re probably wondering how the process works. Specifically, what kind of qualifications, information and paperwork do you need to have to open an account? Whether you’re opening your first bank account or… read more…
- All About ACH Payments
It wasn’t long ago that paying bills or getting a paycheck meant waiting for a check to move through the mail system. Nowadays, many of these payments happen online through an electronic network called the Automated Clearing House or ACH. Tens… read more…
- Certified Checks: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you want to make or receive a secure payment, it’s hard to know the best way to do so. You could go the cash route, but that’s risky to send in the mail. Plus, do you really want to… read more…
- What Is a Cashier’s Check? How to Buy One, Definition and Cost
A cashier’s check is often necessary for big purchases, like the down payment on a home. This is because a cashier’s check is drawn from a bank’s account and is therefore as highly regarded as cash. You can’t bring a regular personal… read more…
- How Long Does a Wire Transfer Take?
There are multiple ways to send money. In the past, you may have written a check. But these days, you can transfer money electronically through various payment systems, including apps like PayPal, Zelle and Venmo. You could also wire money… read more…
- How Long Does It Take to Open a Bank Account?
Many of us have a lot on our plates. Besides our demanding jobs, there may be dishes to wash, children to feed, and errands to run. If we have to do something outside of our normal routine, we often wonder… read more…
- 5 Cheap Ways to Exchange Currency
If you’re planning to go abroad soon, you’ll need to have access to foreign currency. While you could make all your purchases with a credit or debit card, you run the risk of wasting too much money on foreign transaction… read more…
- 7 Drawbacks of Banking With a Credit Union
If you want to break up with your bank, it’s a good idea to pump your breaks before moving over to a credit union. While it’s true that credit unions rival banks by charging fewer fees and accommodating their customers’… read more…
- Overdraft Fees: Everything You Need to Know
It’s time to pay your electric bill. You send in the payment but then you get a notification that you overdrew your account. Now you have to pay an overdraft fee. This is a common fee and if you don’t… read more…
- What Is ChexSystems, and How Does It Work?
Your credit score matters, especially if you’re planning to buy a house or you want access to the lowest loan interest rates. There are three credit bureaus that keep track of consumer credit data. What many people might not know… read more…
- How to Find Your Routing and Account Numbers on a Check
Writing checks isn’t as common as it used to be. Many of us rely on our credit cards, direct debit and cash to make the payments in our lives. For some people, a monthly rent check is the only check… read more…
- All About Offshore Banking
Yes, opening an offshore bank account is legal, as long as you follow procedures and declare your accounts to the IRS. The bigger question is whether you should bother opening an offshore account. Of course, if you’re living abroad you’ll… read more…
- 6 Ways to Protect Your Bank Accounts
Recently a younger family member mentioned that he had just gotten a new debit card for his checking account because someone had gotten into his account. He said he wasn’t sure how it happened, but someone got access to his checking… read more…
- 6 Sneaky Bank Fees and How to Avoid Them
If you’ve got a checking account or savings account, chances are you’ve gotten hit with a fee at some point. For banks, fees equal increased revenue but for consumers they’re simply a nuisance. Before you hand over another penny to… read more…
- When a Joint Account Does (And Doesn’t) Make Sense
Getting married means joining your life with someone else’s and for many couples, it can take some time to work out all the kinks. One of the most important things that needs to be addressed once you tie the knot… read more…
- What to Do When Your Bank Branch Closes
Is your bank closing your local branch? Don’t be surprised at what is now becoming a common occurrence. Presumably, the economy is a factor in driving banks to shutter branches to save some money. This leaves you with a big question: What to do when your bank branch closes? Do you find a new bank… read more…