How to Bank - Banking Basics
How to Switch Banks
Switching banks but not sure how to do it? Here's a step-by-step process to get you on your way.
CD Investment Basics
CD investments allow you to grow your money safely. Learn how they work and what strategies to use for the best returns. By understanding the basics of CD investments and common pitfalls, you can avoid costly mistakes.
Getting a Mortgage
If you're considering a home purchase in the near future -- or within a few years -- you should brush up on your mortgage knowledge. This page tells you what you should do before applying, what to watch for during the process, and how to use a mortgage after you've bought your home.
Writing Checks - Complete Guide to Writing Checks
Writing a check may seem simple to some, but not to everybody. Learn the basics of writing checks from start to finish. We’ll cover important steps and alternatives to writing checks.
6 Keys to Getting Great Auto Loans
If you're buying a car and short on cash, you'll need an auto loan. Be prepared before you head out to the lot. To save yourself thousands, use these 6 keys to a great auto loan. Then you can ride around knowing you got the best deal.
How do I Pay my Bill Online?
Q - How do I pay my bill online? A - If you’re new to internet banking, you may wonder "How do I pay my bill online?" The process is...
3 Tips on Being ATM Savvy
Use these three quick tips to make a trip to the ATM machine fast and easy. Save on ATM fees while you're at it.
5 Signs It's Time to Break Up With Your Bank
Find the best checking and savings accounts that work for you. When you first opened your checking account, it had all the features you wanted. Now, there are signs that you need to switch banks. Don't settle.
How to Fill Out a Deposit Slip
When you add money to your bank account you have to fill out a deposit slip. This tells the bank what to do with the funds, and helps create a paper trail for the transaction. Learn how to fill out a deposit slip so you can sail through the teller line and get everything done correctly.
Calculate Mortgage
Some people want to know how to calculate mortgage payments. You don’t really need to do the work, but if you’re curious you can certainly do so. To calculate mortgage payments, you need to know a few details about the loan. Let’s go through the steps and tools you can use to calculate mortgage payments.
Rising Bank Fees
If your bank keeps raising fees, should you stay or go? Use these ideas to evaluate bank account options.
Bank Account Tips for College
Going to college not only means leaving home for new classes and new friends, but most students are handling large sums of money for the first time in their lives. Thousands of dollars from school scholarships, grants, and student loans must be prudently allocated towards tuition costs, living expenses, and savings. To start your financial...
An Online Bank Search For The Perfect Account
Use Find a Better Bank as an online bank search tool to compare bank account options. A great online bank search tool allowing you to compare and contrast as you find the bank you'll love.
Is The Best Bank Always The Biggest?
To find the best bank, compare your community bank and credit unions to the larger bank options. Learn more about the tradeoffs and how to choose the best bank for your needs.
A Community Bank Primer
Overview of the community bank and advantages of using one. Credit unions and community banks offer great customer service and lower interest rates.
4 Tips on ACH Reversals
Requesting ACH payment reversals from your bank account doesn't have to be a headache. Learn how to get an ACH payment error fixed.
What is the Interest Rate on Loans or Savings?
An interest rate is a number that tells you how much it costs to borrow money. Lenders usually want to earn something in return for handing over cash, so they name their price with an interest rate. Learn what the interest rate at your bank means for your finances.
What is Interest?
What is interest? It's the cost of using somebody else’s money. When you borrow money, you pay interest. When you lend money, you earn interest. Learn more about what interest is and how it works.
Deciphering Bank Routing Numbers
What is a bank routing number? Bank routing numbers can be found on the bottom of checks and deposit slips. In the lower left side or center of a check, there are 9 digits printed in magnetic ink.
4 Tips to Become a Mobile Banking Guru
4 tips to become a mobile banking guru. Use mobile banking the right way to keep your checking account secure.
Prepaid Cards Go Mainstream
Prepaid debit cards as an alternative to bank fees. More consumers using prepaid debit cards instead of a traditional bank card.
Debit Rewards Card Programs Becoming Extinct
Banks cancel rewards card programs. Wells Fargo and Chase end debit card rewards, and other banks end loyalty programs blaming swipe fees.
Calculate Interest
When you calculate interest, you learn what’s happening with your money. The process is easy, but it can get tricky if you want more than a simple interest calculation. Learn how interest calculations work for different transactions, including loans and deposits at the bank.
Calculate Monthly Interest
Question: I’m figuring out my budget, and need to calculate monthly interest. I want to know how much I lose every month in interest. Answer: Interest rates are often quoted as annual rates. In addition, your loan balance may change every month. As a result, you really need to calculate monthly interest charges to accurately understand where your money goes.
How can I Make Mobile Check Deposits?
Question: I hate going to the bank when I get a check. I keep hearing about mobile check deposits and I want to try it out. What do I need to do? Answer: You can save a lot of time and hassle if you make mobile check deposits. The process itself is easy, but you may not yet have the ability to make deposits. Your bank has to offer the...
ATM Deposit - Machines with Scanning Technology
How to take advantage of ATM deposit and machines with scanning technology at banks. Using bank ATMs to make a deposit without slips or envelopes. Learn about ATM deposit technology.
Bank Interest Rates
Find out why bank interest rates change from time to time and from bank to bank.
Before You Change Banks
Changing banks is a big move. If done correctly, you'll be happy for years to come. Watch out for pitfalls that can create headaches as you switch banks.
How to Check a Check
Question: I was paid with a check, but I’m exactly confident with the person who wrote the check. I’d like to find out if the check is going to bounce before I deposit it (my bank charges a fee for bad checks). Is there any way to check the check out and find out if it’s bad - without depositing it and waiting to find out?
Which Bank is Best?
To figure out where you’ll be happiest, start by deciding what you want.
What is an ABA Number?
The ABA number identifies your financial institution so that money can be transferred to and from other banks.
Letter to Close Bank Accounts
Sample text for writing a letter that asks your bank to close your account.
What is a Notarized Document?
Learn about notarized documents -- what they are and where to get them.
Deposit Definition
The word deposit can refer to two things: cash in the bank, or the activity of putting cash in the bank.
Deposit Cash
What's the best way to get cash into your bank account? Find out here.