How to Bank

From setting up online banking to voiding checks, this beginner's guide will give you the basics of consumer banking.
Why Does Compound Interest Matter? Compound interest equals interest earned on money that was previously earned as interest. Compound interest causes interest and account balances to grow. Good for savings and investments, but can work against you in playing interest on a loan. Frequency, time, interest rate, deposits, and the starting amount all make compound interest powerful.
Compound Interest
Wire Transfer
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A Step-by-Step Guide for How To Open a Bank Account
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Notarized
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ABA Numbers: Where To Find Them and How They Work
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Beneficiary
The differences between ACH and wire transfers.
Compare and Contrast: Speed, Cost, Risk, and More
Image shows three panels: a man paying for something at a counter; a woman paying for her bill at a cafe; a woman paying for a movie ticket. Text reads: "Paypal's prepaid, debit, and credit cards. The prepaid mastercard–PROS: no credit check, FDIC insured. CONS: can't pull funds from your paypal account; a $4.95 monthly fee. The debit mastercard– PROS: Use funds from your paypal account; cash back rewards. CONS: Primarily for business accounts. The extras mastercard– PROS: no annual fee; earn points. CONS: required credit checks."
PayPal Debit and Credit Cards: Which Is Best?
A bank teller processes a transaction for a bank customer.
How (and Where) To Conduct an International Wire Transfer
Woman checking her bank account balance online for a ACH payment
ACH Payments Can Benefit Everybody. See How They Work.
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Annual Percentage Yield
Online Account Opening
Here's What You Need to Know to Open Bank Accounts Online
Image shows a house and a stack of money locked inside of a see through safe. Text reads: How to keep assets and payments private: Hire a family office: They manage the finances of the ultra-wealthy Create a trust: It’s an entity that holds assets and makes payments
Reducing Your Public Financial Information
Converting Percentages to Decimals Is Easy
Illustration of how and where to deposit cash
Learn How and Where To Deposit Cash to Get Your Money Into the Bank
What Is the Available Balance in Your Bank Account?
Young woman walking through a banking district
What Is the FDIC?
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Tanda
Illustration of various ways to check bank balance
6 Easy Ways to Track Your Bank Balance
Mobile payments
Want to Pay With Your Mobile Phone? Here's How.
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Escheatment
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Ways to Use Escrow Accounts
Couple talking to bank employee about loan
Credit Union Customers: See How You Benefit From Co-op Shared Branches.
Bank Teller in Retail Bank Counter Serving Customer with Transaction
How Do You Send or Receive Money With a Wire Transfer?
quick facts: facebook messenger payments
Send and Receive Money With Facebook Messenger
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Apps and Services to Send Money Online
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Swiss Bank Accounts Provide Privacy and Other Benefits but Not Secrecy
Bank customers wait in line to see a representative
How to Switch Your Bank
Open bank vault
Fractional-Reserve Banking
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The Cheapest Ways to Send Money
Man paying bills online
Online Bill Pay
Female executive talking to business partners about choosing a bank.
Should You Bank Locally or Choose a National Bank?
How to calculate monthly interest that you may pay or earn on $2,000
How To Calculate Monthly Interest for Loans, Bank Accounts, and More
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See How Easy It Is To Send Money Abroad
get to know your debit and credit cards
Get To Know Your Debit or Credit Card From Front to Back
Hundred dollar bills emerging from ATM
The Risks of Deposits at ATMs: What Could Go Wrong?
Brick and Mortar Bank
What Are Brick and Mortar Bank Branches?
Woman connecting to neobank with smartphone
Neobanks
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Real-Time Gross Settlement
Person using P2P payment system on smartphone to send money
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Open Bank Vault Door
Understanding Funds Availability Policies at Your Bank
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Money
The benefits of online banking—quicker, easier, and safer—outlined in an illustration
Online Banking
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Online Banking: Pros and Cons
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The Impact of a Bank Run on Banking Institutions
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The Best Places To Turn Your Coins Into Cash in 2021
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Balance Your Checkbook With Templates and Spreadsheets
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How to Pay Your Bills Online
The pros and cons of moving to a cashless society
Cashless Society Pros and Cons
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A 5-Step Guide to Fixing an Overdrawn Bank Account
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What Does It Mean to Nationalize Banks and Industries?
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Cleared Funds
A pile of ATM, debit and credit cards
Understanding ATM, Debit, and Credit Cards
Making It Rain
How Do Millionaires Bank?
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Alternatives to Credit Card Wire Transfers for Sending Money
banking customer depositing check with a bank teller
How Do Banks and Credit Unions Make Money?
Businessman in a city using ATM
How To Fix Problems With ACH Payments
Money and data in a digital world
Are You Ready for a World Where Banks Share Your Data?
Why isn't my money available yet?
4 Reasons Your Deposit Isn't Showing Up As Planned