Banking
Banking in the 21st century means being able to conduct all transactions digitally without needing to physically visit a branch location. Deposits, withdrawals, payments, and transfers can be conducted online or by phone app as well as applications for credit cards and loans.
All About Banking
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Banks are a very important part of the economy because they provide vital services for both consumers and businesses. Banks provide a secure way to store, protect and provide access to customer deposits. Consumers can conduct routine banking transactions through checking accounts, ATMs and electronic transfers while earning interest on their deposits held in deposit accounts like savings, certificates of deposits and in certain demand deposit accounts.Learn More Bank Definition: How Does Banking Work?
-
The federal government began offering insurance on bank deposits in March 1933 through the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) after more than 9,000 banks failed as a result of the great depression. The FDIC is an independent agency that was created to boost confidence in the health and well-being of the national financial system and currently offers $250,000 of coverage per customer, per account.Learn More The History of the FDIC
-
Larger banks can provide relatively more financial stability compared to smaller financial institutions like state and community banks and other financial institutions. While the U.S. banking system is very strong, including at the state and community level, larger banks are usually nationally chartered commercial banks that are guaranteed to provide FDIC insurance on deposits and are less likely to default on their obligations due to federally mandated capital reserve requirements.Learn More Reasons Why Big Banks May Be a Wise Option
-
A national bank is a commercial bank that is chartered by the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency and functions as a member bank of the Federal Reserve, as well as being an investing member of its district Federal Reserve Bank. National banks are required to be members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and provide deposit insurance coverage to their customers.Learn More National Bank Definition
-
Bank fees are charges levied by banks and other financial institutions on their personal and business customers for things like account set-up, maintenance, and transactional services. Other examples of bank fees are wire transfer fees, automated teller machine (ATM) fees, non-sufficient fund (NSF) fees, and late payment charges.Learn More Bank Fees Definition
Key Terms
- DepositA deposit with a bank refers to money held by the financial institution in a customer account. Deposits are held by banks for safekeeping and typically earn interest depending on the type of account.
- Checking AccountA checking account is a type of bank account held at a financial institution that permits withdrawals and deposits on a daily transactional basis. Checking accounts are also known as demand deposit accounts because they are highly liquid and can be accessed by writing checks, withdrawing or depositing funds with automated teller machines, and by debit card transactions.
- Personal LoanA personal loan is the process of borrowing a sum of money for personal use and is generally unsecured by collateral. Personal loans are typically used to pay off credit card debt, purchase big ticket items or fund large expenses like vacations or weddings. Personal loans can be offered by banks, credit unions, or online lenders and involve a set repayment term and either fixed or variable interest along with possible loan fees.
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent federal agency insuring deposits in U.S. banks and thrifts to protect customers from bank failures. The FDIC was created during the great depression to maintain public confidence and provide stability to the financial system through the promotion of sound banking practices. The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor for customers of member banks.
- Bank StatementA bank statement is a document sent from a financial institution to an account holder, either by mail or delivered electronically, that details monthly account activity, showing the account number and all the transactions in sequential order processed during the previous account cycle.
- UnderbankedUnderbanked refers to people or segments of society who may have an account with a financial institution but choose to rely on very expensive non-bank sources of financial services such as wire-transfer or check-cashing services, title loans and payday loans instead of more traditional sources of retail banking services like debit and credit cards, demand deposit accounts and personal loans to meet their daily financial needs. This may be due to lack of access due to lower credit scores, not having banks near their residences, limited financial literacy or distrust of traditional financial services.
How To Set Up Direct Deposit
Can You Deposit Cash at an ATM?
What Happened at Credit Suisse, and Why Did It Collapse?
FedNow: What It Is and How It Works
Cash Management Account vs. Brokerage Account
Explore Banking
How to Join a Credit Union
What Happened to First Republic Bank?
What Is a Regional Bank? How It Differs from a National Bank
What Happens If My Bank Fails?
How To Make Mobile Check Deposits
What Happened to Signature Bank?
What Is a Bank Sign-Up Bonus?
What Happened to Silicon Valley Bank?
How Many Savings Accounts Should I Have?
Methodology for Savings, Money Market, and CD Rankings
Are Online Banks Safe?
What Is a Public Bank?
How Banks Can Serve Customers with Language Barriers
Best Ways to Send Money as a Teen
Banking Rights for Immigrants
Early Warning Services: What It Does and Company History
What Is Zelle? How It Works and Example
Overcoming Language Barriers in Banking
SWIFT and Sanctions: How Banking System Impacts International Relations
How Immigrants Can Access Financial Services
What Is a Banking Desert?
What Happens to Your Bank Account After Death?
Postal Banking: What it Means, How it Works
ACH Transfers vs. Wire Transfers: What's the Difference?
Plaid: What It Is, How It Works, Is It Safe?
How to Safely and Securely Use ATMs
Black-Owned Banks by State
What to Know (and Do) If You’re Listed in ChexSystems
The 6 Best Online Banks for March 2024
What Is an External Transfer? How It Works, Basics, and Types
Banks that Support the LGBTQ+ Community
Best Money Transfer Apps
Interest Rate Trends for Card, Auto, and Mortgage Loans
Venmo vs. PayPal
Best Credit Unions
Community Banks: Meaning, Overview, History and FAQ
Best Student Bank Accounts
Top 10 Asian American-Owned Banks
APR vs. APY: What’s the Difference?
What Does Finance Mean? Its History, Types, and Importance Explained
Women-Owned Banks in the US
Native American-Owned Banks by State
Best Prepaid Debit Cards
Are Prepaid Cards Right for You?
Paying Bills With Prepaid Cards
What Is a Bank Run? Definition, Examples, and How It Works
How Do Commercial Banks Work, and Why Do They Matter?
Demand Deposit Definition, Account Types, and Requirements
Depository: Definition, Meaning, Types, and Examples
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC): Definition & Limits
What is a Financial Institution?
Letter of Credit: What It Is, Examples, and How One Is Used
Retail Banking vs. Corporate Banking: What's the Difference?
Hard Money vs. Soft Money: What's the Difference?
What Is a Bank Account Number?
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): What It Means and How It Works
What Is an ATM and How Does It Work?
What Is a Bank Draft? Definition, How It Works, and Example
What Is a Bank Statement: Definition, Benefits, and Requirements
The Power of Compound Interest: Calculations and Examples