What Is an External Transfer? How It Works, Basics, and Types

External transfers allow you to transfer money between your accounts at different banks, send money to a friend or family member’s bank account, or pay bills or services. External transfers…

What to Know (and Do) If You’re Listed in ChexSystems

ChexSystems is a consumer credit reporting agency that tracks activity related to closed checking, savings, and other deposit accounts at banks and credit unions. If you’ve ever had issues with…

Black-Owned Banks by State

Ever since the founding of the Bank of North America in 1781, banking has played a critical role in facilitating the American Dream. These institutions provide indispensable monetary services, ranging…

How to Safely and Securely Use ATMs

Using an ATM safely and securely requires a little advance planning, situational awareness, and the ability to respond rapidly if your accounts are compromised. Here are tips for staying safe…

Plaid: What It Is, How It Works, Is It Safe?

You’ll probably run into Plaid when you connect your bank account to apps run by financial services like American Express, Venmo, or Upstart. Plaid authenticates your financial information, permitting companies…

ACH Transfers vs. Wire Transfers: What’s the Difference?

ACH Transfers vs. Wire Transfers: An Overview Sending money from your bank account electronically is increasingly convenient, easy, and cheap. Two ways to do so are automated clearing house (ACH)…

Postal Banking: What it Means, How it Works

In postal banking, your local post office offers some basic financial services, much like a commercial bank. Postal banking is common in much of the world and was once available…

What Happens to Your Bank Account After Death?

Several things can happen to your bank account after you die. This depends on the type of account, how it was set up before you died, and whether you have…

What Is a Banking Desert?

What Is a Banking Desert? A banking desert is a census tract or neighborhood which has no bank branches in it or within 10 miles of its center. Economists at…

How Immigrants Can Access Financial Services

Access to banking can help people establish good financial habits and avoid the high fees often associated with alternative financial services. While opening a bank account may seem simple, people…