Checking Accounts Cashier's check vs. money order: What's the difference? If you need to make a secure payment, both money orders and cashier’s checks are good options. But what’s the difference — and when should you use one over the other? What does it mean to overdraft your checking account? You probably know you shouldn’t overdraft your bank accounts, but what does that mean exactly? And how can you avoid overdraft fees? Here’s what you should know. How to set up direct deposit for your tax refund There are several ways you can receive a tax refund, but direct deposit is the fastest. Here’s how to set up direct deposit for a tax refund. This week on Reddit: Which bank offers the best checking account? With so many checking accounts to choose from, how do you know which one is the best? That’s the topic of this week’s Reddit thread. We’ll break it down for you. Overdraft coverage vs. overdraft protection: What's the difference? Overdraft coverage and overdraft protection are two checking account features that can help you avoid overdrafts. But they have important differences you should know before enrolling. Which type of bank account is best for everyday transactions? A savings account is great for holding money long term while earning interest. But what about your everyday transactions? Here are the account types you should consider. Zelle transfer limit by bank If you send money using Zelle, it’s important to be aware of transfer limits. Here’s a look at the Zelle transfer limits among some of the largest banks. How to balance a checkbook If you prefer a more hands-on approach to money management, you may be interested in how to balance your checkbook. Here’s a step-by-step guide. What's the average checking account balance? Knowing the average checking account balance in the U.S. can help you assess your own financial health. Here’s a look at the average checking account balance and how to increase yours. A guide to checking account minimum balance requirements by bank It’s important to know the minimum balance requirements for a new checking account. Here’s a closer look at minimum balances for Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other major banks. How do I stop automatic payments from my bank account? How do I stop automatic payments from my bank account? It's a common question, but the process is more straightforward than you may think. And it can help you save money. How much can I overdraft my checking account? Opting into overdraft protection allows you to spend more than your available balance, for a fee. Find out how much you can overdraft your checking account. What is a provisional credit, and how does it work? When you dispute a bank account charge, the bank may issue a provisional credit while it investigates. Here’s how a provisional credit works. What is a second-chance checking account? A second-chance checking account can help you avoid the expense and headache of using alternative financial products when you don’t qualify for a regular bank account. Debit card fraud protection: What to know if your card is compromised Understanding the rules around debit card fraud protection is key to protecting your money. Here’s how debit card fraud happens and what to do next. Where to cash a check if you don't have a bank account Where can you cash a check without a bank account? You have a few options, though some come with higher fees than others. Learn more. Does opening a checking or savings account affect your credit score? Opening a new credit card or loan can temporarily ding your credit score. But what about opening a checking or savings account — does it affect your credit? Here’s what you need to know. How many debit cards should I have? You can have multiple debit cards. But should you? And how many is too many? Here’s what to know about how many debit cards you should have. Do millionaires keep their money in checking accounts? Knowing where millionaires keep their money can teach us how to manage our own wealth. So, do millionaires keep their money in checking accounts? Read on to find out. 7 common Zelle scams and how to avoid them Zelle scams cost consumers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Worse, Zelle scam refunds are rare. Here are some common Zelle scams and what you can do to protect yourself. What to do if your check was stolen from the mail Mail theft is on the rise. Here are the steps you should take if a check was stolen from your mail. What to do if you sent money to the wrong person on Cash App, Zelle, or Venmo P2P payment apps like Cash App, Zelle, and Venmo can be convenient for sending money...unless you send it to the wrong person. Here’s what to do if it happens. How long does a bank transfer take? If you need to send or receive money, you might be wondering: How long do bank transfers take? It depends on a few factors. Here’s a breakdown of bank transfer timelines. How to create a secure debit card PIN (that you'll actually remember) Fraudsters and identity thieves know the most commonly used debit card PINs. Creating a strong, unique debit card PIN is key to protecting your money. Here’s how. How to cancel a check There may be situations when you write a check but later need to stop payment. Here’s how to cancel a check the right way. 10 best high-yield online checking accounts for May 2025 (up to 7.00% APY) The top high-yield checking accounts are often found online and pay up to 7% APY. Here's our ranking of the best high-yield online checking accounts today. 18 best new bank account promotions and bonuses for May 2025: Earn up to $3,000 These banks are offering new bank account promotions worth hundreds of dollars. Learn how to earn a bank bonus of up to $3,000. Check kiting goes viral on social media. Is it bank fraud? Check kiting involves writing a bad check and then withdrawing the funds before the bank reverses the transaction. Kiting checks is a crime with serious consequences. What is a cardless ATM, and how does it work? A cardless ATM allows you to withdraw money and perform other transactions without a debit card. So how do you use a cardless ATM? Here’s what you need to know. What is ChexSystems, and how do you find out if you're listed? ChexSystems collects information about your banking activity and provides reports to financial institutions. You could have trouble opening a new bank account with a negative ChexSystems report. What is an eCheck, and how does it work? An eCheck can be used to pay service providers, lenders, and more. But what is an eCheck, and how do you use one? We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about eChecks. Why you should name a beneficiary for all of your bank accounts What happens to the money in your bank accounts when you die? Hopefully, it goes to a loved one who needs it. Naming a bank account beneficiary ensures that happens. Here’s what to know about bank account beneficiary rules. What does it mean when a check bounces? Bouncing a check is a situation you want to avoid. So what does it mean when a check bounces? Here’s what you need to know. Current balance vs. available balance: What's the difference? If you log into your online banking account and notice you have two different balances listed, you might be confused about how much money you have. Learn more about current balance vs. available balance and which one is more accurate. Do I need a business bank account if I'm self-employed? A bank account for self-employed individuals has many advantages. If you own a business, here’s why you should consider opening separate accounts for business finances. Prepaid card vs. debit card: What's the difference? Prepaid card vs. debit card: Which is right for you? That depends on your proximity to a bank, spending habits, and financial goals. Here’s what you should know about using a prepaid card vs. debit card. What is a 'bad' check, and what happens if you write or cash one? A bad check is one that can’t be cashed properly. And writing bad checks can result in fees or even criminal prosecution. Learn more about bad checks and how to handle them. Are high-yield checking accounts worth it? A high-yield checking account allows you to earn a much higher interest rate on your balance. But are high-yield checking accounts worth the added restrictions and potential fees? Here’s what you should know.. What is a rewards checking account? A rewards checking account is like a traditional checking account, but it offers additional perks and benefits like cash back. Here’s a look at how rewards checking accounts work. What is a certified check, and how does it work? A certified check is a secure way to pay for goods and services, and may be required for certain purchases. Here’s what you need to know about how certified checks work and where to get them. What is a reverse ATM? A reverse ATM is a freestanding kiosk that accepts cash deposits and dispenses a prepaid card in return. They’re common in places where cash isn’t accepted. But there are fees and other drawbacks to reverse ATMs. Read on to learn more about how they work. Guide to ATM safety: Tips for protecting yourself and your money In general, ATMs are safe. But there are certain habits you can follow to protect yourself from potential ATM skimmers and thieves. Do checks expire? Here's how long a check is good for. While most checks expire at some point, how long a check is good for depends on the type. So if you have an old check sitting around waiting to be cashed, find out if it’s still good and what to do if you need a replacement. 6 times you may be charged extra for paying in cash We live in an increasingly cashless society, but you may not realize that choosing to pay cash could cost you extra. Here’s where you may pay a fee to use cash. What happens if you use a debit card as credit? It’s possible to run your debit card as “credit” at the register, which has its pros and cons. Here’s what happens when you select credit for a debit card purchase. What is an ABA routing number? ABA routing numbers are nine-digit codes that identify financial institutions. Learn more about how bank ABA numbers work and when you need to know them. How to use mobile check deposit: A step-by-step guide If you hate running to the bank to deposit a check, mobile check deposit is your solution. Here’s a handy how-to for using mobile check deposit, including how to endorse a check for mobile deposit. ATM skimming: What it is, how it happens, and how to spot it ATM skimming costs consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion each year, according to the FBI. Here’s how ATM skimming works and how to keep your finances safe. How to order checks online Ordering checks online can be a lower-cost option than getting them from your bank. Here’s how to order checks online and where to find the best deals. What is a SWIFT code for a bank? International money transfers rely on SWIFT codes. But what is a SWIFT code, exactly? Learn more about how SWIFT codes work and how to find them.
