Checking Accounts 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. What is Cash App, and is it safe to use? Cash App is a peer-to-peer payment service that also offers business transactions and banking services. Here's what to know about how it works and whether it's safe to use. 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 December 2024 (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. 16 new bank account bonuses that can soften the blow of falling deposit rates Interest rates are on the decline following the Fed's recent rate cut. But these 16 banks are offering new bank account bonuses worth hundreds of dollars. 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. How to dispute a debit card charge If you notice an error on your checking account statement, you might be wondering if you can dispute a debit card charge. It’s possible, but only if you follow these steps. How much money should you keep in your checking account? Every bank customer likely wonders: “How much money should I keep in my checking account?” And the answer might surprise you. How to endorse a check: A step-by-step guide If you’re wondering how to endorse a check for deposit, or how to endorse a check to someone else, our guide explains it all. What is the Allpoint ATM network? If you’re looking for a way to get money from an ATM without paying a fee, it helps if your financial institution is part of the Allpoint ATM Network. Here’s how it works. What is a cash management account? A cash management account is offered by brokerages rather than banks. Here’s a closer look at what a cash management account is and how it works. How to deposit cash at an online bank If you do your banking online, you might be wondering how to deposit cash at an online bank. Here are several options, plus a list of online banks that accept cash deposits. Guide to post-dated checks: Are they legal, and can you cash them? A post-dated check is written with the expectation that it’ll be cashed at a future date. Here’s what to know about writing and accepting post-dated checks. How to transfer Apple Cash to your bank account If you have a positive Apple Cash balance, you may want to transfer funds to your bank account. Here are the steps for transferring Apple Cash, plus the costs and timeline. What is Venmo, how does it work, and is it safe to use? Venmo is a peer-to-peer payment service that also offers business transactions. Here's what to know about how it works and whether it's safe to use. How to find the best checking accounts for December 2024 The best checking accounts have low balance requirements and no monthly fees. Here’s how to find the best options, whether you're looking for a traditional or online account.