Even with online bill payments and other electronic options, many consumers still write a lot of personal checks. From paying the rent or mortgage and utilities, to taking care of the PTA or paying for other school functions and resources, personal checks still play a big role in your financial life. One of the best…
Need to cancel a check? It is important that you follow the right steps in the right order to make sure your check is cancelled properly. This will ensure you are not charged any unexpected fees and that the check does not clear. You will also help alleviate any confusion on the part of your…
The check as a financial instrument has a rich history. Centuries of progress can be traced to the use of checks as a means by which trade and migration were facilitated by the use of this simple, yet indispensable, concept. From the first handwritten scribed promise, to the modern personalized check, the world has changed…
The federal laws that govern how banks process checks have been in place since 1987. The Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA) is very detailed and addresses every type of deposit transaction, including international transfer of funds. For the average citizen, however, three stipulations are particularly relevant to everyday banking. The EFAA requires that: • Your…
A variety of checking accounts types are available depending on your financial, saving and spending needs. Learning how these different types of checking accounts work helps ensure you get the most value from your account. Here are a few of the most common types of checking accounts and the major features they offer. Simple Checking…
In today’s society, most everyone is on a tight budget due to the current tough times in our economy. That’s why it has become more important than ever to find the best deals possible, even on our day to day purchases. Fortunately, there is rarely a need to pay full price for anything these days.…
You may have heard of friends or family having more than one checking account. Why, you ask would people want or need more than one checking account? Well there are many different reasons ranging from dedicated specific accounts for defined expenses to keeping money separate from your spouse in case of a separation/divorce and all…
One of the questions I hear most often is, “Do I need to get new personal checks if any of the personal information printed on them is no longer current? While it may not seem necessary to have to replace your checks because your address or other information has changed, you really should. It is…
Check fraud is one of the growing challenges facing individuals, businesses and financial institutions today. However, there are built in security features that come standard on most personal checks that make it increasingly difficult for criminals to manipulate checks and leave a wave of innocent victims in their wake. One form of check fraud consists…
While writing out your bills this month you realize that you are down to your last book of checks. For most people, the thought is, “No problem I’ll just drop off that form the next time I go to the bank.” After all, your checking account is with your bank, so don’t you have to…