Huntington Bank Introduces Virtual Backpack Aimed at Teaching Children Money Management Skills
At www.huntingtonforschools.com students drag school supplies electronically into a virtual backpack to see the total cost add up. The online feature is the latest component of the annual Huntington Backpack Index, a reference for smart shopping that can help teach children about budgeting and bargains. The 2008 Huntington Backpack Index indicates that parents need to be prepared to spend $385 for elementary school children, $551.81 for middle school children and $911 for high school students. Huntington also found that many schools are requiring more electronic devices such as flash drives as well as more elaborate organization tools such as notebooks and planners.
The guns will be melted down into hangers to be used at dry cleaners.
Brooklyn and Chicago recently used J.P. Morgan prepaid debit cards in successful campaigns to take firearms off the streets. The gun buy back programs were sponsored by local law enforcement officials who offered citizens prepaid debit cards for working guns, no questions asked. More than 7,500 firearms were collected at community churches and other turn-in sites in the two cities. A recent program sponsored by the New York Police Department and the Brooklyn district attorney's office netted almost 700 guns. People who dropped off guns received a $200 J.P. Morgan prepaid debit card and a $20 card for BB guns and air pistols. Overall, 697 functioning guns were collected, including 204 revolvers, 193 pistols, 226 rifles and shotguns and 12 assault weapons. The guns will be melted down into hangers to be used at dry cleaners. Read full article here.
About the Bank of America Student Package
The Student Package, an all-inclusive product suite, covers all of a student's banking needs: -- Free CampusEdge® Checking and Savings Account with Keep the Change® -- No monthly maintenance fees on checking for five years(1) and no monthly maintenance fee on a savings account after the first check card purchase, when the checking and savings accounts are opened on the same day with Keep the Change enrollment.(2) With Keep the Change, Bank of America will round up check card purchases to the nearest dollar amount and transfer the difference from their checking account to their savings account. Bank of America matches 100 percent of the transfer for the first three months and 5% thereafter, up to a maximum of $250 annually. CampusEdge customers also receive a Bank of America Photo Security® check card and have access to 18,000 Bank of America ATMs nationwide.
Four in 10 (38%) college-aged students reported they can use help in managing their money
The national effort aims to help address a recent Bank of America sponsored survey finding where nearly four in 10 (38%) college-aged students reported they can use help in managing their money. Bank of America introduced a financial awareness campaign designed to educate and empower students to take control of their finances and bank with confidence in this new academic year. Morris on Campus,™ Life According to an Upperclassman,™ provides college students with tips on how to navigate campus life, including money matters, through Webisodes, additional online content as well as offline communication pieces. Morris will introduce students to Bank of America's new Student Package, a suite of easy-to-use banking products designed specifically for students, while also pointing them to helpful financial resources, such as the Student Financial Handbook, a downloadable guide that provides students with easy to understand explanations and advice on an array of financial topics. The Morris on Campus site can be found here. Full Article read here .
Choosing the Right Bank for Your Needs
When you’re shopping for a new bank make sure you understand a few things before stepping into the bank around the corner from your home. You should consider whether you are willing to pay higher fees for the convenience of the location, or if you are willing to make a little extra travel effort for lower fees. The first thing is to evaluate your banking needs. Here is a quick checklist of things to consider:
ING Direct offers $25 bonus towards your new Electric Orange account
ING Direct has a new promotion for opening new Electric Orange accounts. Here are few steps in order to get the deal: Open your Electric Orange. Activate your Electric Orange MasterCard® Debit Card. Use your Electric Orange Card to make at least 3 signature-based purchases in the first 45 days after your account has been opened. Your $25 bonus will be automatically deposited into your Electric Orange 50 days after your account has been opened. The Electric Orange account currently offers 1.75% APY if your balance is under 50K - anything over that 3.20% APY and up. Here is a link to current promotion - Click Here
Michigan Heritage Bank offers amazing 5.50% APY for opening checking acount
Michigan Heritage Bank, a full-service community bank in the Detroit area, has announced the launch of its iEarn checking account. This account will pay 5.5% annual percentage yield to customers who meet the requirements of the account. To read full article about this please visit freep.com
Despite consumer confidence at an all time low, Americans continue to treat themselves
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HSBC Bank USA, N.A., the U.S. banking unit of one of the world’s largest financial services companies, today announced the results of an HSBC Direct Consumer Survey which revealed that, despite consumer confidence at an all time low1, Americans continue to treat themselves and others, with over half having “splurged” within the last month. However, 82% of respondents are aiming to save, and also recognize the control involved in saving - as one in five claimed that saving requires more discipline than quitting smoking. Respondents indicated emotions are strongly tied to spending decisions, with nearly half citing “it just feels good” as a reason for splurging.
Rewards and Cash Back Offers for New Accounts
Do you like cash back and free gifts? Check out these offers running now across the banks. Qualify for gift cards, free iPods, or just plain cash for opening accounts with these banks. Get the Chase Freedom Visa Card today, and earn 5,000 points automatically that you can spend like cash. Additionally, get $50 back with your first purchase. To apply, click here You’ll receive up to a $125 value when you sign up for a Free Checking Account with Commerce Bank. To open an account, go to Commerce Bank. Flagstar Bank will put $100 in your account, when you open a checking account with them. Click here for the promotion.
Special Student Account Offers
-Fifth Third Bank is running a special sweepstakes from now until September 30, 2008. Open a Student Checking Account and automatically be entered to win a $10,000 college scholarship. Ten students will win a $1,000 college scholarship. Click here for details. -Get a free iPod nano, when you open free Student Checking account with Key Bank. Offer runs until August 29, 2008. Go to Key Bank, to sign up.
