Checking Account FAQs & Basics

Business Prepaid Debit Cards: How They Work Learn how business prepaid debit cards can work to help you manage business finances and allow business owners to provide spending power to employees. Lance Cothern Lance Cothern How to Choose a Business Checking Account As a business owner, you likely use many tools to manage your business. You may... Lance Cothern Should I Give a Business Debit Card to an Employee? Running a small business is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Every day business... Can You Use a Personal Checking Account for Your Business? Learn about the dangers of using a personal checking account for your business finances and how you can better separate your own finances from your business. Lance Cothern 8 Business Checking Account Fees to Watch Out For See the most common fees associated with business checking accounts so that you know what to watch out for when picking a checking account for your business. Lance Cothern Aja McClanahan Rewards Checking Accounts: High Interest Rates & Earn Cash Back For many consumers, a checking account acts as the financial hub of all money... Simon Zhen How Online Checking Can Replace Your Traditional Checking Account It’s very common for someone to have a checking account that was opened at a local... Which U.S. Banks Offer Foreign Currency (Multicurrency) Accounts? Find out which U.S. banks offer foreign currency accounts -- also known as multi-currency accounts -- to personal banking customers. Lance Cothern ACH vs. Wire Transfers: Compare Speed, Cost and Security Learn the difference between ACH and wire transfers -- comparing the cost, speed, and security of the funds being transferred. Thomas (TJ) Porter Valencia Patrice Higuera Do Banks Offer Notary Services? Is It Free? At some point in time, you might need to get a document notarized. To do so,... Thomas (TJ) Porter Legal Processing Fees: Why Do Banks Charge Them? If you look at the fine print or the fee schedule for your checking and savings... Counter Checks Fees Compared at the Top U.S. Banks Find out how much banks will charge for counter checks, which are available at branches when you need a temporary personal check urgently. Kevin Mercadante Pending Balance vs. Available Balance: Which Amount is Most Accurate? Learn about the differences between your current account balance and available account balance when you consider pending transactions. Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante How to Write a Check Properly to Avoid Rejected Payments Many payments today are being made electronically and it seems checks are gradually... Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Tell If a Check is Real or Fake You got a check from someone and you’re ready to deposit it to your bank... How to Find Your Bank's Routing Number Learn how to find the correct routing number for your bank account. See the list of routing numbers at the top U.S. banks based on your state. Valencia Patrice Higuera How to Get a Copy of Canceled Checks Learn how you can get a copy of canceled checks (known as checks deposited or returned), including why you'd want these check images and the fees involved. Thomas (TJ) Porter Simon Zhen What is a Checking Account?: A Quick 101 Guide A checking account is a type of deposit account offered by financial institutions for... Thomas (TJ) Porter Prepaid Debit Cards vs. Checking Accounts: Which is Better? You need an account that can act as the center of your finances -- an account to send... What's the Difference Between a Checking Account and a Money Market Account? While a checking account and money market account have some similar features, learn how they differ so that you pick the right account for your financial goals. Thomas (TJ) Porter Compare ACH Transfer Fees at Top U.S. Banks Learn about how ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers work and the fees charged by big U.S. banks for this very common financial transaction. Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Pick an Online Checking Account Your checking account is the center of your financial life. All, or nearly all, of... Kevin Mercadante What Are Paper Statement Fees? If you’re over 40 (or is it 50?), you might remember the term “free checking”. Like a... 5 Signs You Need a New Checking Account Find out how your checking account could be hurting your finances and what you should look for in the best checking account for you. Lance Cothern What to Do When the ATM Eats Your Check After an Unsuccessful Deposit Find out what steps you should take right after an ATM steals your check after it couldn't complete the deposit successfully. Valerie Ashton Valencia Patrice Higuera The Difference Between Certified Checks and Cashier Checks Cash or a personal check aren’t recommended for some large purchases, such as the... Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Use the Same Bank for Your Personal and Business Checking Accounts? Individuals and business have very different banking needs. Businesses often handle... How to Cash a Check at Walmart Learn all about cashing a check at Walmart, including the information that you need to provide. Find out the fees and limits that apply. Simon Zhen Compare the Deposit Cutoff Times at the Top U.S. Banks Find out what the cutoff times are for making check and cash deposits at the biggest U.S. Learn about when funds are available and when checks will clear. Kevin Mercadante