Bank Deals Blog

Annuities are complex financial products, usually used to supplement income in retirement. You can think of them as insurance-backed investments. Essentially, you pay an insurance company a set amount in premiums. Those premiums are then invested, and...

A Series EE bond is a government-backed savings bond that earns interest on a fixed rate basis and is guaranteed to double in value in 20 years if it was issued after May 2005. But although they earn less on average than major stock indexes, these bonds are a good fit if you want a long term, low-risk investment.

Investors can buy between $25 and $10,000 worth of...

Any time you accept cash, look for signs that it might be counterfeit, such as textural differences and missing security features. Fake money could feel too smooth, or you may not see the proper watermarks or security strip when you inspect it closely.

Taking a good look at a bill before you accept it could save you money, as you’re not likely to be reimbursed...

Currency exchange might not be the first thing you think about when planning a vacation to another country, but it could impact your budget in a big way — especially if you pay steep fees to do it. Even if you plan on using a credit card for most or all of your purchases, you’ll still have to deal with the cost of exchanging currency.

When you’re dealing with a lost debit card, the situation occurs either because the card was stolen or you’ve misplaced it. Either of these scenarios can be unsettling. You’ll want to remain calm and notify your bank or credit union about the card right away.

Acting quickly should protect the money in your checking account and...

War bonds are issued by governments to help fund military operations during wartime. When you purchase a war bond, you loan money to the government in exchange for a fixed interest payment. Interest accrues over the years, so the longer you hold the bond, the greater your redemption value.

As of 1980, U.S. war bonds — as represented by the Series E bond — were discontinued, although they...

Anything of financial value is an asset, and a liquid asset can be easily converted into cash. Liquid assets include cash on hand, savings and checking accounts, and investments such as stocks and bonds. You can...

When choosing a safe place to grow your money, annuities and certificates of deposit (CDs) are two popular options. Both offer a way to earn interest with minimal risk, but they have different purposes and distinct features.

In this article, we break down...

With digital banking and peer-to-peer payment services on the rise, it can come as a surprise that people still pay each other using paper checks. For many, receiving a check may be an unusual experience, leading to the inevitable question: What to do with it?