Banking

Most people need a checking account to help manage their finances. They help you pay bills, provide a place to store your cash and keep your paycheck safe. Since they are so common, there are a dizzying number of options to choose from. It may seem confusing or intimidating, but it’s important to consider your… Read More

The concept of microlending is an idea that many of us have only a passing knowledge of.  Perhaps you or someone you know has established an account with an organization like Kiva to lend funds to aspiring entrepreneurs in a developing country. These days micro lending is no longer focused on just the developing world…. Read More

It used to be that you did business with the local bank in your town. You didn’t have much to choose from, so you took what you could get. But in today’s world, you can choose a seemingly endless supply of banks, both online and off. So, to be truly financially responsible, it’s important that… Read More

In the age of online banking, some banks are implementing new ways to lure in existing and potential customers to their neighborhood branch. In an effort to become more community friendly, banks are hosting events and offering little perks to make visiting a branch a more enjoyable experience. To read more about this new strategy, read the full… Read More

On February 4, Canada announced that it would cease to produce Canadian pennies. While this is of little significance in the U.S., it has reinvigorated an old question related to why the penny endures. In 2012, the U.S. produced $49 million in pennies. It cost $118 million. This cost inequality aside, how often do people… Read More

In a time of increased regulation and pressure on banks, consumers find themselves on the hook for more fees and penalties. Simple, an online banking startup based in Portland, Oregon is looking to change that. Not only does the company refuse to charge any fees to its customers for banking products, but Simple offers customers… Read More

Consumers are facing some hard decisions when it comes to finding the right bank account. As a result of the recession and new regulations on banks, fees are on the rise. When looking for a secure place to store one’s money, consumers should do some serious research as the fees and requirements vary widely from… Read More

If you’re teaching economics along with personal finance, you’ll find this website to be very useful. It outlines some basic facts about the global financial crisis of 2008, and goes in-depth on the recurring problems of the world economy including debt-based consumer culture, unbalanced international trade, among other issues. Here you’ll find news updates, overviews,… Read More

In today’s economy, “free checking” accounts are harder to find as banks are pressed to meet new government regulations. Many large banks are either adding or increasing fees and requirements for account holders. There are some options for those searching for free checking, read about them here. Read More