One of the most frustrating things about the 2008 financial crisis was the sense that the people who got us into this mess weren’t going to face any kind of repercussions. For ordinary Americans watching their nest eggs tank while reading about bailouts and golden parachutes, there was a widespread feeling that somebody needed to be held …
credit unions
Big Banks, Bigger Fees
You’ve heard all about the rise of bank fees—from $5 ATM charges to the disappearance of free checking and beyond. Now all of those pesky fees and annoying account policy requirements are presented in one handsome infographic.
Free Checking Becomes Fee Checking
The era of free checking appears to be on its last legs. For months, signs have been regularly appearing indicating that this day would come: early rumors that Bank of America would roll out fees to make up for lost revenues due to new overdraft regulations, BofA testing new checking fees around the country, other big banks such as Chase …
125 Tips for Saving Money, Shopping Smarter, Finding Jobs, and Just Getting Through a Bad Day
This week’s tip roundup includes things you must do (find a checking account that doesn’t charge fees), products that come with less “product” than they used to (like Häagen-Dazs), and coupons you probably don’t use but should.
The Quirky Reason Big Bank Customer Ratings Are Improving
At the same time banks are losing customers, their customer satisfaction ratings show clear improvement. Huh?
Credit Unions and Small Banks Cream Big Banks in Customer Satisfaction Survey
The results of a new survey show that 88% — 88%! — of credit union and small bank customers say they’re satisfied with the service they receive, and only 1% of credit union customers report being dissatisfied.
There’s Still No Reason to Pay for a Checking Account
Recent reform measures that restrict debit-card overdraft fees and tighten credit card regulations are expected to save consumers as much as $5 billion this year. No one expects the banks to sit back and do nothing while once-easy revenue streams dry up, and the speculation is that one tactic banks may soon bank on is the reintroduction …
Anybody Want to Fight?
Tips for battling it out with debt collectors, TV-Internet-phone providers, the IRS, and more.
Why Credit Union Credit Cards Are Better Than What’s in Your Wallet
As the Move Your Money movement preaches, there’s good reason for shifting your savings and checking accounts to local banks and credit unions. There’s just as much reason to change the kind of plastic you use.
Now That You’re Saving Money, Where the Heck Do You Put It?
The recession has turned the U.S. into a nation of savers. After years of spending like it was a job—and in some ways it was a job to buy stuff and keep the economy pumping along—we are finally saving some money. The national savings rate was around 7 percent recently. But now that we’re saving, interest rates in a typical bank …