History of CFPB Penalties: Putting Wells Fargo’s $1 Billion Fine in Context
By Robert Harrow |
Find out how the latest news of a $1 billion fine for Wells Fargo fits in the greater context of the CFPB. Read More >
Banking
Checking and savings accounts are the foundation of your financial life. Lay the groundwork for peace of mind with our guides and reviews.
What We Can Do for You
Trying to pick a bank account is a bit more complicated than your typical shopping decision—so we've read through the fine print for you. These articles present the results of our research in clear and simple language.
Best Savings Account Rates
Because everyone has slightly different needs, we always present a range of options in each area. The following deposit accounts offer the highest interest rates available.
| Account | Interest Rate (APY) |
|---|---|
| DCU Primary Savings | 5.12% |
| Dollarsavings Direct Dollar Savings | 1.40% |
| CIT High Yield Savings | 1.30% |
Our Top Picks
From buying coffee to paying rent, we depend on checking accounts to cover all kinds of expenses. We've sorted through fees, rules and rates to help you determine which one makes sense for your situation.
Meanwhile, a good savings account should come with a strong interest rate and low monthly fees. Here's a list of the best savings options we've found.
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts and Debit Cards
Banking Statistics: Rates and Balances
We've used government surveys and other data to explore the history of the average interest rate and balance for each kind of bank account in the U.S.
Guides
Understanding Bank Accounts and Fees
Deposit accounts come with all sorts of jargon in their contracts. These articles should help you understand what goes on with different account types, bank fees and withdrawal limits.
Bank Account Guides
Banking Fees
Bank Reviews
With more banking choices available than ever before, how do you go about deciding on the best one? Get started with our in-depth reviews of the most popular banks.
Reviews
2016 Analysis of Regulatory Violations & Consumer Complaints
With the news of mass customer exploitation by Wells Fargo, we evaluated consumer complaints and regulatory violations to see how the rest...
See StudyBanking 101
If you're still stumped, or if you need more general information about banking, chances are you'll find the answers in one of these articles.
Guides
Banking News
Beam Bank Review: What Does it Offer?
By Chris Moon |
Beam is a fintech startup that's rolling out online deposit accounts with rates between 2% and 4% APY—many times higher than the interest...Read More >
Where Should You Stash Your Emergency Savings?
By Betsy Vereckey |
It's important to have at least three to six months of expenses on hand in case of an emergency. But rather stashing these funds under your...Read More >
Will Amazon Step Into Cheap Checking?
By Janna Herron |
News that Amazon is looking to partner with a bank to provide checking accounts may revive free or low-cost banking options. Here's what it...Read More >
Taking the Bankruptcy Plunge: Which Type of Filing Is Right for You
By Janna Herron |
Once you’ve made the difficult decision to file for bankruptcy, the next step is figuring out which type most suits you—Chapter 7 or...Read More >
Best Places To Cash A Check, If You Don’t Have A Bank
By Janna Herron |
For many Americans, cashing a check is easy and free. Simply walk into a branch or upload a picture of the check, and your bank will...Read More >
The $450 Reason to Avoid Overdraft Coverage
By Janna Herron |
Overdrafting on your checking account can result in more than one fee. Here are the fees you should look out for when you overdraw your...Read More >
7 Ways to Safeguard Your Other Money Accounts After the Equifax Breach
By Janna Herron |
A credit freeze won't protect your bank and investment accounts after the Equifax breach. Here's how to safeguard your other financial...Read More >
Apps That Promise to Manage, Not Just Track, Your Money
By Katherine Ross |
There are various financial apps available for iPhones and Androids nowadays. However, there are a couple of newcomers to the market that...Read More >