Library: English | A Consumer’s Guide to ‘Chip’ Cards

This publication answers credit and debit card customers’ questions about why the transition to “smartcards” is taking place, how the checkout process will change, what consumer protections they will have and where to get more information about chip cards.

Library: English | A Consumer’s Guide to Choosing a Prepaid Card

A prepaid card that charges low fees, comes with desirable features and offers strong consumer protections can be a good choice for many consumers. This publication will help you learn how to compare your options and choose the best prepaid card for your needs.

Library: English | The Right Overdraft Protection Plan: A wise choice

Spending more money than is in your checking account can be a costly mistake. This fact sheet presents the consequences of overdrawing your account, the high cost of “courtesy” overdraft coverage, the better overdraft protection plans that exist and tips for avoiding overdrafts altogether.

Library: English | Checking and Savings Accounts - PowerPoint Training Slides

This downloadable PowerPoint presentation is designed to be used in conjunction with the “Checking and Savings Accounts” lesson plan. The slides provide a visual component to the training that will help to engage learners and improve retention.

Library: English | Checking and Savings Accounts - Seminar Lesson Plan and Class Activities

This downloadable packet guides community educators through a two-hour presentation on selecting, opening, using and managing checking and savings accounts. In addition to the lesson plan (to be used in conjunction with the downloadable PowerPoint presentation), the packet includes exercises, resources and a class evaluation form.

Library: English | An Employee’s Guide to Payroll Cards

This four-page guide is designed to help employees who work for companies that offer a payroll card to determine whether that is their best option, understand how the cards work and how to avoid fees, and know their rights.

Library: English | Paying with Plastic: A Consumer Action introduction to payment cards

This two-page fact sheet explains the differences between credit, charge, debit, prepaid and gift cards. It can help you choose the best option for every transaction.

Library: English | Questions & Answers about Bank Accounts

This backgrounder answers many questions about checking and savings accounts in much greater detail than the companion brochure. Written in Q&A format, the guide includes in-depth information on more than a dozen banking topics, from selecting a bank account, using an ATM and understanding overdraft protection to overcoming barriers to getting an account and how to use online and mobile banking services.

Library: English | Checking and Savings Accounts: A wise choice

This fact sheet presents the basics of checking and savings accounts, highlighting the advantages they offer over “fringe” banking services such as check cashers. The publication covers, among other topics, how checking and savings accounts work, how to choose a financial institution and open an account, and how to reduce or avoid account fees.

Library: English | How to Send Money Home: Tips for transferring money abroad

Many immigrants send some of their earnings to relatives and friends in their home countries. There are several ways to transfer money to recipients outside the U.S., and different types of financial services and products can help you with this task.