What is a ‘banking desert,’ and what can you do if you live in one?
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What is a ‘banking desert,’ and what can you do if you live in one?

It seems simple enough; you receive a check in the mail and need to cash it. You drive to the local bank branch a few miles down the road, cash the check, and use the money to pay your bills. Easy! However, that’s not the case for everyone. Approximately 12 million people live in banking…

Can non-U.S. citizens open a bank account?
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Can non-U.S. citizens open a bank account?

If you want to send and receive money while you’re in the U.S., it will be pretty hard to do without a bank account. Fortunately, even if you’re not a U.S. citizen, you can open a bank account here. Like getting a driver’s license or finding housing, it’s harder to open a bank account in…

What is offshore banking, and is it legal?
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What is offshore banking, and is it legal?

When you think about offshore bank accounts, spy thrillers and tax strategies for the wealthy may come to mind. However, offshore banking can also be a financial solution for anyone who works internationally, has close family in another country, or frequently travels abroad. In fact, roughly 1.5 million Americans have around $4 trillion in assets…

Can you pay bills with a credit card?
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Can you pay bills with a credit card?

Making purchases with a credit card can help you earn valuable cash back, miles, or points — and those rewards can offset the cost of credit card bills, cover travel expenses, pad your savings, and more. While swiping your card at the grocery store or gas station is simple, paying your monthly bills with a…

9 weird ways to use a credit card and max out your rewards
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9 weird ways to use a credit card and max out your rewards

Some of the following may be considered weird ways to use a credit card, but if you’re willing to get a little outside of your comfort zone, you could earn hundreds of dollars in additional rewards every year. 1. Buy gift cards A lot of rewards credit cards offer bonus rewards on certain purchase categories,…

Is the housing market going to crash in 2026?
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Is the housing market going to crash in 2026?

A housing market crash happens when home values plummet due to a lack of demand for or an oversupply of homes. The factors leading to a housing market crash are varied, ranging from economic recessions to high mortgage rates that make it less affordable to buy a home. A housing crash can have upsides (low…

5 major benefits of mobile banking
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5 major benefits of mobile banking

Mobile banking has become a popular way to bank in recent years.According to a recent national survey conducted for the American Bankers Association, 54% of bank customers use apps on phones or other mobile devices as their top option for managing their bank accounts, versus other methods like visiting a branch. In 2010, by contrast,…

What is fractional reserve banking?
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What is fractional reserve banking?

Fractional reserve banking is a system that requires banks to keep a percentage of deposits in their customers’ transactional accounts (such as checking and savings accounts) on reserve. Under the previous U.S. reserve requirement, banks had to keep as much as 10% of deposits in their vaults or with the Federal Reserve. However, this threshold…

How to use mobile check deposit: A step-by-step guide
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How to use mobile check deposit: A step-by-step guide

Mobile check deposit is a free feature that comes with most banking apps. It allows you to deposit a check through your smartphone or tablet, and the process only takes a minute or two. Learn more about how mobile check deposit works and whether this feature is right for you. How does mobile check deposit…

Should you open a CD account before the Fed’s next meeting?
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Should you open a CD account before the Fed’s next meeting?

Knowing how the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions impact your interest earnings over time is key to making an informed decision about where to put your money. With a potential rate cut on the horizon next year, a certificate of deposit (CD) may be the best option. CDs can be a smart way to guarantee…

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