Banking & Money Basics

Routing number vs account number is an important banking comparison because both numbers may appear together on a check, direct deposit form, bank statement, or electronic transfer screen, but they identify different things. The routing number identifies the financial institution, while the account number identifies your specific checking, savings, or eligible prepaid account. Understanding where […]

What is an ACH transfer and why does it appear so often in online banking? An ACH transfer is an electronic movement of money between eligible bank or credit union accounts through the Automated Clearing House network. ACH payments commonly support direct deposit, automatic bill payments, account-to-account transfers, tax refunds, benefit payments, and many other

What does a pending transaction mean when it appears in your bank account? A pending transaction generally means that a purchase, payment, withdrawal, transfer, or deposit has been recognized but has not completed the full processing and posting process. A pending bank transaction can temporarily affect the amount of money available to spend even when

How to read a bank statement is an essential skill for managing a checking or savings account. Your statement records deposits, withdrawals, debit card purchases, checks, electronic payments, transfers, fees, interest, and other activity completed during a specific period. Learning how to read a bank statement can help you understand where your money went, confirm

How to avoid overdraft fees is an important banking skill because a small transaction can become expensive when your checking account does not contain enough available money. Knowing your available balance, upcoming automatic payments, deposit availability, and bank policies can help you prevent unnecessary charges. If you are wondering what is an overdraft fee, it

Ever needed to send money to someone fast, like same-day fast? That’s where wire transfers come in. They’re kind of like the express lane for moving money from one bank to another, whether that’s across the street or across the world. But what exactly is a wire transfer? How does it work? And is it

Despite how digital our world has become, checks are still widely used, especially for rent, utilities, business payments, and formal transactions. Whether you’re new to using checks or just need a quick refresher, you may be wondering how to write a check properly.  In this guide, we will reveal exactly how to write a check

Depositing a check at an ATM is a convenient way to handle your banking without waiting in line at a branch. Whether it’s after hours or you simply prefer self-service, modern ATMs make check deposits quick, secure, and easy.  But how to deposit a check at an ATM? In this guide, we’ll walk you through

When you’re sending or receiving money, two of the most common methods you’ll hear about are ACH transfers and wire transfers. But what exactly are they, and how do you know which one to use? In this guide, we will break down the differences between ACH vs. wire transfers, and help you figure out which