What Is a Public Bank?

A public bank is a financial institution owned and operated by the government or a public entity. Public banks differ from private banks, which are owned and operated by private…

Are Online Banks Safe?

If they’re FDIC-insured, online banks are as safe as traditional brick-and-mortar banks in many ways. You can also take steps as a consumer to ensure your account is as protected…

Methodology for Savings, Money Market, and CD Rankings

We make it easy to find top savings rates by giving you daily rankings of the best rates for savings accounts, money market accounts (MMAs), and certificates of deposit (CDs).…

How Many Savings Accounts Should I Have?

The right number of savings accounts is a personal decision, but in many cases it may be a smart strategy to have more than one. There’s no limit to the…

What Is a Bank Sign-Up Bonus?

What Is a Bank Sign-Up Bonus? A bank sign-up bonus is a lump sum of cash you receive when signing up for a new bank account and fulfilling various requirements.…

What Happened to Silicon Valley Bank?

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was shut down in March 2023 by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Based in Santa Clara, California, the bank was shut down after…

What Happened to Signature Bank?

Signature Bank was shut down on March 12, 2023, after depositors withdrew large sums of money on the heels of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Regulators feared continued…

How to Make Mobile Check Deposits

Millions of Americans regularly use mobile banking, including the ability to deposit checks with a mobile device. Depositing checks with a smartphone, a tablet, or another mobile device is fast,…

What Is the American Consumer Council?

The nonprofit American Consumer Council (ACC) is a gateway to credit union membership for many Americans. At its core, the council focuses on consumer education, advocacy, and financial literacy. However,…

What Happens If My Bank Fails?

If your bank fails, the first thing to keep in mind is that you won’t lose all your deposits. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) insures bank accounts up to…