Finding Financial Services

Module 3.1

VOCABULARY• Bank: a for-profit business owned by stockholders

that is state or federally chartered to provide financial services to its customers

• Credit Union: a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by the members that is state or federally chartered and provides financial services to its members

• Checking account: an account that allows withdrawals by writing a check or using a debit card

• Savings account: an account that pays interest on the money within

• Debit card: a plastic card that allows for payment of goods and services using your checking account

• Credit card: a plastic card that pays for goods and services using someone else’s money to be paid back with interest

• Overdraft: what happens when a withdrawal is greater than the amount of money in the checking account

• Safety deposit box: a secure box in a bank vault where valuables can be stored

Financial Services Provided• Checking accounts • Savings accounts • Interest on checking deposits • Automatic deposit and payment • Credit cards • Check cards or Debit cards • ATMs • Online banking • Storage of valuables (safe deposit boxes) • Money transfers • Overdraft protection • Traveler's checks or cards• Many other services as determined by the bank

Choosing Financial Services• The quality of service, the types of services, and the fees

charged for services can vary from one bank to another. • Before deciding which types of services you need and

which bank you want to use, it helps to understand their potential costs and benefits. Otherwise, you may pay for services you do not want or need.

• Even though technology has reduced the cost of services to customers, financial institutions still charge a variety of fees for providing them. The fees are part of the costs for you to consider when making financial choices.