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	Choosing A Bank And Credit Card
	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

• How many ATM's does your bank have?
• Where are those ATM's located?
• Do they have agreements with other banks allowing use of their machines?
• How many in-network ATM transactions are you allowed in a month?
• Is there a fee if you go over this number? What is the fee?
• Is there a fee if you use out-of-network machines? What is the fee?
• Can you have an ATM card that is a check card? One that isn't?

• What is the annual percentage rate (APR)?
• What is the interest rate?
• Is there an annual fee? Will you waive it for new or long-time customers?
• Can I carry a balance?
• What is my credit limit? How often can I have it increased?
• Does your card offer any rewards (cash back, frequent flyer miles, etc.)?
• Do you charge a late payment fee?
• Do you offer a payment grace period before charging interest? How long?
• Do you charge a transaction fee for a cash advance?
• Are there any other service charges?

• What kind of monthly service charges can I expect?
• Do you charge fees for writing or cashing many checks in a month?
• Do you charge fees for making counter deposits? How much?
• Do you reduce your monthly fees for direct deposit?
• Do you reduce your monthly fees for electronic banking?
• Do reduce your monthly fees if I have a loan with you?
• Do you reduce your monthly fees if I have multiple accounts with you?
• Do you reduce your monthly fees if I don't get my cancelled checks back?

• Do you offer interest-bearing checking accounts? At what interest rate?
• How do you calculate interest on my account?
• Do you compound interest on my daily balance?
• note -- beware banks that calculate only monthly or on your lowest balance

• How much do you need to open an account?
• What balance must you keep to avoid a fee?
• What is the fee if you go below that minimum?

• Do you offer overdraft protection? What is the fee?
• Do you offer traveler's checks? What is the fee?
• Do you offer online banking? What is the fee?
• Do you offer automated bill-paying? What is the fee?
• Do you offer money orders? What is the fee?
• What other additional services do you offer?

 

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