Checking Accounts Answers

Which of the following items may be a good consideration in selecting a bank?I. The bank sends a representative to the local mall to promote new applications.II. Number of ATMs or bank branches near where you live, shop, work, or travel.III. Knowledge of personal usage habits and needs.

Sharon wants to open a checking account from which to pay bills. She wants online services, and a debit card, which both banks provide for free. Based upon past experience, she expects to accidentally overdraft the account 1 time per year, due to unexpected charges and miscommunications. She expects no 2nd copies of statements, and to use network ATMs 4 times per month with either bank. She has $3300 in an emergency savings account at First State Bank, and thinks that the balance will be enough to cover overdrafts in the future if automatic transfers are made when needed. Based on the tables of fees, above, if Sharon chooses First State Bank, will it save her money over choosing Common Bank?

Jenna wants to save a $10,000 trust fund she received when she turned 21, and add $50 per month as emergency funds. She has narrowed her search for a savings account to 2 banks, Bank A and Bank B. Bank A pays a fixed rate of interest, and Bank B pays a variable rate, but both rates are currently the same. Jenna’s trusted friend advises her to make the selection based upon her banking needs in consideration of the other services and fees of the banks, because the interest rates are the same. If you were advising Jenna about how to choose an account based upon her own needs, what advice below would you not give her?

Which statement below gives the best reason for considering personal needs, values, and circumstances in selecting a bank account?

Henry is moving and needs to open a new checking account. He is trying to decide between three banks using the chart below:Bank XBank YBank ZNo monthly fees if balance stays above $500, otherwise $7 per monthNo monthly fees if check card is used less than 6 times per month$5 monthly feeNo minimum balance$25 minimum balanceNo minimum balanceOnline banking servicesOnline banking servicesOnline banking servicesNon-Bank X ATM fee - $2.00 per transactionNon-Bank Y ATM fee - $1.50 per transactionNon-Bank Z ATM fee - $2.00 per transactionHenry usually has about $300 in his account at any given time during the month. He limits his ATM visits to one per week and is interested in banking online options. Bank X and Bank Z have 5 ATMs within a 5 mile radius of Henry’s work and his new home. Which bank should he choose?

Jack is considering a list of features and fees for Current Bank: Jack plans on using network ATMs about 4 times per month. What would be Jack’s total estimated annual fees for a checking account with direct paycheck deposit, one overdraft per year, and no 2nd copies of statements?

Barry wants to open a checking account. He wants online services, and a debit card. He is looking at the following tables of fees from his employer's credit union, EECU, and a local bank, E-town Bank: Based upon past experience, Barry expects no overdrafts. He expects no 2nd copies of statements. Barry estimates that he will use network ATMs about 5 times a month with either bank. Barry decides in the end to choose EECU. Assuming that both banks provide the necessary services equally well, and based upon the tables of fees given above, how much can Barry reasonably expect to save annually by choosing EECU in this case over E-town bank?

Vítor knows he must prepare and possibly prevent overdraft funds fees since they are charged automatically. Which statement below would be the least effective element of a plan Vitor could use to accurately estimate (or minimize) overdraft fees on the account?

Lucy will open a checking account and 3 savings accounts for different purposes (emergency fund, gift fund, and education fund). Which of the following items should not be among her main considerations in selecting these accounts?

Bill wants to open a checking account to pay bills from and a savings account to cover overdrafts and other emergencies. He wants online services, and a debit card. He analyzes the following statements of fees from State Bank and Common Bank: Based upon past experience, Bill expects to accidentally overdraft the account 2 times per year, unfortunately, due to unexpected charges and miscommunications. He expects no 2nd copies of statements, and to use network ATMs 4 times per month with State Bank (due to less in-network ATMs being available), or 2 times per month with Common Bank. He has $2500 to deposit to an emergency savings account for overdraft protection, and thinks that the balance will be enough to cover most all overdrafts in the future if automatic transfers are made when needed. Based on the tables of fees, which bank is expected to cost the least amount in fees per year?