credit unions

Simple: A New Bank for the Online Set

For customers sick of dealing with bank fees and surcharges, a new company called Simple is offering an interesting solution: all-online banking.

His Financial Goal: Dump His Bank and Join a Credit Union

Everyone has things they want to improve about their financial lives -- and we in the AOL newsroom are no exceptions. So we asked money expert Jean Chatzky for advice on how to reach our goals. Today: A DailyFinance reporter who's ready to break up with his bank.

Her Financial Goal: Win at the Refinancing Game

Everyone has things they want to improve about their financial lives -- and we at DailyFinance are no exceptions. So we asked money expert Jean Chatzky for advice on how to reach our goals. Today: An editor who wants to get the best deal on refinancing.

Could Your Next Stockbroker Be a Credit Union?

Credit unions, with their favorable interest rates and low fees, can be good alternatives to big commercial banks. But if you're an investor looking for a one-stop shop, you may shun them for their lack of online stock trading services. Well, don't: Many now offer online brokerage accounts, too.

Americans Keep Fleeing Banks, Flock to Credit Unions Instead

Credit unions have a long way to go before they threaten the financial dominance of commercial banks. But Americans are moving billions of dollars of their business in that direction every year, and there's good reason for that trend to continue -- and for you to jump on the bandwagon.

Identity Thief Accidentally Sends Victims His Loot

A tip for identity thieves: When you buy a bunch of pricey merchandise with a stolen card number, make sure you don't ship the loot to your victims. That's evidently what happened to one Alaska couple. First their debit card was hacked to the tune of $5,000. Then, the packages began arriving.

9 Questions to Ask to See If Your Bank Is Right for You

The end of the year is a good time to give your financial life a once-over and see what changes need to be made. One item not to forget in that review: your bank. Answering these questions will help you determine whether your money is in the right place, or if it's time for a strategic withdrawal.

Are Mortgages from Walmart the Future of Lending?

Since the financial crash of 2007, banks have lost their luster and alternative financing options like peer-to-peer lending have grown rapidly. Now, a new study suggests the next phase of lending's transformation will be companies like Walmart and eBay offering big loans at lower rates.

The Downside of Credit Unions

Credit union membership is at an all-time high, thanks to our rising disillusionment with traditional banks. Banks, after all, are run by executives aiming to enrich stockholders, while credit unions are owned by, and run for the benefit of, their members. But that doesn't mean credit unions are right for everyone.

Banks Made Less on Overdraft Fees Last Year

The average fee for overdrafting your bank account rose again last year, but evidently, more Americans are doing a better of job managing their checking accounts, because the amount paid in overdraft fees dropped by $1.5 billion in 2011, after a $4 billion drop in 2010.

Fee Backlash Cost Big Banks Over 2 Million Customers

Switching banks is a hassle, but outrage over the big financial institutions' efforts to pile on new steep fees pushed more than 2 million people to close their accounts over the past 3 months. Is Bank Transfer Day becoming Bank Transfer Year?

The Bigger the Bank, the Worse the Customer Service

The biggest bank in America isn't the one you might think: JPMorgan Chase recently knocked longtime rival Bank of America out of the top spot. But is bigger better? Not when it comes to customer service.

Sick of Fees? Here Are Some Other Banking Options

When people talk about the American dream -- buying a home, going to college, starting a business -- banks are usually somewhere in the background. But what if, instead of making your dream come true, your bank relationship actually costs you money?