Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Find Your Local Branch
Back
Scroll to top

Finance 101: Banking Basics

Personal Finances 4 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch

Finance 101: Investing in your financial future is one of the smartest things you can do. But there is more to building healthy finances than simply stashing away extra cash in your piggy bank. In this article, we cover a wide range of topics to help you learn the basics of finance and help you make educated decisions regarding your financial future.

Checking Accounts

For those new to finance, opening a checking account is a great first step. A checking account enables you to deposit money into an account that can be accessed by writing a check, using your debit card, or withdrawing money from your bank’s automated teller machine (ATM).

The biggest advantage to having a checking account is that it keeps your money safe while allowing you to access it when needed. Unlike cash, if your debit card becomes lost or stolen your bank can put a stop on your account, prohibiting unauthorized users to access your money.

Tips for using a checking account:

  • Keep a running balance of your account to avoid overdrawing your account. Most banks charge an overdraft fee for purchases that are made with insufficient funds.
  • Consider overdraft protection if your bank offers it to you.
  • Familiarize yourself with your account’s minimum balance requirements.

Savings Accounts

A savings account is less accessible than a checking account, as the Federal Reserve limits the number of free transfers or withdrawals you can make from a savings account.

According to Investopedia, “A regular savings account is easy to set up and maintain. You can usually link this type of savings account directly to your checking account at the same bank and quickly and easily move money between the two accounts. Having these two accounts linked can sometimes help you avoid overdraft charges and/or under-the-minimum-balance fees from your checking account.”

Having a savings account can help you set aside money for emergencies and help you save for large purchases, all while earning interest.

Credit

Building and maintaining good credit will provide several advantages to you, including:

  • Lower financing rates
  • More negotiating power
  • Attractive mortgage and refinancing rates
  • Higher credit card limits and rewards

While getting a credit card is a great first step to building your credit, maxing out your credit card, failing to pay your credit card bill on time and only paying your card’s minimum balance each month will end up hurting your credit.

Debt

Many people consider debt to be the dirty word of finance. But most people have at least a little debt, whether it is in the form of a mortgage, car note, credit card balance or student loan. When thinking about debt, is important to remember that not all debt is bad debt.

“Good debt helps you generate income and increase your net worth,” according to Investopedia. Some examples of good debt include:

  • Small business ownership
  • Technical or college education
  • Real estate
  • Short-term investing

Bad debt, on the other hand, does nothing to generate extra income or increase your net worth. Examples of bad debt include car loans, credit card balances that are not regularly paid off, and any debt with a high interest rate.

Sometimes you need bad debt temporarily to help bridge a tough financial period, but you should try hard to move away from this type of debt as often as possible.

Get Financial Guidance at First Bank

If you have additional banking questions, First Bank is available in North Carolina and South Carolina to answer questions and help ensure you make educated decisions regarding your finances. Whether you are interested in opening a checking account, savings account or credit card, we will help get you set up on the right foot.

Contact us or find your local First Bank today!

Sources:

Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/university/banking/banking7.asp

Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/12/good-debt-bad-debt.asp

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch
Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Four Different Types of Services | Banking A bank’s job is to provide customers with financial services that help people better manage their lives. As technology advances and competition increases, banks are offering different types of services to stay current and attract customers. Whether you are opening your first bank account or have managed a checking account for years, it helps to know the different types of banking services available. This ensures you get the most out of your current financial institution. Deciding which services are most important can lead you to the bank that best fits your needs. Different Types of Services | Bank Accounts Individual Banking—Banks typically offer a variety of services to assist individuals in managing their finances, including: Checking accounts Savings accounts Debit & credit cards Insurance* Wealth management Business Banking—Most banks offer financial services for business owners who need to differentiate professional and personal finances. Different types of business banking services include: Business loans Checking accounts Savings accounts Debit and credit cards Merchant services (credit card processing, reconciliation and reporting, check collection) Treasury services (payroll services, deposit services, etc.) Digital Banking—The ability to manage your finances online from your computer, tablet, or smartphone is becoming more and more important to consumers. Banks will typically offer digital banking services that include: Online, mobile, and tablet banking Mobile check deposit Text alerts eStatements Online bill pay Loans—Loans are a common banking service offered, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some common types of loans that banks provide include: Personal loans Auto and boat loans Home equity lines of credit Home loans Business loans Better Banking Services from First Bank If your current financial institution doesn’t offer the services mentioned above, you may not be getting the best banking service possible. At First Bank, we are dedicated to helping our customers get the most out of their money. That is why we offer different types of banking services to meet a variety of needs. To learn more about our banking services, visit your local branch today. *Investment and Insurance Products are NOT Bank Deposits, NOT FDIC-Insured, HAVE NO Bank Guarantee, NOT Insured by any Federal Government Agency, May Go Down in Value ——— Sources: http://www.stockmonkeys.com/what-services-do-modern-banks-offer-4BTIGOI3/ https://localfirstbank.com/business/ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/smart-phones-are-revolutionizing-consumer-banking-habits/ https://localfirstbank.com/locations 2 min read
Education Savings Account – North Carolina College is expensive. The cost of tuition, housing, books, food, and transportation starts to add up. The cost of going to college has gone up by over 400% since the 1970s. The average college student’s debt is $37,172. Don’t get bogged down with student or parent loans. In North Carolina, a First Bank education savings account can help you save for college. Start A Savings Account for Education at First Bank in North Carolina North Carolina is home to some of the best universities in the country, like N.C. State, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, Elon, Eastern Carolina University, and Wake Forest. You shouldn’t have to miss out on the great education North Carolina has to offer because of the high costs. First Bank understands the importance of education. Our education savings accounts can help you prepare for your future and achieve your career goals. Everywhere Savings – Our Everywhere Savings account is a great option for anyone who wants to start saving for college. MyFirst Savings – It is never too early to start saving for your education. First Bank customers under 18 years of age can open a MyFirst Savings account with only a $10 initial deposit. Money Market – First Bank’s Money Market account is a good option for parents or young adults who can put down a little more money to deposit. CDs – A certificate of deposit may be a good option for parents or students who do not need immediate access to their funds. CDs usually earn interest at a higher rate, and are FDIC-insured.* All of our accounts come with free online and mobile banking services.** First Bank makes it easy for you to manage your account from virtually anywhere. Contact or visit your local First Bank to speak with one of our experts about the best education savings account option for you. With over 80 locations in North Carolina, it is easy to find a First Bank near you. *CDs are subject to penalty for early withdrawals prior to maturity date. Penalty will reduce earnings. Investment and Insurance Products are NOT Bank Deposits, NOT FDIC-Insured, HAVE NO Bank Guarantee, NOT Insured by any Federal Government Agency, May Go Down in Value. **While First 3 min read
How To Make A Budget The best way to save money and gain control over your finances is to make a budget. Follow these simple steps to make a budget that will save you money and bring you peace of mind about your spending. Making a Budget People often set their budgets according to a monthly schedule because most living expenses are based on monthly billing cycles. As such, it won’t hurt to spend one full month making your budget. That way you’ll come up with the most accurate data possible. Record All Your Expenses Keep track of everything you pay each month. This includes: Rent/mortgage Car payments Car warranty Utility bills Student loans Cell phone bill Gas Groceries Insurance (car, health, or any other type) Home warranty Memberships to gyms or clubs Charitable donations Many of your monthly expenses are fixed amounts. But others, such as gas and groceries, will fluctuate from one month to the next. Round slightly up for these as it’s better to come up a little short of the intended number than to go over it. Also, some payments such as car insurance might be quarterly or yearly. Figure out how much it equates to per month and factor the payment in that way. Record Your Income The next step is to tally up how much money you’re bringing in each month. If you have a job that pays hourly or by commission and each paycheck varies a little, round slightly down. It’s better to bring in a little more money than what you intended as opposed to coming up short. Do the Math Now that you know what’s going out and what’s coming in, do the math to determine how much is left over. If the difference is positive (you’re making more than you spend): Great! You have extra money that can be put in a savings account, vacation account, or to be used for fun spending money. Or, use it to chip away at those student loans or car payments. Remember, the faster you pay those off, the less you’ll spend in interest in the long run. If the difference is negative (you’re spending more than you make): You’re operating in debt and the sooner you can curb the momentum, 4 min read
What Is the Best Savings Account for Kids The success of child savings accounts has been well documented. We can probably all agree that a savings account for kids is a good decision, but what is the best savings account for kids? First Bank offers a savings account called MyFirst Savings and it’s not hard to argue that it might just be the best savings account for kids. Here’s why: It’s just for kids. MyFirst Savings is exclusively for children under the age of 18. It’s easy and affordable to open. There’s only a $10 initial deposit required to open the account and it can be done simply by visiting one of First Bank’s 100+ locations throughout the Carolinas. The money will grow. There’s no minimum balance to earn interest so your child’s money will start growing from the day the account is opened. You’ll have access to the money. You can make two withdrawals per month with no First Bank fees and with our online and mobile banking you’ll be able to always keep an eye on your money.* You’ll be kept in the know. Free monthly paper or electronic statements provide you a record of the account history and our email, phone call or text message activity alerts notify you of each transaction that happens in the account. Opening a savings account for children is one of the best things a parent can do. And in order to open the very best savings account for kids, simply visit your nearest First Bank today. Or to simply learn more about the account, visit the MyFirst Savings page and download a free coloring book for your child featuring Troy the Plott Hound! While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. 2. Withdrawal fee of $2 each after the first two during the month. Federal regulations limit withdrawals of preauthorized transfers to two (2) per month, including checks, drafts, online transfers, telephone transfers and debit card purchases. You may conduct an unlimited number of withdrawals at the ATM, in person at a branch, or by mail when the check is mailed to you. 2 min read