Find a Bank All Over The World

How to Choose a Bank That Is Right For You and Your Business

2006-03-03T01:35:00.000-08:00

Your success in getting a Bank to support a request for finance you may need does depend upon you choosing the right Bank in the first place. Even if you don’t initially intend to borrow any money, you should keep this possibility in mind when you are researching the market for the right Bank.
With competition increasing you can get some good deals if you are prepared to shop around. Also, don’t pass over the Banks which offer only telephone or Internet Banking for small businesses. If you operate a very small and simple business then an Internet only Bank account may be right for you.
So where should you look and what criteria should you use when searching for a Bank for your small business?how..........

Banking Center - Bank Accounts and Services

2006-02-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

Certificates of deposit are no longer the vanilla of the investing world.They can have odd lengths of maturity, variable rates and other special features. That means it's more important than ever to be a knowledgeable consumer.The Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees the selling of CDs and other financial products, offers the following tips for investors who are considering buying CDs:Find out when the CD maturesMany investors fail to confirm the maturity dates for their CDs and are later shocked to learn they've tied up their money for five, 10 or 20 years. Before buying a CD, ask to see the maturity date in writing.For brokered CDs, identify the issuerBecause FDIC insurance is limited to a total aggregate amount of $100,000 for each depositor in each bank or thrift institution, it's important that you know which bank or thrift issued your CD. Find out where the deposit broker plans to deposit your money. Ask what record-keeping procedures the deposit broker has in place to assure your CD will have federal deposit insurance.Investigate any call featuresCallable CDs give the issuing bank the right to terminate the CD after a set period, but they do not give you that same right. If the bank calls or redeems your CD, you should receive the full amount of your original deposit plus any unpaid accrued interest.Understand the difference between call features and maturityDon't assume that a "federally insured one-year non-callable" CD matures in one year. If you have any doubts, ask the sales representative at your bank or brokerage firm to explain the CD's call features and to confirm when it matures.Confirm the interest rate you'll receive and how you'll be paidYou should receive a disclosure document that tells you the interest rate on your CD and whether the rate is fixed or variable. Be sure to ask how often the bank pays interest -- for example, monthly or semiannually. Confirm how you'll be paid -- for example, by check or by an electronic transfer of funds.Ask whether the interest rate ever changesIf it's a variable-rate CD, make sure you understand when and how the rate can change.Research penalties for early withdrawalFind out how much you'll have to pay if you cash your CD before maturity.Ask whether your broker can sell your CDSome brokered CDs are issued in the name of the deposit broker. Sometimes, the deposit broker may advertise that the CD does not have a prepayment penalty for early withdrawal. In that case, the deposit broker will try to resell the CD if you want to redeem it before maturity. If interest rates have fallen since you bought your CD and demand is high, you may be able to sell for a profit. But if interest rates have risen, there may be less demand for your lower-yielding CD. That means you may have to sell the CD at a discount and lose some of your original deposit.For more detailed advice, visit the investor assistance section of the SEC Web site.

Find a bank to process your online payments

2005-04-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

Find a bank to process your online paymentsOnline payments are processed by acquiring banks. Businesses can open a merchant account with these banks to receive payments from credit and debit cards.The acquiring banksAlliance and LeicesterAmerican ExpressBank of ScotlandBarclaycard Merchant ServicesDiners ClubHSBCLloyds TSB CardnetNatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland StreamlineUlster BankThe acquiring banks have strict requirements and it's possible that even the bank you use for your business current account may refuse you - see our checklist: applying for a merchant account.You will also have to set up procedures to make sure your customers' card details are secure, both when being transmitted over the Internet and when they're stored by your business.Subjects covered in this guideIntroduction Setting up a merchant account Checklist: applying for a merchant account Using a payment-processing company Selling through an online shopping mallFind a bank to process your online paymentsPrint options - What are my print options

Credit cards -- rates, deals, professional advice and in-depth articles

2005-04-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

1.Track credit card ratesFind out where credit card rates are headed this week.PLUS: Track prime rate/other leading rate indexes
2.Get the best cardOur calculator will ask about your spending and charging habits to help you find the best card.
3.Transfer a balanceIf you're not careful when transferring your balance to a new card, you could end up paying more. Here's how to do it right
4.Know your scoreWant a quick idea of how lenders are likely to rate your credit? Just answer these questions.
5.Pay off your debtOur debt planner will show you how to pay off balances quickly.
CREDIT CARD CATEGORIESRates Calculators How do I choose the best card? Story archive Protect your identity Form letters Glossary Graph trends Credit unions
NEWSGift cards get more consumer friendly
-- Bankrate research on the top 24 gift-card issuers finds that many are eliminating fees and expiration dates, but consumers still need to be wary.PLUS: Results of gift card survey Credit cards offer safety in buying online
-- Zero or limited liability provides extra layer of protection. But not all cards are the same.More credit card offers heading your way -- Now that more banks can issue American Express and Discover cards, expect a flood of offers in the mail.
Get the scoop on credit scores -- Think of it as an SAT score for grown-ups. A good score will get you into the best deals; a lousy score will cost you.MORECredit card rates start to climb -- As interest rates go up, credit card issuers are making changes to claim more of your money faster. PLUS: 5 reasons your credit card rate goes up 10 things to know about gift cards -- They're a convenient way to give a gift, but make sure you understand the fees first.College student's guide to credit -- You and your credit card will get along just fine as long as you remember these four rules.Free credit reports on the way -- The Federal Trade Commission has begun its rollout of free credit reports. But unless you live out West, you'll have to wait a little longer.Don't waste your travel-reward points -- Can't use those 50,000 frequent-flier miles because they're in 10 different programs? Consolidate and redeem those points.Credit card applications going to the dogs? -- Card companies eager to snare new customers sometimes send "pre-approved" offers to children and pets. Here's how Fido might end up with an Amex.No-fee reward cards rewarding, but not free -- You can earn rewards without a fee, but there are trade-offs.Tough, new penalties on credit cards -- Late fees and over-limit penalty fees are on the rise. Here's how to avoid them. PLUS: What the top credit card companies are charging Balance transfer offers: Proceed with caution -- Permanent low-rate deals for the life of your credit card balance are worth examining, as long as you do so closely.Protect yourself from credit discrimination -- The Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires creditors to be fair.PLUS: Where to report violationsAND: What creditors can't ask Debit cards offer rewards -- They're not just air miles anymore. But how good are the rewards, and are they worth the costs?What do credit card companies think of you? -- Uncover the mystery of why credit card companies offer you the rates they do. Take our quick quiz and find out what they look for.Paying off credit card can be tricky -- The payoff balance on your statement is a moving target, and you're likely to get hit with additional "residual interest."No free lunch with company credit cards -- You can be liable for the bill if your employer pays late or goes under.PLUS: Big brother is monitoring Ignoring credit changes can cost you -- Most credit card holders who receive change-of-term notices trash them without knowing what's about to smack them in the wallet.Pay one bill late, get punished by many -- Record numbers of credit card companies will hike your rate if you're late with one payment, even to someone else!When a debt collector targets an old debt -- Just because you've put that unpaid bill behind you doesn't mean you can forget about it.CHART: State-by-state rules on statutes of limitation Free credit reports coming ... in a year -- The new Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act promises to make life easier for identity theft victims. Eventually.Your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act -- Do you have a billing error problem? The law is on your side, if you know how to use it.The power of credit scores -- They're becoming more important to everyday life, but do you know the five factors that can improve your score?Form letters to help you solve your financial fiascos -- Whether you're disputing credit card charges or late fees, these letters help you say it effectively.Dealing with a debt collector -- You can sometimes lower the amount you owe by old-fashioned bargaining.Debt collector horror stories -- Harassment, abuse and illegal tactics appear to be the norm for a few debt collectors. PLUS: 10 ways to fight back against debt collectors Identity theft ... Protecting yourself from credit card hackers -- Hackers recently hit millions of credit card accounts. Do you know what to do if your card info is stolen?14 tips to avoid identity theft -- Identity theft is the top consumer complaint. Here's how to protect yourself.Credit problems and solutions ...20 credit card tricks -- Beat the credit card companies at their fee games.How to dispute a credit card purchase -- Your new radio won't work and the store won't return your money? Get your credit card company on your side.Credit card offers ...Unusually rewarding credit card programs -- Redeem your wildest dream, whether it's a trip to Bora Bora or a liposuction.Charging against your paycheck -- "Payroll deduction credit cards" let workers borrow future wages.More credit card storiesFEATURED STORIESFAQ about credit cards -- Sixteen of the most frequently asked credit card questions.Credit card terms you need to know -- Understanding the fine print can save you big bucks.Credit Scoring 101 -- If you want a loan, a job or an apartment, you'd better know about credit scoring and credit reports. How to deal with a debt collector -- The law restricts how much they can harass you.PLUS: When the collection agency is wrong Why college students might need a credit card -- Not having a credit history can make post-college life more complicated and more expensive.