Checks and Balances: 2014 Update studied 44 of the nation’s 50 largest banks, as determined by volume of deposits (six did not provide account information to Pew), and documented their use of best and good practices in the areas of disclosure, overdraft, and dispute resolution. The following information reflects data from banks in 49 of the 50 states, excluding Hawaii where no data were available, and those that are online-only. Data were collected in October 2013.
This report is the fourth in a series by The Pew Charitable Trusts examining key checking account terms and conditions. The good news for bank customers in 2014 is that disclosure policies have improved, especially those related to key terms, and there are greater overdraft protections at the ATM. Yet the bad news is that more banks are charging extended overdraft fees and limiting options for dispute resolution.
This interactive tool follows three typical people—Mike, Sarah, and Jen—as they go about their day. They are all responsible with money, but their budgets are a little tight. We will explore how, depending on where they bank, their experiences with overdraft fees can differ dramatically, and why it pays to know your institution's policies and practices. Click on a character to start.
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Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as “superbugs,” are a major threat to modern medicine. But how does resistance work, and what can we do to slow the spread? Read personal stories, expert accounts, and more for the answers to those questions in our four-week email series: Slowing Superbugs.
