The Paper Trail
This written order tells a bank to pay a specific amount of money from a checking account to another person or business.
"What is a check?"
This 4-digit secret code is required to use your card at a store or machine.
What is a PIN/Personal Identification Number?
These are charges from the bank for things like using an out-of-network ATM or maintaining an account.
What are Bank Fees?
This is the most common type of bank account, designed for frequent transactions and everyday spending.
What is a Checking Account?
You found a check on the sidewalk made out to someone else. You can’t cash it because it lacks this—the signature on the back.
What is an Endorsement?
The largest U.S. banks that operate nationwide and offer services like checking accounts, loans, and online banking.
What are big banks? or National Banks
Unlike a credit card, this card deducts money directly and immediately from your checking account.
What is a Debit Card?
This happens when you try to spend more money than you actually have in your account.
What are Insufficient Funds or NSF?
These two organizations (one for banks, one for credit unions) insure your money up to $250,000 so it's safe if the institution fails.
What are the FDIC and NCUA?
This checking account feature lets you schedule payments to companies like electric or phone providers online.
What is bill pay?
This is a personal record (often a small booklet) where you manually track every deposit and withdrawal to know your real balance.
What is a check register?
You receive this document after making a deposit or payment, which confirms the amount and details of the transaction.
What is a receipt?
This is the act of taking money out of your account, whether via ATM, teller, or electronic transfer.
What is a Withdrawal?
Unlike a traditional bank, this financial institution is a non-profit owned by its members.
What is a Credit Union?
This type of bank serves the local population, offering personal and business banking services primarily within a specific region or town.
What is a Community Bank?
You fill out this form when you want to put cash or checks into your account.
What is a Deposit Slip?
This term refers to any transaction that takes money out of your account.
What is a Debit or Withdrawal?
This fee might be charged if you don’t keep enough money in your checking or savings account.
What is the minimum balance fee?
If you lose your debit card, this is the first thing you should do to prevent unauthorized "Debits."
What is Call the bank or Report it lost/stolen?
You use your Debit Card for a $2.50 snack, forgetting that your account is empty. The bank "covers" the cost but charges you a $35 fee for this mistake.
What is an Overdraft Fee (or NSF)
This specific type of endorsement includes "For Deposit Only," making it the safest way to mail a check.
What is a Restrictive Endorsement?
This employee works at the front desk of the bank, handling deposits, withdrawals, and providing customer service.
What is a Bank Teller?
This banking practice may delay when deposited money becomes available in your account, even though the deposit was made.
What is a pending transaction or deposit hold?
This specific type of endorsement allows you to transfer a check made out to you over to another person - called a two-party check.
What is a Special Endorsement?
Your new job asks for your Routing and Account numbers so they can send your paycheck directly to your bank every Friday without you visiting a branch.
What is Direct Deposit?