A
The total amount of money that is currently in your account.
Account Balance
An individually secured container that stays in the safe or vault of a federally insured bank or credit union.
Safe Deposit Box
The efficiency or ease with which an asset or security can be converted into ready cash.
Liquidity
Similar to a personal check, however, it is purchased (usually from a post office) and this form of payment is guaranteed.
Money Order
A bank account that lets you store your money securely while typically earning interest.
Savings Account
A service provided by your bank that ensures your transactions are covered if you have insufficient funds in your checking account.
Overdraft Protection
Slang for a check that cannot be processed because the account holder has nonsufficient funds (NSF) available for use.
Bounced Check
Refers to the deposit of funds electronically into a bank account rather than through a physical, paper check.
Direct Deposit
A For Profit financial institution licensed to receive deposits and make loans.
Bank
A card that deducts money directly from a consumer's checking account when it is used.
Debit Card
A savings account that holds a fixed amount of money for a fixed period of time, such as six months, one year, or five years.
Certificate of Deposit (CD)
A Non-Profit financial institution, owned by it's members that is licensed to receive deposits and make loans.
Credit Union
The middle group of numbers at the bottom of a check that designates and identifies your unique account at the bank.
Checking Account Number
A personal check that the bank has certified and it's drawn on personal funds.
Certified Check
Monthly or quarterly document that summarizes your activity to show what money went in and out of a bank account.
Bank Statement
The use of a borrower's asset to secure a loan.
Collateralized Loan or Secured Loan
Nine-digit numbers that identify your bank or credit union in a financial transaction.
Routing Number
A card issued to consumers that is used to make purchases, with the agreement that the cardholder will ultimately pay back the amount of the purchases.
Credit Card
A check drawn from the bank's own funds, not yours.
Cashier's Check
Financial institution that allows you to cash your paycheck and other types of checks in exchange for a fee.
Check Cashing Center
A signature or an equivalent stamp that authorizes payment or a transfer of funds, as when an individual signs a check.
Endorsement
Comparing the transactions recorded in your check register with the transactions shown on your bank statement.
Reconciling
An independent federal agency insuring deposits in U.S. banks. Up to $250,000
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
An account that lets you borrow money when you need it, up to a preset borrowing limit.
Line of Credit
Refers to the status of a checking account that does not have enough money to cover transactions.
Insufficient Funds or Non-Sufficient Funds