About.com Banking / Loans: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week

• Open a Credit Union Account
  Opening an account at a credit union is fairly easy. This page covers the three basic steps required to open a credit union account.
• How to Order Personal Checks
  When you write checks, you have to refill your bank account as well as your checkbook. What’s the best way to order personal checks after you’ve used your bank-issued checks? This page covers the options available to you.
• How to Find a Co-Signer
  Co-signing happens when somebody promises to back up a loan for somebody else. If you apply for a loan and you don’t qualify, you may need a co-signer. This person’s strong credit or higher income may help you qualify for the loan you want. This page discusses co-signing from a borrower’s perspective.
• Certified Check
  A check guaranteed by the bank to be good.
• Money Market Account vs Fund
  Money market accounts are bank alternatives to money market mutual funds. What’s the difference? The main factors are risk and choices. Let’s do a comparison of money market funds vs. money market accounts so you can make the best choice.
• Debit vs Credit
  When you use plastic, you've got to choose between debit vs credit. Which is best? Like all things in life, the debit vs credit decision involves tradeoffs. This page covers the pros and cons and helps you decide whether you should use debit vs credit in your everyday life.
• Start Up Business Loans
  Start up business loans are difficult to come by. If you’re not having luck with other sources, let’s dig in and start the process of winning a start up business loan.
• Brokered CDs
  Brokered CDs are simply CDs offered by a financial intermediary. It’s important that you understand how to buy brokered CDs, how you’re paying for them, and what to watch out for. Let’s cover some fast facts about brokered CDs.
• Debit or Credit?
  When you purchase with plastic you’re often asked if you’d like to make it a debit or credit transaction. What’s the difference? The choice you make determines how your purchase is processed, who pays the bill for that processing, how long it takes, and what your rights are. See how interchange fees work and just how important your choice is.
• How to Write a Check - Step 5
  When you first get your checkbook, you may not know how to write a check. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. This visual example shows how to write a check with pictures and descriptions of each step. In addition, you learn how to write a check in a way that reduces the chance of a scammer altering the check.
• Money Market Funds
  Money market funds are a popular cash management tool. Before you use money market funds, make sure you know what they are, how they work, and what risks you might be taking. We'll also cover some of the best places to find money market funds.
• CD Maturity
  Maturity is the date when your CD term ends. At that time, your agreement with the bank comes to an end: the bank can stop paying you the interest they promised, and you can take your cash and walk with it. Find out the details of CD Maturities and why maturity dates are important.
• Compound Interest Calculator - A Free Online Compound Interest Calculator
  Compound Interest Calculator A Compound Interest Calculator For Savers The compound interest calculator
• Student Loans 101
  Student loans are a way to pay for higher education. Whether you love debt or you hate it, student loans are an investment in your future. They can make an education possible when there is no other way. This page covers the basics of student loans and points you towards additional resources.
• How to Write a Check - Step 4
  When you first get your checkbook, you may not know how to write a check. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. This visual example shows how to write a check with pictures and descriptions of each step. In addition, you learn how to write a check in a way that reduces the chance of a scammer altering the check.
• Know Your Bank's Hold Policy
  Does your bank place a hold on your funds? It’s important to know how a hold works, what can cause it, and what your bank’s rules are. Most importantly, you need to know how to keep your bank from freezing your entire account.
• Marketplace
  A review of the Marketplace radio show and podcast. Includes details on where to find the feed and highlights of the program. A regular audio program with personal finance information and broader news stories.
• ATM Security
  While ATM's have added some convenience to our lives, a few risks have also popped up. ATM's give criminals another opportunity to get at your money, and you should take steps to reduce your risk. Most of us can stay out of trouble with simple common sense, but you should periodically review some proven tactics. Follow these seven steps, and you'll improve your odds against the scamsters.
• CD Basics
  Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) are one of the safest investment vehicles out there. Learn how they work, how to get the best CD rates, and what pitfalls to watch out for. Page 2 - "Getting the Best CD Rates" offers tips on earning the best APY.
• 2nd Mortgage Quick Tips
  2nd mortgages can be tempting because you can get a large amount of money. However, there are some common pitfalls you should keep an eye out for. Take a quick glance over these 2nd mortgage quick-tips. You’ll be in a better position to negotiate the best 2nd mortgage.
• FICO Credit Score
  Now that you know all about how the FICO credit score works, let’s look at ways to improve credit scores. The previous page showed you the components of your credit score, and this page shows you how to focus on some of those components. Consumers improve credit scores by working on these components one-by-one.
• How to Write a Check - Step 3
  When you first get your checkbook, you may not know how to write a check. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. This visual example shows how to write a check with pictures and descriptions of each step. In addition, you learn how to write a check in a way that reduces the chance of a scammer altering the check.
• Bank Accounts For Kids
  Want to get your children interested in saving? Take them on a Savings Safari. A Savings Safari is a program where banks and credit unions open a bank account for kids and make the process fun and interesting. Over the years, this will hopefully keep your child interested in saving and learning about money.
• Overdraft Line of Credit
  An overdraft line of credit is a loan attached to your checking account. Instead of bouncing checks and paying large fees, you can borrow a few bucks and pay interest. When you spend all of the money in your checking account, you start borrowing against your overdraft line of credit. This page covers how overdraft lines of credit work.
• Cashier's Check Fraud
  Cashier’s check fraud is one of the most popular crimes in the internet age. Once thought to be safe, cashier’s checks now require extra attention. Make sure you know all the red flags of cashier’s check fraud so you can avoid expensive sc