Our core mission at Urban Trust Bank is to empower our customers with tools and knowledge to improve their financial circumstances. Our value-oriented products represent important financial tools that can save our customers money. Through our bankers and through this section of the website, we provide the knowledge we believe is necessary to empower our customers.

To review the information we've assmbled, select a link below or to the right:

• Why you need a checking account
• If you've had problems in the past
• Tips for a healthy checking account
• Why you should have a debit card
• Why you should have an emergency savings account
• Why you should have a budget
• Tips for non US citizens

WHY YOU NEED A CHECKING ACCOUNT

Checking accounts represent a fundamental component of a healthy financial lifestyle for individuals and families. Banks offer a wide variety of checking accounts, ensuring that accounts are available to meet almost any financial situation. There are numerous benefits to checking accounts, including:

• Banks keep your money safe and secure

• Your money is available when you need it

• You can avoid paying check-cashing fees

• Banks help build credit to buy a car or a home

• You can use your checking account to pay bills

• Banks make it easier to receive payments from your job or the government through direct deposit

Urban Trust Bank offers a free consumer checking account, which can be opened in 15 minutes. So you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Often, we speak to people who have had past problems and think they cannot open a bank account.

Fortunately, there are banks, such as Urban Trust Bank, that offer checking accounts designed for such

situations. For example, Urban Trust Bank offers an Opportunity Checking Account that provides all the

basic services of a checking account. So there are bank accounts for just about everyone.

Once you open a bank account, carefully manage your account to keep it healthy. Here are some tips:

• Understand when account fees are charged by the bank and be careful to avoid the fees.
• When writing a check, know how much money is available in your account and when it will be available. Many bounced checks are caused by a misunderstanding of a banks funds availability policy.
• You should understand that writing check if you don’t have the available funds just makes any financial problem worse. Its better to negotiate with your creditors rather than writing bad checks.

WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE A DEBIT CARD

Debit Cards provide 24/7 access to your checking account and generally can be used at ATM machines or anywhere credit cards are accepted. Debit cards are essential for today’s smart consumer. Here’s why:

Debit cards are typically free with most checking accounts and don’t require a credit check.
Debit cards can help prevent customers from spending more money than they have on deposit.
There is typically no extra charge to make a purchase with your debit card.
With a debit card, you don’t have to carry cash.
You are typically protected from any unauthorized transactions made with your debit card.
At Urban Trust Bank, a debit card is available for free with most accounts. Get yours today.

Urban Trust Bank recommends everyone have an Emergency Savings Account. An Emergency Savings account typically consists of about 6 months of living expenses set aside in a safe, secure and easily accessible account. Emergency savings accounts are critical because life is full of unexpected expenses and challenges. Consider what would happen if you unexpectedly lost your job. Or if your roof or car suddenly needed major repair. With an emergency savings account, you can handle unexpected challenges. At Urban Trust Bank, we recommend customers open a Savings account, a Money Market Account or an interest checking account for use as an emergency savings account.

• Financial Calculators
• Setting Goals
• The Importance of Budgeting
• Your Current Budget
• Your Future Budget
• Save More, Spend Less
• Managing Your Debt
• Your Credit Score
• Your Credit Report
• Improving Your Credit
• Credit Card Basics
• Money Basics For Kids
• Financial Tools
• Auto and Home Loans
• Words to Know
• Financial Management Worksheets
• Additional Resources