Banks are more than just "where the money is". They offer a wide array of sometimes confusing financial services. Banks: A User's Guide helps viewers understand the basic principles of banking and teaches the basic skills needed to manage money: both the "why" and the "how".

From the origins of money and banking, through the basics of checking, savings, and lending, viewers learn about the core functions of a bank, and how these fundamentals affect their daily lives. More than just numbers, the flow of money from depositor to bank to borrower and back again is clearly illustrated. Viewers learn more than just the basics; we also cover debit cards, EFT, online banking, and ATMs.

Learn:

- What safe deposit boxes are, and why they're not the best place to keep your money.
- The basics of saving.
- How interest works, for savers and borrowers.
- How to write a check, and what all those numbers mean.
- How to endorse a check.
- The different types of savings accounts and what their tradeoffs are.
- What is a check?
- What does "bouncing a check" really mean?
- How and why to keep your check register up-to-date.
- How has Check 21 has changed a monthly ritual for millions?
- How to use an ATM safely.
- How to avoid hidden fees – and some obvious ones!
- Why overdraft protection isn't the great deal it looks like.


Banks: A User's Guide teaches basic financial skills and principles, and is suitable for anyone who deals with money.