BANKING, BANK ACCOUNTS, AND EARNING INTEREST LESSONS

SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OVERVIEW

When saving your money, you will be placing money in many different types of savings instruments, including very safe and stable investments vehicles.  This is especially true for money that you are going to need in the short-term (as compared to long-term investments, such as buying a house).  This category includes bank savings accounts and money market mutual funds, some of the safest short term investments.

When placing your money with a bank or money market fund, you earn interest, or yield, which fluctuates, depending on general rates of interest.

TYPES OF SAVINGS ACCOUNTS:

Bank Savings Accounts:

When you are beginning to save, you should place your money in investments that are as safe as possible.  In addition, you will likely always have at least some of your money in short-term investments.  Bank savings accounts are such an investment.  The federal government backs these accounts with what is known as Federal Deposit insurance Corporation (FDIC) Insurance.

Money Market Account:

These are accounts offered by banks.  However, in these accounts the bank typically pays you a higher rate of interest than a savings account.

CD or Certificate of Deposit:

The bank holds your money for a set period of time.  Usually one to six months, or one to five years.  Unlike a normal savings account, you may not withdraw your money at any time.  If you do, you will be subject to withdrawal fees.

Money Market Funds:

Similar to bank savings accounts are money market funds.  Money market accounts are available from mutual fund companies.  They are similar, but you usually get a better return with money market funds.  Also, since these funds are not held with a bank, they are not FDIC insured.  However, they are invested in very short-term bonds, which tend to be less risky than longer-term bonds and invest in safe government investments, corporate commercial paper, and other related investments.  In addition, they are regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission.  Those money market mutual funds that invests exclusively in U.S. government securities have very little risk, while giving you better rates of return then typical bank savings accounts.

LESSONS AND WORKSHEETS

BANK SAVINGS ACCOUNT INTRODUCTION

Bank Savings Account Introduction

A lesson introducing students to the concept of a Bank Savings Account. Also introduces the concepts of Deposit and Withdrawal. Teach and learn savings account basics.

INTRODUCTION TO EARNING INTEREST

Introduction to Earning Interest

A worksheet introducing students to earning interest. Why should we save our money with someone else instead of keeping it under our mattress?  One reason is that we get to earn money, also called interest.  Teach and learn interest rate basics.

CHECKING ACCOUNTS AND CHECK WRITING

Checking Accounts and Check Writing

Learn how to write a check, make checking account deposits and withdrawals, manage and balance your checkbook, and checkbook reconciliation with your monthly bank checking account statement.  Worksheets, lessons, and exercises are appropriate for both students involved in learning the basics about checking, as well as those looking for a curriculum to practice basic math (addition and subtraction) and problem solving skills.

USING A BANK ATM

SAVING MONEY

PERSONAL SAVINGS

SIMPLE INTEREST

COMPOUND INTEREST

MORTGAGES AND INTEREST

ANNUITIES AND PERPETUITIES

BANK SAVINGS ACCOUNT BOOK

BANKING WORD PROBLEMS

Word problem worksheets on saving money

with savings accounts.

* Bank Savings Account

*  Bank Savings Word Problems

*  Interest Word Problems

OTHER SAVINGS WORKSHEETS

 * Saving your Allowance   

BANKING LESSON IDEAS

 Teaching Banking Services Lesson Idea

BANKING INFORMATIONAL ARTICLES

Student Checking Accounts
Student checking accounts provide a great way to teach money management.

Identity Theft Prevention
Information and advice on protecting yourself from identity theft.

Finding the Right Bank Account
Understand your own banking needs when looking for a bank account for yourself.

To Choose a Bank or Not?
Banking services are provided by financial institutions other than traditional banks these days.  Learn about some banking alternatives.

The Benefits of Online Banking
There are many benefits to banking online, including the opportunity to budget better, and save money.

Cutting Banking Fees
Tips and advice on cutting the fees you are paying for banking services and transactions.

Important Queries before Opening a Bank Account
Here is some advice about things to think about before opening a bank account.

How the Check 21 Banking Law affects Banking Customers
Learn about the new check 21 banking law.

Bank Accounts and Accounting: A General Overview
An overview of bank accounts and accounting for bank transactions.