Consumer Topics - banking, currency, credit & payment cards, mortgages & foreclosures

Banking

Electronic Transfer Accounts (ETA): Find a provider that offers these low-cost accounts to which your federal benefit, wage, salary, or retirement payment can be deposited electronically.
Facts About Direct Deposits: Learn more about the benefits of direct deposit.
Federal Reserve Consumer Help: Visit the Federal Reserve Consumer Help website to file a complaint about a bank, find an answer to a banking question, or speak with a representative.

50 State Quarters: In January 1999, America began a unique and historically compelling 10-year celebration of the 50 states. A series of five quarter dollars with new reverses will be issued each year from 1999 through 2008, celebrating each of the 50 states of the Union.
American Currency Exhibit: View one of the most complete collections of American currency in existence, located at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Frequently Asked Questions About United States Paper Currency
Money in Colonial Times: Explains how money was created and modified during the colonial period.
Money in Motion Exhibit: A permanent exhibit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia that is free and employs state-of-the-art presentation technology and interactive displays.
Presidential $1 Coin Program: Authorized by the United States $1 Coin Act of 1997, the new golden dollar coin replaces the current Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar coin, which has circulated since 1979.
Supporting the Nation's Payment System: Learn more about the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's role in the distribution of cash and coin.
The New Color of Money: The U.S. government has unveiled a new design for the $5 note that includes enhanced security features and background colors.
United States Department of the Treasury: Coins and Currency: Latest press releases and other informative links on U.S. currency.

Choosing a Credit Card: What to look for when choosing a credit card.
How to Establish, Use & Protect Credit: Discusses how to qualify for credit and use it wisely.
What You Need to Know About Payment Cards: Provides answers to frequently asked consumer questions on payment cards.
What Your Credit Report Says About You: Explains what a credit report is, how it is used, and why prospective borrowers should obtain copies of their credit report before applying for credit.
Your Credit Rating: Explains what a credit rating is and why it is important to protect it.
Your Credit Rights: Summarizes the major consumer protection laws related to credit.

Looking for the Best Mortgage: Shop, Compare, Negotiate : Helps you shop for the mortgage package that best meets your financial needs.
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) :If you are a homeowner, you should be aware of a law that establishes rights for homeowners and rules for lenders regarding cancellation of private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending : Explains where to look, what to look for, and what takes place when you apply for a mortgage.
When Your Home Is on the Line : What you should know about home equity lines of credit.

Dynamic Maps of Nonprime Mortgage Conditions in the United States: The Federal Reserve System has provided dynamic maps and data that illustrate subprime and alt-A mortgage loan conditions across the United States.
Foreclosure Resource Center: Here you'll find links to events, information, publications, and other resources that may help consumers to avoid foreclosure on their homes.

“The Subprime Mortgage Market,” Remarks by Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, May 17, 2007.
“Statement on Subprime Mortgage Lending” : Issued by federal bank regulatory agencies. Board of Governors, 2007, SR 07-12.
“Statement on Working with Mortgage Borrowers” : Issued by federal bank regulatory agencies. Board of Governors, 2007, SR 07-6.
“Current Best Practices in Foreclosure Prevention,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York conference, July 24, 2007.
“Foreclosure Prevention: Improving Contact with Borrowers,” Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, June 2007.
“Homeownership: Preserving the American Dream,” Community Developments Online, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Spring 2006.

Subprime Mortgages: America’s Latest Boom and Bust, by Edward M. Gramlich (former member of Federal Reserve Board of Governors), Urban Institute Press, June 2007.
“Analyzing Elements of Leading Default-Intervention Programs,” by PolicyLab Consulting Group, LLC, J. Michael Collins, and Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey.
"Chicago's HOPI Experiment: Lessons from the Field," PowerPoint by J. Michael Collins, July 2006.
efannie.com is Fannie Mae’s website for lenders and other partners in the mortgage industry. Has extensive information on detecting and preventing mortgage fraud.

Current Interest Rates: Find the current discount rate, prime rate, fed funds rate, and rates for certificates of deposit.
What Is a Dollar Worth? The consumer price index (CPI) inflation calculator lets you find out how much a product or service purchased in one year would be worth in another.

Fed 101: Discover FED101! An interactive website about the Federal Reserve System and its functions.
In Plain English: Making Sense of the Federal Reserve
Introduction to the Fed: Explains how the Fed conducts the nation’s monetary policy, supervises and regulates banks, performs services for the U.S. Treasury, serves the District’s consumers and community groups, and supports the nation’s payment system.
The Structure of the Federal Reserve System: A brief introduction, in four brochures, to the main elements of the System: the Board of Governors, the Federal Open Market Committee, the Federal Reserve Banks, and Banks' Boards of Directors.
The Federal Reserve System: Purposes & Functions: Provides an in-depth overview of the Federal Reserve System, including information about monetary policy and the economy, the Federal Reserve in the international sphere, supervision and regulation, consumer and community affairs, and services offered by Reserve Banks.