How does the interest rate affect your credit payments? What is meant by simple interest? What is the annual percentage rate (APR), and when is it used?
> What is the difference between a cashier’s check and a money order?
> What is check float? How has check float changed due to electronic banking?
> Why is it important to reconcile your account balance every month?
> Why is a high-risk premium an advantage for the investor? Why is a low-risk premium an advantage for an investor?
> Explain why a weak economy may cause the risk premium to rise.
> Briefly discuss conditions that can cause a shift in the demand for funds and a change in the interest rate.
> What is monetary policy? What organization controls monetary policy in the United States?
> What is the term structure of interest rates? Why is this concept important to an investor?
> In considering investments with different degrees of risk, what two factors will influence an investor’s decision? What is an appropriate investment for an individual who needs funds in a short period of time for necessities?
> What effect would a general change in current interest rates have on you as a depositor or borrower?
> Where do financial institutions obtain funds for making loans? How are the interest rates for loans determined? Are the interest rates the same for all borrowers? Why or why not?
> List and describe the four main types of nondepository financial institutions.
> What is a risk premium? Who might take advantage of it?
> What is a risk-free rate? Give an example of an investment with a risk-free rate. Why is there no risk?
> Mike, a recent college graduate, opened a checking account with a local bank. He asked numerous questions before deciding on this bank, including inquiring about checking account fees and annual credit card fees. When Mike returns from his first internat
> Casey has $1,000 to invest in a certificate of deposit. Her local bank offers her 2.5% on a 12-month FDIC-insured CD. A nonfinancial institution offers her 5.2% on a 12-month CD. What is the risk premium? What else must Casey consider in choosing betwee
> Name some special services that banks provide. How might you make use of them?
> Paul has an account at St. Jerome Bank. He does not track his checking account balance in a checkbook register. Yesterday evening, he placed two checks in the mail for $156.66 and $238.94. Paul accesses his account online and finds that his balance is $5
> Randy, a student, has $500 to deposit in a new checking account, but Randy knows he will not be able to maintain a minimum balance. He will not use an ATM card, but will write a large number of checks. Randy is trying to choose between the unlimited chec
> Veronica plans to open a checking account with her $1,200 tax refund check. She believes she can maintain a $500 minimum balance. Also, she estimates that she will write 10 checks per month and will use other banks’ ATMs as many as 15 t
> Julie wants to open a bank account with $75. Julie estimates that she will write 20 checks per month and use her ATM card at the home bank. She will maintain a $200 balance. Which bank should Julie choose? South Sun Hillsboro First Trust Coast Bank
> Jason wants to open a checking account with a $100 deposit. Jason believes he will write 15 checks per month and use other banks’ ATMs 8 times a month. He will not be able to maintain a minimum balance. Which bank should Jason choose?
> Brenda purchased a $30,000, 90-day T-bill for $29,550. What will Brenda’s return be when the T-bill matures? What will her annualized rate be?
> Lauren purchased a $40,000 T-bill for $38,400. A few months later, Lauren sold the T-bill for $39,000. What was Lauren’s return on the T-bill?
> Dave has $20,000 excess cash to invest. He can purchase a $20,000 T-bill for $19,400 or two $10,000 T-bills for $9,600 each. Which will give him the better return?
> Claire has invested $10,000 in an 18-month CD that pays 6.25%. How much interest will Claire receive at maturity?
> What credit restrictions apply to persons under age 21?
> List some typical incentives credit cards issuers offer to encourage you to use their card.
> What is a prepaid credit card? How does it differ from a secured credit card?
> Propose possible solutions to reduce an excessive credit card balance.
> Discuss some ways that charging large amounts on your credit cards might affect your overall financial planning.
> What credit management decisions should be included in your financial plan?
> Should you view credit cards as a source of funds? Why or why not? Why should you self-impose a tight credit limit?
> When is a finance charge applied to credit purchases? What is the common range of interest rates on credit cards?
> How might you eliminate the annual fees that are charged by some credit cards?
> What is a credit limit? How can you increase your credit limit?
> Why should you review your credit card statement before paying the bill? What steps should you take if you discover an error?
> Explain why getting a cash advance on your credit card is a costly source of funds.
> Explain how the Credit CARD Act changed the way credit card issuers assess late fees.
> What is overlimit protection? Explain why consumers should use this feature sparingly.
> How does a secured credit card differ from a standard credit card? Under what circumstances would you need a secured credit card?
> Describe the role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
> Describe some of the key provisions of the Credit CARD Act.
> Explain how you can impose your own limits on credit card spending.
> What are the three methods used by financial institutions to calculate finance charges on outstanding credit card balances? Briefly describe how interest is computed under each method.
> Why is paying your credit card balance in full so important? What should you do if you can’t avoid credit card debt? Explain.
> List five tips for using credit cards wisely.
> What should you consider when comparing credit cards?
> List some items that appear on the credit card statement. What accounts for the difference between your previous balance and your new balance?
> What is a cash advance? How are they commonly obtained? Discuss interest rates and grace periods with regard to cash advances.
> What is a grace period? How can you use it to your advantage?
> Discuss how credit cards offer incentives to use the cards. How else might credit card companies reward cardholders with excellent credit ratings?
> Describe the differences between a credit card like MasterCard or Visa and a retail (or proprietary) card. How do credit and retail cards generate revenue? What is the biggest disadvantage of a proprietary card?
> What information will you need to supply when applying for credit? What kinds of attributes are creditors looking for? Do you need to have all these attributes to get credit?
> What are three advantages of using a credit card? Can you think of any disadvantages?
> The $2,000 credit card balance that the Sampsons are carrying, on which they are currently making the minimum payment due, has a credit limit of $10,000. The Sampsons have just received a letter from the credit card company offering to increase their cre
> The $2,000 credit card balance that the Sampsons are carrying, on which they are currently making the minimum payment due, has a credit limit of $10,000. The Sampsons have just received a letter from the credit card company offering to increase their cre
> How will the new EMV technology help reduce identify theft?
> Can identity theft occur through legitimate access to your personal information? Explain.
> Aside from the financial losses, what other negative impacts might a victim of identity theft encounter?
> Is identity theft only perpetrated to acquire money, goods, or services?
> What constitutes identity theft?
> How can you improve your credit score, and how long can it take to erase a poor credit history
> How does a Vantage Score differ from a FICO score?
> What factors determine your credit score, and how are these factors weighted by FICO?
> What are the six major areas of information that may be included on your credit report?
> Name the three major credit bureaus. How do they score your credit rating? Will all three major credit bureaus always produce the same credit score?
> How do utilities extend credit, and how can this credit help you establish a credit history?
> The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from denying credit for what reasons? If you are denied credit, do you have the right to know the reason for the denial?
> What are some factors to consider when using social media with respect to identity theft?
> Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a credit counseling organization.
> Explain how closing a credit card account can negatively impact your credit score.
> What is your credit history? How does it impact your ability to borrow money?
> How did the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009 change credit card access to students under the age of 21? Why was this change deemed necessary?
> Theft. What steps should you take if you become a victim of identity theft?
> Discuss steps you can take to safeguard your personal information.
> Name and explain at least three tactics used by identity thieves to obtain information.
> How often should you review your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus? Why is this review beneficial?
> Explain how a weak credit report can affect you.
> What are the advantages and disadvantages of using credit?
> Explain the three types of credit. Under what conditions might a consumer find each type useful?
> Rita is the office manager of a three-doctor practice. Her brother, Juan, a recent college graduate, recently started working for a large insurance company that specializes in health insurance. In attempting to build a client base, Juan asks Rita if she
> Recall from Chapter 2 that the Sampsons currently have about $300 in cash and $1,700 in their checking account. This amount should be enough to cover upcoming bills. The Sampsons have just started saving $800 per month. This money will be placed in CDs e
> Recall from Chapter 2 that the Sampsons currently have about $300 in cash and $1,700 in their checking account. This amount should be enough to cover upcoming bills. The Sampsons have just started saving $800 per month. This money will be placed in CDs e
> Define money management. How does it differ from long-term investment or long-term borrowing decisions?
> Explain why maintaining more liquidity during a weak economy is costly.
> Assume that your monthly expenses will not change over the next three years, but you expect that the economy will be much weaker in about a year. Explain why you may need more liquidity even if your expenses do not change.
> What is a disadvantage of maintaining a very high level of liquidity?
> Compare the interest rates offered on T-bills and CDs. Which type of investment is more liquid? Why?
> What is an automatic transfer? How can this tool help you save money?
> What is an asset management account? Discuss the advantages of such an account as well as its requirements.
> What are money market funds (MMFs)? What types of securities do they invest in? What is commercial paper? Are MMFs risky investments? Are MMFs liquid?
> Explain the risks of using a credit card for your liquidity needs.
> Explain why you should not invest in the stock market if you expect to need the funds in the near future. Are stocks liquid?
> How does your individual tolerance for risk impact money management?
> What are Treasury securities? What is a T-bill? How is it denominated? How do you earn a return on a T-bill? How is the return calculated?
> How will overdraft protection affect bounced checks? Should you take advantage of this feature if your bank offers overdraft protection?
> How does a debit card transaction differ from writing a check?
> Why do individuals use checking accounts? What is the disadvantage of having funds in a checking account? Explain overdraft protection and stop payment orders. Are all bank fee structures the same?
> What two factors affect the return on short-term investments? What investments should you consider to achieve liquidity and an adequate return?
