Practical money help for your family
Understand your credit, handle debt, and help your kids build good money habits. Clear answers, real examples, and a next step you can use.
Start with what you need: Banking basics | Build credit | Manage debt | Protect your family
Want to talk it through? Financial education and business consultations are available by appointment at clients' locations throughout the Chicago area. Ask about a consultation.
Get payroll into the right account. Use a private setup checklist, a payroll sequence and a checked example to verify the first deposit.
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Family Money Guides
Choose from 11 financial Christmas gifts for children, including savings jars, books, games and parent-coordinated account contributions. Match the gift to the child’s age, interests and family plans.
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A practical couple-budget process for shared bills, fair contributions, personal spending, monthly reviews and clear financial responsibility.
Start an emergency fund with a reachable first goal, then build a reserve based on essential expenses, income risks, and the surprises your household faces.
Banks and credit unions can offer similar services. Compare ownership, membership, federal insurance, fees, access, and exact account terms before choosing.
Bank fees are easier to control when you match the account to your real habits. Review ten common charges, their triggers, and practical ways to reduce them.
A denied card application should lead to evidence, not guesswork. Use the adverse action notice and credit report to identify the real reason and plan the next step.
A late credit card payment can trigger a fee, rate changes, and credit-report damage at different times. Use this step-by-step plan to act quickly, request hardship help, and verify the account.
Recognize tax identity theft, follow the right IRS verification or affidavit process, secure an IP PIN, and check for fraud beyond your tax account.
Compare cards for your needs
Compare costs, requirements, and features before you apply. Choose the market where you live.
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impac...
More Info about Surge® Platinum Mastercard®