Secure online banking

Banking has always been a big part of our lives and will probably be forever. Banking dates back to the ancient times; the earliest banks were the ancient religious temples. Citizens then stored their gold coins and other valuable belongings in the temples because these places were strongly built, were always guarded, and most of all, were sacred. In ancient Greece, temples were also the place where financial transactions and credit notes were already being used to reduce risks in carrying and carting money to different places. Since those times, banking evolved in many aspects. Banking regulations were formulated, additional services such as lending became part of banking and things such as adding interest to loans became common bank practices. Now with the latest technology and the Internet, banking has taken a new dimension. People can now access bank account online and transact business with the bank with more convenience and security through the Internet. Online Banking Performing bank transactions through the Internet is generally referred to as online banking or Internet banking. This form of banking allows consumers to directly access their bank account online (usually savings account) and obtain any information about their accounts. This direct-to-consumer system is quicker and more convenient for consumers compared to traditional banking systems. Especially if you are to withdraw money after banking hours or do transfers from the comfort of your own home, this banking system may be your easiest and sole solution. All you need to do is connect to the Internet trough your personal computer and access your bank account instantly. Online-only banks Most of the popular banks offer online banking as one of their services; however there are also some banks that transact businesses exclusively online, so you have no other choice but to access your bank account online and avail of other bank services through the Internet. The latter are referred to as online-only banks. These banks virtually exist yet they provide services traditional banks offer only that they are done through the Internet. Benefits Today as life is more time consuming than ever people in using the Internet in several ways, including getting access to their bank account online, online-only banks proved to be more convenient and beneficial. Aside from the fast transactions, one may also profit from the bank’s high interest rates and generally cheaper transaction fees considering that online-only banks operate only online. Cost of processing bank transactions is lower so the bank can afford to give consumers high interest rates on savings account and cheaper transactions. Online Banking Industry Although Internet is being used a lot, online-only banking industry began to develop only sometime in 2000 when a popular online bank devised much simpler and more convenient banking transactions online and paid consumers higher interest rates. From the earliest banks that tried this form of banking did not succeed because of their expensive transaction fees and lower interest rates. However, procedures in getting access to bank accounts online were more complicated and consumers were afraid of Internet fraud and internet scams. The industry eventually grew bigger and more stable middle 2004 as the use of the Internet got more and more trusted, prevalent and secure. Banking will never be the same and will never look back again.

Best money market account

: Best Money Market Account When you are looking for a good safe way to invest your money you should look into a money market account. They are a great way to maximize your savings potential without any risk. Many people don't understand the way money market accounts work and therefore they don't know how to choose the best money market account for their financial situation. What is a Money Market Account? A money market account is an account that works like both a checking and savings account. They offer you the ability to earn a much higher rate of interest then a standard savings account. This is because you only have the ability to withdraw money from your account six times a month, this is standard and every financial institution has the same rules. You can either write a check or a debit card to access your money. What to Look for in a Money Market Account One of the first things you should find out when searching for the best money market account is if the financial institution that you are going to use is FDIC insured. This is basically saying that the federal government is insuring your money, so if your bank, for whatever reason, goes out of business your money is not lost, you will get it back. Another important factor is monthly maintenance fees that some financial institutions have. Many of them will waive all monthly fees if you keep a certain minimum balance each month and if you look around, especially on the internet, you can find many of them that have no fees and have require no minimum balance requirements. This is especially helpful if you are just beginning to start saving, the last thing you need is having your savings eaten up by fees. Opening balances vary from institution to institution. Almost every money market account has a minimum opening requirement. However, they run the gamut, many require only $50 to open an account but as you get the better interest rates you will often have higher opening balance requirements, in fact several of them get up to the $5,000 mark. Where to Find the Best Money Market Accounts Until recently the only place to open a money market account was to go to a local bank. With the internet becoming so prevalent in society, lending institutions have begun to use it to recruit new customers. Some of the best money market accounts are available by internet. They don't have the high expensive of having lots of buildings to maintain so they are able to offer higher interest rates. The only real difference between using an internet bank and a local branch is how you make your deposit, you will make your deposit two ways you can have your employer do a direct deposit or you can mail them a deposit. It is recommended that when you mail your deposits you send them certified. Having a money market account is one of the best ways to save your money with no risks like stocks or bonds. You keep your money liquid and earn a great interest rated so take some time and find the best money market account for you and your financial circumstances. For more info visit {savings}

Mortgage rates continue to drop but demand still low

For the fourth week consecutively, the mortgages rates eased a little more. According to the recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey by Freddie Mac, the rates for both short-term loans and long term loans have fallen by a small margin in the last week. The average of 30 year fixed rate mortgage settled at 6.24 percent with 0.4 point last week as compared to 6.26 percent and 0.4 point, the week before. This is the lowest after the week ended 17th May 2007, when the 30-year FRM was 6.21 percent. According to last year's data the interest rate averaged at 6.33 percent, same time last year. Though the fees and points for the 15-year fixed rate rose from 0.4 point to 0.5 point, mortgage averaged at 5.90 %, just 0.01 % lower as compared to the week before. Last year too it averaged at 5.91 %. This is the second lowest as in week ended 10th May the average rate was 5.87 %. While the 1 year adjustable rate mortgage remained unchanged, 5/1 ARM 0.07 % higher than the previous week and averaged 5.96 %. The Fed prime rate too remained unchanged but the 30 year treasury rate averaged 4.53 % which was 0.07 % lower as compared to the week before. The 1 year treasury index ARM averaged 5.50 % down from 5.57 % last week. But in spite of falling mortgage interest rates, the demand for mortgage loans still seem to be lower. The refinance loan applications in the third quarter dropped to 38 % from 42 % in the second quarter. The most obvious reason is the tightening of lending standards by the lending firms post mortgage crisis situation that has led many banks and other financial institutions to write off huge amount of mortgage backed securities and other debts. This is evident from the survey report released by Federal Reserve. Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices pertains to the third quarter of 2007. The report revealed that over last few months lending standards for commercial and industrial loans had been revised and made more stringent by domestic as well as foreign lending institutions. The same applied for commercial loans pertaining to real estate. Though it was subprime mortgage loans that triggered the mortgage crisis, financial institutions are now playing safe by introducing stricter norms for most borrowers having anything les than excellent credit ratings. The situation is unlikely to undergo any change with the reports of foreclosure rates rising and speculations that the banks may write off even higher amount in the fourth quarter, substantiates the fears more. The foreclosure rate in the third quarter rose by almost 30 % as compared to that in the second quarter. Even though the government is trying to come up with feasible solution to the problems of distressed homeowners, with a good number of loans due to resent by mid of year 2008, the foreclosure rates are expected to remain high. Thus housing market is expected to remain slump throughout next year and even in early 2009.

Poker movies top 5 films about poker

: Since the golden age of the Western, poker playing has always been a popular theme in Hollywood. Although many of the Hollywood films that feature poker are not very good and some of them even display poker in a ridiculous manner, watching poker action on the big screen is great fun, especially if you play poker yourself. Here are the best poker movies that were ever produced in Hollywood. Some of the movies are actually excellent movies regardless to their display of the poker game, while in others the poker games is the feature that makes them worth watching. However, if you are a poker fan, add these movies to your musts list. The Sting directed by George Roy Hill in 1973 The Sting is less about poker and more about the art of card sharking but it will provide you two hours of sophisticated fun. The 1973 Academy award winner features young Paul Newman as the greatest con artist of them all who mentors young Robert Redford in the art of trickestry. David S. Warn screenplay is based on true con games stories. The Cincinnati Kid directed by Norman Jewison in 1965 The classic stud poker film known for its climatic final hand and the unforgettable quote: Gets down to what its all about, doesn't it? Making the wrong move at the right time. In short, The Cincinnati Kid is about the battle between Steve Macqueen who plays a young poker player also known as The Kid and the veteran poker gambler known as The Man who is played by Edward G. Robinson during the Great Depression in New Orleans. It may not appear at any other list of best movies, but it certainly has one of the best poker scenes ever seen on the silver screen. California Split directed by Robert Altman in 1974 California Split may not be the pick of Robert Altmans creation, but is one of the best movies to depict the messy everyday life of two professional gamblers played by George Segal and Elliott Gould. Like in many of Altman films, the narrative is not particularly straight and the end is not necessarily happy, but it does succeed in describing an authentic experience. Additionally, poker trivia fans would be thrilled to learn that poker legend Amarillo Slim plays a small role. Rounders directed by John Dahl in 1998 It is hard to tell whether the movie pushed to the 21st century poker boom or the rise in the popularity of poker during the last decade made Rounders a cult hit. However, Rounders is one of the best poker films to display the contemporary high stake poker scene. The core of the movie is a long poker marathon in which Mat Damon and Edward Norton are trying to earn money to pay off the latter gambling debts. World Series of Poker champion Johnny Chan plays a featured role. Maverick directed by Richard Donner in 1994 Although Maverick is not the most brilliant film ever made and some of the poker scenes are kinda silly, it is a fun and lightheaded poker movie. It might even provide you a basic idea on what it was like to be a rambling gambler in the old west card scene with Mel Gibson as a maverick who tries to earn enough money for the big five card draw poker tournament.

Gold a true barometer of public confidence

Gold and silver coins, the famous "old world" currency, are fast becoming the "new world" currency because they offer the missing link in all paper currencies: a store of value. Today, Americans are facing a pile of unpaid debts. At the helm is a new Fed chief, Ben Bernanke, who has already been nicknamed "Helicopter Ben" based on admitting he'd print enough paper currency and drop it from helicopters to keep the U. S. economy from sliding into a recession. The Wall Street Journal recently published an excellent commentary, "In Gold We Trust," by David Ranson and Penny Russell of H. C. Wainwright & Co. Economics. They explain why gold prices are the truest barometer of falling public confidence and of growing inflation. Here are a few key points they bring to light: * Gold is the benchmark for the value of the dollar - not the other way around. * The falling U. S. dollar is largely being ignored by Washington and Wall Street. * Gold's sharp rise represents an equally sharp decline in investor confidence. * Gold is the barometer of public confidence in paper money. * The dollar's collapse of 60 percent since 2001 is a blow to capitalism. Bottom line: The U. S. dollar is slowly but steadily sliding into oblivion, taking with it the hopes and dreams of all Americans, along with the value of their savings accounts and investments. Most Wall Street pundits view gold as just another commodity, which they say is now overpriced due to a growing gold fever worldwide since 2001, causing central banks, hedge funds and others to buy gold for the first time in decades. Not so! Gold is rising because it is real money. The solution is to convert a portion of your "paper" assets into gold - thus putting yourself on a personal gold standard. Rising gold prices today are a big red flashing signal of coming inflation, which could take gold prices over $1,000 an ounce. So don't wait to buy gold - buy gold and wait.