Introduction | Class Schedule | Register

GET CHECKING^TM

Get Checking^TM is an educational program designed to help consumers without a primary banking relationship gain access to basic financial services, namely deposit accounts (checking and savings accounts). This includes individuals that may have had problems managing their accounts in the past or consumers who have simply never opened a deposit account.

How Get Checking^TM Helps
A Second Chance. The Get Checking^TM Program offers a fresh start to consumers that have had problems in the past. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. You can then take this certificate to a participating financial institution and an account can be opened under agreed-upon conditions*. In addition, ChexSystems^SM Inc. will flag your consumer records indicating that you have taken the course and are trying to be more fiscally responsible.

An Opportunity to Meet with Financial Representatives. You'll get the opportunity to meet with representatives from our participating financial institutions who can help to answer questions about banking, credit or loans.

What Makes Get Checking^TM Different?
While there are many financial literacy programs available, Get Checking^TM stands out because it offers very unique and tangible results:

• It focuses its education efforts on providing financial education around debit issues because by creating good debit practices, you can build a solid foundation and take the next steps to participation, choice and financial freedom.
• Participants who successfully complete the class qualify to open a deposit account at one of the program's participating financial institutions*.

For the cost of one bounced check you can restore your checking privileges! Click here for registration information.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Session I: Introducing the Get Checking^TM Program: Choosing the Account that is Right for You
The purpose of Session I is to:

• Define the criteria for opening an account under the program.
• Provide an overview of the banking system.
• Present deposit account options
  • Why have an account with a financial institution: Advantages of an account, Cost of not banking
  • Types of financial institutions, How to choose your financial institution
  • Savings and Checking Account Options: Advantages/disadvantages of each account, Truth in savings, Ownership Options
• Overview of the Get Checking^TM Program: How to receive a certificate, what financial institutions need to open an account, what are ChexSystems^SM services.

Session II: Using Your Checking Account
The purpose of Session II is:

• Students learn how to manage a checking account: Write checks, Make deposits, Use their check register and balance with their statement
  • Overview of account management
  • Practice exercise

Session III: Managing Your Money and Your Credit Rating
The purpose of Session III is for students to understand:

• The basics of financial planning
  • How account ownership can assist in planning and tracking spending
  • What determines a credit rating
  • How an account relationship can assist in establishing or improving credit
  • Managing your money
  • Developing a spending plan
• Introduction to savings options for long-term goals
  • Record keeping
  • Your credit rating
  • Introduction to the credit reporting system
  • How your financial institution can help you get your credit re-established
• Students complete a brief test to earn their certificate of completion

For the cost of one bounced check you can restore your checking privileges! Click here for registration information.

* If you have outstanding fees from a prior account, you must settle that account before opening a new one. Financial institutions are not required to open an account if there has been evidence of fraud on a prior account. You may be rejected if you still owe a bank for bad checks you wrote. You can clear your poor banking record by settling your old account.