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☆ Employers Can Now Enroll Workers in Some Emergency Savings Accounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Ann Carrns | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Starting this year, a federal law allows employers to enroll workers in emergency savings accounts that are linked to their retirement accounts. “I do think there is tremendous interest in emergency savings programs,” said Matt Bahl, vice president and head of workplace financial health at the Financial Health Network, a nonprofit that promotes financial well-being. Of those, about a third said they offered an emergency savings account feature and another third planned to do so in the next year or two. For instance, only workers making under a certain income limit ($155,000 for 2024) may participate, and their emergency savings are limited to $2,500, though employers can set lower ceilings. And though employers can help with contributions, they must deposit any match into the worker’s retirement account — not the emergency savings account.

Persons: ”, Matt Bahl, Mr, Bahl, — Organizations: Financial Health Network, Research Institute

JPMorgan Chase , Wells Fargo and Bank of America reported a combined $2.2 billion in overdraft fees in 2023, roughly $700 million less than the previous year, according to regulatory filings. Overdraft fees are triggered when a customer attempts to spend more than the balance in their checking accounts. Banks say overdraft services are a lifeline that helps users avoid worse options like payday loans, while critics including President Biden say the fees exploit struggling Americans. But even before recent efforts by regulators, banks' haul from overdraft has been on the decline. Those who kept the fees, including JPMorgan, limited the types of transactions that trigger penalties, got rid of fees for bounced checks and introduced one-day grace periods and $50 cushions to reduce their frequency.

Persons: Michael Nagle, Wells, Banks, Biden, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Jamie Dimon, Dimon, Ally, there's, Jennifer Tescher Organizations: JPMorgan Chase, Bloomberg, Getty, Bank of America, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Capital, Citigroup, JPMorgan, Financial Health Network Locations: New York, Wells Fargo, overdraft

NEW YORK (AP) — When the unexpected happens — whether fire, hail, or human error — renters insurance can provide much-needed stability. The average cost of a renters insurance policy in 2023 was $148 per year, or about $12 per month, according to the most recent analysis by NerdWallet. Here's what to keep in mind:WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT ACQUIRING RENTERS INSURANCE? WHAT’S COVERED BY RENTERS INSURANCE? Most renters insurance policies include:— Personal property protection.

Persons: Linda Klamm, “, Klamm, ” Klamm, you’re, policyholders, ”, Charles Schwab Organizations: Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, Insurance, Institute, Financial Health Network, Financial Health, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP Locations: Oakland , California, California, Florida , Louisiana , Texas, Washington

☆ Overdraft Fees Are Dwindling, Study Finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Ann Carrns | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Are the days of overdraft fees almost over? The dreaded bank fees are shrinking, even as the share of households paying them remains the same, new financial research shows. Banks charge overdraft fees to cover shortfalls when customers spend more than the amount in their checking accounts. The typical overdraft fee is $15, half the amount it was two years ago, according to Moebs Services, a financial research firm. (Its calculation is based on more than 3,600 institutions, including banks, credit unions and financial technology companies.)

Persons: Banks, overdrafts Organizations: Financial Health Network, Moebs Services Locations: overdraft

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