This document provides information and instructions for basic banking tasks like maintaining a checking account, such as how to read and write checks, understand debit cards, make deposits, and keep a check register to track transactions and account balances. Key terms are defined for checks, deposits, withdrawals, minimum balances, and direct deposit. Step-by-step explanations and examples are given for common checking account activities.

1. Your Path to Financial Stability

2. Important Terms
Payee: The party that receives the check.
Payor: The party that writes the check (to the payee).
Check Register: A booklet that is used to keep a record of all your checking
related transactions, including checks written and deposits.
Endorse a Check - Check Endorsement: When the payee signs their name on
the back of a check to cash or deposit the check.
Balance: The amount of money currently in your checking account.
Non-sufficient Funds: When you write a check for more money than you have in
your account.
Minimum Balance: The minimum amount of money required in your account.
Having an amount less than the minimum balance may result in extra service
charges or reduced privileges.
Direct Deposit: the electronic transfer of a payment directly from the account of
the payer to the recipient's account.
How to Read a Check

3. This information will be printed on your checks.
1. 2.
Your Name 1001
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
Date _____________
Pay to the order of ______________________________________ $ __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ dollars
Bank’s Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
For ____________________________________ ____________________________________
01234567 000000281609 1001
3. 4. 5. 6.
1. Your personal information:
Name, Address, City, State and Zip Code
You can include your telephone number
if you want
2. The number of the check(1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, etc.)
This number is also printed in the last line.
2. Your bank’s information:
Name, Address, City, State and Zip Code
4. Your bank’s routing number
This number identifies the bank.
5. Your bank account number
6. The check number (same as #2)
How to Write a Check

4. This is the information you write on a check.
Your Name 1001
Your Address 16-123/4567
City, State, Zip
Date ______1_____
Pay to the order of _____2_____________________________________ $ __3______________
4__________________________________________________________________________ dollars
Bank’s Name
Address
City, State, Zip
For _5___________________________________ 6__________________________________
1234567 0000000016093829387 1001
What to write: Example:
1. Write the date: month, day, year. August 5, 2006 or 8/5/06
2. Write the name of the person or
business that gets the check. ABC Store
3. Write the amount of the check in
numbers $21.28
4. Write the amount of dollars in words. twenty-one
Write the amount of the cents in numbers. 28/100
Draw a line to the word “dollars.” twenty-one and 28/100----
5. Write a note to remember what
the check was for. party supplies
6. Sign your name. Your Name
Debit Cards

5. Printed on the front of your debit card you will find:
• The Debit Card Number
This 16-digit number is unique to your card. It is different from your checking account
number.
• The Issue Date
This is the date your debit card was issued
• The Expiration Date
Your card can only be used until this date. A new card will be automatically sent to
your address prior to the expiration date
• A Visa® or Mastercard® Logo
This symbol means that you can use this card wherever Visa® or Mastercard® debit
cards are accepted, for example, department stores, restaurants, and online.
• Owner’s Name
The name of the Cardholder/account holder.
On the Back of the Debit Card you will find:
• The Customer Service Number

6. Call this toll-free number when you questions about your account.
• The Signature Bar
For your protection against fraud, be sure to sign here as soon as you receive your
card
• The Card Verification Value
This number is unique to your card. When you use your card to make purchases over
the phone or Internet, some merchants may require you to supply this number to
confirm that you have the card with you.
• The Network Logos
The logos that appear on your card indicate where it can be used.
• Merchants accept different types of networks. Some may accept Visa and
MC but choose not accept other types of cards. Always look out for the signs
so you aren’t stuck unable to pay for your goods.

7. Filling Out A Deposit Ticket
Account number
This number ensures that the money is deposited in the correct account. If you do not
have your account number with you, your bank can provide the information to you.
Your information
Your name is pre-printed or written in.
Date
You will write today’s date here.
Cash
If depositing cash, you would write the amount here.
Checks
If you are depositing checks or money orders, you would list each one separately here
and continue on the back if more space were needed.
Subtotal
You will add the cash and check amounts and write the total amount being deposited
here.
Less cash received
If you are at the bank, you would use this space to write the amount of cash you would
like to get back from the checks you are depositing. The teller will ask you to sign the
deposit slip and provide identification to confirm that you are the account holder.
Total
You will subtract the amount, if any, on the line “Less Cash Received” from the Subtotal,
and write the total amount being deposited here.
Signature line
The teller will ask you to sign the deposit slip and provide identification to confirm that
you are the account holder, if you are withdrawing cash from your deposit.

8. Keeping Track of Your Checks
Your bank will give you a check register with your checks.
Use the register to keep track of the checks you write.
Use it to keep track of the deposits you make.
Use it to keep track of how much money is in your account.
Debits: When you write a check, record it in your check register.
( - ) Write the amount under the payment, or debit, column.
Subtract this amount from your balance.
If you pay a fee per check, remember to subtract that, too.
Credits: When you make a deposit, record it in your check register.
( + ) Write the amount under the deposit, or credit, column.
Add this amount to your balance.
Check Register
Check
No.
Date Description of Transaction
Payment
(Debit)
Fee
Deposit
(Credit)
Balance
577.80
3308 6/10/06 Northern Electrics 83.46 .25 - 83.71
May electric bill 494.09
6/12/06 Deposit 100.00 + 100.00
birthday money  594.09
3309 6/15/06 Anne’s Shoe Shop 29.80 .25 - 30.05
shoes for Jennifer 564.04
6/17/06 ATM withdrawal 20.00 1.00 - 21.00
lunch with Judy 543.04
3310 6/17/06 ReLini’s Salon 29.00 .25 - 29.25
hair color 513.79
Your Turn to Practice
Write in these transactions on the check register.
1. On June 20 you make a deposit of $324.00.
2. On June 21 you write a check to The Gas Company for $34.02.
3. On June 28 you buy a video from Sam’s Videos for $20.43.
What is your balance now? __________________________

9. Let’s Practice
1. You Get Paid. A $500 Direct Deposit is placed in your checking Account.
2. Your Electric Bill Is Due. Write a Check for 79.38.
3. You Go Grocery Shopping. Swipe your debit card for $53.18.
4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Your Mom gives you a check. Write a Deposit Ticket
and take it to the bank to make a deposit.
5.Your Utilities are due. Go online and have $67.95 debited from your
account.
6. Time to Pay the rent. Write a check for $300.
7. You go to the movies with your friends. You use your debit card for tickets,
popcorn, and drink, in the amount of $19.61.
How Much Do You Have In Your Account Now?
Your Name
Your Address
City,State,Zip
No. 1234
Date 8/31/2015
Pay to the Order of John Doe $ 100.00
One-Hundred & 00/100 -------------------
For Happy Birthday Mom