Available banking options

The following banking options are available:

• Checking Accounts offers you to deposit, withdraw, transfer and receive money. Usually those accounts to not provide any interest.
  
• Savings Accounts offers a usually low interest investment option. Most savings account have a $300 minimum to avoid any monthly fees, which would be in the range of $5. Access to the deposits may be limited by amount or a certain number of transactions per month, week.
  
• Certificate of Deposit are time investment accounts. Usually a minim amount higher than $1000 is required. The invested money will earn interest for a predefined period of time. Access to the invested money may not be possible before the maturity day. CDs are usually used as midterm investments for money, which is not immediately needed. Banks may offer premature access to funds at a fee.
  
• Debit Cards offer basically to withdraw and deposit money to any kind of account. One Card may be used to access all accounts. The ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) will ask for every transaction, which account should be used. Debit Cards may be at the same time also Credit Cards. For POS (Point of Sale) transactions the clerk will usually ask "debit or credit"? Depending on this answer a signature or a PIN (Personal Identification Number) may be needed. Debit Cards are usually issued by Visa or MasterCard.
• Online Banking offers online access to the bank account from the Interner. All or a limited number of transactions may be performed online rather than visiting a local branch. Online Banking may be an essential feature if you are not present in the US.