Economicsfilter: How do mortgages work in developing countries with high rates of inflation and high interest rates? For example, Pakistan has a 20% inflation rate and the average fixed term prime residential mortgage for people with good credit is priced at 17%. What are the effects of this on a market? [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Apr 4, 2009 - 13 answers

How can I keep track of the health of European banks? [more inside]
posted by fuzz on Sep 29, 2008 - 4 answers

What's the best bank or credit union in the Chicago area? [more inside]
posted by korpios on Apr 24, 2008 - 11 answers

You'd think banks would want you to throw money at them, but alas. Why do online banks pull credit reports just to open a savings account, and do any banks just want your deposits regardless of your history? [more inside]
posted by moonbird on Mar 16, 2008 - 9 answers

How long does it take checks to clear noawadays? How are checks processed? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 3, 2008 - 15 answers

Why is my bank bribing me for using direct deposit? [more inside]
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim on Sep 27, 2007 - 22 answers

So, I need a new bank. And I'm picky and I don't need or want a brick-and-mortar. [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven on May 21, 2007 - 24 answers

Is it legal and/or kosher for me to have my bank's name on my checks, but not its contact info or address? [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Apr 25, 2007 - 8 answers

Looking for recommendations on banks which offer both checking account & credit cards. [more inside]
posted by skwm on Mar 22, 2006 - 21 answers

Which banks are the most secure? [more inside]
posted by scazza on Dec 19, 2005 - 14 answers

How do scammers who send email claiming to be from my bank and needing my account info know which banks I use? [More Inside] [more inside]
posted by shinnin on Sep 16, 2004 - 14 answers

What is the best thing to do with a small amount of money, around $5,000? Savings interest is almost a joke, CDs look attractive or maybe even mutual funds. Preferably the safer the better, as in investing it all in a high-risk mutual fund and losing it would make me cry. I've checked out "Investment FAQ" and it seems as if CDs are the best. I know little about investing but making money doing nothing intrigues me. What would be an expected return on such an investment? Is it even worth locking the money up for something like $10 a month? [more inside]
posted by geoff. on Mar 3, 2004 - 19 answers

Which bank has the best on-line banking interface? Bank of America's systems and poor customer service seem to have been designed to help a merchant steal $650 from me, so I'm looking to switch to a different card (and probably bank) provider. On-line banking is a very important feature for me. Since I'm in LA, it wouldn't hurt if they had a lot of conveniently located ATM machines too (the reason went with BOA 8 years ago when I moved out here), and a bank that takes card holder security seriously would be good since that's the reason I'm looking to switch in the first place.
posted by willnot on Jan 5, 2004 - 15 answers