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Consumer Information Brochures

The Federal Reserve Board's brochures and booklets are suitable for classroom use. Up to 100 copies are available without charge. Additional copies (over 100) are $0.25 each.


5 tips one-page flyer

5 Tips for Getting the Most from Your Credit Card

Suggests do's and don'ts to manage your credit card account and help maintain a high credit score.

ONLINE | PRINTABLE (94 KB PDF)


5 tips one-page flyer

5 Tips for Improving Your Credit Score

Explains how to obtain your credit report, how credit scores are determined, how to verify reported information, and how to improve and maintain a good credit score.

ONLINE | PRINTABLE (92 KB PDF)


5 tips one-page flyer

5 Tips for Protecting Your Checking Account

Explains ways to protect your account from scam artists and tells you who to contact if you notice a problem with your checking account.

ONLINE | PRINTABLE (126 KB PDF)


5 tips one-page flyer

5 Tips for Protecting Your Home from Foreclosure

Steps to take to protect your home from foreclosure. Also provides links to several websites for additional help.

ONLINE | PRINTABLE (106 KB PDF)


Choosing a Credit Card brochure cover

Choosing a Credit Card

Describes credit card features and costs, including information about credit card solicitations and applications. Provides guidance on how to file a complaint.

ONLINE


Consumer Guide to Check�21 and Substitute Checks brochure cover

Consumer Guide to Check 21 and Substitute Checks

Spanish: Guía del consumidor sobre Check 21 y cheques sustitutos

Describes changes in check processing due to Check 21 and other check-system improvements.

English: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (78 KB PDF)

Spanish: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (78 KB PDF)



A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins brochure cover

A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins

Explains mortgage rate-locks--fees involved, options for setting terms, loan approval process, and lender rate commitments. Provides a list of questions to ask your lender and tips to speed up the approval process.

ONLINE


A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancings brochure cover

A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancings

Helps you answer the questions Should I, Can I, and How do I refinance my mortgage loan? Includes worksheets to help you determine whether refinancing will pay off for you and to help you shop for a mortgage loan to fit your financial situation. Also includes tips to help you through the refinancing process.

ONLINE | PRINTABLE (432 KB PDF)


A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Settlement Costs brochure cover

A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Settlement Costs

Outlines the fees involved in home purchase settlement, including mortgage and lender fees, and charges for establishing and transferring ownership. Provides information on settlement cost estimates and includes a settlement cost worksheet.

ONLINE


Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages brochure cover

Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Spanish: Guía para el consumidor sobre hipotecas a tasa ajustable (ARM)

Identifies the basic features of adjustable rate mortgages: adjustment periods, interest rate caps, indexes, and margins. Includes cautions about discounts, payment caps, negative amortization, and prepayments. Provides a glossary of key terms and a checklist to compare mortgage lender rates.

English: ONLINE

Spanish: ONLINE


Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws brochure cover

Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws

Explains consumer credit laws, how to shop and apply for credit, how to maintain a good credit rating, how to dispute unfair credit transactions, and how to resolve billing errors. Includes a glossary of key terms.

ONLINE


A Guide to Business Credit for Women, Minorities, and Small Businesses brochure cover

A Guide to Business Credit for Women, Minorities, and Small Businesses

Spanish: Una Guía de crédito comercial para las mujeres, las minorías, y pequeñas empresas

Reviews the credit application process for small business loans and steps to take if a loan is denied. Provides information on the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and gives sources for assistance in the application process.

English: ONLINE

Spanish: ONLINE


Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending brochure cover

Home Mortgages:
Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending

Provides guidance on shopping for a home mortgage, making an application, and understanding your right to fair lending.

ONLINE

 


How to File a Consumer Complaint about a Bank brochure cover

How to File a Consumer Complaint about a Bank

Spanish: Cómo puede un consumidor presentar una queja sobre un banco

Information on the types of complaints that the Federal Reserve investigates and how to file a complaint. Explains the major consumer protection laws that protect individuals.

English: ONLINE

Spanish: ONLINE



Interest-Only Mortgage Payments and Payment-Option ARMs--Are They for You?How to File a Consumer Complaint about a Bank brochure cover

Interest-Only Mortgage Payments and Payment-Option ARMs--Are They for You?

Spanish: Hipotecas con pagos de interés sólo y préstamos ARM con opción de pago

Explains features of interest-only mortgage payments (I-O mortgage) and adjustable-rate mortgages with the option to make a minimum payment (a payment-option ARM). Includes cautions about payment shock, negative amortization, and prepayments. Provides a glossary of key terms and a shopping worksheet to compare loan features and future rates and payments.

English: ONLINE

Spanish: ONLINE



Keys to Vehicle Leasing: A Consumer Guide brochure cover

Keys to Vehicle Leasing: A Consumer Guide

Spanish: Consejos para arrendar un vehículo, Guía del consumidor

Guidance for consumers on leasing a vehicle, including information on consumer rights, a sample leasing form explaining costs, and definitions of terms used in vehicle leasing.

English: ONLINE

Spanish: ONLINE



Looking for the Best Mortgage: Shop, Compare, Negotiate brochure cover

Looking for the Best Mortgage:
Shop, Compare, Negotiate

Spanish: Buscando la hipoteca más favorable: Compare, Verifique, Negocie

Guidance on identifying mortgage costs, comparing offers and negotiating the best loan terms. Provides a mortgage shopping worksheet and glossary of key terms.

English: ONLINE

Spanish: ONLINE


Privacy Choices for Your Personal Financial Information brochure cover

Privacy Choices for Your Personal Financial Information

Guidance on making informed choices about whether to share personal financial information with financial companies. Explains the right to opt out of sharing some personal information and lists the types of personal information that financial companies can share.

ONLINE | PRINTABLE (78 KB PDF)


Protecting Yourself from Overdraft and Bounced-Check Fees brochure cover

Protecting Yourself from Overdraft and Bounced-Check Fees

Spanish: Protéjase de los cargos por cheques rebotados y sobregiros

Explains courtesy overdraft-protection, or bounce coverage, plans, and the costs involved. Provides guidance on how to avoid overdraft fees.

English: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (2.90 MB PDF)

Spanish: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (2.90 MB PDF)


Putting Your Home Loan on the Line Is Risky Business brochure cover

Putting Your Home Loan on the Line Is Risky Business

Spanish: Utilizar su hogar como garantía para un préstamo es arriesgado

Describes how to avoid potential borrowing pitfalls, including high-cost "predatory" home loans, and provides tips for getting the best financing deal possible. Includes a worksheet to use in comparison shopping for a home equity loan.

English: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (110 KB PDF)

Spanish: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (110 KB PDF)


A Series on the Structure of the Federal Reserve System brochure cover

A Series on the Structure of the Federal Reserve System

No. 1: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

No. 2: The Federal Open Market Committee

No. 3: The Federal Reserve Banks

No. 4: The Federal Reserve Bank Boards of Directors

Details the main elements and functions of the Federal Reserve System.

ONLINE


There's a Lot to Learn About Money brochure cover

There's a Lot to Learn about Money

Illustrates the importance of budgeting, saving, and managing money.

PRINTABLE (188 KB PDF)

(On the Federal Reserve Education web site)

What You Should Know about Home Equity Lines of Credit: brochure cover

What You Should Know about Home Equity Lines of Credit

Spanish: Lo que usted debería saber sobre las líneas de crédito con garantía hipotecaria

Information on home equity lines of credit; includes a glossary of terms and a checklist to use in shopping for a plan.

English: ONLINE

Spanish: ONLINE

 


What You Should Know about Your Checks flyer

What You Should Know about Your Checks

Spanish: Lo que usted debería saber sobre sus cheques

Explains the changes in checking accounts, Check 21 and substitute checks, and electronic check conversion.

English: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (130 KB PDF)

Spanish: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (130 KB PDF)


When Is Your Check Not a Check? Electronic Check Conversion brochure cover

When Is Your Check Not a Check? Electronic Check Conversion

Spanish: ¿Cuándo no es su cheque un cheque? Intercambio electrónico de cheques

Explains the electronic check conversion process and outlines consumer rights.

English: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (163 KB PDF)

Spanish: ONLINE | PRINTABLE (130 KB PDF)

 


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