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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Describes credit card features and costs, including information about credit card solicitations and applications. Provides guidance on how to file a complaint.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Provides guidance on shopping for a home mortgage, making an application, and understanding your right to fair lending.
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?
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
There's a Lot to Learn about Money
Illustrates the importance of budgeting, saving, and managing money.
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
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
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)