Money 101 (and Beyond)
Plain-English answers to real-life money questions — quick reads, friendly examples, and tools you can use today.
Start LearningPlain-English Glossary
Everyday banking terms
Account
A personal record you have with a credit union or bank that holds your money — like a checking account, savings account, or CD.
Balance
The amount of money currently in your account. Some recent deposits may be temporarily unavailable while they process.
Bank vs. Credit Union
Bank: A for-profit financial institution owned by shareholders.
Credit Union: A not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution where profits are returned to members through better rates and lower fees.
Credit Union
A member-owned financial institution that serves a specific community or group and focuses on helping members, not maximizing profit.
Credit Score
A number between 300–850 that helps lenders decide how likely you are to repay borrowed money. It’s based on factors like payment history, amounts owed, and length of credit history.
Direct Deposit
When your paycheck, benefits, or other income are deposited straight into your account — safely and often faster than paper checks.
Fee
A charge for a specific service, such as using an out-of-network ATM or requesting a wire transfer.
Financial Institution
An organization that provides money-related services, like banks, credit unions, and lenders.
Member
Someone who has joined a credit union and owns a small share of it — giving them access to accounts, loans, and member-focused benefits.
Refinance
Replacing an existing loan with a new one — often to lower your interest rate, reduce your monthly payment, or change the loan term.
Cards, cash, and daily use
ATM
(Automated Teller Machine) — A self-service machine where you can withdraw or deposit cash, check balances, and more without visiting a branch.
ITM
(Interactive Teller Machine) — An ATM-style machine with live video teller support, letting you complete more transactions without going inside a branch.
Checking Account
Your everyday money hub for debit card purchases, paying bills, and moving money between accounts.
Debit Card
A card linked to your checking account that pulls money directly from your available balance when you make purchases or ATM withdrawals.
Deposit
Adding money to your account — through cash, a check, direct deposit, or an electronic transfer.
Overdrawn
When a transaction is larger than your available balance. Coverage and fees depend on your account type and whether you’ve opted in to overdraft services.
Withdraw
Taking money out of your account — at an ATM, with a teller, or by transferring funds.
Bill Pay
A free service through online or mobile banking that lets you pay bills electronically from your checking account — no checks or stamps needed.
Mobile Deposit
A feature that allows you to deposit checks using your smartphone by taking photos of the front and back, without visiting a branch.
Grow your money
Money Market Savings Account
A savings account that may earn higher dividends as your balance grows, while still allowing limited monthly withdrawals.
Share Certificate (CD)
A savings account where you deposit a fixed amount for a set period of time at a guaranteed APY. Early withdrawal penalties may apply if funds are accessed before maturity.
Dividend
The earnings paid on credit union savings accounts. Dividends are similar to interest but reflect that credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit institutions.
APY (Annual Percentage Yield)
The total amount you can earn on a savings account in one year, including compound dividends. APY makes it easier to compare savings options.
Minimum Balance
The lowest amount of money required to keep an account open or earn dividends, depending on the account type.
Early Withdrawal Penalty
A fee or reduction in earnings charged when money is taken out of a CD before the end of its agreed-upon term.
Use your equity or buy a home
Mortgage (Fixed)
A home loan with an interest rate and monthly principal and interest payment that stay the same for the entire loan term.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A home loan with an interest rate that starts fixed for an initial period, then adjusts over time based on market conditions.
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit)
A revolving line of credit secured by your home’s equity. You can borrow, repay, and borrow again as needed, typically with a variable interest rate.
Home Equity Loan
A one-time lump sum borrowed against your home’s equity, with a fixed interest rate and predictable monthly payments.
Down Payment
The upfront amount you pay toward the purchase of a home. It’s usually a percentage of the purchase price and helps reduce the amount you need to borrow.
Closing Costs
Fees paid at the end of the home-buying or refinancing process, such as appraisal, title, and legal costs.
Escrow
A separate account used to hold funds for property taxes and homeowners insurance, which are paid on your behalf when due.
Credit cards, loans, and borrowing options
Credit
The ability to borrow money now and repay it later, usually with interest. Credit is commonly used through loans and credit cards.
Credit Card
A revolving line of credit that lets you borrow up to a set limit, make purchases, and repay some or all of the balance each month.
Balance Transfer
Moving credit card debt from one card to another — often to take advantage of a lower interest rate and simplify payments.
Loan
A set amount of money you borrow and repay over a fixed period of time, usually with consistent monthly payments.
Auto Loan
Money borrowed to purchase a new or used vehicle, typically with a fixed interest rate and a set repayment term.
Personal Loan
A loan for almost any purpose — such as consolidating debt, covering home projects, or handling unexpected expenses — with fixed payments over time.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including interest and certain fees. APR makes it easier to compare loan and credit card offers.
Debt Consolidation
Combining multiple debts into one loan or payment — often to lower interest rates, simplify monthly bills, or pay off debt faster.
Secured vs. Unsecured Loan
A secured loan is backed by collateral, like a car or home. An unsecured loan isn’t tied to collateral and is approved based on creditworthiness.
Statements and moving money
Statement
A monthly summary of your account activity, including deposits, withdrawals, and balances. Available as a paper statement or paperless eStatement.
Transaction
Any activity that affects your account balance, such as deposits, withdrawals, purchases, transfers, or fees.
Pending Transaction
A transaction that has been authorized but hasn’t fully processed yet. It may temporarily reduce your available balance until it posts.
Transfer
Moving money between accounts — either within QCU or to and from another financial institution. Transfer timing can vary depending on the method used.
ACH Transfer
An electronic transfer made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Common examples include direct deposit, bill payments, and recurring transfers.
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
A broad term for moving money electronically between accounts, including ACH transfers, debit card payments, and online transfers.
Quick FAQs
Common questions we hear — answered simply.
What’s the difference between APR and APY?
APR is the yearly cost to borrow; APY is the yearly rate your savings could earn with compounding.
How can I improve my credit score?
- Pay on time — payment history matters most.
- Keep balances under ~30% of each card’s limit.
- Limit new credit applications; keep old good accounts open.
Fraud & Security
How can I spot a scam or phishing attempt?
Scammers often create urgency and ask for personal info. Watch for misspelled addresses, strange links, or requests for card numbers, PINs, or passwords.
What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?
Contact QCU immediately at 617-479-5558. We can freeze your card/account, review transactions, and help you change passwords.
How do I make my online and mobile banking more secure?
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Create strong, unique passwords; don’t reuse between banking and email.
- Keep your device and apps updated; sign out on shared devices.
Where can I report identity theft or fraud?
- IdentityTheft.gov — Official FTC resource
- Your local police department
- Credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
