What Are Peer-to-Peer Payments?
Peer-to-peer payment systems — also known as P2P payments or money transfer apps — like Venmo, PayPal and Cash App allow users to send one another money from their mobile devices through…
Amber Murakami-Fester
Amber is a former banking writer for NerdWallet. Her work has been featured by USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor and The Associated Press. She holds a bachelor's degree in comparative literature from UCLA.
Posts by Amber Murakami-Fester:
What Are Community Development Financial Institutions?
What are CDFIs? Community development financial institutions, or CDFIs, are banks and credit unions that focus on serving people who would otherwise be locked out of the financial system. Unlike financial institutions,…
You Don’t Need to Be a Citizen to Have a US Bank Account
Alexis Flores-Betancourt was 5 when her family loaded everything they owned onto a truck and trundled across country from California, where she was born, to Texas, one of several moves…
What Are Online Banks? Learn the Pros and Cons
What is online banking? Online banking, by definition, means managing your bank accounts with a computer or mobile device. This includes transferring funds, depositing checks and paying bills electronically. Traditional…
How Undocumented Immigrants Can Get Bank Accounts
If you don’t have a Social Security number or are undocumented, you can still get a bank account. Here’s how to get one and why it’s important — even for…
Wells Fargo vs. Bank of America: Which Is Best for You?
Comparing two giant banks can be like choosing between vanilla and French vanilla: What the heck is the difference? Wells Fargo and Bank of America, the second- and third-largest U.S.…
American Express National Bank Review: Savings and CDs
The bottom line American Express National Bank provides a savings account with a highly competitive annual percentage yield, as well as some certificates of deposit that are worth considering. You’ll find…
Mobile Banking Opens Doors for African-Americans
For African-Americans, embracing mobile banking doesn’t just mean greater accessibility to financial institutions, it also allows the ability to choose a bank that aligns with their values. Just over 18% of black households…
America First Credit Union Review: What You Need to Know
America First Credit Union NerdWallet’s rating: 4.0 / 5.0 The bottom line Utah-based America First Credit Union offers free checking and savings options, which give access to the CO-OP…
The Smartest Way to Use Gift Cards
If you received a gift card over the holidays, chances are you’re happy about it. After all, what’s not to like? Gift cards allow recipients to buy stuff without taking…
