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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.

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Posts by Amber Murakami-Fester:

6 Best Banks and Credit Unions for Mobile Banking

Amber Murakami-Fester
Jan. 19, 2021

The best mobile banking services give you access to financial services anytime you want. With banking apps — or a bank website — on your phone or tablet, you can…

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NerdWallet’s 3 Best Money-Saving Apps

Spencer Tierney & Amber Murakami-Fester
Dec. 22, 2020

Money-saving apps can make the process of saving money easier over time. You can fill your piggy bank automatically so that savings goals can be met without stress. Check out…

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This 5-Minute Task Can Protect Your Banking Reputation

Wells Fargo vs. Bank of America: Which Is Best for You?

Amber Murakami-Fester
Feb. 18, 2021

Comparing two giant banks can be like choosing between vanilla and French vanilla: What the heck is the difference? Bank of America and Wells Fargo, the second- and third-largest U.S.…

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What Are Peer-to-Peer Payments?

Amber Murakami-Fester
Feb. 16, 2021

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…

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What Are Community Development Financial Institutions?

Amber Murakami-Fester
Aug. 13, 2020

If you’re looking for affordable loans and bank accounts and haven’t had luck in the past, community development financial institutions might be able to help. What are CDFIs? Community development…

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You Don’t Need to Be a Citizen to Have a U.S. Bank Account

You Don’t Need to Be a Citizen to Have a U.S. Bank Account

Amber Murakami-Fester
June 22, 2018

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…

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What Is an Online Bank? The Pros and Cons-story.jpg

What Are Online Banks? Learn the Pros and Cons

Amber Murakami-Fester
March 25, 2021

What is online banking? Online banking definition: Online banking means managing your bank accounts with a computer or mobile device. This includes transferring funds, depositing checks and paying bills electronically.…

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How Undocumented Immigrants Can Get Bank Accounts

Kelsey Sheehy & Amber Murakami-Fester
Dec. 2, 2020

There are banks that don’t require a Social Security number, so if you’re undocumented, it’s still very possible to open an account. Here’s how to open a bank account without…

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Mobile Banking Opens Doors for African-Americans

Mobile Banking Opens Doors for African-Americans

Amber Murakami-Fester
Feb. 8, 2018

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…

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The Smartest Way to Use Gift Cards

The Smartest Way to Use Gift Cards

Amber Murakami-Fester
Feb. 1, 2018

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…

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