Finance

What You Need to Know About the New EMV Chip Cards

If you’ve received a new credit card within the past year, chances are you’ve noticed some subtle changes to how you purchase things in stores. Instead of “swiping” your credit card, merchants are asking you to insert it into a slot (sometimes known as “dipping”).

Welcome to a smart new security device: the EMV chip. But what is this chip? Where did it come from and why do we need it?

The Growing Trend of Life Without a Bank Account

It was the fees that finally drove Joel Lawton away from his traditional bank account.

A Dallas area mortgage loan officer, Lawton’s income is entirely commission-based, meaning it can vary greatly from month to month and week to week. He makes a good income—around $50,000 total in most years—but the way that most banks determine their fees and billing schedules never really worked for his personal financial situation.

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