SavvySugar

Bank Commercial Uses Clips of Mother Theresa, The Matrix to Score Customers

Emily Co — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:45:05 PST

Talk about a marketing strategy gone wrong. Business Insider posted a commercial that the now defunct Icelandic bank Kraupthing released before the worldwide economic meltdown. You'll see video snippets of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, Nelson Mandela being sworn in as president, the moon landing, some war footage, and yes, The Matrix. The ad might make for some kind of feel good inspirational message, but it definitely doesn't work well as a bank promo.

Savvy Ways to Get More Out of Your Bank

Guest Writer — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:15:59 PST

Editor’s note: We are thrilled to introduce a new guest blogger, Kimberly Palmer. The author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional’s Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back, and personal finance columnist at US News & World Report will be joining us for a monthly series with tips and advice on all things Savvy. Take it away, Kimberly . . .

In the wake of the recession, most of us are more suspicious of banks than ever. In fact, a recent survey by Aite Group found that more than one in five 20-somethings say they trust banks less than they used to. The good news is that just like a bad boyfriend committed to redeeming himself, banks are working hard to earn back our trust. As customers, we can take advantage of that.

Here are five steps banks are taking to win back customers:

They are teaching us about money. Some of the biggest financial institutions out there have launched financial literacy websites designed to make it more fun to learn better money habits. SunTrust’s LiveSolid.com offers a magazine-like approach to learning about money, with articles on how to be happier, meal planning, and how to improve your credit score. The site also offers free calculators that get into the nitty-gritty of saving for retirement and annuities, too. ING Direct offers wethesavers.ingdirect.com, which covers economic news as well as pop culture. The frequently updated blog features the voices of customers as well as chief executive Arkadi Kuhlmann. Many credit unions, such as the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union, are doing the same. TDECU’s www.youngfreetexas.com is full of videos, contests, saving tips, and blog posts, designed to appeal to its 20-something customers.

They are offering up free tools and resources to help us save. Many banks now offer free online spending analysis, which makes it easier to see where your money is going. Designed to compete with free software such as Mint.com, these free tools are accessible whenever you log in to your online account.

To see more ways on how you can get more out of your bank, read on.

WikiLeaks to Target Bank of America

Emily Co — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:10:08 PST

We've been wondering which bank the infamous WikiLeaks is targeting, and CNBC has just confirmed that it's going to be Bank of America, a SavvySugar favorite. We still don't have a clear idea of what will be released, and the date the information is going to be disseminated on, but I guess that's in line with the WikiLeaks culture of secrecy. It's interesting to see what readers thought of the controversial nonprofit, with 44 percent saying they would never give money to WikiLeaks, 25 percent stating they support the organization's cause, and the rest saying they don't have a strong opinion.

Founder Julian Assange, has made a lot of enemies, and many of them are calling to extradite him to Sweden, which his lawyers are fighting because they say it may lead to a Guantanamo Bay imprisonment or even the death penalty. Looks like he's about to add more enemies to his long list: BofA CEO Brian Moynihan and other executives from the bank.

The Best Commercial Bank of 2010

SavvySugar — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:00:23 PST

Last year it was Wells Fargo, and this time, Bank of America wins your favor as the best commercial bank of the year. It's clearly a cut above the rest with 38 percent of SavvySugar readers nominating it, while the next two favorites, Wells Fargo and JP Morgan, each received 19 percent of your votes.

Your favorite pick has been quite a hot topic as of late, because it's rumored to be the target of the next WikiLeaks attack. In efforts to protect itself, the firm has been registering anti-BofA domain names like BrianMoynihanSucks.com, which refers to the bank's CEO. I'm not sure how 2011 is going to pan out this year for the bank, but I guess we'll get to watch the drama unfold next year!

What's the Best Commercial Bank of 2010?

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:00:31 PST

Most of us play favorites with banks because they have a proven track record and maybe even give us goodies like high interest rates and fee waivers. I want to know which commercial bank you think is the Best of 2010. We didn't see many merges and buyouts in America this year, and the recession is gradually winding down, but there are still many challenges ahead for the banking industry. What bank has been your solid rock and saw you through the economic storm - what's the best commercial bank of 2010?

Watch Out: Bank Fees at an All-Time High

Emily Co — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:30:27 PDT

Fees are going up, up, and away, according to a Bankrate study that was released today. Consumers need to be aware of these fees, especially during the holiday season, a time when there is an increased amount of spending. Managing your money is going to be even pricier, so users will have to be more aware of their budgeting practices and keep an eye on the sneaky bank fees. Here are some of the increases you should watch out for:

ATM fees: The ATM fees have risen to $2.33 from the previous year, an increase of five percent. If you're using an out-of-network ATM, you'll be charged an average of $1.41. That's seven percent higher than last year.
Minimum balance requirement: Note: This applies to accounts that require minimum balances. This year, the average minimum balance requirement to avoid monthly fees in a noninterest checking account has risen to $249.50 from $185.75 last year. For the case of interest-bearing checking accounts, it has increased to $3,883.40 from $511.22.
Bounced checks: If you bounce a check this year, you might be paying the average of $30.47. This compares with last year's average bounced-check fee of $29.58.

Last year, American banks made over $20 billion on debit and ATM overdraft fees alone. Remember a good way to avoiding some of these bank fees is to check out online accounts such as ING or SmartyPig. As for ATM fees, make sure you have enough cash on hand, and withdraw money only at your bank's ATM machines or get cash back at grocery stores. Stay alert, Savvy readers!

The Hairstyle You'll Want to Wear Every Day This Summer

Jaime Richards — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:08:00 PDT

Elizabeth Banks looked like she walked straight out of the 1970s for her Allure June cover, and it's thanks to Oribe, editorial hairstylist extraordinaire. Using a Patti Hansen cover from the disco-era for inspiration, as it turns out, the retro-themed style is perfect for modern times, as well. "The fullness at the sides gives it a really interesting, beautiful look," Oribe explained. And because the top is pulled back just a touch, "it's great for Summer to get your bangs off your face," he added. To get the exact four steps for achieving Elizabeth's warm-weather bouffant, read more.

9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight

Wise Bread — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:58 PDT

I'm sure everyone can do with a little more cash in their wallets. Here are some great suggestions by Wise Bread for you to make extra money.

Even though I'm self-employed full-time, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to make more money.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Wise Bread post on websites that can help you earn extra cash. More recently, I came across a blog post on Zaarly titled, "10 Ways to Make Money Without a Job." After reviewing the latter post, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let you in on a few more ways to get paid.

The ideas that Zaarly presents are perfect for the unemployed or those who just want to pad their pockets a little more. In addition, there are moonlighting jobs that I do that I thought you should know about. Thus, if you're without a steady paycheck or you just want to build up a rainy-day stash, here are some of your options.

1. Offer Experiences to Strangers

I recently learned about a new site called Vayable, which allows people with specialized knowledge and talents, local info, and time on their hands to create experiences that others can purchase. It's basically a touring and activity company without the company. Anyone can join the site and set up an experience. For instance, the Kan Brothers offer motorcycle tours of San Francisco - which include helmet rental, a drink at a local hot spot, and a city map - for two to four people at $75 per person. In New York City, Kim G. is offering a personalized painting lesson for groups of two to six for a flat rate of $300; the experience includes acrylic paints; canvas board and supplies; studio space; wine, cheese, and crackers; and Kim’s undivided attention. Consider this tip if you're interested in joining Vayable: Browse the site to see what other people in your area are offering. By creating a unique experience that no one else has established, you have a better chance of getting booked.

Read on for more.

Milla Jovovich Tells Us Her Cannes Highlight During a Night With Heidi, Alec, and the Hiltons

Allie Merriam — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:20:41 PDT

Last night was a busy one for many celebrities at Cannes. Milla Jovovich was decked out to make the rounds, starting at the Chopard and L'Oréal bash at the Hotel Martinez. She mingled at L'Oréal with fellow brand ambassadors Luisana Lopilato and model Natasha Poly. We caught a moment with Milla at the soiree, and she spoke about what her favorite part of the festival has been. Milla said, "The last two years I brought my daughter, so it's all about getting my work done and getting back to bed to sleep with my little girl. She was all day at the beach - loves it, loves it. She met a little friend here. They're best friends now - in the whole world - after one day together." Milla and her husband Paul W. S. Anderson are the proud parents of 4-year-old Ever.

The next stop on the party agenda was de Grisogono's Glam Extravaganza at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in nearby Antibes. There, Milla caught up with celeb pals like Heidi Klum, Alec Baldwin and his fiancée Hilaria Thomas, Adrien Brody, and the Hilton sisters. Both Nicky and Paris are making the rounds this week. Nicky, though, has her new boyfriend in town, too - we spotted her out on a dinner date with new guy James Rothschild, an English banking heir. Make sure to stay on top of all our Cannes coverage by following PopSugar on Twitter and see which celebrities are at Cannes!

Is Gisele Bundchen Pregnant With Her Second Child?

Lauren Turner — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:36:05 PDT

Why Gisele Bundchen might be pregnant with her second child - Lainey Gossip
Anna Faris covers up her baby bump on set - Us Weekly
See who Jay-Z got to play at his Made in America music festival - HuffPost Entertainment
Ashlee Simpson debuts her adorable new puppy - People
Ben Affleck hosts huge political fundraiser - Hollywood Reporter
Daisy Fuentes flaunts her hot body in a bikini - TooFab
Angelina Jolie uses her jewelry line to give back - Celebitchy
Eleven hilarious things to know about John Mayer - The Daily Beast
Find out what it's like to watch big stars do their thing at Cannes - BuzzFeed
Lea Michele shows serious cleavage - The Insider
Watch Elizabeth Banks and Chris Pine in their People Like Us trailer - Rotten Tomatoes
Scott Wolf and wife expecting second child - Wonderwall
Ray J hospitalized in Las Vegas - Lifeline Live
Bond girl Berenice Marlohe gets glam at Cannes - Zap2It
Usher gets emotional over fatherhood - Your Tango