Emergency Cash Options From Banks

If you find that you must borrow money, beware of alternative financial service providers that may promise quick cash—as we just saw, services such as payday loans or car title loans come at a steep price and can trap you in debt.

Many banks offer reasonably priced, small loans that enable you to borrow money and repay the money (plus interest) later.
- Talk to financial institutions in your community to see what options they may offer.
- One example is a line of credit, which you can use to borrow money for a short period of time.
- It is best to work with your bank to set up this type of account in advance, instead of waiting until you are in a rush for cash.
- As with any other line of credit, you will be told the APR before signing a formal agreement.

Be cautious of using fee-based overdraft programs to deliberately overdraw your account if you need cash quickly. The costs can quickly add up depending on the number of transactions covered. To learn more, read the interagency brochure, “Protecting Yourself from Overdraft and Bounced-Check Fees” at www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/bounce/default.htm.

Ultimately, it is a good idea to open and build up a savings fund to cover unexpected expenses. That way, you can borrow from yourself and avoid paying interest and fees.