Banks are financial institutions that are regulated at the state or federal level. Its primary role is to craft loan agreements and take deposits. You can also expect a wide range of products from them such as CDs, checking accounts, auto loans, mortgages, credit cards, wealth management services, business banking, and insurance. Find info about wealth management services on this webpage.

Many of them are covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation where the insurance for each depositor is around $250,000 per bank and per account ownership type. For those who want to invest their hard-earned money, they should be able to rely on these entities so they can preserve their hard-earned money. 

While stocks, real estate, and commodities often come to mind when thinking about investments, one often overlooked option is investing in banks, since they can offer more than just a safe place to store your money. Here are some of the features that many banks in Atlanta can help you with.

1. Getting Alerts When You’re About to Go Under

Overdrawn accounts are now possible and easier, and this is unlike in the past when you’d have to go to the physical branch or write checks for a withdrawal. Nowadays, you can connect your account to Venmo or PayPal and easily wipe out all of your funds without being aware of it. Many are charging fees like $35 per overdraft, and this makes your entire situation much harder.

A way to protect yourself is to avoid overdrafts in the first place. They can send you real-time alerts through push notifications or text messages that will let you know that your balance is in the red. This can prevent you from spending or you can deposit according to your needs.

2. Auto Pay Features for your Bill

Missing a payment has always been an issue for someone who struggles with tracking the time. In the meantime, setting up an automatic bill pay can help you avoid late fees. You just need to know their account numbers, and the amount needed each month, and enter each biller from your site. You can choose how you’re going to pay from there and this is a perfect alternative for recurring utilities or loans that can last for months.

3. Get Business Loans

Small companies can start more easily when they have funding. Fortunately, investment banking in Atlanta can generally offer the best rates. If you have an excellent credit score and tick all the boxes and requirements, you might also obtain a larger lump sum amount that you can use for your inventory or equipment. 

Types of Bank Investments

One popular type of bank investment is a savings account, where this option allows you to earn interest on your deposited funds while keeping them easily accessible for everyday expenses or emergencies. Savings accounts typically offer lower interest rates compared to other investment options but provide stability and security over the long run.

Meanwhile, the Certificates of Deposits are going to be fixed-terms and have higher interest rates. They may also require you to keep your money invested for a specific period, such as six months or one year. CDs are generally considered low-risk investments and can be an effective way to save for short-term goals.

For those looking for potentially higher returns, stocks and bonds offered by banks can be attractive options. Banks may allow customers to invest in individual stocks listed on major exchanges or purchase mutual funds that include diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds managed by professional fund managers.

Others offer investment products such as annuities or retirement accounts like Individual Retirement Accounts, where the annuities provide regular income payments over a specified period, while IRAs allow individuals to save specifically for retirement with potential tax advantages. 

Selecting the Right Financial Institution in Atlanta

Although there are a lot of institutions like credit unions, commercial, and thrift banks out there, you also need to determine what your goals are. See the risk that you can manage as well as your tolerance levels and be specific if you’re gunning for short-term gains or long-term growth. See how much you’re willing to lose when you invest, and make sure that you have emergency funds that you can find out more at this link: https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-an-emergency-fund/. 

Also, take a look at the banks themselves. Research their track record in managing investments and their reputation within the industry, and prefer the ones in Atlanta that have a solid history of delivering returns to their investors.

Another important factor is the range of investment options offered by each bank. Do they offer a variety of products such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other alternative investments? Having access to diverse investment opportunities can help mitigate risks and maximize returns. Consider the fees associated with investing through each bank. Some institutions charge higher fees than others, which can eat into your overall returns over time.

Customer service and support also matter because a reliable bank should have knowledgeable professionals who can guide you through the investment process.