By Jennifer Bull

The Banking Institution  SRP Federal Credit Union  First Citizens  Bank Of America

SRP Locations  SRP is a locally operated credit union, found only in South Carolina and Georgia  It’s Aiken locations are Pine Log Branch 750 E. Pine Log Road Aiken, SC Richland Avenue Branch 3559 Richland Avenue, West Aiken, SC  Richland Avenue Express 3515 Richland Avenue, West Aiken, SC  Rutland Drive Branch 390 Rutland Drive Aiken, SC  Silver Bluff Road Branch 1060 Silver Bluff Road Aiken, SC 29803

What they have to offer  Loans SRP lending practices and attitudes exemplify the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People." SRP loans are calculated with simple interest, which means that you pay interest only on the outstanding loan balance.  SRP Offers loans for: New and Used Auto Loans Platinum Line of Credit Personal Refinancing Credit Cards Recreational Vehicle Home Equity Mortgage

What they have to offer  SRP offers the members an online service, where they can pay bills, check their E-Statement, Visa balance and history.  They can also reorder their checks online, find important forms online  SRP also has an app available for smart phones

What they have to offer  SRP has Deposit ATMs Direct Deposit options Financial Counseling Night Deposits Notary Public Payroll Deduction Personal Auto Consultant Safe Deposit Boxes  Touch Your Money Everyday (TYME). With this free service, you can access your accounts from any touch-tone phone

Benefits  Having a checking account with SRP offers many benefits Dividends earned on 100% of the balance; No per-check charges; Optional overdraft protection - automatically transfers funds from your savings to your checking in case your account is overdrawn; ATM access to your account; ATM 24/7 access to your account via TYME Line and SRP Online;TYME Line SRP Online Payroll Deduction, Automatic Transfer and Direct Deposit; Payroll DeductionDirect Deposit Monthly Statements. Monthly Statements

Benefits  Along with a checking account, SRP offers many different savings accounts  When you open a savings account with SRP Federal Credit Union, you become a shareholder and owner of the credit union. The $0.01 deposit required to open this account buys your share.  SRP offers a Christmas Club saving account, IRAs, savings bonds and share certificates.

Benefits  Also, SRP offers savings accounts for the youth  Frugal Freddie for children 12 and under  Teen Advantage Plus (TAP) is for teens 13-17, to teach the basics of personal financial responsibility. In TAP you'll learn how to write checks, establish your credit, and how to borrow money the smart way.

First Citizens Locations  1715 Whiskey Rd Aiken (803)  708 Silver Bluff Rd Aiken (803)  125 Park Ave Sw, Aiken, SC (803)  First citizens is a National Chain

What They Have to Offer  Checking Accounts Premier Checking ○ Preferred rates on CDs ○ No overdraft protection transfer fees Select Checking ○ No monthly service charges with direct deposit or when you maintain the average minimum balance ○ Free e.statements or paper statements Free Checking ○ No monthly service charges or balance requirements with e.statement enrollment Military Checking ○ Preferred accounts for military personnel, including special consideration for installment loans, vehicle loans and mortgage origination fee assistance  Savings Accounts Regular Savings ○ Perfect for just starting to save with a low initial deposit ○ Interest compounded daily and credited to your account monthly E.savings ○ Open your account and manage your money online Tiered Money Market Savings ○ Tiered interest rates reward you for higher balances without tying up your money Military Savings ○ Interest-bearing account with low initial deposits Coverdell Education Savings Account ○ Can be established for students under the age of 18 ○ Assets can be transferred to another family member

Personal Credit Cards and Card Products  Visa Platinum Credit Card: This First Citizens premium card with a higher-limit credit line and no annual fee means you can find exactly what you're looking for in a credit card.  BankMiles Travel Program1: Sign up for the First Citizens BankMiles Travel Program and earn frequent flyer rewards each time you use your First Citizens Credit Card. Plus, get an automatic 1,500 points upon enrolling.  QuickPoints Program2: Use your First Citizens credit card, accumulate points, and then redeem points for free gift cards and vouchers to select merchants. QuickPoints is free with any personal First Citizens Credit Card.  Visa Debit Card: First Citizens offers a quick, convenient way for you to access the funds in your checking account that's easier than a checkbook and safer than cash.  Order Your Credit Report: Protect against identity theft and monitor your credit history with a free annual credit report3.

Benefits  First Citizen’s offers different savings, checking and card programs for personal options and business options  For Loans: First Citizens term loans provide practical financing for numerous business purposes: Purchase, refinance, build or expand an existing facility Debt restructuring Working capital Leasehold improvements Vehicle financing

Bank of America Locations  167 Laurens St SW Aiken (803)  150 Aiken Mall Dr Aiken (803)  1011 E Pine Log Rd Aiken (800)  Bank Of America is a National Chain

What They Have to Offer  Convenient access to your personal checking account wherever, however you want. No monthly maintenance fee when you set up at least one qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more monthly or maintain an average daily balance of $1,500 or more. Otherwise, $12 monthly maintenance fee. Unlimited teller access Optional Regular Savings Account Online, Mobile and banking Online Bill Pay Payment Reminders Customizable Alerts Debit card with Total Security Protection® including $0 Liability Guarantee Keep the Change® savings program where everyday purchases add up to savings Optional Overdraft Protection to help avoid overdraft fees and declined debit card transactions MyExpression® Banking to show support for a cause, school, organization or team

What They Have to Offer  Savings Accounts Platinum Money Market Savings ○ Available to Platinum Privileges® clients only ○ Tiered interest rates that are higher than our standard rates ○ No maintenance fee ○ Transfer money between your checking and Platinum Money Market Savings accounts ○ Use it for overdraft protectionFootnote2 to cover your checking account ○ Eligible for enrollment in Keep the Change® savings programFootnote3 ○ FDIC insured up to applicable limits Personal Money Market Savings ○ Savings grow at a higher interest rate when you increase your balances to the next rate tier ○ A tiered interest savings rate even at lower balances ○ Transfer money between your checkingaccount and Personal Money Market Savings accounts ○ Use it for overdraft protectionFootnote1 to cover your checking account ○ Low minimum opening deposit of $25 ○ Eligible for enrollment in Keep the Change® savings programFootnote2 ○ FDIC insured up to applicable limits

What they have to Offer  Savings Accounts Continued Regular Savings ○ Low minimum opening deposit of $25 ○ Eligible for enrollment in Keep the Change® savings program ○ Transfer money between your checking and Regular Savings accounts ○ Use it for overdraft protection to cover your checking account ○ Balances are FDIC insured up to applicable limits Custodial (UTMA) Savings ○ The custodian has access to manage the funds in this account on behalf of the minor ○ The custodian of this savings account is responsible for distributing the funds to the minor when the minor reaches the age of 18 or 21, depending on state law ○ Low minimum opening deposit of $25 ○ Transfer money between your checking and Custodial Savings accounts ○ Up to 3 withdrawals per month at no additional fee ○ Balances are FDIC insured up to applicable limits

Benefits  With Platinum Privileges, you have access to: A dedicated customer service team at the Platinum Service Center No fees on select banking services Higher rates on Platinum Money Market Savings accounts. Open now Higher rates on select CDs & IRAs Open a CD now or Open an IRA now Special relationship benefits on home loans. Get more cash back for the things you buy most. Apply for the BankAmericard Privileges® credit card with Cash RewardsFootnote4. Automatically qualify for 30 commission-free online equity and ETF trades per monthFootnote5 and no annual account feeFootnote6 with an online investment account from Merrill Edge®, a streamlined investment service where you can invest with Merrill Edge and bank with Bank of America using one log- in

Works Cited "Bank of America." Bank Of America. Bank Of America,n.d. Web. 5 May "Business Loans." First Citizens Bank. N.p., n.d. Web. 29May "SRP Federal Credit Union." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013.