Forget trying to get a credit card -- some people can't even open bank accounts. These four people have been denied basic checking accounts, often because past mistakes came back to haunt them.
If you've bounced too many checks, owe money on an overdrawn account or engaged in fraud, banks can find out about it and deny you a checking account in an instant.
A number of banks are offering customers who don't qualify for checking accounts prepaid cards or "second chance" accounts that come with higher fees and restrictions.
Interest rates are lousy. But these savings and credit strategies could help you boost your yield.
Rates on high-yield checking accounts continue to fall, but some banks and credit unions are offering deals that let you earn far more on your cash than many other banking products out there.
If you've thought about dumping your bank and freeing yourself of the nasty fees, there's a good chance you didn't end up pulling the trigger.
