Savings can replace stress with security. They’re also the cornerstone for big life goals, like an education for the kids, or a downpayment on a house. We help Californians save, make smart money decisions, and understand their rights through our education and advocacy guides and materials. We also ensure a level playing field by regulating institutions like banks, credit unions, and financial service providers.
Featured Resources
Personal Finance for Couples: Managing Joint Finances
Money is a common cause of stress in relationships, and if left unaddressed, it can impact more than just your wallet. Follow these tips to help you manage joint finances in a marriage or partnership.
Savings and planning for retirement
Sound money advice from DFPI.
New Year, New Financial Goals
Follow these eight tips to help you set your financial goals for the coming year and create a plan for successfully achieving them
Useful Terms
Interest Rate
The interest rate is the percentage that a bank, credit union or other financial institution pays you for parking your cash in a savings account. (Note: Generally speaking, the higher the rate, the better!)
Compounding
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is the sum of your compounding rate and interest rate that tells you what you’ll earn from your savings account.
Monthly Maintenance Fee
Banks can charge a monthly fee for “maintaining” your savings account, which they unsurprisingly call a Monthly Maintenance Fee.
Overdraft Protection
Overdraft protection links your savings account to your checking account to cover times when your checking goes into the red.
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit can make saving and reaching your goals easier by transferring wages or other funds straight into your savings account.
FDIC Insurance
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures deposits in banks and savings institutions up to a certain limit, known as FDIC Insurance.
Other Useful Links
- Savings rule to live by: Guide and worksheet, part of the helpful “Money rules to live by” series from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Options for storing your savings: A very useful guide to the benefits and risks of the leading savings options.
- Three simple things you can do to improve your finances: Part of the smart, easy-to-use Smarter Living series from the New York Times.
Other Recent Consumer Alerts and Insights
Consumer Insights
Financial Literacy Matters Now More Than Ever
Follow these steps toward achieving your financial goals despite rising costs and unexpected economic challenges.
Consumer Insights
Financial Literacy Matters Now More Than Ever
Apr 20, 2026
Follow these steps toward achieving your financial goals despite rising costs and unexpected economic challenges.
Alerts
Imposter Email Misusing DFPI Employee Identity to Demand Licensee Response
May 8, 2026
A DFPI licensee recently reported receiving an email appearing to be from a DFPI employee. The email message referenced a supposed complaint received by DFPI from a consumer and demanded a response from the DFPI licensee within seven days.
Alerts
Individual Falsely Posing as a Licensed Investment Adviser Representative
Apr 27, 2026
The DFPI has received information that an individual is contacting consumers through text messages and messaging platforms, such as Telegram and WhatsApp, while falsely claiming to be Douglas Boneparth, a licensed Investment Adviser representative.
Stay Connected
Resources and Publications
Industries we regulate
- Commercial Banks
- Industrial Banks
- Public Banks
- Credit Unions
- Trust Services
- Securities
- Franchises
- Capital for Businesses
- Broker-Dealers & Investment Advisers
- Money Transmitters
- Debt Collectors
- Check Sellers, Bill Payers & Proraters
- Consumer & Commercial Loans
- Payday Lenders
- Insurance Premium Finance
- Residential Mortgage Lenders
- Mortgage Loan Originators
- Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
- Escrow
- Student Loan Servicers
