Best Government Websites for Financial Information
If you're searching for sound and accurate financial information, it is always wise to go straight to the source -- the government agency responsible for creating, administering, and overseeing the laws of the country.
Many websites offer financial information; however, it may be difficult to know which ones provide the best financial information for consumers. If you’re searching for sound and accurate financial information, it is always wise to go straight to the source — the agency responsible for creating, administering, and overseeing the laws of the United States.
Government websites provide direction, data, trends, how-to advice, and overviews in an understandable manner. They seek to inform and protect consumers and their money. Here are the best websites from the federal government regarding financial information.
Best Banking Websites
www.federalreserve.gov — Website of the Federal Reserve System, the central bank of the United States. The Federal Reserve provides the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. Here are the Fed’s responsibilities:
- Conduct the nation’s monetary policy.
- Supervise and regulate banking institutions.
- Maintain the stability of the financial system.
- Provide certain financial services to the U.S. government, the public, financial institutions, and foreign official institutions.
www.fdic.gov — Website of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an independent agency created by Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system. The agency accomplishes this by doing the following:
- Insuring deposits.
- Examining and supervising financial institutions for safety, soundness, and consumer protection.
- Managing receiverships.
www.irs.gov — Website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may be the best place to find information about taxes. Although there are many websites offering guidance and interpretation of tax codes, the IRS is the governmental agency that administers the codes enacted by Congress. In addition, it is the nation’s tax collection agency, so individuals may benefit from getting the information straight from the organization that has the authority and mandate to enforce the law.
Best Investment and Financial Services Websites
www.sec.gov — Website for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The mission of this organization is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.
www.treasurydirect.gov — Website for TreasuryDirect, the only financial services website that lets individuals buy and redeem securities directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in paperless electronic form. On this website, people can buy the following:
- Treasury bills
- Bonds
- Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)
- Series I and EE Savings Bonds
www.mymoney.gov — This website is dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education and is sponsored by the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission. In addition, it is a clearinghouse for other federal government websites. Here consumers will find financial information on topics like buying a home, balancing a checkbook, and investing in a 401(k) plan.
Best Consumer Protection Websites
www.ftc.gov — Website of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC offers information and protection to consumers to help them avoid fraud and make wise money decisions. Here are some of the subjects about which the FTC offers information:
- Credit reports (Receive free reports at www.annualcreditreport.com.)
- Franchise and business opportunities (information on investment schemes and work-at-home schemes)
- Consumer credit rights (credit reporting, credit cards and consumer loans, credit reports and scoring, debt, mortgages and real estate, and privacy)
- Identity theft
- National Do Not Call Registry
Best Economic Websites
www.ustreas.gov — Website of U.S. Department of the Treasury. It is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States.
www.bea.gov — Website of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This agency provides timely, relevant, and accurate economic data. The BEA is one of the world’s leading statistical agencies and produces closely watched economic statistics that influence decisions made by governments, businesses, and individuals. The key economic statistics that the BEA generates are the national income and product accounts (NIPAs), which feature the estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) and related measures.
Best Legal Websites
www.uscourts.gov— Website of the United States Courts, and on this site you can find information on bankruptcy laws. If an individual is considering filing for bankruptcy, he or she can visit this site and read about basic bankruptcy information and the bankruptcy process. Debtors, creditors, court personnel, the media, and the general public may also get valuable answers to questions on this subject here.
Additional Resources
Consumer Action Website (for state insurance regulation and state banking authorities)
www.usa.gov/state-consumer
U.S. Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov
U.S. Trustee Program
http://www.usdoj.gov/ust
Ginnie Mae (guarantees bonds backed by home mortgages that have been guaranteed by a government agency, mainly the Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration)
http://www.ginniemae.gov
USA.gov (U.S. government’s official Web portal)
https://www.usa.gov/
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
http://www.cftc.gov
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
http://www.helpwithmybank.gov
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