YCCC: Finance: Websites

Background Information

MBSTL Business - Running a Business - Finances & Accounting
As the designated research library for business, science and technology, the Librarians at Fogler Library at UMO have compiled a series of resources to support the people of Maine in those areas. We’ve carefully selected and curated these resources into a variety of subject areas. Each subject area contains links to websites and articles relevant to that field.
Investor.gov Glossary
Glossary, acronyms, and terms to watch out for.
All About Investing
from NYSE Euronext
Making Sense of the Federal Reserve Bank
"The Fed" in plain terms, from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
The Federal Reserve and You video series
Videos on the history of the Federal Reserve Bank, who supervises the financial institutions in our country, understanding banking and our monetary system and more from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Demystifying Derivatives
This article published in the Regional Economist in 1994, a Federal Reserve Bank publication, still has important information.
Explaining the Measures of Worth
Read this essay for an overview of how changes in prices, income, and market value are measured over time.
Researching Public Companies Through EDGAR: A Guide for Investors
A guide from the SEC that gives tips for using EDGAR and answers frequently asked questions about researching public companies.
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy is a national volunteer effort of the nation’s Certified Public Accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances and develop money management skills. It focuses on financial education as a lifelong endeavor—from children learning about the value of money to adults reaching a secure retirement.

Organizations

U.S. Department of the Treasury
Agency of the U.S. government responsible for its economic and financial systems, and the nation's participation in the world economy. This site offers information about the department and its policies, along with data and statistics.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Timely, relevant and accurate economic data to help promote a better understanding of the U.S. economy.
National Priorities Project
Works to help citizens understand the federal budgetary process and to participate in the political process.
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
SIFMA brings together the shared interests of hundreds of securities firms, banks and asset managers. These companies are engaged in communities across the country to raise capital for businesses, promote job creation and lead economic growth.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
We supervise banks, credit unions, and other financial companies, and we enforce federal consumer financial laws.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Center conducts research and analysis to help shape public debates over proposed budget and tax policies and to help ensure that policymakers consider the needs of low-income families and individuals in these debates.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.
SEC Filings & Forms (EDGAR)
Publicly traded companies in the United States are required by law to submit information (10-K’s and 10-Q’s filed annually and quarterly respectively) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Banking

Federal Reserve Bank
The central bank of the United States
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency created by the Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system. Each depositor is insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank.
BankRate
Free rate information to consumers on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees.
Credit Union vs. Bank Rates
Compare the national average rates for 23 common loan and deposit products at banks and credit unions
Currency Converter
This site allows you to calculate the currency exchange for over 50 types of currency from around the world.

Investments

NASDAQ OMX
World's largest exchange company.
NYSE Euronext
One of the world’s leading futures and options trading venues.
S&P Dow Jones Indices
S&P 500 and Dow Jones Indexes merged in 2012. Our mission is to bring independent, transparent and cost effective solutions to the global investment community. We provide access to the latest information on index policies, industry regulations and market consultations.
Investor's Business Daily
With IBD and Investors.com, we’ll show you how to use history instead of hunches to find the right stocks, and how to rely on rules instead of rumors when it’s time to sell.
Morningstar
Morningstar provides stock market analysis; equity, mutual fund, and ETF research, ratings, and picks; portfolio tools; and option, hedge fund, IRA, 401k, and 529 plan research. Our reliable data and analysis can help both experienced enthusiasts and newcomers.
MarketWatch
from the Wall Street Journal
Big Charts
Offers current and historical stock market information from MarketWatch on charts.

Personal Finance

CFPB Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
A useful reference tool that provides answers to common financial questions.
Free Credit Reports
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
Investopedia - Personal Finance
Provides a number of resources related to personal finance
Investor.gov
Investor basics, an introduction to the markets, and a guide to researching investments from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
My Money.gov
Covers the five key money topics: earn, save and invest, protect, spend, and borrow.
Smart About Money
Provides online resources, calculators, and other information and tools on a wide range of money topics, including daily decision-making, emergencies, debt management, life transitions, and work and money.

Statistics in Finance

Statistics can be a valuable information resource for many of your research projects. However, finding statistical information on the web can be tricky. Fortunately, most government agencies that collect statistical data make that information available online. Here are some top-notch sources for statistics:

FedStats
"Gateway to statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal agencies." Browse or search thousands of statistical tables maintained by the U.S. government.

Historical Data

Compute the Relative Value of Today's Dollar
Compare the worth of a U.S. dollar from 1774 to the present.
Measuring Worth
You can ask questions of comparative value covering prices, purchasing power, earnings, GDP, interest rates, exchange rates and other economic variables. The comparators allow you to convert past values into current values (and vice versa).
Top CEO Pay 1989-2012
Included in this chart from Forbes Magazine are salary, bonuses, and stock gains, as well as average age and tenure with their company.

Evaluating Web Sites

Asking these questions will help you to determine whether the resources you find are credible and reliable.

Who created the page? Does the person or organization have the appropriate credentials?
Why was this site created? What is the purpose of the site? For example, is it sponsored by a company that has a financial interest in the topic?
When was the page created and/or last updated? How current is the information?
Does the author cite trustworthy sources? How does the author support their argument?

Learn more about evaluating websites or check our handy tipsheet:.Evaluating web sites