Banking and savings are two basic building blocks of personal financial planning.  Saving money is fundamental to creating the resources necessary to invest for your financial future.  And having a bank account makes it easier and more likely for you to reach your financial goals.  Banks provides you with the ability for your savings to earn interest, as well as forms of financial protection, access to lower-cost credit, investment options and money management tools.  This section outlines core concepts around these two critical areas for personal money management.