Wells Fargo Today: Company Overview – 1st Quarter 2007

Learn about our businesses

WHO WE ARE

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 6,000 stores, the Internet and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.

We're headquartered in San Francisco, but we're decentralized so every local Wells Fargo store is a headquarters for satisfying all our customers' financial needs and helping them succeed financially. Wells Fargo has $486 billion in assets and 159,000 team members across our 80+ businesses. We're one of the United States' top-40 largest private employers. We ranked fifth in assets and fifth in market value of our stock among our peers as of March 31, 2007.

Our vision: satisfy all our customers' financial needs, help them succeed financially, be known as one of America's great companies and the number-one financial services provider in each of our markets.

Reputation

FORTUNE
Ranked 41st in revenue among all companies in all industries
World's 19th most profitable company

Barron's
Ranked 12th most admired company in the world

CRO magazine (Corp Responsibility Officer
Ranked top 50 corporate citizen

BusinessWeek
Among top 25 Best Places to Launch a Career

Forbes
Ranked nation's 5th most Generous Corporate Foundation

Moody's
“Aaa” credit-rated U.S. bank

Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services
Only bank in the U.S. to be rated “AAA”

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
No. 1 Purchaser of Renewable Energy in the U.S.

Diversity Inc.
Among top 20 companies in all industries for diversity

Mergent, Inc.
“Dividend Achiever” (publicly-traded companies that increased dividends for last 10+ consecutive years; Wells Fargo has increased dividends for 18 consecutive years; 23 increases since 1988)

LATINA Style
Among top 50 U.S. companies for Latinas

Points of Light
Foundation
Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs

Working Mother
Magazine
Among 100 best companies for working mothers

Mortgage Bankers Association
#2 largest U.S. Commercial Real Estate by Volume

Essence magazine
Top 25 Great Places to Work for African American Women

CIO
CIO 100 Winner for Wholesale Internet and Treasury Solutions

KeyNote
WebExcellence
Wells Fargo Mortgage Web site ranked #1 for Ease of Use and Privacy/Security

KEY FACTS (3/31/07)
INDUSTRY RANKINGS

Assets
$486 billion
Retail banking cross-sell
#1

Full-time team Members
159,000
Small business lender
#1

Stores
6,027
Agricultural lending
#1

ATMs
6,800
Cross-channel customer experience
#1

Market value of stock
$117 billion
Insurance brokerage sales*
#1

Retail home mortgage lender
#1

*Wells Fargo owns the largest bank-affiliated insurance broker.

DIVERSITY OF BUSINESSES *

Our diversity of business lines makes us much more than a bank. We're a diversified financial services company. Our diversity helps us weather downturns that inevitably affect any one segment of our industry.
* Based on historic averages and near future year expectations

POWERFUL DISTRIBUTION

• #1 in total stores (6,027 stores)
• #3 in banking stores (3,230 stores in 23 states)
• #1 in mortgage stores (presence in more than 2,400 stores)
• Supermarket stores (598 stores)
• Consumer Finance (1,150 stores)
• Nation's first bank to provide online account access
• #1 personal credit market share in Wells Fargo's banking states
• One of nation's largest telephone banking networks (20 million calls monthly)
• #3 branded bank ATM owner (6,800 ATMs)
• #2 debit card issuer
• #1 prime home-equity lender in Wells Fargo's banking states
• Among the nation’s top-20 mutual fund companies

The Vision & Values of Wells Fargo

Our product: SERVICE. Our value-added: FINANCIAL ADVICE. Our competitive advantage: OUR PEOPLE

by Richard M. Kovacevich

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The "Next Stage" : Going from Good to Great

This is about the “Next Stage” for you and our company. It’s about who we are, where we’re headed and about how you—as a valued Wells Fargo team member—can help us get there and share in our collective success.

We are a big company. We’re the largest financial institution headquartered in the western U.S. We span all of North America. Our stock market value exceeds $110 billion. Forbes ranks us as the world’s 26th leading company based on a composite of sales, assets, profits and market value. We’re in the top 20 among all U.S. companies in profits and market value. We’re one of America’s 40 largest private employers, with more than 155,000 team members. We’ll continue to grow—not to become bigger but as a result of getting better.

Regardless of how big we are and how much territory we cover, we share, as one team, certain values that hold us together wherever we are and whatever we do. It doesn’t matter what our responsibilities are, our levels or titles, what businesses we’re part of, or where we live and work. We all should know our vision. We all should know how we contribute to achieving that vision. We all should be passionate about our values and share them with others. We believe everyone on our team is important and deserves respect. We believe everyone contributes to Wells Fargo being known as one of America’s great companies.

Security Policy

Why security is important

Security, quite simply, protects the confidentiality of your financial information and prevents theft of your assets. There is nothing more important to us and our customers than knowing that Internet Banking transactions are private and secure. Our system's sophisticated security architecture keeps unauthorized users from accessing any of your financial information through the Internet.

Internet security overview

One of the basic tools used to ensure Internet security is encryption. Encryption happens as follows: When you go to the sign-on page for online banking, your browser establishes a secure session with our server. The secure session is established using a protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Encryption. This protocol requires the exchange of what are called public and private keys. Keys are random numbers chosen for that session and are only known between your browser and our server. After the keys are exchanged, your browser will use the numbers to scramble (encrypt) the messages sent between your browser and our server. Both sides require the keys because they need to de-scramble (decrypt) the messages when they are received. The SSL protocol not only ensures privacy, but also ensures that no other browser can "impersonate" your browser, nor alter any of the information sent. You can tell whether your browser is in secure mode by looking for the secured lock symbol at the bottom of your browser window. The numbers used as encryption keys are analogous to combination locks. The strength of encryption is based on the number of possible combinations that a lock can have. As the number of possible combinations grows, it becomes less likely that anyone would be able to guess the combination in order to decrypt the message. Current versions of today's browsers offer 128-bit encryption, which results in 2128 possible combinations. Older browser versions may only offer 40-bit encryption, which we feel is not sufficient in today's world of sophisticated technology. Our servers require the use of 128-bit capable browsers.

It is also important to verify that only authorized users log into the online banking system. We use password verification to ensure user authorization. When you submit your password, it is compared with the password we have encrypted and stored in our secure data center. We limit the number of times you can enter your password incorrectly. We monitor and record "bad-login" attempts to detect any suspicious activity (i.e., someone trying to guess your password). You play a crucial role in preventing others from logging on to your account. Never use passwords that are easy to guess. Examples of bad passwords are: birth dates, first names, pet names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, etc. Never reveal your password to another person. You should periodically change your password while logged in to our online banking system.

We also "time out" an Internet Banking session after a specified period of inactivity. This keeps others from viewing or continuing Internet Banking activity if you leave your PC unattended. However, we recommend that you always sign off (log out) when you have finished your online banking.

All systems are secured with multiple layers of encryption, firewalls, screening, and filtering routers.

All sensitive data is protected from direct access from the Internet.

The following measures are employed:

• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Encryption provides a secure channel for data transmission across computer networks using public key cryptography.
  
• For added security, we maintain Strong Password Requirements, meaning we require one letter, one numeric character, and a longer password of 7 - 16 characters.
  
• Firewalls and Redundant Screening/Filtering Routers are gateways that verify the source, destination, and protocol of each data packet before it is sent.
  
• Security procedures are audited by a Certified Public Accounting firm on an annual basis. Federal Bank examiners review the results of this audit. In addition, an independent security firm routinely performs penetration and security testing on Internet Banking systems.
  

Electronic Mail

Messages sent by e-mail may not be secured, may be intercepted by third parties and may not be immediately received by the appropriate department at Bank of San Francisco. Please do not use e-mail to send us communications that contain confidential information, which we require in writing or which need our immediate attention. Please call us instead at 415-744-6700. Be aware that a "receipt" acknowledgment on an e-mail message means only that the message has routed into the Internet, not that the message has been received by Bank of San Francisco. Upon receipt, the bank will respond to your message within one business day.

Web Site Links

The links in this web site will let the user leave Bank of San Francisco's site. The linked sites are not under the control of Bank of San Francisco, and Bank of San Francisco IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT AVAILABLE ON OTHER INTERNET SITES. These links are provided as a convenience to users. Access to any other Internet sites linked to this web site is at the user's own risk. The inclusion of any link does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by Bank of San Francisco of the linked site.

About "cookies"

Cookies are commonly used on web sites and do not harm your system. By configuring your preferences or options in your browser, you determine if and how a cookie will be accepted. We use cookies on our Internet Banking system to display information more effectively to you.

源文档 <http://www.bankofsf.com/security.html>

Cash management

Cash
management

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

In United States banking, cash
management, or treasury management, is a marketing term for certain services offered primarily to larger business customers. It may be used to describe all bank accounts (such as checking accounts) provided to businesses of a certain size, but it is more often used to describe specific services such as cash concentration, zero balance accounting, and automated clearing house facilities. Sometimes private bank customers are given cash
management services.

[edit] Cash
Management Services Generally offered

The following is a list of services generally offered by banks and utilised by larger businesses and corporations:

• Account Reconcilement Services: Balancing a checkbook can be a difficult process for a very large business, since it issues so many checks it can take a lot of human monitoring to understand which checks have not cleared and therefore what the company's true balance is. To get around this, banks have developed a system which allows companies to upload a list of all the checks that they issue on a daily basis, so that at the end of the month the bank statement will show not only which checks have cleared, but also which have not. More recently, banks have used this system to prevent checks from being fraudulently cashed if they are not on the list, a process known as positive pay.
  
• Advanced Web Services: Most banks have an Internet-based system which is more advanced than the one available to consumers. This enables managers to create and authorize special internal logon credentials, allowing employees to send wires and access other cash
  management features normally not found on the consumer web site.
  
• Armored Car Services: Large retailers who collect a great deal of cash may have the bank pick this cash up via an armored car company, instead of employees depositing the cash.
  
• Automated Clearing House: services are usually offered by the cash
  management division of a bank. The Automated Clearing House is an electronic system used to transfer funds between banks. Companies use this to pay others, especially employees (this is how direct deposit works). Certain companies also use it to collect funds from customers (this is generally how automatic payment plans work). This system is the subject of the ire of some consumer groups, because under this system all banks assume that the company initiating the debit is correct until proven otherwise.
  
• Balance Reporting Services: Corporate clients who actively manage their cash balances usually subscribe to secure web-based reporting of their account and transaction information at their lead bank. These sophisticated compilations of banking activity may include balances in foreign currencies, as well as those at other banks. They include information on cash postitions as well as 'float' (e.g., checks in the process of collection). Finally, they offer transaction-specific details on all forms of payment activity, including deposits, checks, wire transfers, ACH (automated clearinghouse debits and credits), investments, etc.
  
• Cash Concentration Services: Large or national chain retailers often are in areas where their primary bank does not have branches. Therefore, they open bank accounts at various local banks in the area. To prevent funds in these accounts from being idle and not earning sufficient interest, many of these companies have an agreement set with their primary bank, whereby their primary bank uses the Automated Clearing House to electronically "pull" the money from these banks into a single interest-bearing bank account.
  
• Lockbox services: Often companies (such as utilities) which receive a large number of payments via checks in the mail have the bank set up a post office box for them, open their mail, and deposit any checks found. This is referred to as a "lockbox" service.
  
• Positive Pay: Positive pay is a service whereby the company electronically shares its check register of all written checks with the bank. The bank therefore will only pay checks listed in that register, with exactly the same specifications as listed in the register (amount, payee, serial number, etc.). This system dramatically reduces check fraud.
  
• Sweep Accounts: are typically offered by the cash
  management division of a bank. Under this system, excess funds from a company's bank accounts are automatically moved into a money market mutual fund overnight, and then moved back the next morning. This allows them to earn interest overnight. This is the primary use of money market mutual funds.
  
• Zero Balance Accounting: can be thought of as somewhat of a hack. Companies with large numbers of stores or locations can very often be confused if all those stores are depositing into a single bank account. Traditionally, it would be impossible to know which deposits were from which stores, without seeking to view images of those deposits. To help this problem, banks developed a system where each store is given their own bank account, but all the money deposited into the store account is automatically moved into the company's main bank account. This allows the company to look at individual statements for each store. US Banks at the present time, however, are almost all converting their systems so that companies can tell which store made a particular deposit, even if these deposits are all being done into one account. Therefore, zero balance accounting is being used less frequently.
  
• Wire Transfer: A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds. Wire transfers can be done by a simple bank account transfer, or by a transfer of cash at a cash office. Bank wire transfers are often the most expedient method for transferring funds between bank accounts. A bank wire transfer is a message to the receiving bank requesting them to effect payment in accordance with the instructions given. The message also includes settlement instructions. The actual wire transfer itself is virtually instantaneous, requiring no longer for transmission than a telephone call.
  

In the past, other services have been offered the usefulness of which has diminished with the rise of the Internet. For example, companies could have daily faxes of their most recent transactions or be sent CD-ROMs of images of their cashed checks.

源文档 <http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:nRLKoiHkxWUJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_management+Cash+Management&hl=zh-CN&newwindow=1&strip=1>

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Comprehensive information about public transportation in the San Francisco Bay Area is available at http://www.transitinfo.org/. The main transit systems are:

• UC Campus Shuttles (http://public-safety.berkeley.edu/p&t/transit.html) run around the Berkeley campus and local neighborhood throughout the day and night. These cost 25 cents a ride, or are free with the student Universal Class Pass (see below). The convenient "Perimeter Shuttle" circles the campus every 12 minutes during the day, stopping in downtown Berkeley (in front of Bank of America on Shattuck Ave.) and includes a stop right in front of International House.
  
• Alameda-Contra Costa Transit or AC Transit (510-817-1717 ext. 1111 or 510-477-0192, http://www.actransit.org) operates buses in the East Bay and to San Francisco's Transbay Terminal in the San Francisco Financial District. Riding an AC Transit bus requires exact fare.
  
• Bay Area Rapid Transit or BART (510-465-2278, http://www.bart.gov) is our local subway system, with trains running throughout the East Bay and through San Francisco. The fare depends on how far you ride. For information and hours of operation check the website or pick up the schedule at any BART station.
  
• The Municipal Railway or MUNI (415-673-6864, http://sfmuni.com) in San Francisco operates buses, trolleys, and cable cars throughout that city. You can purchase a MUNI map at San Francisco bookstores. Check the website or check the map in the front of the San Francisco phone book "Yellow Pages".
  
• Other transportation systems serve the areas north and south of San Francisco. See below for other transit information, including buses, trains and ferries.
  

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UNIVERSAL CLASS PASS

This pass, available only to registered UC Berkeley students, allows free, unlimited rides on AC Transit (including to San Francisco) and on the UC campus shuttle system. Just show the bus driver your Cal Photo ID with the Class Pass sticker. You can apply for the sticker online at http://public-safety.berkeley.edu/p&t/ and it will be mailed to you, or check the website for picking it up during the first week of each semester.

 
 

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TRANSIT INFORMATION

The Berkeley TRIP store (510-643-7665, http://public-safety.berkeley.edu/trip/) is the campus center for transportation information, discount tickets, and helpful advice. They are located at 2033 Center Street near Shattuck, Tuesday through Friday 12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m., closed Mondays, and at their Satellite Berkeley TRIP Office at 2543 Channing Way (within UC Berkeley's Parking and Transportation Permit Services Unit) open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 
 

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BICYCLES

Rolling Through Berkeley published by the UC Police Department, has helpful information about all aspects of bike ownership. Information is also available at: http://public-safety.berkeley.edu/trip/bike.html. All bicycles in Berkeley must be registered. Registration is done by the Campus Police Department at the Bike Bureau located at 2427 Dwight Way. Call 642-4936 for times and fees for bike registration. Bicycle theft is common! Always lock your bike with a heavy-duty "U" shaped lock (recommended brands: Citadel, Kryptonite). The website has information about getting a $15 discount on a "U" lock. Bicycles are subject to the rules and regulations of the California Vehicle Code; obey stop signs and red lights, and signal properly when making turns, or you may be ticketed by the police. Be smart--ride defensively, wear a helmet and be aware that most drivers are "blind" to cyclists

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SCOOTERS, MOPEDS, AND MOTORCYCLES

Many students use these because they are cheaper to purchase and operate than cars, easier to park, and quicker than bicycles. Scooters, however cannot be taken on the freeways. Look in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Motorcycles" for dealers who sell both new and used scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. Also check the classified ads in local newspapers. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for information about registration and the license needed to drive a particular vehicle. Helmets are required (and smart) for anyone riding a scooter, moped, or motorcycle.

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TRANSPORTATION FOR SIGHTSEEING IN THE BAY AREA

There is public transportation to areas of tourist and recreational interest. Check the main Bay Area transit website (http://www.transitinfo.org/) or contact Berkeley TRIP for guidance about accessing places of interest. For instance, Golden Gate Transit (GGT: www.goldengate.org) has bus service to Marin County and Sonoma counties from San Francisco and the Richmond or El Cerrito Del Norte BART stations, and they have buses to Stinson Beach and Point Reyes.

 
 

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FERRIES

Ferry boat travel is a great way to see the beautiful San Francisco Bay and to travel to recreational destinations in the Bay Area. Many of the fares are comparable to bus or BART fares.

• Alameda-Oakland Ferry (510-522-3300, http://www.eastbayferry.com) operates between Oakland and San Francisco, Alameda and San Francisco, with trips to Angel Island and Pac Bell Park Stadium.
  
• The Red and White Fleet (415-673-2900, http://www.redandwhite.com) has ferries for Bay cruises, ferries from Richmond to SF and to PacBell Park Stadium.
  
• Blue and Gold Fleet (415-705-5555, http://www.telesails.com) offers narrated bay tours from San Francisco, and has ferries travelling to Oakland, Alameda, Sausalito, Angel Island, Vallejo and Tiburon.
  
• Golden Gate Ferry (415-923-2000, http://www.goldengateferry.org) has ferry service from SF to Larkspur and SF to Sausalito.
  

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TRAINS/LONG DISTANCE BUSES

• Caltrain/SAMTRANS ((800-660-4287, http://www.caltrain.com, http://www.samtrans.com/samtrans) is a commuter train that runs from San Francisco to San Jose, stopping at many cities along the way.
  
• AMTRAK--(800-872-7245, http://www.amtrak.com) is the train service that operates across the United States, including many cities within California. They have some low cost special fares to certain destinations.
  
• Greyhound--(800-229-9424, http://www.greyhound.com) buses go throughout California and the United States from Oakland or San Francisco.
  

There are also private bus firms that travel to tourist destinations in the Bay Area, California and out-of-state. Check the internet or yellow pages under "Buses, Charter."

 
 

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RENTING A CAR

Check the phonebook Yellow Pages for "Automobile, Rentals." Many rental agencies offer a better price for a full week's rental; also, be sure to ask about any mileage restrictions or costs. Some common restrictions found among car rental agencies include not renting to customers under 25 years old, or without some type of credit card. Be sure to inform the agency if you plan to drive into Mexico or Canada about. If you are here as a tourist, you can drive using an International Drivers License, but you should ask the rental agencies about any restrictions.

 
 

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TAXIS

Private taxi service is available in any city from several companies listed in the phone book yellow pages. Taxis are the most expensive form of transportation, but can be reasonable and convenient if there is a small group. Taxi drivers are generally tipped 10-15% of the fare.

 
 

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A WORD ABOUT HITCHHIKING: DON'T!

Unlike many countries of the world, hitchhiking is generally not safe in the United States. A safer and inexpensive alternative for traveling by car might be to share the cost of a rental with several friends, or check student bulletin boards for people wanting riders to share gas costs/driving to specific destinations.

 
 

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源文档 <http://ias.berkeley.edu/siss/practicalinfo/bikesetc.htm>

 
 

Money and Banking

University of California, Berkeley

Services for International Students and Scholars

Money and Banking

Practical information | SISS

BANKING

There are two basic kinds of accounts: checking accounts, for payment of regular bills and shopping needs; and savings accounts where money you do not need to use immediately can earn interest. Banks also offer a variety of other types of accounts and financial services.

 
 

Before you open an account at a bank, be sure to visit several banks to compare their services and fees. Most will be similar, but there can be important differences. To open a bank account is fairly easy; deposit your funds and complete any required bank forms. (Be aware that if you are making a deposit with an overseas check or bank draft, you may have to wait three days to three weeks before your money will be available to you.) Some banks will want you to have a Social Security Number when you open the account. SISS has information about how to get a number or alternatives.

 
 

Checking accounts. When opening a checking account, be sure to ask about different types of checking accounts. All banks have several kinds of accounts and most have checking accounts which accrue interest if a minimum balance is maintained. Be sure to look at the account fees and when they may be charged. After opening an account you will be given a book of temporary checks, but you should order checks with your name and local address printed on them. Most businesses will only accept a check that has the printed information.

 
 

Writing a check: Checks should be filled out at the time you are making a payment. Fill in all blank spaces on your check. The amount should be written numerically and in longhand. Draw a line through any unused blank spaces. Never sign a check before you are ready to use it, since it can be cashed as soon as your signature is on it. Most merchants will require that you show one or two pieces of photo ID to accept your check. These can be a California Driver's License or Identity Card, a passport, or other official ID. Merchants near campus will also accept a UC student photo ID card.

 
 

Savings accounts. Savings accounts, which earn interest on the balance, are available at all banks. If you have larger sums of money which you do not need for your routine living expenses, a savings account is a safe way to keep it. Certificates of Deposit (CDs) earn higher rates of interest than regular savings accounts, but your funds must remain on deposit for a designated period of time. An early withdrawal from a CD will incur a penalty fee. Check with each bank to compare their special services and their interest rates.

 
 

Deposits. Deposits to your accounts can be made with a bank teller or at an ATM. It is best to use a deposit slip when making a deposit (pre-printed from your bank or a filled out slip). Always use a deposit slip if depositing cash. To deposit a check made out to you, you must first "endorse" or sign the check on the back. You should also print "For Deposit Only" and your account number after your signature. After you endorse a check, it is as good as cash and can be used by anyone unless you have added the deposit notation and account number.

 
 

ATM (Automated Teller Machine) Cards/Debit Cards. An ATM card is used for two purposes: as a banking tool to access your bank accounts and as a debit card. Most cards can be used at any ATM anywhere, and can be used for purchases. Many businesses now accept debit cards for payment. A debit card works very much like a check because it takes money directly out of your bank account to make a payment. Note that some banks have fees for the debit use of a card and if an ATM at another bank is used.

 
 

When you open an account at a bank, you will be issued an ATM card (the card will come in the mail). The card is directly linked to your bank accounts. At the bank, you must think of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be linked to your ATM card. Use a PIN that is easy to remember. Never write your PIN down, and never give or tell your PIN to anyone -ever-, not even to a bank employee. When using an ATM be sure that no one sees your PIN. If your ATM card is ever lost or stolen, notify your bank immediately.

 
 

Record-keeping. Always keep good records of any transactions made on your bank accounts. Be sure to record all transactions in your account register. Keep all deposit and ATM receipts until you receive your monthly statement. Avoid overdrawing your account. If you write a "bad check", it will be returned to you and you will be charged large fees from your bank and the person or business to which you wrote the check (their bank may charge a fee too!). Some banks offer "overdraft protection" which will transfer funds from your other accounts to cover your check, but you will still be charged an extra fee, although smaller than the fee for a bad check.

 
 

Each month you will receive a statement from your bank for each account you hold. The statement will include your past balance, new balance on the date of the statement, a list of all transactions on your account in the month, and any fees or interest earned. You should always "balance" your statement with your own records to be sure that they agree and to record any fees or interest for that month. By balancing your accounts each month, you can prevent unpleasant surprises in the future. After you have balanced your accounts, you can throw away past receipts, but always keep your statements.

 
 

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LOCAL BANKS

• Bank of America, http://www.bankamerica.com, 2129 Shattuck Ave. or 2347 Telegraph Ave., (510) 649-6600, (510) 273-5210
  
• California Federal (CalFed), http://www.calfed.com, 2000 Shattuck Ave., (800) 843-2265
  
• Citibank, http://www.citibank.com, 2323 Shattuck Ave., (510) 843-0600, (800) 756-7047
  
• CSE Credit Union #9, http://www.calstate9.com, 2033 Shattuck Ave., (510) 849-2270, (800) 292-3966
  
• Mechanics Bank, http://www.mechbank.com, 2301 Shattuck Ave., (800) 797-6324, (510) 647-0720
  
• Union Bank, http://www.uboc.com, 2333 Shattuck Ave., (510) 843-6353
  
• Washington Mutual, http://www.wamu.com, 2150 Shattuck Ave., (800) 788-7000, (510) 649-4041
  
• Wells Fargo Bank, http://www.wellsfargo.com, 2144 Shattuck Ave., (510) 464-2115, (800) 869-3557
  

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CREDIT CARDS

Establishing credit and getting a credit card can be difficult if you are new to the U.S. You may be able to get a credit card through your home country bank, your local bank, or through other banks. If you are not able to get a regular credit card, you may be able to get a "secured" credit card which is backed by a deposit. With any kind of credit card, you should always read any information or disclosures so that you fully understand the conditions and fees you agree to when you use the card. If your credit card is ever lost or stolen, notify your bank immediately. Most people only need one or two credit cards. However, many large businesses or stores also offer their own credit cards. Be careful of high fees or special conditions with these cards.

 
 

The cost of credit can be very high. Do your best to avoid interest charges by paying your credit card bill in full by the due date. A "cash advance" will usually be charged fees and/or interest immediately without the usual grace period. When making a purchase by phone, always make your order from written materials. Never give your credit card number to anyone who calls you. As with your banking, keep all receipts and records of your credit card transactions. When you receive your monthly statement, you should balance it just as you would with your bank statement. Keep your statements.

 
 

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A FEW MONEY MANAGEMENT TIPS

• Make a budget and stick with it. Be realistic when making your budget.
  
• Keep track of your income and expenses, and all of your banking transactions. Balance your statements.
  
• Use credit responsibly. Credit is expensive. If you don't already have the money in the bank, you can't afford it.
  
• Don't carry large amounts of cash.
  
• Never give a credit card number, or any bank or ID information to someone who calls you.
  

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Have questions? Email SISS.

Practical information | SISS

 
 

源文档 <http://ias.berkeley.edu/siss/practicalinfo/banking.htm>

 
 

33 Rules to Boost Your Productivity

May 1st, 2007 by Steve Pavlina

 

Heuristics are rules intended to help you solve problems.  When a problem is large or complex, and the optimal solution is unclear, applying a heuristic allows you to begin making progress towards a solution even though you can't visualize the entire path from your starting point.

Suppose your goal is to climb to the peak of a mountain, but there's no trail to follow.  An example of a heuristic would be:  Head directly towards the peak until you reach an obstacle you can't cross.  Whenever you reach such an obstacle, follow it around to the right until you're able to head towards the peak once again.  This isn't the most intelligent or comprehensive heuristic, but in many cases it will work just fine, and you'll eventually reach the peak.

Heuristics don't guarantee you'll find the optimal solution, nor do they generally guarantee a solution at all.  But they do a good enough job of solving certain types of problems to be useful.  Their strength is that they break the deadlock of indecision and get you into action.  As you take action you begin to explore the solution space, which deepens your understanding of the problem.  As you gain knowledge about the problem, you can make course corrections along the way, gradually improving your chances of finding a solution.  If you try to solve a problem you don't initially know how to solve, you'll often figure out a solution as you go, one you never could have imagined until you started moving.  This is especially true with creative work such as software development.  Often you don't even know exactly what you're trying to build until you start building it.

Heuristics have many practical applications, and one of my favorite areas of application is personal productivity.  Productivity heuristics are behavioral rules (some general, some situation-specific) that can help us get things done more efficiently.  Here are some of my favorites:

• Nuke it!  The most efficient way to get through a task is to delete it.  If it doesn't need to be done, get it off your to do list.
  
• Daily goals.  Without a clear focus, it's too easy to succumb to
  distractions.  Set targets for each day in advance.  Decide what you'll do; then do it.
  
• Worst first.  To defeat procrastination learn to tackle your most unpleasant task first thing in the morning instead of delaying it until later in the day.  This small victory will set the tone for a very productive day.
  
• Peak times.  Identify your peak cycles of productivity, and schedule your most important tasks for those times.  Work on minor tasks during your non-peak times.
  
• No-comm zones.  Allocate uninterruptible blocks of time for solo work where you must concentrate.  Schedule light, interruptible tasks for your open-comm periods and more challenging projects for your no-comm periods.
  
• Mini-milestones.  When you begin a task, identify the target you must reach before you can stop working.  For example, when working on a book, you could decide not to get up until you've written at least 1000 words.  Hit your target no matter what.
  
• Timeboxing.  Give yourself a fixed time period, like 30 minutes, to make a dent in a task.  Don't worry about how far you get.  Just put in the time.  See Timeboxing for more.
  
• Batching.  Batch similar tasks like phone calls or errands into a single chunk, and knock them off in a single session.
  
• Early bird.  Get up early in the morning, like at 5am, and go straight to work on your most important task.  You can often get more done before 8am than most people do in a day.
  
• Cone of silence.  Take a laptop with no network or WiFi access, and go to a place where you can work flat out without distractions, such as a library, park, coffee house, or your own backyard.  Leave your comm gadgets behind.
  
• Tempo.  Deliberately pick up the pace, and try to move a little faster than usual.  Speak faster.  Walk faster.  Type faster.  Read faster.  Go home sooner.
  
• Relaxify.  Reduce stress by cultivating a relaxing, clutter-free workspace.  See 10 Ways to Relaxify Your Workspace.
  
• Agendas.  Provide clear written agendas to meeting participants in advance.  This greatly improves meeting focus and efficiency.  You can use it for phone calls too.
  
• Pareto.  The Pareto principle is the 80-20 rule, which states that 80% of the value of a task comes from 20% of the effort.  Focus your energy on that critical 20%, and don't overengineer the non-critical 80%.
  
• Ready-fire-aim.  Bust procrastination by taking action immediately after setting a goal, even if the action isn't perfectly planned.  You can always adjust course along the way.
  
• Minuteman.  Once you have the information you need to make a decision, start a timer and give yourself just 60 seconds to make the actual decision.  Take a whole minute to vacillate and second-guess yourself all you want, but come out the other end with a clear choice.  Once your decision is made, take some kind of action to set it in motion.
  
• Deadline.  Set a deadline for task completion, and use it as a focal point to stay on track.
  
• Promise.  Tell others of your commitments, since they'll help hold you accountable.
  
• Punctuality.  Whatever it takes, show up on time.  Arrive early.
  
• Gap reading.  Use reading to fill in those odd periods like waiting for an appointment, standing in line, or while the coffee is brewing.  If you're a male, you can even read an article while shaving (preferably with an electric razor).  That's 365 articles a year.
  
• Resonance.  Visualize your goal as already accomplished.  Put yourself into a state of actually being there.  Make it real in your mind, and you'll soon see it in your reality.
  
• Glittering prizes.  Give yourself frequent rewards for achievement.  See a movie, book a professional massage, or spend a day at an amusement park.
  
• Quad 2.  Separate the truly important tasks from the merely urgent.  Allocate blocks of time to work on the critical Quadrant 2 tasks, those which are important but rarely urgent, such as physical exercise, writing a book, and finding a relationship partner.
  
• Continuum.  At the end of your workday, identify the first task you'll work on the next day, and set out the materials in advance.  The next day begin working on that task immediately.
  
• Slice and dice.  Break complex projects into smaller, well-defined tasks.  Focus on completing just one of those tasks.
  
• Single-handling.  Once you begin a task, stick with it until it's 100% complete.  Don't switch tasks in the middle.  When distractions come up, jot them down to be dealt with later.
  
• Randomize.  Pick a totally random piece of a larger project, and complete it.  Pay one random bill.  Make one phone call.  Write page 42 of your book.
  
• Insanely bad.  Defeat perfectionism by completing your task in an intentionally terrible fashion, knowing you need never share the results with anyone.  Write a blog post about the taste of salt, design a hideously dysfunctional web site, or create a business plan that guarantees a first-year bankruptcy.  With a truly horrendous first draft, there's nowhere to go but up.
  
• 30 days.  Identify a new habit you'd like to form, and commit to sticking with it for just 30 days.  A temporary commitment is much easier to keep than a permanent one.  See 30 Days to Success for details.
  
• Delegate.  Convince someone else to do it for you.
  
• Cross-pollination.  Sign up for martial arts, start a blog, or join an improv group.  You'll often encounter ideas in one field that can boost your performance in another.
  
• Intuition.  Go with your gut instinct.  It's probably right.
  
• Optimization.  Identify the processes you use most often, and write them down step-by-step.  Refactor them on paper for greater efficiency.  Then implement and test your improved processes.  Sometimes we just can't see what's right in front of us until we examine it under a microscope.
  

 
 

源文档 <http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/05/33-rules-to-boost-your-productivity/>