2006: A look back ... a look ahead: Checking & savings

The landscape was schizophrenic in 2006 but a slow economy could fuel a rates war in 2007.

Checking & savings: A look inside

Checking & savings

As savings rates increased last year bankers and consumers alike enjoyed higher deposit levels. Expect more incentives to save in 2007.

�	Review 2006 The checking and savings landscape for 2006 can be described in a single word: schizophrenic.
�	Preview 2007 If the economy slows, as many expect, savings rates should rise. A potential rate war could fuel the fire.
�	Best moves 2007 With a financial landscape that features frequent bank mergers, changing rates, rules and offerings, this is not the time to hit the snooze button on your money.
�	American savings at record highs and lows Whether we're at one extreme or the other largely depends on how you define "savings."
�	Shop for a high-yield savings account You can always move your money if you're not happy with the result.
�	Boomers retiring not so rich Just because you don't have a huge nest egg doesn't mean you can't retire. You just may have to fall back on plan B.