A bank is a company that allows people to deposit their money in checking and savings accounts to keep it safe and to earn interest (if applicable). Banks often provide other financial services, such as debit, credit and prepaid cards; loans and mortgages; and investments. Banks can be national or state-chartered, which means they are regulated at the federal or state level. Nationally chartered banks, as well as those that belong to the Federal Reserve System, must have FDIC insurance. Most states require FDIC insurance for the banks they charter.