As holiday shopping ramps up during the final weeks of December, SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) reminds consumers to take advantage of a wide range of financial protection features to help reduce stress. According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans estimate they will spend an average of $704 on holiday gifts. 

"During the busy holiday season, consumers may be unaware or forget to use the safeguards and conveniences offered by their bank," said Brad Dinsmore, Consumer Banking and Private Wealth Management executive at SunTrust. "Credit and check card protections and mobile banking tools can provide peace of mind and reduce anxiety so that people can better enjoy the holidays with family and friends."

To ensure safe and secure holiday spending, follow these helpful tips.

• Feel more at ease by confirming and using check or credit cards that feature real benefits and protections. Purchase protection offers theft and damage coverage for most items. For example, the SunTrust check card provides 90 days of purchase assurance. Also, extended warranty extends the original manufacturer's warranty – and in some cases doubles it.
• Zero liability: guarantees 100 percent protection against unauthorized purchases. For online shopping, many major credits cards offer additional safeguards through free services.
• Keep track of spending throughout the holidays by utilizing mobile and tablet banking tools. Features like mobile alerts give timely, helpful notifications regarding account balances. Moreover, SunTrust offers the Mobile Banking Guarantee which protects clients against any unlikely, unauthorized access. Through state-of-the-art technology, users' information is not stored on mobile or tablet applications. 

Consumers can rest assured knowing their credit and check cards – when used wisely – can help them safely and conveniently make holiday purchases, travel accommodations or even cover an unexpected emergency.

For information on SunTrust's credit and check cards and mobile and tablet banking, along with the details and conditions of these benefits, visit www.suntrust.com/personalbanking/everydaybanking. For more tips on spending and saving, visit the SunTrust Resource Center at www.suntrust.com/ResourceCenter/PersonalBanking.