Blog

Gift-giving during the holiday season can be overwhelming. We often consider this the single chance we have during the year to spoil our loved ones and remind them of how special they are to us. Before you know it, your holiday gift list goes beyond one page and you’re spending a small fortune – just because. In order to stay on track this holiday season, here are three mistakes that many fall victim to amidst the holiday hype. Not setting a holiday budget Did you sit down this...

Read More

Holiday season is quickly approaching, which means that your pocketbook is going to feel strained these next couple of months. In fact, financial experts anticipate that holidays sales, purchases made between November 1 until December 31, will rise this year to more than $730 billion. This is nearly a $3 billion increase from the year before, according to the National Retail Federation. With a large percentage of your earnings being spent on family dinners and gifts for loved ones, it’s important...

Read More

As we think about Halloween costumes and trick-or-treaters, Falcon National Bank is focusing on the “treats” that set community banks apart and keep customers coming back for more. Here are a few reasons we stand out in the community: Personal Service When you bank locally, you get a sense that you are a part of a family. We know you by name and can offer more personalization in the services we offer. Community banks traditionally have lower rates of turnover, which means you are...

Read More

Credit is important for pretty much all facets of adult life. Credit can be impacted by a number of different things. If you’ve been turned down for credit or you’re looking to buy a house, credit is pretty important. It could be that you just don’t have enough of it or maybe you made some poor financial decisions. Poor credit can be embarrassing, stressful, and expensive. In fact, poor credit can actually cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over time on a mortgage....

Read More

If you’re considering building your dream home instead of purchasing an existing house, you’ll need financing. The whole thing can be confusing and more than a little intimidating. Do you need a mortgage? A personal loan? It’s hard to know where to start. What’s tricky is that you’re asking for financing for something that doesn’t actually exist yet. It requires something different than a traditional mortgage. Trying to find land, a builder, and all the other...

Read More

Did you know… The average FICO score in America is 695 and the average Vantage score stands at 673. [source] Less than 1% of the population has a perfect credit score of 850. [source] Only 41% of Americans understand that a credit score measures your risk of not paying a loan, according to a joint survey from the Consumer Federation of America and VantageScore. Credit is important for pretty much all facets of adult life. Credit can be impacted by a number of different things....

Read More

Did you know that there is more Monopoly money printed every year than actual cash? If only we could pay for things using Monopoly money! Unfortunately, we can’t just pass Go for another $200 and there is no such thing as Community Chest. Or is there? While your community bank isn’t going to give you $10 for winning 2nd prize in a beauty contest, there are some definite advantages to banking with a local, community bank. Here are some advantages you can expect to see when you bank with...

Read More

The home buying market is hot right now. Summer is the perfect time to move, the economy is stable and buyer confidence is high. However, inventory is also a bit low and that means that houses are selling fast. If you are actively looking, you will want to be prepared to act quickly when you find that perfect property. That means having all your financing sources in-line. What’s the first step? Pre-qualification and pre-approval are two different terms used to describe the initial part of...

Read More

Buying a home is right up there with some of the most impactful events in a person’s life. Unfortunately, many people become victims of mortgage scams and fraud.  Someone is always out there looking to make a quick buck. Criminals prey at a time you could be the most vulnerable. You’re distracted and excited about this next chapter of your life. The fact that you’re falling victim to a scam doesn’t even show up on your radar. Understanding mortgage fraud is critical to...

Read More

Romance scams are on the rise, affecting good people of all ages. Scammers actively seek out vulnerable people via Facebook and various dating apps, typically targeting individuals who have recently been separated, divorced or widowed, or just lonely, looking for companionship. They are good at what they do. They’ll take their time, establishing a “relationship” and gaining your trust. Eventually, they’ll introduce some sort of financial involvement. Here are some ways to...

Read More