Blog

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...

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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...

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It wasn’t all that long ago that phrases like “dead zone,” “no Wi-Fi,” and “airplane mode” didn’t cause inner panic and turmoil. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, we now live in a very technology-driven world. One of the many ways technology has made our lives easier is with mobile banking. Don’t believe us? Here are 3 ways mobile banking has simplified a lot of life things, along with saved many a headache:   Insta-bank: As...

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Every business is susceptible to fraud, but small businesses are the most vulnerable. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), private companies and small businesses rank highest in occupational fraud which can total a median loss of $164,000. Cybercriminals continue to develop sophisticated means to commit fraud. Spoof emails, malicious software spread through attachments and social media, fund transferring, and information breaches are just a few ways to gain access to...

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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...

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Let’s face it, very few people actually take the time to balance a checkbook anymore. With online banking and eStatements, it’s easy to check to make sure you have enough in your account to cover your purchase without really taking the time to look at each withdrawal. You probably don’t take stock in what’s happening with your account until there’s a noticeable problem. Debit card fraud thrives in these situations, especially when the withdrawals are small amounts over...

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I think we can all agree it was a long winter. The beautiful weather outside can make it a challenge to keep employees focused on the job inside the office. Summer can be the toughest time to keep productivity high. While having fun is not always something we associate with work, our work can and should be enjoyable. Summer team building is a great way to boost morale and productivity.  Here are a few easy ideas to brighten up the office and your work days while getting the whole team involved: Company...

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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...

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An individual retirement account (IRA) allows you to save money for retirement in a tax-friendly way. Most people don’t start thinking about retirement until they’re close to that age. It’s hard to imagine saving for retirement when you’re just trying to get by. Between student loan debt and the cost of living, most Millennials don’t have the luxury to plan for retirement. However, if you are not saving for retirement now, you are missing out on major opportunities to...

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Let’s clear the air here, not all contractors scam people. Most are hard-working and honest people that take pride in their work. Falcon National Bank is a large producer of construction loans and we have worked with many reputable builders. However, there are some contractors out there that you just shouldn’t trust. If something doesn’t feel right after meeting with a contractor, it probably isn’t. Being aware of common contractor scams and identifying red flags before...

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