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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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Some business owners knew they wanted to pursue an entrepreneur career path from the get-go. They attended business school, have advanced degrees, and are very familiar with how business finance works. Other business owners are naturally savvy when it comes to finance. They have a great idea, product, or company, but are well-versed in the business world. Unfortunately, self-employment isn’t for the faint of heart and the learning curve isn’t very large. However, there are a few things...

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You might be starting out on a new business venture or it might just be time to adjust your banking expectations. Either way, if you haven’t done some research, choosing the right bank account for your business can be, well, risky business. It’s important to make sure your bank and your business account are optimized for your specific needs. Here are some things to keep in mind: Find a bank that offers the services that are important to you and your business. Perhaps low minimum balances...

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"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs 70% of small businesses are owned and operated by a single person.1 Two-thirds of all present-day college students intend to become entrepreneurs at some point in their careers.2 It takes just 6 days to start a business in the U.S., compared to a whopping 38 days in China.3 There are 28 million small businesses in the U.S., which outnumber corporations 1162 to 1. 4 Small businesses...

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The headline of the first article in the February IRS newsletter reads: Don't be victim to a 'ghost' tax return preparer. Wow! What next! The IRS is now warning taxpayers about unscrupulous tax preparers, known as ‘ghost’ tax return preparers. These individual preparers do not sign the return, instead they are instructing the taxpayer to sign themselves and mail to the IRS. These preparers are making some quick fees based on their aggressive write offs and generous refunds. By...

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