It takes some diligence, but with the right knowledge, a reliable banking partner, and the use of effective tools, you can empower yourself to safeguard against potential threats like check fraud schemes. What does the fraud look like? Here is a typical example of what business customers are experiencing: A business customer drops a check payment in the mail payable to their vendor. At some point along the way, the check is stolen by criminals. (Criminals target USPS blue collection boxes,...

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‘Tis the season for fraud. We must be wary of the breaches, identity theft and fraud that tend to ramp up during the holiday season. Debit card fraud, especially, thrives during this time. Debit card fraud occurs when someone gains access to your account information to make unauthorized purchases. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals have come and gone, but many people are still shopping online for that special holiday gift for a loved one. All that extra online shopping can increase the...

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Savings rates are on the rise, it’s a great time to develop a savings growth strategy. We frequently discuss savings rates with our customers.  Through most of the last decade savers were forced to settle for lower yields on deposits, stuck in a low-rate environment.  Even those fortunate to lock in higher returns during the brief market up-ticks grew weary of the feast or famine situation.  There is a simple diversification method to increase your savings returns over the...

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As more and more banking options are available online, fewer and fewer people choose to receive paper bank statements every month, for businesses or those with multiple bank accounts, however, these statements are important to managing finances. Unfortunately, these statements are not always simple to read and understand. Some banks tend to include vague, misleading, or complicated information and sometimes even hidden fees. It might even feel like there is a secret banking language that...

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Since the Coronavirus has hit, most of us have had major changes to our careers – if not through layoffs and furloughs, by work from home adaptations and remote work. These changes have resulted in many people rethinking their career paths, which can be a scary thought. Before you decide, let’s explore a few important parts of this process: Considering a Career Change People seek career changes for different reasons. The most common are better pay, less stress, a better work-life...

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Saving for a rainy day is a common theme this year, as many people have experienced Coronavirus-related financial strains. An emergency fund is a financial buffer that will keep you afloat in a time of unexpected expenses or a halt in your income. The main purpose of an emergency income is to help people avoid overusing credit cards or taking out additional loans–usually at high interest rates. Some of these unexpected expenses might include: Medical expenses Appliance repair...

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Before leaving the house, many people do a quick check: Do I have my phone, keys, wallet, etc. Something people don’t often think about when they grab their purse or wallet before heading out the door is the items they already have inside. Do you really need to take those items with you every time? More importantly, is it potentially dangerous to take these items with you every day? Here are seven things you should not keep in your purse or wallet. Your Social Security Card At the...

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What is a Credit Score? Credit scores are measured on a scale of 300 to 850. Your credit score is a representation of how much debt you have, your credit risk, and your likelihood of paying a bill on time. A few factors contribute to determining this, such as how many lines of credit you have and your financial records. The breakdown of what affects your credit score looks something like this: 10% – Types of Credit Used 10% – Recent Credit Changes 15% – Length of...

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There is a lot of misinformation spreading around about coronavirus–from how it is spread to how our economy will be affected. Sadly, the age we live in supports getting this information out quickly and without resistance. Worse than misinformation about the virus, new financial frauds and scams have surfaced as well. Read on to discover some of the more popular fraud schemes to prepare yourself and your loved ones. PPP Email Scams If you’re not familiar, the PPP (Paycheck Protection...

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How old were you when you learned that money did not grow on trees? You might be able to vividly remember the disappointment you felt when you learned you had to work hard to earn money. To prevent your youngsters from suffering the same disappointing fate, teach them about finances earlier in their lives. Some experts say that it’s never too early to start talking about money. Even at 3 years old, kids can understand the concept of money and its importance. Here are some tips that we’ve...

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