Education Articles

7 Tips to Protect Yourself When Buying a Used Car Privately

When you buy a car, you expect certain things. Purchasing a car from an auto dealer means you will be at least somewhat protected if something happens with the car and can feel some peace of mind that the car’s title is clean. These buyer protections are due to certain regulations that protect consumers.  Unfortunately, not everyone plays by the...

Homeowners Can Put Equity to Work with a HELOC

As any savvy homeowner will tell you, protecting the investment in your home is a crucial part of ownership. After all, a home is likely the largest investment many of us will make. While upgrades, renovations, and additions often help maintain or even boost a home’s value, these undertakings can be costly.  Thankfully, homeowners have an...

5 Things to Know About Commercial Loans

Thinking about a commercial loan? Here are five things you should know: 1. Commercial loans aren't one-size-fits-all And there are different types of loans depending on your goals. As a business owner or investor, you may have a variety of needs to take your business to the next level, so one type of loan may not cover the entire spectrum.  Ther...

Before You Sign Your Auto Loan

Congrats on deciding to buy or trade up! This could be the start of some exciting changes—more mobility, mobility in more style, perhaps the convenience and comforts of technology from the current century. But one change that’s likely is the additional financial responsibility.   “Just like modern cars, financing can be very complex,” says Jerry...

The Ins and Outs of Credit

Credit is an integral part of your financial power, and fully understanding how it works will help you build a solid history that will open doors and advance your goals. While misusing credit can be devastating, using it wisely offers many benefits throughout your life.

Quicktips: The Trick to Faster Mobile Deposits

Have you ever had a mobile deposit held up for "review"? Here are some tricks to make sure your money shows up in your account right away.

How to Ensure Your Accounts Are Safe

Living in the digital age, it’s all too common to find out your accounts have been compromised. If it hasn’t happened to you, you likely know someone who has—whether it be Facebook, email, digital banking, or really any other online account with a login. Luckily, there are ways to mitigate the damage while jump-starting your recovery process. If...

7 Ways To Spring Clean Your Finances

Spring is a great time of year to clear your house of clutter and dust away winter’s dirt and grime. Why not do the same for your finances? Clutter can accumulate there, too. Whatever your current situation, a thorough spring-cleaning for your finances is a responsible move this time of year. Here are some ways to put your financial home in orde...

7 Visa Card Features That Might Surprise You

‘More than just a piece of plastic’ Credit cards offer a convenient way to make purchases. That much is known. What’s less understood are the benefits credit cards can offer. For those willing to put on their research hats, there are many perks attached to credit cards—many of which you may already have at your disposal without knowing it. To ge...

10 Tips for Fortifying Your Passwords and Usernames

Many of us know not to include sensitive information, like our Social Security number or birthday, in our logins (and if you didn’t know, now you do!). But that’s just the most basic step you can take to keep your information safe from would-be fraudsters. Specific username and password rules can differ from website to website, but these five...