There’s more to banking than just paying bills and saving for a rainy day. Whether you’re trying to grow your savings faster, find a better way to pay friends instantly, finance a new home or vehicle, or just teach your kids about money, we help our members make the most of their money.

Online and Mobile Banking

• Online Finance Basics
  Online and Mobile Banking are great ways to stay on top of your financial needs without actually visiting your bank.
• Mobile Wallets: Another Cashless, Contact-Free Way to Pay
  Here is one more electronic payment method that is growing in popularity, especially with younger adults – mobile wallets
• No Cash Payments? Now What?
  When you are used to paying with cash, dealing with the digital economy can be challenging.
• Tips for Mobile Banking
  Tips that will help you use your financial apps safely and securely.

Saving Money

• 6 Tips to Save for a Down Payment
  As you prepare for the home buying process, here are six tips to help you cut extra costs and save for your down payment.
• Budgeting for the Holidays
  You may have been a last-minute holiday shopper last year, but planning now can help you have a happier, stress-free holiday season this year.
• Small Ways to Save Each Day
  If you’re looking for ways to save money every day without committing to a major financial overhaul, consider the following tips.
• Saving Tips for a Great Getaway
  Tips to help you save money before and during your dream vacation.
• Get Financially Fit
  Taking control of your personal finances will allow you to prepare for unexpected expenses and save for your future.
• America Saves Week: Top Savings Ideas
  In recognition of America Saves Week, we’ve compiled a list of our top money saving ideas.
• Saving Money After a Holiday Splurge
  The hectic holiday shopping season has passed, and those bills have started to roll in. Here are some tips for helping your finances recover now that the New Year has started.
• Building an Emergency Fund
  Building an emergency fund is an important step in reducing financial stress for many households. Here are a couple of strategies to help you do this successfully.
• Time to Take a New Look at Your Money Habits
  The New Year holiday creates a feeling of starting fresh and inspires us to set new goals. Here are some ideas to reflect on as you set your financial goals for the New Year.
• Saving for the Future: Questions to Consider Now
  Finding money to add to your savings account can seem difficult, but there are some strategies that can make it easier. Start by asking yourself these questions.
• Money Saving Tips for a Less $pooky Halloween
  Halloween money saving tips to keep your empty wallet from shouting “boo!”
• Health Savings Accounts
  HSA accounts, when combined with the required high-deductible health insurance plan, allow consumers to save for future medical expenses with tax-free dollars.
• 8 Ways to Avoid Overdraft Fees
  With a little planning and account management, you can prevent extra charges.
• How to Avoid Bank Fees
  Looking for ways to minimize your banking costs? Here are some proven tips.

Credit

• Perks of a Good Credit Score
  Here are just some of the doors that having a positive credit history may open for you.
• 7 Tips for Improving Your Credit Score
  The American Bankers Association suggests the following tips to improve your credit score.
• Credit Reports are Now Free, Every Week
  From now through April 2021, everyone is eligible to get free weekly credit reports from the three national credit reporting agencies.
• What You Should Know about Payday Loans and Car Title Loans
  During times of financial stress, some people may look for ways to borrow money for a short period of time. Before you consider options like a payday loan or a car title loan, here’s what you need to know.
• Fixing Mistakes on Your Credit Report
  If you have been following our credit series over the past few weeks, you have gotten your credit report and learned how to read it. What happens if you see errors?
• Reading Your Credit Report
  Now that you have your credit report, you may have questions on what some of the information means. Here’s a good place to start.
• Getting Your Credit Report
  Last week we discussed some of the things your credit history is used for and why it matters. Now, it’s time to get your credit in order.
• Why Does Your Credit Matter?
  To help you get a handle on credit, we’ve put together a four-part series on the topic.
• Auto Loans: How to Get a Good Deal
  Many young people look forward to getting their own car but overlook what they may need to do to comfortably afford it, especially if they’ll be borrowing money. Here are strategies to consider before you take that trip to the dealership.
• 7 Tips for Improving Your Credit Score
  Suggestions from the American Bankers Association for improving your credit score.

Mortgages

• Getting a Loan and Choosing a Lender
  Tips for navigating the competitive mortgage market.
• What Struggling Homeowners Need to Know
  If you are struggling to pay your mortgage or facing foreclosure, don’t wait to get help.

Credit Cards

• Things to Consider Before Consolidating Debt
  Consolidating debt is a common debt management strategy, however, it is not always as simple as it seems.
• Deciding Which Debt to Pay Off First
  If you want to make some progress toward paying off your debts, you have some choices to make.
• Credit Card Basics
  Credit cards can help you to manage your cash flow and handle unexpected expenses. However, they can also cause you to pay more for what you purchase if you carry a balance.
• Credit Card Facts and Tips
  Access to credit enables families to deal with emergencies, obtain goods and services, and build a credit history. Use your cards to your best advantage with our tips and FAQs.

Tips for Families

• 5 Items for Your New Home’s To-Do List
  Now that you’re settling in to your new home, there are some important things you need to consider.
• Things to Consider Before Purchasing Your First Home
  Before jumping into the housing market, it is a good idea to consider the costs involved.
• Tips for Financial Caregivers
  If you are acting as a financial caregiver for an older adult, the following tips may assist you in fulfilling this responsibility.
• Warning Signs of Elder Financial Abuse
  Anyone who sees signs of theft, fraud, misuse of a person’s assets or credit, or use of undue influence to gain control of an older person’s money or property should be on the alert.
• Teaching Children About Money Now Pays Dividends Later
  Parental involvement in their children’s financial education has long lasting effects.
• 4 Reasons to Pay Your Bills on Time
  Paying your bills on time is a key aspect of taking charge of your financial life.
• 6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Tax Refund
  Your tax refund can position you to handle financial emergencies and give you a jumpstart on achieving your goals.
• It’s Still a Good Time to Become Financially Fit
  We’re now a few weeks into the new year…how are you doing on your financial New Year’s Resolutions? If you’re not as on track as you would like, don’t despair. It’s not too late to adopt some new financial habits.
• How to Develop a Financial Plan
  You can take charge of your finances and your life by setting financial goals, planning a budget, and sticking to it.
• Getting Good Financial Advice
  Check out these common misunderstandings about getting professional financial advice.
• Teaching Young People About Money
  Tips to help parents, guardians and caregivers show a child — from a preschooler to a college student — why and how to become responsible with money.
• Tips for Seniors Wanting to Help Relatives
  Although giving your relatives monetary help can provide a lifeline in the short term, there are things you need to be aware of to protect your own financial interests.
• Teach Children to Save – They’ll Reap the Rewards as Adults
  Ideas on how to teach sound financial habits to the children in your life.
• Personal Finance Tips for Newlyweds
  Be aware of these post-wedding money mistakes so you can start your marriage on strong financial footing.

Students and Young Adults

• Checking Account Basics for Teens
  The sooner you start your child’s financial education, the more responsible they will be with their money.
• Subsidized or Unsubsidized Student Loans – What’s the Difference?
  The cost of college adds up quickly and you may have trouble covering the entire amount.
• Financial Skills for Young Adults
  It’s best to acquire financial skills early – as you make your way through school and/or navigate your first job – and learn to save for the years to come.
• Steer Clear of Student Aid Scams
  Here are some tips that can help keep your finances safe when applying for student aid.
• Coronavirus and Your Student Loan Debt
  You’ve probably heard that the new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act gives some flexibility to federal student loan borrowers.
• Common Money Mistakes Made by Young Adults
  Everybody makes mistakes with their money. The important thing is to keep them to a minimum.
• How to Make Student Loans Work for You
  Many post-secondary students need to take on student loan debt to help them pursue their education. Here are some strategies that are key to making that work.
• 8 Financial Tips for College Freshmen
  As freshmen across the country embark on their first semester, here are some tips to help ease their transition to financial independence.
• What to Know Before Declaring Financial Independence
  With twenty-somethings entering a new phase of their life as young adults, here are some ways to be prepared financially.
• Top 10 Tips for College Students
  They understand GPAs and test scores, but how can we help our college students better understand their credit score or the value of saving?

Protecting Yourself and Your Finances

• Protect the Elderly from Financial Exploitation
  You, or someone you know, could become the victim of a growing crime in America — financial abuse of older Americans.
• Do You Suspect Identity Theft? What to Do Next.
  If you detect signs that your identity has been stolen, there are steps you need to take to help protect yourself.
• The High Cost of Payday Loans
  Being broke is expensive. Right now, so many people are scrambling to figure out how to make rent, cover utilities, pick up some work, get their unemployment checks, and keep their heads above water. As a last resort, they then might turn to payday loans.
• Watch Out for these Elder Abuse Scams
  Whether you’re looking to protect yourself or others, it’s important to stay informed about the methods that scammers use to swindle people out of their money.
• How to Avoid COVID-19 Government Imposter Scams
  Scammers are taking advantage of COVID-19 by pretending to be affiliated with the government — just to scam you out of money.
• Reasons Your Money is Safe and Sound in a Bank
  At times of uncertainty, one thing you can always count on is the safety of your money at a bank.
• Make Your Coronavirus Donation Count
  No one wants their Coronavirus donation to go to a scammer, so before you give, do some research.
• Looking for Work After Coronavirus Layoffs?
  If you’re eyeing a work-at-home gig, here are some things to keep in mind.
• Scammers are Using COVID-19 Messages
  Here’s a quick alert about some current scams using COVID-19.
• Coronavirus and Your Money – 3 Things You Need to Know
  So, you heard you’re getting a $1,200 check from the government. Hurray! … Wait? How is this going to work, exactly?
• Thwart Ransomware Attacks
  Ransomware poses great risks to individual computers or laptops, enterprise networks and servers used by government agencies, financial institutions and healthcare providers.
• 10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud
  Crooks use clever schemes to defraud millions of people every year. Here are some tips to help you stay a step ahead!
• Safely Using Money Transfer Services
  By paying attention to details, you can take advantage of the convenience offered by money transfer apps.
• Money Safety Tips
  By the end of the year, an estimated 1.92 billion people will be digital buyers. Protect your wallet when shopping online by paying attention to these tips.
• Shopping Online During the Holidays?
  During the holiday season, we tend to make a lot more purchases online, so it’s especially important to be vigilant about protecting your money.
• Fake Check Scams
  Fake checks continue to be one of the most common instruments used to commit fraud against consumers.
• How to Avoid a Card Cracking Scam
  Common-sense advice to help you avoid being ripped off by a card cracking scam.
• Protecting Your Personal Information and Money
  Basic precautions you can use to help keep yourself from becoming a victim of financial fraud.
• Scams Targeting Bank Customers
  With an increasing number of bank customers becoming victims of theft or fraud, here are several scams you should be aware of.
• Worry and Cybercrime? You’re Not Alone
  Steps you can take to reduce your chance of becoming a cybercrime victim.