Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s 2019 report on fraud estimates that American consumers reported losing a staggering $1.9… Read More
Financial Self-Care Checklist for Challenging Times Challenging times can inspire us to strengthen community ties and support recovery efforts, together. They can also inspire people to evaluate their lives and take better care of themselves — 80 percent of Americans say they intend to incorporate self-care into their daily routines more regularly after COVID-19. Given the pandemic’s economic impact, it’s not… Read More
Seven Smart Ways to Prepare for a New Baby According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, the sweltering summer months host the highest birthrates, with August taking the lead for largest number of births. While we can only speculate about why so many babies are born this time of year (insert cheeky remarks about too many holiday drinks), we recognize this is… Read More
6 Simple Tips to Help Teach Your Teen Good Money Habits Whether or not we like to admit it, money is the motivating factor in most of our decisions. Yet, managing it effectively is a tough subject to grasp, especially for young adults. Considering only one-third of U.S. states require students to take a personal finance class, the onus falls on parents and guardians to impart… Read More
Five Financial Resolutions to Tackle for 2019 Regardless of what life stage you are in, financial health should be at the top of your resolution list for 2019. According to Fidelity Investments, nearly one-third of Americans plan to make money resolutions for the New Year. Here are 5 money goals to consider: Make a dent in your debt. According to a recent… Read More
Ten Easy Ways to Save Money During the Holidays The holidays are a special time for giving, and this year, consumers plan to spend an average of $819 on holiday gifts. But when the holidays come to an end, the new year all too often ushers in a big stack of bills. Last year, Americans with holiday debt added an average of $1,054 to… Read More
How OtterBox Built a Successful Business and Celebrated Culture from the Ground Up Several years ago, FirstBank conducted this interview with founder, Curt Richardson. Since OtterBox is celebrating its 20th anniversary, we thought it was fitting to re-post this article. Congrats OtterBox on 20 years of success. Innovation. Passion. Accountability. Given OtterBox’s commitment to its core values — or “Ottertude,” as they like to call it — it’s… Read More
How to Get Financial Responsibility To Stick With Your Kids With summer just around the corner, don’t let the “school’s out” mentality rule your tweens. Instead, take this time to teach them about something valuable beyond the classroom: financial responsibility. Craig Kaley, the author of Money Athletics: Your Game Plan to a Financially Fit Tween, stresses the importance of financial literacy at a young age,… Read More
Five Ways to Take Control of Your Student Loans Congrats, Grad! That can be the most exciting and terrifying phrase for a college graduate after collecting a diploma. On one hand, the years spent neglecting sleep on a questionable diet, while trying to maintain a balanced lifestyle are over. On the other, it’s time to find a job and begin the adult portion of… Read More
A New Approach to Spring Cleaning: Five Ways to Tidy and Tighten Your Finances Spring cleaning isn’t restricted to just the kitchen, garage or that overflowing junk drawer. It can also have a positive affect on many facets of your life, including your finances. Considering money tops the list of the biggest stress inducers in America today, cleaning your expenses can help you declutter, de-stress and may even help… Read More