Few Things You Should Know About Credit

A Few Things You Should Know About Credit Borrow only what you need and what you can afford to repay. Before you consider what kind of credit to use, you should determine whether you should use credit at all. Ask about the annual percentage rate (APR) of interest charged, if the interest rate is variable, and what fees are…

Everyday Teachable Moments

Everyday Teachable Moments In many families money is a taboo topic. But you can help your children and grandchildren learn financial lessons that will last a lifetime by looking for teachable moments in your daily life that naturally bring up the topic of money. Here are some examples of teachable moments to help you get started:   When depositing…

Establish Good Saving Habits

Establish Good Saving Habits Pay yourself first If you wait to see what’s left over, you are less likely to save. Determine in advance how much money to deposit into a savings account each month. If you receive a raise, increase the amount of money deposited into your savings account. Take advantage of bank technology Consider automatic payroll deductions…

Equifax Data Breach What Do

Equifax Data Breach: What To Do September 8, 2017Seena Gressin, Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC If you have a credit report, there’s a good chance that you’re one of the 143 million American consumers whose sensitive personal information was exposed in a data breach at Equifax, one of the nation’s three major credit reporting agencies. Here…

Early Money Management Habits Kids

Early Money Management Habits for Kids There are many events in children’s lives when good money management skills can be fostered. By constant repetition, these skills will develop into life-long habits. Consider a few opportunities to reinforce messages:   Piggy Banks — The First Lesson in Saving The arrival of a child’s first piggy bank teaches at an early…

Credit Card Dos And Donts

Credit Card Do’s and Don’ts Do DO shop around. The credit card industry is very competitive, so compare interest rates, credit limits, grace periods, annual fees, terms and conditions. DO use the same name when you apply for credit. Don’t leave out middle initials or “Jr.” DO read the fine print on the credit application. The application is a…

Consumer Protection Agencies

Consumer Protection Agencies The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system by insuring deposits in banks and thrift institutions for at least $250,000; by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to the deposit insurance funds; and by limiting the effect on the economy and the financial system when a bank or thrift…

Community Service Support

Community Service & Support Giving Back for a Better Northern Michigan As a community bank rooted in northwest lower Michigan, it is important that we not only fulfill our responsibilities in the banking sector, but also do our part to keep our region vibrant. In doing so, we contribute to building a better future for the area. Our people…

Budgeting Your Future

Budgeting for Your Future A budget is an organized list of your sources of income and the money you spend on essentials like housing and food, fun things like dinner and a movie, and what you need to save for the future. Just as using a map to make sure you reach your destination, budgeting is a tool that…

Beware Fake Check Scams

Beware of Fake Check Scams Use the handy infographic below to learn more about what to look out for. If you’re in doubt as to the validity of a check, stop by one of our locations and we’ll be more than happy to review it with you. Learn more at Learn more at ftc.gov/scamalerts  Security & Privacy Resources