Small and medium-sized businesses should never presume that they’re safe from cyberthreats. In fact, SMBs are a prime target. We don’t say this to scare you but to encourage vigilance to protect yourself.
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Benefits of health savings accounts for businesses and their employees
Healthcare costs in the U.S. have never been higher, and that means businesses and employees need to be strategic about how they fund medical expenses.
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Reduce fraud with cash management’s dual control
Dual Control is one layer of security in Cash Management that you may not be aware of. It requires two people in order to complete a single wire transfer or ACH batch transaction.
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Don’t Trust Pop-ups
If you’re known to dabble in a little online browsing, odds are you’ve encountered a pop-up once or twice. There are times when you may think, “Wow, that’s a great deal!” and click on a pop-up. If you ever see a pop-up, put down the mouse. Why? That pop-up could be malicious or dangerous. There…
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Need Help Navigating a Challenging Ag Economy?
Lean on Your Ag Lender as Your “Financial Mentor” Recent years have brought many challenges to farmers in the Midwest. Although production has been high, commodity prices have remained low. Trade negotiations with China have added more strain on an already struggling industry. Agricultural lenders are familiar with all of these issues and can help…
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How You Can Develop a Solid Savings Plan
This America Saves Week, set some time aside to see if your savings plan is working for you.
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Focus on Seniors: Watch Out for Holiday Scams This Season
Holidays are a busy and stressful time of year. There’s traveling and planning for visitors. Buying and wrapping presents for loved ones. Avoiding the flu. Cybercriminals know the hectic nature of holiday preparation and attempt to take advantage of anyone who may not be paying close attention, particularly older adults. It’s crucial that the elderly…
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7 tips for farmers to develop a strong marketing plan
One of the keys to success for today’s agricultural producers is a strong marketing plan which includes knowing break-even costs, having a solid action plan and keeping emotions out of it, according to tips released by the American Bankers Association at the ABA National Agricultural Bankers conference in Omaha, Neb. Members of the ABA Agricultural…
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It’s Time To Get Smart About Credit
October 18, 2019, is Get Smart About Credit day! The American Bankers Association Community Engagement Foundation works with banks around the country to raise awareness about the importance of using credit wisely. This national campaign aims to help young people develop responsible credit habits — from building a credit history to making responsible decisions regarding…
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Note the Rules of Using Gift Money for a Down Payment
Down payments are challenging for many first-time homebuyers. It seems that the initial financial stab at home ownership is among the greatest roadblocks of owning a home. If you are in the process of buying a home, using a gift can allow you to achieve that 20% down payment. This can help you get…
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How to Have the Life Insurance Talk
There are some tips to keep in mind to begin the conversation about life insurance.
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Taking inventory of your homeowners insurance
Flooding, hurricanes, fires or tornadoes. We know they can happen. If you haven’t witnessed it personally, just turn on TV or your computer to see the devastation in our region and elsewhere in the country. It’s hard to imagine the actual experience of having your home destroyed or living in temporary shelters. This inability to fathom the horrors of natural…
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What Not To Do Yourself Before Selling Your House
It’s not all that uncommon. You tried to fix something in your house using all the analytic skills you apply to other parts of your life, inspired by how easy it looks on HGTV. With all the best of intentions, however, what seemed simple turned into an obviously less-than-expert job. In fact, even your Realtor…
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Why Should I Use a VA Loan
The VA loan is one of the best mortgage loans there is. Here are some reasons why. First, VA guarantees the loan for 100% of the appraised value of the property (technically, the loan is for the Notice Of Value amount, which in most cases is the same thing). This guarantee means that the lender…
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How does a home appraisal really work?
Home appraisals are typically required during the home buying process in order to determine the current fair market value of the home. The home appraisal process is a combination of science and opinion—but mostly science, even though the value that the appraiser delivers is called an “opinion of value” as of the effective date of…
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Is Buying a Home With a 20% Down Payment Standard?
A 20% down payment is anything but standard. Making a smaller down payment does involve some form of mortgage insurance (MI). Conventional loans are available with as little as 3% down.
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First-time homebuyers reality check
Many first-time home buyers have stars in their eyes when they first begin house-hunting. Their ideal is a house that is move-in-ready, offers the number of bedrooms/baths/square footage they’re looking for, is in a great neighborhood and, of course, is within their budget. Matching all that criteria is often a tall order, especially the move-in-ready…
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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Paying down your mortgage early may be possible, but is it smart?
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Your step-by-step summer vacation savings guide
A good summer trip takes careful planning and budgeting. Here’s a step-by-step guide for planning a fun but financially responsible summer vacation.
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Fire Protection and Safety Tips
Here’s what citizens should know about keeping themselves, their loved ones and their homes and businesses safe from fires this year.
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