Education Articles

6 Family-Proof (Financial) Holiday Conversation Starters

Money can be a touchy topic any time of year. But during the holidays, when the whole family has gathered and spending is higher than usual, conversations about finances can become downright polarizing. There has to be a way to keep the Grinches and Scrooges at bay, right? If personal finance talk rears its head at your holiday gathering, try...

6 Savvy Ways to Save at the Pump

As far as conversation topics go, the price of gas has become more popular than the weather. In June 2022, US gas prices reached a record high, soaring to an average of $5.02 per gallon. At one point, a gas station in Mendocino, California, was charging $9.60! Since then, prices have settled down, but they have started to tick back up in 2023....

What’s a Credit Score? And How Can You Improve Yours?

Thinking about applying for a loan? You’ll want to pay close attention to your credit score. But what is a credit score? And why does it matter? In short, your credit score demonstrates to lenders how likely you are to pay back a loan. The higher the score, the better you look to a lender, which often means better rates and terms on a loan. Read...

Keep Your Investments on Track While Weathering the Inflation Storm

There are many forces working against us right now. Inflation, gas prices, and stock market woes have made investing a big challenge. But it’s wise to stick to a long-term plan while being frugal in the moment to weather the storm.

What to Buy and What to Skip in May

Warm up your wallets. Or maybe your smartphone, for super easy digital banking . The month of May brings summer into full view and is capped off with Memorial Day—a weekend retailers like to put their good deals into orbit. Despite ongoing inflation pressures, there are smart buys for consumers this month. The best time to snag that couch you’ve...

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.

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...

One-Stop Financial Shopping

If you’re like most shoppers, you’d rather make as few trips as possible when checking off the shopping list. Retailers have met this demand by providing a more diverse selection of products than ever before—we’ve long become accustomed to setting dog food, running shoes, and organic produce in the same shopping cart (both the physical and onlin...

6 Steps to Prepare for Your (Financial) Future

Small steps and helpful tools—like the right savings account (they’re not all made equal)—can help you get ahead. For those closer to the start of their financial journey, planning for the future can seem daunting, or maybe even unnecessary. But wherever you are in life, it's never a bad idea to take stock of your finances with an eye toward...