Skip to content

Explore Our Articles

Money Moves

Money Moves
young couple moving boxes into new home

05.16.25

A Guide for First Time Homebuyers

Here are a few tips to help you feel confident and prepared as you start your homebuying journey
person reviewing financials

04.04.25

How to Improve Your Credit Score: Simple Steps to Success

Your credit score plays a significant role in your overall financial health
person using a calculator

02.14.25

The Importance of Financial Planning: Set Yourself up for Success

Financial planning is more than just budgeting and saving; it is about creating a roadmap to guide you through life’s financial decisions
pile of moving boxes and other stuff in shrinkwrap

10.24.24

Preparing to rent your first apartment

After months of searching, you finally found the job that’s perfect for you. But it’s outside of the area where you currently live, so you will have to move. Preparing to rent your first apartment can be an exciting – yet daunting – process
mortgage document in front of house

08.22.24

Is it a good idea to pay off my mortgage early?

While the idea of owning a home outright sooner rather than later can be appealing, there are both benefits and drawbacks to consider before deciding whether it's the right decision for you
jar fill of coins with a graduation cap

08.08.24

Avoiding the pitfalls of debt and overusing credit

In today's consumer-driven society, easy access to credit can be both a blessing and a curse. While it provides purchasing power, mismanagement can lead to significant financial strain and long-term consequences
For Sale sign in front of a house

06.05.24

Is it time to sell your home?

Knowing when it’s time to sell your home is a significant decision that involves factors both personal and financial. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, several signs might indicate that it’s the right time to put your house on the market
a kitchen being renovated

05.09.24

Budgeting for home improvements

Spring and summer are prime times for home improvement projects. And whether you are planning a minor renovation or a major overhaul, budgeting is crucial for ensuring that your projects are completed smoothly and within your financial means
cute home with white picket fence

04.17.24

What information do I need for my mortgage application?

Now that you’re ready to buy, you need to know what information you will need to provide as part of your mortgage application
stethoscope next to a piggy bank

01.09.24

What is financial wellness, and how do I achieve it?

You likely have heard people talk about financial wellness, but you don’t really know what it is or have any idea of how to achieve it
two toy home with a bridge between them made out of coins

12.12.23

Is a bridge loan right for me?

Bridge loans are a popular solution for homeowners who want to buy a new house before selling their current property. A borrower can use a portion of their bridge loan to pay off their current mortgage while using the rest as a down payment on a new home
Washington's face on a dollar bill next to a paper showing a rate that is dropping

11.02.23

What does America’s credit downgrade mean?

On August 1, Fitch Ratings, one of the three primary credit rating agencies, downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+, the second downgrade of U.S. debt in 12 years
mortgage document in front of house

10.16.23

What is PMI and do I need it?

When planning to purchase a home, you might have heard that you likely will have to pay something called PMI. This is private mortgage insurance, and it protects the mortgage lender against any losses if the borrower stops making payments or fails to repay their conventional loan
a balancing board with a bag of money labelled loan and on the other end a home

09.18.23

Pay off debt by utilizing your home’s equity

Chances are that you have never looked at home equity as an asset. But it is, and you can put it to work for you paying off high-interest debt
credit score seen on mobile phone

08.21.23

How do I improve my credit score?

When you have a good credit score, you can get better terms and lower interest rates on loan products and credit cards. But it’s not always easy to just boost your credit score
Smiling man with a papers in hand on phone

REACH OUT TO GET STARTED

Ready to Help

As a trusted local community bank, we’re committed to serving our neighbors. Our local financial pros live in the communities we serve and care about your success, delivering personalized service and knowledgeable support every step of the way.