How Small Business Banking Can Improve Your Bottom Line Small business banking undoubtedly plays a role in the way you run your business, but if you’re like most successful entrepreneurs, your focus is on new ways to grow and improve your bottom line. And it should be! U.S. small businesses are critical to job and economic growth. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, two out of three net new jobs in the U.S. are created by small business owners. In 2017,…

You’re Getting a Tax Refund… Now What? A bigger TV. That beautiful vacation destination. A new car. An updated gaming system. New furniture.  These are all things that might spring to mind when you when you think about how to spend your tax refund. According to the IRS, the average 2016 tax refund was $3,053. That’s a sizeable amount, one that could be used in a dozen fun ways. But instead of focusing on the fun you could have today,…

It’s that time of year again. The gifts, the wrapping paper, the fancy meals – it all adds up. For some, affording the holidays means accruing bills and worrying about how to pay off debt later. For others, it means setting aside extra money throughout the year. Either way, the average shopper will spend $682 on gifts, food and decorations this, nearly a 4% increase from 2016. Ways to reduce holiday debt Living within your financial means, rather than overspending,…

It’s fall. And that means the holidays are right around the corner. We know that all of the things you want to do for you and your family can put a lot of pressure on your budget. The end of the year, also means some other large expenses, like property taxes, are also fighting for your attention. For some, offsetting these expenses with a holiday loan can makes a lot of financial sense. How much did you spend on the…

Small business financial services that can help your bottom line. As a small business owner, every dollar you spend or earn is critical to your success, or failure. Developing a solid and trusting small business banking relationship can be a key piece of your budget equation. According to a J.D. Power study, fast-growing small businesses are far more likely to switch financial institutions. What you need as a start-up company will likely vary from your needs as you grow, but…

Back-to-School Loans and More Smart Ways to Save It’s back-to-school season, and as all parents know, back-to-school shopping can be expensive. This year alone, parents are on pace to spend nearly $688 on back-to-school shopping. No longer limited to just pencils and paper, today, back-to-school shopping includes clothing, transportation and tech. In fact, almost 50 percent of parents with middle school-age kids will be purchasing laptops this year. Thankfully, from savvy planning to back-to-school loans, there are many ways parents…

How to Fund necessary Repairs or Fulfill a Dream Maybe you’ve been putting off installing new windows or repairing your home’s roof. Or, maybe the itch to buy that sports car is getting stronger. Whatever your need—or desire—for cash, you can make it a reality with a home equity loan. A home equity loan is easy to apply for and offers rates that are usually lower than personal loans and significantly lower than credit card interest rates. With the equity…

What You Need to Know to Become a First Time Home Buyer Most of us dream of owning our own home someday. Now seems to be the time to buy, especially if you’re a first time home buyer. A strong job market and rental fatigue has helped to drive home sales to first-timers to their highest levels since 2013 , up to 35 percent of all homes sold last year. And first-time home buyers are getting younger, with a majority of those homes…

What You Need to Know To Consolidate Debt Did you know that only around 20 percent of Americans are free from debt of any kind? That means that 80 percent of Americans carry some kind of debt, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. However, finding the right solutions to help you manage your debt can be tricky. Too many creditors and lenders can leave you with more questions about your debt than answers. If your debt is getting out of…