Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) can help reduce damage to a business when the legal rights of employees are violated. Learn the basics of EPLI, such as which lawsuits it protects you against and how much it may cost.
Continue
Tips for scaling a small business effectively
Scaling a small business is a delicate balancing act that demands careful planning. The goal should be to increase revenue faster than you increase spending to sustain that new revenue. Simple, right? Well, not exactly. When your business starts showing signs of growth, consider these tips for scaling responsibly.
Continue
What to avoid when buying a home
The average homebuying timeline will vary for everyone, but yours could potentially be delayed if you make a handful of certain financial moves. Learn what to avoid when buying a home.
Continue
What you should look for in a business checking account
What you should look for when choosing a business checking account depends on your needs. Whether it’s your first business account or are switching to a new financial institution, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Continue
3 simple steps every business can take to improve cybersecurity
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.
Continue
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.
Continue
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.
Continue
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…
Continue Don’t Trust Pop-ups
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…
Continue Need Help Navigating a Challenging Ag Economy?
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.
Continue
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…
Continue Focus on Seniors: Watch Out for Holiday Scams This Season
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…
Continue 7 tips for farmers to develop a strong marketing plan
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…
Continue It’s Time To Get Smart About Credit
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…
Continue Note the Rules of Using Gift Money for a Down Payment
How to Have the Life Insurance Talk
There are some tips to keep in mind to begin the conversation about life insurance.
Continue
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…
Continue Taking inventory of your homeowners insurance
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…
Continue What Not To Do Yourself Before Selling Your House
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…
Continue Why Should I Use a VA Loan
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…
Continue How does a home appraisal really work?
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…
Continue First-time homebuyers reality check