First Mortgage

Bank credit: is it growing, and where’s it going?

Lenders have loosened purse strings, but some sectors are monopolising bank loans. Hence the clamour for more credit

Why the outlook is positive for dividend-centric strategies

With volatility making a return, many investors are taking a step back and reassessing their positions

What Will Win the Next 5 Years in Financial Services?

To keep up with potentially disruptive competitors, financial firms must embrace connected data and planning.

Here's the best financial advice the country's top advisors ever got

Financial advisors need money tips, too. In fact, sometimes a salient piece of advice led them into the industry. We asked advisors from firms that made the FA 100 list for 2019 for the best money and investing advice tips they ever received.

5 lessons from my $650,000 lunch with Warren Buffett

In 2008, hedge fund manager Guy Spier had a ‘power lunch’ with famed investor Warren Buffett. Here’s what he learned.

Impulse Buys Make You Feel Good, But At What Price? : Enemy of Debt

According to the 2012 Shopper Engagement Study, we as consumers make grocery shopping decisions in the store at a rate of 76%, causing us to spend more than originally intended. Even with the best laid plans, coupons, shopping circulars, and a specific list statistics show we are drawn to spend more. Research shows tough current economic conditions cause us to “splurge” at the grocery store for psychological reasons we don’t even realize at the time. As I pondered that thought I realized even…

Terrible Financial Advice: Top 10 Tips You Shouldn't Follow

It seems like everyone from bloggers to your next-door neighbor doles out financial advice these days. It can be difficult figuring out who to believe, and bad tips can pop up as frequently as thunderstorms in the summertime

Breakfast with Benefits: Hiway Federal Credit Union!

Community Banks and Learning to Save

One of our goals as an Economic Development volunteers is to promote community banks. Basically the idea is that a group of friends, family, co-workers etc. form a bank built around trust. As a group they elect a board who runs the meetings, decide how often they want to meet, how much each person will...

Should I pay discount points?: Affinity Federal Credit Union

It is possible that 'buying down' your interest rate on your mortgage with discount points (a form of prepaid interest) will save you money in the long run. Use this calculator to help determine if paying additional discount points in exchange for a lower interest rate is a good option for you.

Benefits of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

"An Affinity Plus membership really is more than just having an account. You are joining a place--a financial home--where your needs come first.<br>"

The Benefits of Banking at a Community Bank

Do your client’s know the benefits of banking with you? Consider putting a short video on your website showing the benefits of your institution.

Tempted by Low Balance Transfer Rate? Get a Hopewell Federal Credit Union credit card instead

A stronger economy has consumers more comfortable taking on debt. And, it also means credit card issuers are more comfortable extending tempting balance-transfer offers, according to the The New Yo…

Why Wall Street suddenly soured on Discover and other consumer lenders

Investors worry that rising inflation means fewer people will be paying their credit card bills on time.

Know Your Dough — Family Trust Federal Credit Union

You’re about to leave Family Trust to visit our trusted partner site.<br>Family Trust Federal Credit Union does not provide, and is not responsible for, the product, service, overall website content, security, or privacy policies on any external third-party sites. We do not represent either this site or you if you enter into a transaction. Privacy and security policies may differ from those practiced at Family Trust.

Are Community Banks Going Away?

Thousands of community banks have been lost in the last decade. What does that mean for the future of community banking?

Community Banks As Incubators? Good For Startups And Communities

When you think about the role of community banks—as stewards for their communities and customers—they seem a natural fit to serve as a central resource, or incubator, for the next generation of small businesses.

Are more branches better? Community banks weigh in

With an increase in online traffic and challenges to in-person banking, community banks may be asking themselves if new branches are necessary. But many bank leaders report they’re investing in new branches because they’re strategic tools for growth.

Why some community banks are changing their approach to card issuance

The credit-cards-as-a-service model allows small banks to develop more products — and keep more revenue — than they had when working with agent banks.