April is national Financial Literacy Month, and the state of Massachusetts is also celebrating Financial Capability Month! What does this mean? We’re sharing tools, educational resources, and our expertise on how you can save for your goals, use banking products and services to manage your money, and build your money smart skills. We’re promoting financial … read more »
How to Qualify for a Small Business Loan
Whether you’re a new start-up or an established business, finding a small business loan to fund your business can seem daunting. Many financial institutions offer business loans, but in today’s economic climate, lenders have tightened lending requirements and not everyone qualifies for a loan. It helps to know beforehand what lenders look for when considering … read more »
What to Know about a Certificate of Deposit
Commonly referred to as CDs in the banking world, Certificates of Deposit are not a disk that plays music or stores information. A CD in this case refers to a type of savings account that, in general, pays a higher rate of interest. We’ll get into that more in a moment. CDs provide a safe and … read more »
3 Common Money Worries and How to Fix Them
What keeps you up at night? If it’s worries about your finances, you’re not alone. According to a poll by creditcards.com, approximately 65% of Americans stay up at night worrying about money. So what specifically is causing their nighttime terrors? Here are three of the most common worries and some proven remedies for putting them … read more »
When to Refinance a Student Loan
You don’t have to be an economics major to understand the financial burden student loan debt has placed on American students. According to studentloanhero.com, some 44 million people in the United States have student loans, accounting for $1.5 trillion in debt. What’s more, the average student loan debt for graduates of the Class of 2017 was $39,400 … read more »
Start Building Wealth In Your 20’s
Start Building Wealth In Your 20’s There are so many things to love about being in your 20’s; you have ample time to explore new and exciting career opportunities, and to build independence. You also have valuable time to do something that will be very important when you get older — build your wealth. Here … read more »
Getting and Using Your First Credit Card
Getting and Using Your First Credit Card A “first” credit card can be exciting, tempting and intimidating. Credit cards are a great convenience, but they are also a huge borrowing responsibility. Here are some ideas to keep in mind as you get your first credit card and begin to use it. Choosing a credit card … read more »
Renting vs. Buying a Home: Things to Think About
Renting vs. Buying a Home: Things to Think About (FDIC Consumer News) With housing prices still low in many areas and a favorable mortgage-rate environment, people who don’t own their home may be thinking about buying instead of renting. Here are points to consider: Why Rent? Freedom to move: If you unexpectedly need to find … read more »
7 Financial Tips for Business Owners
7 Financial Tips for Business Owners Personnel director…sales manager…head of operations…customer service manager…The list of roles and responsibilities can go on and on if you’re running your own business today. Though all these key roles are important, there is one that’s particularly critical to the short- and long-term success of your business — chief financial … read more »
How Much to Allocate to Your 401K
When your employer offers a 401(k) plan, you have a great opportunity to save for retirement. You’ll want to contribute at least enough to get the full employer match, if your employer offers one. Beyond that, here are some ways to know how much to allocate to your plan. Decide how much you’ll need … read more »
