By Kristen Stringer Vice President of Banking & Credit Services Depending on your location, you cannot drive down a busy commercial street without passing one or more payday lenders or pawn shops. With 78% of American workers living paycheck to paycheck, there is no question why there is a market for so many of these high cost lenders. There is a common misconception that those living paycheck to paycheck are minimum wage or low income earners, but the fact is that over 33% of those making...

Everyone knows that saving money should be a priority. Sounds easy enough, right? The reality for many Americans who don’t have $400 saved to cover an emergency expense: it’s harder to do in practice. Saving money falls into the same conceptual buckets as eating healthy and exercising. They are simple concepts, but if you don’t have the knowledge, tools and resources, getting started can not only be daunting, it can be paralyzing. Setting a Money Goal Imagine you have never exercised a day in...

FinFit, a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based financial wellness platform for employers, is working with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods on a capital raise, said CEO David Kilby. FinFit is likely to raise USD 15m to USD 20m in equity to accelerate sales and marketing and add features, Kilby said. Founded in 2008, the company has raised about USD 50m in equity… Read the full article here on Mergermarket. Request a demo to get started today!

Back-to-school may look a little different this year. Whether your student will be attending school in person or online, there are now more preparations required to ensure a successful start to the school year. We applaud all of the school systems, administration, and staff that are going above and beyond to ensure students are set up for success this year. Regardless of how your child will continue their education this fall, it takes a village to make it happen.  This article offers great recommendations...

In one way or another, the coronavirus pandemic forced individuals to rethink their behaviors. From the way money was spent to the amount being saved, the disruption caused by COVID-19 demanded lifestyle and attitude adjustments.  It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.  -Charles Darwin Change is a good thing. Change can also be uncomfortable. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Continually improving your well-being requires change....

Forbes states that “financial wellness is the ability to have a healthy financial life. It means your debts are payable and you have ample emergency, college and retirement funds. You’re well prepared to handle any financial crisis. [It’s] about feeling good about your financial health now and in the future.” The ‘now’ is a critical element when helping individuals regain and maintain financial stability. Financial wellness programs and services must help individuals tackle the financial challenges...

An Ode to Creditworthiness It’s a challenging time Your finances may flail Improve your creditworthiness Don’t let the pandemic prevail. Free weekly credit reports Can keep you on track Take positive steps forward And don’t look back. Capacity, character and collateral Are key factors to consider Lenders hedge against risk Ensure your finances glitter. Now is a good time to utilize free weekly credit reports offered by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to ensure you’re keenly aware of the current...

Due to the uncertainty brought on by COVID-19, many Americans are using far less credit than they were previously. According to MarketWatch, credit card debt fell $28.2 billion (30.9% annual rate) in March – the largest decline since January 1989. Even though Americans continue to shoulder the weight of this financial crisis, they are hesitant to take on more debt. 11% of employees have stopped paying down debt in an effort to support their immediate financial needs. Our data shows Americans shifting...

Employees Fear Having to Postpone Retirement Prior to COVID-19, many employees were already struggling to successfully save for retirement, often prioritizing day-to-day expenses rather than saving for the future. 55% of employees expect to postpone their retirement due to their financial situation. Metlife’s Employee Benefit Trends Study reported that employees are significantly more likely to have poor financial health if they: Don’t have a defined retirement contribution plan (like a 401k) No...

Circumstances we don’t have experience with can cause added stress, making it difficult to focus on the best way forward. The important thing is to keep moving forward. You don’t have to have all of the answers, but you can take small steps in the right direction. And you don’t have to do it on your own. It’s okay to ask for help. We’re all in this together. Don’t sit back and wait for life to happen to you. Have a plan and take the needed steps to create what you want Steve Maraboli Reach...