General

Applying for a mortgage can be complicated and sometimes tedious, but a little preparation can go a long way, particularly for first-time homebuyers. With a few simple steps, homebuyers can make the process a little easier for both themselves and their lender. Following are six questions you should ask when discussing your mortgage options with your lender. What type of mortgage should I apply for? There are several different types of mortgages. One of the first questions you should ask

There are subscriptions for everything these days. In addition to typical subscriptions like magazines and newspapers, there are now subscriptions to other types of content, such as movies, books and music as well as services, like yard maintenance. There are even subscriptions to various retail stores and smartphone apps.  With so many subscriptions, it can be easy to sign up for one and lose track of it as you stop using it. That can do some serious damage to your finances. According to

Although it might be cold outside, winter can be a great time to find a hot deal on a home. Most people begin their house hunt in spring or summer for a variety of reasons: school is out, there is more time to look for a new house, and the warmer weather better accommodates for looking and moving. However... Are you aware that winter can bring lower prices, a better chance of negotiating, fewer bidding wars, and even a faster home-buying process? While there usually are fewer homes for sale

The new year is an ideal time to set new goals, as many vow to become more physically fit or get organized. The new year is also a great time to asses your finances, gain control and stick to a new budget or saving plan. Taking control of your personal finances will allow you to save and prepare for unexpected expenses. Follow the tips below to get started.   Get Organized  Consider treating yourself to a post-holiday gift of a financial organization system. Alphabetized

Whether you have your taxes done by a professional or you do them yourself, it’s important to be organized and have all your important documents ready. When working with a tax preparer, be sure to ask about what information you will need, then organize it based on the professional’s advice. Here are some key documents to consider: Have information about your income sources, such as: W-2’s from employers. 1099 forms that show any investment or interest income. Social

Holiday spending can easily spin out of control, so don't let 'Ho! Ho! Ho!' turn into 'Owe! Owe! Owe!' While it can feel great to give, it’s important to know what you can afford so you’re not stuck paying for this year’s gifts – and the interest charges – well into next year. So how can you keep from overspending? Set a budget and stick to it. Keep all your normal expenses in mind – such as food, utilities, other regular monthly payments

Building a good credit history and maintaining a high credit score can open doors to higher credit limits and lower interest rates. Following up after “Get Smart About Credit” Day in October, Iowa State Bank is helping to raise awareness about what pitfalls to avoid on your credit journey. “A strong credit score can make buying a car, a house and anything else that requires a loan more affordable,” said Nathan Wedel, Loan Officer. “It’s critical that consumers

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $5.8 billion to phishing scams and other fraud in 2021—an increase of more than 70 percent over 2020. It’s time to put scammers in their place. Online

The new year is an ideal time to set new goals, as many vow to become more physically fit or get organized. The new year is also a great time to asses your finances, gain control and stick to a new budget or saving plan. Taking control of your personal finances will allow you to save and prepare for unexpected expenses. Follow the tips below to get started.   Get Organized  Consider treating yourself to a post-holiday gift of a financial organization system. Alphabetized

It's the beginning of everyone’s favorite part of the year: tax season, or as we like to think of it, refund season! Tax season can be stressful, but did you know that nearly 80% of people who file a return will receive a tax refund check? Yes. You read that correctly. Uncle Sam has refunded an average of $3,120 over the past few years. If you’re eagerly awaiting that big payday like most Americans, you’ll want to receive your reimbursement ASAP. Below we’ve outlined