Welcome to CNB Insights
We’ve been around for over 155 years - we know a thing or two. If you have a question or want to know about a certain topic, send us a message at customerservice@clintonnational.net and we can share it and answer it on this page. We’re the experts and we are so excited to share what we know with you. |
categories
Banking Basics Fraud & Cybersecurity Lending
Retirement & Estate Planning Investments Digital Banking
Banking Basics
You've had a great summer but now it's time to head off to college. Whether you're leaving home for the first time or you're a pro and back for additional years, here's some helpful tips to keep in mind.
READ MORE: Helpful Pointers for College Students
Congratulations!!! You’ve graduated college…what a huge accomplishment. There is so much for you to be proud of and, we are sure, lots of planning you must now consider. As you start this new chapter of your life, be sure to bring with you these 5 financial tips for college graduates:
READ MORE: Financial Tips for College Graduates
With the holidays just around the corner, there are many options available for where and how to spend your money. While shopping online offers convenience and variety, shopping locally offers SO much more!
READ MORE: Shopping Local for the Holidays
This past year had a lot of ups and downs for many people – global pandemic, derechos, losing loved ones, losing jobs, the list goes on for many people.
READ MORE: What is an Emergency Fund?
Budgeting is a process for tracking, planning, and controlling income and expenses. It is a process that we begin soon after we get our first spending money. Analyze your current situation, determine your goals, and develop a written plan against which you'll measure your progress.
READ MORE: Budgeting
According to Bankrate, almost 3 in 10 Americans have no savings set aside to cover emergency expenses. Teaching your child about money and helping them establish good savings and healthy spending habits is critical. Also, in doing so, you are setting them up for success later in life.
READ MORE: Raising Savvy Savers
Our Mobile app has been upgraded! Much will look the same but you will also have the ability to put in your Clinton National Bank debit or credit card into the wallet. From here, you can control your card(s)!
READ MORE: Love at First Login
Lending
Real Estate is consistently a good investment. Interest rates, however, will raise and lower as the economy cycles. That can make buyers leery of locking in fixed rates during the high end of the cycle. Especially after the all-time low rate market we sustained the last few years. Its important for home buyers to remember refinance is always an option for buyers who find themselves buying at the higher end of the cycle.
READ MORE: When is a good time to buy a home?
Consumers (that’s you) are allowed to review their credit report for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com. There is no fee to do this and it does not hurt your credit to pull it!
READ MORE: Check Your Free Annual Credit Report
For most people, part of “The American Dream” is OWNING your home. Sometimes people choose to extend that dream and BUILD their home. This might sound like an overwhelming process! However, if you partner with your lender and contractor, building can be simpler than you think
READ MORE: Build Your Home
Many first-time home buyers are sure they can pay their NEW mortgage payment when applying for a home loan, but worry about HOW they will come up with the funds needed to secure their down payment as well as the closing costs
READ MORE: Down Payment Options
No one likes the thought of owing money. But as many business owners know, there's often no way around having debt. Here’s some ways you can reduce your debt for your business and pump up that bottom line.
READ MORE: Business Owners: Reduce Debt
Home Equity Loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit? Turn the equity you have in your home into a source for home improvements, bill consolidation, and more.
READ MORE: Home Equity Loan/Line of Credit
Thinking of buying your first home but not sure where to start?! This is a great place!
READ MORE: First Time Home Buyer
Credit is something that is not easily understood and it has a lasting effect on your financial situation. By keeping your credit score high, you are more likely to receive lower interest rates on loans and credit cards. These lower interest rates correlate with more money in the bank because you are not having to pay as much in interest. More money means more savings which means more success.
READ MORE: Use Credit Wisely
Fraud & Cyber Security
Imagine waking up and realizing that your social media account, email, or even your bank account has been hacked. That’s certainly unsettling! With the increase in online transactions and activities, illegal hacking seems to be a booming business.
READ MORE: Change Your Password
You only have so much time to address a charge and dispute it (if necessary) before you can no longer dispute it and you could be out that money.
READ MORE: Don't Ignore Those Suspicious Charges!
Fraud/scams seem to be an all year-round fiasco these days. Scammers are now becoming more convincing by customizing their scam to certain times of the year, like tax season for example...
READ MORE: Recognizing Tax Scams
We live in a digital world, and most of us give little thought to data privacy …that is until AFTER our personal data has been compromised. Most of us rely on digital technologies, and being aware of what we share about ourselves, when and where we share it, and who we are sharing it with is all part of data privacy awareness.
READ MORE: 5 Tips for Safeguarding Personal Information
The average person spends over 2 hours a day on social media. This time does not go without some inherent risks!
Hackers are constantly on the prowl for information they can use in malicious attacks, whether it’s stealing your identity, hacking your information online, or getting you to download malware.
READ MORE: Social Media Sharing
Fraud attempts are on the rise with stimulus payments and tax refunds hitting accounts. No one wants to be a victim of fraud. Unfortunately, fraudsters are getting better and better at their game. My go-to for staying safe? STAR: Stop, Think, Act, Review.
READ MORE: Become a STAR Against Fraud
Retirement & Estate Planning
The New Year is here, and so are new IRS limits for IRA and 401(k) contributions! The amounts have increased substantially for 2023. Check out our latest blog for more details.
READ MORE: Retirement Planning Key Numbers
Begin investing today! Whether you are starting your career or contemplating retirement in the next few years, it is important to make the most of your current earnings. That means paying yourself first. Set aside 2% to 10% or more of your gross salary. Here are a few ways to do that:
READ MORE: Saving for Retirement
Wills- What, Who, When & how, learn it all here!
READ MORE: Wills
Investments
Want to learn about investments? Check out this glossary of investment terms for beginners.
READ MORE: Investment Glossary
What is a 401(k) Plan? Many don't know, but you can learn all the basics here!
READ MORE: 401(k) Plans
Locations & ATMS
Security Tips
Prime Time 50 Club Events
