Check Fraud on the Rise

Despite a steep decline in the use of written checks — 82% over the last 30 years, according to the Federal Reserve — check fraud has become increasingly popular among criminals, resulting in billions in losses per year — more than twice what it was five years ago. While Iowa State Bank implements many measures to help spot check fraud, there are many actions consumers can take to protect themselves as well. That’s why Iowa State Bank is offering seven simple tips consumers

Seven Steps for Building a Strong Financial Foundation at an Early Age: Creating a solid financial plan is crucial to achieving one’s financial goals. It’s advantageous to start planning early to increase the likelihood of reaching those accomplishments. The choices young people make today will lay the foundation for the wealth and security they will enjoy tomorrow. But for people under the age of 25, it’s difficult to know where to start. Below is a list of seven steps young

Tax season is stressful. As W-2s and tax returns containing consumers’ personal information circulate over the internet and through the mail, cyber-criminals ramp up their efforts to commit fraud. Consumers should be on high alert and take every step they can to protect their personal and financial information. Here are six tips to help you avoid fraud during tax season: 1. Keep your personal information private. Never provide your Social Security number or bank account information to anyone

Getting your first credit card can be an exciting moment. It's a significant financial milestone that represents financial independence and responsibility. If not used carefully, however, they can also lead to financial pitfalls. To help you make the most of your first credit card experience, here are the dos and don’ts you should follow when using your first credit card. Do apply for a credit card early — Most experts agree that you should apply for your first credit card as

Peer-to-peer Payment Scams & Fraud - Ten tips to protect yourself. Many P2P apps allow you to send money with just a single click or swipe. That speed gives online thieves chances to take advantage of users who aren’t paying attention. In the past, many asked to be paid using gift cards. These days, they’re using many of the same tricks—but asking for payment over P2P apps instead. Here are some common scenarios to be aware of: Unauthorized electronic fund transfers:

Weddings can be beautiful, fun … and costly. So whether you’re planning on spending a few hundred dollars for a simple ceremony or tens of thousands for something elaborate, it’s important to plan ahead, set a spending goal, then cut back if expenses get out of control. After popping the big question, the next step will involve what kind of wedding you want to have - and who’s going to be paying for it. While tradition has the bride’s and groom’s parents

There are so many benefits to getting your home loan from a local community bank. But if you want to save money on your mortgage you will want to shop for your loan. As consumers, we do our research and compare prices, quality, etc. on most purchases we make daily, so why would it be any different for one of the biggest expenses we have as a consumer? You may have seen in the news lately that there have been changes to mortgage fees starting May 1st. The Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA),

Spring is finally here and summer is just around the corner, making this an ideal time to start thinking about summer vacation plans. Finding a vacation you can afford as well as enjoy can be tricky but, with a little planning, it’s possible to not break your budget on your summer holiday. Stressing about finances is the last thing you want to do while on vacation. That’s why it’s important to take a few steps to make sure you don’t have a financial surprise that breaks

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