Banking | Credit Card Topics

ChoiceOne Bank Contributes Time and Talent to Support Temporary Agricultural Workers, Students, and Many Others in West Michigan

By: Adam West, 5/15/2019

In a Nutshell: ChoiceOne Bank begins and ends in farm country, working since 1898 on behalf of farmers, businesspeople, and families in West Michigan. As times have changed, the bank has too, but one thing that hasn't is its commitment to the people who help its communities succeed. With ambitious and creative programs that make financial services accessible to temporary agricultural workers and by helping area students start career savings accounts, ChoiceOne is building a better... read more »

Applied Bank’s Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Card is Our 2019 Editor’s Choice for Its Low-Rate APR and Ease of Approval

By: Adam West, 5/13/2019

In a Nutshell: Applied Bank has a long history of providing secured credit card offerings to consumers seeking to establish or improve their credit profiles. For a $48 annual fee, the bank’s Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Card comes with a very low 9.99% APR on purchases and cash advances. The card’s credit limits range between $200 and $1,000, depending on the amount of the initial refundable security deposit, and can increase to $5,000 after account approval. Like most things... read more »

FirstBank Earns Recognition for Investing in Colorado, Arizona, and California Communities Through Financial Literacy and Charitable Contributions

By: Adam West, 5/6/2019

In a Nutshell: FirstBank is a rare breed among large financial institutions in that it prioritizes customer satisfaction and community reinvestment. It starts with supporting financial literacy initiatives that educate children on the importance of money management. FirstBank also donates to local nonprofit organizations and encourages employees to give back by providing paid time off for volunteer work. And on the customer side, FirstBank offers a convenient, mobile-centric... read more »

Security First Bank is Recognized for Fostering Financial Literacy in Nebraska and South Dakota Communities Through Online Courses and Hands-On Programs

By: Adam West, 4/24/2019

In a Nutshell: Security First Bank operates 29 branches in Nebraska and South Dakota and serves those rural communities with an emphasis on providing financial literacy resources. The bank offers free Banzai courses and the MX Personal Financial Management tool to help customers and community members learn money management skills. And, by providing personal finance education programs in local schools, Security First Bank empowers the next generation to make wise decisions. For its... read more »

Low Fees and Flexible Terms Make Trustco Bank’s Home Equity Loans and Credit Lines Our 2019 Editor’s Choice™

By: Adam West, 4/15/2019

In a Nutshell: For more than 100 years, Trustco Bank has provided a personalized touch to its customers. The institution’s home equity loan and line of credit are our 2019 Editor’s Choice™ for their low rates and flexible terms. Both products lend up to $300,000 and eschew the appraisal, origination, and closing fees that other lenders often charge. Loans typically close within 30 days. Life happens. Unexpected expenses arise and finding the money to pay for life’s... read more »

Fairfield County Bank Invests in Connecticut Communities through Small Business Support and Charitable Giving

By: Adam West, 3/29/2019

In a Nutshell: Fairfield County Bank serves one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S. But as its population increases, the county faces new challenges, which is why Fairfield County Bank invests in small businesses, organizations, and causes that boost the local economy and help local residents. In 2018, the bank donated $1 million to nearly 350 organizations chosen by employees and logged more than 4,000 volunteer hours. Fairfield County Bank, established in 1871, also looks for... read more »

Giving with Impact: In Upstate South Carolina, Countybank Strategically Donates Where It Can Make the Most Difference

By: Adam West, 3/28/2019

In a Nutshell: By virtue of its history as a locally owned institution founded during the Great Depression, Greenwood, SC-based Countybank fields many requests from area organizations in need of support. The bank's plan for prioritizing its giving takes all its financial centers into account, draws on its associates' personal experiences and passions, and always seeks to combine corporate and associate involvement. The result is a strategy for "giving with impact" that maximizes the... read more »

Happy State Bank: Delivering Financial Literacy to Children in Texas and Putting Families First with a Faith-Based Philosophy

By: Matt Walker, 2/27/2019

In a Nutshell: Happy State Bank is a faith-based, Christian bank based in Amarillo, Texas, that demonstrates a commitment to providing financial literacy to students in its service area. Its Kids’ Bank program offers students the opportunity to open a savings account. Another component of the program — Kids’ Bank days — takes the banking experience to local schools where students get to work as tellers, make cash deposits into their accounts, and receive a real-world education... read more »

More Than Money: Berkshire Bank Impacts Millions of People and Builds Stronger Communities Through Volunteerism and Social Responsibility

By: Ray FitzGerald, 2/12/2019

In a Nutshell: Having gotten its start serving a single county in Massachusetts, Berkshire Bank carries that history of personalized service into every aspect of its business. The bank now covers six states, in large part, because of its dedication to each community it serves. Berkshire donates both time and money to community nonprofits, and was named one of Massachusetts' Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. In 2018, the bank impacted more than 1 million people... read more »

Pioneer Bank: Strengthening Southwest Communities through Philanthropy, Sound Lending, and Customer Service for 118 Years

By: Adam West, 2/7/2019

In a Nutshell: Since 1901, Pioneer Bank has helped the people of the Southwest by providing products and services that foster community well-being. The bank’s investments in real estate development and local business growth translate into job creation, affordable housing, and increased public revenue. And through its Team Pioneer program, the bank donates resources to hundreds of community nonprofits, with its employees volunteering more than 2,600 hours of their own time in 2018 to... read more »

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