Skip to main content
Find Your Local Branch
Back
Scroll to top

Personal Finance Articles & Advice

Personal Finances 2 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch

Looking for advice on how to better manage your finances? First Bank’s* collection of personal finance articles can help you with every aspect of managing your funds, from saving money to investing or buying a house.

Personal Finance Advice Articles

Girl managing finances with online device5 Tips for Safely Managing Your Finances Online

Keeping track of your finances is easy when you create an online account with your bank. And while managing personal financial information online may seem dangerous, there are ways to do it safely. These 5 tips will help you safely manage your finances online.

Cars in Lot - Tips for Buying New CarBuying Your First New Car: What to Know

Buying your first car should be a fun and exciting experience, not a stressful one. Before you take a test drive, consider these tips on buying your first new car.

How to avoid paying too much for a house - First BankHow to Avoid Paying Too Much for a House

You’ve finally found your dream home, but it seems a little overpriced. You don’t want to give it up, but you can’t pay that much. So what do you do? This article features tips from real estate agents that can help you avoid paying too much for the house of your dreams.

Exterior of a traditional college campus.How to Get Help Paying for College

College is expensive, and it is only getting more expensive each year. But that doesn’t mean getting a college education is unattainable. This article highlights just a few of the many organizations that are stepping up and offering to help students pay for college.

Umbrellas - Life Hacks to Save Money10 “Life Hacks” That Will Save You Money

Sometimes saving money can seem like an impossible task. When creating a budget, you might be tempted to cut the big things first, but it’s actually the little expenses that can save you the most money in the long run. Use these 10 “life hacks” to start saving today.

For more articles on personal finance, visit First Bank’s Financial Education Center.

———

Source:

CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/16/why-college-costs-are-so-high-and-rising.html

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch
Share:

You may be interested in...

Personal Loan Rates in South Carolina If you live in South Carolina and are looking for competitive personal loan rates,* visit a local First Bank for highly competitive rates and flexible terms. We’re dedicated to serving our customers and providing a variety of loan options—from personal lines of credit to home equity lines of credit. Our loan experts will help determine which option is best for you. Personal Loans from First Bank Personal loans can be helpful when you have a medical emergency, home expenses, or other unexpected costs. Take a look at the personal loan options offered by First Bank: Personal Line of Credit—This personal loan grants you with instant borrowing power. Ready Reserve: Overdraft Protection—To avoid accidental account overdrafts, think about getting overdraft protection. First Bank will automatically transfer funds into your First Bank checking account from your overdraft line of credit to prevent costly fees. If you need a larger loan for bigger purchases, think about applying for a home equity line of credit. A First Bank home equity line of credit (HELOC) offers low interest rates and flexibility in funding larger expenses like debt consolidation, medical bills, and other costs. Tips to Consider Before Getting a Personal Loan Before applying for a personal loan, consider these tips to get the best interest rate: Compare Your Options—Consider whether a personal loan would be cheaper than a low-interest credit card. The experts at First Bank can help you compare these options and determine which you could pay back faster. Find a Cosigner—If you have a low credit score, a cosigner with a high credit score could help you qualify and get you better rates. Consider a Secured Loan—Secured loans, also known as collateral loans, allow you to pledge the title to one of your assets, like a car or home, in return for a larger loan. Pay Off Credit Cards—Any balance you have on a credit card could count against you when applying for a loan. Visit Your Local First Bank Today Visit one of our fifteen South Carolina First Bank locations to start an application. ——— Sources: Bank Rate: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/topic/heloc.aspx *Loans subject to credit approval. 2 min read
Image for tile. How to Spot Fraud: Four Signs That it’s a Scam 1. Scammers Pretend to Be From an Organization You Know One of the most common tactics scammers use is posing as a trusted organization, such as a government agency, utility provider, or even your bank. They might claim to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or a local business you’re familiar with. Using technology to spoof phone numbers, they can make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate source. What You Can Do: Always verify the source independently. Look up the organization’s official contact number and call them directly. Be wary of unsolicited communications, especially if they request sensitive information. Don’t trust caller ID alone; it can be easily manipulated. First Bank Customers:  NEVER share your secure access codes. If you receive a suspicious call, email, or text from someone claiming to be a First Bank representative asking for a code that was sent to your phone or email, STOP all communication. First Bank will NEVER ask for that information. Please STOP all communication with that person and call First Bank customer support at 1-866-792-4357. 2. Scammers Say There’s a Problem or a Prize Scammers often appeal to fear or excitement. They might claim you owe money to the government, that there’s an issue with one of your accounts, or that you’ve won a prize. The catch? You’ll need to provide personal information or pay a fee to resolve the issue or claim your reward. What You Can Do: Pause and think. Legitimate organizations don’t ask for immediate payments or sensitive information over the phone or via email. Be cautious of high-pressure tactics; they’re designed to make you act without thinking. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 3. Scammers Pressure You to Act Immediately A sense of urgency is a hallmark of scam attempts. Fraudsters don’t want to give you time to think, verify their claims, or consult someone else. They might threaten legal action, suspension of accounts, or worse to coerce you into acting quickly. What You Can Do: Take your time. Legitimate organizations will not rush you or threaten you into making hasty decisions. Hang up if a caller refuses to let you disconnect or tries to intimidate you. Reach out to a trusted advisor or your bank for guidance if you’re unsure. 4. Scammers Tell You to Pay in a Specific Way Another red flag is when scammers demand payment via unconventional methods like cryptocurrency, payment apps, wire transfers, or gift cards. They might also send a fake check and ask you to deposit it before transferring money back to them. What You Can Do: Be suspicious of requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency; these methods are often untraceable. Never send money or provide financial information based on a request from an unsolicited call, email, or message. If you receive a check, wait for your bank to verify its authenticity before using the funds. Final Tips for Staying Safe Educate Yourself and Others: Share these tips with family and friends to help them avoid scams. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Always err on the side of caution. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraud, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to local authorities or organizations like the FTC. By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself from scammers and safeguard your financial well-being. Remember: Your bank is here to help. If you ever have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. First Bank is Here to Help If you feel that you have fallen victim to a scam, what should you do next? At First Bank, we recommend calling us immediately. You may reach us at 1‑866‑792‑4357 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Or you may submit an e‑mail message to fraud@localfirstbank.com. Our associates are trained in fraud response and will advise you on your next steps. Stop by your nearest First Bank branch to talk through any questions or concerns you might have about your account security or how our different banking policies work to keep you safe. If you can’t make it to one of our branches, call our customer support center at 1-866-792-4357. 4 min read
Image for tile. How to Save for Periods Without a Paycheck Did you know that two out of five wage and salary earners over the age of 15 know their schedule less than one month in advance? If that sounds like you, or if you're a teacher on a 10-month pay cycle, try this calculator to help you figure out the best approach to savings during those periods without pay. 1 min read
Checking Account Offers in South Carolina If you live in South Carolina and you’re looking for some of the best checking account offers, your local First Bank can help. We offer a variety of checking account options—from basic accounts to accounts with tons of features to premium accounts that earn interest. Checking Accounts at First Bank First Bank is one of the best banks for checking accounts in South Carolina. Each of our checking accounts comes with free online and mobile banking,* online bill pay, and free eStatements or paper statements. Our checking account offers include: Everywhere Checking — our most basic account. Everywhere Plus — an account that has all the benefits of Everywhere Checking, plus the chance to earn interest on your balance. Everywhere Premium — an account that has all the basics of Everywhere Plus, plus additional complimentary services. Campus Checking — an account designed for students between ages of 16 and 25. Senior Checking — an account designed specifically for seniors over 55. Compare our checking account offers to see which one is the right fit for you. Find a First Bank Near You Find a South Carolina First Bank location near you to learn more about our account offers or click here to open an account online today. While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. The First Bank Digital Banking Apps are available for select mobile and tablet devices. There is no charge from First Bank, but message and data rates may apply. Must enroll in First Bank Online Banking and download the First Bank Digital Banking App from the App Store or Google Play. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple, Inc. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc. Out of network terminal owners may charge a service fee. 2 min read
First Bank logo
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website are the most popular and useful.