Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Back
Scroll to top

Your Community Bank

Personal Finances 2 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

If you live in North Carolina or South Carolina, you have a ton of banking options right outside your door. Large financial institutions may seem like your best option for banking services at first, but community banks typically offer more consumer-friendly services and fewer fees.

Choose the Right Community Bank

First Bank is your community bank that cares about local roots. Since 1935, we have been providing our customers with community-centric banking services, including:

    • Personal banking options, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, debit and credit cards, personal loans, and more.
    • Business banking options, like checking and savings accounts, business loans, merchant services, and treasury services.
    • Wealth management services, like asset managements, mutual funds, and estate services.
    • Insurance products, such as life and health insurance for individuals and commercial insurance for businesses.
    • Mortgage loan options, including conventional, government, jumbo, first-time home buyer, and more.

    Your Community Bank

    The Benefits of a Community Bank

    According to Bankrate.com there are many other advantages to choosing a community bank over a big bank.

    For example:

    • Community banks are relationship-based, and the employees typically know you and your whole family on a personal level. Community banks are also smaller and can therefore offer personalized service.
    • Community banks also typically offer lower fees and lower balance requirements than big banks.
    • Being smaller allows community banks to have more lending flexibility than bigger banks
    • Community banks tend to stick to their local roots, which means they strive to offer great services with low fees and give back to the community.

    First Bank is small enough to know you like a neighbor, large enough to handle all of your banking needs, and dedicated to supporting our local communities. To learn more about us and our banking services, visit your local First Bank branch today.

    ———

    Sources:

    Bankrate: http://www.bankrate.com/banking/community-banks-vs-big-banks/

Ready to talk to an expert?

Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Image for tile. What is Phone Spoofing? False Caller ID Information What is Phone Spoofing? Phone spoofing is when scammers manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though they are calling from a local number, a trusted business, or even a government agency. This deception is used to trick you into answering the call and engaging with them, often leading to financial fraud or identity theft. How to Spot a Spoofing Scam Scammers use various techniques to gain your trust or create panic. Here are some red flags to watch out for: Unexpected calls or texts from familiar-looking numbers – Just because a number appears local doesn’t mean it is. Requests for personal or financial information – No legitimate organization will call or text and ask for your Social Security number, account details, or passwords. Pressure to make immediate payments – Scammers often try to create urgency, threatening legal action or service disconnection if you don’t pay immediately. Automated messages asking you to press a button – This is often a tactic to confirm your number is active, leading to more scam calls. How to Protect Yourself The good news is there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of spoofing scams: Don’t answer calls or texts from unknown numbers – If the call is important, the caller will leave a message. Hang up immediately – If you answer and realize it’s a scam, don’t engage. Just hang up. Verify the caller’s identity – If a caller claims to be from a trusted organization, hang up and call the company directly using a verified number from their official website or a recent bill. Make sure you manually enter the correct phone number, don’t trust your caller ID incase the number was spoofed. Be skeptical of unexpected requests – Whether it’s an offer that sounds too good to be true or a demand for urgent payment, always be cautious. Avoid sharing personal information – Never provide sensitive details over the phone unless you are 100% sure of the caller’s legitimacy. Use call-blocking tools – Many phone carriers offer services to help block suspected spam and scam calls. Report suspicious calls – You can report spoofing scams to law enforcement, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/spoofing, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Report suspicious texts – You can report spam text messages to your wireless provider by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future. Use these links for instructions on how to forward a text message: iPhone instructions or Android instructions Stay Aware, Stay Safe At First Bank, we prioritize your security and want to help you stay informed about potential scams. By staying aware and taking preventive measures, you can protect yourself from fraudsters and keep your personal information secure. 3 min read
What Are 20-Year Mortgage Rates? There are various factors to consider when purchasing a home, including how to finance it. Some consumers may opt for a mortgage with a shorter term while others find it beneficial to extend the mortgage. It may be best to look for a 20-year mortgage for a lower price without putting yourself in debt until retirement. First, let us help you answer the question, “What are 20-year mortgage rates?” What are 20-year Mortgage Rates? 20-year mortgage rates are an alternative to 15 and 30-year mortgage rates, the most common types of mortgage loans. 15, 20, and 30-year mortgages are usually offered as fixed-rate mortgages, meaning the interest rate you pay never changes. A 20-year fixed mortgage rate typically allows you to build equity faster and pay off your home in less time than other longer-term mortgage loans. They also typically have lower interest rates than other mortgage options because the term of the loan is shorter. Benefits of a Fixed-Rate Mortgage First Bank offers conventional fixed-rate mortgages, available in terms of 15, 20, and 30 years. There are many benefits to a First Bank fixed-rate mortgage, including: Predictable monthly P&I payments Protection from rising interest rates for the life of the loan Sound investment for long-term home owners What is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage? First Bank also offers adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs. ARMs have interest rates that change periodically. When the rate changes, your monthly payment will either increase or decrease depending on whether the rates rise or fall. First Bank’s ARMs are available for 30-year amortization schedules, with initial periods of 3, 5, or 7 years. Contact First Bank Today Whether you’re buying a home or interested in refinancing, First Bank has a loan option for you. If you are still have questions about mortgage rates or conventional loans, contact the First Bank Mortgage Help Center, or visit a First Bank branch near you. 2 min read