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Planning the Right Mix for Retirement As you enter this important stage in your financial well-being, are you setup to leave the workplace one day financially empowered? 3 min read

How Much Should I Have in Savings at Age 35? How much money should you have in your savings account at the age of 35? It largely depends on when you started saving, your income and lifestyle, and whether you carry consumer debt. Savings for Adults in Their Mid-Thirties You might have heard friends, parents or financial advisors at local banks advise you to follow the 50/30/20 rule. If you follow this rule, you’ll break up your income in the following manner: No more than 50% of your income should go to required expenses, such as shelter or food. No more than 30% can go towards the wants in life, such as your gym membership or cable. The final 20% of your income should to towards savings, retirement and paying off debt. Some experts explain it another way and recommend that your savings should equal your salary by age 35. Still another way to approach savings is by using this guide from CNN Money. According to this, 35 year-olds should have saved the following, depending on their income: Income Estimated Amount in Savings $40,000 $60,000 $65,000 $97,500 $90,000 $135,000 $115,000 $172,500 However, this isn’t necessarily the case for many Americans, especially those with consumer debt or who didn’t get a job until later in their 20s. The savings goal at any age is simply to save so that you have an emergency fund, can pay off debt, and are able to invest. Now is the Time to Start Saving for Retirement Once you begin saving, it’s important to begin investing your wealth to let your money grow. This can be done through stocks and bonds, job promotions and salary increases, or even buying the apartment you’ve been renting. Your investment options should begin small and increase the more you save. Additionally, you should be making regular contributions to your IRA or 401k, whichever your company provides and matches. There’s no single answer to how much savings you should have by age 35. Ultimately, it comes down to your own unique budget and contributions. To learn more about savings at any age, contact your local First Bank* today. Our financial advisors can speak with you about your savings and help you plan for retirement. ——— Sources: CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/retirement/2015/09/01/how-much-do-i-need-for-retirement/2.html CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/2014/02/10/qa-were-in-our-30s-how-much-should-we-be-saving.html Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. 3 min read

Best Checking Accounts – North Carolina First Bank strives to provide our customers with the best checking accounts in North Carolina. That is why each of our checking accounts comes with unique benefits such as free online and mobile banking and free online bill pay. Compare Checking Accounts from First Bank in North Carolina First Bank strives to provide our customers with the best checking account options. That is why each of our checking accounts comes with unique benefits and features. Our checking account options include: Everywhere Checking — our most basic account. Free online and mobile banking* Free online bill pay Free eStatements or paper statements Earn rewards points when use your eligible First Bank credit card* Everywhere Plus — earn interest on the money you save. Free online and mobile banking* Free online bill pay Free eStatements or paper statements Earn rewards points when use your eligible First Bank credit card* Interest at a minimal balance requirement* Everywhere Premium — enjoy premium benefits. Free online and mobile banking* Free online bill pay Free eStatements or paper statements No transaction fees on out-of-network ATM withdrawals Earn rewards points when use your eligible First Bank credit card* Free member checks or 50% discount on alternate check designs 4 free official checks per statement cycle Interest at a minimal balance requirement Campus Checking — an account specifically for students under 25. No monthly maintenance fees Free online and mobile banking* Free online bill pay Free eStatements or paper statements No First Bank transaction fees on 8 out-of-network ATM withdrawals per month Earn Rewards Points at hundreds of online retailers when you use your eligible First Bank credit card Senior Checking — for customers over 55. Free online and mobile banking* Free online bill pay Free eStatements or paper statements Earn rewards points when use your eligible First Bank credit card* Free basic checks or 50% off other designs Checking Account Comparison Chart We have an easy-to-scan checking account comparison chart to help you find the right fit account. Why First Bank? First Bank has evolved to meet the needs of our customers. We started out as a small bank in a small North Carolina town, helping local farmers and businessmen manage their finances. Since then we have expanded our services and clientele over three states, and we 4 min read

How Much Savings Should I Have At Age 30? Do you know how much savings you should have at age 30? Unfortunately, there is no exact answer. Expert advice conflicts between encouraging 30-year-olds to save more and investing their already saved money into assets. However, if you’ve been saving the recommended 10-25% of your income in your 20s, then you’re already off to a great start! Estimated Amount of Savings by Age 30 How much savings you have, or should have, depends on your income. CNN Money provides the following estimates for people in their 30s to use as a guide to retirement savings. Income Estimated Savings Amount $40,000 $60,000 $65,000 $97,500 $90,000 $135,000 $115,000 $172,500 If these aren’t the numbers reflected in your savings account balance, don’t panic! This can easily be an over- or under-estimation for many, especially depending on when in your 20s you began saving. Focus on Investing Over Saving Rather than focusing on the number you should or should not have by the time you’re 30, you should instead focus on investing and paying off your debt. You have plenty of time to save up for that trip to Bermuda, but that shouldn’t be done while you’re carrying credit card debt. Money Under 30 recommends three financial goals that you should hit by the age of 30: Pay off consumer debt as soon as you can, including credit card debt and auto loans. Save an emergency fund of at least three months’ (or more!) worth of living expenses in case you are suddenly unemployed or have to foot a pricey car repair bill. Begin investing, as that adds to your net worth more than how much you’ve set aside in savings thus far. Consult with an investment advisor before making any investments. For more advice and guidance on savings, investing and retirement, contact your local First Bank* branch today. ——— Sources: Financial Samurai: http://www.financialsamurai.com/how-much-savings-should-i-have-accumulated-by-age/ CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/retirement/2015/09/01/how-much-do-i-need-for-retirement/2.html Money Under 30: http://www.moneyunder30.com/how-much-money-saved-30 Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Institutions and FB Wealth Management, a division of First Bank, are not affiliated. We do not provide tax advice. Consult your tax advisor. Investment and Insurance Products are: Not Guaranteed by the Bank Not FDIC Insured Not a Deposit Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency May Lose Value including Loss of 2 min read

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