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Conventional Mortgage Loans Applying for a home loan can be a strenuous process, especially if you’re unsure which type of loan is the best fit for your financial situation. Before you apply, it is important to understand the two types of loans available to you: conventional mortgage loans and a government-backed loans. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of conventional loans. What are Conventional Mortgages? Conventional loans can have fixed or variable interest rates, which can be impacted by your credit score. Qualifications for conventional loans are usually stricter than government-backed loans because they carry a higher risk for banks and private lenders. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the banks and private lenders are not protected. These kinds of loans are not insured by the federal government, but they are still required to follow guidelines set by the Federal National Mortgage Association—a.k.a. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A Conventional Loan to Meet Your Needs If you live in North Carolina or South Carolina and are looking for a flexible and affordable conventional loan,* look no further than your local First Bank. We offer both adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgages with a range of features and benefits that are sure to fit your specific financial needs. Conventional Adjustable-Rate Mortgages This kind of mortgage loan changes periodically depending on shifts in the corresponding financial index associated with the loan. ARMs generally have a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages. Both your interest rate and your P&I (monthly principal and interest) payments will stay the same for an initial period of 3, 5 or 7 years. After that it will adjust periodically. Interest rate caps set a limit on how high your interest rate can go for your P&I payment for each adjustment and over the life of the loan. Loans are available for 30-year amortization schedules. Conventional Fixed-Rate Mortgages Your interest rate and P&I payments stay the same for the life of your loan. That predictability for your monthly P&I payments enables you to budget more easily. This kind of loan is available in a variety of loan term options, and it protects you from rising interest rates no matter how high they fluctuate. This option is good for individuals or 3 min read

A Checking Account Comparison Worth Your Time Contrary to popular belief, not every checking account is the same. That’s why First Bank has five options to ensure there’s one to fit your specific needs. Review our checking account comparison below to find your perfect match. Find Your Best Fit: Compare our Five Checking Account Options With First Bank, you can access your accounts anytime and anywhere with our free online and mobile banking. All our accounts also provide you with free eStatements (or paper statements). Check out the list below or view this handy checking account comparison chart. Everywhere Checking Free MasterCard® debit card Free online and mobile banking* provides you with 24/7 access to your money You can easily view and track debit card purchases at any time. Need to deposit a check or transfer funds? With just a few clicks on your mobile device, you’re done. Free online bill pay means no more writing checks or navigating various websites. Reduce your carbon footprint with free eStatements that are easily managed without the paper weight. Instant alerts means you’re constantly in touch with your account’s activity and management. Easily set your notification preferences for email, text message or phone call. Everywhere Plus Think about all the perks you would gain with Everywhere Checking, plus being able to earn interest. Everywhere Premium All the benefits of Everywhere Plus No First Bank transaction fees on out-of-network ATM withdrawals* Free member checks, or a 50% discount on alternate designs Four free official checks per statement cycle Campus Checking For students under the age of 25 Besides free online and mobile banking, we also provide you with free online bill pay and free eStatements No minimum balance or monthly maintenance fees Get 8 out-of-network ATM withdrawals with no First Bank transaction fees each month. Senior Checking If you are 55 and older, this may be the account for you. Besides free online and mobile banking, we also provide you with free online bill pay and free eStatements. Free member checks or 50% off other designs Visit First Bank Today If you found this comparison helpful and would like to learn more about how to open a checking account with us, visit one of our numerous locations today. We also offer a variety of checking 3 min read

Fraud Protection Best Practices: When to use a Credit Card vs. a Debit Card Key Fraud-Related Differences Between Credit Cards and Debit Cards A credit card allows you to borrow money from a lender up to a set limit, with the expectation of paying it back later, often with interest if not paid in full. A debit card, on the other hand, directly withdraws funds from your bank account when you make a purchase, limiting spending to the amount in your account. Balancing credit and debit card use can enhance both security and financial stability. If someone steals your credit card information, they are effectively stealing the credit card issuer’s money, not directly accessing your bank account. This separation provides a crucial security buffer, giving you time to dispute charges without risking essential funds like rent or grocery money. In contrast, debit card fraud affects your checking account immediately, which can cause financial disruptions until the issue is resolved. First Bank Cardholders: Did you know that First Bank credit and debit cards offer Mastercard’s zero-liability protection? Whether you are using your First Bank credit or debit card, you’ll only pay for purchases that you have authorized on your Mastercard® card. Unauthorized purchases are not your responsibility. Instances Where a Credit Card can Offer Increased Fraud Protection Online Purchases Credit cards are generally safer for online transactions. They offer robust fraud protection, and most credit card companies monitor for suspicious activity, often reimbursing fraudulent charges quickly. Travel and International Transactions When traveling, especially abroad, use a credit card. Credit cards typically offer better fraud monitoring and reduced liability if your card information is compromised. Big-Ticket Purchases Use a credit card for expensive items like electronics or home appliances. Many credit cards come with purchase protection, extended warranties, and easier dispute resolution if something goes wrong. Recurring Payments or Subscriptions Credit cards provide better protection if you need to dispute unauthorized subscription charges, helping avoid interruptions to your service while the issue is resolved. Best Practices for Card Security Monitor Transactions: Regularly check both credit and debit accounts for unauthorized activity. Use Secure Websites: Look for “https://” in website URLs when shopping online. Enable Alerts: Sign up for transaction alerts for immediate fraud detection. Report Issues Promptly: The sooner you report suspicious activity, the better your chances of minimizing loss. Responsible Credit Card Use To maximize fraud protection while maintaining financial health, use credit cards responsibly by: Paying the Balance in Full: Avoid interest charges by clearing the balance each month. Staying Within Limits: Use only a portion of your credit limit to maintain a healthy credit score. Making Timely Payments: Pay on time to avoid late fees and credit score damage. 3 min read

High Interest Checking Accounts – North Carolina A high interest checking account in North Carolina can offer a safe, steady solution for those who want to grow their money without much risk. At First Bank, we have several branches conveniently located across the state to help make high-interest checking accounts more accessible. Our Everywhere Plus account allows you to build interest on a minimal balance requirement and comes complete with: Free online and mobile banking. Free automated online bill payments. Free monthly statements delivered by paper or electronically. Free email, phone call or text message alerts to notify you of any account activity. The ability to avoid monthly maintenance fees by keeping a minimum or average collected balance. Looking for a High Interest Account with Benefits in North Carolina? If you’re looking for a high-interest checking account that offers even a little bit more, our Everywhere Premium account might be for you. With Everywhere Premium you’ll earn interest with a minimum balance requirement and benefit from all the perks of Everywhere Plus in addition to: No First Bank transaction fees at non-First Bank ATMs. Free member checks or 50% off of alternate designs and four free official checks per month. The ability to avoid monthly maintenance fees by maintaining certain monthly requirements. If you run a North Carolina business and you’re looking to build interest on your business funds, First Bank also has an interest-bearing business checking account. The account comes with all the features of Everywhere Plus and includes such business-friendly benefits as 250 free transactions per month and up to $10,000 in cash or coin deposits per month at no charge. High Interest Checking Accounts for NC Businesses First Bank also offers high-interest checking accounts for businesses. With our Business Interest account, you can make 250 transactions per month, earn rewards benefits with a First Bank credit card and enjoy free 24-hour telephone banking. With our Business Advantage Plus account, you get all of the benefits of Business Interest, as well as 500 free transactions per month and cash or coin deposits of up to $25,000 every month at no charge. Open a First Bank Checking Account Today To open a high interest checking account at First Bank, all you have to do is visit your nearest North 3 min read

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