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Paying for College

Study up on ways to pay for that diploma.

Illustration of books and money.

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Best Personal Loan Rates in North Carolina If you live in North Carolina and are looking for a personal loan, your local First Bank can help. We have over 100 locations in North Carolina that offer highly competitive personal loan rates. We make choosing a personal loan easy with flexible terms and personalized service. Personal Loans from First Bank Just as personal loan rates can vary, so can the options associated with the loan. First Bank is proud to offer a variety of personal loan options with competitive rates, such as: Personal line of credit Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) Personal credit card with rewards Auto loan Boat loans Learn more about First Bank’s personal loan options. How are Personal Loan Rates Determined? As you shop around for the best personal loan rates in North Carolina, you might begin to wonder why the rates can vary from one place to the next. So what gives? As illustrated by Loan.com, there are four primary factors that affect personal loan rates. In North Carolina, there are scores of First Bank locations that offer personal loans so your options are plentiful. Here are three things that affect personal loan rates. Credit score. Simply put, the better your credit score, the better personal loan rate you are likely to get. Loan options. There are a number of different types of personal loans and each come with their own factors of interest rates. National prime rate. Set by the Federal Reserve to control the supply of money in the economy, this rate can have a direct affect on your personal loan rate. The best way to find the most competitive personal loan rates with some of the most flexible loan options is to simply locate your nearest First Bank and speak to one of our friendly loan representatives. Loans subject to credit approval. 2 min read
First Bank Card With a First Bank card, you can feel confident that you are obtaining a bank card that is secure and convenient. Are you one of the 194 million people who already have a debit card? Get the most out of your card today with First Bank. Many Benefits of a First Bank Debit Card When you open a First Bank checking account, you can receive our First Bank MasterCard® personal debit card. It is accepted at millions of locations worldwide and thousands of ATMs across the country, and comes with free online banking, making it easy to view and track your purchases whenever you want. In addition, you get: Credit card access benefits — Enjoy 24-hour access to your account and the ability to manage your account online, download credit statements, and pay your bill online**. Security Benefits — Enjoy security benefits such as: Zero liability: Pay only for authorized purchases. MasterCard SecureCode: Enjoy protection from fraudulent use of your card information online. ID theft alerts: Reduce your risk of identity theft with this service that constantly monitors websites and chatrooms. You’ll be alerted immediately should we detect any evidence of your information being traded or sold online. Convenience Benefits — Enjoy convenience benefits such as: MasterCard Global Service®: This benefit provides you with 24-hour service for lost or stolen cards, account information, emergency cash advances, and more 365 days a year. Mobile Wallet: A quick and easy way to use your First Bank debit card on the go with most smartphones. Shopping Benefits — Enjoy shopping benefits like: Price protection: If you find an item that was recently purchased with your eligible MasterCard® for a lower price, you may be reimbursed for the price difference. Extended warranty: Most manufacturer’s warranties are doubled up to one year when you pay with your eligible MasterCard®. First Bank has over 100 locations in NC and SC so head to a location near you and open an account today. *Loans subject to credit approval. MasterCard, Debit MasterCard and the MasterCard brand marks are trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.  **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 3 min read
How Much Should a 40-Year-Old Have Saved for Retirement? Are you 40 years old and concerned about your savings? Just how much should you have saved for your retirement by now? There’s no precise answer to give you, but there are some savings recommendations based on income. If you don’t meet these suggestions just yet, don’t panic. The key is to get on the right track right away, and these guidelines can help you do exactly that. Income-Based Savings for a 40 Year Old While some financial advisors suggest having your savings match your annual income, others suggest a more ambitious goal of having three times your salary in savings. That means an estimated savings range of: Income Estimated Range in Savings $50,000 $50,000 — $150,000 $75,000 $75,000 — $225,000 $100,000 $100,000 — $300,000 $150,000 $150,000 — $450,000 $200,000 $200,000 — $600,000 Financial Goals for Your 40s By your 40s, you should focus on these three financial goals if you don’t already have them in order: Pay off as much of your credit card and consumer debt as possible Ensure your emergency fund is ready and available if and when you need it Grow your retirement account, even on its own Are you struggling to make these things happen? You might consider the tips below to help you get on the right track. Create a budget. By knowing how much you spend each month, whether on eating out, fixing home repairs or car problems, or paying phone bills, you can more easily visualize how much you need to save. Take advantage of employer-matched retirement. Whether it’s a 401(k) or an IRA plan, or something entirely different, make the most of what your employer is offering you. It’s the easiest and least painful way to save money for retirement. Learn what counts as a true emergency. Differentiate between what should require you to dip into your savings and what isn’t a true necessity. If you need assistance planning for your future and creating a solid savings, First Bank* can help. First Bank is a community bank and has been helping residents of North Carolina and South Carolina reach their financial goals since 1935. Find a branch near you to speak with a financial advisor today. ——— Sources: Time: http://business.time.com/2012/09/21/what-you-should-save-by-35-45-and-55-to-be-on-target/ Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/10/24/40-money-things-you-need-to-know-by-40/#4c620e126cb4 Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, 3 min read
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