Credit Scores and Credit Cards

Understand what makes you creditworthy for loans and credit cards.

Learn About Credit, Credit Scores and More

Lenders look at your credit score and other factors to determine how much they’re willing to let you borrow. Learn more about how you can build and improve your credit score with these articles.

All Budgeting and Goals Credit: Score and More Family Finances Fending Off Fraud Paying Off Debt Personal Finance 101 Homeownership Retirement

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

Calculate your Balance Transfer If your current credit card isn’t meeting all of your needs, consider switching to a First Bank credit card. First Bank now offers the option to transfer your balance from your current credit cards to a First Bank credit card with no fee.* We even have a balance transfer calculator on our website so you can find out exactly how much money you will save by switching to a First Bank card. Save Money with a First Bank Card First Bank’s MasterCard credit cards feature awesome benefits such as: Rewards for making every day and monthly purchases.* Credit card access benefits like online customer service and 24-hour access. Security benefits like zero liability and ID theft resolution. Convenience benefits like a 26-day grace period and MasterCard Global Service®. Shopping benefits like price protection and extended warranty. With a First Bank credit card you can: Consolidate all your debt on to one card, with one easy payment. Save money when you transfer the funds from your old card to your First Bank MasterCard. Avoid the fee other credit card companies charge for each balance transfer. Calculate Your Savings Whether you are a current First Bank customer or a customer of another financial institution, you can save money by transferring your credit card balance to our First Bank MasterCard. We offer MasterCard credit cards for qualifying individuals and business owners. You can even use our balance transfer calculator to calculate just how much money you will be saving by transferring your credit card balance to a First Bank card. All you have to do is input your current credit card balances and rates, and we’ll tell you your new cost per month and your savings per month. *Credit applications are subject to credit approval. See our Disclosure Summary for complete details on rates and fees. ——— Sources: Nolo: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-credit-card-grace-period.html Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/z/zero-liability-policy.asp Mastercard: https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/consumers/payment-technologies/id-theft-protection.html Mastercard: http://www.mastercard.com/sea/consumer/global-services.html 2 min read

Learn Where to Get Short-Term Personal Loans Today Wondering where to get a short-term personal loan? At First Bank, we offer a selection of loan products that can help you conveniently pay off unexpected expenses or large investments in a shorter period of time. Visit your nearest First Bank branch today to get started. Personal Lending Options at First Bank First Bank offers several personal lending options and lines of credit to help customers pay off big expenses, such as car repairs, doctor’s bills, or unexpected expenses. There are loan officers available at all our branch locations to help you find the right option for your financing needs. In addition, the First Bank Platinum Credit Card with Rewards not only helps you finance your large expenses, but you can also earn rewards.* Benefits include: Every $1 spent on qualified purchases earns 1 point towards your rewards. 24-hour convenient access to your account. Online tools to help you manage your account. Credit card statements are available to download. Easily pay your bills online. Customer service available online. Zero liability for unauthorized purchases. Protection from fraudulent use with MasterCard SecureCode. 26-day grace period for no interest fee. Apply for a Short-Term Personal Loan at First Bank Since 1935, First Bank has worked with communities in North Carolina and South Carolina to lend a helping hand when it comes to financing. With our wide selection of personal and business products, we work to meet the needs of our neighbors with the selection of products you expect from a national bank at the convenience of your local community. For more information on where to get short-term personal loans, visit your nearest First Bank branch today. *Loans subject to credit approval. See our Terms and Conditions for complete details on our One Rewards Program. MasterCard, Debit MasterCard and the MasterCard brand marks are trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. ——— Source: About: http://credit.about.com/od/avoidingdebt/a/basics-of-personal-loans.htm 2 min read

First Bank Credit Card There are many benefits to having a First Bank credit card. Perhaps you’ve encountered unexpected expenses like a medical bill or car repair. Or maybe you don’t want to front a large down payment for an item and would prefer to pay in smaller installments. If you’re a small business owner, you could use some help managing day‑to‑day purchases. 3 min read

First Bank One Rewards Program: Learn More There are a lot of advantages to being a First Bank credit card holder, but the First Bank One Rewards Program is the most beneficial to you. By simply using your Platinum Rewards Mastercard® or Mastercard® Business Card with Rewards, you’ll earn rewards for qualified everyday purchases like groceries, gas, utilities, tuition, and more. 2 min read

Bank Rewards What if you had a card that gave you the ability to redeem points for what you want when you want it? How would you feel if those points could be redeemed for travel, experiences, gift cards to restaurants, retail and merchandise stores, donations, or even for cash back? 2 min read

The Impact of Home Ownership on Your Credit Rating If you’re in the market for a home, you’ve probably spent some time cleaning up your credit. After all of that hard work, you may wonder what impact a mortgage will have on your credit rating. 3 min read

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