Financial Wellness & Education

January is Financial Wellness Month! Kick off the new year with a fresh focus on your financial health. January is the perfect time to set goals, create budgets, and take control of your finances. Whether you’re saving for a big purchase, planning for retirement, or looking to get more from your checking account, we’ve got tools and resources to guide you toward a brighter financial future. Let’s make 2025 your best financial year yet! Start Here: Your Financial Health...

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an international initiative that educates everyone about online safety and empowers individuals and businesses to protect their data from cybercrime. Even amidst large-scale data breaches and cyberattacks, Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds everyone that there are simple, effective ways to keep yourself safe online, protect your personal data, and ultimately help secure our world. Planters First Bank is proud to be a Champion and support this...

The second Tuesday of April is Identity Management Day, a time designated to highlight the importance of safeguarding your digital identity. But why focus on identity management, and what does it entail? In our increasingly digital world, managing our online identities has become crucial. What exactly is identity management? It's the practice of ensuring only authorized individuals access your sensitive information and online accounts. This includes safeguarding passwords and staying...

What Is Identity Theft? Identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. They might steal your name and address, credit card, or bank account numbers, Social Security number, or medical insurance account numbers. And they could use them to buy things with your credit cards get new credit cards in your name open a phone, electricity, or gas account in your name steal your tax refund use your health insurance to get...

Commitment to Respecting Data by Becoming a 2024 Data Privacy Week Champion This year’s initiative emphasizes educating businesses on data collection best practices that respect data privacy and promoting transparency Planters First Bank announced its commitment to Data Privacy Week 2024 by registering as a Champion. As a Champion, Planters First Bank recognizes and supports the principle that all organizations share the responsibility of being conscientious stewards of personal...

Is it paying bills on time, robust savings, a retirement fund, or affording a new car? Whatever financial health means to you, it starts with getting your finances in order. It’s easy to think that keeping track of your account balances is all you need to do to stay on top of your finances. But that is no longer true. Today, accounts are spread across multiple financial relationships. Where is your money going? To figure that out, you need to include savings and checking...

Planters First Bank announced its commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held annually in October, by signing up as a Champion and joining a growing global effort to promote online safety and privacy awareness. Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on...

One of the easiest ways to boost your cybersecurity is to always keep software and apps updated. Every day, software and app developers focus on keeping their users and products secure. They’re constantly looking for clues that hackers are trying to break into their systems or searching for holes where cybercriminals could sneak in, even if they’ve never been breached before. To fix these issues and improve security for everyone who uses their services, upstanding software companies...

As you prepare for your next vacation, it's important to consider the potential cyber risks you may face while using technology. Whether you're sharing photos online or finding lodging through an app, it's essential to take steps to keep your information safe from cybercriminals. Here are some simple practices to keep in mind before and during your trip: Before You Go: - Travel lightly: Limit the number of devices you bring on your trip. - Check your settings: Review the privacy...

Sleep tight — Your money is safe! If the economy suddenly tanks or some banks fail, there’s absolutely no reason to head to your local bank branch and withdraw a suitcase full of cash. Your money is much safer in a bank than it would be stuffed under your mattress (or anywhere else). Protecting our customers’ deposits and funds at Planters First Bank is a top priority. You may have heard that Planters First Bank is FDIC-insured or is a member of the FDIC. But what does that mean for...

Today’s modern banks are embracing technology and mobile applications. With this service comes the ability to deposit checks with your smartphone without ever having to step into your local bank or visit an ATM. It is convenient, but is it a safe way to ensure your money gets deposited into your account? Here we look at what you need to know about Mobile Deposit and how to keep it a convenient – and safe – way to do your banking on the go. What exactly is Mobile Deposit? Mobile...

Spring cleaning your finances doesn't have to be a chore with these simple steps! With Planters First Bank Online & Mobile Banking, you can organize your finances with ease. From your desktop or your mobile device, you can manage your finances and start working on achieving your financial goals this spring. Secure access at your fingertips Track your spending: Set up a budget and figure out your spending habits — are you using those memberships? How much do you spend eating out?...