Insights & Inspiration by George Celentano, SVP of Retail Banking This month we celebrate Financial Literacy Month and I believe it is so important to teach children about finances. At home, it’s what I’ve done with my own daughter since she was a young child. Today, she is 18 years old, has no debt and …
No matter who you are or where you live, chances are the roof over your head is the most expensive thing you own. According to Zillow, the median home value in New Jersey is $326,300. New Jersey home values have gone up 5.0% over the past year. It is no wonder this asset is the …
Spring is officially here and with that comes the start of the home buying season! Buying a new home is an exciting experience, but it can be a nightmare if you make common first-time buyer mistakes. Not being informed on how a home purchase is conducted can lead to costly mistakes. The first error, many …
There are so many things college students need to learn and one of the most important topics, actually used every day, is financial management. A big part of our adult lives revolves around finances and with that comes learning to handle credit responsibly. So much of our life is affected by credit. While some parents …
With tax season in full swing, there has never been a better time to get a head start on your finances. If you are one of the lucky taxpayers who will be getting a refund this year, you have two choices – you could waste the money on a one-time purchase, or you could put …
America is currently facing the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and it is definitely highlighting the importance of emergency funds. As Americans across the nation watch the news coverage on television and hear the dire stories of federal workers struggling, one thing is clear – many federal employees do not have enough money saved …
We’re off to the start of a brand new year! Make 2019 the year you finally get all your finances in order. Setting some time aside to plan how to increase your credit score will help greatly, especially if you are planning a major purchase of a car or a home this year. If you’re …
The holidays are here – a time where more money is spent, more travel and time off is taken and more festive events attended. Retail sales, this year, are projected to top last years at an estimated $682 billion. That’s a lot of money circulating, and unfortunately scammers will be out looking for opportunities to …
The end of the year is almost here, and that can mean only one thing. Before you know it, tax filing season will be upon you, and if you are not ready, you could end up spending more time, and money, than you have to. The good news it is not too late to get …
If you’re like many Americans, you are concerned about your financial future. Whether it’s your bank balance or retirement portfolio, your primary goal is to find ways to increase your net worth and decrease your debt load. It’s never been a better time to focus on improving your personal finances. This is especially true as …