We talk about finance a lot in our day-to-day interactions, and we understand the importance of understanding basic finance concepts. But not everyone understands financial literacy and it’s an important part of our jobs to educate as much as possible. April is Financial Literacy Month and we’re outlining some important reasons for teaching our young […]
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We understand there is uncertainty in our current ag environment with rising interest rate pressure, higher input costs, high land values, and more. This year, you might be affected by: • Inflationary Pressure and Rising Interest Rates • Rising Interest Rates = Rising Cost of Money We can help you strategize. Here are some ideas […]
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Late last week and over the weekend, the financial system experienced a couple large bank failures – Silicon Valley Bank (based out of California) and Signature Bank (based out of New York). These situations are ever evolving, and the FDIC and other government entities are acting as quickly and effectively as they can to provide […]
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Ever wonder about the impact community banks have on the actual communities around them? Funny you should ask! We were just thinking about the same thing. Here are 5 ways a community bank positively affects the community it serves! As community bank relationship bankers, we focus on the needs of our customers – including individuals, […]
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Happy New Year, we hope you had a very happy holiday season! With a new year, people often create new resolutions, dreams, and goals. Make this year a great financial year by following a few simple tips for financial success! Make budgeting a top priority in 2023: sit down and create a budget and stick […]
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Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? 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 fraud estimates that […]
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There is no doubt that today’s consumers are smarter and savvier than ever. They expect transparency, quick, accurate service, and convenience. The digital world we live in makes enhanced security and connectivity more important than ever. Yet not every customer wants to bank the same way; we understand that. At Farmers & Merchants, we cater […]
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It’s time for sharpened pencils and sharpened minds. Let’s get back to school! This month, we thought we’d get a jump on the learning season and highlight some of our favorite finance- related professions. Here are just 3 banking/finance related professions which might be worth pursuing if you are really into numbers! 1. Banker. Well, […]
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June and July mean warmer temperatures, outdoor activities and numerous county 4-H fairs taking place around our great state. We’d like to take the time to recognize just a few of the valuable benefits of this outstanding 120-year-old organization. Youth Development Did you know that 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization with an estimated […]
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If you’re carrying a significant amount of credit card debt, you’re not alone. It is estimated that the average U.S. household has nearly $7,000 in credit card balances. Although it takes time and dedication to reduce the balances or eliminate them altogether, there are steps you can take to get control and eventually free yourself […]
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