Learning Center

Personal Finance   /  Investing

If you are fortunate enough to achieve financial stability for yourself, you have the opportunity to leave a legacy for the next generation. Whether you’re continuing a legacy that a family member began or the first in your family to begin one, there are three phases to building generational wealth.

Personal Finance   /  Managing Your Money

If you’re a Millennial, the 2008 economic recession certainly had an early impact, whether your career was just getting off the ground at that time or you were a pre-teen whose parents struggled financially. Despite a slow start, people born between 1981 and 1996 are now on better financial footing than previous generations were at that age. So why don’t you feel comfortable yet? Read on for the reasons behind Millennials' "phantom wealth" and some tips to enhance your assets “on paper” and in your wallet.

Personal Finance   /  Home Ownership

Buying a home in a rising rate environment can be tough. Will they keep climbing? Will they ever go lower? Is now the right time, or did I miss my chance? And will we have to win a bidding war to get a contract? Follow these guiding principles for any market environment.

Personal Finance   /  Managing Your Money

One important measurement of financial wellness is the credit score. It’s essential for renting an apartment or buying a car or home. So how do you build credit when you're starting from scratch? And if your credit score is low, what are some ways to build it back up? Our financial education program manager shares his tips.

Personal Finance   /  Managing Your Money

When you need to move money, it’s important to know the different ways you can do it, how quickly the transfer takes place and how much it will cost. Here’s a primer on the main ways to move the dollars in your personal accounts from place to place.

Personal Finance   /  Managing Your Money

For the cardholder who can pay off the total balance each month or the savvy shopper who pays equal installments on a zero-APR promotional offer, the benefits of using a credit card could be worth it. But for anyone leaving a balance on a higher-APR card for longer than one or two 30-day cycles, the interest charges can really add up, and the balance can take much longer to pay off.

Personal Finance   /  Investing

Investments are not just for the wealthy. Whether you’re in your first job, your prime earning years, or nearing retirement, it’s never too late – or too early – to use personal investments as a savings vehicle for your future. There are several types of accounts for this purpose and a multitude of funds to invest in.

Fraud and Security   /  How Pinnacle Protects You

While new credit and debit card technology has come with security improvements, the frequency of card transactions and the speed of daily life have contributed to more card fraud. Under federal regulations, your bank or card issuer may be more limited than you think in what they can do to help, especially with debit cards. Read up on the regulations and our tips to thwart fraudulent use of your cards.

Fraud and Security   /  Safe Online Practices for Consumers

Mobile payment apps like Venmo, Cash App and Zelle make it easy to send money virtually between friends and family. Just download the app, set up a free account, connect it to your bank account or debit card, and voila! You can pay your babysitter, reimburse a friend for picking up groceries or chip in for a group birthday gift. Easy, right? Yes, as long as you treat it like cash, because there are no strings attached. "Cash" sent through a mobile payment app can’t easily be retrieved or refunded if you send it to the wrong person or don’t receive what you paid for.

Personal Finance   /  Managing Your Money

How soon should I be talking to my children about money? It’s a question we hear a lot. Parents know it’s an important life skill that their children need, but knowing what’s developmentally appropriate is vital. We offer suggestions for parents as well as links the FDIC's Money Smart for Young People curriculum and games for kids.

Personal Finance   /  Investing

Parents do everything in their power to ensure a good life for their children. But some children with disabilities may never become fully independent. How can families plan for a future that’s often uncertain? It can seem insurmountable, but with the right approach and the right kind of help, they can put the pieces in place to prepare for the rest of their child's life.

Articles   /  Finance and Money Matters

With continued changes in government funding, the financial outlook for nonprofits feels more stressful than ever. But there are steps you can take right now to help insulate your organization from the severity of what may come. From business and banking perspectives, here are a few items and actions to consider.

Fraud and Security   /  Fraud and Security Alerts

We have started seeing potentially fraudulent transactions designed to get around the fraud protection services many clients depend on. These transactions originate from the Intuit ACH Company ID that’s used to debit transactions for companies using Intuit software. That means thieves are trying to circumvent fraud protection services like ACH Block and ACH Block and Filter.

Articles   /  Managing Your Business

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or the owner of a multi-generation business, a well-planned exit strategy is imperative. It’s not just a contingency plan: Knowing your end game informs critical decisions all along the way to ensure you achieve your personal and financial goals.

Articles   /  Finance and Money Matters

There’s a new federal rule requiring more than 32 million small businesses across the United States to register and file with a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) database collects information about who ultimately owns and controls each reporting company. We've answered some frequently asked questions about this development that's been in the works for several years.

Articles   /  Finance and Money Matters

For businesses that receive deposits from many different sources and need to reconcile and report on each source separately, virtual account management (VAM) can be a game-changer. Having the power to independently open and close an unlimited number of separate virtual sub-accounts, all attached to one master account via an online portal, can solve a lot of headaches.

Articles   /  Managing Your Business

When you’re in the business of handling the affairs of people with serious, life-altering injuries, that’s sacred territory. Whether your role is litigator, judge, insurer, contractor or care coordinator, the injured person and their family are counting on you to do the right thing for their short- and long-term benefit. They’re not experts in law, healthcare, finance or the tax code, so they’re depending on the professionals to uphold and abide by their oaths, pledges and values.

Articles   /  Managing Your Business

As your company competes in a challenging job market, an attractive benefits package is vital. Sponsoring accounts in which your employees can put aside pre-tax dollars for qualified healthcare expenses helps them improve their financial wellness and benefits your business, too.