First Federal Bank Blog

There is no shortage of ways people with bad intentions will try to commit fraud. The problem seems to compound with each passing year. Synthetic identity fraud, or “Frankenstein fraud,” is when someone steals an individual's Social Security number and combines it with information from other people's identities, such as a name, address or birth...

Whether you will be retiring in 2025, or years from now, a little planning goes a long way toward setting you up for success in your golden years. One key is understanding your Social Security benefits. When you can receive them, and how much you should expect, will change as the program is adjusted. The first thing you want to know is when you...

You know it is important to monitor your credit score regularly. And have probably learned a few tips for how to improve it. But do you know how applying for a new credit card impacts your score? There can be pros and cons.

You understand how your home is an excellent investment for the long term. But there may be times you need to benefit from ownership in the short term. Here are three ways to maximize your home’s equity while staying financially secure, according to Forbes:

The 52-week money challenge is a savings plan that gained popularity through social media around 2013. The concept is simple: You start by saving $1 in the first week, then increase your savings by $1 each subsequent week. AOL.com shows how your savings will grow by the end of the year:

If you will be entering the new year as a retired person, or plan to enter that new phase of your life in 2025, there are some things you should think about now to ensure you get off to the best possible start. Kipingler.com has some important tips to help you plan to get the most from your retirement in the coming year and beyond:

The closer you come to your retirement years, the more you want the assurance that you have planned appropriately. Will you have enough set aside when the time comes? What are the best ways to build your retirement savings? The answer depends on a number of factors, including how close you are to retirement, and what your personal goals are. ...

Financial experts generally agree it is best not to touch your 401(k) until you are in your retirement years. But there can be times when it is tempting to dip in to those savings to address financial issues you face in the present. The decision should be carefully considered, and it is critical you understand the ramifications. That said, there...

The holiday season is here, and you know what that means. It’s time to shop ‘til you drop! But if you’re not careful, you could spend more than you planned as the purchases add up. Especially if you are using a credit card. AOL.com offers these helpful tips to avoid some common traps:

According to a study done by the Federal Reserve, the number of checks written by consumers, businesses, and government entities dropped by 7.2% a year from 2018 to 2021, to a total of 11.2B.