Blog | New Tripoli

Improving Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a prediction of your credit behavior, such as the likelihood of you paying back a loan on time, based on information from your credit reports. Companies use your credit score to decide whether to offer you a mortgage, credit cards, auto loans, and other credit products, and landlords use credit scores to screen tenants. The interest rate you receive on credit products is also influenced by your credit score.

An (Extremely) Brief History of African Americans in Banking

In honor of Black History Month, we thought it would be pertinent to highlight the many milestones that African Americans have achieved in finance and banking. Ever since emancipation, African Americans have played a significant role in the development of our modern financial and banking institutions. It is our sincere hope that these stories of influential figures in Black history can help inspire you.

Budgeting Mistakes to Avoid

Failure is an inevitable part of learning any new skill, whether that skill is riding a bicycle, learning to drive stick, or tackling your personal finances. When we fail, it’s tempting to throw our hands up in the air and claim defeat. However, for something as important as managing your finances, giving up simply isn’t an option.

Financial Fitness for 2024

The beginning of the New Year is an interesting time. It’s the time of year when people reflect on the past year of achievements while planning goals for the next. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions has been around since people began celebrating the flipping of the calendar, and just as old are jokes about how difficult it is to actually follow through with your New Year’s resolution.

How To Teach Your Child Financial Literacy

Of the many lessons parents need to teach their children, one of the most difficult concepts to impress upon children is the importance of financial literacy. While most American parents have no trouble talking to their children about religion, politics, or dating advice—as much as children probably groan when their parents bring up that last one—when it comes to money, nearly half of all American parents say they don’t know how to discuss money in a way they think their children will understand.

Putting Customers First

Owning a small business today can feel like David facing down Goliath, with the popularity of retail brands like Amazon and Walmart. However, if there’s one strength that small businesses have to compete against the convenience of online shopping or the ubiquity of big box retailers, it’s their ability to provide attentive, personalized customer service.

While all businesses seek to ensure all their customers have a positive experience, small business owners have the advantage of being able to get to know each and every one of their customers personally. Social media has made it easier than ever to communicate directly with consumers and cultivate brand loyalty. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool to grow your business, and happy customers are your strongest advocates.

Essential Interviewing Skills

For many people, the most daunting part of any job application is sitting down for an interview with a potential employer. The impression you make on an interviewer can often outweigh your credentials; a good first impression can bolster an otherwise average resume while a poor interview can sink the prospects of even the strongest candidate. When you sit down for an interview, your poise, attitude, social skills, and ability to communicate are being evaluated as much as your experience and education.

An interview is a conversation between you—potentially a stranger to the employer—and an interviewer seeking to learn more about you. Through conversation and dialogue, the interviewer determines if you’re a good match for the position they’re trying to fill. Preparation is the key to nailing this interaction, and there are several good habits every job seeker should practice if they want to ace their next interview.

Preparing to Buy as a First-Time Homebuyer

Buying your first home is an exciting — and slightly intimidating — experience for anyone. The process can be overwhelming for a first timer who may not even know where to begin. Before you embark on your journey as a first-time homebuyer, it’s important to do your homework so you can get the most out of your purchase.

The Importance of Volunteering

Volunteers are the glue that holds the community together, offering essential support to worthwhile causes and people in need. Most nonprofit organizations and charities rely on the generous help of volunteers, as many don’t have the budget to pay the salaries of a staff of full-time employees. Volunteers allow these organizations to thrive and accomplish their goals.

Cybersecurity for Small Businesses

As a small business owner, you may not consider yourself likely to become the target of a cyber-attack. You might think your business is too small for cyber criminals to take notice, or that you don't have anything valuable enough to be worth the effort. However, small businesses, like any other business, have information that is valuable to criminals, including employee and customer records and bank account information. Moreover, small businesses often have fewer resources dedicated to cybersecurity, so criminals don't have to put as much effort into hacking them compared to larger corporations.

Tips for New College Students

This fall will be the first time for many young people who are living away from home as they pursue college education. Some students will find it easy to adapt to their newfound independence while others may find themselves struggling to handle the added financial responsibility.

The Benefits of Banking Locally

If you’ve ever wondered if it matters where you deposit your hard-earned money, let me assure you it does. We know there are more options for where to bank today than ever before. But consider this: community banks like New Tripoli Bank offer benefits to consumers that you can’t find at regional or national banks.

Staying Safe Online

These days, it seems like we use our computers and the internet for everything. Whether it’s sending mail, shopping, checking the news, or keeping in touch with friends and family, chances are you’re staring at a computer screen when you do it. While there are many benefits for consumers—faster and convenient services, for example—it is important to be aware of the dangers of the internet.

Being a Smart Consumer

A smart consumer is more than someone who can find the best deal. They know their spending limits, understand their rights and responsibilities as a consumer, and do research before making a purchase. Smart consumers aren’t tempted by impulse purchases or eye-catching red tag sales; they’re focused on finding a reasonable deal on a product that will last.

How to Build (and Maintain) Good Credit

The start of each new year is a time for us to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. 2022 was a challenging year for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was record-high inflation that had plenty of people tightening their budgets.

Shop Locally for the Holidays

Planning to spread some cheer this holiday season? Extend that cheer to your community during the holidays by purchasing one-of-a-kind creations from local small businesses in the Lehigh Valley. By doing so, you’ll be giving a gift that keeps on giving—local economic prosperity.

Community Banking: The Treat That Keeps on Giving

Nobody likes tricks when it comes to banking. At New Tripoli Bank, we focus on the “treats” that distinguish us as your trusted bank.

Tips for Fall Budgeting

Autumn is here and while the leaves and temperatures are falling, it seems like price of food and gas aren't following suit. On top of that, the changing season means more reasons to spend money including increased utility bills, updating your winter wardrobe, and planning for holiday purchases. Here are some tips to help you rake in some savings this fall season.

Beware Debt Relief Scams

With the government unveiling its sweeping new student loan forgiveness plan, millions of Americans are going to be looking for a piece of the debt relief package. This is the ideal setting for scammers to swoop in and take advantage of people's eagerness, tricking them into giving up sensitive personal and financial information.

Cybersecurity While Traveling

Cybersecurity should not be limited to the home, office, or classroom. It is important to practice safe online behavior and secure your Internet-enabled mobile devices whenever you travel. The more you travel and access the Internet on the go, the more cyber risks you will face. No one is exempt from the threat of cybercrime, at home or on the go, but you can follow these simple tips to stay safe online when traveling.

Financial Literacy is Key to Effective Money Management for Teens

At New Tripoli Bank, we understand the importance of helping our community's youth build a strong financial foundation so that they better understand basic concepts like budgeting, simple interest, and establishing and maintaining good credit.

Reinvesting in the Community

The idea of “sustainability” is linked to a lot of local activities these days—whether it’s reusing or recycling products, sampling culinary delights from a local bakery, or choosing to buy American-made products to support our national economy. There are plenty of reasons why eating, dining, and banking locally makes good economic sense.

Managing Financial Risk: Financial Wellness Check for 2022

High wire artist and daredevil Karl Wallenda was internationally known for his dangerous stunts, often performed without a safety net. For years, he performed daredevil feats to countless audiences of stunned onloookers.

Safe Shopping This Holiday Season!

As we head into November, the weather starts to get colder, the sun starts to get lower, and the holiday shopping season officially begins! With all the hustle and bustle of Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday discounts, trying to find the perfect gift, this time of year can be perilous for the unwary shopper. Every year around this time, incidents of fraud rise as criminals use the increased shopping activity to scam victims out of money, personal information, or even their purchases themselves.

Dealing with a Death in the Family

No one likes thinking about death, but it's something we all must face sooner or later. If you are dealing with a recent passing in your family or have a family member with a terminal illness, it's important to prepare yourself both financially and emotionally before making big decisions.

Simplifying Your Financial Life

Managing your money as an adult can be stressful. Between checking accounts, savings accounts, IRAs, 401(k)s, bills, mortgages, and loans, handling your personal finances can be a lot to think about.

Financial Fitness for New Homeowners

The paperwork has been signed, your new living room is full of several cardboard boxes labeled “clothes” and “silverware” and such, and the keys to your new home are resting safely in the palm of your hand. A wave of relief washes over you as you realize the last year of house hunting, mortgage shopping, and seemingly endless stacks of paperwork is finally over and you’re ready to settle into your new residence.

Now the real work begins!

Teaching Teens Financial Literacy

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan once stated, "Financial education is a process that should begin at an early age and continue throughout life. This cumulative process builds the skills necessary for making critical financial decisions."

Questions About Your 2021 Economic Impact Payment?

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, millions of Americans will be receiving another check from the federal government to help with economic difficulties caused by the pandemic.

As always when it comes to these big pieces of legislation, there are sure to be plenty of questions. How much will you get? When will the payment arrive? How do you get the money into your account? Please take the time to read through this FAQ so you know what to expect.

How To Prioritize Debt

Between credit cards, student loans, and mortgages, there are a variety of different types of debt out there. Part of tackling your debt obligations is knowing which of your debts to prioritize first. By prioritizing your debt, you can create a step-by-step plan that helps you get rid of the bad and expensive types of debt fast, while at the same time reducing what you owe in interest.

Have a Financially Healthy Holiday

When the holiday season rolls around, it’s normal to want to splurge on gifts for friends and loved ones. The holidays can be an exciting time full of advertisements for the hottest new toy and deals aplenty at all your favorite stores.

However, one of the best gifts you can give yourself when the decorations start going up is the peace of mind that comes with a financial health checkup! It may not be the most exciting present under the tree, but taking the time to ensure your goals, savings, and accounts are all in order will ensure you’ll be financially prepared after the ball drops on New Year’s!

Budgeting In Uncertain Times

Creating and sticking to a budget can be a stressful task—even in the best of circumstances—and right now we aren’t living in the best of circumstances. The effect of COVID-19 on our economy forced many Americans to take a close look at their budgets, to reassess their spending and make some tough decisions about adjusting their monthly spending.

If you have previous experience creating a household budget, this is nothing new to you. But for new homeowners, renters, or college students creating their budget for the first time, the added uncertainty of 2020 can seem like a monumental hurdle between you and financial security.

Six Tips to Maintain Mental Well-Being

While following quarantine and social-distancing recommendations or requirements can help stop the spread of COVID-19, if you don't take proper precautions, your mental well-being could also suffer. Use the following tips to help maintain good mental health while you discover living with a new normal.

Economic Impact Payments: What You Need to Know

On March 27, 2020, the president signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This $2 trillion aid package will provide financial aid to families and businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Social Distancing, Quarantine, & Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak

Social distancing is a way to keep people from interacting closely or frequently enough to spread an infectious disease. Schools and other gathering places such as movie theaters may close, and sports events and religious services may be cancelled.

What You Need to Know About COVID-19

Updated 3/23/2020 If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

Financial Preparedness Tips

Rebuilding after a disaster or emergency can be a difficult challenge for people at every level of income. In these stressful situations, having easy access to your personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is key to beginning the rebuilding process as quickly as possible. Taking the time now to collect and protect your critical documents will pay off in the future, giving you peace of mind and, in the event of an emergency, ensure you are ready to start rebuilding as soon as possible with all the necessary information.

Good Credit is Vital for a Sound Financial Future

As we say good-bye to the last decade and hello to 2020, it’s even more important to focus on planning for tomorrow. One of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make for yourself is to start establishing good credit habits and set financial wellness goals for yourself that will help you get back on the path to a prosperous financial future.

Go Local for the Holidays

The holidays are a time for spreading cheer and giving gifts to friends and loved ones. When you’re looking for the perfect gift this holiday season, it can be tempting to default to the internet. However, this holiday season, you should consider picking up a one-of-a-kind gift from your local small business instead.

Securing Financing For Your Small Business

Obtaining a small business loan can be daunting, but community banks offer the most reliable route to financing a local enterprise. As a small business themselves, community banks only thrive when their customers and communities flourish. With the proper preparation and approach, a community bank can provide you with the personal experience and support your business needs to succeed.

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