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.

With this article, I hope to help demystify the process for first time homebuyers with a rundown of what you should consider before you start home shopping.

How Much Home Can You Afford?

Before you ever start looking, it's important to pin down how much you can afford to pay each month for your home. The price of a home is more than just your monthly mortgage payments; it includes things like utilities, maintenance, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance. It's easy to end up “house poor” by borrowing more than you can afford for your first home, leaving little for you to spend on clothing, vacations, entertainment, and especially food. New Tripoli Bank's mortgage lenders can help you determine the amount you can afford.

In a competitive housing market, it can be to your benefit to shop on a smaller budget. If you shop at a lower price than what you can afford, it provides you with wiggle room to outbid other buyers when you find the house you really want.

Start Saving Early

When calculating how much money you need to buy a house, there are one-time expenses to consider in addition to the monthly mortgage payment. The down payment on a conventional first-time mortgage can range from as little as 5% to 20% of the purchase price or more, and closing costs typically range from 2% to 6%. Depending on how competitive the market is, you can sometimes ask the seller to pay a portion of your closing costs as part of the agreement, or even forego some expenses like home inspection to make your offer more competitive. You should also consider move-in expenses, which can run up to $2,500 depending on your area.

The best way to save for these upfront costs is select a target amount you are willing to spend, open a savings account, and schedule automatic transfers from your checking to this account. The earlier you start, the more you'll be able to take advantage of compound interest to grow your savings, helping you reach your goal in less time.

Clean Up & Monitor Your Credit

The higher your credit score, the easier it will be to lock in a lower interest rate on your mortgage. If you aren't currently using credit, consider opening a credit card or other line of credit and make regular use of it to build your credit score. Be sure to spend within your means and pay down your credit balances on time. It's not enough to have access to credit; banks want to see that you are able to make regular payments!

It's best to avoid opening new credit accounts or loans, racking up additional debt, or making large deposits into your accounts within two months of applying for financing. Many lenders have requirements to confirm that credit you've borrowed and funds you've deposited have been in your possession for at least 60 days, so they can verify it's legitimately yours and have proof of where the funds originated.

A popular rule of thumb is to keep your credit usage to 30% of your total credit or less. If you already have open lines of credit and your balance is over that 30% threshold, you should focus on paying down your debts to improve your creditworthiness.

Organize Your Paperwork

Before you're approved for a mortgage, your lender will need your financial records to verify your income, assets, and debts. You should have the following documentation ready before you apply for your loan:

• Proof of income and employment. This includes tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, and recent pay stubs.
• Statements for any bank, retirement, or brokerage accounts.
• Records of other debt obligations, such as student or car loans.

Explore Your Options

There are a variety of mortgages available, each with its own down payment and eligibility requirements to suit the needs of different consumers.

Conventional mortgages are the most common type of home loan. Many banks offer first-time homebuyer loans with more affordable down payment requirements and waived fees.

FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. They are intended to assist buyers with limited savings or lower credit scores to secure housing by offering down payments in exchange for more stringent requirements for the borrower.

USDA loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are meant for suburban and rural home buyers. VA Loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and intended for active and veteran military service members. Both of these loans usually require little or no down payment.

You also have options when it comes to mortgage terms and interest rates. Most homebuyers opt for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which is paid off over 30 years with an interest rate that stays the same for the life of the loan, but loan terms can be as low as 15 years, which typically comes with a lower interest rate but higher monthly payments. Conversely, an adjustable-rate mortgage often begins at a lower introductory rate compared to fixed-rate mortgages, but that rate will increase (or decrease) over time, meaning your monthly payments can fluctuate.

You should also spend some time comparing different mortgage lenders, even if you only qualify for one type of loan. Pay special attention to each lender's interest rates and fees, and request quotes from different lenders to find the offer that's best for you.

Apply for Prequalification

Once you've done the preparation and selected your lender, you should apply for a mortgage prequalification. This is the lender's offer to loan you a certain amount under specific terms. The lender will confirm the documentation you provide by pulling your credit report, verifying your employment information, and calculating your debt-to-income ratio to determine the loan amount they are willing to offer.

Prequalifications are typically good for 30 to 90 days; you should verify with your lender how long their offer remains valid. If you have concerns about your debt or credit score, getting prequalified early can help you identify problem areas that you need to fix before home shopping. Once you receive a prequalification, avoid making any big purchases or opening any new lines of credit while you are shopping for a home.

Even after you've taken all these steps, there's still a long road between you and buying your first home. However, by preparing yourself properly for the adventure ahead, you'll be home shopping with the confidence of knowing your financial situation, what you can afford, and what kind of home you should be looking for. In future articles, I will go over what to expect during the home shopping process and after you've purchased your first home.

If you are interested in getting prequalified for a loan or have further questions about the mortgage lending process, you can always contact me or the rest of the mortgage lending team at New Tripoli Bank and we would be happy to assist you!

Gail Post is a Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer for New Tripoli Bank who has been working in finance for more than four decades.

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.

It can be difficult for the average working person to fit volunteering into their busy schedules. Volunteering requires you to give up a limited portion of your time and energy toward a cause without any sort of financial reward. However, there are many benefits that come from volunteering, not just for the greater community, but for you as well.

Building Connections

Our modern world of digital shopping and commuting to work can feel very lonely and isolated. Volunteering offers an opportunity for you to widen your social circle and meet new people. After all, we find friends by seeking out individuals with similar interests and participating in activities with like-minded people, which can include volunteer work!

This is especially important when moving to a new area. Volunteering for a local food pantry or rescue mission exposes you to people with common interests, helps you become more familiar with neighborhood resources, and provides fulfilling activity while strengthening your ties to the community.

Improving Your Health

There are obvious mental health benefits to volunteering, boosting self-confidence and self-esteem through doing good things for others. The sense of accomplishment that comes from helping your fellow citizens coupled with the sense of camaraderie that comes from regular contact with members of your community has been shown to reduce the risk of depression, which is often worsened by social isolation.

In addition to mental health benefits, volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Studies have found that those who volunteer have lower mortality rates than people who do not, as well as lessening the symptoms of chronic pain and heart disease. If you find yourself struggling to involve yourself in regular physical activity, volunteering is a great way to keep yourself moving.

Benefits to Your Career

Many who dedicate their free time to volunteering find a passion for things they would have never considered. Volunteering for causes you believe in provides you with new experiences that may help you discover a career path that better aligns with your ideals. Volunteer work allows you to dip your toe into other possible careers without having to dive head-first into a long-term commitment.

Even if volunteering doesn’t change your professional trajectory, it can provide you with valuable on-the-job training and work experience. One of the benefits community service offers you is a chance to improve skills which are important in any workplace, such as communication and organizational skills, teamwork, planning, problem-solving and task management.

Increased Social Awareness

Everyone feels strongly about at least one issue, but it can be difficult to make the meaningful changes you want to see in the world. If you've ever found yourself asking you can make a difference, volunteering provides an avenue for you to improve your community and make an impact.

Moreover, community service broadens your perspective on social issues by directly exposing you to the problems we face as a society. Simply reading about an issue or listening to news commentary about a social problem isn’t the same as getting personally involved. When volunteering, you interact on a personal level with families and individuals in need, earning firsthand experience and greater understanding of the difficulties these people face.

Volunteering Is Fun & Fulfilling

The most important benefit of volunteering is that it is a fun activity that provides a fulfilling outlet to explore your passions and interests. It provides a change of pace from your day-to-day routine of work, school, and family commitments and can help get you out of a rut if you feel that your daily life has become too mundane.

Many people volunteer to make time for hobbies outside of work. Volunteering can renew your creativity, jump-start your motivation, and provide you with a sense of purpose that will carry over to everything else in your life. It’s important when jumping into volunteering to focus on causes that you’re passionate about—you’re more likely to stay committed to the work if it’s something for which you care deeply. No matter what you do, it’s important to make sure that you’re enjoying the work that you do!

Michele Hunsicker is an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for New Tripoli Bank. She has been part of the Bank's finance department for over twenty years and has worked in banking for over thirty-five. Michele serves on the board of the Northern Lehigh Food Bank and regularly volunteers with her local church.

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.

Cybersecurity doesn't require a large monetary investment from your business; what it does require is a company culture that embraces and proactively promotes cyber-secure practices both professionally and personally. Studies have shown that companies who engage employees in cybersecurity training both in the workplace and at home experience increased identification of potential threats, reduced incidents, and a greater ability to recover after a cyber-attack.

If you are the owner or CEO of a small business, cybersecurity starts with you. Here are things you should do to help promote cybersecurity in your organization.

Make Cybersecurity Part of Company Culture. Discuss cybersecurity in regular, direct communication with your staff and be sure to outline security initiatives with your leadership. You should stress to your employees that security should be an "all-the-time" consideration.

Select a Security Manager. Once you have goals in mind and your leadership team has set objectives, identify someone in your organization to manage your security initiatives. This person doesn't necessarily need to be a security expert or IT professional, you simply need someone responsible who can spearhead the program and ensure it is implemented as intended.

Create an Incident Response Plan. The Security Manager should draft a written IRP for your leadership team to review. This is your plan of action before, during, and following a security incident. Make sure to involve leaders from throughout your business, not just the security manager and IT team (if you have one). Customize parts of the IRP based on the needs of individual departments.

Keep Your Network Up to Date. Make sure any applications, web browsers, security software and operating systems in your business network are updated regularly. Set antivirus software to run a scan after each update. Make sure your network's systems are protected by a firewall and, if your employees work from home, ensure they follow these same practices with their home system(s).

Make backup copies of important business data and information. Regularly backup the data on all computers. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, or at least weekly and store the copies either offsite or in the cloud.

Control physical access to your computers and create user accounts for each employee. Prevent access or use of business computers by unauthorized individuals. Laptops can be particularly easy targets for theft or can be lost, so lock them up when unattended. Make sure a separate user account is created for each employee and make strong passwords a requirement. Administrative privileges should only be given to trusted IT staff and key personnel.

Train Your Employees. Promote basic security policies for your staff, such as requiring strong passwords, and establish safe internet usage guidelines. Emphasize to your employees the importance of protecting not only customer data but their own sensitive information. Employees who are encouraged to practice cybersecurity in their personal lives are more likely to prevent cyber-attacks while on the job.

The best protection for any business is knowledge, both for the owner and the employees. Any cybersecurity initiatives should be tailored to your organization's needs, whether that's something more involved like formal training or as simple as a monthly email with tips and tricks. The key is to make cybersecurity a constant consideration for members of your organization.

Many low-cost and free resources are available for businesses looking to get started with cybersecurity training. You can find free training kits from the Cybersecurity Infrastructure & Security Agency which provide an excellent jumping off point for business owners who want to keep their employees engaged. Once you get started, you'll find it gets easier to keep security at the forefront of your employees' minds all year long and strengthen your business' defenses against cyber-attacks.

Stephanie Barton is a Senior Vice President and New Tripoli Bank's Chief Information Officer. She has been working for New Tripoli Bank for over thirty years and has overseen the maintenance and upgrading of the bank's digital infrastructure and security.

New Tripoli Bank employees and their families were in the stands for Wednesday's Iron Pigs win over the visiting Buffalo Bisons to root for our home team. This yearly outing gives everyone the chance to unwind with coworkers and family while enjoying our national pastime.

We've been around for over 110 years, so it's no surprise that history is important to us. That's why for National Museum Day we wanted to highlight an organization dedicated to preserving history in our community.

The Weisenberg/Lowhill Township Historical Society was organized in 2003 to help curate cultural artifacts and celebrate the heritage of Weisenberg and Lowhill Townships in the Lehigh Valley. We sat down with members of the historical society to introduce you to their members, their facilities, and what they do to preserve our history.

You can learn more about events at the historical society by visiting their website at http://www.weisenberglowhill.org/

This fall will be the first time living away from home for many young people 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.

Rising tuition costs saddled on young adults, who may be unprepared to handle the stress of financial independence, can be a recipe for disaster. In 2023, the average graduate in America leaves college with more than $37,000 in debt, including federal student loans and the number can be even higher for those with private loans. When it comes time for a young person to leave the nest, financial literacy skills (budgeting, money management) can make all the difference.

Here are some tips for those high school graduates preparing to take the leap into financial self-reliance.

Learn How to Create a Budget

Budgets are your friends, and they are easy to make! First, calculate your expected income per month, including paychecks (if you have a job), grants, loans, and family contributions. This gives you an idea of how much money you have available each month and allows you to plan your spending on needs such as groceries, transportation, and so on. Once you have your needs accounted for, whatever is left can be used for saving, trips, or simple pleasures, ensuring your college experience is enjoyable without worrying about whether you can pay for basic needs.

Don’t Rack Up Debt

The idea of a student credit card sounds appealing but can be a trap for the unprepared. With proper credit card usage, a young adult can establish a record of credit card payments that help them build credit, making future loans and purchases easier. However, if the student treats their credit card like an infinite source of cash, high credit balances and missed payments could prolong the time it takes for them to get on their feet after graduation.

Some simple rules to follow when signing up for a credit card:

• Start with a prepaid card to get into the habit of budgeting. You can keep an actual credit card handy in case of emergencies.
• Research spending limits, interest rates, and terms to find the best credit card for your needs. Make sure you are aware of fees and other hidden costs that come with each card.
• Only spend what you can afford to pay back, and make sure to pay off your card in full each month.

Get a Part-Time Job

A part-time job is not only a great way to help mitigate the costs of higher education; it also provides valuable experience and helps young adults to build community and sharpen organizational skills. Even entry-level jobs require you to have some work experience and a part-time job is a great way to show initiative on your résumé.

Take Classes on Financial Wellness

Many colleges and universities offer financial literacy programs for their students. You can also reach out to administrators and academic advisors who may have information on extracurricular programs open to students.

Choose the Right Bank

College is an opportune time to find a bank that shares your values. These days, community banks boast the same mobile and online banking tools as large national banks while maintaining strong ties to the communities they serve and holding themselves to higher ethical standards. Many of these banks also offer deposit accounts with lower or zero fees for account maintenance, no minimum balance requirements, overdraft protections, and competitive interest rates. New Tripoli Bank’s Smart Start Checking Account is tailor-made for the college-bound graduate. Our mobile and online banking platform mean no matter which college you head for, you’ll have your bank account right at your fingertips.

PHEAA Student Loans

New Tripoli Bank has also teamed up with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to offer private student loan options for students pursuing higher education. These loans are designed to reduce the financial strain placed on college students by waiving many of the fees associated with loan applications and offering low fixed interest rates.

Keep these tips in mind for those who are college bound. By learning good financial habits early, they will develop the skills they need to become financially secure well into the future.

Sundra Sherwin is Vice President of Branch Administration for New Tripoli Bank. She has over 25 years of banking experience and has been with New Tripoli Bank for 15 years, working in various positions at the Bank. She has been promoting financial literacy in our community through her work with the Bank for years.

New Tripoli Bank offers its most heartfelt congratulations to David R. Hunsicker, President and Chairman, for 50 years of employment with the Bank.

Hunsicker was hired by then- CEO Willard Snyder in 1973 as a teller where he learned the daily operations of the Bank, and then later to positions of increasing responsibility. "Dave did exceptionally well and advanced through various positions and roles within the Bank," Willard reflected. "He was quick to grasp all the challenges I gave him, of which there were many."

"Throughout my career, Willard was a great mentor," Hunsicker said of the former President/CEO, "He encouraged me to attend State and National banking association events, which gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from other successful bankers."

In 1982, Hunsicker was promoted to Vice President and expanded his purview to include commercial lending. He was then promoted to Executive Vice President in 1987. On January 1^st, 1996, he was selected to succeed Willard Snyder as Chief Executive Officer of New Tripoli Bank, becoming President and Director of the Board that December. He then assumed the additional role of Chair of the Board in 2011.

Under Hunsicker's leadership, New Tripoli Bank continued to establish itself as the premier community bank in the Lehigh Valley, weathering several financial crises and opening two additional bank branches in Orefield and Upper Milford Township.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Dave for his decades of service," said Larry Oswald, Vice Chairman of New Tripoli Bank's Board of Directors. "New Tripoli Bank would not be the Bank it is today were it not for Dave's vision, leadership, and guidance. We have tackled many challenges over this time and Dave's steady hand at the helm made it work, and work well. Thanks Dave, and best wishes as you continue forward!"

John M. Hayes, who succeeded Hunsicker as CEO in 2022, commented as well, "Dave is the best community banker I have ever had the privilege of working with. His knowledge of the industry and the communities we serve is encyclopedic. He has accomplished great things at New Tripoli Bank, and we can't thank him enough for the amazing work he has done."

Asked about the bank's future, Hunsicker said, "I have always believed in our motto: 'People are More Valuable Than Money.' This is our competitive advantage and will continue to be going forward. As long as we continue to provide the best in personal service, we have a great advantage over other financial institutions."

In addition to his work for New Tripoli Bank, Hunsicker has served on the boards and regional committees of numerous trade associations, including the PA Bankers Association, PA Association of Community Bankers, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank, and the Independent Community Bankers of America. In addition, in 2013 he was appointed to the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia where he served for six years, including four years as Chair of the Audit Committee. Hunsicker considers this a highlight of his career. "It allowed me to work with different Federal Reserve Banks across the country," he said, "I learned from other industry leaders and what makes the U.S. economy special."

Reflecting on his career path, Hunsicker said, "When I joined New Tripoli Bank I thought, if I worked hard, someday I may have a chance to be CEO. I always enjoyed finance and banking; both areas were perfect matches for me. New Tripoli Bank allowed me to make my community a better place; I have had the best job ever, and I will always be thankful for the opportunity."

What is an Account Takeover?

Account takeover is an attack in which cybercriminals seize ownership of online accounts by using stolen passwords and usernames, then use these credentials to commit fraud. They purchase personal information via the dark web—information collected through social engineering or data breaches. This information provides the necessary credentials for a fraudster to pose as a consumer. With this information, scammers can trick a consumer's financial institution to make changes to their accounts or card settings. They may change phone numbers, emails, or passcodes, apply for increased limits, or change the account holder's PIN and/or travel exemptions to interfere with the institution's fraud-monitoring tools.

Schemes that Contribute to Account Takeovers

Skimming & Malware

Deployment of card skimmers or malware to point-of-sale terminals continues to be a widespread method for stealing data. Compared to years past, small local businesses are more likely to compromised and have their data harvested. Stolen data is then passed through remote, wireless technologies with increasing frequency. 

Phishing, Vishing & Smishing

Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing are methods of data theft that involve tricking consumers into revealing confidential information. These schemes use social engineering combined with modern technology to deceive consumers into revealing critical information while disregarding legitimate fraud warnings.

Phishing schemes are becoming both more frequent, more targeted (called "spear-phishing"), and more difficult to identify than in the past. They utilize email to trick consumers into revealing personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers. Rather than relying on suspicious links in poorly designed emails, phishing emails mimic legitimate websites and appear more polished and credible. By using URL shortening tools such as TinyURL, scammers make detection of suspicious links difficult for even the most keen-eyed of users. Red flags can include mistakes in hyperlinks, grammar or punctuation.

Smishing is the fraudulent practice of sending text messages claiming to be from reputable companies to induce consumers to reveal their personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. Vishing is the same fraudulent practice enacted via phone calls. In both instances, consumers may be sent a voice or text message with transaction details requesting confirmation from the consumer. When they respond, they may be questioned for account details or asked to call back and provide account information. In some instances, they are sent a one-time passcode and instructed to reply "No Fraud" to the message.

Malware

Malicious software is a significant threat to the security of financial data. One such type of malware is a Man-in-the-Browser attack, where malicious software is installed to a consumer's computer in the background when the user is downloading some otherwise innocuous file. The malware is then able to monitor and hijack user web sessions to transfer funds or harvest payment cards and online banking credentials, while redirecting the consumer to a fictitious error page. This type of malware often deploys automatically when a user visits a compromised website.

How Should Consumers Protect Themselves?

Preventing account takeover is a joint effort between your financial institution and yourself. There are steps you should take to ensure you don't end up the victim of identity theft.

• If you are concerned about an automated message, do not respond to the call, text, or email. Contact the company in question via their official customer service number listed on their website. Do not contact any number provided by a suspicious caller or message and do not click on any links.
• Respond quickly if you notice unexplained activity on your accounts or suspect you may have been the victim of a data harvesting scheme. Contact your financial institution immediately to help mitigate your losses.
• Always be aware of what information you choose to submit online and never easily provide access to your personal information.
• Maintain an up-to-date, secure operating system along with robust security and anti-malware software. Rely on multiple layers of protection and security tools.
• Keep your two-factor authentication codes private. Never provide them via phone, text, or email. These should only be used to sign into banking, merchant, or payment accounts when the consumer is actively trying to access it.

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. Whether you’re looking for personal banking options or services for your business, here are some reasons why your best decision is to bank locally.

Personalized Attention

Do you feel like you’re just an account number in a sea of account numbers, or that you’re always having trouble getting someone to pay attention to you? You’re at the wrong bank.

Community bank employees dedicate more time to the customer. They can respond to your needs with personalized solutions that fit the situations you face because they face the same situations in their own lives. That’s why customers prefer local banks, where customer service truly matters.

Faster Decisions

At a community bank, you speak directly with the people who make the decisions, and we keep those decisions local. You won’t have to wait for your request to make its way through an internal bureaucracy only for someone you’ve never met to weigh in on your request. That’s not fair to you and often leads to bad, poorly informed decisions.

Fewer & Lower Fees

Did you know that large banks have reported making nearly $2 billion annually just through overdraft charges? Or that 75% of large banks don’t offer a checking account without fees? This is just one of the reasons why large bank customers end up feeling like they’re just another name on a ledger.

Community banks charge lower fees than national banks. The most common types of fees—overdrafts and nonsufficient funds fees—are 13-19% lower for small banks compared to large banks. We also don’t look to layer fees upon fees, and work with you to avoid these situations, giving you access to a host of tools to help you manage your money and avoid unnecessary fees. It’s not in either of our interests to charge fees for everything. Additionally, 44% of small banks have checking accounts without monthly maintenance fees—and New Tripoli Bank is one of them!

High Quality Service

Large banks would have you believe that they alone can offer the most convenience and the latest technology, but nothing could be further from the truth. Community banks offer the same services and products as our competitors and often without charging you extra for their use! New Tripoli Bank has world-class online and mobile banking options to improve our customers’ experience, with features such as account alerts, online account opening, automated bill payments, and more.

Ethics & Stability

If the last two decades have taught us anything, it’s that scandals strike larger banks with a fair amount of regularity. The same cannot be said for community banks, who are deeply rooted within the communities they serve and have a personal stake in the financial well-being of their customers. Reputation is important to community banks, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard.

Keeping Money in the Community

Most importantly, your local community bank puts your money to work fueling small local businesses. As small businesses themselves, community banks recognize their key role in keeping their local economy strong. This is why, year after year, community banks are responsible for the lion’s share of small business loans and often serve as the only physical banking presence in one-third of counties in the United States.

Now that you understand the benefits and importance of community banking, the only question left is “how do I get started?” Luckily, New Tripoli Bank’s free checking account is a great way to take advantage of the convenience and simplicity of community banking, and you can set it up 100% online or at any of our three offices. No matter which way you come in the door, we’re happy to have you here!

I hope this article has been helpful at illustrating the positives of community banking and no matter where you choose to bank, just remember to keep it local.

We have recently received a number of calls from New Tripoli Bank customers who have been contacted by someone claiming to be from the bank and asking for personal information. These calls show up on the customer's phone with the caller ID saying they are from New Tripoli Bank, but the actual phone number of the caller is not one associated with the bank.

This is a common tactic used by scammers to create a sense of trust in their targets, to make them more likely to give up information. We want to remind our customers that New Tripoli Bank will never request a customer's personal, confidential information (bank card number, account number, social security number, personal identification number, or password) through telephone contact. If you should ever receive a telephone call requesting your personal confidential information that appears to be from New Tripoli Bank, do not respond to the caller and contact us immediately at (610) 298-8811.

You can learn more about how to protect yourself by reading our articles on identity theft and frauds, scams and phishing along with other topics on our security page.