First Bank of the Lake: September 2016

Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway
Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065

(573) 348-2265

Monday, September 19, 2016

The Pros & Cons of Cash Vs. Card

Although more and more people are leaning toward plastic in the cash vs. card debate, there are still a number of benefits to using cash. There are positive and negative factors of both payment options. Whether you prefer cash or card, First Bank of the Lake can assist you with your finances and managing your money. Provided below are some pros and cons of both cash and card, to help you decide what is best for your personal money use.

Pros of Cash:

One of the biggest advantages of paying with cash is that there is a limit to the amount you can spend. When you run out of cash, you are done spending. Unlike with a credit card, there are no fees associated with carrying cash in your wallet. No monthly payments are associated when paying with cash either, which helps you minimize costs.

Cons of Cash:

The downside to paying with cash is that you have to keep money near at all times, whether it is in your purse, wallet, or vehicle. This puts you at a greater risk if you were to be robbed or lose your wallet. If your cash money is stolen, it is gone for good.

Pros of Card:

Paying with plastic is convenient. You do not have to worry about making change or having enough money on you. If you choose to use a credit card responsibly, you can actually help establish and build credit. There are also reward programs associated with some credit card companies. If you experience a stolen card or have your credit card compromised, you will likely be able to recoup the charges you did not make.

Cons of Card:

People who pay with a card tend to overspend and have regret about their purchases later. In addition to overspending, a credit card comes with fees and interest that has to be paid, adding to the bills at the end of the month. It can be easy to get overwhelmed with credit card debt if it is not handled properly.

First Bank Has Options For You:

First Free Checking

Only $50 is required to open a free checking account with us. No minimum balance is needed and no interest is paid for our free checking account. Only electronic statements are available through this type of account.

First Basic Checking

$50 is required to open the basic checking account as well. A minimum balance is required and no interest is paid on this type of account. We offer a debit card, free direct deposit, and check safekeeping for our customers who choose the basic checking.

First Preferred Checking

The amount required to open the preferred checking account with us is $100. Interest can be earned anytime the account balance is $750 or above. Provided with this type of account is a debit card and free direct deposit. Statements are issued monthly and include an image of your cancelled checks for your records. A minimum balance does need to be kept in the account to avoid fees.

Now that you know a little more about the upside and downside of using plastic vs paper, you can choose what option is best for your spending needs. To open one of our checking accounts, stop in to our bank in Osage Beach. We would be pleased to help you find the right account type for your wants and needs in a checking account at the Lake of the Ozarks.

First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway
Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065

(573) 348-2265

Friday, September 16, 2016

Understanding Money Market Accounts

Not everyone feels comfortable with the volatility of the stock market, and that's why for some people, a money market account might be the best option. These types of account can be a great place to park your cash. It's set aside from the rest of your funds, while still being accessible if needed. Keep reading to learn more about money market accounts and how you can open one at First Bank of the Lake today!

What is a Money Market Account?

A money market account is a type of savings account that typically earns a higher amount of interest than a basic savings account. The interest on a money market account is usually compounded on a daily or monthly basis and paid on a monthly or quarterly basis. Money market accounts offer a wide range of rates, that will vary from bank to bank. That interest is how the bank thanks you for letting them use your money. When you have money in a money market account, the bank takes that money and makes other investments or loans. Money market accounts typically require a minimum balance higher than a basic savings account. These accounts are different from money market funds, which are investments that can lose value if the market falls. Money market accounts are backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at banks and the National Credit Union Administration at credit unions, for up to $250,000 per depositor.

Money Market Accounts vs. Savings Accounts

As the customer, the differences between a money market account and a basic savings account aren't that big. As mentioned above, the main differences are that money market accounts typically have a higher minimum balance and yield a better interest rate than a basic savings account would. Both types of accounts are FDIC insured and have some basic restrictions on how often you can withdraw from them.

Money Market Accounts with First Bank of the Lake

To open a money market account with our Lake of the Ozarks bank, you'll need a minimum of $500. With this account, you will get a monthly statement, an image of your checks and free direct deposit. You will need to keep a minimum balance in your account to avoid fees. If your balance falls below $1000 on any day in the statement cycle, a maintenance fee of $10 will be imposed once during the cycle. In addition, Federal Regulations restrict the number of withdrawals per month. Over 3 checks per cycle will result in a $10 charge each. Over 6 debits per cycle will also result in a $10 charge each.

To learn more about opening a money market account with First Bank of the Lake, give us a call at 573-348-2265 or stop by our bank in Osage Beach to talk to one of our friendly account specialists. First Bank of the Lake is known for offering higher money market rates than other banks in the area. Our goal is to find the right product or service to meet your financial needs. We're sure we have the perfect account to meet your needs.

First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway
Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065

(573) 348-2265

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

College Savings Month: 5 Quick Tips To Help Finance Your Child's College Education

With the new school year officially underway, many parents are faced with the (somewhat daunting) reality that eventually, their children will most likely be headed off to college. With the average college graduate currently shouldering $37,172 in student loan debt (source: StudentLoanHero.com), many parents are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of helping their children fund their college educations without taking out an unnecessary amount of student loans. In honor of College Savings Month, First Bank of the Lake is here to help you make it happen.

5 Tips To Save Money For College:

If you are a parent hoping to assist with your children's college educations (or a student saving money for yourself), here are a few savings tips to help you get started on the right track.

1. Set Goals
Working towards a concrete goal is always more effective (and easier) than working towards an abstract concept. Rather than simply "saving for my children's college educations," determine an exact dollar amount you want to save and start working towards that goal. Remember that you don't have fund the entire education expenses to make a big difference in your children's financial future; anything you can contribute will be enormously helpful.

2. Open A Savings Account
While this may seem like one of the most basic steps you can take, it is also one of the most important. By opening a separate savings account specifically for your college fund, you can make a conscious effort to set money aside and watch your contributions grow over time. Our local bank at the Lake of the Ozarks offers personal savings account options to help you get started.

3. Open A 529 Savings Account
Just as IRAs are investment accounts designed to help you save money for retirement, 529 savings accounts are accounts designed to help you save money for your children's college educations. Most 529 accounts allow you to schedule automatic monthly contributions that pull directly from your bank account, so you can continue to save money without having to think about it on a regular basis.

4. Contribute To Your Savings Accounts Regularly
Of course, having a savings account won't do you any good if you never put any money into it. In order to save money for your future college fund, you have to make a conscious effort to put money aside in the present. Don't let the prospect of having to save thousands of dollars discourage you from saving small amounts here and there. Even if you can only contribute as little as $50-$100 per month for now, setting that small amount aside now will make a difference in the long run.

5. Get The Rest Of The Family Involved
If you know your children are headed to college someday, don't be afraid to ask extended family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) to help shoulder the cost of helping them achieve this dream. Particularly once your children reach high school age, you may want to ask (or have them ask) extended family members to provide contributions to their college funds in lieu of material birthday or holiday gifts.

Happy Savings!
On behalf of everyone at our Lake of the Ozarks bank, we wish you a very happy College Savings Month and the best of luck as you embark on your college savings journey. If there is any way we can be of assistance, please let us know. We can help you set up a savings account in Osage Beach MO. We also offer CDs as a short-term investment options to help you grow your wealth. Contact us to get started!

First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.