"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
Financial Articles
Curated articles, just for you!
1/17/25
Understanding Trigger Leads
Understanding Trigger Leads: What They Are, How They Affect You, and How to Opt Out
When applying for a loan or mortgage, you might be surprised to receive unsolicited offers from lenders you’ve never contacted. These offers often result from something called “trigger leads.” Understanding what trigger leads are, their potential impact on consumers, and how to opt out of them can help you navigate your financial journey with greater confidence and control.
What Are Trigger Leads?
Trigger leads are created when you apply for a loan or mortgage. National credit bureaus—such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—generate these leads by adding your information to a list that is then sold to other lenders. This process occurs shortly after your credit inquiry, often within 24 hours of your loan application.
10/1/2024
Do You Practice Safe Checks?
It should come as easily as airline safety, so buckle up for this one. Despite the fact that check use has declined by 25%, reports of check fraud have soared. In fact, they’ve nearly doubled since 2021. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated and finding new ways to steal your financial information to gain access to, and fly off with your money.
10/1/2024
Can You Spot a Phishing Scam?
Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse.
02/08/2024
Understanding What the FDIC Protects
In the wake of the 2023 news storm of some big banks closing their doors, Security Federal Bank wants to explain why there is no reason to panic. All deposit account holders with $250,000 or less per account in our institution are automatically protected by the FDIC – meaning that you will never be at risk of losing this money.
01/08/2024
6 Steps to Starting a Small Business
Are you ready to start up your business idea and become an entrepreneur? Before you can call yourself a small business owner, you’ll want to make sure your business solves a real problem, has a plan and can get funding. Follow these steps to turn your startup idea into a thriving small business in South Carolina or Georgia.
12/08/2023
Comparing Small Business Loan Programs Backed by the SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was founded as an independent federal government agency to help American businesses get started, compete, and thrive by helping business owners access funding.
11/8/2023
Financial Health
Is it paying bills on time, robust savings, retirement fund, affording a new car? Whatever financial health means to you, it starts with getting your finances in order.
It’s easy to think that keeping track of your account balances is all you need to do to stay on top of your finances.
