Sunscreen?  Check.

Plane tickets? Check.

Call the bank?  Wait...what?

Debit cards offer the convenience of credit cards without the risk of getting in over your head through overspending. But while financial institutions like Bank Independent have security measures in place, debit cards aren’t immune to fraud.

When you're ready to start construction on your dream home, the house is not the only thing you'll need to build. You'll also want to build strong relationships with your banker, your builder and your mortgage originator.

Every year, millions of consumers fall victim to cybercrime. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2014, consumers lost more than $800 million from scams initiated through the web. In recognition of Internet Safety Month in June, we're highlighting seven tips to help consumers protect themselves from online fraud.

Ok, so new stuff can be scary...especially when it involves your hard-earned money. When it comes to new payment technologies, you're probably concerned about security, understanding the technology, security, setup, security, etc.  I totally get it!  As a forty-something who witnessed the advent of ATMs and has had hackers fraudulently use my debit card information (at an RV park in Florida, at that!), I totally understand. 

When you start narrowing down on the type of equipment your business needs, it’s a good idea to thoroughly consider the pros and cons of leasing versus buying. There are certain situations when the cost-benefit of one option may strongly outweigh the other. 

When lending to business for equipment I always seem to get a similar question.  Is it better for me to lease or buy a piece of equipment?  For business owners who need certain equipment to operate and make their business successful, there is a lot to consider.  It goes beyond just looking at the overall costs of buying or leasing a piece of equipment, you also need to consider maintenance, tax deductions, flexibility and more.

"Why are stores still asking me to swipe my debit card while others let me dip?" It's a great question, and you're not the only one asking it.  The good news is, we shouldn't be asking it much longer.   

You're probably thinking, "Duh. Merchant services are services for merchants."  That's what I would have thought, too...until I started working at a bank that offers such services.  While a lot of folks who use merchant services know exactly what the term means, others may know they have a need but don't know what to ask for.