Banknotes

The snow is beginning to melt, the days are getting longer ... spring is definitely in the air! Every year at this time, millions of Americans set about organizing their houses and tackling projects that they've put off over the winter. But what about your financial house; is that in order? Now is the perfect time to review and, if necessary, clean up your personal finances, to ensure that your spring is filled more with sunshine than rain clouds. 

One of the best things you can do for yourself early in your adult life is start planning your financial future. Some of you are probably thinking you’ve got plenty of time to work on that, but in this instance, time can be your worst enemy. A great starting point is developing a relationship with a trustworthy, knowledgeable, professional financial advisor – someone with whom you’ll develop a financial map for your future, who’ll help you get a feel for the road, and who’ll be there to guide you through any detours you encounter along your way.

State Bank of Cross Plains’ personal online banking system has many useful tools and features – you can access your accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; transfer funds between your accounts; pay bills right from your home or mobile device; and so much more! We want it to be easy for you to navigate our website, so here are some tips that will help you gain confidence along your way to becoming a master of online banking.

The leaves are beginning to fall, the weather's beginning to chill, and the days are beginning to feel a bit shorter – we must be heading toward Halloween, the spookiest time of the year! And for some, using new banking technology can be every bit as scary as the frights provided by ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. But it doesn't have to be! We're here to turn on the lights to prove that these modern tools are nothing to fear, and can, in fact, make your banking experience much more convenient.

Graduating from college can be both an exciting and nerve-racking experience. The euphoria you feel upon receiving that hard-earned degree can quickly give way to the harsh reality of student loans and real-world expenses. What you do with your finances upon graduation is extremely important. Think about these three things as you prepare.

Per a 2017 survey commissioned by the American Bankers Association, two-thirds of Americans use mobile or online banking as the primary means of accessing their accounts, leaning heavily on smartphones and computers to pull up their bank information. Not surprisingly, perhaps, both devices are popular targets for online fraudsters itching to pilfer people’s personal data.

With winter showing no mercy this year, many Wisconsinites will try to seek refuge in warmer climates over spring break. State Bank of Cross Plains wants to help you access your money safely and conveniently while away from home.

We’ve all been there….that moment when you realize you left your wallet in your other pants. Or the times you wish you didn’t have to carry your whole purse.

There’s definitely a convenience factor to digital payments using your smart phone, but did you know that it’s also a safer option in most cases?

There are many things to think about financially when sending a child off to college:

• Saving for college
• Loans
• Scholarships (#fingerscrossed)
• Filling out the FAFSA (financial aid)

However, one piece of the financial puzzle that often gets overlooked is how you will quickly and easily send money to your child when they are away from home – and their home bank.

One easy solution is a digital payment tool called Popmoney®.

Paying for stuff?  There’s an app for that…of course!

You may have heard that your smartphone now has the capability to serve as a payment device, reducing your need to carry a wallet or purse with you everywhere you go.

The two big questions?

1. Why would I want to use my smartphone to pay for stuff?
2. How do I make that happen?