All Popular Bank Blog Articles - Finance, Life and Community Stories

11 smart ways to spend your tax refund

If you get a tax refund instead of owing money on your taxes, it can be tempting to spend this money. While there’s nothing wrong with splurging a little, these extra funds have the power to relieve some of your financial burdens and potentially earn you more disposable income over time.
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Top 8 things to know as a first-time home buyer.

The challenges that first-time home buyers face in purchasing a home can feel difficult to overcome. While the primary monetary challenges include saving up for the required down payment and financing the home’s purchase price, a lack of knowledge and experience as a first-timer can also create anxiety.
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Traditional vs. Roth IRA: What’s the difference?

An individual retirement account (IRA) is a type of retirement account you can open at any time, in contrast to a 401(k) retirement plan your employer might offer. The two most common types of IRAs are Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.
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What is a money market account?

Many banks offer money market accounts (MMAs). You may be wondering how this type of account fits into your money management plans. Use the guide below to find out what a money market account is,
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The pros and cons of renting vs. buying a home.

The traditional debate on renting a home vs. buying a home often comes down to favoring the more cost-effective option. However, the choice between renting vs. buying can also depend on other factors, such as how you handle big financial decisions based on your lifestyle choices.
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How to protect yourself from Zelle® fraud.

In 2023, 120 million consumers and small businesses relied on Zelle® for basic money transfers. Additionally, Zelle® handled nearly three billion transactions worth over $800 billion. Despite its widespread use, less than a tenth of a percent of all transactions (three million,
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Festive Fraud: Beware of these 10 holiday scams.

From frantic, last-minute shopping to festive party hopping, the holiday season is full of frenzied activity. Unfortunately, amidst the revelry, unsuspecting victims can easily get caught in traps set by cybercriminals. As you spread holiday cheer, don’t overlook the importance of protecting your personal and financial information.
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3% down payment vs. zero-down mortgages.

Finding and securing the right home loan is an essential part of the homebuying process. Although most home loans have typically encouraged a 20% down payment, incentivized programs for eligible first-time home buyers have reduced downpayment requirements to promote homeownership.2 Now,
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