General

Budgeting is an important and valuable financial tool to use when managing your money. The long- and short-term benefits of budgeting also make it a popular tool for those setting goals, both small and large.

Budgeting is only as effective as you make it.  While it doesn’t have to be overly complicated, there are some important steps that can cause blunders rather than benefits.

Those who don’t...

The rise in technological advances have unfortunately also brought on the rise of scams. While scams are not new by any means, the ways in which scammers can attempt to compromise your assets or identity have grown significantly with the use of technology.

Here are some common scams to look out for and ways to avoid them.

Social Media

From Marketplace to messenger and even new friend requests, social media allows scammers to learn enough about...

Hello, it's ME?

AI can and is being used to increase the efficiency of security measures; however, it is also being used to create harmful, targeted, and more sophisticated cyber threats. AI threats are not just behind screens; they are in your ear. Malicious actors are utilizing not only SPAM emails and other digital attacks but also spoofing customers' voices to gather personal information and approve the transfer of funds.[1]

Joana Stern of The Wall Street Journal...

Tax time is upon us, a sign that phishing season has begun.

The IRS states that scams may differ in themes, but generally, they have two traits:

Criminals continue to make aggressive...

You’ve likely seen the FDIC logo and heard of it but what is it actually and how does it work?

FDIC stands for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government that protects depositors (that’s you) against loss if an FDIC-insured bank should fail or close. While it is not common, it can happen. Understanding how FDIC insurance works is important.

It’s an added security for your money should something happen to...

Cyber attackers are opportunistic, and with Valentine's Day right around the corner, you can expect to see an increase in threats related to socially engineered relationships.

Virtual lunch dates, wine tastings, and chat rooms have created an easy way to put ourselves into a space where we cannot truly see the person on the other end of the keyboard. In addition, many people now use online dating applications and social networking sites to meet people with common interests.

In...

Thinking Outside the Box

As shippers forecast another record year of holiday deliveries, scammers are ramping up their efforts to take advantage.

As the holiday's approach and deliveries adorn your porch, remain diligent in protecting yourself against package delivery scams. It’s become all too common to receive a text message from a contact alleged to be a carrier that says they were unable to deliver a package. The message might claim the package is from a friend...

Have you purchased or possibly refinanced your home mortgage, recently?  Well, you could be a target.  

Recently blue postcards have been landing in our mailboxes.  They say "IMMEDIATE RESPONSE NEEDED" or "ACT NOW", as it pertains to your loan.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A SCAM! 

If you've recently purchased or even refinanced your home mortgage, this makes you susceptible to becoming a prime target of this specific scam.  

Home State Bank is excited to announce Bob Allen is new Bank President. Bob has been with Home State Bank since April 2012 and is excited to continue and build on the work of former bank president, Sid Jones, who will be continuing as CEO of Home State Bank.

Let’s get to know our new Bank President, Bob Allen, a little better.

While in college, Bob worked part-time for the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District. After college, he continued his work...

Tax time is stressful enough without having to worry about fake-IRS phishing schemes. The first day of spring may technically be in March, but those of us in the world of banking and finance can’t truly enjoy the sunshine, blooms, longer days, and warmer weather until Tax Day is squarely in the rearview. Whether you’re an early filer, procrastinator, or someone in between who’s been gradually gathering documents, compiling receipts, and crunching the numbers for three months,...