Making Sense of your Cents

Is "subscription creep" draining your bank account? In this episode, Daniel and Shanna help you perform a "Financial Spring Cleaning." We explore the rise of the subscription economy, the psychology of "Dark Patterns" designed to keep you paying, and why "ghost subscriptions" are so easy to ignore. Tune in to learn how to hunt down hidden charges in your app stores, the secret to consolidatin...

Scammers are no longer just sending suspicious emails—they’re using Artificial Intelligence to clone the voices of the people you love. In this episode, Daniel and Shanna dive into the "New Frontier of Fraud," explaining how AI can mimic a relative in distress with terrifying accuracy using just a 30-second clip from social media. We break down how voice cloning technology works, why you can no longer trust your "Cal...

Your money has power—not just for you, but for your entire community. In this episode, Daniel and Shanna explain what it actually means to be "Rooted in Community" at First Century Bank. We trace the "Life Cycle of a Local Dollar" to show how your deposits fuel local dreams, and we compare the human-driven decisions of our Loan Committee—comprised of senior management who live and work right here—to the cold alg...

Don’t let the "new car smell" cloud your judgment! In this episode, Daniel and Shanna take you behind the scenes of the auto industry to show you how to walk onto a car lot with total confidence. We break down the massive advantage of stopping by the bank to run your actual numbers first, explain the 20/4/10 rule for budgeting, and reveal why "GAP insurance" might be the most important safety feature you buy. Wh...

Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of "Making Sense of Your Cents!" With the tax deadline just 24 hours away, Daniel and Shanna are here to help lower your financial blood pressure. In this episode, we provide a last-minute sanity check by breaking down the critical difference between an extension to file and an extension to pay. We also debunk the myth of the "big tax refund" and answer community questions about ...

In our Season 1 finale, we’re focusing on a simple switch that provides a massive upgrade to your security and convenience: e-Statements. Join Daniel and Shanna as they break down why moving away from the paper trail is the fastest and safest way to handle your bank records. We’ll walk you through our easy 4-step enrollment process and explain how immediate digital access puts you in total control. Plus, stick around for a special ...

This episode focuses on the unique financial challenges and opportunities of retirement. We discuss practical strategies for simplifying and managing retirement income, including Social Security and RMDs. We also take a deep dive into the most common scams that target seniors, like the "Grandparent Scam" and tech support fraud, and explain the importance of having a trusted contact on your accounts to safeguard your finan...

Just like a medical physical, your finances need an annual check-up to stay healthy. In this episode, we provide a simple, step-by-step checklist for a yearly financial review. We'll guide you through reassessing your budget, reviewing your credit report, tracking your progress toward your goals, and auditing your subscriptions to find "leaks" in your spending. This is a proactive guide to keeping your financial plan...

Your banking app can do a lot more than just show your balance. In this episode, we take a guided tour of powerful features you might not be using. We'll show you how to master mobile check deposit, how to set up custom security and balance alerts that act as your personal financial assistant, and how to use card controls to instantly turn your debit card on or off for ultimate peace of mind. Learn to unlock the full potential...

How do you teach your teen about money? With Branch Operations Coordinator Shelby Liford, we provide a guide to opening a first checking or savings account. This episode is packed with practical advice for parents, explaining when the right time is to get started, what account features to look for, and how to use this important milestone to instill good financial habits—like saving and tracking spending—that will last a lifetime. 

I...

Your home has value you can use. With guest Megan Zielinski, VP/Area Executive, we explain the Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). In this episode, you’ll learn how to calculate your home's equity, how a HELOC's "draw" and "repayment" periods work, and the smart ways to use this powerful financial tool for things like home renovations. We'll also cover the important responsibilities and risks that...

Overdrafts can be a source of stress and costly fees. Joined by Compliance Operations Specialist Amy Earl, we provide a transparent look at how they work and the choices you have as a consumer. In this episode, you will learn the crucial difference between Overdraft Protection and Overdraft Privilege, understand your important "opt-in" rights for debit card transactions, and discover simple, proactive habits and mobile al...

In this episode, we answer one of the most fundamental questions in banking: is my money safe? This episode is a confidence-building deep dive into the protection that backs your deposits. We'll explore the history of the FDIC, explain exactly what's covered (checking, savings) and what's not (investments), and show you how the $250,000 insurance limit works and how you can get even more coverage at a single bank.

The...

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store and the gas pump? This episode is a jargon-free guide to inflation. We demystify what it is, how it's measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and how it impacts your daily life. We'll explain the difference between "demand-pull" and "cost-push" inflation and provide practical, everyday tips for adjusting your family budget to cope with rising prices, fight ...

You hear "the Fed raised rates" on the news, but what does that actually mean for your wallet? In this episode, we translate the complex headlines into practical, personal knowledge. We'll explain who the Fed is, what their "dual mandate" means, how their decisions directly affect the APY on your savings account, and why the interest rate on your variable-rate credit card goes up when they tighten policy. T...

Could you be paying less on your car loan or mortgage? In this episode, we explain the pros and cons of refinancing. It can be a powerful tool to save money, but it's not the right move for everyone. We'll discuss the two main reasons to consider refinancing—an improved credit score or a drop in market rates—and teach you how to calculate your "break-even point" on closing costs to see if it's truly worth i...

Whether you have a blank credit file or are recovering from past financial mistakes, this episode provides a clear roadmap to a better score. We lay out actionable strategies for building a positive credit history, starting from day one. We’ll explore how to leverage a secured credit card to prove your creditworthiness, the benefits of a credit-builder loan, and how becoming an authorized user can provide a powerful head start. It’...

Your credit report is the official story of your financial life—but is it telling the truth? In this episode, we provide a step-by-step guide to pulling your free annual credit report from the only official source. We'll teach you how to decode the four key sections of your report, how to spot common errors or red flags for fraud, and the exact process for formally disputing an inaccurate item with the credit bureaus to protec...

Life's biggest milestones—getting married, having a baby, buying a home—are also major financial events. Joined by CFO Barron D. Kennedy, IV, we discuss the key financial conversations and action steps for these exciting transitions. Learn how to have the "money talk" with your partner before getting married, the non-negotiable financial steps to take when a child is on the way, and how to avoid being "house poo...