Crews Bank & Trust Blog

01/14/22

October Investment Update

After declining in September, the equity market is now celebrating the economic recovery from the COVID virus and solid growth in U.S. corporate earnings. The S&P 500 Index is now up 22% for the year and is poised to move higher as economic growth is only hindered by distribution bottlenecks in imported and manufactured goods. The goods inventory scarcity is likely to be temporary, and it should take four to six months to normalize the distribution from ships to ports, trucks, trains and stores. The decline in inventories has caused price hikes in goods and services, yet consumers have registered higher confidence levels, are consuming and traveling more, and are returning to work. Job availability remains high, yet some Americans are choosing retirement, self-employment or part-time work rather than a return to the office.

01/6/22

The 4 Best Places to Retire in Florida

Year after year, Florida’s population continues to grow. Many people moving to the Sunshine State are retirees relocating for the reason behind the state’s nickname: There are over 230 days of sunshine a year, and even in the coldest months, the average daily temperature is 70 degrees or higher. The temperature rarely gets below 50 degrees.

12/20/21

How to Be Financially Responsible with Your Income Tax Return

Getting a tax return mailed or transferred directly into your account is exciting. And although it’s easy to let that excitement lead you to thinking about which fun items you'd like to buy and trips you want to take, a tax return can put you in a better financial position for the future if used responsibly.

Security, Online Banking

12/15/21

6 Cybersecurity Business Ideas to Protect Against Email Compromise

Companies of all sizes are being targeted by criminals through business email compromise scams. In these scams, cybercriminals gain access to an employee’s legitimate business email through social engineering or computer intrusion. The criminal then impersonates the employee often a senior executive or someone who can authorize payments and instructs others to transfer funds on their behalf. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, over $10 billion has been lost by victims in the U.S. due to these scams.

12/8/21

Crews Family of Banks: Community Banking With a History of Trust

What are you looking for in a bank? We’re willing to bet it’s not long lines, advisors who tell you what to do without listening to your needs, or lengthy call menus to navigate when you need help. The Crews Family of Banks have been around long enough to know what you want in a community bank, and we’re committed to providing that personalized service to each of our clients.

12/2/21

November 2021 Market Update

The better-than-expected third-quarter corporate earnings reports were evidence of a broad-based economic recovery causing investor psychology to improve and funds to flow from bonds into stocks. This has since reversed as the uncertainty of the spread and severity of COVID mutation Omicron remains unknown. The concern is that the supply chain of parts and goods produced in emerging markets may slow and deter global economic growth.

12/1/21

A Beginner's Guide to Understanding a Living Trust

One of the most common misconceptions about trusts is that they’re only for individuals of high net worth with substantial estates. While it is true that anyone with significant wealth should consider a trust, those of more modest means can benefit from asset protection and other features offered with a trust.

11/26/21

Want to Save $1,170? Hang Up.

During the pandemic, my phone was ringing off the hook, as many fraudsters took advantage of our isolation. They knew we were lonely, stuck at home with only a few ways to communicate with others, so why not take advantage of that good ole’ telephone when everyone is afraid of hackers on the internet?

In fact, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) received about 1.25 million phone fraud complaints in 2020, and the hackers and scammers don’t seem to be showing down this year.

11/24/21

When Should Parents Start Saving for College?

Next to buying a home, a college education is the largest expenditure most parents will ever make. The key is advance planning. The more money you save now, the less money you or your child will need to borrow later. It is important to begin saving as early as possible so you can earn interest, dividends, and/or capital gains on as much money as possible.

11/17/21

Take a Strategic Approach to Your Retirement Planning Today

Thinking about retirement? The average retirement age in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, is 63 for women and 65 for men. While you may not actually retire until your late 60s or 70s, you should start thinking about it as soon as you start working. Some experts suggest you start saving in your 20s, when you begin earning paychecks, because the sooner you begin saving, the more time your money has to grow.

On Our Minds