Mindy Charski

Social Security is woven into the fabric of American life, with about 1 in 5 U.S. residents receiving benefits as of early 2024. Yet, despite its familiarity, the program’s complex rules and jargon can leave many feeling puzzled.

So how does Social Security work? Read on to learn more about its key components, eligibility rules and benefit payouts.

OneUnited Bank’s AI-powered financial wellness tool is enabling the bank’s customers to make better financial decisions and build generational wealth.

Stearns Bank is fostering trust, financial empowerment and meaningful relationships with Minnesota’s sizable Hmong community by establishing a branch in one of their cultural hubs.

Studying at Washington University in St. Louis helped prepare John W. Davis for a 33-year career working for U.S. Army Counterintelligence. He spent 12 of those years overseas as a liaison officer, investigator and linguist.

Is culture something that falls into place naturally or something that is cultivated? These community banks created chief culture officer roles to encourage, develop and preserve their bank’s values and identity.

Why do so many colleges still include direct mail in their marketing mix along with social media, digital advertising, email and other means of communicating? It turns out that mail has unique advantages that help schools grab and keep the attention of digital natives.

These days, only a small number of bankers are embracing the challenge of the de novo process even as the need for new banks grows. I spoke with executives behind four de novos about their startup journeys and how they are serving their communities.

With a new digital commercial loan solution, The Killbuck Savings Bank Co. has catapulted its commercial lending and loan origination system into the high-speed digital era.

Whether you're looking for your first card, focused on building your credit or aiming for sweet premium perks, it’s helpful to understand which kind of credit card is a good match for your current financial stage.

Customer data fuels efficient and effective marketing these days. Community banks own an enviable amount of data, but not all are leveraging it to its fullest extent. I delve into why that is and how banks can begin to implement a first-party data strategy in this story for Independent Banker.

Inspired by a fateful food delivery, Primis Bank launched V1BE, a banking delivery service that serves both individuals and businesses.

Financial stress is real, and an unhealthy credit score—one that designates you as a credit risk—can add to your stress. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your credit score if it’s not where you want it to be.