Financial Education

It is estimated that 4 out of 7 adults in America are financially illiterate, and over  66% of Americans, 178 million people, are struggling financially.12 What if we could lay the right groundwork for today’s youth so that they can build a brighter financial future?  

Exposing children to financial education at an early age sets children up for a healthier financial future. Learning about pennies, nickels and quarters is as important as teaching the ABCs and 123s....

This year, Peoples Bank and The GIANT PIGGY BANKTM have partnered with Des Moines Parent, an online community for central Iowa parents, to share a four-part series focused on financial literacy for young children (ages preschool through Grade 2) called Teaching Kids To Be Money Smart. 

Each quarter we'll share helpful tips, information and activities on age-appropriate financial topics through our Peoples Bank blog and Facebook page as well as on Des Moines...

Did someone send you a check and ask you to send money back?

If so, that's a fake check scam. The effect of which can have devastating effects on your financial plans. And if you're feeling duped, you're not alone. Attempted check fraud at U.S. banks totaled $15 billion in 2018 (source: American Bankers Association). Hitting closer to home, over the last several weeks Peoples Bank has had several fake cashier checks come in from customers who unknowingly believed...

Over the years, the schemes attackers employ to commit bank fraud have morphed and shifted, from the common occurrence of forgery to credit and debit card skimmers to cyber crime in the modern day. But one aspect of bank fraud hasn’t changed: It can leave devastating effects on a person, their family and their financial plans.

Bank fraud and cyber crime are broad terms, but they encompass the use of fraudulent means - offline and online - to obtain money, assets,...

Financial literacy is important to Peoples Bank. And every branch puts deep thought and effort into financial literacy programs and education throughout its communities. In Greene County, the Peoples Bank staff in Jefferson has been highly active in local schools.

Last fall, the Jefferson Peoples Bank branch introduced the Giant Piggy Bank program with Greene County schools. Giant Piggy Bank allows students to save money through Peoples Bank and become student bankers themselves, gaining...

About two-thirds (66 percent) of Americans have paid a bank fee in the last five years, according to a 2018 study from Ipsos, a market research and public affairs company. That study includes one-time costs like ATM fees, overdraft protection and more. When it comes to ongoing fees, the American Bankers Association says most Americans don’t incur any costs.

What group are you in? If you’re paying bank fees, you don’t have to be. There are ways to steer clear.

According...

Going through a divorce is never easy. Even when it’s an amicable parting, there are still many steps to take and parts to figure out. Finances are perhaps on the biggest component to work through, particularly with your bank accounts and loans.  

Here are some actions to consider with your bank, after taking the advice of a well-trained lawyer, when going through a divorce.

Separate your bank accounts

The first step you should take is...

Home buying can be a tough and nerve-racking task. You can scour listings and for-sale signs for hours in any number of neighborhoods without finding a house that fits just right.

Building your own home can be a great alternative, and there are a variety of benefits to new home ownership. One of the biggest reasons is customization. When you build a home, you can work with a builder to create a space that perfectly suits your needs and wants.

A new house also makes some long-term...

Estate planning can be a scary topic to discuss. After all, it’s tough to talk about what happens to your possessions after you’re gone. But it is an essential part financial planning — to make sure your loved ones are taken care of in your absence.

It’s a complex process as well, with a variety of taxes and classifications to factor into each decision. Before jumping into action to start your planning, understanding key steps and components is essential in the...

Credit cards can be a wonderful tool — if used wisely. In addition to the many points and rewards associated with today’s countless card options, credit cards can also be a key ingredient in building up and maintaining a healthy credit score.

But what comes with the good is the potential bad.

Credit cards can be a tempting way to spend lots of money — more than some people can afford. Pair overspending with high interest rates, and that spells trouble. According...