Bank News & Financial Literacy

Anyone who has grown up or lived in a small town knows that its main street is the center of the universe there—every location is identified by its proximity to that road: “It’s a block north of main behind the pharmacy” or “it’s on main right next to the bakery.” It’s easy to think that the concept of “Main Street” is an antiquated notion, and that it’s all about having the latest concept come to the outskirts of your town.

March is National Credit Education Month—the perfect opportunity to discuss an essential life skill with your teenager: building and maintaining good credit. While likely not top-of-mind for most teens, understanding credit early can lay the foundation for financial independence in the future. Guiding them at this stage ensures they’ll enter adulthood with the tools to make informed financial decisions.

Each year, National Consumer Protection Week takes place as a dedicated time to inform and empower individuals about their consumer rights. It’s not just a week to promote awareness—it’s an opportunity for you to strengthen your knowledge about avoiding fraud and scams.

On February 20th, FNC Bank proudly hosted our 3rd Annual FNC Bank Reality Fair at St. Croix Falls High School, welcoming Junior students from both Osceola and St. Croix Falls High Schools.

The New Year is the perfect time to reflect on your accomplishments and set clear, actionable goals for the road ahead. For business owners, there’s one resolution you don’t want to overlook—separating your personal and business finances.

The start of a new year brings with it not only a reflection upon the last one, but also a natural tendency to take stock of where you are in life in an overall sense—within your family structure, in the progress of your career, as a citizen of the area you call home, or in any number of other respects.

As the year comes to a close, now is the perfect opportunity to evaluate your financial habits and identify areas for improvement. The daily financial decisions you make can shape your future stability and goals. Leaving behind poor financial habits in 2024 can set you up for a brighter and more secure 2025.

Our FNC Bank team had an incredible time volunteering at Junior Achievement's BizTown event in St. Paul on 12/06/2024.

FNC Bank is proud to have sponsored the Breakfast with Santa event held on 12/14/24 at The New Richmond Centre.

With the holiday season in full swing, planning for get-togethers with family and friends is top of mind. This is true whether the gathering is yet another chapter in a time-tested seasonal routine, the next year in a family rotation, or the start of a new holiday tradition. No matter the master plan, there is one common thread that runs through all the celebrations—home. Whether it’s the house you grew up in, your current residence, the in-laws’ place, a friend’s apartment, or a care facility, it is the center of someone’s universe. There are precious few things that carry more importance than a sense of home.

We are excited to announce that FNC Bank received a 2024 Excellence in Financial Education Award from the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF).

Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a way to inspire people to give back and has since become a year-round movement. Everyone is encouraged to participate by giving their time, donations, or support in their community. The goal is to create a better world by spreading kindness and generosity in simple ways.

FNC Bank is hosting Helping Hands - a winter collection in support of Grace Place Shelter. Grace Place is a local non-profit organization in New Richmond that serves as a temporary home and center for individuals and families in need who reside in St. Croix and Polk Counties.

International Fraud Awareness Week is a global event held every November with the purpose to raise awareness of fraud. Fraud, defined as intentionally deceiving someone for unlawful gain, is a widespread issue that continues to grow more sophisticated each year. By enhancing our understanding and awareness, we can effectively safeguard ourselves and our communities from falling victim to fraudulent activities.

International Fraud Awareness Week is a global event held every November with the purpose to raise awareness of fraud. Fraud, defined as intentionally deceiving someone for unlawful gain, is a widespread issue that continues to grow more sophisticated each year. By enhancing our understanding and awareness, we can effectively safeguard ourselves and our communities from falling victim to fraudulent activities.

You probably haven’t heard enough about polls at this point, so let’s talk about them. Ok, sarcasm aside, a discussion about their value is fair game. In the political arena, I always find it entertaining to hear those who are leading in the polls talk about how the numbers prove that the candidate’s message is hitting home. At the same time the candidates who are running behind will say they don’t put much stock in polls and that they are often wrong in the end. Both viewpoints have support from election results throughout history.

Get Smart About Credit Day, observed annually on October 17th, serves as a reminder for us to learn about the importance of responsible credit management. By understanding concepts such as credit scores, interest rates, and debt management strategies, you can make informed decisions when it comes to borrowing money and managing your finances.

Despite the fact that check use has declined by 25%, reports of check fraud have soared. In fact, they’ve nearly doubled since 2021. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated and finding new ways to steal your financial information to gain access to and take off with your money. FNC Bank is committed to helping our customers use checks safely.

Don’t worry, the misleadingly negative title is only to catch your eye—I believe it’s known as “click bait” in modern digital terminology. Here comes the positivity…