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Apache is functioning normally

June 16, 2023 by Brett Tams

Mortgage Q&A: “How to pay the mortgage with a credit card.”

First things first; banks and mortgage lenders don’t accept credit cards as a form of payment when attempting to repay your home loan. Options for paying are typically limited to ACH or check.

However, back during the housing boom aka meltdown there were various third-party services that allowed homeowners to make their mortgage payments with a credit card.

Paying the mortgage with a credit card topics:

– Why pay the mortgage with a credit card?
– Using Plastiq to pay the mortgage
– Using Tio to pay the mortgage (no longer an option)
– Using American Express Serve to pay the mortgage
– Warnings and drawbacks to paying the mortgage with a credit card

These services charged fees for the convenience, and looking back, they were probably only offered because people couldn’t keep up with their mortgage payments, and eventually their credit card payments either.

Chances are these same people had to execute a balance transfer shortly after…

Unsurprisingly, these services seemed to disappear as quickly as they surfaced, but there are still options to pay the mortgage with a credit card each month free of charge, even if mortgage lenders won’t let you do it directly.

Reasons to Pay the Mortgage with a Credit Card

To meet a minimum spending requirement and earn bonus credit card points
To increase everyday spending and earn cash back, points, etc.
To defer payments for a period of time to give yourself some breathing room
This last one isn’t a good idea!

The difference today is that this method/idea is more about earning credit card points (or cash back) for paying your mortgage, and not so much about simply paying it.

Let me preface this by saying it makes no sense to pay your mortgage with a credit card if you can’t afford to pay it otherwise.

The only purpose of this method is to earn bonus points and/or cash back as you would on other purchases made with a rewards credit card.

Using Plastiq to Pay the Mortgage with a Credit Card

Plastiq allows mortgage payments via credit card
But only with a MasterCard or Discover card
They no longer accept Visa or American Express cards
You must also pay a transaction fee of 2.5% or less

There are some companies that allow you to pay rent or the mortgage with a credit card in exchange for a small transaction fee.

By small fee, I mean something in the range of 2-3%. Recently, a company called Plastiq had a special where they charged just 1.75% ($17.50 per $1,000 in payment). They normally charge 2.5%.

Unfortunately, most credit cards don’t earn cash back or points at levels this high unless it’s in a bonus category. And these companies often aren’t in any bonus category whatsoever.

The one exception is the old AT&T Access More credit card, which earns 3X per dollar on all online purchases. That seems to include services like Plastiq. This allows you to come out ahead.

Even if you can’t come out ahead dollar for dollar, it might be worth it for some people looking to meet a minimum spending requirement to earn an opening bonus, or just to buy some time on that monthly payment (not recommended).

For example, if you need to spend $5,000 in the first three months to earn a signup bonus, paying the mortgage can probably put a big dent in that requirement. And it’s only $125 in fees if you use Plastiq for the entire amount. If the reward points eclipse the cost, you win.

Some other cash back credit cards do earn 2%+ on all spending, either initially as a bonus or all the time, so it’s possible to come out slightly ahead or just slightly behind. Aside from making money doing this, some folks are happy just to earn lots of credit card points and miles by charging the pricey mortgage.

Important note: Plastiq currently only accepts MasterCard and Discover. They recently stopped allowing mortgage payments to be paid with a Visa card and American Express cards. That means you’re limited to the other two major issuers, which still isn’t bad.

Apparently Visa told Plastiq they had to comply with a new directive that banned mortgage payments via Visa credit cards. They’re basically closing a loophole because otherwise Visa would just allow it themselves and you wouldn’t need to use a third-party payment service.

It’s unclear if the others will follow, but it’s always a risk. For some reason, the ability to pay the mortgage with a credit card never seems to stick long-term, and perhaps for good reason.

If you do use Plastiq to pay the mortgage, you’ll need to enter the business name as it appears on your mortgage statement, along with the mailing address they list for mailed payments.

Assuming they have an electronic option (ACH) available in their system, payment will be sent electronically. If not, they’ll send a paper check on your behalf. If that’s the case, be sure to give it a week or two to arrive.

In terms of limits, the only payment limits are those associated with the credit card you use for payment. So if your card has a $5,000 credit limit, you won’t be able to send a mortgage payment for any more than that. This means even those with a jumbo mortgage will likely be able to use this service, assuming they have decent credit limits.

I’ve yet to use Plastiq, but I may in the future if I need to meet a spending requirement quickly to earn a signup bonus. I’ve heard of people successfully paying a Wells Fargo mortgage and a Chase mortgage with this service.

Use Tio to Pay the Mortgage with Discover, MasterCard, or Visa

Tio used to allow homeowners to make mortgage payments with any credit card
Other than American Express
With virtually every bank, lender, or loan servicer for a variable fee
But then they got bought out by PayPal and were promptly shut down

There’s a similar service called Tio (formerly ChargeSmart) now owned by PayPal that lets you pay a mortgage with a credit card in a matter of seconds. You don’t even need to sign up.

All you have to do is select a mortgage company from the handy list on their website (pictured above), then enter your loan number and payment amount.

From there, simply click on the credit card icons and enter your credit card information. It will then display the fee, which tends to range between 2.5% and 3%.

Interestingly, they seem to charge varying fees based on payment amount and based on the mortgage company you select. It appears to be more expensive for smaller payments, such as 3% for $1,000 payments, and a bit cheaper as your payments rise.

If you’re okay with everything, you simply hit “pay this bill” and Tio will deliver your payment within 2-3 business days they say.

The upside is that Tio is super fast, the downside is it can be more expensive than Plastiq, and they don’t accept American Express for mortgage payments. However, they seem to still accept Visa cards.

At first glance, I like Tio more than Plastiq, at least when it comes to paying the mortgage, because they have tons of mortgage companies already listed and ready to go. I don’t like the idea of manually entering the wrong company or address when sending a very important payment.

Plus, they list tons of major mortgage companies like Chase, Citi, Ditech, Nationstar, Ocwen, PNC, Quicken, Wells Fargo, and many more.

Update: Tio has also suspended service while its parent company PayPal investigates some so-called security vulnerabilities. So this method may or may not be available in the future once they sort it out.

You Might Be Able to Pay Your Mortgage with American Express Serve

American Express Serve used to work like a charm
Homeowners could load the prepaid card account with a rewards credit card
Then use the bill pay service to make monthly mortgage payments
But most customers’ accounts were shut down

Perhaps the easiest method that used to work involved American Express Serve, which is referred to as a reloadable prepaid account.

In reality, it basically works like an online bank account in that you can transfer/load money to it and then pay everyday bills or make purchases with the associated prepaid card.

Let’s focus on that paying bills part. Your mortgage is a bill and it must be paid each month until maturity, just like other recurring bills.

But loan servicers don’t give homeowners the option to pay with a credit card (for good reason!) unlike most other bills.

The Serve method entails loading the account with a credit card or gift cards (like pin-enabled gift cards), and then using the funds to pay your mortgage via their bill pay service. I suppose you can use a debit card as well if it earns rewards.

The purpose of this is to get credit card rewards on that large amount of money spent, so if the credit/debit card doesn’t earn rewards, there’s no point in doing this.

Of course, most folks would buy Visa gift cards using a different travel rewards card, hotel credit card, or airline credit cards to hit the minimum spending requirement and earn lots of miles.

Then they would turn around pay off their credit card in full each month to avoid any interest or fees to offset the benefit of doing it to begin with.

A couple warnings/issues with this method:

– You need to make sure your credit card issuer doesn’t charge fees to load Serve (American Express warns of this possibility on the website
– They can be treated as cash advances
– The max you can load with a credit or debit card each month is $1,000 ($200 per day)
– The limit increases to $1,500 a month ($500 daily) if you get Serve with Softcard
– You actually need to pay off the credit card charges to avoid interest/fees
– Your credit score can go down if you keep racking up large balances, even if they’re paid off
– You could get on the bad side of credit card companies and miss out on future rewards
– If you have bad credit none of these methods will probably work very well

As noted above, you can load your Serve account with a credit card, but even American Express warns that you could be charged fees by your card issuer for doing so.

I’ve used a Chase credit card and there was no fee or issue. It just showed up as a standard purchase.

But to avoid any mishaps, testing with a small amount or asking your credit card issuer to lower your cash advance limit to zero (or as low as possible) might be a good idea before giving it a whirl.

Once the necessary funds are in the Serve account, you’ll be able to see your available balance. Assuming it’s sufficient to cover your full mortgage payment, you simply select “Pay Bills” from the dropdown menu then add a payee.

While certain payees are already in Serve’s system, you’ll likely need to add your loan servicer manually, including their address and your loan number.

It should be the address where you would send a paper check because Serve is basically cutting a physical check on your behalf. It’s essentially a bill pay service. This is exactly why it works.

You’re not actually paying your mortgage with a credit card – rather, you’re funding an account with a credit card then sending those funds to your servicer via check, a much more accepted form of payment.

Once you save the payee information, you can make your mortgage payment via Serve each month. There’s even a memo section where you can write your loan number and any other details to ensure the payment is processed properly.

Note that payments can take several business days to process, so it’s not as quick as making a payment online. Fortunately, mortgage due dates are fairly flexible. But you’ll want to give yourself a cushion to avoid paying late if anything goes wrong.

Update: Serve doesn’t work for many people anymore, so take note that the above method properly won’t be an option going forward. In fact, they went as far as to just close a lot of people’s accounts.

The Downside to These (or Any) Methods

The first thing you have to look at it is the associated fee for using a credit card
You also have to make sure you aren’t charged cash advance fees for doing it
Also consider the work involved if employing a creative method
And the potential to accidentally miss a mortgage payment along the way
It may also complicate a future refinance if payment history is shown via credit card
In the end it might not be worth it

While it’s kind of cool to pay your mortgage with a credit card, it does require some work, as noted above. And if you have a jumbo mortgage payment, these methods may not work very well if your credit limits are low.

You certainly won’t want to send partial payments and find out that your loan servicer paid down your principal or simply returned your check.

It can also get murky if you use different methods to pay the mortgage, and then decide to apply for a refinance because mortgage rates went down. If the new lender asks for mortgage payment history and sees some of the payments made via credit card, they may question your solvency. Even if you do explain yourself, they probably won’t be thrilled about it.

At the end of the day, you’ll have to ask yourself how much you’ll really “earn” by using a credit card once factoring in your time (opportunity cost) going to the store to buy gift cards, not to mention the transaction fees and credit card annual fees.

If your monthly mortgage payment is $1,000 a month, it equates to just 12,000 points or miles annually, which is worth maybe $120 or slightly more if redeemed for travel or something more lucrative.

Those earnings could be used to pay down your mortgage a little bit faster if you put it toward the principal balance. In that sense, it could be worth it as the points would go a lot further via saved interest and faster home equity accrual over time.

Just be careful not to miss a payment or make life harder in the process. Plenty can go wrong here, and at the end of the day, you might be better off just using your bank account to pay the mortgage. Or simply keeping an eye on mortgage rates and refinancing to a lower rate to save potentially hundreds a month.

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 16, 2023 by Brett Tams

When the shiny new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) opened in January, it was missing one big amenity: airport lounges.

Though the new $2.7 billion facility brought a much-needed face-lift to one of the most hated airports in the nation, premium flyers have had to wait a little longer for some new and upgraded clubs to open.

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Fortunately, that wait is almost over, as United plans to open its new United Club outpost in Newark’s Terminal A on June 28, TPG has learned from a carrier spokesperson.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

The details of the new club are still under wraps, but it’s expected to be “substantially larger” than the previous facility in the old, now-shuttered Terminal A.

In fact, I passed through Newark’s Terminal A last week and was impressed to see that the new lounge is nearing completion. The temporary construction walls have been demolished, and the open-air club looks like it’ll be quite snazzy.

Though it was hard to get a close-up view, the design appears reminiscent of the “one-of-a-kind” space that United opened last year near Gate C123 in Newark’s Terminal C.

More from TPG: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

In addition to the new United Club, Terminal A will also be home to a new American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club and American Express Centurion Lounge.

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While the United Club will occupy the north side of the central rotunda’s mezzanine level, the south will be split between the Admirals Club and the Sky Club.

American has teased that the new lounge will feature its latest design motifs focusing on natural woods, earth tones and open spaces — a major upgrade for the Admirals Club network.

More from TPG: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Meanwhile, the Sky Club will open later this year after Delta moves into Terminal A in the coming months. The airline hasn’t shared any details about the new Sky Club other than its new location.

Perhaps the nicest lounge in Terminal A will be the Centurion Lounge. Amex recently won a 15-year lease on an 18,000-square-foot space in the terminal, making the upcoming Newark outpost one of the largest in the Centurion Lounge network.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

In fact, the new outpost will also offer a slew of first-rate amenities that could make it one of the nicest lounges in the network, too.

Some proposed amenities include an outdoor terrace overlooking the airfield (with views of the Port of Newark, New York and Newark Harbor and the Manhattan skyline), a piano lounge, a Jersey jazz-themed bar and a speakeasy-themed cocktail lounge. Amex also proposed wellness rooms, workstations, multiple food buffets and “world-class” restroom facilities.

The Centurion Lounge at Newark was originally expected to open later this year; however, airport infrastructure projects are notoriously delayed, so we may need to wait a bit longer.

Either way, it’s great news that United’s club is opening just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. TPG will be there to provide you with a first-look tour before the opening.

Source: thepointsguy.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 16, 2023 by Brett Tams

Non-QM, Marketing, Processing, Verification Tools; Warehouse Primer; Fed Day

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Non-QM, Marketing, Processing, Verification Tools; Warehouse Primer; Fed Day

By:
Rob Chrisman

Wed, Jun 14 2023, 10:49 AM

Don’t forget to put your flag out today for Flag Day. To warehouse banks, a “red flag” is a client who loses money for months on end, or for several quarters, and with good reason: counterparty risk has increased. (Below: a quick opinion of the current warehouse bank situation.) But back to the flag thing… Did you know that there are 986,000 U.S. flags in Manhattan? You didn’t? Me neither, and I just made up that statistic. The U.S. Census Bureau doesn’t make things up, and it reported that New York City continued to exhibit the largest numeric decline of any U.S. city, losing 123,104 people from 2021 to 2022. But this was nearly 60 percent less than its 2020-2021 population loss of 305,465. Declines also slowed in other large cities that had experienced significant population losses, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland, and San Jose. Fort Worth, Phoenix, and San Antonio were the largest gainers. Do you have the products and branches to help those moving? (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by SimpleNexus, the homeownership platform that unites the people, systems, and stages of the mortgage process into one seamless, end-to-end solution that spans engagement, origination, closing, incentive compensation, and business intelligence. Today’s has an interview with SimpleNexus’ Ben Miller on why mobile matters to the modern mortgage movement.)

Broker and Lender Services and Software

“Are you thinking of using Artificial Intelligence? The adoption of AI is easily the game-changer that mortgage servicing needs as margins are compressed, resources restricted, and the cost to service increases yearly. However, the real question is, are you ready to implement AI into your operations? Read our blog “How to Prepare For and Measure the Effectiveness of AI in Your Servicing Operations?” and explore what steps you need to take to gain the most benefit. Step number one is the implementation of workflow automation. CLARIFIRE® is positioned to help mortgage servicers deliver workflow automation that captures the best aspects of operational efficiencies through process standardization and AI to optimize the results. Find out more about the steps to prepare for AI’s benefits. Prepare your organization with CLARIFIRE, truly BRIGHTER AUTOMATION®.”

We have always heard about the need to be an “advisor” in the mortgage space. In this different market, now is an ideal time to revisit this for yourself and your team. Take 90 seconds and watch this great message from renowned industry speaker, author, and trainer Todd Duncan as he reminds us about the “why” behind this, while giving a nod to our good friends at Mortgage Market Guide, Tabrasa, and Bill Bodnar. You can learn more about Mortgage Market Guide here and reach out to Bill for special team, group and enterprise pricing for MMG. There has been a lot of sales atrophy in our space. You may wish to take a look at Todd Duncan’s High Trust Sales Academy coming later this year.

More than 77 million consumers have thin or “invisible” credit files*, yet many may have the income and employment status that otherwise makes them qualified loan applicants*. (*Equifax Data & Analytics, 2022) The Work Number is the largest commercial repository for consolidated income and employment data. With access to 618 million records, The Work Number INSTANTLY returns records, updated each pay cycle, provided directly by employers and payroll providers, so there’s no need to collect an applicant’s private banking credentials, potentially exposing them and yourself to risk. Lenders and brokers have a choice: access The Work Number directly from Equifax or through our pre-built integrations with over 60 Point of Sale (POS) and Loan Origination Systems (LOS). Gathering all of the necessary information about potential borrowers through your LOS or POS is quick and efficient and can eliminate the need to swivel back and forth between systems, juggling multiple logins. Learn more.

“Tired of playing shuffle with your business? At wemlo®, we know variety isn’t always the spice of life, especially when it comes to providing an outstanding borrower experience. You work hard to consistently deliver a positive lending experience to help generate word-of-mouth business. We also want to help earn you more referral business. That’s why transparent communication and customer care are some of wemlo’s top priorities. Our processors work directly with the borrower and lender to seamlessly track everything down, so you don’t get bogged down with admin tasks. Trust us, we’re in the business of keeping customers happy – just look at our 4.7/5-star rating from borrowers. Ready to work with third-party processors that keep consistency at the heart of every borrower transaction? Learn more about wemlo’s reliable processors today. NMLS ID 1853218. *Q1 2023 Borrower Score: 45 responses 4.7/5.0.”

In 2022, NFM Lending launched its influencer division, which supported by Black Knight’s Surefire CRM℠ and Mortgage Marketing Engine, has been a runaway success. Using Surefire Power Video, NFM can send video outreach to followers, clients, and referral partners on influencers’ behalf at scale. With Power Video, NFM was able to close nearly 50 deals worth approximately $15 million in a single month, with over 4,600 leads converted over subsequent months. The Surefire Power Call feature has also been an incredible ROI generator for NFM, resulting in nearly 4,000 deals and around $1.3 billion in closed loan volume in 2022. Want to learn more about how NFM is generating thousands of leads without spending a dime on advertising? Download the full case study.

TPO Products for Brokers and Correspondents

“Logan Finance has done it again. We exceeded our previous Non-QM funding record by over 50 percent in May and we’ll beat that record again in June. We want to extend a warm Thank You to all our clients who have entrusted us with their Non-QM business. We know we can only do this with great people. As part of our strategy to hire the best people in the industry, we have doubled our Non-QM AEs through the first half of 2023. Our rapid expansion, combined with a complete suite of Non-QM products and premier service, is a testament to the Great Experience Logan delivers. Speaking of products, check out our self-employed borrower solutions including 1099, Bank Statement, and P&L. Learn more about these Non-QM loan solutions, and let us show you the different ways We Work Hard to Make Non-QM Easy™. Call Todd Lautzenheiser at 317-721-9941 or visit us to learn why they call Logan The Agency of Non-Agency™.”

Verus Mortgage Capital just announced it is now offering a Closed End Second Lien Mortgage Program that allows borrowers to access their home equity for a variety of financial needs without impacting the interest rate on their first mortgage. This product features a fixed interest rate, a maximum loan amount of $500,000, a maximum CLTV of 80 percent, a minimum credit score of 700, standard income documentation (two years), and occupancy – primary residence. Verus offers a broad range of non-QM programs that help lenders generate new sources of ongoing business. As the industry’s indisputable non-QM leader, it has the experience, liquidity and financial resources originators need to successfully navigate the current environment. For more information or to set up a meeting, contact Jeff Schaefer, EVP – National Sales (202-534-1821).

Warehouse News

As a reminder, and an immense simplification, warehouse banks, or some would term funding facilities, loan money to independent mortgage banks, who don’t have cash from deposits to fund loans like credit unions and banks, to make loans. When those loans are sold to investors, the warehouse line is paid off, ready to fund more loans. Obviously the contractual and financial relationship is very sturdy.

But many lenders are in violation of their warehouse agreements: They aren’t making any money. Although loans on a warehouse line are collateral and have priority in the event of an IMB going under, banks don’t like counterparties that are losing money. There are some who believe others will follow Comerica’s lead of exiting warehouse lending for that reason. Some banks may “look down” on warehouse lending as it is not a big piece of banking revenue (i.e., low margin) compared to the risk of a lender going under or a wire that goes astray through faulty cyber policies. Liquidity for some banks with warehouse facilities is often a concern, as is warehouse competitors reducing lending rates and bettering terms to be competitive.

If there is good news for well-run IMBs, it’s that rates staying elevated will cause further consolidation or exits from the business.

Choosing which warehouse bank to use to fund a given loan is not easy, and many IMBs have turned to Optifunder for help in making that decision. (No, this isn’t an ad.) If you’d like to have some fun, ask about bond loans sitting on warehouse lines for months, waiting to be purchased, or what happens if the rate a lender is paying on their warehouse line is greater than the note rate of the mortgage that was funded on it, as sometimes happens. Any questions about warehouse banks, what they charge, what their restrictions are, etc., should be addressed to a lender’s CFO or capital markets group.

Capital Markets

Inflation calmed down in May to post the smallest headline advance since March 2021, and further deceleration looks likely in the coming months. Per the consumer price index, May inflation came in lower than expected, increasing a modest 0.1 percent month-over-month and 4.0 percent year-over-year in May (from 4.9 percent year-over-year in April). Shelter (+0.8 percent) and used cars and trucks were the big contributing factors, but signs that used car prices and rents are coming down or stabilizing are also contributing to the slowdown in prices. Yet it is still a far cry from the Fed’s 2 percent inflation target. Excluding food and energy, the core CPI rose a much stronger 0.4 percent.

Fed Chair Powell has mentioned goods, housing, and services ex-housing are the three main components driving up inflation. Goods issues were driven by supply chain problems in the early days of COVID, but the latest ISM reports confirm that inventory issues are no longer a problem and commodity price inflation is largely over. Home prices peaked in June of last year and are down about 5 percent on average across the country from their mid-2022 peaks, and rents for new leases (which lag home prices by about 21 months on average) are flatlining. The inflationary contributions of the housing component should continue to fade in the second half of 2023. And wage inflation continues to work its way lower, making it less of a concern for the economy despite robust hiring. May marked the first time in two years that wage growth outpaced consumer price inflation, and it’s been said that Fed officials are rethinking their view that wage gains are fueling inflation.

Although inflation continues to ease, inflation expectations rose during May and we’re seeing sentiment change amongst consumers and businesses. Consumer confidence slipped in May, reflecting worries about increased volatility and uncertainty in the labor market as buying plans dry up. Recent consumer credit reports show more reliance on the use of credit cards to maintain spending activity. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index ticked up slightly in May, beating expectations of a decline. However, that bump in optimism was the first improvement in three months and came on the back of a 10-year low as owners are becoming more pessimistic about future growth and re-evaluate hiring and capital spending plans. Fortunately, for six straight months, more U.S. small businesses have been raising wages than prices, suggesting small businesses have returned to the pre-pandemic status quo of trying to find ways to avoid passing on higher labor costs to consumers.

Today brings the latest FOMC decision with the Statement and updated Summary of Economic Projections followed by Chair Powell’s press conference. The inflation data from yesterday should lock in a pause in rate hikes, though central bank officials will likely remain adamant that inflation remains far too high and that, even once they pause, they are likely to keep rates “higher for longer.” Before the Fed, however, the MBS market took note that after mortgage rates declined for the second straight week, mortgage applications increased 7.2 percent from one week earlier. We’ve also received May producer prices. Expectations for the PPI were for a 0.1 percent decline month-over-month in the headline resulting in a 1.5 percent year-over-year increase, and they came in at -.3 percent and +1.1 percent year over year. We begin the day with Agency MBS prices better by about .125 and the 10-year yielding 3.80 after closing yesterday at 3.84 percent. The 2-year? 4.62.

Employment

A marketing leader seeking next career home! Are you ready to take your marketing to the next level? Or do you want to breathe some fresh air into your marketing department? Then you’ll want to hear about this executive-level marketing professional. This person is upbeat, optimistic, has grown marketing teams from scratch, and has successfully driven annual loan volume increases by 78 percent! This professional has 18 years’ marketing expertise, over 10 years in leadership, and has extensive experience in the mortgage industry supporting branches and loan officers. With hands-on experience implementing the latest MarTech platforms such as Total Expert, Salesforce, Experience.com, HomeBot, BombBomb, MBS Highway, Adwerx, Mortgage Coach, MonitorBase, HubSpot, and more, you’ll see immediate lift that will elevate your company. If you’re looking for a new VP, CMO, or marketing director, send a confidential inquiry to Anjelica Nixt to learn more. Interested in remote opportunities only.

“SWBC Mortgage believes in exceptional service, and it starts at the top. Our leadership team cares about the employees and deeply values having direct communication with the field. The success of our loan originators is priority #1, and we strive to provide an unsurpassed level of support that will help grow their business to remarkable heights! We have big goals and are looking for those who can help us reach them. We combine innovation with personal interaction, empowering our loan officers to serve the communities where they live and lend. To learn more about how our unique setup helps maintain LO compensation and pricing, contact James Clark, Director of Strategic Growth, at James Clark or visit us here.”

“Yeah, you could keep hustling to grow someone else’s empire. Or you could use all your hard work to grow your own. But wait, how will you find the time to focus on expanding revenue while handling the day-to-day of a business owner? That’s where Motto Mortgage comes in. We’re a mortgage brokerage franchise, which means we’ve put an entire business together for you. We provide professional marketing content, product mix, wholesale lender relationships, compliance support, and more. From. Day. One. So let us do most of the heavy lifting. You have better things to do. Email us for all the details.”

Evergreen Home Loans™ created the Evergreen Cares Foundation with a mission to positively impact lives and help improve the communities they serve by encouraging and supporting their associates’ compassion for giving. This year, the Foundation partnered with Make-A-Wish® Alaska and Washington to sponsor two wishes for qualifying children, and the first of those wishes was granted for Coleman, who has battled bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer. Coleman wished to go to Seattle Mariners Spring Training. He enjoyed a few wonderful days where he not only watched the team practice but was also able to spend time with them on and off the field, truly becoming an honorary Mariner. Giving back through meaningful causes like this connects to the company’s vision of changing the world one relationship at a time. Are you a loan officer that shares the same vision? View job opportunities on the Evergreen careers page.

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Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

Embarking on a downsizing journey as a senior can be exciting and overwhelming. It’s a time filled with anticipation for a new chapter in life, but it also involves making tough decisions about belongings accumulated over the years. A comprehensive checklist can be an invaluable resource to ensure a smooth and successful downsizing process. Whether you’re considering downsizing for retirement, transitioning to a smaller home or exploring senior living options, this checklist will help simplify the process and pave the way for a stress-free transition. You can also work with a financial advisor to help you with a retirement budget, which can often help you decide what and when to downsize.

Downsizing Checklist for Seniors

When creating a downsizing checklist for seniors, it’s essential to consider specific needs and goals, efficiently declutter and organize belongings and effectively plan for the move. Here are key items to include in the checklist.

1. Gather Important Paperwork

To get started, the first thing you should do is organize your essential documents in a neat and organized way. It’s a good idea to keep important information safe by storing it in a secure place like a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing that your documents are well-protected.

Next, consider making digital copies of all your vital documents. This will provide an extra layer of security in case anything happens to the physical copies. Store these digital copies securely online using a reliable and encrypted storage service. This way, even if something happens to the originals, you’ll still have access to them whenever you need them.

Lastly, remember to let your loved ones know about the whereabouts of these crucial documents. It’s important to share the location with them and provide clear instructions on accessing them. This ensures that your loved ones can easily find and retrieve the necessary information in case of an emergency or when important decisions need to be made.

Remember, taking these steps will give you peace of mind and make it easier for you and your loved ones to access important documents when needed.

Documents to Include

Here are some documents you’ll want to save and organize:

Contact information for professionals like your attorney, doctors, financial advisor and insurance agent
A list of personal assets like property and investments
A list of liabilities and debts like auto loans, mortgages and credit cards
Social Security and Medicare cards
Copies of your federal and state income tax returns for the last five years
List your checking account, savings account and credit card numbers and accounts
Legal documents, including trusts, wills or amendments and necessary directives like the durable power of attorney and advance directives
A letter addressing any personal matters or issues you want to communicate or document

2. Pack and Organize Your Belongings

You can greatly simplify the packing and moving process by organizing and planning ahead. Here are some key tips to make your packing more efficient:

Enlist the help of family members, friends or the moving company to assist with packing tasks. The moving process will be much more straightforward, with everything labeled adequately in advance.
Ensure you have markers and labels available for labeling boxes.
Label each box with its intended destination room or area in the new residence. This will make unpacking and organizing much more efficient.
Consider utilizing specialized containers the moving company provides, such as wardrobe boxes for keeping clothes on hangers or protective boxes for flat-screen TVs.
Prepare an “open first” box or boxes. These should contain essential items for setting up sleeping accommodations and the bathroom. Include fresh bedding, toiletries, nightclothes, towels, utensils, a change of clothes, a flashlight, tape, scissors and cash for ordering dinner since moving often takes longer than expected.
Pack essential items that you’ll need to keep during the move separately. These may include the new lease or residence contract, keys, medications, legal documents, checkbook, cell phone, address book and a first-aid kit. Remember to label this container. Valuables like jewelry should be kept in a safe-deposit box unless regularly worn.

3. Prepare for Moving Day

Preparing for moving day is crucial to ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Some important tasks to complete include:

Organize a moving binder that includes important information like critical contacts, estimates, receipts and an inventory of the items you’ll take.
Confirm the final details with your mover or moving coordinator.
Arrange utility disconnects according to your moving schedule.
Schedule post-move-out cleaning services to ensure a smooth transition.
Ensure you have a written contract from the moving company that clearly outlines coverage for lost or damaged possessions.
Obtain a specific arrival time from the moving company for your old and new residences.
Verify the available payment options for the moving company, such as credit card or check.

4. Wrap Up the Remaining Moving Day Tasks

When the moving day finally arrives, there are a few last-minute details that can assist you in completing the downsizing process smoothly.

Assign someone to meet the movers at your new residence, ensuring they have a key and that the community manager is aware of your arrival.
Begin by cleaning out the pantry and deep freeze, remembering to reduce your cleaning supplies.
Double-check inventory lists to ensure everything is accounted for.
Properly label all boxes to facilitate organized unpacking.
Ask a neighbor for any mail that might arrive after your move.
If you bring a pet, pack their food and medications to ensure a smooth journey and safe arrival.
Pack a suitcase with your clothes and medicines, so you’re ready for the first day after your first night in the new home.
Personally pack valuables and belongings that you don’t frequently use.
Use the “open first” boxes to set up the bedroom and bathroom immediately.
Be prepared to spend a few days unpacking and organizing. Enlist someone to help you. Work efficiently to make your new home feel comfortable quickly.

Tips for Downsizing Seniors

It’s not always easy to know when or how you should be downsizing. You need to first understand your budget before moving forward with the whole process so you know how much money you want or need to save. Here are six recommendations to make downsizing a smooth transition.

Start Early

Downsizing can be daunting, especially for seniors who have resided in their homes for an extended period. The mere thought of downsizing can easily lead to feeling overwhelmed, causing individuals to become paralyzed and delay the process. Unfortunately, this only adds to the difficulty of the task.

You gain the advantage of time by starting early, even before embarking on the search for a senior living community. This approach reduces stress for everyone involved and provides an opportunity to cherish memories while sorting through old family photographs and keepsakes throughout the house. Taking it slowly ensures a smoother downsizing experience.

Prioritize the Essentials

Take an inventory of the possessions you hold dear and cannot let go of. Consider the limited space you will have in your new home. Additionally, create a separate inventory for belongings that hold significance but may need to be relocated to a friend or family member’s home.

Safeguard Your Valuables

The process of downsizing and relocating can often be chaotic, especially when you’re preparing to sell your home. To simplify matters and mitigate risks, consider renting a storage space or utilizing a family member’s garage or basement to temporarily store your cherished possessions. This precautionary step not only safeguards these items but also creates a more spacious and appealing environment for potential buyers.

Design a Layout

If you have decided on a senior living community or a condominium, obtain the measurements of each room. Next, measure the furniture you intend to bring along. Utilize these dimensions to develop a comprehensive floor plan for your new home. You can use either graph paper or user-friendly online tools like RoomStyler or Homebyme.

This process will visually represent how many of your belongings can be accommodated in the new space. Therefore, helping you determine what will fit and what may need to be left behind.

Develop a Strategy for Discarding Unwanted Stuff

Determining the best action for disposing of unneeded items requires careful consideration. Although your community may have several nonprofit organizations that accept donations, it may take some effort to determine which items they are willing to receive. Disposing of older electronics can also pose additional challenges.

Fortunately, specific charities provide pick-up services, which can be particularly helpful if you have larger furniture pieces or multiple boxes of smaller items to donate. Lastly, remember to request a receipt from each charity, enabling you to claim tax deductions for your donations.

The Bottom Line

Downsizing offers seniors a transformative experience. It enables you to embrace new opportunities and discover a more manageable lifestyle. With a comprehensive checklist, seniors can confidently navigate the process, from assessing needs to organizing belongings. By planning ahead and making informed decisions, you can ensure your new living space is filled with cherished possessions.

Retirement Tips

Retirement brings its own set of challenges, but financial worries shouldn’t be one of them. If you aspire to have a substantial nest egg when you retire, consider seeking guidance from a financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
When planning for retirement, it is crucial to accumulate a solid savings portfolio. However, it’s equally important to factor in your Social Security benefits. Utilize SmartAsset’s Social Security calculator to estimate the potential benefits you may receive.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/kali9, ©iStock.com/kate_sept2004, ©iStock.com/kali9

Ashley Kilroy
Ashley Chorpenning is an experienced financial writer currently serving as an investment and insurance expert at SmartAsset. In addition to being a contributing writer at SmartAsset, she writes for solo entrepreneurs as well as for Fortune 500 companies. Ashley is a finance graduate of the University of Cincinnati. When she isn’t helping people understand their finances, you may find Ashley cage diving with great whites or on safari in South Africa.

Source: smartasset.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

When it comes to loans, a balance generally refers to the amount you owe — but with credit cards, there can be several types: statement balance, current balance and negative balance, to name a few.

Current balance means the same thing as outstanding balance. Here’s what that means and why it matters when it comes time to pay your credit card bill.

What is an outstanding balance?

The outstanding balance on a credit card is the total amount owed at the time that you check your account. It is the total of purchases, cash advances, balance transfers, issuer fees and interest that have posted to the account.

Also known as the current balance, it is a living number that can change daily. If the outstanding balance is $500 when you log into the credit card’s app in the morning, but a $50 statement credit posts to the account midday, the outstanding balance you owe is $450 (even if the $50 credit is still showing as pending).

For the most up-to-date number of how much you owe the card issuer, check your outstanding balance.

Ready for a new credit card?

Create a NerdWallet account for insight on your credit score and personalized recommendations for the right card for you.

What’s the difference between outstanding balance and statement balance?

While the outstanding balance is the total amount you owe on the card, the statement balance indicates only how much you owe since the close of your last billing cycle, usually a period of around 30 days.

Your monthly credit card statement will typically list both your outstanding (aka current) balance and your statement balance. It’s possible for these two balances to be the same, but they may not be if you use your card — or make a payment toward it — after your statement closing date.

You can calculate your statement balance yourself:

Add up all purchases, fees, balance transfers and cash advances from the billing period. Let’s say that total is $3,000.
Add up all payments and statement credits from the billing period. Say that total is $1,000.
Subtract the second amount from the first. The statement balance would be $2,000.

If no other transactions are made, then both your statement balance for that billing cycle and your outstanding balance are the same: $2,000.

However, if you make additional transactions after the closing date of that billing cycle, your statement balance remains $2,000, while your outstanding balance will include those additional transactions.

Should you pay the outstanding balance?

Paying the outstanding balance is an excellent option if you can afford to do so. By submitting a payment in the amount of your current balance, you’ll have completely paid off your credit card bill, thus avoiding interest charges.

Paying the outstanding balance also guarantees that your credit card’s balance resets to zero, which isn’t always the case when you pay the statement balance. Credit bureaus prefer accounts with a low utilization ratio, or the percentage of total available credit in use at one time. Experts advise keeping your utilization ratio below 30%. After paying the outstanding balance, your utilization ratio for that particular credit account will be exactly 0%.

However, you won’t owe any interest if you pay the full statement balance either. When you do that, a grace period goes into effect, allowing you to “float” any new charges you make until the due date for your next billing cycle.

Note, though, that some issuers don’t give grace periods, and they may temporarily revoke that perk for cardholders who don’t pay off their balances by the due date.

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

Average mortgage rates moved higher for all types of loans compared to a week ago, according to data compiled by Bankrate. Rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, 5/1 ARMs and jumbo loans jumped.

The Federal Reserve has lifted rates 10 times in a row, most recently at its May 3 meeting. Rates now are at a 15-year high, but the consensus is that inflation is finally cooling and the central bank might halt raising rates.

”Mortgage rates have settled into a new normal of around 6.5 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate loan,” says Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, a large multiple listing service in the Middle Atlantic region. ”With growing recession risks, we could see mortgage rates dip lower, but we will not be returning to the 3 percent level seen during the height of the pandemic.”

Rates as of June 14, 2023.

The rates listed above are averages based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates available within the site may vary. This story has been reviewed by Suzanne De Vita. All rate data accurate as of Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 at 7:30 a.m.

>>View historical mortgage rate movements

You can save thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage by getting multiple offers. Comparing mortgage offers from multiple lenders is always a smart move, but shopping around grew especially critical during the interest rate run-up of 2022, according to research by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. It found the payoff for bargain-huntng borrowers doubled last year.

“All too often, some homeowners take the path of least resistance when seeking a mortgage, in part because the process of buying a home can be stressful, complicated and time-consuming,” says Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst for Bankrate. “But when we’re talking about the potential of saving a lot of money, seeking the best deal on a mortgage has an excellent return on investment. Why leave that money on the table when all it takes is a bit more effort to shop around for the best rate, or lowest cost, on a mortgage?”

Mortgage rates for home purchase

Today’s 30-year mortgage rate trends upward, +0.02%

The average rate you’ll pay for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 7.04 percent, up 2 basis points over the last seven days. This time a month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was lower, at 6.96 percent.

At the current average rate, you’ll pay principal and interest of $667.99 for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s an additional $1.34 per $100,000 compared to last week.

The 30-year mortgage is the most popular option for homeowners, and this type of loan has a number of advantages, including:

Lower monthly payment. The 30-year mortgage offers lower, more affordable payments spread over time compared with shorter-term mortgages.
Stability. With the 30-year, you lock in a consistent principal and interest payment. That predictability lets you plan your housing expenses for the long term. Keep in mind: Your monthly housing payment can change if your homeowners insurance and property taxes go up or, less likely, down.
Buying power. With lower payments, you can qualify for a larger loan amount and a more expensive home.
Flexibility. Lower monthly payments can free up some of your monthly budget for other goals, like saving for emergencies, retirement, college tuition or home repairs and maintenance.
Strategic use of debt. Some argue that Americans focus too much on paying down their mortgages rather than adding to their retirement accounts. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a lower monthly payment can allow you to save more for retirement.

15-year mortgage moves up,+0.08%

The average 15-year fixed-mortgage rate is 6.46 percent, up 8 basis points over the last week.

Monthly payments on a 15-year fixed mortgage at that rate will cost approximately $869 per $100,000 borrowed. The bigger payment may be a little more difficult to find room for in your monthly budget than a 30-year mortgage payment would, but it comes with some big advantages: You’ll come out several thousand dollars ahead over the life of the loan in total interest paid and build equity much more rapidly.

5/1 ARM rate moves up, +0.03%

The average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.09 percent, up 3 basis points from a week ago.

Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are mortgage terms that come with a floating interest rate. To put it another way, the interest rate can change periodically throughout the life of the loan, unlike fixed-rate loans. These loan types are best for people who expect to sell or refinance before the first or second adjustment. Rates could be substantially higher when the loan first adjusts, and thereafter.

While borrowers shunned ARMs during the pandemic days of super-low rates, this type of loan has made a comeback as mortgage rates have risen.

Monthly payments on a 5/1 ARM at 6.09 percent would cost about $605 for each $100,000 borrowed over the initial five years, but could increase by hundreds of dollars afterward, depending on the loan’s terms.

Jumbo mortgage rate increases, +0.02%

The average rate you’ll pay for a jumbo mortgage is 7.05 percent, an increase of 2 basis points from a week ago. A month ago, the average rate was below that, at 7.01 percent.

At today’s average rate, you’ll pay principal and interest of $668.66 for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s an extra $1.34 compared with last week.

Summary: How mortgage interest rates have shifted over the past week

30-year fixed mortgage rate: 7.04%, up from 7.02% last week, +0.02
15-year fixed mortgage rate: 6.46%, up from 6.38% last week, +0.08
5/1 ARM mortgage rate: 6.09%, up from 6.06% last week, +0.03
Jumbo mortgage rate: 7.05%, up from 7.03% last week, +0.02

Interested in refinancing? See rates for home refinance

Current 30 year mortgage refinance rate trends upward, +0.05%

The average 30-year fixed-refinance rate is 7.16 percent, up 5 basis points compared with a week ago. A month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed refinance was lower, at 7.05 percent.

At the current average rate, you’ll pay $676.08 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. Compared with last week, that’s $3.37 higher.

Rate trends: Where are mortgage rates headed?

The days of sub-3 percent mortgage interest on the 30-year fixed are behind us, and rates have so far risen beyond 7 percent in 2022.

“Low interest rates were the medicine for economic recovery following the financial crisis, but it was a slow recovery so rates never went up very far,” says McBride. “The rebound in the economy, and especially inflation, in the late pandemic stages has been very pronounced, and we now have a backdrop of mortgage rates rising at the fastest pace in decades.”

Comparing mortgage terms

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most popular option for homeowners, and this type of loan has a number of advantages, including:

Lower monthly payment: Compared to a shorter term, such as 15 years, the 30-year mortgage offers lower payments spread over time.
Stability: With a 30-year mortgage, you lock in a consistent principal and interest payment. Because of the predictability, you can plan your housing expenses for the long term. Remember: Your monthly housing payment can change if your homeowners insurance and property taxes go up or, less likely, down.
Buying power: With lower payments, you can qualify for a larger loan amount and a more expensive home.
Flexibility: Lower monthly payments can free up some of your monthly budget for other goals, like saving for emergencies, retirement, college tuition or home repairs and maintenance.
Strategic use of debt: Some argue that Americans focus too much on paying down their mortgages rather than adding to their retirement accounts. A 30-year fixed mortgage with a smaller monthly payment can allow you to save more for retirement.

That said, shorter-term loans have gained popularity as rates have been historically low. Although they have higher monthly payments compared to 30-year mortgages, there are some big benefits if you can afford the upfront costs. Shorter-term loans can help you achieve:

Greatly reduced interest costs: Because you pay off the loan faster, you’ll be able to pay less interest overall.
Lower interest rate: On top of less time for that interest to compound, most lenders price shorter-term mortgages with lower rates.
Build equity faster: The faster you pay off your mortgage, the faster you’ll own value in your home outright. That’s especially handy if you want to borrow against your property to fund other spending.
Debt-free sooner: A shorter-term mortgage means you’ll own your house free and clear sooner than you would with a longer-term loan.

Determining how much house you can afford

If you’re not sure how much of your income should go toward housing, follow the traditional 28/36 percent rule. Most financial advisers agree that people should spend no more than 28% of their gross income on housing (i.e., your mortgage payment or rent), and no more than 36% of their gross income on total debt, including mortgage payments, credit cards, student loans, medical bills and the like. Calculate how much house you can afford and determine your monthly payments.

Learn more:

Featured lenders for today, June 14, 2023

Source: bankrate.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

It’s now possible to activate all 5% category credit cards for the third quarter of 2023, including the Chase Freedom, Chase Freedom Flex, Discover IT, Citi Dividend, US Bank Cash+ and some smaller cards. In this post we’ll provide the activation link for each card and links to track your spend, along with strategies to help increase spend in these categories.

Dates: July 1st – September 30, 2023. Store purchases can usually be done until the last minute while online purchases should be given a buffer zone of a day or two.

Chase Freedom – Gas, EV Charging, Entertainment

Activation Link / FAQ / Sample Stores & Exclusions / Our original post

With the Freedom and Freedom Flex cards, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in spend at

Tip: Click this link (login required) to check how far you are along the $1,500.

Discover – Gas, Digital Wallets

Activation Link / Our original post

With your Discover card, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases at Gas Stations and on Digital Wallets.

Gas Stations
Digital Wallets
- Add your Discover card to your mobile wallet and get 5% anywhere digital wallets are accepted. The fine print mentions specifically the following digital wallets: Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay, and in store with Google Pay. Others might work as well.

Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station, and public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Digital Wallet purchases include some online purchases and some in-store purchases made with your smartphone, tablet, or wearable. Wallets that qualify include Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay and in store with Google Pay. Apple Pay transactions included in this offer are transactions made in-store or online when using the Apple Pay button. Using digital wallets to make purchases at gas stations will only earn a total of 5%.

Tip: Login, then click this link to see you how far along the $1,500 you are.

Citi Dividend – Gas, Home Improvement

Landing Page | Our Original Post

With your Dividend card, activate to earn 5% back this quarter at Gas Stations and Home Improvement Stores. Citi is different than the other cards in that you have a $6,000 annual cap rather than a $1,500 quarterly cap. You can get 5% back on up to $6,000 in this quarter or you can save the entire amount for a different quarter, or you can use part up each quarter.

Gas Stations: Excludes gasoline purchases at warehouse clubs, discount stores, convenience stores or other merchants that do not use the gas station merchant category code.

Home Improvement Stores: Includes purchases at home supply warehouse stores, lumber and building materials stores, paint and wallpaper stores, hardware stores, nurseries – lawn and garden supply stores and paints, varnishes and supplies stores. Excludes florists and florists’ supply stores; nursery stock; wholesale construction stores; and glass stores.

US Bank Cash+/Elan – Select your Categories

Activation link | Merchant List | Our Original Post

U.S. Bank Cash+ and Elan Max offer 5% cash back in two categories, up to $2,000 combined total per quarter. Keep in mind that Car Rentals was recently replaced with TV, Internet, and Streaming Services.

Here are the current options:

TV, Internet, and Streaming Services
Home utilities
Select clothing stores
Cell phone providers
Electronic Stores
Gyms/Fitness
Fast food
Ground Transportation
Sporting goods
Department Stores
Furniture Stores
Movie theaters

Tip: Login here, then scroll down and click on the red “View Your Cash+ History” button.

Bank of America Cash Rewards

Our Original Post

The Cash Rewards card from Bank of America offers 3% back on one selected category, up to $2,500 per quarter. If you don’t select anything it defaults to gas. Once you selected a category for one quarter, that remains your category in the future unless you change it. Each calendar month you can change it if you’d like, but you’re always limited to $2,500 for the entire quarter.

Gas (default)
Online Shopping
Dining
Travel
Drug Stores
Home Improvement/Furnishings

This category is especially lucrative for those who have Preferred Rewards status with Bank of America which can get you 5.25% back on one of these categories at the higher relationship level.

Lots of useful categories here. Important note: the Cash Rewards card also offers 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to $2,500 per quarter, and that $2,500 limit combines with the Category Selection limit. After spending $2,500, you’ll earn 1% back on everything.

Other Cards with 5% Category

Nusenda FCU – Gas, Education, Hotels, Airfare

Landing Page | Our Original Post

Earn 5% this quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases on Gas Expenses, Education Expenses, Hotels, and Airfare.

This is on top of the regular 1% for a total earn of 6% back.

Affinity FCU – Spend Bonus

Landing Page | Our Original Post

Affinity no longer runs a traditional 5x category. Instead they run a spend bonus for the duration of each quarter. This quarter, in addition to the standard points, cardholders will earn:???
- ~~3,000 points when spending $2,000~~
- ~~6,500 points when spending $5,000~~
- ~~11,500 points when spending $7,500~~

Abound CU – Streaming, Phone, Cable, Internet

Landing page | Our Original Post

Abound Credit Union Visa Platinum card offers 5% on up to $2,000 on Travel purchases.
That includes: Airlines, Car Rental, Lodging, Cruise Lines, Air Carriers, Airport, airport terminals & flying fields, Travel Agencies & Tour Operators, Lodging Hotels, Motels, Resorts not elsewhere classified, Timeshares, Auto Rental Agency- not elsewhere classified, Motor Home & Recreational Vehicle Rental.

Langley FCU – Grocery, Drugstore, Home

Landing Page | Our Original Post

Langley Federal Credit Union offers 5% back each month in one selected category, on up to $100 cash back total ($2,000 spend).
The category options at time of this writing: Streaming, Phone, Cable & Internet services.

Vantage West [AZ] – Select your Category

Landing Page | Our Original Post

Get 5x points on the category of your choice, up to $1,500 per quarter. Eligible categories:

Travel
Restaurants
Utilities [water, cell, electric, etc.]
In-Store Wholesale Purchases [Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.]
Department Stores
Hardware & Home Improvement Stores
Charitable Organizations
Pharmacies & Drug Stores
Amazon.com

Safe Credit Union [CA] –

Landing Page | Our Original Post

Safe Credit Union Cash Rewards Visa card offers 5% this quarter on your choice of one category each quarter (with no apparent limit). This quarter the categories are:

Source: doctorofcredit.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

New Hampshire is rich in culture and history, but it’s also packed with businesses and families. Finding the right bank can be essential to achieving your financial goals. Whether you’re setting up a new checking account or considering changing banks, there are a few things to consider.

10 Best Banks in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is packed with great banks, each with its own benefits. Your first priority should be verifying that a bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Once you’ve checked that box, you can look for features like the minimum balance required for free checking or competitive rates on savings accounts and auto loans. Below are some of the top banks in New Hampshire.

1. TD Bank

TD Bank is one of the biggest national banks with branch locations in New Hampshire. You’ll find 1,100 branches and 2,600 ATMs spread across the East Coast, including 58 in New Hampshire. If in-person banking is your priority, TD can compete with even the best local bank, thanks to its extended hours.

One of the standout features of TD Bank is its debit card replacement program. If you lose your card, you can typically get a replacement card at a local branch the next day. Some locations even offer curbside service for picking up your new card.

Pros:

Plenty of branches and ATMs in the service area
$200 bonus for new checking accounts with qualifying direct deposit
Next-day replacement of lost debit card

Cons:

$100 daily balance to waive monthly maintenance fees on checking accounts
Not all states have TD Bank ATMs
Savings accounts have lower-than-average interest rates

2. Chime

Chime is an online banking option with competitive offerings. The checking account comes with no monthly fees or minimum balances, and you’ll get overdraft coverage of up to $200 if you have qualifying direct deposit set up. The savings account offers an interest rate of 2.00% APY, which is lower than some online bank competitors but higher than what you’ll find with many national and local banks.

Like many online-only bank accounts, though, you’ll need to think about access to your bank account while traveling. Chime gives you access to cash at more than 60,000 ATMs across the country, but if you occasionally need to deposit cash, Chime might not be the best bank for you.

Pros:

No minimum balance requirements or monthly fees
Fee-free ATM withdrawals at more than 60,000 ATMs nationwide
SpotMe covers up to $200 in overdrafts

Cons:

No cash deposit options
Lower interest rates on savings accounts than other online banking options
Direct deposit required for maximum benefits

3. GO2bank

Online banks have plenty to offer, particularly if mobile banking is your priority. Like other online banking solutions, GO2bank offers the best deal if you’re on direct deposit. You’ll need qualifying electronic deposits and activity to get the highest level of fee-free overdraft protection.

If you’re looking to build credit, GO2bank offers a secured credit card. There’s no credit check required. You’ll transfer a $100 deposit from your checking account to secure the card and cover your purchases.

Pros:

No monthly maintenance fee
Deposit cash at 90,000+ retailers nationwide
Secured credit card helps you build credit

Cons:

Direct deposit required to waive monthly service fee
Balances above $5,000 in savings accounts don’t earn interest

4. Citizens Bank

With more than 1,000 branch locations across the Northeast, as well as 3,000 ATMs, Citizens Bank is a great option if you’re looking for a New Hampshire bank with locations outside the state. Citizens offers free checking accounts to those who have at least one monthly deposit.

Citizens Bank customers have access to fee-free transactions at ATMs within its network, but if you travel outside the service area, it will cost you. Citizens charges a fee in addition to what you’ll pay the third-party ATM owner.

Pros:

Citizens Virtual Assistant provides access to live tellers at select ATMs
Early access to direct deposit
Free checking account as long as you set up direct deposit

Cons:

Fee-free ATM withdrawals limited to Citizens Bank locations
Rates on savings accounts and CDs are lower than some competitors

5. Holy Rosary Credit Union

While you’re considering local New Hampshire banks, don’t forget credit unions, which come with plenty of perks of their own. Holy Rosary Credit Union is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in New Hampshire or York County, Maine.

Like many credit unions, Holy Rosary offers competitive rates on personal loans and mortgages, so having deposit accounts with the bank can help you save money as you make major purchases over the years.

Another feature typically found with membership-limited financial institutions is higher rates on your balance. Holy Rosary lives up to those expectations with its savings accounts and CDs, but money market accounts and IRAs aren’t quite as competitive as those rates.

Pros:

Competitive rates on loans
Access to cash at 30,000+ ATMs nationwide
Great rates on CDs and savings accounts

Cons:

Limited branches
Money market account rates lower than some competitors

6. Bank of America

National banks bring plenty of benefits, including access to cash and branches while traveling. If that’s a priority, Bank of America is one of the largest banks in the country. The impressive app makes activities like mobile check deposit, bill pay, and funds transfers easy.

Another impressive feature is Bank of America’s up to 4.75% annual percentage yield on CDs, which is higher than many traditional banks. Although Bank of America still has an overdraft fee, it dropped from $35 to $10 per transaction last year. You can sign up for Balance Connect overdraft protection, which moves money from your other accounts when you’re overdrawn.

Pros:

Competitive interest rates on CDs
Robust mobile banking services
Preferred Rewards members get rewards and perks

Cons:

Lower interest rates on savings accounts than many competitors
Requirements to waive monthly service fees on savings accounts

7. Bank of New Hampshire

For almost two centuries, the Bank of New Hampshire has served communities that include New Hampshire and Southern Maine. You’ll find 21 branches throughout the service area, along with fee-free access to cash at any Allpoint ATM nationwide.

If you’re looking for that personal banking service experience, you’ll find bank branches throughout the service area. There are several checking account options, including a fee-free option as long as you have at least one qualifying deposit monthly.

Pros:

Monthly maintenance fees on checking waived with direct deposit or at least one mobile check deposit
Fee-free cash access at 55,000 Allpoint ATMs nationwide
Competitive rates on CDs

Cons:

Low interest rates on savings accounts
Bank branches limited to New Hampshire and Southern Maine
Mobile app not as robust as competitors

8. Digital Federal Credit Union

Digital Federal Credit Union serves New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with fee-free access to cash at Co-Op ATMs nationwide. That same network also offers branch access while traveling outside the service area. You’ll just need to look at the branch locator to find one near you.

Membership is limited to those who work for employers and live in communities on the approved list. However, you may qualify if your employer has a presence there, or if you have a family member in the area. Since Digital Federal Credit Union has great financial products and full-featured mobile services, it can serve like online banks do in giving you the best bang for your banking buck.

Pros:

Fee-free checking offers 0.20% APY
Higher rates on savings than most financial institutions
Competitive rates on loans

Cons:

Strict membership requirements
Charges overdraft fees

9. Enterprise Bank

Enterprise Bank is a New Hampshire Bank that’s headquartered in Massachusetts. This local bank offers multiple accounts, including checking accounts with easily waived fees. Enterprise’s Rewards Checking lets you accrue points on your debit purchases.

One downside of Enterprise Bank is its limited ATM service area. If you regularly travel outside New Hampshire and Maine, you’ll want an account that reimburses third-party ATM fees each month. The basic account requires a minimum daily balance of $250 to have up to $5 in monthly ATM fees refunded.

Pros:

Multiple small business banking features
Wealth management services available
Monthly maintenance fee waived with one monthly deposit

Cons:

$50 minimum deposit required to open
Limited service area

10. M&T Bank

A well-known New Hampshire bank, People’s United Bank, joined the M&T Bank family in 2021, so you’ll find a heavy M&T Bank presence in the state. People’s United Bank migrated all its customer accounts to M&T, which now offers 30 branches in the state. You’ll find multiple checking accounts, including a fee-free option.

Small business owners may want to consider M&T Bank for its robust business offerings. Business credit cards come with rewards for purchases, and entrepreneurs will find a variety of loan options and cash management services.

Pros:

Competitive rates on CDs
Rewards-earning personal and business credit cards
Wide range of business banking services

Cons:

Limited ATM service area
Lower interest rates on savings accounts than other online banking options
Fee-free overdraft protection only available to higher-tier accounts

What to Look for in a New Hampshire Bank

When it comes to personal finance, individual needs vary. You might need conveniences like online bill pay and mobile check deposit, for instance, while someone else prefers access to physical locations for that personalized banking experience. It’s likely your ideal bank operates in New Hampshire, but first, you need to identify what matters most to you.

Access to Funds

Despite the conveniences of managing your account online, online-only banks can fall short. Your best local bank, for instance, may make it easy to withdraw and deposit cash while you’re in town.

But what about when you travel? No matter which bank you choose, it’s important to make sure you’ll be able to withdraw cash and get help when you’re away from home. Some local and online banks offer nationwide access through partnerships with ATM networks or co-ops.

Other Accounts Available

If you prefer a full-service banking solution, pay attention to other accounts the bank offers. Someday you might open a small business, for example, and having a bank that offers solutions for that can help.

But even more important are the savings vehicles a bank offers. A bank that offers competitive rates on money market accounts and retirement accounts could be a better option than one that cuts fees but has low rates.

Finding a great bank in New Hampshire doesn’t have to be challenging. Pay attention to the amenities and fees charged by each bank and narrow down the options to those that will best meet your needs.

Source: crediful.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

Our rating

Quontic Bank CDs

CD Terms: Six months to five years5.05% APY
CD Yields: 4.30% to 5.15% APY
Minimum Deposit: $500
Early Withdrawal Penalties: Up to 24 months, may involve principal loss

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If you have a decent amount of cash that you don’t anticipate needing right away, moving it from your savings account to a certificate of deposit (CD) could boost your return.

Thousands of banks and credit unions offer CDs, so finding the best CD for your needs can feel like an overwhelming task. Fortunately, one of the highest CD rates right now comes from Quontic Bank, a low-key, mostly online bank that offers industry-leading yields on savings accounts and CDs.

Quontic Bank’s CD lineup has a lot of advantages: a solid range of term lengths, tremendous yields, and low minimums. But it does have some downsides, so don’t rush out to open one without considering the good and the bad.

Quontic Bank Certificates of Deposit: Terms & Yields

Quontic Bank offers five CDs with terms ranging from six months to five years. Each has a yield well above the national average for its term, with the six-month and one-year CDs leading the pack:

Term	Yield
Six months	5.05% APY
One year	5.15% APY
Two years	4.50% APY
Three years	4.40% APY
Five Years	4.30% APY

Unlike some online banks, Quontic doesn’t offer any no-penalty CDs. If you cash out your CD before maturity, you have to pay a stiff financial penalty that reduces your interest earnings and could even cut into your initial investment.

What Sets Quontic Bank CDs Apart?

Quontic Bank CDs stand out to would-be buyers in several ways, both good and bad:

High yields. Quontic Bank’s CDs have some of the best yields on the market right now. Since yield is a critical consideration for most CD buyers, this is a big selling point.
Low minimum deposit. All Quontic CDs require just $500 to open. That’s a lower minimum than many competing banks, which may demand $1,000, $2,000, or more for a new CD.
Variety of term lengths. Quontic’s CD terms range from six months to five years, with three intermediate terms in between. That’s enough variety to build a multi-CD ladder and take advantage of changing interest rates.
Stiff early withdrawal penalties. Quontic’s early withdrawal penalties are well above average, which is a bad thing. They range up to 24 months’ interest on longer-term CDs and are calculated in such a way as to result in principal loss if you withdraw very early in the term.
Requires a phone call to cash out or make changes. Like most banks, Quontic automatically renews maturing CDs. Unlike most banks, it requires you to call its customer service department if you want to cash out or make changes at maturity (such as deposit more money or change the term length).

Key Features of Quontic Bank CDs

Before you apply for a Quontic Bank CD, make sure you understand how they work and how they differ from some other banks’ CDs.

FDIC Insurance

All Quontic Bank CDs carry FDIC insurance up to the statutory limit, currently $250,000. This limit applies cumulatively to all Quontic CDs held in your name.

How to Open & Fund a New CD

You can open a new Quontic CD online. The application process is all-digital and takes just a few minutes.

Once open, you can fund your Quontic CD via:

Instant transfer from an existing Quontic checking or savings account
Electronic transfer from an external bank account, which can take one to three business days

How Interest Is Calculated & Credited

Quontic compounds your interest payments daily. Each month, Quontic adds all the interest earned in the previous month to your CD’s balance. If you prefer, you can have the interest deposited in a separate bank account.

Early Withdrawal Penalties

All Quontic CDs come with early withdrawal penalties. You can’t make partial withdrawals under any circumstances, and if you close your CD before the term ends so that you can withdraw your entire investment, you have to pay a significant financial penalty.

The penalty depends on the CD’s term:

Under 12 months: All the interest you would have earned during the full term
One to two years: One year’s interest
Two years and longer: Two years’ interest

These penalties apply regardless of when you close the CD, which means they may result in some principal loss. For example, because the six-month CD’s early withdrawal penalty is six months’ interest, any early withdrawal forces Quontic to take some principal on top of all the interest earned to date.

CD Maturity & Renewal

Quontic CDs automatically renew at maturity. The CD term remains the same, and the new principal is the original CD’s principal plus any accrued interest you haven’t already withdrawn.

Closing or Making Changes to a Maturing CD

You have a 10-day grace period to close or make changes to a maturing CD. The grace period begins on the day after the maturity date.

If you do nothing during the grace period, the CD automatically renews. If you want to close the CD and withdraw your investment without penalty, or you want to make changes like depositing additional funds or changing the CD’s term, you need to call Quontic Bank and give your instructions. You can’t close your CD or make other changes online.

Pros & Cons

Quontic Bank CDs have some upsides and some downsides. Here they are at a glance.

Excellent yields on all CDs
Low minimum opening deposit ($500)
Terms up to five years

Excessive early withdrawal penalties
Inconvenient process to change or cash out at maturity

Advantages

Quontic Bank’s CDs offer excellent yields, a low minimum deposit, straightforward opening process, and an attractive range of terms.

Industry-leading yields. Quontic Bank CDs have uniformly excellent yields ranging from 4.30% APY at the low end to 5.15% APY at the high end. They’re all well above average for the corresponding term length.
Terms range from six months to five years. Quontic’s CDs range from six months to five years. Six months qualifies as short-term, while five years is definitely long-term (though not the longest term available). That’s more than enough of a range to build a multi-CD ladder.
Low minimum deposit for all terms. You need just $500 to open a Quontic Bank CD. That’s a far lower minimum deposit than some other banks require.
Easy to open and fund. You can open a Quontic Bank CD online in just a few minutes. If you have an existing Quontic Bank account, you can fund your new CD immediately, or wait a business day or two for an external transfer.

Disadvantages

Quontic Bank’s CDs fall short in a couple areas: stiff early withdrawal penalties and an inconvenient process for redeeming or changing maturing CDs.

Very high early withdrawal penalties. Quontic Bank’s early withdrawal penalties are well above average by industry standards. On the six-month and one-year CDs, they’re so tough that you’re certain to lose some principal if you cash out early.
Confusing, inconvenient process to redeem or change maturing CDs. You need to call Quontic Bank to cash out or make changes to maturing CDs. That’s inconvenient and conflicts with Quontic’s otherwise all-digital approach to banking.

How Quontic Bank CDs Stack Up

Quontic Bank isn’t the only online bank that offers high-yield CDs. Before you open a CD with Quontic, see how its lineup and terms compare with another popular choice: Discover Bank.

	Quontic Bank	Discover Bank
Term Lengths	Six months to five years	Three months to 10 years
Yields	Up to 5.15% APY	Up to 4.75% APY
Minimum Deposit	$500	$2,500
Penalties	Up to 24 months’ interest	Up to 24 months’ interest
Renewal	Automatic	Automatic
Close or Change	Must call in	Can do online

Overall, Quontic Bank is a better choice if you don’t have a lot of cash to invest in a CD and you’re seeking the highest possible interest rates. Discover makes more sense if you want a very short or very long CD term or if you don’t ever want to deal with a human at the bank.

Final Word

Quontic Bank offers excellent CD yields across a relatively wide range of terms. Its minimum opening deposit is low and the process for opening and funding a CD is super-easy.

That doesn’t mean Quontic Bank is the perfect source for all your CD needs. It has stiff early withdrawal penalties and an annoying process for cashing out or changing maturing CDs.

With so many other choices out there, you might decide Quontic’s drawbacks outweigh its advantages. Or you might not. All in all, I’d say there’s more to like about Quontic than not, but it’s not perfect for everyone.

The Verdict

Our rating

Quontic Bank CDs

Quontic Bank has a better lineup of CDs than most other banks and is generally customer-friendly, with low minimum deposit requirements and an easy account opening process. But watch out for stiff early withdrawal penalties and an inconvenient process for cashing out or changing maturing CDs.

Editorial Note:
The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Brian Martucci writes about credit cards, banking, insurance, travel, and more. When he’s not investigating time- and money-saving strategies for Money Crashers readers, you can find him exploring his favorite trails or sampling a new cuisine. Reach him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci.

Source: moneycrashers.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

Last Updated: April 30, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner – 54 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I’m sure almost everyone at one point in their life has felt the need to keep up with the Joneses.

Whether you are five years old and want that new toy everyone is playing with, or if you are 50 years old and are feeling the need to upgrade your house, car, etc., everyone has experienced it.

The problem with this is that keeping up with the Joneses can actually make you broke.

VERY broke.

When trying to keep up with the Joneses, you might spend money you do not have. You might put expenses on credit cards so that you can (in a pretend world) “afford” things. You might buy things that you do not care about. The problems can go on and on.

This can then lead to an excessive amount of debt and potentially set someone back years with their financial goals, if not decades.

Keeping up with the Joneses will make you broke and unhappy because:

You will never be happy no matter how much money you spend.
You will constantly compare yourself to EVERYONE.
You will go into debt because that’s the only way you feel like you can keep up.
You will have a loan payment for everything because that’s the only way you can “afford” everything.
You won’t have any money leftover for retirement, an emergency fund, etc. because you’re spending it all on things you do not need.

Here are some things to think about if you want to live your own life and start ignoring the Joneses:

Are the Joneses broke?

WHO CARES?

You’ll never know how rich or poor the Joneses are, and honestly it shouldn’t matter to you. You don’t know the whole story behind the Joneses. They could be rich, they could be poor, they could be anything. Maybe they won the lottery, they were given the item for free as a gift, or something else. Maybe they coupon their brains out and that’s how they afford the things they have.

They also might just be putting everything on a credit card. They might be drowning in all different kinds of debt (house, car, student loans, etc.) and putting on a happy face for show.

Just because someone has a lot of material items and/or spends their money frivolously does not make them rich.

Stop wondering how they are paying for the things they have. Start living your own life and stop trying to live someone else’s.

The fact of the matter is that you do not know what the financial situation is. It shouldn’t matter to you anyways because you are supposed to be living your own life.

Figure out why you want to keep up with the Joneses.

One question that everyone needs to ask is WHY you want to keep up with the Joneses. What makes their life so much better that you feel the need to put your life on hold to mimic theirs?

Figuring out the answer to this question can help solve a lot of financial mysteries. Once you figure out why you have these feelings, you can come up with an action plan to stop. If you don’t, it will most likely just turn into a vicious cycle that constantly eats away at you until you become broke.

Think about your own life and your own goals.

What do you care about? You should only do what makes you happy. Just because another person loves buying the newest iPhone the second it comes out or loves having a new car, it doesn’t mean that you have to as well.

Everyone is different.

It doesn’t make your decision better or their decision better, it’s all about what is best for you, and whether or not it can fit in YOUR budget and if it lines up with YOUR goals.

Jealously won’t get you anywhere.

I used to be a fairly jealous person. I would come up with excuses for why things weren’t working out for me and why everyone else had all the newest things. Then I realized something…

Being jealous wasn’t doing me any good.

Instead, I was wasting time and wasting my own happiness. Being jealous about the things that other people have isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Don’t be jealous that your neighbor has a nicer house than you.
Don’t be jealous that your best friend just bought a nicer car than what you have.
Don’t be jealous that your cousin just went on a fantastic tropical vacation.

You don’t know their circumstances, and you have to realize that everyone values different things. Focus on yourself and bettering your own situation. Don’t be preoccupied with tearing others down and making them feel bad.

If you want something, then save up money and reach your own goals!

Live within your means.

The point I’m trying to get at with this whole entire post is that you should always aim to live within your means.

Have your own budget, spend money on things that you can afford (I don’t care if your neighbor can afford it even if you work just as hard as them), create your own financial goals, and more.

Do you try to keep up with the Joneses? Why or why not?

Paying the mortgage with a credit card topics:

Reasons to Pay the Mortgage with a Credit Card

Using Plastiq to Pay the Mortgage with a Credit Card

Use Tio to Pay the Mortgage with Discover, MasterCard, or Visa

You Might Be Able to Pay Your Mortgage with American Express Serve

A couple warnings/issues with this method:

The Downside to These (or Any) Methods

Non-QM, Marketing, Processing, Verification Tools; Warehouse Primer; Fed Day

Option 1: Copy and send this link

Downsizing Checklist for Seniors

1. Gather Important Paperwork

Documents to Include

2. Pack and Organize Your Belongings

3. Prepare for Moving Day

Tips for Downsizing Seniors

Start Early

Prioritize the Essentials

Safeguard Your Valuables

Design a Layout

Develop a Strategy for Discarding Unwanted Stuff

The Bottom Line

Retirement Tips

What is an outstanding balance?

What’s the difference between outstanding balance and statement balance?

Should you pay the outstanding balance?

Mortgage rates for home purchase

Today’s 30-year mortgage rate trends upward, +0.02%

15-year mortgage moves up,+0.08%

5/1 ARM rate moves up, +0.03%

Jumbo mortgage rate increases, +0.02%

Summary: How mortgage interest rates have shifted over the past week

Interested in refinancing? See rates for home refinance

Current 30 year mortgage refinance rate trends upward, +0.05%

Rate trends: Where are mortgage rates headed?

Comparing mortgage terms

Determining how much house you can afford

Learn more:

Featured lenders for today, June 14, 2023

Chase Freedom – Gas, EV Charging, Entertainment

Discover – Gas, Digital Wallets

Citi Dividend – Gas, Home Improvement

US Bank Cash+/Elan – Select your Categories

Bank of America Cash Rewards

Other Cards with 5% Category

Nusenda FCU – Gas, Education, Hotels, Airfare

Affinity FCU – Spend Bonus

Abound CU – Streaming, Phone, Cable, Internet

Langley FCU – Grocery, Drugstore, Home

Vantage West [AZ] – Select your Category

Safe Credit Union [CA] –

10 Best Banks in New Hampshire

1. TD Bank

2. Chime

3. GO2bank

4. Citizens Bank

5. Holy Rosary Credit Union

6. Bank of America

7. Bank of New Hampshire

8. Digital Federal Credit Union

9. Enterprise Bank

10. M&T Bank

What to Look for in a New Hampshire Bank

Access to Funds

Other Accounts Available

Our rating

Quontic Bank CDs

Get a $500 Cash Bonus.

Quontic Bank Certificates of Deposit: Terms & Yields

What Sets Quontic Bank CDs Apart?

Key Features of Quontic Bank CDs

FDIC Insurance

How to Open & Fund a New CD

How Interest Is Calculated & Credited

Early Withdrawal Penalties

CD Maturity & Renewal

Closing or Making Changes to a Maturing CD

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Disadvantages

How Quontic Bank CDs Stack Up