The Extraco Banks Blog

You’re already familiar with the concept of a virtual assistant. Chat bots and virtual assistants have been around for a while, but they aren’t always as helpful as we’d like them to be. Newer technology, however, has improved this to provide you with the best answers to some of the most common questions we receive. You may have a question that falls outside the norm. Never fear! Our brand new chat feature also helps you to reach a real Extraco Relationship Banker to streamline the process from question to solution.

Whether you moved here for a new job, school, a partner, or just because you needed a break from the big city, Extraco has some tips to help you get acclimated to your new hometown.

Approximately 12 million adults — nearly 5% of U.S. households-- don't have any accounts at a mainstream bank. These people represent an unbanked population. Nearly 24 million adults, or 10% of homes in the United States, use fringe financial services, such as check-cashing services or prepaid cards, from non-mainstream banks. They are considered an underbanked population.

There is so much to do when you’re getting ready to move — especially if you’re moving to a new city. This checklist won’t reduce your to-do list, but it can make it easier to avoid forgetting important tasks.

Tak e a deep dive into some of the essential (and free) Google website tools that all businesses should be utilizing. For our August Bank & Brews workshop, Extraco’s own Digital Marketing Specialist, Carina Yebra, walked attendees through what she considers to be essential, and often underutilized, tools for all businesses– Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Search Console, and Google My Business.

After wrapping up a three-part series around the Startup Waco and Public Improvement District Marketing Skills Toolkit, we thought it was time to take a deep dive into some of the essential tools that all businesses should be utilizing. For our June Bank & Brews workshop, Extraco’s own Digital Marketing Specialist, Carina Yebra, walked attendees through what she considers to be an essential, and often underutilized, tool for all businesses– Google Analytics.

A solid business plan is essential for all businesses. Jason Ehler of the Small Business Development Center and Brian Reinhardt of Extraco hosted a great session on what to include in your business plan (as well as what NOT to include), how often to revisit your plan after the COVID-19 pandemic, and resources that all business-owners should be utilizing.

Part three of the series was led by Startup Waco’s Jon Passavant and covered some of the topics from Section 3 of the Marketing Skills Toolkit– Keeping Things on Track.

Part two of the series was led by Startup Waco’s Jon Passavant. In his mentorship of business owners, he often sees the same issues arise. Entrepreneurs often struggle to determine the fundamentals of their business, such as goals, purpose, and identity.

Michelle Dean and Jon Passavant led Extraco’s March Bank & Brews attendees through the first section of the Marketing Skills Toolkit. From establishing brand purpose, to defining target customers, and creating brand and value propositions, the toolkit has all you need to get started on a great marketing plan.