Resources

American Heart Month: The Costs and Warnings of Heart Attack

One thing we don’t talk enough about is health. We care about you. So, we want you to be as healthy as possible. February is American Heart Month, so it's a great time to learn about heart disease. Heart disease affects people of all ages, from babies to adults. And heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for men and women.

Virtual Assistants in Banking: Get Fast Answers to Banking Questions

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.

5 Tips for Maximizing Your New Year’s Resolutions

With inflation beginning to cool, this year might be an excellent time to set your resolutions for meeting your financial goals. After all, we could all use more money in our pockets and bank accounts. To maximize your chances for success, we have some tips to get you started, and you can begin by creating smart goals.

Benefits of Gift Card Programs for Your Business

Want to attract new customers and keep existing ones returning? A gift card program can help! In this blog, we'll highlight four benefits of using gift card programs. Here at Extraco Banks, we offer Cashback+ to our customers to purchase digital gift cards with bonus offers any time they want using funds directly from their checking accounts.

Five Ways to Ring in National Financial Planning Month

October marks the beginning of a financial journey towards the holiday season. As we celebrate National Financial Planning Month, it's the perfect time to embrace the spirit of saving and planning for the festive months ahead.

Spring Cleaning Your Finances

Just as you declutter your closets and tidy up your living space, now is the perfect time to give your financial situation a thorough once-over. At Extraco Banks, we understand the importance of keeping your financial house in order, which is why we've put together 10 simple, yet effective, tips and tricks to help you freshen up your finances.

Does Being Frugal Make You Feel Richer?

It's easy to rationalize why frugality makes sense today. We’re seeing higher prices at the pumps, the grocery stores, and everywhere else. When costs climb, it’s time to focus on the things that truly matter and identify those that could wait a bit longer.

Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? 🕵️‍♀️

Every day, scammers trick people into giving away personal information through emails, texts, and phone calls disguised as their bank. With more of us relying on online and mobile banking, these scams are on the rise. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission reported that Americans lost a shocking $10 billion to phishing scams and fraud in 2023—a 13.6% increase over 2022.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a three-digit number which helps lenders determine the risk of lending you money. If you aren’t getting approved for credit cards or loans, you may need to improve your credit score. Building your credit isn’t a speedy process, but there are several things you can do to start paving the way to a better credit score.

Are checks really safer than debit cards?

Once you decide to buy something, you then must determine the form of payment you’ll use. Is cash easiest? Will you write a check? Or is your debit card the best way to go? Pros and cons exist for all methods of payment. Many of us decide quickly without thinking through potential fraud or payment protection. 

Managing seasonal demand

Extraco Banks is committed to building businesses throughout Central Texas. Whether you're a startup or looking to create a succession plan for your business, we have the resources to help you achieve your business goals.

3 Tips to Get the Most from Your Financial Advisor

Make 2023 your best year yet with a financial advisor’s help. But how do you ensure you get the most from their services? After all, hiring an advisor isn’t cheap and can set you back between $2,000 and $7,000 per year for those who charge a flat rate. Others, however, charge a percentage of your account.

Calculating Your Debt-to-Income Ratios

Learn how to calculate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to estimate how much you can afford on your next mortgage. In addition to your credit score, your debt-to-income (DTI) ratios are looked at by closely by mortgage lenders when you apply for a loan. This ratio is extremely important in determining the risk associated with approval.

Insurance Premium Changes

Your premium is likely to change each time you renew your insurance. This is because premiums are affected by many factors, including the cost of doing business and changes to the way risk is assessed. Sometimes premiums increase across the board because your level of risk has increased.

Ways to identify new markets and customers

Extraco Banks is committed to building businesses throughout Central Texas. Whether you're a startup or looking to create a succession plan for your business, we have the resources to help you achieve your business goals.

Business Insurance You’ll Need

If you’ve been procrastinating on business insurance, consider this: small businesses are much more likely than larger companies to be devastated in the event of an unforeseen loss, and business insurance needn’t be costly. Read more to learn about the business insurance you need.

How Insurance Premiums are Calculated

There isn't a "one size fits all" formula to calculate a premium or price for each person who wants to cover risks on something valuable to them. Insurers refer to known data when they make these decisions. Insurers also look at age, sex and claims history.

Extraco Banks Purchases Building for New Gatesville Location

Extraco Banks purchased the former Texas First State Bank location in Gatesville at 2501 Texas 36 with the intention of moving its Gatesville banking operation to this site in late fall 2023. Previously, Extraco had purchased land located along US Hwy 84 with the intention of building a new branch.

Extraco Banks - Who We Are

Read our latest blog to learn more about what sets Extraco Banks apart from other central Texas banks. When you bank with Extraco, you bank with the best

Why Investing in the Stock Market Should Be Your Next Money Move

It's the perfect time to reflect on our financial goals and set ourselves up for success. This year, why not make investing in the stock market your top resolution? Extraco gives you access to a digital investment solution, EasyInvest, directly via our digital banking platform. This way, you can invest like the top 1%, starting from as little as $10.

6 Tips for How to Pay for a Major Medical Expense


This year, the Susan G. Komen Foundation predicts there will be 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women and 2,710 new cases of male breast cancer. While early detection and prevention are essential, cancer care and treatment costs can be astronomical. So how do you pay for these and other major medical expenses?

118 Years Strong

Read our Extraco Week recap blog highlighting the festitivies we had across our branches to celebrate 118 years in business!

Smart Money Tips: How to Start Investing Today

Stocks, bonds, and real estate are a few of the many ways to invest your money. Yet, if you’re new to investing, where and how do you start? It’s a question that begs an answer. The problem is, you’ll always get a different answer, depending on who you ask.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Credit Card

In a 2020 Bankrate survey, 59% of U.S. adults reported carrying a credit card, yet 31% did not redeem their rewards. Whether you already have a credit card or are shopping around for your first one, getting the most out of your credit card is essential.

Holiday Travel on a Budget

For many, the holiday time often involves travel, whether it's a short trip to visit relatives or a more extended vacation to explore new destinations. However, with travel comes expenses, and managing these costs can be a daunting task.

Boost Your Savings Strategy with Extraco

Are you ready to accelerate your savings growth? At Extraco Banks, we understand the importance of making your money work for you and offer powerful financial tools designed to maximize your money. From Certificates of Deposit (CDs) to Money Market accounts, we have the solutions you need to achieve your financial goals.

Ways to Save More Money: Tips to find extra funds to save and cut your monthly expenses

If it seems like every news article you read drags you down, and every trip to the gas station and grocery store makes your budget cry, then you’re not alone. Yes, prices are rising. Sometimes it seems like they’re rising daily, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to save more of your hard-earned money. It just means that, at least in today’s market, you sometimes might need to get a little more creative about how you go about saving money. Although this list isn’t all-inclusive, here are several tips to get you started.

Extraco Banks Announces Leadership Transition in Waco Commercial Lending Division

Extraco Banks proudly announces the retirement of long-time executive Mark Reynolds, Regional President of Commercial Lending for the North Region, after 28 years of dedicated service. As part of a strategic leadership transition, Tammy Richards has been named as his successor, continuing the bank’s strong legacy of relationship-driven commercial banking.

Financial Tips for Recent Graduates

Congratulations, graduates! As you transition into this new phase of life, managing your finances effectively is key to achieving your goals. Whether you're preparing to enter the workforce, further your education, or pursue other endeavors, now is the perfect time to focus on your financial well-being. Let's explore some essential tips for navigating financial success after graduation.

Home Insurance

Home insurance is not just a box to check; it's a crucial tool to safeguard your home and everything it holds. Like any other aspect of your financial plan, your home insurance needs to be periodically evaluated and adjusted to meet your changing circumstances and the evolving market dynamics.

How Can You Save Money With Home Insurance?

Need home insurance but could use some help figuring out where to start? We can help! Homeowner's insurance is essential to protecting your home and property. Your home is your biggest investment. So, you'll want to ensure it is well-protected should something happen that causes damage or liability concerns. And homeowner's insurance protects your home against loss or damage.

How to Help Your Teenager Build Credit

Credit is the ultimate catch-22. To get credit, you must have a credit history. Young people wanting to establish themselves financially often find themselves in this conundrum. They've never had a credit card, haven't purchased their own vehicle and are not a home-owner. In other words, they're invisible to the credit bureaus. 

How to Ban Scams from Fake Checks to Online Shopping and More  

Robocalls are one of the most common scams Americans face today, and scam artists use many approaches to trick you. It might be an auto warranty renewal, a hotel reservation, an award you won – even if you never entered a drawing for it – and more. Still, robocalls are only one of the many avenues scam artists use to trick you.