Resources

What to Know Before Launching a New Business in 2023

Are you thinking about launching a new business in 2023? We like to think of starting a new business as a journey. Launching a business is a big step and one with the potential to help you realize your dreams. Taking your time and launching your business the right way is wise. So, having patience and discernment will prime your business for growth and success.

Is a VA loan right for you?

Extraco Mortgage wants to help our Veterans, Active Duty Military and Surviving Spouses get the mortgage loan they have earned. A VA loan is a mortgage loan that is guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. It is different from a Conventional loan and a FHA loan in several ways.

How Entrepreneurs Can Get a Business Scholarship Award

Are you an entrepreneur looking to further your education? If so, you might be eligible for a business scholarship award! These awards help business owners finance their education and continue their business ventures. We'll go over how to start your search, standard eligibility requirements, and the types of scholarships available. We'll also provide you with some success tips for completing your applications. So, if you are ready to level up your business skills, read on.

ICYMI— Recap of March’s Bank & Brews – Don’t Quit Your Day Job…Yet

By: Sam Brown

ICYMI— The Ultimate Bizkill: Top 3 things that can derail your business plan

By: Mark Reynolds & Tim Holtkamp

118 Years Strong

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

Flash Floods: Tips for Avoiding the Hidden and Costly Dangers

If you live in an area prone to flash flooding, you must protect yourself and your family. We've researched the best tips to avoid the hidden dangers and costs of flash floods and a few tips on what to do if caught in a hazardous situation.

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.

Big Budgeting Mistakes and How to Fix Them When They Happen to You

It’s easy to get off track even when you have a budget. Correcting mistakes isn’t easy, and it takes time, but you can improve to come out ahead in the future. Here are five big budgeting mistakes and ways you can fix them.

Mobile & Online Banking

Our online and mobile banking features offer you access to your accounts – anytime, anywhere.

Tips on How Student Loan Forgiveness and Refinancing Works

With a federal student loan moratorium scheduled to expire soon and more talk about student loan forgiveness, now is a great time to decide how to proceed if you carry student loan debt. The weight of any student loan, especially a large one, can feel like a drag, but it doesn’t have to end that way. There are ways to reduce your loan term, lower your interest, or lower your monthly payment. You might even eliminate all or part of your student loan. However, knowing the difference between student loan forgiveness and refinancing is vital before beginning.

Linking an Account vs. Adding an External Account in eBank

Our Extraco eBank platform offers two ways of connecting your other bank accounts– linking accounts or adding external accounts. Depending on what actions you want to take with your accounts, one may be better than the other.

Refinance Your Home Loan: How to Lower Payments and Pay Off Faster

Mortgage refinancing can save you money, lower interest rates and help you pay off your home faster. Let Extraco Mortgager help you learn about the key benefits today.

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.

ICYMI— Bank & Brews | Marketing Skills: Leveling the Playing Field

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.

Buckle Up: Check Fraud Is on the Rise—Here’s How to Stay Safe

Even though check usage has decreased by 25%, reports of check fraud have nearly doubled since 2021. Criminals are getting more sophisticated, stealing financial information to access—and fly off with—your hard-earned money.

6 Steps to Creating a Great Financial Plan

The biggest mistake in financial planning is not having one. Creating a financial plan is not difficult, but it is daunting! We've broken down the six key steps to the financial planning process.

Elevating Excellence: Welcoming Susie Stanley-Jones, CFP® as President of Extraco Wealth & Trust

Extraco Banks proudly welcomes Susie Stanley-Jones, CFP® as President of Extraco Wealth & Trust. With decades of leadership in wealth management and a track record of innovation, Susie is poised to guide our Wealth & Trust team into an exciting new era of growth, client service, and strategic vision.

The Role Title Plays When Purchasing a Home

The purpose of the title company is to make sure the title to the home is lawfully given to the buyer. Once the title company has completed its verification, it will support that guarantee with title insurance. Title insurance protects the bank and the owner if someone were to make a claim to the property.

ICYMI— Bank & Brews | Marketing Skills: Keeping Things on Track

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.

A letter to friends and neighbors

If you need a bank you know and trust, think about our local banks, and think about Extraco.

ICYMI– Building and Facilitating Business Partnerships

Partnerships can create unique development opportunities for businesses. Whether they are simple relationships or complex ventures, well-executed partnerships can strengthen any size of business.

Money Mentor vs. Financial Planner vs. Financial Advisor: Which is Best?

The new year brings a unique chance to change your future and financial situation. According to a recent survey by intelliflo, a cloud-based technology platform for financial advisors, 71% of Gen Z (ages 18-25) and 72% of Millennials (ages 26-41) say they want financial advice but don't know how to get it.

Phone24 and Call Center

Our Self-Directed Services or Phone24 options allow you to quickly complete your banking services.

Affordable Ways to Create a Memorable Thanksgiving Celebration

Sometimes, the joy of Thanksgiving comes hand in hand with the stress of expense, but here at Extraco Banks, we understand the importance of financial literacy and are here to help you avoid that this holiday season.

ICYMI– Bank & Brews Waco | A Deep Dive into Google Analytics

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.

ICYMI– Bank & Brews (Bell County) | How to Hire the Right Employees

Finding and hiring awesome talent is difficult. Designing the processes, finding and interviewing candidates may take time and effort, but is sure to pay off in the long-term. These are they ways that Extraco Banks has mastered the hiring process.

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.

When Is it Time to Increase Your Team?

Growing your team can be nerve-wracking and exciting bundled together. On the one hand, it means you’re hitting important milestones and expanding your business. Yet, it also means you need to grow your team and perhaps even hire new types of talent to accommodate your increasing need. Finding the sweet spot and knowing when to hire and when to hold off is key. Thankfully, there are a few simple ways to tell when it’s time to increase your team.

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.

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.

What You Should Know About Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

Considering an adjustable-rate mortgage for your next home purchase? Before deciding which mortgage is right for you, here's what you need to know. Let Exrtraco Mortgage help you with all of your home needs.

How Mobile Banking Can Ease Your Back-to-School Stress

Mobile banking is a great way to complement a hectic schedule and keep your finances on track without adding stress. By leveraging the features mentioned above, you can keep track of your money and bank accounts and focus more on what truly matters — supporting your child throughout the new school year.

The Rule of Thumb for Emergency Savings: How Much is Enough?

Life is unpredictable, and emergencies happen when you least expect them. Having an emergency fund is essential to your financial planning.

Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

Buying a home is still a big part of the American dream and, for many, an important milestone in life. However, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or looking for your next home, knowing when to buy is key to getting the best rates. That’s especially important today with a hot housing market and rising interest rates. There are a few things you can do to maximize your chances of landing a good deal on your mortgage, which could save you thousands of dollars over the term of your home loan.

Are Professional Executive Loans the Key to Owning Your Dream Home?

Dreaming of owning your dream home? As you set out to transform your dream into reality, let Extraco Mortgage help you with your professional executive loan and finding the home of your dreams!

Nine Clever Strategies to Save More on Groceries

Saving more money while shopping can be made simple using these different ways to increase your savings. With these nine strategies, you’ll quickly become a savvy shopper.

ICYMI: November Bank & Brews | Digital Marketing 101

The November edition of our Bank & Brews virtual workshop series was all about Digital Marketing in the era of COVID-19 and beyond. The workshop was led by Gordon Law, President of Swimming Duck, a marketing agency based out of Dallas. Gordon is also a professor at SMU where he teaches marketing and digital media. He has over 40 years of marketing and advertising experience and is a great friend of Extraco Banks. We were thrilled to have him lead our final virtual workshop of 2020.

7 Ways to Save Big on Your Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving is almost here. Turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and an assortment of other dishes and desserts are on everyone's mind and menu, as well as the number of guests you plan to serve. For some, this might mean hosting a small number of guests, but for a larger gathering, you could have several. This can lead to another pressing issue: how to host a Thanksgiving meal that won't break your budget, despite currently higher prices.

Creating a Budget

A budget will help you understand your spending patterns and gain better control over your money. Creating one helps you understand where you spend your money and discover areas where you can save.

Savvy Secrets to Planning a Summer Vacay on a Budget

As you embark on your summer vacation, don’t forget to plan for all the big and small expenses. Remember, by setting a realistic travel budget, you’ll have a solid foundation and a worry-free vacation.

Building Your Dream Home: 7 Awesome Renovation Ideas to Get You Started Today

Transform your dreams into reality by building your dream home through the frame of your existing home. Here are seven awesome renovation ideas to transform your space.

Building a Budget and Minimizing Debt

Accumulating debt can be overwhelming. See how we've worked with customers to change their current financial situation and prepare for their future.

How to Pay Bills & Send Payments to Friends Using Your Mobile Phone

Extraco’s online bill pay allows you to make one-time or recurring payments through your eBank.

7 Festive Ways to Save Money Christmas Shopping

It’s that time of year again, and if you haven’t started your Christmas shopping yet, now is the time to do it. However, shopping for gifts can be challenging during economic uncertainty, especially when you’re looking to save money. Budgets are tighter, and the things you want and need cost more. Yet, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a great holiday. We devised a plan to make your holiday shopping and gift-giving easier. Here are 7 festive ways to save money while Christmas shopping.

ICYMI– Best Practices for Business Finances

The importance of well-organized business finances cannot be overstated. Keeping accurate and well-organized financial data is critical for knowing the status of your business, tax season, and especially when seeking financing.

How to Prepare for Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters

No one knows when a natural disaster will strike. That is why preparing for anything coming your way is essential. Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, wildfires, sinkholes, hailstorms, and drought can all cause severe damage to your home and property. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare for natural disasters so that you can stay safe during storms!

Is It Time to Refinance Your Auto Loan? Key Factors to Consider

Refinancing your auto loan can help you save money, lower your monthly payments, or pay off your car faster—but timing is everything. This blog breaks down the key factors to consider, including interest rates, credit score improvements and loan balance. Learn when refinancing makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to determine if it’s the right move for you.

ICYMI– Bank & Brews Temple | Business Plans

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.

To Build or Not to Build: Get the Home That’s Right for You

Times are tough for buyers in today’s seller’s market. There is low inventory and incredibly tough competition for homes all over the country. Many buyers in the market have decided to build a new home to ensure they get the home that is right for them.

Type of Content

Resources