Resources

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.

ICYMI— The Human Resource Lifecycle of a Business

By: Alex Eichenberg, Liz Barton & DJ Snyder

Important Information Regarding Stimulus Checks

As the U.S. Treasury has begun depositing Economic Impact Payments to bank accounts, it's important for you to have the right tools and resources to check the status of your payment.

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!

ICYMI— The Human Resources Lifecycle of a Business

We want to share our expertise and knowledge about the lifecycle of an employee – from hiring to firing – with you. Below is a recap of our October Bank & Brews workshops focused on four aspects of human resources which are vital to a business (and improving the bottom line): hiring, building, coaching & disciplining employees. Make sure to download the templates from each workshop!

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.

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.

Card Cracking: What is it? And how you can protect yourself

“Need cash quick with no strings attached? Have I got a deal for you?”

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.

Credit Card Debt: How to Know When You’re in Over Your Head

It’s best to avoid going too deep into credit card debt, and the way to do that is with careful planning and by creating a solid budget that you can live with. Knowing what you can reasonably afford and when you’ve reached that point is half the battle to preventing debt.

Phone24 and Call Center

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

Skimming: What is it? And how you can protect yourself

Card Skimming is not new, but the technology that makes it possible is evolving. Would you be able to identify an ATM rigged with skimming devices?

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.

Your Video Teller & ATM Options with Extraco

Banking with Extraco means banking with options. Take advantage of our new video teller machines and network of over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

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.

Alternative Ways to Pay with Your Extraco Bank Account

Making payments from your Extraco checking account is now easier than ever!

Safe Banking Starts With a Quick Check

A simple, free tool designed to help you verify suspicious messages and protect your financial well-being

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.

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.

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.

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.

Settling Financial Matters When a Loved One Passes

During the loss of a loved one, it can be hard to think straight and know how to unravel your loved one’s finances once he/she passes. It can feel overwhelming trying to deal with all the details. We've compiled a checklist of the typical duties of an executor when settling an estate.

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

By: Mark Reynolds & Tim Holtkamp

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.

ICYMI— Celebrating Waco Women: A Power-Hour Panel on Female Entrepreneurs

October is National Women’s Small Business Month commemorating the signing of the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988.

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.

Protecting your Business from Legal Trouble | The LINC Up Series

Hear from Mary Margaret Croft, from Carpenter & Croft, about the importance of legal protection for your business. This blog is part of our LINC Up video series.

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.

Homebase

Homebase is a leading workforce management platform designed to simplify employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication for small businesses. Read more about how Extraco Banks is committed to building businesses.

Halloween On A Budget

In this blog post, we'll unveil some thrifty and budget-friendly tricks to make this Halloween a spooky success without draining your wallet.

Managing seasonal demand

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.

Top Five Benefits of Building a Solid Banking Relationship

At Extraco Banks, you're not a number — you're not just ‘another customer.’ Instead, we consider you family, and family deserves more attention, better service, and a personal approach. Read our blog to learn more!

How to Protect Older Adults and Loved Ones from Fraud

As autumn draws near, it’s time to consider the holiday season ahead. Although fraud can happen to anyone anytime, it’s especially concerning during the holidays. Older adults and loved ones often feel the brunt of these attacks. The FBI reported Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $1.7 billion in 2020, with fraud claiming over 92,000 victims that year.

Tax Refunds: Frequently Asked Questions

At the beginning of each year, you’ll start to receive tax information in the mail. After using these forms to file your taxes, you might expect a tax refund. While you can choose to have it deposited to your bank account, the IRS controls the entire processing and transaction process.

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.

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.

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.

4 Simple Financial Fitness Activities That Parents & Students Can Do at Home

Looking for a new way to keep your kids’ minds engaged and active? Why not propose an activity that is educational and fun? You might even learn something new yourself.

The Difference Between Cash Flow and Profit

Cash coming into your business and the actual profit you make are two very different things, and almost always never total up as identical amounts. Read more to learn the difference between cash flow and profit.

The New Normal: How the Gig Economy Highlights the Need for Emergency Savings

As a gig worker, you must wear many hats and take on more responsibilities than you might as a traditional employee. This kind of work provides several advantages, including more freedom and flexibility to structure your work in a way that aligns with your preferences. However, there are a few caveats, mainly regarding financial stability.

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

By: Sam Brown

Bank & Brews Waco | Utilizing Google Web Tools in Your Small Business Marketing Strategy

Take 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.

What is Positive Pay?

Positive Pay is an automated cash management system that helps eliminate the risk of losing money from fraudulent checks. We use this system to coordinate financial payment security efforts with your business; this allows your business to monitor payments and ensure that only your payee receives the approved funds. If we receive a check that doesn't match your Positive Pay file, we will contact you to verify payment details before honoring it.

From Side Hustles to Savings: Ways to Make College More Affordable

We've compiled a short guide to help you navigate the financial terrain with savvy strategies and clever hacks to transform your dreams of higher education into a budget-friendly reality.

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.

Bank Jugging: What it is and how you can protect yourself

As long as there are people making money, there will be others who will try to take it from them. While Skimming has been around for a while, the newest forms of theft are Bank Jugging and Card Cracking. You need to be aware of these new schemes so that they don’t happen to you.

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Resources