Resources

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.

Raising Children and Running a Business: Insights from Mom Entrepreneur Kelsey Baas

Hear from Kelsey Baas, owner of Compleo Physical Therapy & Wellness, about balancing family responsibilities while managing a business. This is part of Extraco Banks's The LINC Up series.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How to Educate Your Family About Money With A Kids Bank Account

Teaching kids about money is crucial for their financial success. Extraco Banks' First Checking and First Savings accounts are the perfect tools to start their journey.

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.

How Southwest Contract Revolutionizes Student Housing Furniture

A significant factor in Southwest Contract's success has been their strong partnership with us here at Extraco. This relationship has provided the financial support and resources needed to sustain growth and navigate the challenges of the business.

118 Years Strong

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

ICYMI— Mission Marketing: Integrating Your Mission into Branding & Marketing Strategies

Every business owner has probably heard of a mission statement, but have you heard of Mission Marketing? August’s Bank & Brews workshop was all about just that— integrating your company’s values, goals and mission into your brand and marketing strategy.

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.

Identifying Your Business Drivers

Identifying and monitoring the key drivers of your business will help track what’s happening and trigger red flags for when remedial action is needed. A whole range of internal and external factors affects the performance of every small business. Read our resource article to learn more!

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.

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.

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.

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— 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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

What Expenses You'll Want to Consider When Buying a Home

Saving to buy a home can be overwhelming. Here is a list of costs you will need to consider when saving: 1. Down Payment 2. Closing Costs 3. Moving Expenses

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.

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: Killeen Business After Hours Event

On April 18, 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting the Killeen Business After Hours event at our Killeen Branch. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., we welcomed members of the community for an evening of networking, and a special tribute to our local heroes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reviewing Loan Applications

When you apply for a loan at Extraco, we review your application information to help determine your credit worthiness. Key considerations: 1. Your credit score tells us your past performance in meeting your financial obligations. 2. Your credit report shows stability as well as borrowing behaviors.

Understanding eBank Security Alerts

Extraco eBank offers several security alert options to notify you of specific account activities. Utilize customizable alert settings for added security on your account. When logged into Extraco eBank, select the Settings tab on the left hand side and then Alerts. Standard alerts are automatically toggled on, but you can adjust any as you see fit.

Maximizing Your Meal Plan: How to Stretch Your College Food Budget

Creativity and mindful spending can help you maximize your college meal plan and food budget. And it can also help you save money for other things you might need throughout the school year. The tips above will help maximize your food budget and stretch your resources further without compromising your nutritional needs.

The Top 7 Things Physicians Should Know Before Moving to DFW

Congratulations on receiving your residency match! You’ve worked hard to reach this milestone. This is an exciting time and a moment to celebrate. Yet, while one milestone of your journey is ending, another is just beginning, and we’re certain you have many questions. To help guide you through your transition, we’d like to introduce you to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and, more specifically, to what the Dallas-Fort Worth area holds for you and your future.

Should You Use Home Equity to Pay Off Debt?

You’re staring at a mountain of debt and wondering how to pay it all. Bills keep piling on, but your payments, especially today, barely make a dent in your situation. Sure! You’ve heard of refinancing your home; some use home equity to tackle their mounting debt. But is it a good idea? And, if so, what must you know before diving in?

Ways to identify new markets and customers

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.

Phone24 and Call Center

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

What’s the Difference Between Scholarships, Grants, and Loans?

Few matters more than finding the funding you need to further your education. However, searching for money to cover college or trade school is like walking through a labyrinth. Yes, scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and other opportunities are everywhere, but what’s the difference between them? Which funds do you need, and what do they cover? Will you need to repay the money you receive?

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.

The Magic of Compounding Interest: How It Can Supercharge Your Savings

When most people think of compounding interest, credit cards, mortgages, and personal loans come to mind. Whether your goal is to build your net worth or save for retirement, compounding interest is a powerful tool to supercharge your savings, allowing your money to work harder for you.

Maximizing Your Finances: The Power of Combining Checking and Savings Accounts

At Extraco Banks, we're committed to empowering your financial journey by providing robust solutions that cater to your banking needs. Join us as we dive deeper into the specifics of both the checking and savings accounts we offer, and the unparalleled benefits of bundling them together.

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.

Six Tips for Planning the Perfect Summer Vacation

Planning a summer vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. Learn how to save money and have a memorable trip with our money-saving tips and tricks.

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.

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!

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.

5 African Americans To Celebrate During Black History Month

We’ve got some extraordinary people to tell you about in celebration of Black History Month. We’re thrilled to celebrate these pioneers for all they have achieved and taught us throughout history. These historical figures remain beacons of hope, knowledge, and resolve. Their stories remind us to pursue our goals, dreams, and ambitions with determination, as tomorrow may bring unexpected opportunities.

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.

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Resources