Banking On Knowledge

Navigating the complexities of the real estate market can be daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers. To help guide you through this process, we've compiled a list of tips aimed to empower you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.

Bank safety has recently become a hot topic largely due to recent unexpected bank failures. While financial intuitions will continue to stress that banks are indeed safe, we understand that biased opinions are more difficult to trust. For that reason, we want to arm you, our readers, with the information necessary to decide for yourselves whether your bank is operating in a safe manner.

Home construction costs and mortgage rates continue to increase, resulting in historically low housing inventory and active marketing listings. With fewer and fewer builders to call, it may be time to consider new options. If maximizing your investment with the lowest cost and highest value is your priority, Western State Bank may have your solution.

Have you ever questioned a charge on your account or received a notification for suspicious activity? Financial institutions should have processes in place to help customers with charge disputes or cases of fraud. But what is the difference between a dispute and a true fraud case? And how can you know if your funds will be reimbursed?

Take debit card security into your own hands and stay on top of your budget with Card Controls in your WSB mobile app.
Turning your debit card on and off is just one of the many ways you can protect your debit card and control its usage. Keep reading to learn more about the feature and all the ways it can benefit you.

Located conveniently in your Western State Bank mobile app, Zelle® enables you to send and receive money with
friends and family, no matter where they bank. Follow these easy tips to use Zelle® safely:
1. Only send to those you know and trust
2. Beware of payment scams
3. Treat Zelle® like cash

Sometimes a cosigner is needed to help a borrower obtain approval on a loan. Before agreeing to cosign for a friend or family member, be sure you know how cosigning could affect you and your financial future.

We’ve shared ways to protect your money on the internet and to keep your debit card safe from fraud, but according to the American Banker’s Association check fraud is still the leading reason for deposit losses.

Gone are the days of waiting until the next trip to town or the next trip back home to deposit a check when mobile deposit is easily accessible to Western State Bank customers.

You may already know that refinancing could result in a lower interest rate, or could help you pay off your mortgage faster. But did you know that refinancing or taking out a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) could also help you obtain extra cash for home renovations?