Banking / Money Management

----- Reprinted from the Wisconsin Bankers Daily eNewsletter 12-12-25

The term “paper money” is a misnomer. U.S. banknotes are made from a special fabric that is 75% cotton and 25% linen — an incredibly strong blend that helps bills survive accidental trips through the washing machine. The fabric contains wiry red and blue synthetic fibers disbursed...

Dormant accounts may feel harmless, but they’re prime targets for scammers because they often go unchecked. In today’s digital world, most of us have multiple accounts—banking, shopping, streaming, and more. Do you track them all and monitor them for suspicious activity?

Inactive accounts can be risky because they store your personal information, payment details, and login credentials...

As we age or face unexpected life changes, managing finances can become more challenging. Whether due to cognitive decline, physical limitations, or simply the complexity of financial systems, many people reach a point where they need help. That’s where a financial caregiver comes in.

A financial caregiver is someone you trust to help manage your money, pay bills, monitor accounts, and make financial decisions on...

The penny will no longer be minted (made) in early 2026, which raises a bunch of questions. Why is the penny being phased-out?  Will pennies still be available after that date? Can banks continue to distribute pennies? How will businesses handle cash transactions moving forward?

A down payment on a home is simply a percentage of the home’s total cost that a buyer has to pay up front at closing. Saving enough money for a down payment on a home can be challenging. This is one of the largest issues many homebuyers face when applying for a mortgage loan.

Minimum down payments are typically based on three sets of criteria:...

(2025)  Giving Tuesday is December 2. It’s a day dedicated to helping those less fortunate. At Prevail Bank, we’re thrilled to kick off the holiday season with our own way of giving back—through our Holiday Matching Funds campaign!

From November 10 to December 5, each of our nine branches will collect public donations for nine local nonprofits. And, for every dollar you donate,...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury will stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments on September 30, 2025. The change effects paper Social Security checks, Veteran benefits checks, and any other federal benefit payment check.

Persons still receiving a paper check for Social Security, Veterans benefits, or any other federal benefit payment need to enroll in direct deposit.

Call the Federal agency that pays the benefit and follow...

Your credit score affects many aspects of your life, including making large purchases, obtaining loans, renting an apartment and even applying for a job. Do you know your current credit score? When was the last time you checked your credit report? Here are a few simple steps you can take to help improve your credit score and keep it working for you, not against you.

One of the major factors in your credit score...

Borrowing money—whether from a bank, credit card, friend, or another lender—comes with general rules and principles that help protect both the borrower and the lender.

But before we share those general principles, please know this article isn’t going to talk about borrowing money to buy a home. Borrowing money for a home has so many options and components (it’s complicated); we truly recommend working with a professional....

The above question was posed to us after we issued a Fraud Awareness email to our customers. It was a great question. We suspect many people were asking the same.

Please know, Prevail Bank is fully committed to the protection and confidentiality of your information. We follow, in strict accordance, the guidelines established by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) and the...