Banking / Money Management

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...

In today’s digital world, data breaches have unfortunately become more common. From major retailers to healthcare providers, even financial institutions — no organization is completely immune. If you've received a notice saying your personal information was compromised/stolen in a data breach, it can be unsettling, but don’t panic. Taking the right steps quickly can help minimize the damage and...

According to the FTC, your odds of becoming a victim of identity theft are about 1 in 15. And losses attributed to fraud continue to rise due to the increase of people engaging in social media, electronic communications, and online shopping.

In other words, someone you know – your neighbor, your friend, a relative, a co-worker – is likely to fall prey this year. Maybe even you. If you fall victim to identity theft,...

An account takeover is a type of cyber-attack where a malicious actor gains unauthorized access to someone's online account. This can involve anything from social media and email accounts to banking and shopping accounts. Once they have control, they can withdraw money, make purchases, or steal personal information.

So, if you are locked out of your account, it could be a sign of an Account Takeover (ATO).  Cyber criminals...

When the Midwest sun turns up the heat, things can get uncomfortable fast—indoors, outdoors, and even at the dinner table. From high energy bills to heat-related illnesses and the simple struggle of figuring out what to eat without firing up the oven, summer has its challenges. The good news? With a few smart strategies, you can beat the heat, avoid the ER, and still...

At Prevail Bank, we care deeply about the well-being of our customers—financially, emotionally, and digitally. As technology becomes more central in our daily lives, it also opens the door to new opportunities and new threats. Sadly, seniors are often the target of sophisticated online scams designed to steal money, information, and trust.

Whether you’re reading this for yourself, a parent, a neighbor,...

From splitting dinner with friends to sending thousands of dollars across the globe, online and mobile payment apps have made life easier. Services like PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle allow users to transfer money in seconds. But while the convenience is undeniable, so are the risks. As these apps grow in popularity, so do the scams targeting their users.

PayPal...