Paying for college is one of the biggest financial decisions many families will ever face. Tuition, fees, housing, books, and living expenses can add up quickly, leaving students and parents unsure where to start. The good news is that there are multiple ways to pay for college, including scholarships, federal financial aid, work‑study programs, and […]
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Credit plays a major role in many financial decisions, yet it is often misunderstood. When people don’t fully understand how credit works, they can make choices that lead to long‑term debt and financial stress. This article explains what credit is, how to manage it responsibly, and how to build or improve credit, using guidance […]
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Bank impersonation scams are increasing. Threat actors impersonate bank representatives and contact victims under false pretenses, such as verifying account and/or transactions details, or resolving security issues. They can mirror the calls to appear to be established bank phone numbers. They often request sensitive information such as account numbers or passwords to gain unauthorized access, […]
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Notice To Our Valued Customers: As a result of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s decision to end production of the U.S. penny coin, the St. Louis Federal Reserve has notified all member banks that when the inventory of that specific coin is depleted, they will no longer fulfill penny orders. Murphy-Wall State Bank and […]
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Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know. Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the FTC, Social Security Administration, IRS, Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility […]
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Credit freezes and fraud alerts can help protect you from identity theft. They can also help stop someone who stole your identity from continuing to misuse it. Credit freezes and fraud alerts work in different ways. Your personal situation will determine which one is right for you. Is a Credit Freeze Right for You? You […]
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You may have heard in the news: JOANN Fabric & Craft stores are closing and will be holding big clearance sales before they shut their doors. Visit a physical store in person to grab some good deals. The real JOANN sales are only happening at their physical location. This has not stopped scammers from setting […]
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The FBI Internet Crime Report for 2024 listed the top crime type as phishing/spoofing with 193,407 reported complaints. Smishing attacks (a text-based phishing scam) are commonly used by fraudsters to steal data and financial information. Have you ever received a text from an unknown number that reads “Hello” or “How are you”? Scammers send thousands […]
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All We Want for Christmas Is You… to be safe this holiday season! To ensure that your holiday season is full of cheer, follow these tips when making purchases online. Check Your Devices: Before making any online purchases, make sure the device you are using is up-to-date. Make sure you have strong passwords on all […]
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Why credit management is important? Credit management is an essential aspect of being a responsible loan consumer. Your credit score plays a major role in determining whether you qualify for a loan and at what interest rate. A good credit score can help you qualify for loans with lower interest rates, while a poor credit […]
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Elder financial abuse robs older Americans of billions of dollars in money, property and other assets every year. As those safeguarding their customers’ finances, community bankers are key watchdogs for monitoring and preventing this abuse. As relationship lenders and financial first responders, community banks are in a unique position to help shield our elderly customers […]
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Financial stability is a dream for many, but it can feel out of reach without a clear plan. Budgeting is the missing piece! It’s like a roadmap to your financial goals, helping you track your income and expenses, control your spending, and save for the future. Why Budget? Think of budgeting as a tool to […]
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The FBI warns Americans against using cryptocurrency money transmitting services that are not registered as Money Services Businesses (MSB) according to United States federal law (31 U.5.C. § 5330; 31 CFR §§ 1010; 1022) and do not adhere to anti-money laundering requirements. A few simple steps can prevent unintentional use of non-compliant services. For example, […]
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Is there a legit reason for someone to send you to a Bitcoin ATM? The short answer is NO. Will someone from the government send you to a Bitcoin ATM? NEVER. Scammers succeed because they’re good at what they do — which is lying. So, if someone calls and says you have to act now […]
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As a community bank, we are committed to helping our customers understand and avoid financial scams. One such scam that has been on the rise is the Money Mule Scam. A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else. Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds […]
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This week, it was confirmed that scammers are using Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) employees’ names to try to defraud members of the public. Specifically older adults, who received phone or video calls. The CFPB will NEVER contact you and ask you for sensitive information or to pay money. This includes never asking you to […]
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Weather and health-related natural disasters can cause extensive property damage and wreak financial havoc on families and communities. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are advocating simple measures to help consumers with preparation and recovery to reduce their financial impact. “While […]
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Teaching children about money management early on is an excellent way to help ensure their long-term financial well-being. With the right knowledge and skills, budgeting can not only be a useful tool but also be a lot of fun for kids. Here are some tips to get your children on track with budgeting: Provide Age-Appropriate […]
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Americans reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) a record $3.56 billion lost to online fraud in the first six months of 2022—a nearly 50 percent increase from the same period a year ago. Thieves are after your money that you have worked hard to earn and are always working on new ways to gain […]
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Ms. Patterson’s PCHS Life Skills Class visited Murphy-Wall State Bank on Wednesday, September 5, 2018. During the time at the bank, students discussed what a bank does, how to open a checking account and the responsibilities that goes along with having a checking account. The visit gave the students a real-life interaction to go along […]
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In our digitally connected world, the bad guys aren’t limiting their scams to just your email account – they’re attacking you via social media, too! Social media plays a vital role in staying in touch with friends, family, and even local businesses. But with convenience comes vulnerability. Lurking among genuine connections can be fake profiles, […]
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Pinckneyville IL-May 17, 2018: Ms. Fulk’s 5th grade class at Community Consolidated District 204 were recognized for their completion and graduation from Murphy-Wall State Bank’s EverFi Vault Program. It is a web-based financial education course designed to provide students with the critical knowledge and skills needed to make smart financial decisions. Murphy-Wall State Bank has […]
Read MoreMost young people know more about texting, Facebook & Twitter than they do about budgeting and balancing a checkbook. As schools prepare students for real world success, Murphy-Wall State Bank assists by helping young people develop skills for financial success. The Month of April is Financial Literacy Month. During April Murphy-Wall State Bank employees have […]
Read MoreOur mission at Murphy-Wall State Bank is to be the guide to financial wellness for the communities we serve. Through a partnership with education technology company EverFi, Murphy-Wall State Bank empowers students in our communities with the knowledge and skills they need to take control of their financial future. EverFi VAULT for Middle School and […]
Read MoreMurphy-Wall State Bank employees will be visiting several classrooms of area schools in April to celebrate National Teach Children to Save Day and Financial Literacy Month. They will present savings lessons that discuss the difference between need and wants, learning how to identify expenses, interesting facts about money, ways to cut spending and how to […]
Read MoreRecently, Murphy-Wall State Bank’s Assistant Vice President, Monika Holder spoke to a group of guests at the Pinckneyville Library on Financial Elder Abuse. The statistics are staggering for this type of financial crime. With persons 60 and older being the fastest growing segment of the population, one if four seniors will fall victim, with an […]
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