Financial Wellness & Education

A Joint Effort to Protect Consumers from Scams On March 5, 2026, federal, state, and local governments, non-profit organizations, and private companies are joining forces to help protect consumers from scams. Over the years, scams have grown and evolved in scale and sophistication. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost over $12.5 billion to scams in 2024- a 25% increase from 2023. Consumers lost more than $5.7 billion to investment scams and almost $2.95 billion to...

What it means for your Business AI is transforming the way businesses operate. From streamlining processes to predicting market trends, AI offers significant advantages. However, with these advancements come new risks, and one of the most pressing concerns for businesses today is the rise of AI-powered threats, such as deepfakes. Deepfakes are realistic but artificially manipulated audio, video, or image content created using AI. While this technology can have legitimate uses in...

The Billion-Dollar Cyber Threat Every Company Must Address Businesses worldwide are encountering a rapidly growing cybersecurity threat: Business Email Compromise (BEC). This sophisticated form of cyberattack has become one of the most financially damaging crimes, targeting companies of all sizes to steal sensitive information and funds. What is Business Email Compromise? Business Email Compromise is a type of cyberattack in which criminals use email fraud to manipulate employees,...

The FBI has issued a nationwide alert about criminals pretending to be financial institution support teams through calls, texts, emails, and fake websites. Their goal is to take over accounts by convincing customers to share login information or one-time passcodes. Here’s how to stay protected: Planters First Bank will never call, text, or email asking for your password or passcode. Don’t trust caller ID — scammers can spoof it. Hang up and call us directly. Only log in by...

The holiday season should be filled with joy—not stress. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when scammers try to take advantage of busy shoppers, generous givers, and hardworking small businesses. At Planters First Bank, your security is our priority. To help keep you and your business protected, we’ve rounded up the top fraud schemes we see spike each holiday season, plus helpful tips to stay safe. 1. Business Account Takeover Attempts Cybercriminals look for ways to...

Planters First Bank is proud to recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, joining the nationwide initiative led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to promote stronger online safety habits. “Protecting sensitive information requires everyone’s awareness, especially as online threats continue to evolve,” said Kandi Clem, Marketing Support Officer at Planters First Bank. “We remain committed to...

Older adults are among the most targeted and most impacted by online scams. In fact, the FBI reports that Americans over 60 lose more money to cybercrime than any other age group. With cybercriminals constantly changing their tactics, staying safe online can feel overwhelming. Planters First Bank is proud to share Then & Now, a new initiative from the National Cybersecurity Alliance designed to help older adults—and their caregivers—protect themselves online. This stay safe...

Text messaging has become one of the fastest, most convenient ways to communicate—and unfortunately, it has also become a favorite tool for scammers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that in 2023, consumers suffered over $437 million in losses due to SMS/text scams, an increase from $330 million in 2022. The median loss per victim was around $1,100, indicating a steady rise each year. Scams involving banks and financial institutions continue to be among the most...

National Financial Awareness Day serves as an excellent reminder to pause, assess your finances, and create a plan for the future. Whether you are just beginning your financial journey or seeking to enhance your money management skills, today is all about empowering yourself through knowledge. At Planters First Bank, we believe that understanding the basics—saving, budgeting, and investing—can make all the difference in your financial stability and peace of mind. Here are a few ways...

If you’re a servicemember, you’re probably used to moving around every few years. Whether you’re moving a few states away or to another country, you might need to break a lease, sell a car, or redirect your mail to a new address — all things involving your personal information. While planning your next big move, help protect your sensitive info from scammers. If scammers get hold of personal details like your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, they might get access...

In recognition of National Homeownership Month, Planters First Bank and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are encouraging consumers to consult their local community banker to make the home-buying process simpler, more efficient, and more affordable. Consult your community bank for: Loan Guidance: Determining the ideal loan amount and products that align with your budget and lifestyle, reviewing the mortgage process in detail, and identifying programs tailored to...

Planters First Bank is proud to join forces with the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on an initiative to help customers protect themselves from the growing threat of check fraud. In support of this initiative, Planters First Bank offers educational materials and personal guidance to ensure customers have the tools they need to safeguard their financial assets and respond if they experience check fraud. "At Planters...