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Having a good credit history shows that you reliably repay borrowed money. That is reassuring to many lenders you will encounter in the future and makes you a more desirable customer. Here are a few ways good credit can give you a leg up and even save you money.

Whether you have a piggy bank or a 401k, there’s always something to learn about how to save money. North Shore Bank is happy to provide resources for all ages through our Personal Banking Learning Center.

When you get your first job, it’s a big and exciting milestone! No matter what type of job you have or are interested in getting in the near future, it’s important to make sure you’re practicing healthy financial budgeting.

The age of communication and information overload has brought with it a stealth and significant risk: a seemingly endless supply of phishing, fraud and scams. We’ve all gotten – and hopefully ignored or reported – emails about an unexpected inheritance or robotic phone messages about an extended car warranty. But, when it comes to operating a business, the stakes can be even higher.

From time-tested to high-tech, let the team at North Shore Bank help you put your best financial foot forward this year!

We’ve probably all been guilty to some degree of failing to cancel a free trial or signing up for a service that goes mostly unused. If a subscription sweep is on your list of things to do to work toward financial fitness, consider the following strategies to help you get started.

Those who have a fixed rate mortgage know their interest rate is set for the duration of their mortgage. It might feel safer because it is predictable and won’t change. On the flip side, the words “adjustable rate mortgage” carry with them some level of uncertainty.

Virtual Appointments let you connect with us from your home, office, or anywhere using your camera-enabled phone, tablet, or computer. Simply select "Virtual" when you schedule an appointment.
 

For most people, their home is their largest financial investment and asset. Ideally – over time and with every mortgage payment made – the value you have in your home increases, which should translate to increased potential for profit when it comes time to sell. Despite inevitable economic ups and downs, it’s important to take the long view when considering your home’s eventual profit potential.

No matter if the need to access funds is for fun or out of necessity, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is one of the most common and easiest ways to convert your home’s value into cash. By establishing a HELOC now, you’re prepared and ready to leverage your equity.

North Shore Bank can help guide businesses to the most secure and efficient solutions for accepting payments – whether from other vendors or from customers – for businesses of all shapes and sizes. What follows is a quick overview of online options and cashless considerations for businesses.

So, you purchased a home – congratulations! Now comes the challenging (but rewarding!) work of maintaining it.

Home Insurance is absolutely essential to protect what is likely your largest investment: your home.

A lot goes into buying a home, but one of the biggest hurdles for many is saving enough for a down payment.

So, you think you want to build a new home? Or, maybe you’re wondering if you can?  

Not all mortgages are the same, and it's important to understand the benefits and disadvantages of each mortgage type before purchasing a home.

If you're planning to buy a home (whether it’s your first home or you’re making a move), you probably have good reasons for your decision.

As logical as it might seem to look for the perfect stock or bond and make it your investment of choice, that’s not the best approach to meeting your financial goals.

Even if you're financially responsible, life's unpredictable nature can sometimes catch you off guard, making it dangerously easy to fall into debt.

Understanding the importance of building and maintaining your credit score.

When emergencies and unexpected situations strike, it’s important to be prepared and make wise decisions.

There are plenty of things everyone can do to help support their local community.

Your budget is a way to stick to your saving goals. If you have a partner, having one household budget is essential for having a good sense of where you stand financially together.

Life insurance and wills aren’t things people like to talk about. After all, planning for the financial impact of your death isn't an easy thing to do—but it's essential.

Even if you’re just starting your first real job—actually, especially if you’re just starting your first real job—it’s time to start thinking about retirement.

One of your biggest financial risks is confronting unexpected expenses that your family can’t afford, no matter how careful you are with your money.

One of the most important things you can teach your children is how to manage money and invest for the future.

Parenthood is a fulfilling experience that requires careful planning and consideration.

When it comes to talking with a spouse or partner about money, many people shy away. It can be scary — but it doesn’t have to be.

A lot goes into buying a home, but one of the biggest hurdles for many is saving enough for a down payment.

Refinancing can be beneficial if everything lines up in your favor. What can you get out of it? The list is long and exciting for someone stuck with loan payments that they aren’t happy with.

When shopping for a car, it's usually best to start by shopping for a car loan. When you’re shopping for a car loan, remember that what it costs you to borrow depends on three things...

A lot goes into buying a home, but one of the biggest hurdles for many is saving enough for a down payment.

Everyday spending habits can have far more impact on our financial future than any single investment decision we may make. The earlier we can teach children about earning interest versus paying it, the better prepared they will be to manage their own finances.

Here are a few fun and useful lessons about money for our little savers. There’s a message in each of these old sayings.

Teaching kids to save is important. But what should kids learn at each age? Here’s a chart to help you talk to your kids about money, introducing the right topics at the right age.

If there’s one thing of which homeowners can be sure, it’s that owning a home comes with unexpected expenses – and that those expenses often come up at the most inopportune times. A roof leaks, a water heater blows or the furnace fails on the coldest day of the year … or just in advance of when the in-laws are expected to arrive.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a new estimate for your home?

It’s never too early to start saving money, which is why a growing number of parents are opening savings accounts for their children.

Is establishing an emergency fund always the right decision for your situation? 

How well does this long-trusted rule of thumb still hold up?

On Feb. 22, North Shore Bank partnered with the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce to present the 2019 Focus on Manufacturing Breakfast at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. 

As many Americans receive their refunds this year, the American Bankers Association has highlighted seven tips to help them use the money wisely.

Don’t let your compound interest loans spiral out of control.

Successful businesses know that having a good product is only part of the battle. Even if you are the best at what you do, that could mean very little if your brand is unable to set itself apart from the competition and capture customers. Positioning your product in the proper market context can help with that.

With a bit of thought and creativity, you can decrease costs for your business in ways that won’t disrupt your goals or productivity. In fact, careful cost-cutting could even help your company operate more efficiently and serve customers more effectively.

No matter what sector your business is in, proper accounting is crucial to your success. There are a variety of options you can choose from to help you manage your money, but none are completely perfect. Consider these common challenges businesses like yours often face while tracking financial operations and transactions throughout the year.

Preparation is key to navigating today’s housing market.

Companies should train employees about safe internet use and the warning signs of this fraud, because they are the first line of defense.

Unlike interest rates, property taxes and insurance rates, you decide how much you borrow and therefore how large your monthly mortgage payments will be.

The size of a down payment on a home is the most important factor in determining your monthly payment.

With many homes drawing multiple offers within a few days or even just hours after hitting the market, real estate agents are advising would-be buyers to nail down a solid mortgage loan pre-approval before they start looking.
 

From checking balances to transferring money and paying bills, there are many ways you can maintain your finances using online tools.

So, you're interested in purchasing a new home. Before congratulations are in order, you have to be approved for a mortgage. They will help you navigate the process.

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, here is information that will help you stay safe in stores and online.

Easy steps toward becoming an effective saver.

If you own a business, your list of stressors is probably vast: Sales, employee turnover, competition — so the last thing you want to worry about is your cybersecurity. Nevertheless, it’s important to establish an official security plan.

When buying a home, the collateral is generally the underlying property and its equity. When you make a down payment of at least 20 percent, you create equity immediately that works to offset the lender’s risk. And each month you make a payment, you pay a little bit of the principal back and create even more equity.