By Robert Vandenbergh
Money doesn’t grow on trees. That’s what my father used to tell me.
It’s sound advice that I passed on to my son. When he was just 12 years old, we talked about needs and wants in the context of the bicycle that he needed and the one he wanted. A paper route helped him earn the incremental cost between the two; as my dad often pointed out, the things you work hard for are always more valued. It’s no wonder that the bike he wanted found a home in the garage and was kept meticulously clean.
My son is now a Dad with two kids of his own and is a successful business own ...
By: Thomas J. Shara, President & CEO Lakeland Bank
It’s official…Somerset Hills Bank is now part of Lakeland Bank. And we are excited to welcome both their customers and staff members to the Lakeland Bank family.
The union of our dynamic, conservatively managed institutions will provide you, along with current Lakeland Bank customers, with a broader range of services, and an expanded network of dedicated and knowledgeable employees. A strategic element supporting thi ...
By: Jeffrey Buonforte, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
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Each stage of life presents new financial needs and the opportunity to reassess your financial goals. Studies show that people who get professional advice before they make major financial decisions fare significantly better than those that do not seek advice
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Yet many people don’t seek the help of financial planners. If you want to lose weight, you are likely to join a gym, get a personal trainer or go on a diet. Similarly, if you want to get your finances in order, you should develop a financial plan. If you don’t, you’re missing out on how you can grow your money to meet short-term and long-term needs. Each year, when you do your taxes, it’s a great opportunity to review that plan.
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By David Yanagisawa, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
Home equity lending is starting to make a comeback. Many lenders are reporting substantial increases in home equity lending over the past year with Equifax reporting that the total number of home equity loans approved in the fourth quarter of 2012 represented a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2011
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What’s driving this up-tick? Home prices are beginning to stabilize and even increase which is restoring consumer confidence in the real estate market.
There are two types of home-equity lending. Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) carry variable rates and give borrowers the flexibility to borrow up to the full amount of the loan or just a portion. A HELOC functions like a credi ...
By: Robert Vandenbergh
Mobile Banking with Lakeland Bank is now even more convenient with the introduction of Mobile Deposit. It’s fast, completely secure, and as easy as taking a picture with your smartphone. ...