What does it mean for your business? EMV chip card technology is a global standard for cards equipped with computer chips and the technology used to authenticate chip-card transactions. EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard® and VISA®, the three companies that originally created the standard. In the wake of numerous large-scale data breaches and increasing rates of counterfeit card fraud, U.S. card issuers have migrated to this new technology to protect consumers and reduce the costs of fraud. These new cards…

What to consider when deciding whether to renovate your house—or buy one that’s new to you In 2017, 11 percent of the U.S. population moved—with 62 percent staying in the same county. That same year, American homeowners spent $316 billion on home remodeling. Whether you need extra space for a growing family or you want more home amenities, making the choice to buy a different house or to update the home you’re currently living in is a combination of considerations,…

“Greater” business financing options At Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union, we take particular pride in the services we provide to our business members. When our members come to us asking how to finance a business, we answer with financial solutions that help numerous area businesses grow and succeed. In turn, we’ve seen how these businesses have provided employment and services for our members and for Bergen and Passaic counties at large. For more than 80 years, Greater Alliance, a community-based…

Six Ways to Keep Your Identity Secure While Traveling There is nothing that kills a post-vacation buzz faster than realizing your identity has been stolen. According to an online survey by the Harris Poll, over 15 million Americans experienced identity theft in 2017, with a total loss of over $16 billion. Going on vacation or traveling can leave you at a high risk for identity theft – you may be unfamiliar with your surroundings, in a more relaxed state of…

How to Get you Down the Aisle Without Breaking the Bank It’s no secret that weddings can be expensive. According to The Wedding Report, the average wedding in the United States in 2017 costs $25,760. In the New York/Newark-Jersey City Metropolitan area , the average wedding cost is higher than the national 2017 average at $39.900. How can you create your dream wedding while staying within a budget? There are several ways to help save for a wedding and create…

How to Decide to Rent or Buy Commercial Property for Your Small Business You chose to be a small business owner for a myriad of reasons – to call your own shots, to create your own ideal work environment, to fulfill your own dreams. If you’re now contemplating whether to rent or buy commercial property, that likely means you’ve aced it: you’re a savvy leader whose business is growing. The downside is that you may have to move to accommodate…

The costs associated with buying a house include much more than the mortgage Congratulations! You’ve decided to buy a home. But while you’ve been saving for a down payment and budgeting for a mortgage, you may not be entirely aware of all the other costs the may be involved in the house-buying process. Not to worry. We’ve put together a list of the most common home-buying expenses you’ll want to budget for while on the hunt for your dream house.…

How Small Business Banking Can Improve Your Bottom Line Small business banking undoubtedly plays a role in the way you run your business, but if you’re like most successful entrepreneurs, your focus is on new ways to grow and improve your bottom line. And it should be! U.S. small businesses are critical to job and economic growth. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, two out of three net new jobs in the U.S. are created by small business owners. In 2017,…

You’re Getting a Tax Refund… Now What? A bigger TV. That beautiful vacation destination. A new car. An updated gaming system. New furniture.  These are all things that might spring to mind when you when you think about how to spend your tax refund. According to the IRS, the average 2016 tax refund was $3,053. That’s a sizeable amount, one that could be used in a dozen fun ways. But instead of focusing on the fun you could have today,…

It’s that time of year again. The gifts, the wrapping paper, the fancy meals – it all adds up. For some, affording the holidays means accruing bills and worrying about how to pay off debt later. For others, it means setting aside extra money throughout the year. Either way, the average shopper will spend $682 on gifts, food and decorations this, nearly a 4% increase from 2016. Ways to reduce holiday debt Living within your financial means, rather than overspending,…