Blog
First United Successfully Emerges from Proxy Contest; Continually Focused on its Shareholders & Communities
First United has released the results from the recent annual meeting proxy contest that occurred on Thursday, June 11, 2020. The Company announced the reaffirmation of, and vote, that confirmed all its director candidates.
6 Pointers To Help Seniors Live at Home Longer
The vast majority of older Americans want to remain in their homes as they grow older, also known as aging in place. First United Bank & Trust is offering tips for those considering this option.
What Matters Most – Content Marketing for Businesses with Shondell Varcianna
In today’s episode, we discuss content marketing, best practices, tips and how it works and can benefit small businesses with Shondell Varcianna, CEO of Varci Media
To Buy or Not to Buy: 5 Questions To Consider Before Purchasing Your First Home in recognition of June as American Housing Month
“Owning a home is a great investment,” said Scott Hostetler, Vice President and Residential Lending Relationship Manager . “But before jumping into the market it is extremely important for consumers to consider the costs involved and budget accordingly to ensure they’re able to meet all of their financial obligations.”
What Matters Most – Economic Update with Sean McCreery
In this week’s episode, Sean McCreery, Wealth Investment Officer at First United Wealth Management joins us to give an update for the current market conditions impacting our economy.
CISA Cyber Essentials Toolkit
The Cysbersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) launched a toolkit! The toolkit contains modules which break down Cyber Essentials into bite-sized actions. Each module is will aid IT and C-suite leadership work toward full implementation of each Cyber...
First United Bank & Trust Offers 7 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score – American Housing Month
“Whether you’re renting or buying, your credit score is significant,” said Scott Hostetler, Vice President & Residential Lending Relationship Manager. “It is important for you to responsibly manage your debt levels and maintain good credit reports so that you are more attractive to leasing agents and mortgage lenders.”
What Matters Most – CARES Act Impact on Retirement Accounts with Brian Boal
In this episode, we talk to Brian Boal, CPA regarding the CARES Act Impact on Retirement Accounts, along with listener questions regarding stimulus payments and student loans! This episode is full of the latest and most helpful information regarding these changes and how they might impact you.
First United Offers 6 Tips To Save for a Down Payment in Recognition of June as American Housing Month
First United is highlighting six tips to help you cut the extra costs and save a substantial amount for your down payment.
What Matters Most – Teaching Children to Save
In this episode, we talk about teaching children to save with Tara Baldwin and Ryan Dotson, Relationship Advisors at First United offices in Morgantown, West Virginia. Tara and Ryan spearheaded a virtual outreach effort using remote teaching tools: videos and printable items, to help teachers and parents with financial education tools during the pandemic.
What Matters Most – Marketing in Uncertain Times with Sean Hockenbery
Is now a good time to be advertising your business? In this week’s episode, Sean Hockenbery, President of Financial Marketing Solutions (http://financialmarketingsolutions.com) joins us to chat about tips, ideas and best practices related to marketing and advertising for your business during uncertain times.
First United Bank & Trust Lends Over $146 million through the Paycheck Protection Program
As of May 22, First United has processed over 1,000 Paycheck Protection Program loans, totaling over $146 million in funding supporting nearly 17,000 jobs throughout Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington Counties in Maryland and Berkeley, Monongalia, and Harrison Counties in West Virginia.
U.S. Secret Service: “Massive Fraud” Against State Unemployment Insurance Programs
A well-organized Nigerian crime ring is exploiting the COVID-19 crisis by committing large-scale fraud against multiple state unemployment insurance programs, with potential losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a new alert issued by the U.S....
What Matters Most – Cybersecurity with Joyce Flinn
In this week’s episode, Joyce Flinn, Vice President, Information Security & Disaster Recovery Officer at First United joins us to discuss best practices to staying safe and secure from cyber threats during the pandemic, when security threats have risen fourfold.
What Matters Most – Economic Update with Megan Kinsinger
In this week’s episode, Megan Kinsinger, Portfolio Manager at First United Wealth Management joins us to give an update for the current market conditions impacting our economy.
Bulls & Bears Newsletter – April 2020
The latest Bulls & Bears Newsletter from our Wealth Management advisors can provide you the latest insights into the market, trends and impacts. Download and print right from our website.
What Matters Most – Understanding Credit with Sarah Warchola
In this week’s episode (recorded pre-pandemic), we discuss credit at a high level with Sarah Warchola, community relationship manager at First United’s Sabraton office in Morgantown, WV.
What Matters Most – Mental Health with Colleen Kradel
In this week’s episode, we discuss mental health and wellness during the pandemic with Colleen Kradel, LICSW, owner of Be Well Counseling Services (https://bewellbetter.com) in Martinsburg, WV.
The Daily Record Names Carissa Rodeheaver of First United Bank & Trust to “Maryland’s Top 100 Women”
Carissa Rodeheaver, CEO, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of First United Corporation, has been named one of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record.
First United Honored by 2020 Women on Boards for Female Board Representation
First United Corporation has been recognized as a “Winning (W)” company by 2020 Women on Boards, the premier global education and advocacy campaign committed to increasing the number of women on corporate boards.
Helping You Fight Fraud
Digital fraudsters have developed COVID-related scams to take advantage of consumers during this very challenging time. Be cautious and follow these tips to keep yourself and your finances safe and secure.
Financial Literacy: Compound Interest
Understanding interest is crucial when investing your money. Given the option to earn simple or compound interest, you should always choose the latter. To understand compound interest, you first need to have a good understanding of simple interest. Here at First United Bank & Trust, we strive to make wealth management as easy as possible, so we’ve put together a helpful guide that clearly outlines how compound interest works.
To Buy or Not to Buy?
Investing is like life: nothing ventured, nothing gained.If you're planning to buy a home, you probably have good reasons for your decision. It may be that you share the feeling that owning your own home is a key part of the American dream. But there are also...
Join the 2020 Pay It Forward Initiative!
First United Bank & Trust, in partnership with the Maryland Bankers Association’s Emerging Leaders Program, will be conducting a FLEECE BLANKET DRIVE beginning now through March 31. All donations will go to the non-profit, London's Legacy. Their mission is to...
The Buyer’s Guide for First-Time Home Owners
In a perfect world, you would find a house you loved, make a reasonable offer, and head to the bank to sign your loan papers. For many buyers, though, buying a home turns into a nerve-racking process. This can easily happen to you if you don’t educate yourself on the steps involved in buying a home.
An Uncommon Story – March-Westin
Phil Weser shares the inspiring, uncommon story of March-Westin. We celebrate the uncommon stories from our community! Our collective stories bind us, strengthen and empower us. It’s why, at First United, we’re so committed to helping your story take shape and seeing it play out.
Phone Scam Concerns
Every day, fraudsters are increasing their efforts to acquire account information. At First United, we have a strong commitment to keeping your personal information secure.
Best Ways to Get Out of Credit Card Debt Fast
Committing yourself to a strategy is the key to getting out of credit card debt fast. When you stick to your goal, your commitment translates into an overarching lifestyle where you no longer have to concern yourself with tackling your credit card payments every month.
What Matters Most – January 2020
Listen to the latest installment of the What Matters Most podcast, with First United Wealth Portfolio Manager, Megan Kinsinger, offering the latest in investment news.
Cut the Cost of Your Loan Debt
Loans give us the ability to pay for things we otherwise could never afford. Can you imagine if you couldn’t get a loan for a car or a house? If mortgages weren’t a thing, most Americans wouldn’t ever own a home. Loans and mortgages are definitely good, but only when you use them responsibly.
Be Cautious – Watch for Scams this season!
The security of your personal information is important to us, especially during this holiday season. Large amounts of electronic transactions and notifications occur this time of year, increasing fraudulent activity. Awareness should be at a...
5 Major Investing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
It’s equally as important to learn about investment mistakes as it is to bone up on investment tips and tricks. Whether you’re looking for good investments for beginners or you’re a seasoned investor who has doubled your earnings in the past year, staying up-to-date with the latest investment missteps is key to solidifying your wealth management.
An Uncommon Story – FCX Systems
FCX Systems co-founders, Allen Wright and Matt Howell, share their uncommon story. At First United, we celebrate the uncommon stories from our community! Our collective stories bind us, strengthen and empower us. It’s why, at First United, we’re so committed to helping your story take shape and seeing it play out.
The 10 Best Car-Buying Tips!
A vehicle is a major investment. Even used cars have an average price of $20,000 and if you finance, your monthly payments could be $400 or more. So, before you begin shopping for a new car, consider these 10-best car-buying tips.
Staying alert is the best defense against fraud
The best way to prevent fraud is to stay informed, aware, and on top of your finances. The nature of fraud is to deceive, so it’s often difficult to recognize when you’ve gotten involved in a fraudulent situation.
Bulls & Bears Newsletter – October 2019
The latest Bulls & Bears Newsletter from our Wealth Management advisors can provide you the latest insights into the market, trends and impacts. Download and print right from our website.
Four Ways to Save on Car Insurance
With automobile insurance mandatory in most states, you know you have to buy it. Sorting through the advertising jargon to discover what is the best deal for you is time-consuming and confusing. Here are five quick tips you can use to save money and protect yourself in case you are in a wreck.
Attention Women-Owned Businesses: Your Guide to the Best Loans
Favorable economic conditions make it easier than ever for individuals to secure loans with low interest rates. Also, mainstream financial institutions often look at only the past three years of credit history to approve a small business loan, making it viable for emerging entrepreneurs to tap into the funds they need to create a thriving company.
6 Must-Know Tips for Saving Money When Shopping
We’ve scoured the internet for some of today’s most strategic money-saving hacks. Whether you’re at the grocery store shopping for yogurt or at the mall on the hunt for a new pair of shoes, use our slick shopping hacks to save big.
Online budgeting apps for every kind of saver & spender
For some, saving money comes naturally. They add a certain amount of their paycheck every month without fail. Others are not so dedicated. This could be for several reasons. No matter what our saving or spending style is you can find an online app that will help you improve your finances.
An Uncommon Story – Ascension Recovery Services
Ascension Recovery Services, headquartered in Morgantown, West Virginia, was founded by CEO Doug Leech. Leech has gone through addiction and recovery himself, leading to a level of empathy, understanding, and commitment to its residents and community that’s unparalleled to anywhere else. That’s why First United Bank is proud to help share its uncommon story.
Real Ways to Actually Save Money on an Average Salary
Whether you make $150,000 or $40,000 a year, you work hard for your money. A lot of people think the more money you make, the more you can save. But at the end of the day, your ability to save all depends on your expenses. We’ve scoured high and low for some of the best money-saving tips for those living on a typical salary.
Mobile Banking Gives Consumers Another Service to Love
Some consumers still love going into a branch and interacting with their local bankers. Nothing can replace great one-on-one customer service. But what about those days when you are delayed at work and you can’t get to your bank to deposit a check? Or you are on vacation and you need to check your account balance?
Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit: Which Is Best for You?
Things break. Emergencies happen. And if you are like many Americans, you may not have the extra cash on hand to pay for these expenses. Homeowners generally have two options for getting the money they need — a home equity line of credit or a home equity loan.
You received your college bill. Now what?
Paying for college can be a stressful process and the choices you make today can impact you and your family while in school and beyond graduation.
First United Sponsors Operation Rec. Fore Vets
First United is partnering with Brown Funeral Home of Martinsburg as a primary sponsor of their upcoming charity golf tournament “Operation Rec. Fore Vets”. The event is to be held in September with proceeds benefiting the veteran men and women in the Martinsburg VA Medical Center for recreational therapy for veterans. First United Bank is proud to help sponsor this event. Pictured are Jordan Fields of Brown Funeral Home and Dave Hart of the First United Edwin Miller community office.
Making a Budget for Your Dream Wedding
Weddings can rack up a lot of bills. Case in point, the average American wedding cost brides and grooms $44,105 in 2018. To budget for a wedding ceremony and a reception, you have to take into account all expenses…
Bulls & Bears Newsletter – June 2019
The latest Bulls & Bears Newsletter from our Wealth Management advisors can provide you the latest insights into the market, trends and impacts. Download and print right from our website.
Moving Checklist: Budgeting for Your Next Move
Moving is stressful, no doubt about it. To ensure your next move goes as smoothly as possible, it’s helpful to create a budget—and stick to it. With your finances under control, you can focus your attention on getting to your new place as quickly as possible and settling in.
3 Strategies for Millennial Business Owners to Be More Financially Savvy
We’ve outlined three strategies to help millennial business owners become savvier about finances. These tips will help your company beat the odds and thrive for years to come.