Information leads to the best financial decisions. These tips are intended to be a quick resource for you. Feel free to contact us by phone or email with any specific questions. Online or in one of our branch offices, we are always your community bank.

Getting preapproved for your mortgage should be your first step
Being preapproved before you start your home search takes the guesswork out of the financing process and will prepare you to negotiate with confidence.

Receive your Federal tax refund up to 3 weeks earlier
The program is called IRS Direct and working with Winter Hill Bank, the IRS will transmit your tax refund into the account(s) of your choosing using direct deposit. It’s safe, easy and fast. Plus, your tax refund is available up to 3 weeks earlier than with paper checks.

Avoid ATM transaction fees
A great way to avoid ATM transaction fees is to use the Cash-Back option offered by many retailers at checkout. Be sure to ask the cashier.

Avoid deception and inspect all mortgage mailings carefully
Any mail you receive at home regarding your mortgage loan should be carefully inspected even if it contains correct information about your loan and your lender’s name. A key tip is that Winter Hill Bank will never send you anything in the mail regarding any of our products or services that does not include the official bank logo. So read every communication very carefully and if you have any questions about a mailing regarding your mortgage loan with Winter Hill Bank, you should call our lending department immediately at 1-800-444-4300.

Save some tax money
Use your possibly tax deductible home equity line of credit for tuition and auto purchases. Parents and grandparents might open a tax deferred education account. Consult your tax advisor.

Jell your identity and prevent theft
Use jell ink pens instead of ball point pens to endorse checks as your signature cannot be lifted from the check as the jell ink penetrates the paper.

Quarterly review (at least semi annually)
It's a good idea to review your bank account(s) with a qualified bank representative quarterly, but at least every six months. It may only take a few minutes but it will insure that you have the right accounts for your needs and the financial economy at the time.

Ask for good faith
For residential 1-4 family mortgages, when comparing lenders and loan programs, be sure to request a sample "Good Faith Estimate" from the loan officer.

Federal law requires lenders furnish you with a "Good Faith Estimate" within three days of your applying for a 1-4 family residential mortgage. The best and most accurate way to compare closing costs is to evaluate the "Good Faith Estimate" before you apply. Lenders are not required to provide you with a sample "Good Faith Estimate" before you apply; however it is a good idea to request one as lenders are required to disclose all anticipated fees affiliated with the transaction on the "Good Faith Estimate".

Yes, you can make smart investments
Now is the time to establish your retirement security. You and your spouse have the ability to contribute funds annually into an IRA or a Roth plan that will assist you in a time of need when you retire. You control your funds by investing in products in high yielding Certificates with terms from 3 months to five years.

IRA contributions now will provide you with annual tax deductions. IRA distribution after age 59½ when you retire will provide you with a benefit by which the funds received will be taxed at a lower rate during your retirement years in the future.

Roth contributions now will not provide for any benefits such as annual deductions however, all the interest earned on the account will become tax exempt. Roth distributions will provide a substantial savings because these funds when withdrawn are exempt monies and are non-reportable.

The retiree benefits by controlling their savings with the ability in maneuvering funds from one Certificate to another at no cost to the customer. A minimal annual maintenance fee is charged compared to other entities charging substantial fees for maintaining and investing their portfolio.

Protect yourself from fraudulent websites
For example, watch out for copycat Web sites that deliberately use a name or web address very similar to, but not the same as, that of a real financial institution. The intent is to lure you into clicking onto their web site and giving your personal information, such as your account number and password. Always check to see that you have typed the correct web site address for your bank before conducting a transaction.

Self-insure the insurance
You should take the responsibility to verify a bank's insurance status, look for the familiar FDIC logo or the words "Member FDIC" or "FDIC Insured" on the Web site.

You can search for an institution by going to Bank Find (formerly "Is My Bank Insured?"). Search by name, city, state or zip code of the bank, and click the "Find" button. A positive match will display the official name of the bank, the date it became insured, its insurance certificate number, the main office location for the bank (and branches), its primary government regulator, and other links to detailed information about the bank. If your bank does not appear on this list, contact the FDIC.

Also remember that not all banks operating on the Internet are insured by the FDIC. Many banks that are not FDIC-insured are chartered overseas. If you choose to use a bank chartered overseas, it is important for you to know that the FDIC may not insure your deposits. Check with your bank or the FDIC if you are not certain.

Remember that nonfinancial websites that are linked to your bank's site are not FDIC insured
As an added convenience to their customers, some banks offer online links to merchants, retail stores, travel agents and other nonfinancial sites. An outside company's products and services are not insured by the FDIC, and your bank may not guarantee the products and services.

As in everyday business, before you order a product or service online, make sure you are comfortable with the reputation of the company making the offer. Only then should you give out your credit card or debit card number. And never give the number unless you initiated the transaction.

Answers to your questions
Many regulations provide consumer protection for both traditional and online transactions. If you have any questions or concerns, first try to get answers from your bank. If you're still not satisfied, contact the appropriate federal regulator.