November 2022| Issue 1

Welcome to the first edition of the new Dollars & Sense monthly newsletter. Since you’ve registered for a financial class with United Way in the past, we wanted you to be among the first to receive helpful financial tips you can explore on your own time.

If you’d like to receive videos, articles, and relevant financial topics right to your inbox, sign-up below. And don’t worry, we won’t spam you… just one simple newsletter each month.

Monthly News & Updates

Hello and Happy Fall!

We are excited to introduce a new Bank On Bloomington initiative. To better meet people where they’re at, United Way of Monroe County and our Bank On Bloomington partners created the Dollars & Sense newsletter, giving you the chance to receive helpful financial tips on your own time.

Each month, we will share videos, articles, and information about relevant financial topics. We will also spotlight a different Bank On qualifying account from one of our Bank On Bloomington partners. Finally, we want this to be interactive, so each newsletter will feature a Q&A section where banking professionals will answer questions submitted by our readers.

Personal Finance Topic of the Month: Banking Basics

Research from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shows that there are many reasons consumers lack a basic transaction account: not enough money for the minimum balance; distrust of financial institutions; high or unpredictable fees; or identification, credit or banking history problems. Many Americans are driven to use expensive alternative financial services, including check cashers, payday lenders, and pawn shops that charge high fees for financial services that fail to help people get ahead. Without a checking account, families wind up paying too much for basic financial transactions and are hard pressed to build savings and assets.

So why should you have a bank account? Some important reasons include keeping your money safe, providing proof of payment, and monitoring your spending. For a full list, check out this helpful sheet from the FDIC. You can also view these helpful videos on Types of Bank Accounts and Opening a Bank Account.

Ask an Expert Q&A

We want to hear from you! Submit your personal finance questions through This Form and one of our Bank On financial professionals will respond in an upcoming newsletter. This process is entirely anonymous. And remember, there are no silly questions!

Submit a Question

Bank On Spotlight

First Financial Bank

As a community-centered bank, we’re proud to give back to the communities where we live and work. For over 150 years, First Financial Bank has been committed to helping our communities thrive. With a wide footprint of convenient locations, we offer the services of a large bank with the attention and care of a small bank.

Did you know?

Our NoWorry checking account is BankOn certified, which gives consumers more confidence to begin or restart their banking relationship with the right tools to manage their money. Our goal is to ensure everyone has access to a safe and affordable bank account.

For more information on our account offerings, visit

https://www.bankatfirst.com/personal/bank/checking/compare.html

What is Bank on Bloomington?

Bank On Bloomington is an affiliate of the national Bank On program, which aims to connect consumers to safe, affordable bank accounts.

All participating Bank On Bloomington banking partners have accounts that meet national Bank On standards and are designed to serv the needs of every household, not matter their income. These banks are committed to providing services to the greater-Bloomington community and helping you become more financially stable.

Spread the Word!

We believe quality financial information should be available to everyone, so we encourage you to let others know about our monthly newsletter and sign up on our website. First time seeing this newsletter? Subscribe Today for more helpful financial information and advice!

Need to Open An Account?

Visit the Bank On Bloomington website for a list of participating Bank On accounts. Here you will find information on low cost, accessible banking services offered by each of our partners.

Visit our Website