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It’s hot out there in the housing market. New construction and current inventory are low. Demand is high following the safer-at-home orders of 2020, due in part to the transition of many jobs to a virtual office environment. Buyers outnumber sellers, and many are making cash offers, sometimes even above the asking price--and prices are skyrocketing. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) data shows house prices are rising at the fastest pace since 2006. As a prospective buyer, how can you keep a cool head and succeed in this harried housing pursuit?

The recent low-rate environment and tighter housing supply have created a strong sellers’ market, which can be a good thing for your home equity. Third quarter 2020 data shows that about one in every four homes is considered “equity rich,” according to ATTOM Data Solutions, a real-estate data firm. Home equity is the difference between your mortgage balance and the value of your home. Owners of homes that fit the “equity rich” definition hold 50% or more equity in their properties.

A mortgage is likely to be the largest and longest loan of your life. As a home buyer, you’ll want to be in the best financial shape possible to qualify for a good rate and get the right loan for your needs. It can be hard to know where to get started, but we’ve got you covered. Here are three ways to make sure you get the best possible mortgage.

As lawmakers and administrations change in Washington, the direction of the federal government and its tax policies change with them. Even if you can’t yet be certain what the final rules will be, you can easily tell the direction far ahead of time and prepare accordingly. So if increased taxes are on the way, in whatever form they take, what can you do to minimize the impact on your financial plan?

Even with wills and careful estate planning, families can still be left with difficult problems after a loved one dies. A detail missed or vital account that can’t be accessed complicates their path forward during a sad and difficult time. A letter of last instruction isn't a legal document, but it can be the key to making sure everything is accounted for and accessible to the family members left behind. What should you include?

The U.S. Postal Service recently announced a cost-cutting plan that will slow down some first-class mail beginning Oct. 1. The changes are expected to affect long range deliveries most, especially those that have to be flown to their destination, but USPS has warned that it could take up to five days for any first-class mail to be delivered. What does this mean for your finances?

Open enrollment season for employer benefits can be stressful. It only happens once a year, and with changing options and plans plus the time pressure of the deadline, it can feel overwhelming. You’re choosing plans for the entire upcoming year, and features vary widely, so how do you make the best choice when it feels like you’re comparing apples to oranges?

If you’ve ever been asked to submit documentation for expenses on your flexible spending account (FSA), health reimbursement account (HRA) or dependent care account (DCA), you may have wondered, “Why do I need to provide a receipt when it’s my money in the first place? And why do they ask some times but not others?” Some very good reasons are behind this.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) both help you reduce your taxable income by putting money away for healthcare expenses. However, there are some major differences between the two.

The explosion of e-commerce over the past decade and the popularity of virtual payment terminals have led to a vast array of options for businesses to accept payments. If you’ve shopped the offerings lately with plans to upgrade, you know how challenging it can be to compare packages. What should you look for as you investigate the possibilities?

Thanks to the CARES Act and other regulatory updates, employers that offer cafeteria plans and flexible spending accounts can allow their associates a few temporary relief measures. These options were available to employers starting with plan year 2020, and plan year 2021 is the last chance to take advantage of them. What are the options, and what’s involved for companies that opt in?

Businesses are competing for talent in a tight labor market, while workers continue to reevaluate what they expect from their employer. Competitive salaries will only go so far. People are attracted to much more than money. They want a loyal employer who invests in their associates’ present-day wellbeing and future growth and success. Savvy employers—even small ones—are realizing this comprehensive approach is a great way to recruit and retain associates for the long-term.

Holiday shopping isn’t quite ready to go back to normal. While you try to navigate crowded spaces safely, manage delivery delays and prepare for possible toy shortages, you can take one concern off your plate. Debit card controls and alerts can help keep your bank accounts secure by proactively protecting you from unauthorized transactions and disallowing any transactions if your card is stolen or compromised.

Beyond the security of all Pinnacle systems and technologies, there are some very simple ways that Pinnacle clients can monitor their accounts to be sure they are free of fraud.

Pinnacle places the highest importance on protecting our clients’ funds and information. Read this for information on how we accomplish that.

Financial fraud has surged, with crooks working banks and their clients. According to Banking Journal, fraud attempts have as much as tripled since early 2020, with an ever-widening variety of new scams. Human vigilance is your front-line protection, but it's not perfect. Better to have some block-and-tackle services to help tighten security and prevent fraudulent transactions. Here are five to consider.

“Business Email Compromise” (or BEC), is becoming an all too common scam executed by cyber thieves. Criminals work to understand and monitor your business processes, request forms, and partners involved over a period of days or weeks, then they generate a highly targeted attack designed to fool you into thinking you are working with a legitimate business partner. Often times these types of scams result in a significant financial loss to the business.

Owner-operated businesses are an ideal target for identity theft. As a sole-proprietor, the owner and the business are considered one in the same. Here is what you should do if you are the victim of a breach.

Several Pinnacle clients have recently reported attempted fraud on their debit cards from people claiming to represent Pinnacle. Here is how it seems to work.

It has come to our attention that several people have received unsolicited emails appearing to come from Pinnacle Financial Partners. The emails contain bogus transaction information and ask the recipient to check attachments for additional details.

The SBA has released a complete and detailed list of all PPP loans and borrowers. Everyone who took a PPP loan should be on the lookout for fraud and unwanted solicitations. The level of detail involved gives scammers all the information they need to create very convincing fraud emails and phone calls. Here's how to outsmart them.