Cue Born in the USA, Proud to be an American, and Independence Day by Martina McBride (I had to add a little twang for my country heart.) Believe it or not, the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday, and just like Christmas has its carols, Independence Day has its melodies. Something about those proud tunes, warm weather, cookout food, and fireworks speaks to my soul. 

With the growth of technology at an all-time high, there has never been a more opportune time for cybercriminals to take advantage of vulnerable people. Protecting yourself and your private information can be difficult when there are so many different types of fraud.

Carolina Trust wants to make sure you have all the tools you need to protect yourself from scammers and know what to do if you've been scammed, which is why this month's Financial Friday Community Panel was all about fraud. Check it out below:

It seems that emergencies always strike when you least expect them.

I went out of town this past weekend on a girls' trip, where I probably spent a little more money than I should have, and wouldn't you know it; my car broke down on the way home from the airport. My first thought was, "please don't let this be expensive," and my second was, " all that money I just spent on my trip would come in handy right now."

Unfortunately, wishing my worries away isn't going to pay for the auto repairs. Luckily, I have an emergency savings account. Although I hate depleting it, times like this are precisely what that safety net is for.

I couldn't help but think of the trouble and panic I'd feel if I didn't have my emergency savings account to fall back on, so I wanted to share the tips below from BALANCE on how to jump-start your emergency fund.

As an Alumna of Coastal Carolina University, it's only natural for me to cheer for the Chanticleers. Luckily, I joined an employer who loves Coastal athletics as much as I do. However, cheering on my favorite team wouldn't be possible without the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation (CAF), otherwise known as the Team Behind the Team.

Experienced lenders exercise caution when reviewing commercial real estate loans. The lending team reviews wide-reaching documents and financial disclosures before determining whether a business can effectively repay the revenue. The strict scrutiny employed by loan professionals tasks applicants with collecting and submitting a substantial amount of information. By reviewing this commercial real estate loan application checklist, borrowers can be better prepared and receive a faster loan approval.

Commercial real estate loans provide entrepreneurs, investors, and other industry leaders with revenue to improve profitability and advance business goals. But selecting the best loan product can prove challenging. Lenders offer commercial real estate loans with varying interest rates, repayment terms, and qualification thresholds. If you require an influx of revenue to purchase or refinance a property, make renovations, or expand your business it’s crucial to find the best financing solution for your needs.

Purchasing commercial real estate to construct a new building, renovate an existing one, or use the property as a revenue-generating asset requires financing. Few small, mid-sized companies or investors possess the cash on hand to complete a transaction and pay for next steps out-of-pocket. That’s why commercial real estate loans are a necessary resource for building a strong economy, creating jobs, and growing personal wealth.

Lt./ Col. James B. Kendrick would have celebrated his 103rd birthday this Wednesday, May 18th. In celebration of his first heavenly birthday, we wanted to share his Community Focus article from our May 2019 member newsletter, The Caroliner.

As you may know, I just graduated from the 42nd class of Leadership Grand Strand. Leadership Grand Strand is a 10-month program sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to develop a corps of informed, committed, and qualified individuals who provide dynamic leadership for the Grand Strand area. As part of the requirements for graduation, my classmates and I had to volunteer at least 75 hours with various local charities, including Habitat for Humanity and New Directions Men’s Shelter in Myrtle Beach.

Although I already knew that I had a heart for service through previous volunteer opportunities with the credit union, Leadership Grand Strand tremendously strengthened my desire to give back to the community. However, with so many different volunteer opportunities, finding ways to help that will actually make an impact can be tricky.

If you are already an avid volunteer or are looking for ways to start giving back to your community, check out the BALANCE blog post below:

Few business leaders possess the cash on hand to purchase a commercial property outright or make wholesale renovations needed for success. That’s why lenders provide commercial real estate loan opportunities for qualified borrowers. Many of the options are in place to help entrepreneurs, investors, and companies, improve our economy and garner a lucrative return on their hard work and financial investment. If you are considering applying for a commercial real estate loan, the following information could help fast-track your loan approval.