Finance 101 for The College Freshman

Each year, we watch high school graduates from our community head off to their first year of college—an exciting milestone filled with pride, anticipation, and plenty of emotion. Many of us have been there ourselves, sending our sons and daughters off as they begin this next chapter. As our children step into a new phase of independence—and often manage their finances on their own for the first time—it’s important to help set clear financial expectations before they go. Here are four tips we encourage families to share with their college students:

  1. Be smart about credit.

    There will be numerous temptations and offers for new credit cards, many coming with tempting perks geared for the collegiate set. Keep to one emergency credit card with a low credit limit. Have a plan for when it should be used and a plan for making regular payments. Getting into credit trouble now can haunt them years later and cripple important milestones, like buying a first home.

  2. Make a budget and stick to it. 

    Having a monthly plan of what you have and your anticipated expenses will keep you on track. Plug in the categories you spend money on most, including going out to dinner with friends, concert tickets, Uber fares, and even your morning coffees from Starbucks (those add up!). Consider using a budgeting app like Mint or NerdWallet to easily keep track of your spending on your phone. For parents, if you’re supporting your child with spending money, work with him or her on the budget and set a monthly limit for what you’ll provide.

  3. Use your meal plan.

    It’s already paid for, so opt for pizza in the dining hall rather than calling out for delivery. And make sure you know all of the little extras your meal plan may include, like purchases at satellite restaurants or in the bookstore. For the parents, I strongly recommend doing your due diligence when selecting a plan. The options can be dizzying, so read up on them and take advantage of any information sessions offered. It can be tempting to purchase the most lavish, expensive plan, for fear your undergrad will starve, but bigger isn’t always the smart option. You may end up throwing money down the meal-plan-drain.

  4. Protect your valuables.

    College living is a fun, communal, social atmosphere, which is great and should be enjoyed! The downside is that it’s also an environment where valuables can easily be stolen. Be smart about laptops, phones, jewelry and other prized possessions. Lock your dorm room door when you’re going down the hall to visit friends or keep your valuables on you. A stolen laptop is a financial hit for sure, but it will also result in lost productivity, lost homework, potential theft of personal information stored on the hard drive, and the inconvenience of replacing it.

This is an exciting time for the student and parent. With the right plan, you’re guaranteed to find success!

Unemployment Fraud – Tips to Protect Yourself

Now, more than ever, incidents of fraud are happening daily, and scammers are coming up with new schemes to prey upon the others for financial gain. Currently, there is fraud specifically targeting unemployment assistance due to the COVID-19 health crisis.

There have been many reports of Massachusetts residents receiving letters in the mail from The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) confirming a claim for unemployment benefits. The problem is, they’re currently working and never filed to receive those benefits. This fraud is part of a national unemployment fraud scheme, where illegitimate unemployment benefit claims are being submitted using stolen social security numbers and other personal information from past national data breaches.

If you believe someone has applied for unemployment benefits using your personal information, report the suspected fraud immediately by filling out The Department of Unemployment Assistance’s secure fraud reporting form to alert them or call the DUA customer service department at (877) 626-6800.

Steps you can take to protect yourself:

  • File a police report with your local police department. Get a copy of the report that you can provide to creditors and credit agencies.
  • Change passwords on your email, banking, and other personal accounts.
  • Make a list of credit card companies, banks, and other financial institutions where you do business. Tell them you are a victim of identity theft, and ask them to put a fraud alert on your account.
  • Get a copy of your credit report and dispute any fraudulent transactions. Did you know The Coop offers free credit monitoring? Learn more here.
  • Place a credit freeze with each of the 3 major credit reporting agencies. Call each of the credit reporting agencies at these phone numbers or visit their websites to freeze your credit:
    1. Equifax: 800-349-9960 or freeze your credit online
    2. Experian: 888‑397‑3742 or freeze your credit online
    3. TransUnion: 888-909-8872 or freeze your credit online.
  • Place a fraud alert on your credit file. You can do this by contacting just 1 of the credit agencies to add an alert with all 3 agencies.

For more information on how to protect your identity and recover from identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website: https://www.identitytheft.gov/

For more tips on ways to protect yourself online, visit our resources: https://staging.thecooperativebankofcapecod.com/resources/your-security/

How to Protect Yourself, Loved Ones from Elder Abuse

Three male senior citizens chat about Elder AbuseYou, or someone you know, could become the victim of a growing crime in America — financial abuse of older Americans. Seniors are increasingly becoming targets for financial abuse. As people over 50 years old control over 70 percent of the nation’s wealth, fraudsters are using new tactics to take advantage of retiring baby boomers and the growing number of older Americans. Senior financial abuse is estimated to have cost victims at least $2.9 billion last year alone.

What Is Elder Financial Abuse?

It’s a crime that deprives older adults of their resources and ultimately their independence. Anyone who sees signs of theft, fraud, misuse of a person’s assets or credit, or use of undue influence to gain control of an older person’s money or property should be on the alert. Those are signs of possible exploitation. Older Americans that may have disabilities or rely on others for help can be susceptible to scams and other fraud. Advances in technology can also make it difficult for seniors to know who to trust and what’s safe.

Despite these threats, taking simple steps to safeguard personal information and being aware of warning signs can protect aging men and women from financial abuse.

Tips for Seniors

What should you do to protect yourself? Plan ahead to protect your assets and to ensure your wishes are followed. Talk to someone at your financial institution, an attorney, or financial advisor about the best options for you.

  • Shred receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
  • Carefully choose a trustworthy person to act as your agent in all estate-planning matters.
  • Lock up your checkbook, account statements and other sensitive information when others will be in your home.
  • Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure accuracy.
  • Never give personal information, including Social Security Number, account number or other financial information to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and the other party is trusted.
  • Never pay a fee or taxes to collect sweepstakes or lottery “winnings.”
  • Never rush into a financial decision. Ask for details in writing and get a second opinion.
  • Consult with a financial advisor or attorney before signing any document you don’t understand.
  • Get to know your banker and build a relationship with the people who handle your finances. They can look out for any suspicious activity related to your account.
  • Check references and credentials before hiring anyone. Don’t allow workers to have access to information about your finances.
  • Pay with checks and credit cards instead of cash to keep a paper trail.
  • Feel free to say “no.” After all, it’s your money.
  • You have the right not to be threatened or intimidated. If you think someone close to you is trying to take control of your finances, call your local Adult Protective Services or tell someone at your bank.
  • Trust your instincts. Exploiters and abusers often are very skilled. They can be charming and forceful in their effort to convince you to give up control of your finances. Don’t be fooled—if something doesn’t feel right, it may not be right. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What should you do if you are a victim of financial abuse?

  • Talk to a trusted family member who has your best interests at heart, or to your clergy.
  • Talk to your attorney, doctor, or an officer at your bank.
  • Contact Adult Protective Services in your state or your local police for help.

Tips for Family and Friends

What are the warning signs of financial abuse? The key to spotting financial abuse is a change in a person’s established financial patterns. Watch out for these “red flags”:

  • Unusual activity in an older person’s bank accounts, including large, frequent or unexplained withdrawals.
  • ATM withdrawals by an older person who has never used a debit or ATM card.
  • Changing from a basic account to one that offers more complicated services the customer does not fully understand or need.
  • Withdrawals from bank accounts or transfers between accounts the customer cannot explain.
  • New “best friends” accompanying an older person to the bank.
  • Sudden non-sufficient fund activity or unpaid bills.
  • Closing CDs or accounts without regard to penalties.
  • Uncharacteristic attempts to wire large sums of money.
  • Suspicious signatures on checks, or outright forgery.
  • Confusion, fear or lack of awareness on the part of an older customer.
  • Refusal to make eye contact, shame or reluctance to talk about the problem.
  • Checks written as “loans” or “gifts.”
  • Bank statements that no longer go to the customer’s home.
  • New powers of attorney the older person does not understand.
  • A caretaker, relative or friend who suddenly begins conducting financial transactions on behalf of an older person without proper documentation.
  • Altered wills and trusts.
  • Loss of property.

What should you do if you suspect financial abuse?

  • Talk to elderly friends or loved ones if you see any of the signs mentioned here. Try to determine what specifically is happening with their financial situation, such as a new person “helping” them with money management, or a relative using cards or credit without their permission.
  • Report the elder financial abuse to their bank, and enlist their banker’s help to stop it and prevent its recurrence.
  • Contact Adult Protective Services in your town or state for help.
  • Report all instances of elder financial abuse to your local police — if fraud is involved, they should investigate.

Remember

Never give your Social Security number, account numbers or other personal financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call.

 

Article by the American Bankers Association.

 

More Tips to Bank Safely

Four Banking Tips to Make Your Digital Life Easier

Woman using The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Online and Mobile BankingWoman using The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Online and Mobile BankingLife is busy and, at times, stressful. We’re all trying to find ways to save time and skip the headaches. We get it. The Coop has been around for nearly 100 years, but we’re not stuck in the past. Our banking services have changed to meet you where you are. Below are four tips to help make your banking life a bit easier:

Pay Faster, Easier at the Store

Mobile wallets are most popularly Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. They are one of the most secure ways to make purchases because your debit card number is never actually used in the purchase. Additionally, Mobile Wallets utilize NFC technology allowing you to complete your transactions with a tap of your mobile device to the card reader. They are an easy, secure, and contactless way to pay for your essentials at the store.

Send Money Fast

Zelle® is a fast, safe, and easy way to send and request money using your mobile banking app or online banking account. Funds are sent directly to the recipient’s account in a matter of minutes(1), and all you need is the recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile phone number. To start using Zelle, navigate to Bill Pay within your Online Banking. Click here for more FAQs on Zelle and video tutorial.

There’s an App for That

The Coop App is our free mobile banking app allows you to securely manage your account anytime, anywhere. You can make check deposits and transfers, view transactions, pay bills through Bill Pay, and more from the comfort and safety of your home or office. If you haven’t already, download The Coop App at the App Store or Google Play.

For more helpful tips and information, please check out our Resources page. If you have any questions, please send us a note here or call us at 508.568.3400.


 You also may be interested in …

 

 

(1) Zelle and Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.  Transactions typically occur in minutes when recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile number is already enrolled with Zelle.

Tips to Strengthen Your Password

It’s just a silly quiz, right?

Wrong! Think before you start answering questions in a quiz that pops into your social media feed. Many of those questions are commonly used security questions to log into your various accounts. Sharing the town were you were born or the first car you owned may seem innocent, but to a cybercriminal it’s the beginning of payday.

Defend Yourself

Passwords are our first line of defense when it comes to protecting the systems we access. Different systems/applications have different criteria used to determine the password strength:

  • How many characters is the password?
  • Is the password complex (using Uppercase and Lowercase characters, does the password use special characters (!, @, #, $, &, etc.)?
  • How often should the password expire?
  • How many invalid login attempts do I have before my access is locked?

Complex vs Simple

Why does the character and complexity of a password matter? Simple answer, a shorter and less complex password is easier for a hacker/cybercriminal to crack. While an eight-character password consisting of only lower case characters can be cracked in less than 2 minutes, it would take that same cybercriminal a millennium (1,000 years) to crack a 14-character complex password.

Password Tips

  • NEVER SHARE YOUR PASSWORD WITH ANYONE ELSE.
  • Make your password UNIQUE.
  • Avoid passwords that are easy to guess (birthdays, your name, family names, pet names, favorite vacation spots, etc.)
  • Use a combination of UPPERCASE & lowercase letters with numbers (1234), and special characters (!, @, #, $, %, &, *).
  • Do not store your Passwords and Usernames together.
  • Do not write down Passwords and leave them unsecured.
  • If you think your password was compromised, immediately change your password.
  • Log off systems/application that you are not using.

 

More Security Tips

How to Avoid Wire Transfer Fraud

Common Wire Transfer Scams

Tips for Consumers

Scammers often combine new technology with old tricks to get people to send money or give out personal information. Here are 5 tips from the FTC to help you stay a step ahead.

  • Spot imposters. Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, a family member, a charity, or a company you do business with. Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request — whether it comes as a text, a phone call, or an email.
  • Don’t pay upfront for a promise. Someone might ask you to pay in advance for things like debt relief, credit and loan offers, mortgage assistance, or a job. They might even say you’ve won a prize, but first you have to pay taxes or fees. If you do, they will probably take the money and disappear.
  • Consider how you pay. Credit cards have significant fraud protection built in, but some payment methods don’t. Wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram is risky because it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. That’s also true for reloadable cards (like MoneyPak or Reloadit) and gift cards (like iTunes or Google Play). Government offices and honest companies won’t require you to use these payment methods.
  • Be skeptical about free trial offers. Some companies use free trials to sign you up for products and bill you every month until you cancel. Before you agree to a free trial, research the company and read the cancellation policy. And always review your monthly statements for charges you don’t recognize.
  • Don’t deposit a check and wire money back. By law, banks must make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. If a check you deposit turns out to be a fake, you’re responsible for repaying the bank.

If you spot a scam, report it at ftc.gov/complaint. Your reports help the FTC and other law enforcement investigate scams and bring crooks to justice.

Tips to Protect Your Business

  • Train employees not to send passwords or sensitive information by email, even if the email seems to come from a manager. Then stick with the program — don’t ever ask for sensitive data from employees by email.
  • Remember that email addresses and websites that look legitimate are easy for scammers to fake. Stop and think about whether it could be a scam before you click. Scammers even can hack into the social media accounts of people you trust and send you messages that appear to be from them. Don’t open attachments or download files from unexpected emails; they may have viruses that can harm your computer.
  • Make sure procedures are clear for approving invoices or expenditures. To reduce the risk of a costly mistake, limit the number of people who are authorized to place orders and pay invoices. Review your procedures to make sure major spending can’t be triggered by an unexpected call, email, or invoice.
  • Pay attention to how someone asks you to pay. Tell your staff to do the same. If you are asked to pay with a wire transfer, reloadable card, or gift card, you can bet it’s a scam.
  • Cyber scammers can trick employees into giving up confidential or sensitive information, such as passwords or bank information. It often starts with a phishing email, social media contact, or a call that seems to come from a trusted source, such as a supervisor or other senior employee, but creates urgency or fear. Scammers tell employees to wire money or provide access to sensitive company information. Other emails may look like routine password update requests or other automated messages but are actually attempts to steal your information. Scammers also can use malware to lock organizations’ files and hold them for ransom.

For more tips on protecting your organization from scams, visit FTC.gov/SmallBusiness.

More Security Tips

Chris Cataldo named East Harwich Branch Manager

headshot of AVP, Retail Sales & Service Manager, Christopher Cataldo, based in our East Harwich BranchThe Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Cataldo as Assistant Vice President Branch Manager – Small Business Specialist of the East Harwich branch.

Cataldo brings more than a decade of banking experience to the post, having served at both national and community banks. He began his career as a teller and quickly advanced to managerial roles. He served as Branch Manager for Santander Bank in Duxbury and, most recently, for Randolph Savings Bank.

“Chris has a proven track record of cultivating community partnerships, strengthening teams and most importantly, looking for ways to improve customers’ experience,” said Lisa Oliver, President and CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod. “He’ll be a great asset to our branch and our customers in East Harwich.”

Cataldo strongly believes in community involvement. He’s served in various capacities with the Duxbury Business Association, Randolph Chamber of Commerce, Randolph Community Partnership Inc., and Rotary Clubs of Downtown Boston, Randolph, Avon and Canton. He was a Candidate for Selectman in his hometown of Norwell in 2014 and 2015, and an Independent Candidate for U.S. Congress in the 2016 election Massachusetts Ninth District South Shore, SouthCoast, Cape Cod and Islands. Cataldo graduated from Norwell High School and from Suffolk University. He currently resides in Sagamore Beach.

Please stop by to  meet Chris and talk about growing your business, purchasing a home or refinancing, financing business equipment, or investments. Chris and our Harwich team – Mary Lenihan, and Robert Martin – are here for you.

The Coop Foundation Announces $55,000 in Grants

Left, Jim Kiley, President, Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod; Right, Paul Bober, Member of the Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod.

Lisa Oliver, President and CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, stands with Jim Kiley, left, President of the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod, and Paul Bober, member of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod, at the Dec. 6 reception for grant awardees.

The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust is pleased to announce $55,000 in grants to local organizations for the final quarter of the year. These grants cap The Coop Foundation’s inaugural year of giving, a year in which The Foundation awarded $180,000 to twenty-two non-profit organizations Cape-wide.

From support to families and children to supporting educational and healthcare opportunities, The Coop Foundation is proud to provide funding to the following organizations:

The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod received a grant of $5,000 for their After School Teen Program. The Teen Program served 441 teens in 2018, with an average daily attendance of 47 teens a day in winter, with Friday night’s attendance running between 80 to 200 teens who come for special Friday programs. For every $1 invested in the Boys & Girls Clubs in Massachusetts, $9.60 is created in lifetime economic benefits for our young members, their families, and the wider community due to decreased juvenile crime, teen births, increased graduation and employment rates, and financial support for parents.

Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation received a grant of $50,000 over 5 years, with $25,000 coming from The Coop Foundation and $25,000 coming from additional funding at The Coop. This grant will go towards the Campaign for a new Science and Engineering Center at Cape Cod Community College. A new state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Center will provide the resources needed to make a significant impact on student outcomes and their job readiness in existing and emerging fields.

Outer Cape Healthcare Services received a grant of $25,000 over 5 years for their Enhancing Spaces, Impacting Lives campaign for their new Harwich Port Health Center. As a community health center, OCHS works to ensure that those who live here year-round have access to quality health care, whether they are working, raising families, or retired. Relocating and expanding the existing undersized Harwich facility a mile away has enabled OCHS to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community by providing new and essential services to more people.

Whelden Memorial Library is local treasure in the West Barnstable community, serving the residents with a safe gathering place for community groups, in-person resources and assistance, access to online resources and CLAMS catalogue, educational events, and a variety of classes. After sustaining significant water damage from winter storms last year, the Library is embarking on a campaign to update the drainage system of the building. The Coop Foundation awarded the library its first community Match Grant and will match funds raised in the community to help restore the building.

Additionally, the Bank donated $1,000 from funds outside of The Coop Foundation to the Takeaway Meal Program and Paper Pantry at St. David’s Episcopal Church. This program is open to all in the community and provides free personal hygiene products not covered by other assistance programs. In addition, patrons of the Paper Pantry receive a free nutritious meal to take home to their families.

“This was a tremendous inaugural year for The Coop Foundation,” said Lisa Oliver, President & CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod and Chair of The Coop Foundation Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the board and the entire team at The Coop Foundation, it is our distinct honor to support these local organizations that are working tirelessly to meet the fundamental needs and challenges of our friends and neighbors on the Cape.  We look forward to many more years of helping to cultivate vibrant and thriving communities.”

Launched in December 2018, The Coop Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that enhance quality of life through programs and initiatives that meet the fundamental needs of people in the communities the bank serves. The Foundation’s mission is to cultivate vibrant and thriving communities and seeks to partner with organizations working in the fields of economic development and self-sufficiency, community vitality and sustainability, thriving youth and families, education and learning, and health and human care.

Learn about The Coop Foundation and Apply for Grants

Teach Your Child to be a Savvy Shopper for Back to School

Girl in D-Y hat at baseball field

Baseball Days by Addie Doto

We’ll miss the Cape Cod Baseball League games, ice cream and fudge whenever we want, and so much more that comes with summer on the Cape. Now, it’s time for back-to-school shopping! It’s the perfect opportunity to sit down with your children to have the money talk. You can let them take ownership of their budget for school supplies by teaching them about sticking to a plan. Here’s a few tips to get you started:

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • Check the classroom list with your school.
  • Take inventory of what school supplies you already have at home and their condition.
  • Discuss the difference between “wants” and “needs.” A new backpack would be cool, but would the one from last year still work?
  • Create a shopping list.
  • Develop a budget and discuss the maximum you will spend on new school supplies. Put your budgeted amount in cash in an envelope for your child to use to shop.

BE A SAVVY SHOPPER

  • Remember to take your supply list and budget. And stick to it!
  • Compare prices. Help your child understand that often the “name brand” costs more than generic. A pencil box is a pencil box, but is it worth it to pay to have your favorite character on it? Guide your child through the process as they decide what to buy.
  • Help your child keep track of your spending as you shop by using good old paper and pencil or make a note on your smartphone.
  • Are any coupons or other discounts available?
  • Let your child do the checking out at the end.

LET’S RECAP

  • Discuss how the shopping trip went. Did you get everything? What tough choices did your child need to make?
  • What did your child learn?
  • How would your child handle it differently next time?

While back-to-school time can be hectic, making the time to talk to your child about finances is worth it. Knowledge is power, and the more your child knows about money the more prepared they’ll be for the “real world.” For more information on budgeting, saving, and best practices, visit any of The Coop’s convenient Cape Cod branch locations.

 

Nichole MacKerronNichole MacKerron, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager
at Marstons Mills, loves talking through the whys and hows
of money management with her little one.
Contact her at
nmackerron@mycapecodbank.com or 508.420.7849.

Digital Banking Features That Make Banking A Breeze

A woman checks her account online while at the beach.

Technology continues to make banking easier than ever. Through mobile devices, you can make payments, transfer funds, purchase items, receive real-time alerts, and even pay other people 24/7/365. You may be familiar with the digital banking options provided at large, national banks, but did you know that we provide the same conveniences here at The Coop? Here are six digital offerings you can use today to make your life and banking experience easier and safer.

1. Digital Wallets

The easiest and safest way to pay, digital wallets allow you to pay for purchases with your smartphone instead of cash or taking your debit card out of your wallet. “Google Pay,” “Apple Pay,” and “Samsung Pay” are examples of digital wallets. When you add your Coop debit card to your device’s digital wallet feature, you can pay for your purchases at many stores using your phone. Simply place your phone near a compatible payment terminal and hold your thumb or finger on the fingerprint reader, or make purchases using the app on your device. Digital wallets have numerous benefits, but the most important is security. Because your card details are never shared with the merchant, the transaction is ultra-secure.

2. Mobile Deposits

Depositing checks no longer requires a trip to the branch or ATM.  With the Coop’s mobile banking app, you can deposit checks from the convenience of home or the office 24/7/365. Just snap photos of the check’s front and back, enter the amount of the check, and “click.” You’re done. For businesses, this feature quickens the availability of funds, potentially helping cash flow.

3. Alerts

Alerts make it easy to keep an eye on your money and any potential suspicious activity. Instead of having to log in and manually track when something important happens to your account, you can receive real-time alerts via push notifications (for mobile banking users), text, email, or the online messaging center in online banking. You can choose exactly what activity alerts you want to receive, such as when your debit card was processed, an ATM withdrawal is made or account information is changed. Alerts make keeping tabs on your activity hassle free and most importantly, they provide an extra layer of vigilance against fraud.

4. Instant Balance

Sometimes you want a quick check of your account balance without having to type in a password or log onto your account. The Coop’s mobile banking app gives you that access. You can quickly see your balance at a glance on your smartphone or tablet without having to fully log in.

5. Touch ID for Mobile Banking

Typing passwords on tiny smartphone screens can be clumsy at best, especially with the complex password requirements. Instead, log in by simply touching your thumb or finger to the fingerprint reader. This “biometric” authentication is available for customers with enabled devices. Beyond just being fast and easy, it’s among the most secure ways to access your account. After all, your fingerprint is uniquely yours.

6. Bill Pay

Gone are the days of having to write checks, stuff envelopes and buy stamps. Online bill pay allows you to make those payments – whether it is to the utility company or your credit card company – with a few clicks. You decide how much to pay and when. Or take it a step further and set up recurring payments, which puts payments on autopilot. You can even sync your bills so they are digitally delivered right to your account.  You can set up alerts to notify you when a payment will be debited from your account so you can make any adjustments necessary. With all of your bills managed in our Bill Pay center, paying bills is faster, easier and more efficient than ever.

These digital offerings provide you with safe, easy and convenient ways to bank.  Visit one of our branches or contact me directly eemmel@mycapecodbank.com to learn more.

Eric Emmel is the Digital Banking Product Officer with The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod.

Apple, Apple Pay, Apple Watch, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android and the Android Logo are trademarks of Google Inc. The Android Robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. Samsung and Samsung Pay are registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.