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Graduation Gifts That Make $ense!
By Charlestien Harris Graduation season has arrived, which means it’s time to think about that special gift you would like to give to that extra special graduate in your life! While this time of year can be full of excitement and splendor, it can also be stressful...
Southern Bancorp Adds Two Bilingual Lenders in Little Rock
Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), today announced two additions to its lending staff and overall Hispanic outreach in Central Arkansas. Arturo Moraga has joined the CDFI as a Commercial Loan Officer, and...
Budget-Friendly Home Maintenance Projects in May
By Charlestien Harris May is a great time to find deep discounts on materials for home maintenance or home improvement projects you plan to tackle this summer. I know that June is when we will celebrate National Homeownership Month, but having a plan can help reduce...
Did You Know… Social Security Can Be Taxed
By Charlestien Harris I know it is past the tax filing deadline of April 15, but very few taxpayers realize that Social Security benefits can be taxable under certain conditions. One question many people ask me is, “At what age is Social Security no longer taxable?”...
Southern Bancorp Awarded $383K from U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Small Dollar Loan Program
Funds support consumer access to financial institutions and help provide alternatives to high-interest microloans in un- and under-banked communities Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has announced an...
Avoiding Student Loan Forgiveness Scammers
By Charlestien Harris Student loan forgiveness is a hot topic these days, not just for consumers looking to take advantage of the opportunity but also for scammers who keep up with the news on student loan forgiveness. Scams are among the leading financial crimes, and...
Why is Financial Literacy Important?
By Charlestien Harris April is Financial Literacy Month! This has long been a nationally recognized holiday, representing our collective dedication as a country to the importance of being financially literate. I guess the question that I want to ask most is – with...
April is National Fair Housing Month
By Charlestien Harris Every month, there seems to be something to celebrate or recognize, and April is no different! April is also known as National Fair Housing Month. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines fair housing as the right to...