Picture this: it’s a beautiful day, and you’re lying on a beach somewhere in paradise. Suddenly you realize you forgot to pay a bill! Yikes. But don’t worry, Guaranty Bank has several digital banking features that will put your mind at ease.

Digital Banking gives you the freedom to manage your money from anywhere. It includes both Online and Mobile Banking which allows you to complete most banking activities from the comfort of your home (or anywhere) with your computer, smartphone or tablet.

To access Online Banking, simply log into our Online Banking portal through our website. For Mobile Banking on a smartphone or tablet, download the Guaranty Bank app for Apple® or AndroidTM devices.

If this is your first time using Online or Mobile Banking, you may have to enroll to get started. Simply complete our Online Banking Application on our website.

Once you are up and running with Online or Mobile Banking, you can do most of your banking through digital banking.
You can pay bills, deposit checks, view account activity, check account balances, and more.

Online Banking Features

Check your account balances
Need to know your account balances fast? You can quickly check your account balances any time, so you know exactly how much money is in your account. You can also view pending and cleared transactions.

Transfer funds between accounts
If you need to move money around you can easily transfer funds between your accounts (even accounts at other financial institutions) without having to make a trip to the bank.

Pay your bills with Bill Pay
Bill Pay lets you set up one time or reoccurring payments to almost anyone. Save time, envelopes, stamps and never miss a payment. Plus, you will get notified when the payment goes out, and you will have a record of each payment if you need to refer back to it.

Get Alerts through Email or Text
Managing your money is an ongoing process. That’s why our Online and Mobile Banking comes with alerts that can be customized to fit your specific needs and goals. You can get notified about account balances, transfers, payments, and more.

Access eStatements for up to 12 months
There are many benefits to eStatements. They allow you to stay organized, avoid clutter, they cut down on the potential of your personal information getting into the wrong hands, and they are paperless. You can access eStatements directly within your Online Banking account. View your statements online or download and print them for your files.

Mobile Banking Features

Check your account balances
Similar to Online Banking, with Mobile Banking, you can view your account balances and recent activity at any time on your mobile device or tablet. This is particularly convenient when you’re out and about and need the information quickly.

Transfer funds between accounts
Just like Online Banking, Mobile Banking allows you to transfer money between your accounts. You can even transfer money to accounts at other financial institutions. Simply select the transfer option and provide the requested details.

Pay bills
Schedule Bill payments easily on the go with your smartphone or tablet to ensure you never miss a payment.

Make a deposit on your mobile device
Use Mobile Deposit to deposit a check without a trip to the bank. Simply endorse the back of the check, take a picture of the front and back with your smartphone or tablet, and the money will be deposited into your account.

Mobile Wallet

You can add your Visa card to your mobile wallet and enjoy contactless payment. No more having to rummage through your wallet or touch a dirty payment terminal. Your card from Guaranty Bank will work with Apple Pay™, Samsung Pay, Android Pay. Visa Purchase Alerts will give you the freedom and security to make payments as you like.

Online and Mobile Banking for Business Owners

Guaranty Bank offers a robust Online Banking system to enhance your business. Contact a member of our team today to discuss customizing your online experience so you can save time and money.

Online and Mobile Banking are great tools to help your banking activity fit seamlessly into your life. We know our customers are busy people on the go, and we’re proud to offer options that allow them to manage their money whenever it works for them. If you have any questions on how to get started with Online or Mobile Banking, Mobile Wallet or Business Online Banking, please contact a member of our team today.

Shifting from spending to investing is a change that can have a big impact on your financial wellbeing in the long-term. Spending is necessary, and it can also be fun, but at a certain point, is important to ask yourself how much of your income you could be investing.

Assuming you already have an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses set up, now may be the time to begin investing your money.

Investing will not necessarily make you rich over night, but the idea is that it will help support you down the line when you want to retire, buy a house, or pay for another big goal, like a college education, etc. Saving money for all of these occasions is a great start, but investing the money will help you to earn higher yields.

Take a look at your monthly budget and consider any extra money you have that you could start to invest. Your future-self will thank you.

Why invest

Investing can help you grow your money overtime. Your income is one way to earn money, investing is another. Investing is a vehicle to help your existing money grow. Essentially, you give your money to an entity for a period of time, and over that time, the money earns interest. Eventually the interest compounds (earns interest on the interest). The most important factor in investing is time. Giving your money time to grow, and compound can help you see significant returns on your investments.

Types of investing

There are several types of investments one can make including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, futures, precious metals, real-estate, businesses and more. Many people opt for a combination, or a diversified portfolio. The idea behind having a diversified portfolio is to ensure that if one area of investment fails, you still have other avenues to continue making money. Yes, there is risk involved in investing. Nothing is guaranteed, but the overwhelming majority of investments do create a positive yield and therefore makes the investment worth it.

Why not just keep money in a savings account?

If you keep your money in a savings account, it will not grow nearly as fast as if is invested, which can cost you big over time. Even high-rate savings accounts, which earn interest, will not earn interest at the rate of investing. Since compound interest is the magic that makes investing worthwhile, keeping your money in a savings account will prevent you from seeing those high returns. It is a good idea to keep your emergency fund in a savings account so you can access it quickly and easily in case of emergency, but typically, everything else outside of the money allotted to your monthly budget can be invested. Make sure to speak with a financial advisor to discuss your specific financial situation.

How to get started

Investing is easier than ever now that there are several trading apps and accessible websites to use. Now it is also possible to buy fractional shares of a stock. Because of this, it’s possible to start small without having to take on a lot of risk while you learn the market.

Investing also gives you the power to become and owner in the companies you care about. When you buy a stock, you become a partial owner in the company. For example, if you’re a big Disney fan, you can buy Disney stock and then you’ll be a part owner of the company.

Investing for retirement

It is particularly important to invest toward your retirement. When you retire, you will no longer have an income, so it is important to make sure you save money in an investment account such as a 401(k), 403 (b), IRA or Roth IRA. Typically, these accounts can be accessed through an employer.

The FIRE movement

The FIRE movement is a popular strategy among young people. It stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). People participating in the movement save as much as 70% of their income and are able to retire around the age of 40-45 instead of 60-65 years, like most Americans. A popular component of the movement is a frugal lifestyle, both while investing, and while retired.

Ultimately, there is no one right way to invest. Money management is a personal choice, and it’s important to do what is best for you. You can talk to a financial advisor to get help with your specific personal financial situation and goals.