Month: May 2026

Categories
Safety & Security

Online safety tips for the holidays

While all may be jolly and bright during the holidays, some criminals find it to be the perfect time to scam innocent victims. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provided the following tips to protect you and your business from holiday scams and malicious cyber campaigns.

When using email –

    • Don’t open emails or ecards from people you don’t know.
    • Don’t open attachments or click on links from unsolicited emails.
    • Don’t provide personal or financial information via email – legitimate business won’t solicit sensitive information in this way.

When shopping online –

    • Shop with reputable, established vendors – don’t be tricked by someone claiming to be something they aren’t.
    • Verify a charity’s authenticity before making any online donations.
    • Take note of the phone number and physical address of any online merchant you use in case there’s a problem with your transaction or bill.
    • Make sure the information you provide online to make a purchase is encrypted – either “https:” or a padlock icon will be located in the URL. Please note that some cybercriminals will create a fake padlock icon to trick you, so make sure the icon is in the appropriate place for your browser.
    • Use a low-limit credit card to make online purchases as you’ll get more fraud protection than paying with a debit card and limit the exposure of the funds in your checking account.
    • Consider using a payment gateway (PayPal, Google Wallet or Apple Pay) to make purchases – you’ll only enter your credit card information once and the online merchant will never see it.
    • Use only reputable shopping apps and check your settings to ensure your data is secure.
    • Review your statements regularly and keep copies of your receipts or confirmation pages. If there is any discrepancy, report it to your financial institution immediately.

If you’ve found an unauthorized transaction in any of your Vallant Bank accounts, please contact us immediately at 877.759.7939.

Categories
Blog Personal

Six tips to help seniors live at home longer

At Vallant Bank, we understand the importance of maintaining independence and comfort in your golden years. The vast majority of older Americans wish to remain in their homes long after retirement, a concept known as “aging in place.” 

If this is something you or a loved one is considering, we’re here to offer practical tips and financial guidance to make that possible:

Take a hard look at your finances

Arrange a meeting with a trusted family member or friend and a banker. It’s critical to understand your financial resources, how long they’ll last and what housing options are the most cost effective for you. Be sure to consider all costs associated with aging in place, including:

    • Home modifications, home insurance and property taxes
    • Transportation to medical appointments, shopping and other errands
    • In-home caregiver for house upkeep and medical purposes

Assess your home and determine what modifications are necessary

While staying in your home is preferable for many, there are often design changes that must be made to ensure it’s also safe and comfortable.

    • Make sure there is at least one step-free entrance to your home or consider installing an outdoor ramp. 
    • Update lighting inside and outside of the house so that all walkways and stairs are well lit. Clear pathways throughout the house and firmly secure all carpets to the floor to prevent tripping.
    • Utilize lever style handles for doors and faucets to ensure easy movement.
    • Ensure there are accessible switches and outlets for people of any height.
    • If a bedroom and bathroom does not or cannot exist on the first floor, consider installing an elevator or chairlift. At a minimum, make sure you have handrails on both sides of your stairs.
    • Install grab bars in the bathtub, shower, or near the toilet. 

Make security a priority

Older Americans are often targets for scams and other criminal behavior. Be cautious about who you allow in your home and disclose sensitive information to.

    • Install up to date and easy to use locks. Make sure your front door has a peep hole or a security monitor so you can see who is outside.
    • Consult someone you trust when hiring a contractor, financial advisor, etc.

Look into community resources

If mobility is limited, look into services offered in your area. Many communities have established non-profit programs that offer transportation and food delivery to assist older Americans at a reasonable cost. 

Be prepared for possible emergencies

    • Keep a list of all emergency contacts on your refrigerator or by phone.
    • Consider a Personal Emergency Response System. Transmitters can be worn as a bracelet or around your neck and require the simple push of a button to send a signal to a call center.
    • Have your address number visible from the street so emergency responders can easily identify your home. 

Reevaluate every six months to make sure all needs are being met

As you age, your needs inevitably change. Take time twice a year, or as needed, to sit down with your trusted family or friend and make sure your current living situation is still the right one.

We hope these six pointers have provided valuable insights and actionable steps to support you or your loved ones in aging in place. At Vallant Bank, we’re committed to being your trusted partner through every stage of life. Our dedicated team is here to help you navigate financial planning, home modifications and community resources to ensure a safe and fulfilling experience at home. 

Reach out to us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in creating a secure and comfortable living environment. 

Together, let’s make aging in place easier than ever.

Categories
Blog Home Buying & Refinancing

Why mortgage rates just jumped (and why most people missed it)

Mortgage rates just made a sharp move, jumping roughly 0.50% in just a few days.  Last week, people were celebrating rates in the 5s. Now we’re back in the mid-6% range. It’s the fastest move we’ve seen in months and the highest levels in the past six months. If that caught you off guard, it points to a bigger issue. Most people are watching the wrong things.

The biggest misconception about mortgage rates

Most people believe mortgage rates follow the Federal Reserve.

They don’t.

The Fed has cut rates multiple times over the past couple of years, and mortgage rates have still moved higher at different points during that same stretch. So if you’re waiting on the Fed to “bring rates down,” you’re relying on a signal that doesn’t directly control what you care about.

What actually moves mortgage rates

Mortgage rates follow the bond market, specifically mortgage-backed securities and Treasury yields.

And the bond market reacts to:

    • Inflation
    • Jobs data
    • Economic growth
    • Global events

Right now, one of the biggest drivers is energy prices, particularly oil, combined with the ongoing global conflict.

What just happened (in plain English)

Here’s the chain reaction we just saw:

    • Oil prices spiked
    • Inflation fears increased
    • Investors sold bonds
    • Bond yields rose
    • Mortgage rates jumped

That sequence happens faster than most people realize, and when it does, rates can move aggressively in a short window. That’s exactly what we just experienced.

Why rates never move in a straight line

This is where people get tripped up. Mortgage rates don’t move in a clean, predictable trend.

They spike.
They pull back.
They repeat.

That’s the cycle.

What this means if you’re in the market to buy a new home

Trying to “time the bottom” on mortgage rates is a losing strategy. By the time it feels safe, the opportunity is usually gone. The better strategy is simple:

Be ready before the next move.

That means:

    • Getting pre-approved early
    • Understanding your payment range
    • Being prepared to act when rates dip, even briefly

Because in markets like this, windows don’t stay open long.

What you should actually be watching

If you want to anticipate where rates are going, focus on:

    • Inflation reports (CPI, PCE)
    • Jobs data
    • The 10-year Treasury yield
    • Oil prices and global tensions

These are the real drivers, not just headlines about the Fed.

Bottom line

Mortgage rates didn’t jump randomly, and they didn’t move because of the Fed. They moved because the bond market reacted to inflation concerns. And they’ll continue to move in cycles, up, down, and back again.  

Your Vallant Bank mortgage team is trained to understand the markets & equipped to advise and guide you through the mortgage process. Reach out to us anytime, and we’ll be glad to help.