AmeriServ Presents: Bank Chats

Comment via Text Message Estate planning is not just for the ultra-wealthy; if you own anything or have people who depend on you, a clear plan protects them and keeps the courts from making choices for your family. We talk with Executive Vice President, Wealth & Capital Management, Dave Finui, about the documents that matter most, the mistakes he sees people make, and how to get started withou...

Comment via Text Message We take a rapid-fire cybersecurity quiz and use it to spot the patterns behind today’s most common bank scams. Then we shift to check fraud and the small habits that keep your money safer, from the pen you use to how you handle your mail.  Please check out our full library of episodes, which can be found on the ameriserv.com website. You can also download or stream the pod...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff break down the hidden psychology of in-store shopping and the simple math that stops “good deals” from draining our budget. We share practical ways to use unit pricing, labels, and store layout cues so you can buy what you need and waste less.  • using unit pricing to compare true cost across sizes and brands • spotting shrinkfl...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of 2 Cents, we share updates on financial products and money habits that have changed over the last few months, from a child investing account funded with seed money to the way people actually use credit card rewards now. We also go down a surprisingly practical rabbit hole on commemorative coins, rarity math, and why small choices can compound into big out...

Comment via Text Message In the first episode of a multi-part series on shopping, Drew and Jeff break down the hidden psychology behind prices, and how the tactics retailers use to set these prices can reshape what we buy. We explore how these tactics hit our emotions, and how scarcity and luxury cues change behavior.  please like, share, and subscribe so that you don't miss future episodes i...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff break down a real-world bank scam where a spoofed caller ID, a fake “fraud department,” and a scripted sense of urgency convince a young woman to withdraw cash and hand it directly to the scammer. We focus on the social engineering behind the story and the simple habits that can keep a panic moment from becoming a life-changing los...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff compare what it was like to use money in 1826 versus today and why modern banking would look like magic to someone from the early United States. We dig into trust, safety, access, and how everyday Americans got paid, borrowed, saved, and survived without the systems we now take for granted. Credits: An AmeriServ Financial, Inc....

Comment via Text Message On this episode of 2 Cents, we take a listener's question about saving loose change for 250 days and run the numbers a few different ways, including a reality check based on how often people actually use cash today. Along the way, we talk about how to recreate the same habit with cards, how sales and coupons can backfire, and what $250 can do when you put it to work....

Comment via Text Message College costs keep rising, so we sit down with Leon Gagliardo from PHEAA to make student loans, grants, and application timelines easier to understand. We walk through how to borrow responsibly, what repayment can look like after graduation, and where families can find resources before they sign anything.  You can now subscribe to the podcast on YouTube or on your favorite...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff trade rapid-fire opinions on the money questions people keep searching for, from choosing time over pay, to deciding what’s actually worth spending money on. From emergency savings to wedding budgets, Drew and Jeff cover a wide range of topics. Leave us a comment, drop us a text, let us know what you want us to cover. Please check...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff sit down with Roxann Tyger, director of the Women’s Help Center and Community Help Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to talk about what homelessness really looks like and why it can start with a small financial shock. They discuss how shelters triage needs, what barriers keep people stuck, and how services like transitional hou...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff dig into what really happens after you win money, trips, or prizes on a game show and why the celebration can come with a tax bill. We break down the hidden costs that don’t make it on camera, from 1099s to travel expenses to the risk of walking away with less than you think. Please check out our full library of episodes, which can...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of Bank Chats, our guest, Matt Noel, walks us through a Christmas pipe burst that dumped 12,000 gallons through a house and turned a finished move-in home into a six-month rebuild. We talk candidly about what a homeowner's insurance claim really demands from you, what gets reimbursed, and why good coverage and good people matter when everything is soak...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff break down Trump accounts in plain language and explain how the $1,000 federal seed works, what happens at age 18, and why taxes matter when the money comes out. They also compare them to 529 plans and show how even small monthly contributions can compound into meaningful retirement savings over decades.  Please check out our full...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff talk with Tim Walters, Senior Vice President and Director of Perpetual Care Services, about the money, contracts, and real-world choices behind funeral planning, including why so many families feel lost when decisions happen fast. We also push past the discomfort and spell out how a clear plan can reduce grief-driven stress whil...

Comment via Text Message Gold’s glow is hard to ignore when prices hover near highs. In this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff pull back the curtain on how gold prices are set, how to buy gold, and some other fun gold factoids surrounding the Olympics and St. Patrick's Day. If you enjoy this episode, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Got...

Comment via Text Message Dan Barefoot was 1 of the nearly 3,000 athletes who competed in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. His journey, like many others', came at a cost. From sponsorships to crowdfunding, U.S. Olympic athletes raise capital for their training, travels, and more, to compete in the pinnacle of competitions. This episode "Bare"s a revisit. Subscribe, share this...

Comment via Text Message Love stories rarely start with prepaid gift cards. As more relationships begin online, romance scams are rising fast, turning loneliness and hope into a con that empties bank accounts. We pull back the curtain on how scammers build quick emotional ties, test boundaries with small requests, and escalate to bigger asks through carefully scripted messages and believable cover...

Comment via Text Message Holiday magic fades; the bill does not. On this episode of Bank Chats, we dig into credit cards—where they shine for fraud protection, travel, and big-ticket purchases—and where they can bite you, with interest, fees, and credit score dings. Don't forget to follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. What should we unpack next? Credits: An Ameri...

Comment via Text Message The calendar flipped to 2026, but those holiday charges didn’t disappear. We unpack how financial stress shows up in your body—lost sleep, headaches, tight chest—and why naming the exact trigger is the fastest way to shrink fear and regain control. From rent and utilities to weddings, new babies, and college bills, we map the common pressure points and show how a simple pl...

Comment via Text Message Counterfeit cash feels like a throwback crime until it hits your register or wallet. Though you may never encounter a counterfeit bill, the amount in circulation would probably shock you. We unpack which bill is the prime target, how counterfeit networks operate, and what actually happens when a fake sneaks into everyday transactions. Don't forget to share the episode...

Comment via Text Message Holiday spending doesn’t have to wreck your January. We take a clear, no-jargon look at the 50/30/20 budgeting framework and show how to make it work when life gets messy, prices rise, and traditions add extra costs. From right-sizing housing to rethinking commutes, we map out practical ways to protect the essentials while still enjoying the season. Be sure to follow the s...

Comment via Text Message In this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff unpack why the Mint stopped producing pennies, what the proposed Common Cents Act would change, and how rounding cash transactions actually works. We weigh business losses, consumer fairness, and lessons from Canada while sharing practical steps for shoppers and banks. Be sure to drop us a comment, we’d love to know what you thi...

Comment via Text Message Side hustles promise freedom and extra cash, but the real story lives in the details: taxes, time, wear and tear, and the quiet risk of burnout. From delivery apps and service work to rentals, flips, and reselling, we unpack what “profit” looks like after you count everything that doesn’t show up in the app’s payout screen. Throughout, we come back to one test: calculate y...

Comment via Text Message Fear sells, but it rarely informs. We wanted a grounded take on AI: what it actually does today, where it goes wrong, and how banks and consumers can use it without getting burned. With guest John Valkovci of Saint Francis, we unpack generative AI’s strengths, the reality of hallucinations, and why data quality and model choice matter more than hype. No sci-fi doomsday, ju...