AmeriServ Presents: Bank Chats

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...

Comment via Text Message Think playing solitaire can pay the rent? We take a look at the booming world of “get-paid-to-play” mobile apps—reward platforms, “skill-based” tournaments, and lottery-style games—and ask the only question that matters: how much can you actually earn? Drew and Jeff share firsthand experiences; unpack how early milestones hook you with small wins; and explain why minimum c...

Comment via Text Message Money surrounds us every day, but how often do we stop to consider what it actually is? From the salt-based currencies of Ancient Rome to the digital cryptocurrencies of today, the concept of value has undergone remarkable transformations throughout human history. We dive deep into the foundations of modern monetary systems, exploring how virtually all global currencies no...

Comment via Text Message Think you're too tech-savvy to fall for a scam? Think again. Young adults between 20-29 are now losing money to fraud more frequently than seniors—a startling reversal of what many assume about scam victims. As students flood back to campuses nationwide, they're walking into a minefield of sophisticated schemes designed specifically to exploit their unique vulner...

Comment via Text Message A true example of win-win. The Employee Real Estate Construction Trust (ERECT) Funds have been helping finance commercial real estate projects for over 3 decades. On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff sit down with Senior Vice President and Director of Specialty Real Estate, Justin Maser, to talk about this pool of funds, as well as how the development of even one c...

Comment via Text Message It's that time of year again, back-to-school shopping is in full swing. Many parents dig deep in their pockets to purchase school supplies, new outfits, and the latest tech gadgets for their child(ren). On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff chat about various tips and tricks they found for back-to-school shopping that could save you time, headaches, and money. Res...

Comment via Text Message On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff welcome back John Valkovci from Saint Francis University to chat about the evolution and current state of cryptocurrency. John fills us in on new policies/regulations surrounding digital assets, as well as the concept of tokenized bank deposits. Credits: An AmeriServ Financial, Inc. Production  Music by SchneckMind, powered by S...

Comment via Text Message Have you ever really looked at a dollar bill? Not to see if a previous owner doodled something in the corner, or if there are too many creases for a vending machine to accept it. On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff chat about the plethora of symbolism that can be found on US currency. Did you know those fine lines in the corners of a dollar bill serve a purpose? Do y...