Making Sense of your Cents

Your credit report is the official story of your financial life—but is it telling the truth? In this episode, we provide a step-by-step guide to pulling your free annual credit report from the only official source. We'll teach you how to decode the four key sections of your report, how to spot common errors or red flags for fraud, and the exact process for formally disputing an inaccurate ite...

Life's biggest milestones—getting married, having a baby, buying a home—are also major financial events. Joined by CFO Barron D. Kennedy, IV, we discuss the key financial conversations and action steps for these exciting transitions. Learn how to have the "money talk" with your partner before getting married, the non-negotiable financial steps to take when a child is on the way, and...

Identity theft goes far beyond a single stolen credit card number. As the bank's Security Officer, Daniel Hill joins Shanna Browning to dive into serious threats like the "Grandparent Scam," elder fraud, and the invisible danger of synthetic ID theft. This episode is a crucial guide to safeguarding your personal information. Daniel and Shanna explain what a credit freeze is, why it&...

Fake emails, suspicious texts, and urgent calls—scammers are working overtime to trick you. In this episode, cybersecurity expert Ben Lawson, GM of Burk IT, joins the conversation to teach you how to spot the red flags of a phishing attack. You'll learn the psychological tricks of urgency and authority that fraudsters use to manipulate you, how to inspect a sender's email address, and ho...

Your bank is in your pocket, but is your account secure? Joined by Wesley Minton, COO & Information Security Officer at First Century Bank, we discuss the essential habits for staying safe in the digital world. This episode is a masterclass in personal cybersecurity, explaining what makes a truly "strong" password in the modern era and why Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is the singl...

The path to homeownership can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we break down the crucial first steps of the mortgage process. This episode is a jargon-free introduction to buying a home with confidence, explaining the critical difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval, how to understand your total monthly payment (or "DTI"), and the trut...

Is all your money piled into one checking or savings account? In this episode, Daniel and Shanna explore the financial toolbox of different bank accounts. We’ll explain the specific jobs of Checking, Savings, Money Market, and CD accounts. Learn how to use this "bucket system" to organize your finances, protect your emergency fund, and make your savings work harder for you by matching th...

Which card should you swipe at the checkout? It’s not about "good" vs. "bad"—it's about using the right tool for the right job. In this episode, we explore the fundamental differences between debit and credit cards, focusing on the crucial distinctions in fraud protection and liability. We’ll also cover how each card impacts your ability to build a credit history and earn...

The word "budget" often brings up feelings of restriction and stress. In this episode, we reframe budgeting not as a financial diet, but as an empowering roadmap for your money. Daniel and Shanna explore simple, sustainable methods that you can actually stick with. We’ll teach you how to use the balanced 50/30/20 rule to categorize your spending without getting overwhelmed, and we’ll exp...

Why is it so hard to save money, even with the best intentions? In this episode, Daniel and Shanna are joined by First Century Bank President & CEO Rob Barger to discuss the single most powerful habit for building long-term wealth: Paying Yourself First. Rob explains the crucial mindset shift from "saving what's left" to treating savings as your most important bill. We’ll discus...

Welcome to "Making Sense of Your Cents," the new podcast from First Century Bank. Have you ever felt intimidated by financial jargon? Join hosts Daniel Hill and Shanna Browning as they break down complex topics into clear, useful information. In our first episode, we share our story. Get to know your hosts and discover the deep community roots of First Century Bank, which began in Tazewe...

APR and APY sound almost the same, but one costs you money while the other makes you money. In this episode, Daniel and Shanna demystify these common but confusing acronyms with clear, real-world examples. We'll explore what APR (Annual Percentage Rate) really means for borrowers and why it includes more than just the interest rate. Then, we'll flip the script to explain how APY (Annual...

Your three-digit credit score holds incredible power over your financial life, affecting everything from loan rates to insurance premiums. But how is it actually calculated? In this deep dive, we pull back the curtain on the credit score formula, breaking down the five key ingredients that make up your score and revealing which ones matter most. We'll also bust common myths, like why you don&...

What if your money made sense? For many of us, the world of personal finance can feel complex and intimidating. That's why First Century Bank is launching "Making Sense of your Cents" on Tuesday, November 4th. Join hosts Daniel Hill and Shanna Browning every week as they cut through the jargon to provide clear, actionable financial tips. Our mission is to empower our East Tennessee...