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Every car buyer has asked themselves the question: should I buy or lease my new car? Buying a car often comes with perks that you won't find with leasing, and vice versa. While getting an auto loan means you're paying towards the eventual ownership of the car, leasing means you'll never be stuck with a lemon. It may sound like leasing is the best way stay current with vehicle trends, but you'll often be limited in what you can do with a car that you’re essentially renting.

Before choosing the option that’s best for you, it is important to understand the differences buying vs. leasing a car.

Managing cashflow and payments can be a 24/7 process. As noticed during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the difficulty of this is exacerbated for companies that rely solely on paper-intensive processes. Now, more than 18 months later, it’s time for businesses to take a critical look at the challenges they face with paper payments, and how a switch to digital can reduce costs and increase efficiency. With businessFirst and Digital Banking, you’ll have more time to manage your business and not your payment strategies.  

Deciding where to get your college banking account as a student is a hard decision. You already have exams, friends, and getting locked out of your dorm to worry about, the last thing you want (or care about) is who’s going to handle your money. But locking in a student checking account with a long tenured establishment could pay off long past your senior year. When deciding between a bank vs. a credit union, there’s plenty of advantages of going with a credit union with over 50 years of experience vs. a Bank.

Many Americans struggle financially, living paycheck to paycheck, hoping they have enough to cover all their bills at the end of the month. Life is easier if you have a cash cushion or an emergency fund, but how do you save when there is not much fat in your budget?

Take the time to make a general assessment of your business and make sure you’re aligned with your short-term and long-term goals. With the new tax season starting, now is the time to form new habits that will make the next tax season less stressful. Follow these tips to make your business’s tax time for the coming year easier.

Are you planning your next vacation? There are ways to experience the trip of your dreams without crippling your savings account, just read our article to find out how.

Are you gearing up for a summer vacation with your family? There’s no doubt that a family vacation can be lots of fun, but it can also cost a lot of money. If you want to help your family save cash while you travel, try to incorporate these tips and tricks into summer adventure!

The new year is here – making it a great time to strengthen your savings and boost your bottom line! Just try out the exercises below, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving financial fitness.  

With the new year approaching, now is the perfect time to make a resolution to save more money. These five tips will help you trim spending, beef up savings, and reduce stress.

Some people are experts at the Holiday shopping. They start shopping for Christmas at the beginning of the New Year, searching for deals year-round. They squirrel away gifts in closets and attics, to have them ready for the holidays well in advance.

On the other extreme, there are those who do not enjoy shopping. They wake up a week before Christmas, realize they have nothing for their sweetheart, and go into panic mode. If you usually find yourself in this camp, we have a few tips to help you.

You may have lost your job already, or it's something you're concerned about. Either way, the keys to surviving a job loss financially are to plan ahead, take stock of your income, and cut your expenses.

Are gifts and goodies eating up your holiday budget? If so, consider looking for ways you can save in other areas – such as groceries. By incorporating just a few simple tips, you may be able to save yourself a whole lot of dough.

Cyber-criminals are counting on us to be distracted and let our guard down. If we do, they can trick us into handing over our personal or financial information using one of their favorite tactics – phishing.

Check out these common forms of phishing that you might encounter and the warning signs to look out for.

A tax basis can be important when deciding whether to make gifts now or transfer property at your death. This is because the tax basis of the person receiving the property depends on whether the transfer is by gift or at death. This, in turn, affects the amount of taxable gain subject to income tax when the person sells the property.

Your stimulus check has arrived but how should you prioritize how the money will be spent? Here are six tips to help you decide how to spend your stimulus check. 

Living paycheck to paycheck is not ideal, but it is a reality for many people. Establishing a saving regimen, no matter how large or small, is essential.

At First Commonwealth, we offer competitive rates and top-of-the-line protection. Our Home Equity Loans help you repair, remodel, or consolidate for turning your house into your dream home. Our home equity lending options have low, monthly payments.

For most people, buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions they will ever make. So, where do you start? Find out by taking our free online course!

It's the time of year when people start planning their summer vacation. Follow these summer travel planning tips to make your next trip...financial safe.

Is buying a house on your list of goals for this year? Check out these 5 practical tips to consider when thinking about buying a home.

We all know the term "retail therapy" but the reality is that those emotional spending habits are harmful to your financial health. Here are 5 ways to stop emotional spending.

All month long, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union will be highlighting a female business entrepreneur from our Select Employer Group (SEG), in our new social segment: Women's Business Spotlight. 

We believe your financial health and your physical health go hand-in-hand. Adjusting your financial habits can actually help you stay safe and avoid germs. Here are 5 healthy habits that you might not have thought of...

To lease or to buy? It’s one of the age-old questions car buyers ask themselves. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The option that’s right for you depends on a number of factors, including your financial situation, lifestyle and your future plans for the vehicle.

Before choosing the option that’s best for you, it is important to understand the difference between leasing and buying.

Buying a home can be an exciting milestone in your life, and it’s important to educate yourself on the financial implications of homeownership before you make an offer. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a current owner looking to sell or refinance, there are a few key questions that should ask yourself. 

Getting a college degree is a great investment, but it does come at a significant cost.  Be sure to plan ahead, so you and your student will be in a better position to handle this list of expenses.

Kids - check out these scenarios and try to determine which options give you the better deal!

Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can have a tremendous impact in helping small businesses reach potential customers.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, love is in the air! It’s a time when people celebrate the special relationships in their lives by giving gifts or sentimental gestures to make their significant other feel loved and appreciated. But among all the romantic dinners, chocolates and roses, there’s a very important relationship that often goes uncelebrated—your relationship with yourself.

The dawn of a new decade is a time for powerful new beginnings. Are you ready for a powerful New Year’s resolution?

Eliminating debt, learning new spending habits, or building savings are choices that can change your life. They can affect your entire wellbeing – from stress levels, to physical and mental health. The new year and new decade is a great time to commit to your financial health.

Now that the holidays are a wrap, there’s no time like the present to start those post-holiday to-dos!

A recent survey found that more than half of retirees have retirement planning regrets. Unfortunately, many of these retirees had to cut back on their lifestyle to
compensate for financial shortfalls.¹ Considering their most common regrets may help you avoid making the same mistakes.

Cybercriminals successfully take advantage of the increase in online activity during the holidays.  The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners reports that the incidence of fraud increases by 20% during the holiday season.

You can save up all year for the holidays and still threaten your budget. But don’t worry – with a little planning and some help from us, you can take the holidays from fretful to fun. 

Let’s face it – shopping for gifts is tough when you’re not old enough to have a job and earn money. So let’s brainstorm some gift ideas that don’t require cash! 

All of our annual seasonal celebrations cost money – lots of money. This year, help your family spend less by incorporating these ideas into your holiday budget plan. 

Learn about the different types of ownership structures to see what may be right for you. 

Check out these six tips to learn how to use social media in a smart and safe way. 

Ensuring your account security is a top priority for us. Working together, we can help keep you and your account information safer.

Life insurance is a way to protect your loved ones financially after you die and your income stops. The answer to whether you need life insurance depends on your personal and financial circumstances.

Now is the time to think about saving money on the upcoming school year! Here are 8 money saving back to school tips:

For many families, the holidays and overspending go hand in hand.  First Commonwealth is here to help you become the saver you want to be - just in time for the holidays!

Looking for a fun activity to put your smarts to the test? Check out the financial puzzle below! First, read the clues. Then look at the scrambled letters and write your answers in the blank spaces. If you need a little help, ask a parent or older sibling for assistance.

These loans can be used for a variety of needs, including consolidating high-interest debt, financing a college education, buying a new car or taking a dream vacation.

Identity theft has been the top consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission now for over 13 years running.

Getting a college degree is a great investment, but it does come at a significant cost.  Be sure to plan ahead, so you and your student will be in a better position to handle this list of expenses.

Need some simple ways to cool down your expenses? 

Whether you or your advisor designs your portfolio, consider a few of these well-recognized guidelines.

While pets can bring a lot of joy to their owners, they also come with a number of responsibilities, such as feeding, cleaning, walking and grooming.

You may find yourself wondering if you should buy generic or pay more for the name brand. The decision is about more than just whether you have the money or not.

Getting a college degree is a great investment, but it does come at a significant cost.

 Saving money is necessary if you ever want to be able to make a larger purchase, like a bike or computer (or, later in life, a car or home).

Wants are items you would like that aren’t necessary for your survival. Needs, on the other hand, are items that you absolutely must have in order to live comfortably.

Luckily, there are some basic financial principles you can implement now to make life easier later. Just follow these tips!

Tax filing season is here again. If you haven't done so already, you'll want to start pulling things together – that includes getting your hands on a copy of your 2017 tax return and gathering W-2s, 1099s and deduction records. 

When starting the home-buying process, use this simple “to-do” list to ensure you have the knowledge and information necessary to experience a smooth journey to homeownership.

There’s no doubt about it – the long, grueling winter months can be hard on our homes and lawns. To keep your property in tip-top shape and prepare for the warmer seasons ahead, complete the task list below:

Think long and hard about what expansion would mean for you, your team and your profits. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:

It’s no secret that the Internet has drastically changed the ways in which people locate and purchase used vehicles. Sure, it’s still possible to shop for a car using the traditional methods. But taking advantage of the Internet to pinpoint vehicle and pricing information – and even to secure financing – could help set you up for a much better deal.

For many getting organized and decluttering is in their top 5 resolutions. With so many documents to look after, you may feel confused about which ones to keep and for how long. We'll help you take the guesswork out of filing and organize your important records with these simple tips.

Celebrate the new year by getting serious about your financial future!

Keeping your business running smoothly requires periodic monitoring, adjusting, tweaking and planning.

Ready to make the big leap into the land of credit?

Have fun with your friends while learning some important money lessons.

Looking at debt consolidation pros and cons can help you figure out if debt consolidation is a good option for your goals.

Saving is not easy. If it was everyone would be doing it, but there are ways to make it easier. With the new year just around the corner, it’s a great time to think about setting a savings goal for 2018.

Keeping your finances safe is now a big part of our everyday lives.

The holidays will be here before we know it.

Saving money on energy during the holidays isn't always easy, but it is possible!