Starting this summer, Arvest Associates will build four complete Habitat for Humanity homes and construct rooms in nine other houses.  As a part of the new partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Arvest will contribute more than $250,000 and Arvest associates will serve as construction crews in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas to help build new homes for those in need.

Arvest’s mission statement is “people helping people find financial solutions for life.”  And, really, there is no greater financial solution for a family than home ownership.  Buying a home is a good, long-term investment that provides equity accumulation.  In fact, a homeowner’s net worth is 46 times that of a renter’s, according to the Federal Reserve Board.

Habitat for Humanity says the benefits of owning a home are more than financial.

With a home:

 -  Families can provide stability for their children

 -  A family’s sense of dignity and pride grows

 -  Health, physical safety and security improves

 -  Educational and job prospects increase

On behalf of Arvest’s 5,000 Associates, let me say we’re both excited and humbled to partner with Habitat for Humanity and build homes for local families in need.  For more information about Habitat for Humanity, check out their website.
 

This is a common question and unfortunately many car owners only about the "gap" after their car is stolen or declared totaled from an accident - and then finding out they are left with debt not covered by their auto insurance.

The Gap is the difference between the actual cash value of your car and what you still owe on your loan. If your car is stolen or declared totaled, your auto insurance company will pay you the actual cash value of the car. Without Gap Insurance it is possible that this amount will fall short of covering what you owe on your vehicle. As if losing your vehicle in an accident isn't bad enough, it can get much worse if you still have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars on a car you can no longer use!

If you have further questions or want to avoid getting caught in the "Gap", contact a nearby Arvest location and ask for a consumer loan officer about your particular situation.

If you have logged into your Arvest web banking in the past 6 months you likely have encountered the new standard in bank login security - a secure sign on protocol using challenge questions and a site-key image.  Although it requires you to take an additional step or two to login to your web banking, it creates a much more secure environment for you when managing your accounts online.

This new level of security is an effective way to help discourage identity theft, discourage online banking fraud and to help you know you are on the authentic Arvest online banking website.   Secure sign on is customizable, allowing you to choose an image and a secret phrase.  When logging on, if you do not see the correct image and phrase, you will know you are on a fraudulent site and should not proceed with your login.  

Arvest is committed to maintaining a secure environment for your online account management, learn more about Secure Sign On or watch the online demo for examples and more information.

Arvest Bank recently broke ground on the area’s first financial institution built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Arvest hosted an official “Greenbreaking” at the construction site with local dignitaries along with business, community and civic leaders.

The new branch will be located at 1627 East Joyce in Fayetteville and when complete will replace the current Arvest branch on Joyce Boulevard.  “Arvest is proud of our commitment to sustainability,” said Donny Story, president of Arvest Fayetteville.  “We are pleased to be among a community that is taking steps to become better stewards of the environment.  Fayetteville, as a whole, has taken steps to improve sustainability, and this is the right thing for us to do in opening a new branch.”  The branch will be built to meet the guidelines established by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for certification. The 8080-sq. ft. building will incorporate sustainable elements that tap natural resources, such as sunlight and rainfall, into the building’s functionality.

“This has been a natural move for Arvest, because our established building practices were already close to meeting the LEED standards,” Story continued. The certification promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

The branch is slated for completion in late 2008 with construction beginning soon, according to Story. “This branch will replace one of our busiest branches. It’s always great to have to build a branch because the one you have has been so successful and has out grown itself.”

Maintaining a budget can be difficult in the beginning and it can also be discouraging when there is no money left over after all expenses have been paid. However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Here are some tips on budgeting to get you through the rough patches.

Start Today

Never put off budgeting until tomorrow. You should start today.

Don't Give Up

Quitting is not an option. Your financial future is too important and many of your future goals depend on your budgeting today.

Use a Software Tool

Software applications, such as Microsoft Money®, Quicken® or Budget Forecaster®, all help you with budgeting. This is one of the most basic functions of a good personal finance tool. Later, when you get the basics down you can use some of the more advanced features provided by these tools.

Monitor Your Progress

At the end of the month are you reaching your goals? If not, what can be done differently? Remember, the more you success you have with budgeting the easier it becomes.

Consult a Financial Counselor or Planner

Budgeting is a means to an end. Usually you start budgeting to save money or to achieve a specific goal. As you become more efficient at maintaining a budget you will have a surplus. A financial counselor or planner can help show you how to make your money work better for you.