The SAVE Plan: Student Loan Forgiveness Explained

Identity theft is a distressing experience that can disrupt your personal and financial life significantly. From unauthorized use of your social security number to unexpected charges on your bank account, the signs of identity theft can be alarming. Let’s take a look at the practical steps you can take when facing identity theft and how you can protect yourself to prevent it from happening.

If you're looking to secure your financial future and build a comfortable retirement nest egg, learning the way that compound interest works within your 401k retirement account is essential. While the concept of compound interest may seem complex, it's a powerful tool that can significantly boost your savings over time.

The Norwalk Grassroots Tennis and Education is a youth development 501c3 nonprofit organization that combines high-quality tennis instruction with academic support, character development and a caring community that emphasizes relationships above all. We are honored that our donation of $15,000 will go to helping the youth build strength of character and a foundation for success on the tennis court, in the classroom and in life. From left to right, Danny Cavazzi (DRB Assistant Branch Manager), Art Murphy (DRB Branch Manager) and staff from Norwalk Grassroots Tennis and Education.

The Norwalk Housing Foundation is the official public charity of Norwalk Housing. It was created in 1998 to finance scholarships and other educational services for Norwalk Housing students. Their mission is to partner with our residents to break the cycle of poverty and promote independence and self-sufficiency. We are proud that this donation is will go towards that mission. From left to right, Art Murphy (DRB Branch Manager), Danny Cavazzi (DRB Assistant Branch Manager) and Adam D. Bovilsky (Executive Director of the Norwalk Housing Foundation).

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too do the tactics employed by cybercriminals seeking to exploit unsuspecting individuals. Online scams come in various forms, each designed to deceive and defraud victims.

In a world filled with digital transactions and online interactions, protecting your passwords is paramount to safeguarding your personal information. Whether it's accessing your bank account, social media profiles, or sensitive emails, a robust password is your first line of defense against cyber threats. Here's how to protect the passwords you use for online accounts, banking, or any other personal information.

Buying your first home is a rush of emotions. There is joy because you have a place of your own and will no longer be paying rent. There is stress because you are taking on a huge amount of debt that could limit your financial freedom for the foreseeable future. There’s also the anxiety that comes with taking care of a home and all its nuances for the first time.

Even though millions of people apply for and accept simple-interest loans every year, many borrowers don’t understand how the interest on the loan is calculated.

Maintaining an accurate credit report is essential for financial health and can influence a person’s ability to secure credit, loans, and favorable interest rates. Errors on credit reports can occur, and when they do, they can have a detrimental impact on a person’s creditworthiness. This guide to disputing errors on your credit report will help make the information presented accurate and representative of your true financial history.

A person’s financial stability and access to credit are essential for achieving many personal and financial goals. Whether it’s the ability to buy a home, start a business, or even secure a credit card, your credit score plays a pivotal role in determining your eligibility and the terms you'll receive.

Banking is an integral part of our lives, and finding the right bank can make a significant difference in how we manage our finances. In Darien, a town known for its charm and vibrant community, the banking landscape is diverse, offering residents a range of options. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of banking in Darien, helping you make informed choices that suit your unique financial needs, with a special focus on banks in Darien.

DR Bank, through its partnership with Bombas and their Hive Giving Initiative, recently donated 1,500 pairs of Bombas socks to Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education. Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education is a youth development nonprofit organization that uses the sport of tennis to engage youth in holistic out-of-school time programming to over 250 children each year. The socks will be given out to the children that partake in the program from ages 5 to 18 years old. We are honored to be partnered with such a wonderful organization. Art Murphy, Vice President, Branch Manager, DR Bank; and John Barbalaco, EVP, Chief Banking Officer, DR Bank made the donation to members of the Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education staff and volunteers.

Stop by our Darien location at 1001 Post Road from 9am - 12pm on October 21st. On-Site Shredding will be in our parking lot to accept personal and confidential documents for destruction. You can wait and watch the shredding as it happens for peace of mind knowing your information is safe. Our Shredding Day is open to the public and there is a 5 box per person limit.

You’ve graduated from college with a hard-earned degree. But you’ve also finished college with a mountain of student loan debt. Now the real work begins, and for many, the college experience won’t end until the last of your student loans has been paid.

DR Bank proudly sponsors the 8th Annual Novel Tea, a literary fundraiser hosted by the Darien Public Library. Join us on October 18th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wee Burn Country Club for an enriching gathering featuring acclaimed author Curtis Sittenfeld, celebrating literature and community bonds.

DR Bank is excited to present the latest venture from Bank customers, Daniel & Kristen Pennessi, the Hotel Moraine. It is the North Fork of Long Island's premiere seaside destination that was recently renovated.

We are proud to announce that DR Bank is once again the lead sponsor for the Darien Land Trust Farm-to-Table Dinner scheduled for August 26th. Darien Land Trust has 225 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows that are preserved and protected in perpetuity. We are so happy to support this great foundation.

Building a credit history is an important step for all adolescents and teens to begin as quickly as possible. Here’s why: Establishing a solid credit history is crucial for financial success. A good credit score opens doors to better loan terms, lower interest rates, and increased financial opportunities.

We previously wrote about the importance of establishing an estate plan that will ensure your specific desires are followed after your death – or if your health deteriorates and you become incapable of making decisions for yourself. This blog contains information on how to put an estate plan together and some of the issues you need to consider before you start your journey and some of the hurdles you may face during it.

There are many who think that an estate plan is only for people who have a lot of wealth. But nothing could be further from the truth. Every adult should create a comprehensive estate plan because it will ensure that your desires are fulfilled after your demise or in case you become incapable of making decisions for yourself.

Let’s get together in our Darien parking lot and shred! OK, maybe leave the skateboards at home, but be sure to bring any personal files and secure documents to our Free Shredding Day on Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Saving money for a child's college education is one of the most important investments a parent can make in their child's future. With the cost of higher education increasing at an alarming rate, it is becoming increasingly difficult for students to afford college without incurring a significant amount of debt before earning a diploma.

At some point, we have all encountered an unforeseen financial crisis. The car breaks down and significant repairs are needed; we’re involved in a car accident; we have to be rushed to the hospital for an emergency procedure; a home appliance malfunctions; we lose a job; or our mobile device is damaged; the house floods. Any of these sound familiar?

Dear Valued DR Bank Customer, In light of the events that have befallen the financial industry over the course of the past few days, we felt that it was important to reach out to our loyal customer base.

One of the most frequent targets of online, email and phone scams are senior citizens. DR Bank hosted a recent financial education seminar at Stamford Green, which provides housing for seniors in Stamford. Our team of Ann Mitrione and Art Murphy presented the seminar, which covered a range of financial topics, but focused a good amount of time on how seniors can avoid becoming the victims of online and phone scams.

Teaching high school students about financial matters and how to avoid becoming the victims of scam artists was the goal of a recent seminar DR Bank hosted at Westhill High School in Stamford. The seminar was presented by Ann Mitrione and Art Murphy and covered a range of topics, including how young people are targeted by online and phone scams.

DR Bank will be a square on the 2023 version of the “Rowaytonopoly” game. Bank representatives Ann Mitrione and Art Murphy presented a $1,000 check to Christina Anzalone of the Rowayton Library to secure a spot on the board. The game will be available for purchase by local residents early next year.

DR Bank is proud to be the Guardian Sponsor for the Darien Land Trust's Farm to Table Dinner on August 27th. Darien Land Trust preserves and protects the open space in Darien providing our community with environmentally rich habits, beautiful views, and educational experiences in addition to allowing our residents of Darien the quiet enjoyment of nature.

DR Bank is proud to present our new and updated online banking platform! Our hope is that it will provide an improved user experience while adding new features that will enhance our digital platforms for new and existing customers alike. DR Bank strives to continually look for innovative ways to be a great partner for all of our customers.

DR Bank is proud to partner with premium basics brand Bombas through their internal Giving Initiative program by donating 1,000 pairs of Bombas donation socks to two local charities: Person to Person and New Covenant House. “To be able to partner with such a socially conscious organization like Bombas to benefit two great local charities, is a wonderful opportunity for the Bank! DR Bank has been giving back to local charities throughout Fairfield County since we opened our doors in 2006. We hope to do much more of this in 2022 and years to come!” – John Barbalaco, EVP & Chief Banking Officer.

DR Bank would like to congratulate our outstanding colleague, Santina Capece, VP of Accounting and Finance, on her graduation from the Connecticut Bankers Association’s School of Finance and Management with honors! We wish continued success to Santina and are lucky to have her as a member of our team.