Financial/Investing

SRP Federal Credit Union members started the new year off with some extra cash. In December, the SRP FCU Board of Directors approved a Loyalty Dividend, totaling more than $1.5 million, to be paid out across their membership. The additional dividend was designed to reward SRP members and to recognize the financial strength of the Credit Union. SRP FCU is a member-owned nonprofit financial institution with a volunteer Board of Directors. SRP members can receive higher interest rates on savings, lower rates on loans, and lower fees. “Creating value for

Local financial advisors, Jason Crane and Gerry Owen, owners and operators of Crane & Owen Financial Solutions in Aiken, have relocated their practice from Edward Jones to Ameriprise Financial. Together, they manage nearly $150 million in combined client assets. Crane and Owen began exploring options for moving their business two years ago and selected Ameriprise for several reasons, including its brand recognition, reputation, and technological resources. “Ameriprise is first and foremost an advisor-friendly firm, meaning we have the company’s full support behind us as we go above and beyond for

Tony Mariano wants his employees to know how to fix toilets and water leaks, but he also wants them to plan for the future. “They know plumbing, but they don’t understand finance,” he said. Mariano, service manager for FlowPro Plumbing, said the company wants to start offering a retirement plan. He was one of many home services professionals who attended this month’s CSRA Home Connections meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 14. This month’s speakers were Joshua Linton and Michael Koltz, Vice Presidents and wealth planners for Queensborough Investments. They discussed the

Credit reporting can be a benefit for a small business – it can help a lending institution evaluate your business’ credit worthiness. SRP Federal Credit Union is hosting a lunch to help business owners understand what it all means. SRP’s Community Development and Business Banking teams will present the first session of the SRP Small Business Power Lunch series at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the WOW Club at SRP Park in North Augusta. Lunch will be provided. Reservations are needed by Sunday, July 31. For more information

Eric Jenkins will become the new Chief Executive Officer of SRP Federal Credit Union on Sept. 1. He will succeed interim President, Woody Shuler. Jenkins, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, had served as CEO at Education Credit Union in Amarillo, Texas. “The Board is pleased and excited that Mr. Jenkins will be joining the SRP team as CEO,” said SRP Board Chair, Sandra DeVoe Bland. “His energy, leadership, and vision, fit well with SRP. The Board feels that Mr. Jenkins is the perfect leader to continue and

  Patti McGrath is a Marketing Specialist II at SRP Federal Credit Union. She has worked in marketing for more than 25 years and has five years in the credit union industry. Joining the SRP team has been rewarding for her due to their involvement in the community, especially regarding financial literacy. She wanted to share one of her experiences with you, our readers.   On Wednesday, July 20, about 30 teenagers representing numerous area high schools gathered at SRP Park’s WOW Club for a morning of interactive learning at

It looks like some Baby Boomers might be hanging out in the job market a bit longer. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College estimates that retirement accounts collectively have lost more than $3 trillion since January – $1.4 trillion in 401(k)s and $2 trillion in IRAs. That has a lot of people near retirement age nervous about their future. “That is something that concerns retirees,” John Travis, a financial advisor with Richard Young Associates in Augusta, said. “That is a real fear.” So far this year, the index

When Queensborough National Bank & Trust was founded, Teddy Roosevelt was in the White House. The local bank just celebrated its 120th anniversary. Founded in May 1902, it was originally called the First National Bank of Louisville, which is a small town located about an hour from Augusta. Queensborough now has 27 locations in towns throughout Georgia, including Augusta, Waynesboro, Sylvania, and Statesboro. The bank, which was established with only a few employees, now has a staff of more than 350 people, and currently manages more than $2 billion in