BANKING & FINANCE

April 22, 2011

FBI: Be Alert To 'Letter of Credit' Fraud

Legitimate letters of credit are NEVER sold or offered as investments Letters of credit are issued by banks to ensure payment for goods shipped in connection with international trade. Payment on a letter of credit generally requires that the paying bank receive documentation certifying that the goods ordered have been shipped and are en route to […]
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April 21, 2011

FTC Files Contempt Charges Against Marketer of Credit Repair

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission earlier this week filed contempt charges against a promoter of credit repair and debt relief services and three of his companies, alleging that they continued their deceptive marketing practices in violation of a federal court order. The FTC charged that the defendants tried to take advantage of financially strapped consumers by falsely […]
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April 20, 2011

NYC Department Of Consumer Affairs: Debt Settlement is Top Fraud

Commissioner Mintz Warns New Yorkers to Beware of Fee-Based Debt Settlement Companies NEW YORK — Debt settlement companies lure people struggling with debt by claiming that they will convince creditors to settle debts for less than what’s owed.  However, it rarely works. Companies charge high fees and counsel consumers to ignore their debts, which can cause lasting […]
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April 19, 2011

Staten Island Business Owners Take Notice: SBA, Inc. Magazine and AT&T Join Forces to Promote Exporting by U.S. Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Small businesses seeking to grow their businesses and create jobs through exporting can turn to new, free educational videos created through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Inc. Magazine and AT&T. Through the public-private partnership, a series of video modules has been developed to inspire and encourage American small businesses to […]
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April 13, 2011

Victory State Bank encourages participation in tomorrow's Staten Island's Dine Out Against Hunger drive

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank, a sponsor of Staten Island’s Dine Out Against Hunger initiative, wants to remind consumers about tomorrow’s campaign and the opportunity to help those in need. You don’t need a fancy invitation to get in on Dine Out Against Hunger on Staten Island, explains the Staten Island Advance.  Just go to any participating […]
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April 8, 2011

Victory State Bank Donates $8G To Further Financial-Literacy Initiative

   Staten Island’s only community-based commercial bank contributes to the Coalition for Debtor Education; bank plans to partner with educational organization for local seminars  STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank, Staten Island, N.Y.’s only community-based commercial bank, has underscored its devotion to financial literacy with an $8,000 donation to the Coalition for Debtor Education (CDE). […]
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April 6, 2011

NYC Department of Consumer Affairs: Check For Red Flags Before Using A Tax Preparation Service

NEW YORK — Hiring a Tax Preparation Service This Tax Season? The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) offers the following advice: Avoid “Instant,” “Rapid,” “Express” or “Fast Cash” refunds. “Instant” refunds are actually loans with extremely high interest rates known as refund anticipation loans (RALs). RALs must be repaid even if you don’t get […]
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April 5, 2011

Knowing Your Credit Score Is ‘Essential Component Of Financial Well-Being, Says Victory State Bank CEO/President

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Do you know your credit score? “If you don’t, you should,” advises Ralph M. Branca, CEO and president of Victory State Bank. “Knowing – and comprehending – your credit score is an essential component of financial well-being.” Based upon information in credit reports, credit scores help lenders judge the stability of an […]
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March 24, 2011

10 Financial Lessons for a Richer Life

Let’s face it, personal finance isn’t nuclear physics. The basics are so simple that anyone can get the concepts down in less than a day — spend less than you earn, save and invest the rest. Knowing what should be done and actually doing it, however, are two different things. Most people realize that spending more […]
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March 1, 2011

Victory State Bank President/CEO Ralph M. Branca Urges Caution When Handling Financial Transactions Online

Business people and consumers should remain on guard to dangers of Internet thieves,  says top executive at  Staten Island, N.Y.’s only community-based commercial bank  NEW YORK — “As the popularity of conducting banking and other financial transactions on the Internet grows, so does the threat of online fraud,” said Ralph M. Branca, president and CEO of Victory […]
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February 16, 2011

Eight Steps For Selling Your Product To A Large, Multi-Unit Retail Outlet

By JACKIE LARSON, ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE — Getting into the retail major leagues is something many entrepreneurs dream about. Have you ever envisioned your products on the shelves of a big box retailer but wondered just how to get your company ready for the prime time? According to experts–and some entrepreneurs who’ve already made the leap as […]
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November 10, 2010

New Business Center Can Help Boost Compliance with FTC Law

The Federal Trade Commission has a new Business Center at Business.ftc.gov that gives business owners, attorneys, and marketing professionals the tools they need to understand and comply with the consumer protection laws, rules, and guides the FTC enforces. The Business Center provides practical, plain-language guidance about advertising, credit, telemarketing, privacy, and a host of other topics.  A series of short videos […]
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October 20, 2010

Staten Island, N.Y.-based Victory State Bank Initiative Seeks To Help Homeless Pets

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank’s sense of community is all encompassing. The bank’s “Furr Our Furry Friends” campaign aims to help Staten Island’s population of homeless animals. Through the end of the month, all Victory State Bank locations will be accepting contributions for allocation to local animal shelters. “We are collecting monetary donations, as […]
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October 12, 2010

National Association of Realtors Launches 'Facebook Causes' Campaign to help post-9/11 U.S. military members, vets avert foreclosure

The National Association of Realtors®’ HouseLogic, a free, comprehensive consumer website about all aspects of homeownership, yesterday launched “Operation Home Relief,” a new . The campaign aims to increase awareness, rally support and raise funding for USA Cares, a nonprofit organization that provides counseling and financial foreclosure assistance to post-9/11 active duty U.S. military service personnel, […]
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August 6, 2010

Graduation and Baby Shower For First-Time Moms

Free Victory State Bank course teaches budgeting, banking skills to new Staten Island mothers enrolled in Nurse-Family Partnership NEW YORK CITY — Ten first-time mothers participating in the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program on Staten Island gathered yesterday at the Stapleton site to mark their graduation from a financial-literacy program and share in a baby shower. The […]
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July 1, 2010

New South Shore Rotary President provides agenda for 2011, praises previous administration

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The South Shore Rotary Club’s presidential gavel officially changed hands yesterday. The gathering, held in the Marina Grand, Great Kills, marked the group’s first meeting under a newly seated administration. After congratulating Immediate Past President Dean Balsamini and other club members for accomplishing a variety of successful community fund-raisers despite a difficult […]
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June 23, 2010

Victory State Bank, New York City Housing Authority Launch Rental-Payment Partnership to Benefit Island’s Public Housing Residents

Find out more about the arrangement at NY1 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A joint initiative between Victory State Bank and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is set to give residents of public housing on Staten Island an added convenience: The opportunity to pay their monthly rent through any one of five Victory State Bank […]
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