September 19, 2019
June 20, 2011
In a recent interview with the Staten Island Advance, Ralph Branca, CEO and president of Victory State Bank, discussess the dangers of relying on credit cards to survive in hard econmic times. ‘In such a tough economy, relying on credit cards to get by isn’t going to help for very long, if at all,’ writes Advance journalist […]
June 14, 2011
May 25, 2011
Head of Staten Island, N.Y.’s only community-based commercial bank says scammers may be attempting to divert assistance in wake of latest natural disasters STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Victory State Bank is reminding business owners and consumers to be alert to scammers seeking to pocket humanitarian-minded donations. “In the wake of recent storms that have crippled some communities […]
May 5, 2011
There’s no way you’re going to be able to stick to a budget unfailingly. The real world has too many twists and turns and, besides, we humans don’t live our lives as predictably as spreadsheets. And even if you were able to somehow muster the willpower never to deviate from your budget, really, what kind of […]
April 29, 2011
WASHINGTON — The thought of owning a vacation home may sound appealing, but the year-round responsibility — and expense — that come with it may not. Purchasing a timeshare or vacation plan may be an alternative. If you consider a timeshare or vacation plan, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says it’s […]
April 22, 2011
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 […]
April 21, 2011
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 […]
April 20, 2011
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 […]
April 19, 2011
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 […]
March 24, 2011
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 […]
March 1, 2011
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 […]
November 10, 2010
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 […]
October 20, 2010
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 […]
August 6, 2010
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 […]
July 1, 2010
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 […]
June 23, 2010
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 […]
June 16, 2010