Becon (bea con): noun; a source of light or inspiration.
A BEACON – is a strong light that can be seen from far away and that is used to help guide.
You’ve got a goal, and we’ve got the tools to help you achieve it. Explore the CTBeacon blog articles and resources designed to support and guide you through each step to earning your financial confidence.
How to Make Your Website Shopping Cart More User-Friendly
IA smooth shopping experience is essential for turning website visitors into paying customers. Even when an online store offers quality products and competitive prices, a complicated checkout process can cause customers to abandon their purchases. This is why businesses need to focus on creating user-friendly online shopping carts for websites that make purchasing simple, convenient,…
Can You Deposit Checks With an Online Checking Account?
Imagine receiving a check from your employer, a client, or a family member. Instead of visiting a bank branch and waiting in line, you could deposit it using your smartphone. This is one of the most convenient features of modern digital banking. But can you deposit checks with an online checking account? In many cases,…
Why Most Budgets Don’t Work
Creating a budget sounds simple: calculate your income, list your expenses, and decide how much to save. However, many people find it difficult to follow their plans after the first few weeks. Unexpected bills, changing priorities, and unrealistic spending limits can quickly disrupt even a carefully prepared budget. Understanding why budgets don’t work is the…
Balancing Debt, Kids, and Future Goals
Managing money becomes more complicated when you are raising children, paying off debt, and trying to prepare for the future at the same time. Monthly bills, school expenses, groceries, loan payments, and unexpected costs can make it difficult to decide where your money should go. Even when your household income is steady, balancing immediate responsibilities…
How to Start the Wealth Conversation With Your Family
Money can be one of the most difficult topics for families to discuss. Different generations may have different attitudes toward saving, spending, debt, investing, and financial security. Some families avoid these conversations because they feel too personal, while others may simply not know how to begin without creating tension. However, open conversations about family finances…
How to Help Aging Parents Manage Their Finances
As parents get older, managing everyday finances can sometimes become more complicated. Bills, bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement income, investments, and important financial documents can become difficult to keep track of, especially when there are multiple accounts or changing financial needs. For adult children, offering support can be a sensitive subject. Parents may want to…
What Is a Good Credit Score and How Can You Improve It?
Your credit score can play an important role in your financial life. Whether you are applying for a credit card, personal loan, auto loan, or mortgage, your credit history may be one of the factors lenders consider when evaluating your application. A good credit score can demonstrate a history of responsible credit management and may…
How to Prioritize Multiple Financial Goals
Managing several financial goals at the same time can feel overwhelming. You may want to build an emergency fund, pay down debt, save for a home, prepare for retirement, or set money aside for other major expenses. The challenge is that your income and available savings are limited, so trying to fund every goal equally…
Financial Pressure Isn’t Failure — It’s Math
Financial pressure can feel deeply personal. When monthly expenses seem to rise faster than income, savings goals feel out of reach, or debt becomes difficult to manage, it is easy to assume you are simply making poor financial decisions. But financial pressure is not always a sign of failure. Often, it is the result of…
Small Financial Changes That Add Up Over Time
Saving money does not always require making major lifestyle changes or giving up the things you enjoy. In many cases, small, consistent financial decisions can have a meaningful impact on your finances over time. A few dollars saved regularly, fewer unnecessary purchases, and better spending habits can gradually create more financial flexibility and confidence. The…
How to Protect Your Bank Account From AI-Powered Scams
Artificial intelligence is changing the way people communicate, shop, work, and manage their finances. Unfortunately, scammers are also using AI to make fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, websites, and social media communications appear more convincing. As these technologies become more sophisticated, traditional warning signs such as poor grammar or obvious spelling mistakes may no…
How to Manage Homeownership Costs Without Stretching Your Budget
Buying a home is a major financial milestone, but the mortgage payment is only one part of the overall expense. Homeowners also need to account for property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs, and unexpected costs. Without a clear understanding of these expenses, it can be easy to underestimate the amount needed each month to comfortably…
How to Reset Financially Without Starting Over
Financial setbacks can happen to anyone. Whether you’ve experienced unexpected expenses, rising living costs, changes in employment, or simply feel like your finances have become difficult to manage, it doesn’t mean you have to start from zero. In many cases, improving your financial situation is less about making dramatic changes and more about making smarter…
Smart vs Risky Ways to Use Home Equity
Owning a home is one of the most significant financial achievements for many individuals and families. Beyond providing stability and a place to live, homeownership allows you to build equity over time as you pay down your mortgage and your property’s value appreciates. This accumulated equity can become a valuable financial resource when used wisely.…
Business Banking Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Company’s Growth
Running a successful business requires more than offering great products or services. Behind every growing company is a strong financial foundation, and that foundation often starts with the banking decisions business owners make from day one. Unfortunately, many businesses unknowingly make banking mistakes that limit growth, create cash flow challenges, and make it harder to…
Turning Savings Into Income: What You Need to Know
Saving money is often considered one of the most important financial habits a person can develop. From building an emergency fund to preparing for retirement, savings provide security, flexibility, and peace of mind. However, once you’ve accumulated a meaningful balance, another important question arises: what should happen next? Many people spend decades focusing on growing…
Home Ownership for First-Time Buyers: What to Expect in Your First Year
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone that marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. While the home-buying process itself can be challenging, the first year of first-time home ownership often comes with its own set of surprises, responsibilities, and learning experiences. From managing monthly expenses and maintaining your property to understanding…
The Hidden Benefits of Home Ownership Beyond Building Equity
When most people think about the benefits of home ownership, building equity is often the first advantage that comes to mind. After all, owning a home allows you to gradually increase your ownership stake in a valuable asset while potentially benefiting from property appreciation over time. However, focusing solely on equity means overlooking many of…
How to Buy Bank-Owned Commercial Property in 2026: A First-Time Buyer’s Playbook
Buying commercial real estate can be one of the most rewarding investments a business owner or investor makes. Whether you’re looking for a permanent location for your business, expanding your operations, or building a real estate portfolio, commercial property offers opportunities for long-term growth, rental income, and wealth creation. For many first-time buyers, however, commercial…
Estate Planning Basics: A Simple Guide
Most people assume estate planning is only necessary for wealthy individuals with multiple properties, large investment portfolios, or complex family situations. As a result, many delay creating an estate plan until retirement—or avoid it altogether. The reality is quite different. Estate planning is not reserved for the wealthy. If you own a home, maintain a…
How to Stay on Top of Your Business Cash Flow Every Day
Many people assume that if a business is profitable, it must also be financially healthy. But profit and cash flow are not the same thing. A company can generate strong sales on paper while still struggling to pay employees or vendors if customer payments are delayed or operational costs increase unexpectedly. Cash flow refers to…
How to Build Credit from Scratch: A Real Step-by-Step Guide
Building credit from scratch can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t yet have a credit history, credit card, or loan account. But establishing good credit is one of the most important financial steps you can take. A strong credit profile can help you qualify for apartments, loans, lower interest rates, insurance approvals, and even some…
Avoid Common Pitfalls When You Open a Checking Account Online
Opening a checking account used to mean scheduling an appointment, waiting in line, and filling out paperwork across a desk. Today, you can open a checking account online in minutes — from your couch, your office, or even your car (though we recommend parking first). But convenience can sometimes create blind spots. Many people rush…
Revolutionizing sustainable growth: When our communities do better we all do better – Our Impact Continues
Revolutionizing sustainable growth: Black-led financial institutions unleash potential with capital access and financial resources Citizens Trust Bank (CTB), is an impact-driven financial institution that was established in 1921 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Led by a Black, woman CEO and as a designated CDFI and MDI, CTB is committed to closing the racial wealth…
How MLS’ $25 million loan deal with Black Banks was novel…and it is working
Stronger partnerships are a testament to the importance of our alliances with like-missioned, mainstream institutions. The shared efforts continue to allow us scalable opportunities to reach more community citizens and businesses. VIDEO REELREAD MORE
Three Financial Influencers – Juneteenth Celebration
Fortunately, financial literacy has become a top priority for many educators, and there are more resources available than ever before, such as free tools, podcasts, books, and videos. Social media is another platform that financial influencers use to pass on their knowledge and their own experiences of dealing with debt. The following three content creators…
Making Money Moves: Stronger in 2022
Five simple actions can help you make progress toward important long-term goals this year. The Citizens Trust Bank professionals and the online Learning Center have the tools, tips, and guidance you need to make these key financial moves: 1. Review your goals to keep up with life changes Confirm that your financial plan is still…
2021 Shareholders Message – from the President
During 2021, Citizens Trust Bank celebrates its 100-year legacy. We could not be prouder of experiencing and celebrating this 100-year journey with you, our customers and our community. The legacy of Citizens Trust Bank was built on the essence of vision, courage and honor. In 1919, ‘The Fervent Five’, five African-American businessmen, pooled their intellect,…
The Community Bank and PPP Loan
Fred Daniels, Citizens Trust Bank,Chief Credit Officer during an interview for the Community Banks and the Paycheck Protection Program article Since the reopening of the PPP loan in January, Citizens Trust Bank has received over a thousand loan requests from small businesses for the PPP loan. It is undeniable that Citizens Trust Bank and other community banks…
2020 Spirit of Giving CTBCares
CTBCares – 2020 Spirit of Giving Community is. . . an extension of family. “During these challenging times, as a bank and as a community we continue to come together to stand up, give back, and help those in need,” said Cynthia N. Day, President & CEO of Citizens Trust Bank. “Our teams continue to…
Let’s Narrow Economic Inequities by Supporting Minority-Owned Banks
One of the rewarding highlights is our partnership with small businesses in the community, adversely impacted by COVID-19, to participate in the Payroll Protection Program. We helped guide community businesses through the process and provided the support they needed during a time of great distress. Though the support required tremendous sacrifice from our associates, it…
CTB in Partnership with Dekalb Better Business Loan Program
The DeKalb Better Business Loan Program is a partnership with local banks to provide financial relief to small DeKalb County businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Financing for the program was approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners from our county allotment of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds received from…
Cynthia N. Day Named One of The 25 Most Influential Atlantans
Since 1921, for nearly 100 years, Citizens Trust Bank remains committed to providing personalized service and financial solutions to meet the growing needs of the community. Through a legacy built on economic equality and well-being, we go beyond meeting the needs of offering banking solutions; our mission is to empower our customers and future generations…
The Cost of a Valued Banking Relationship = Priceless
The value of such a relationship is never forgotten and is detailed in a recent Op-ed article written by Ryan Williams, CEO, co-founder of Cadre – Investing in Black Owned Banks, Key to Ending Racial Disparities. In the article Mr. Williams recounts how a Black-owned bank ( Citizens Trust Bank) helped him start his business when others…
What’s Your Scam Score?
#BANKSNEVERASKTHAT What’s Your Scam Score? Take five minutes to become a scamspotter pro by taking the #BanksNeverAskThat quiz at BanksNeverAskThat.com. Share your score on Twitter to encourage your friends and family to test their scam savviness, too. The more scamspotters out there, the harder it is for phishing criminals to catch their next victim! …
Introducing: Banks Never Ask That
Introducing #BANKSNEVERASKTHAT Citizens Trust Bank joined with the American Bankers Association and banks across the country in a nationwide effort to fight phishing—one scam at a time. We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam—and stop bank impostors in their tracks. It starts with these four words: Banks Never…
Can You Spot a Phishing Scam?
Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s 2019 report on fraud estimates that American…
Credit Score – Mortgage
Contact Citizens Trust Bank Residential Mortgage Team to learn more and start the process on the road to homeownership! If you’re looking into buying a house but your credit is poor. The first thing you need to do is check your credit score. So what credit score is needed to buy a house? The answer…
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Personal Financial Tips to Consider to Give You the Confidence Needed to Win the Battle on the Road to Financial Independence: Create a Financial Calendar Check Your Interest Rate Excessive Credit Card Debt can cause a BIG set-back. Consider Citizens Trust Bank VISA Credit Cards – Transfer Now and Save Track Your Net Worth Set…
Three Ways to Weather a Financial Storm – A.White
rom the Desk for Adrienne White – Citizens Trust Bank Strategy and Business Development Officer Flashback with me to 2009: I’m typing this from room 3129 at Emory Hospital. My mother is hanging out beside me on a couch, and we’re watching the local news report on #ATLTraffic. It’s 8:09 am and I’m dreading the next…
Making an Impact – Jius Enterprises
Being in Business means being a Difference Maker – it is an innate characteristic that most business owners possess. Daryll and Trena Tyson, owners of Jius Enterprises, LLC are no different. JIUS Enterprises, LLC. created in 2008 is a residential investment real estate company focused on providing housing for low-income Atlanta-area residents. Shortly after leaving…