News

News

What Can a HELOC Do For You?

Houses on a street block.

What Can a HELOC Do For You?

This time of year, can be an excellent time to assess your financial condition and create a plan for the months ahead. Knowing where you are and where you want to be can make it easier to take action on your plan. Have you been delaying an update to your home? Do you have debt you would like to consolidate? Perhaps you decided instead of buying a new home you want to remodel or add onto your current home. Or maybe you like the idea of having funds on standby in the...READ MORE

I.T. (Inherited Technology)

Multi-colored Tech Background

I.T. (Inherited Technology)

We have all inherited things from someone else. Genetics from our parents and ancestors, maybe belongings from a sibling or relative, or better yet, money, property, or a business. Some of these are great and we’re happy to receive them. Yet sometimes you inherit something you maybe don’t want or didn’t expect. The same works for technology and it was the case when I started at Bruning Bank.

So, what did I inherit when I started at Bruning Bank? Well for starters, I inherited a role...READ MORE

It Takes a Village...

Mother and Father playing with their child.

It Takes a Village...

“It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s an adage we’ve all heard, and one that constantly plays in my mind trying to raise two young boys. Not long after becoming a parent, I quickly realized I couldn’t do it on my own. I need the grandparents who pause their lives to help watch the kids. I need a daycare provider who takes my kids in and treats them as her own while I’m at work. I need the aunts and uncles who have busy lives of their own but still offer to watch my kids, adding to the...READ MORE

My Parents Microwaved My Milk

Bottle of baby formula with powered formula beside it.

My Parents Microwaved My Milk

We were all talking about raising children the other day and how people used to do it in my parents’ generation. My dad, Fred, said that the best investment they made with kids was getting a microwave, because he could microwave my baby formula instead of waiting for the water on the stove to get warm. Maybe this is why my brain never fully developed and my younger sister got an academic scholarship. They didn’t microwave her milk. If I microwaved my kids’ milk today my wife would turn me...READ MORE

How Things Have CHANGED!

The word change on a red block in the middle of wooden blocks

How Things Have CHANGED!

             In the 1960’s when I was a young boy, life was much different than it is today. Life was simpler but labor was harder. You didn’t have much interaction with others but your immediate family. Life wasn’t necessarily better, just different.

Technology:

1960s: The 1960s saw the early stages of the computer- with the development of mainframe computers. I can remember in the early to mid-seventies when our college...READ MORE

Estate Planning. Not Easy, But Essential.

Couple meeting with a man and a laptop

Estate Planning. Not Easy, But Essential.

Over the past five years, I have been writing an annual article to remind our newsletter readers about estate planning. I recently had a customer and good friend contact me regarding this topic. He decided it was time to get his financial situation in order because, like all of us, he isn’t getting any younger! Within a couple of months, he was able to meet with an attorney regarding the preparation of his Will, Power of Attorney for Business and Power of Attorney for Healthcare.
...READ MORE

Paycheck Protecting Program - 2021 - CLOSED

PPP application

Paycheck Protecting Program - 2021 - CLOSED

As part of the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program was established in 2020 to help pay employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested, please fill out an application below. If you have any questions, please reach out to any Bruning Bank location!

Small businesses, sole proprietorships, self-employed and independent contractors can all apply for PPP. It is encouraged to fill out the application as soon as you are able as to take advantage of the program before...READ MORE

Avoiding Fraud During the Pandemic

Digital fraud screen

Avoiding Fraud During the Pandemic

As if 2020 didn’t throw enough at us, scammers are hard at work. Make sure you are staying alert because it seems that Coronavirus scams are spreading nearly as fast as the virus itself. According to the Federal Trade Commission as of February 1, 2021, Coronavirus related scams have cost Americans $320 million so far.

From phishing emails and texts to robocalls and imposter schemes, fraudsters are out there in full force to take advantage where they can. They closely follow the...READ MORE

House Hunting? What to Know.

House Hunting

House Hunting? What to Know.

Bruning Bank’s mission statement is to assist in building and maintaining wealth. This means that we look out for your entire financial wellbeing, not just a small part of it. As a mortgage loan officer, I look at the big picture – you may be able to afford the house payment now, but what about future debt you may incur? A large house payment may seem fine if you don’t have a car payment, but what if your car breaks down and you have to get a loan for a new one? Will you still be able to...READ MORE

USDA Assistance Program for Producers

Black cattle in corn stalks

USDA Assistance Program for Producers

USDA is providing financial assistance to our producers who continue to face market disruptions because of COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2, or CFAP 2. If your operation has been directly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, you can apply with your local Farm Service Agency between now and December 11, 2020. 

Eligible commodities include cattle, hogs and sheep. Breeding stock are not eligible, but any female that has not had a baby or male that...READ MORE

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