Our Biddeford location will be closed on Friday, October 9, for emergency maintenance. Digital banking is available 24/7, and alternative nearby branches can be found at empeople.com/locations. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

Plan

A pharmacist hands a bag of medicine to a man as he finishes filling out paperwork at the pharmacy counter.

How to make the most of your HSA, FSA, 401(k) and IRA before year-end

Quick summary: Key year-end action steps  Check your FSA: Review your balance and plan deadline, so you don't lose unused funds.  Review your 401(k): Take advantage of any employer match available to you.  Consider HSA and IRA funding: You may have until Tax Day to make eligible contributions for the previous year.  Check other benefits: [...]

A man seals his window with caulk.

How to winterize a house to save energy

Winter heating bills can be painful enough without paying for warm air that’s escaping through drafty windows, worn weatherstripping, or an underinsulated attic.  And keeping that heat inside could matter even more this year. The average U.S. household is projected to spend $1,030 on heating this winter, an 8.7% increase over last year. That increase […]

A young woman smiles as she drives a car through fall scenery. Her dog is sitting in the passenger seat.

Why September is one of the best times of year to buy a car

September may be one of the best times of year to buy a car. Labor Day promotions, the end of the third quarter, and changing model-year inventory can create opportunities for buyers.  But timing is only part of getting a good deal when financing a car. Preparing your credit and comparing auto financing options can […]

A man inspects and photographs his crashed car after a traffic accident.

What does gap insurance cover and when might you need it

What does gap insurance cover? Gap insurance is optional auto insurance coverage you can take out when leasing or purchasing a new or used vehicle with an auto loan. Gap insurance covers some or all of the difference between what you owe on a car loan or lease and what your auto insurer pays if [...]

A young businesswoman is arriving at the office, opening the glass door while holding a coffee cup in her other hand.

How to use your checking account like a CFO: Cash flow tips that build wealth

At some point, managing your money stops being about learning to budget or stretching each paycheck to build some savings.  Your career has grown, your income has increased, and life has become more complicated. Maybe you’ve bought a home, started a family, picked up a side hustle, or you’re juggling car payments, childcare and retirement […]

Woman is sitting in her tent with her Yorkshire terrier dog and working on her laptop while camping.

Banking for the digital nomad lifestyle: Tips for working from anywhere

Working remotely no longer has to mean working from home.  More professionals are embracing the digital nomad lifestyle by taking extended workcations, spending summers with family, working from a vacation home, or even traveling the world — all while freelancing or keeping a full-time remote job.  Whether you’re relocating to a new city for a […]

A man uses his mobile smartphone while standing with his suitcase inside an airport terminal.

Digital banking on vacation: 6 features you need

Vacation is supposed to be relaxing. Worrying about a lost debit card, a suspicious transaction or a missed bill payment back home isn’t.  Fortunately, digital banking services make it easier than ever to manage your finances while you’re away. Whether you’re traveling across the country or internationally, online and mobile banking tools can help you monitor account activity, respond quickly to potential fraud, and keep your trip running smoothly.  Years ago, managing money […]

Learn the best way to build credit from scratch, even if your finances are already stable. Simple, low-risk strategies to improve your credit score.

The best way to build credit when you don’t need to borrow money

You’ve done the hard part. You’ve built up savings, organized your credit union or bank accounts and created some financial stability.  But there’s one piece missing: your credit history.  If you’ve never used credit before, it can feel like a catch-22: You need credit history to qualify for credit cards or loans — but you need credit cards or loans to start building credit history in the first place.  But if you’ve already been investing in your financial health, you’re in a […]

A couple holds hands as they smile at each other lovingly.

10 financial questions to ask before you get married

Getting married means combining more than calendars and closet space. It also means figuring out how you and your future spouse will make everyday financial decisions together. Money tends to come up more often than couples may expect. A recent survey of U.S. couples found the average pair has about 58 arguments a year about […]

A father arrives home, bending down in the entryway to hug his son and daughter.

7 things to know about your finances after divorce

Divorce can affect nearly every part of your financial life, from your monthly budget to your retirement timeline.   The transition often comes with big changes: a shift in income, new housing costs, different financial responsibilities and a long list of accounts and documents to update. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to make important financial decisions while your life is still in flux. That’s why practical advice can […]