Borrowing Smart

Borrowing money—or “credit,” in financial speak—is an essential tool in your personal financial toolkit. When managed well, credit makes it easier to achieve life’s goals.

Articles

A woman in a gray sweater sits on her couch using her debit card to make holiday gift purchases from her laptop
Top 5 Rewards Card Mistakes to Avoid

Credit card rewards can translate into hundreds of dollars. Get smarter about using your card rewards and avoid these common mistakes.

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How Do I Improve My Credit Score?

Every year, make your free request for all three credit reports and check your reports and your score.

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A woman in a yellow shirt and gray sweater gets the debit card from her green wallet to pay a bill or make a purchase from her laptop at home
6 Biggest Credit Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding common credit mistakes can keep money in your pocket, and credit available when you need it most.

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What is a Credit Report?

A credit report is your credit “report card,” used by lending institutions to decide what kind of credit you’re eligible for, and at what rate.

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How Do I Get a Credit Report?

You’re entitled to a free credit report from each credit reporting agency at least once a year.

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Woman in gray tank top handing her credit card to a grocery clerk for a purchase
What Affects My Credit Score?

In determining your FICO score (credit score), several factors are weighted.

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Why Do I Need Credit?

Sometimes, it makes good financial sense to borrow today for something that can significantly improve your life or your family’s, now or in the future.

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A senior woman wearing a watch and green sweater holds a pile of mail and looks worried as she makes a phone call
Is My Credit Report Accurate?

Once you have your credit report, you need to make sure it’s correct.

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Calculators

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What will it take to pay off my balance?

Use this calculator to help you determine how you could pay off your credit card, based either on a desired timeframe or monthly payment amount.

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Should I consolidate my debts?

Use this tool to compare monthly payments, total interest, and total tax savings between your existing loans and credit cards with a new loan into consolidating all your debts.

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Should I pay off debt or invest in savings?

Use this calculator to help you determine whether paying off your debt or investing the same amount would be a better financial decision.

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How we can help...

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Ready to sign up for AlwaysChecking?

Enroll in AlwaysChecking through Online Banking or the Mobile app — It's FREE with any existing or new personal checking account.

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Credit Cards

Convenience and rewards make our credit cards a great way to pay.

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Savings and Money Market

Grow your money with an interest earning savings or money market.

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On April 2, 2022, People's United Bank, N.A. merged into M&T Bank. It is now part of M&T Bank and its former branches and most services will operate as the People's United division of M&T Bank until we complete the integration of our systems later in 2022. M&T Bank is a Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Lender.