Knowledge Center

From Personal Banker to Executive Vice President: Shari Kruzinski’s Commitment to WSFS and Others Drives Success

Shari Kruzinski’s career can be defined with one word: commitment. Kruzinski has remained dedicated to WSFS and her fellow Associates, her Community and the success of women throughout her more than 30-year career at the bank, one that began as a Floating Personal Banker at age 19.

Market Minute

The markets and the economy are ever-changing, making it hard to keep up sometimes. Let WSFS help you make sense of it all. Tune in to our Market Minute update from Andrew N. Davis, CFA®, Director of Research at West Capital Management, a subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corporation.

New Study Shows Cash Remains a Mainstay for Both Consumers and Businesses, Even in the Age of Technology

Despite the availability of technology-driven forms of payment such as credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets, cash remains a mainstay for both consumers making payments (40% prefer to use cash) and businesses accepting them (78% accept cash as a form of payment), according to a new study published by Cash Connect, a division of WSFS Bank that provides cash logistics services.

Is Now the Time to Introduce Alternative Strategies into Your Investment Portfolio?

Is the traditional 60/40 portfolio being challenged by a new paradigm? That architype relates to the historically negative correlation between bonds and equities. This year the two major asset classes have experienced a positive correlation, move in the same direction, causing investors to wonder if this type of environment will last longer. If it does, this could be a great opportunity to introduce alternative strategies into a portfolio. We believe this strategy can help you meet your overall goals while maintaining the overall risk profile of a portfolio at its desired level.

How a Small Business Commercial Real Estate Loan Can Help Owners Plant Roots and Reinvest in Their Business

For many small business owners, finding the right location is only half the battle. From lease agreements and rising costs of rent to finding a new location when necessary, sifting through the options can be overwhelming and time consuming – and it takes you away from driving sales and revenue.

How to Determine if a Personal Loan is Right for You

With interest rates at record lows, there has been a huge focus on Americans borrowing money for new homes, home remodels and long-delayed weddings or vacations. In many homebuying or remodeling instances, people take out a mortgage or use their homes’ equity to fund a new purchase or improvements to their existing homes.

Tips for Identifying the Right Financing Partner in the Veterinary Industry

A veterinarian’s job is to care for our beloved furry friends that, unfortunately, can’t communicate exactly what’s wrong or what they are feeling. Therefore, many veterinarians rely on equipment such as ultrasounds, digital radiography, endoscopes and analyzers to give them a more holistic view of the situation at hand, and to help make informed recommendations and decisions.

Cash Still Plays a Role in Everyday Payments

A recent study found that consumers still use cash for everyday payments as well as budgeting. The survey polled 1,500 Americans to analyze their payment preferences and found 51% said using cash helps them budget their money, with Gen Z being the most likely to agree.

Grow or Sell – What’s the Next Move for Your Business?

The past year’s unpredictability has business owners large and small deciding what their next step should be, including whether now is an optimal time to grow or sell their business.

Startup Grind with Candice Caruso

Candice Caruso joined Dr. Dan Young of TEDx – Wilmington on a recent episode of Startup Grind, an international collection of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who share best practices and learnings in their careers.

Money Management 101: For Recent Graduates, the Financial Journey Begins Now

You did it! With your college, trade school or high school diploma in hand, you’re ready to strike out on your own into the real world. Whether you have a job in your chosen field lined up or are searching for the right opportunity, now is a great time to take a good look at your post-graduate finances to determine next steps in your new money management journey.

Six Ways to Protect your 401(k) During a Stock Market Crash

A stock market crash is simply a sharp downturn in prices that can happen swiftly and often with no notice. They have happened for centuries, and we will continue to experience them. A decline of 30%-40% is not unprecedented and can invoke fear, causing us to act unlike ourselves. We may even inadvertently throw our financial plans off track, which is where a good financial adviser can be invaluable.

How To Avoid Vacation Scams

Vacation season is heating up! After a year that saw trips and plans cancelled due to the pandemic, many consumers are eager to get back on the road or in the air, but vacation-related scams are on the rise, with increasing reports of rental car and vacation home rental scams.

Is it a Match? Key Considerations When Evaluating Your Business Banking Relationship

Banking options aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is your business. Like your business, your banking partner plays a critical role to your success, requiring regular monitoring to ensure it fits your needs now and down the road. A lot can change in a fiscal year so evaluating your relationship annually is smart business.

Celebrating Pride Month: Embracing Change Leads Lex Wainwright To a Career He Loves

When Lex Wainwright began his career, he didn’t see his journey leading him toward banking. After obtaining his B.S. in interior design with a minor in art history from The Art Institutes, Wainwright was working with an architect prior to joining one of Philadelphia’s most exclusive firms as an interior designer.

Celebrating Pride Month: Vanessa Kreckel’s Eye for Design and Love of Having an Inclusive Culture Drives TPD Design House’s Success

When Vanessa Kreckel started Two Paperdolls (now known as TPD Design House) at the kitchen table of her home in 2001, she didn’t imagine her business would grow into a full-service design agency in Wayne, Pennsylvania with 35 full time employees.

Celebrating Small Businesses That Inspired and Thrived During the Pandemic

Endure. Persevere. Adapt. Pivot. These four words, and many more, describe thousands of small businesses in the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region and what they did to survive when the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts were felt.

How To Discuss Finances as a Couple

The excitement that comes with the decision to purchase a home together, getting engaged or married can bring with it some added stress, particularly when it comes to discussing shared finances. According to a recent WSFS Bank study, 50% of Millennial and Gen Zers said discussing money with family makes them very uncomfortable.

How Inflation Affects Us, and How We Can Prepare For it

Inflation is the rate at which the cost of goods and services rises over time and can affect almost any good or service: food, housing, utilities, entertainment. As inflation rises, the purchasing power of consumers is diminished because over time inflation adds up, the value of the dollar declines, and consumers are forced to spend much more for the same basket of goods and services.

Celebrating Pride Month: Joe Kirk’s Journey Leads Him Toward Building a More Equitable Community

Joe Kirk’s life and career have taken him many places through the years, from his roots in Southern New Jersey, to obtaining his MBA in Puerto Rico, to Delaware, where he landed at WSFS Bank in March.

What You Should Know Before Buying a Vacation Home

Over the past year, many people have changed the way they look at their homes. In many instances, homeowners have looked to upgrade to accommodate their working and living arrangements.

Celebrating Pride Month: Terry Kistler Helps To Build an Inclusive Environment at Work and in the Community

After beginning his career in the restaurant industry, where he served as a restaurant manager for more than 15 years, Terry Kistler made the move to banking and financial services while living in Florida. Following his time in the Sunshine State, he moved back north to a different shore, landing at WSFS Bank in Lewes, Del.

When will Gold Shine Again? Look at Real Yields

Gold is one of the most debated topics in investing. Some experts love it, others turn away. Investors focus on numerous factors that drive the price of gold. One common factor is supply and demand. Another common factor is uncertainty in the markets and one that is less obvious but seems to have more predictive power over the last decade, is real yields.

Celebrating Small Businesses: Max Fitness Keeps Clients Connected to Their Workouts and Each Other by Creating Daily Sessions for Online Community

Eric Hailey had a feeling COVID-19 would impact his business, Max Fitness in Mt. Laurel, NJ, even before shutdown orders took effect. Two weeks prior, he began recording “One Weight Workout” videos for clients so they could stay in shape while his fitness center was shut down.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: How Giving Back and Leaning on Relationships Helped Jung Ahn and His Team Navigate the Pandemic

When Jung Ahn and his business partners, David Taing and Kenny Poon, opened their The Halal Guys franchise in Chinatown Square in Philadelphia, Pa. more than six years ago, he never could have envisioned how a global pandemic would further deepen his strong roots in Philadelphia’s small business and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

Traveling This Summer? Be Prepared to Alter How You Spend Your Budget

With COVID-19 vaccinations underway, restrictions easing and the school year wrapping up, many people are ready to get out of the house and spend their summers traveling again. Whether visiting family and friends, getting back to annual vacations or choosing new destinations to explore, travelers are charting their plans. However, with some restrictions still in place or limited availability for flights or lodging, traveling on a traditional budget could prove difficult.

Finding the Right Financing Partner for Your Business

Choosing the right equipment financing partner for your business may seem daunting because there are many options and not all financing is equal. Those in woodworking know that there has been an uptick in demand across various segments like furniture or kitchen cabinets. Finding the right equipment and then someone to finance it quickly is key to keeping up with demand or growing the business.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Shaheen Mohajer Embraces Change to Help Grow His Career and Communities

Born in Iran in Western Asia, Shaheen Mohajer’s journey has led him to embrace change throughout his personal life and his career. “At the age of six, my family and I escaped from Iran due to religious persecutions and danger to our family for being members of the Baha’i Faith,” Mohajer said. “We were trying to find a home for about two years until America opened its arms to us as religious refugees.”

Celebrating Small Businesses: Annamarie’s Place Stays Open, Helps Fellow Local Restaurants Stay Afloat and Feed Families in Need During Pandemic

After being in business for 26 years, Annamarie Chestnut knew she had to prioritize two things when the pandemic hit: her team and her community. Her team wanted to work, so Annamarie’s Place quickly switched from a breakfast and lunch establishment to serving all meals as a takeout restaurant. Having never served dinner before, Annamarie’s purchased food and supplies from other restaurants who could not stay open, helping them recover some of their money.

Important Steps for Proper Retirement Planning

Many of us are familiar with using a map to reach an unknown destination or following directions to assemble an item. Think furniture from a certain Swedish store. Without the map, we’d have a tough time finding our destination and without the directions we’d have an even more challenging time assembling the furniture.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Asian American Women’s Coalition Supports the Advancement of the Community through Leadership and Scholarships

Co-founded in 1987 by community leader and the “Godmother of Chinatown,” Cecilia Moy Yep, the Asian American Women’s Coalition (AAWC) is dedicated to the advancement of Asian American women through leadership and mutual support.

Celebrating Small Businesses: Little Goat Coffee Roasting Owners and Employees Team up to Transform Their Shop, Support the Local Business Community

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a turning point for Little Goat Coffee Roasting’s owners, Joe Lins and Olivia Brinton. After having started Little Goat in 2017 at a local framer’s market with two dollars in savings, bucking the odds was something they were accustomed to.

Ways to Prepare for Receiving an Inheritance

An estimated $60 trillion is expected to be transferred from baby boomers to their heirs in the coming years. The passing of a loved one, sometimes unexpectedly, can be especially stressful. Receiving an inheritance can further compound the emotional strain, particularly if you are settling the estate, dealing with creditors, and organizing the assets.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Don Lee’s ‘Never Quit’ Attitude Benefits Customers and Communities

After joining WSFS Bank as a Corporate Banking Trainee in 2012, Don Lee hit the ground running, using hard work, discipline and a desire to learn continuously to start his climb up the proverbial corporate ladder.

Celebrating Small Businesses: How the Owners of Lavish, A Jenée Chanel Salon, Reinvented Their Business to Grow from a Local Salon to a National Retailer

When Jenée Brockington and Turquoise McKenzie opened Lavish, A Jenée Chanel Salon, five years ago, the childhood friends couldn’t have imagined that the hair growth serum they developed for their loyal Philadelphia customers would spark their small business’ resurgence during a pandemic.

How to Fuel Your Small Business’ Post-Pandemic Rebound

The past year has seen dramatic change for many small businesses, from operations and personnel needs to customer preferences around purchasing and delivery of products and services.

WSFS Teaches Younger Generations the Value of Giving Back with Take Your Children to the Community Day

For years, WSFS has helped instill the value of service to the community in future generations each April through “Take Your Children to the Community Day,” WSFS’ spin on the national “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.”

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation Supports Community Through Comprehensive Programs

From its start as a grassroots organization 55 years ago, the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) has grown to support the community through a variety of initiatives and avenues.

Emerging Markets: Ripe for an Upswing?

With the majority of market chatter engulfed in the inflation debate, certain asset classes have been a focus for portfolios. Typically, investors flock to commodities during times of high or expected high inflation. Another asset class that can help mitigate inflation risks in a portfolio is emerging market equities.

Ways to Prepare for Wealth Transfer to the Next Generation

An estimated $60 trillion is expected to be transferred from baby boomers to their heirs in the coming years. Accordingly, it is always important to meet with a financial advisor to ensure that the “great wealth transfer” is a smooth one for you and your loved ones. The more proactive you are, the more likely you are to achieve your goals of reducing taxes, giving to charity, and the list goes on.

The Homebuying Market is Tough – Take These Steps to Be a More Attractive Buyer

For months, most of the region has experienced a white-hot real estate market as interest rates remained low and people sought new homes to fit their pandemic-influenced work, school and leisure lifestyles.

How To Improve Your Credit Score

Building a solid credit score can go a long way toward achieving your financial goals, but it can get a bit confusing when it comes to establishing and improving your score.

No Inventory, No Problem. Tap Into Your Home Equity to Get the Features You Can’t Find in a Crunched Housing Market

By now, it is no secret that finding a new home is a daunting task for many would-be homebuyers. Low inventory levels, coupled with rising prices, are creating immense competition, leaving even the most prepared and financially attractive buyers left out of the frenzy to find a home with more space and features they desire. In fact, a recent WSFS Mortgage study revealed that more than two-thirds (69%) of respondents feel the middle class is being squeezed out of the market.

How Does Your Credit Score Impact Your Financial Goals?

Whether you’ve built a solid credit score already or have one that still needs work, it’s important to know what ways your credit score affects you.

Spring Cleaning: How to Freshen Up Your Financial Situation

Spring is in the air, which for many means it’s time for a little spring cleaning. After a difficult year for many financially, there’s one often overlooked item you’ll want to ensure is on your spring cleaning checklist: your finances.

What Is a Credit Score and What Impacts It?

Your credit score can play a large role in achieving your financial goals. A recent WSFS Bank study of 2,005 Americans between ages 18-40 found 65% of respondents agreed they understood what types of behavior impact their credit scores. But, understanding what exactly your credit score is and what impacts it can have gets confusing at times, and it never hurts to have a refresher.

Five Important Topics Your Financial Advisor Should Cover During a Portfolio Review

Everyone has different financial needs, and proper planning is a critical step to ensure you are on track to meet your goals. When we are young, life seems simple, but as we age our lives become more complex and this requires more planning. When you meet with a financial advisor, it is important for the advisor to understand every component of your life. During a portfolio review meeting, you and your advisor should cover these five topics.

Long Growth Stocks Equals Increased Interest Rate Risk

Duration is a term used in fixed income investing. It is a measure of interest rate risk that a bond or fixed income strategy has. Bond prices and interest rates move inverse to each other; thus, interest rate risk is the potential reduction in the value of a bond if interest rates move higher. The longer the duration, the larger the loss.

Celebrating Women’s History Month: WSFS’ Lisa Washington Discusses Paths to Success and Finding the Right Balance in Your Career and Life

Lisa Washington, SVP and Chief Legal Officer at WSFS Bank, has held a variety of positions during her nearly 30-year career, from working as an attorney for national law firms to Chief Legal Officer at an energy management company.

Approach Your Small Business’ Lending Options With an Eye On Cash Flow, Growth and Preparedness

When we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many small business owners will have gone a full year or more trying to secure or continue loan programs designed to help them survive during incredibly stressful times and circumstances.

How to Build Financial Foundations for Younger Generations

A solid financial education foundation can be key to future success managing money. Unfortunately, many younger generations are left with the feeling they’re “on their own” to figure things out when it comes to personal finances. A recent study from WSFS Bank of 2,005 Americans between ages 18-40 found 61% of respondents agreed that most of what they’ve learned about finance was through osmosis, with 75% of men agreeing compared to 49% of women.

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Alice Paul Institute Honors the Legacy of One Female Trailblazer While Developing Future Leaders

Founded in 1984 to honor the legacy of suffragist Alice Paul’s work for gender equality, The Alice Paul Institute (API), based in Mount Laurel, NJ, works to educate the public and train future generations of female leaders.

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Corynn Ciber Helps Drive WSFS’ Delivery Transformation to Better Serve Customers

Having worked in the finance and technology industries for nearly 25 years, Corynn Ciber is no stranger to breaking barriers. In two industries that women have been underrepresented in, she has blazed her own trail, leading to her role as Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at WSFS Bank.

The Competition for Homes is Tough – Here’s How to Stay a Step Ahead

Spring is almost upon us, and normally the homebuying season would be warming up with the weather. Instead, it is expected to remain red hot, as it has been for months since we emerged from the pandemic’s first wave last summer.

Celebrating Women’s History Month: LaShelle Birch Breaks New Ground, Expands Operations as a Second-Generation Business Owner

As a second-generation business leader and female business owner in a predominantly male-dominated industry, LaShelle Birch knows a thing or two about “proving it.”

How To Protect Your Bank Accounts from Fraud

Thousands of consumers fall victim to fraud daily. From phishing schemes to imposters pretending to be your bank, there are no shortage of scams, and you need to remain vigilant in order to protect yourself, your information and your bank accounts.

How to Invest Cash When Rates Are Low

Is yield too much to ask for? In a low interest rate environment with tight credit spreads, the answer at a first glance seems to be yes. For those who are aware, yield is defined as the income return on your investments.

In the Current Homebuying Market, Be Ready to Think About Your Needs and the Process Differently

As we move into the spring homebuying season, one thing remains clear—the market will remain red hot in many areas throughout the region.

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Junior League of Wilmington Advances Women’s Causes for More than a Century

Since 1918, the Junior League of Wilmington (JLW) has been committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving local Communities. “For 100+ years, the JLW has identified issues affecting the Community, and created solutions to serve the Wilmington population, through Community projects and partners,” said Jessica Chapple, President, Junior League of Wilmington.

Give Your Small Business the Home it Deserves

During the life span of their business, every small business owner faces decisions about where to open a physical location, whether to stay there long term, and if they own the building, what improvements to make and how to finance them.

Use Your Tax Refund Wisely

It’s that time of year! Tax season is quickly approaching and though some may dread having to complete their 2020 returns, many look forward to receiving a refund. This begs the question “what should I do with my refund if I get one?”

Celebrating Women’s History Month: By Never Letting Go of Her Entrepreneurial Spirit, Doaa Mohamed Keeps a 20 Year Dream Alive to Open Her Own Franchise

When Doaa Mohamed first started dreaming of owning her own franchise business in 2000, she was a 20-year-old retail manager with limited financial resources.

Using Credit to Access Capital for Your Small Business

When entrepreneurs reach a point in their businesses where they need additional cash flow, they often look to credit. While credit is a good resource for a new small business venture, it’s important to use it wisely, much like personal credit. In fact, an owner’s personal credit history can affect their ability to get credit for their business too. This is especially true for startups and sole proprietorships. In the early stages of building your business, your personal budget and credit can be a factor in your business’ finances.

In a Post-pandemic Economy, Small Business Leaders Will Need New Strategies for Success

The new normal. It’s a phrase we’ve been hearing for nearly a year, generally referring to how we must adapt and adjust to changing safety protocols, shopping habits, work and school environments and more as we navigate our daily lives in a pandemic.

Celebrating Black History Month: WSFS Bank’s Michael Conklin Leans on Strength and Wisdom of Previous Generations as He Charts His Own Path to Success

Growing up in Wisconsin in the 1970s and 1980s, Michael Conklin, WSFS Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, knew he would have to approach every day with an inner drive and resolve to succeed.

Americans Under 40 Figure Out Their Financial Future

According to a WSFS Bank Study of Millennials and Gen Z consumers, 65% of respondents describe their overall financial situation as either “good” or “excellent,” and nearly six in 10 (58%) are optimistic that they’ll achieve their financial goals one day.

Celebrating Black History Month: African American Museum in Philadelphia Brings Diverse Communities Together Through Art, Culture and History

Since its founding in 1976, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) has interpreted and presented the achievements and aspirations of African Americans from pre-colonial times to the current day.

Despite Financial Optimism, Common Monetary Goals Feel Out of Reach for Millennials and Gen Zers

It’s no secret Millennial and Gen Z consumers have faced their fair share of adversity from financial crises as they matured from adolescence into adulthood. And while every generation faces financial setbacks, these adverse events have had a profound impact on these younger Americans, affecting their habits and leaving some common goals feeling out of reach, according to a new study from WSFS Bank of 2,005 Americans between ages 18-40.

Why Construction Loans Aren’t Always the Same – And What to Know Before You Get One

While the past year has posed many challenges, it has also presented several opportunities for developers and businesses to identify new avenues for both residential and commercial building. For example, many sectors like life sciences, grocery and multifamily have seen an increase in construction activity over the past year due to the current climate and needs of communities.

Renovate Your Home or Buy New – Which is Better?

Over the past year, the idea of what the home looks like and its daily purpose has changed for many people. Sure, we wanted to have our creature comforts to come home to after a long day at work. But the COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges to how we use the space available to us and how we view the long-term viability of our current homes.

Mid-Cap Investments: Easily Forgotten but Never Should Be

One area of the equity markets that often gets neglected is the mid cap space. Investors and the media primarily focus on large capitalized companies. At certain times, small cap companies will be mentioned as pockets of opportunities to increase portfolio returns. But mid cap companies barely get any attention, as if they don’t even exist. I am of the opinion that over the intermediate term, mid cap companies could be fruitful investments within client portfolios.

Celebrating Black History Month: MLK VOICE 4 YOUTH Provides Students a Platform to Speak Up on Important Issues

Since its founding in 2016, MLK VOICE 4 YOUTH has provided Delaware students a safe platform to speak up on issues important to them and creatively share how Dr. King's legacy guides their response to today’s challenges.

Celebrating Black History Month: How Ron Dutton’s Work at WSFS and Nonprofits Helps to Better Communities

In a career that has spanned more than 25 years in banking and financial services, Ron Dutton has held a variety of roles from business banking and government and institution banking to his current position as Senior Vice President, Director, Community Reinvestment at WSFS Bank.

How To Adjust Your Budget During COVID

One of the keys to building a successful budget is to continually reevaluate your income and variable expenses, accounting for any needed adjustments.

Celebrating Black History Month: How Tanya Hill-Holliday Became the First Black Female McDonald’s Franchise Owner in Philadelphia

When Tanya Hill-Holliday speaks, it is impossible to not listen and feel inspired. Hill-Holliday, the founder, president and CEO of TanWay Enterprises, forged her path of leadership as a state track and field champion in high school, then as a part time McDonald’s employee while earning her degree in business administration and management at Morgan State University.

What You Need to Know About PPP Forgiveness, the New Round of PPP Loans and Additional Stimulus for Your Business

In December 2020, the Federal government passed a new $900 billion stimulus that includes $284 billion in additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for small businesses.

Financial Planning is Key to a Successful Retirement for Business Owners

Business owners are a special breed: full of passion, grit, experience and persistence. They work a lifetime to build their businesses. However, while they pay themselves along the way, the real money, the wealth they have worked so hard to create, is primarily housed in their business.

TeenSHARP Boosts Students’ Academic and Professional Careers with Help from WSFS

Founded in South Jersey in 2009, TeenSHARP works to increase underrepresented students’ access to college and develop student-leaders who are successful, high-achieving and reaching potential (S.H.A.R.P.).

Investing During Life’s Stages

While you would ideally start saving for retirement when you earn your first paycheck, that’s not reality for most Americans. There may be many reasons for being unable to save for retirement, including having experienced financial hardship for a year or more, having to take time off from work to be a caregiver, or having accumulated medical or college debt.

When Buying a New (or New to You) Car, Plan Ahead and Stick to Your Strategy

For some people, buying a car can be a nerve-wracking experience. The auto industry has made great strides in creating no-hassle, enjoyable car buying experiences, but there’s still a lot to consider such as down payments, financing, and what price point realistically fits into your budget.

Finding the Right Fit: How a Lifelong Engineering Leader Pivoted to a New Career as a Small Business Owner

After running a factory in corporate America for 25 years, Nate West wasn’t short on options when considering the next phase of his career.

This Year, Look at Your Small Business Checkup Through a Different Lens

In a year of constant change, one thing remains the same for your small business: it’s time to assess your business’s successes and opportunities heading into 2021.

WSFS Grant Helps 4th-Dimension Leaders Develop Transformational School Administrators

Founded in 2015, Wilmington-based Lead for Delaware’s goal was to train school leaders who could create meaningful change in high-need schools throughout the state.

New Year, New Goals: Zero-in on Your Small Business’s Finances and Strategy to Meet This Year’s Goals

Every year, small business owners and operators assess the wins and opportunities from the previous twelve months, looking for new ways to drive revenue, save money, leverage new innovations or technology, and provide their customers with the products and services they desire.

How To Budget for 2021…and Beyond

The New Year is a great time for a fresh start, and there is no better way to get that start than by setting yourself up for financial success in 2021 and beyond.

How Hosting an On-site ATM Generates Business

During these challenging times, as business owners are looking for new ways to generate new income and increase foot traffic to their storefronts, they may want to consider adding a customer convenience that also brings in revenue – a bank-branded ATM.

Equity vs Bond Markets 2021, A Tale of Two Cities

Looking to 2021, equity and bond market dynamics are fascinating to say the least. Equity markets might have one of the best backdrops in years. However, a lot hinges on the two Georgia Senate runoff elections to occur on January 5th, 2021.

End of Year Checkup – Take Stock of Your 2020 Finances to Prepare for 2021

In many households, 2020 has seen changes in our financial lives. The COVID-19 pandemic changed what we spend on and what we save for, such as more groceries due to working and schooling from home or less on transportation and parking. For others, the pandemic has had an immediate, and in some cases lasting, impact on income.

WSFS Grant Helps Sussex Montessori Provide Alternative Approach to Education

When work for the Sussex Montessori School began in conjunction with Montessori Works in 2013, the goal was to establish an innovative educational opportunity through an affordable Montessori school in Sussex County, Del.

Managing Your Small Business’ Relationships – Tips For 2021 and Beyond

When small business leaders look back on 2020, many will see recurring themes of change, resiliency and the importance of relationships as they adapted to an unpredictable operating environment.

How to Use Social Media to Promote Your Small Business During the Holidays

Social media is now more pertinent than ever for small businesses. It is the word-of-mouth in the digital age. This holiday season, social media is a great tool to ask your customers to support you by shopping small. Understanding how to engage with potential customers is the first step.

Advisor Timing: When Should I Hire a Wealth Partner?

Do you like to “dabble” in the stock market? Get a “hot tip” at a cocktail party? Read about a new technology or promising new drug and decide to take a “flyer” on its stock? It may be fun to do this with extra cash you may have, but do you have a long-term investing plan?

This Holiday Season, Make Your Money Work Smarter – and Safer – For You

These days, budgeting for the holidays is not only about saving for shopping – it’s also about saving while you shop. With the plethora of options available online, in stores and through how you pay, it’s easy to stack savings while stuffing your family’s stockings.

How To Keep Your Information Safe This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for cheer and gift giving to loved ones and friends. In the excitement of searching for that special gift, shopping for them can bring some risk for loss of personal or financial information when you aren’t prepared.

Five Financial Moves to Consider Before the End of the Year

Annual financial check-ups are as important as annual physicals at your doctor’s office. Life gets busy and it is easy to put these things off. It is important to your financial well-being to make sure you review your investments and goals at least annually so that there are no surprises along the way. Here are five simple things you can do before year-end to help you stay on track.

For Women-Owned Business Leaders, Now is the Time for Professional and Personal Growth

As a leader, recognizing traits in individuals that are fits for your organization and its culture is key. But a leader’s job isn’t just finding the right people – it’s cultivating talent, enriching employees’ careers and lives – and your own.

Post-Election, a Diversified Portfolio is Needed

One could argue that if there ever is a time to stress diversification in an investment portfolio it would be 2020 post-election.

Consumers Are Ready to Shop Local – Capture Their Attention and Boost Your Holiday Sales

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have had to make changes to how they operate, pivoting to keep up with local restrictions as they intensify or ease.

Young Investors: Time Is On Your Side

With age comes wisdom, but in investing, it is wise to invest before you age. In a recent WSFS Wealth survey of consumers in the greater Philadelphia region and Delaware, two-thirds of young people (67%) are concerned about outliving their money.

Tax and Cash Flow Implications for Your Hobby or Business

You just finished giving your first drum lesson to a friend and are feeling confident enough to continue giving lessons more often.

Investing in Financial Markets Through the Ups and Down

The resilience of the stock market during the pandemic is one of the more remarkable stories in this most unprecedented of years. Despite COVID-19, a recession, social unrest and natural disasters, the Dow Jones Industrial average is up significantly since it cratered in March.

Businesses Prove They Have the Grit, Resiliency and Relationships to Weather a Pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused parts of America to lock down last spring, many businesses were directly and swiftly impacted. Some businesses needed to pivot on short notice to safely keep their doors open and provide customers with the products and services they expected and needed. Others began to plan for when they could open again under much different guidelines than before.

A Community of Collaboration: These Local Artists Are Using Creativity to Fuel Their Passions and Careers

In the 11 months since REC Philly opened its new space in Philadelphia’s Fashion District, much has changed for its members in the arts community.

What Is IRS Section 179 and How Can It Help Small Businesses?

Small businesses need to be mindful of their working capital, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, there is a way they can purchase the equipment and software they need by the end of the year without breaking the bank.

How To Give Back to Your Community During the Holidays

The season of giving is upon us. While the holidays typically mean quality time and exchanging gifts with family, I encourage those who can to look for ways to give back to their communities and nonprofit organizations in need of support.

Tax and Estate Planning

Estate planning is the process of determining what happens to you and your property when you can no longer make decisions because of incapacity or death. Without a plan, an already difficult situation for your loved ones can be even worse. Not having a plan can delay your medical care if you become incapacitated and make it harder to pass your wealth to your heirs if you pass away.

Business Transition Planning

Have you created a transition plan for your business? Planning for the next generation or for a potential sale can lead to a better outcome. It is important to understand the steps involved in creating a comprehensive transition plan and why starting sooner rather than later can lead to the best results for your future and that of your business.

My Advice to Women – Be Who You Are and Success Will Follow

When I reflect on my career at WSFS Bank, which started more than 30 years ago, I often think about the connection between the Bank’s growth and my own. The two are so intertwined, it is difficult for me to imagine anything transpiring differently on this journey that WSFS and I have been on together.

Turning Your Creativity into a Business: Tips for a Solid Financial Footing

You’ve learned what brush strokes to make, what notes to hit or what words to write. But here’s what they probably didn’t tell you in school: Your unique talent is also your business. And that comes with the need to have a business mindset that gives you the financial security to pursue your artistic vision.

Unemployed During COVID: A CPA’s Perspective and Lessons Learned

Like many during the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020, I found myself out of work. Waking up to a world that literally shut down overnight, it was concerning not knowing where I would find my next paycheck. Should I start a bookkeeping firm to bridge the gap between jobs?

Teamwork Makes the Assets Work – A Financial Advisor Can Be a Woman’s New BFF

In today’s economic and cultural backdrop, more women need to seek financial advice and prepare for a secure future. It is important for women to take ownership of their financial lives. Financial independence, maintaining one’s lifestyle and the ability to meet long-term health care needs are top priorities for women in retirement.

Election Cycles… Stay the Course

Every four years, the investing world holds their proverbial breaths to see who the next president will be. Whether it will be an incumbent President or a new candidate who wins the election, investors discuss and debate what the next four years of government policy will look like and how it will affect the markets.

Easy Ways for Consumers to Simplify Their Banking and Go Digital

Months into the pandemic, we continue to see many aspects of our lives transform at an accelerated pace. Banking is no stranger to the digital frontier. By 2006, 80 percent of U.S. banks offered online banking, in turn enabling digital banking to evolve and secure itself as a simple, safe and convenient avenue for customers to complete their financial tasks and reach their monetary goals.

Remote Onboarding: Reimagining the Future of Work

The pandemic caused most employers to reimagine hiring and onboarding practices to pivot the processes to be virtual. In this video, WSFS’ Patrick Best discusses best practices for remote onboarding, including implementing video interviewing and orientation processes, managing expectations and the need to over-communicate with interviewees, how the new hire should be treated as the “Customer,” how to integrate new hires into the company culture remotely and more.

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.

How to Choose the Right Financial Advisor for You

Most Americans believe in managing their own money. While that is ok for some, for others, they may find themselves lost and unprepared for retirement. What often bridges the gap between financial freedom in retirement and those unprepared for life’s financial challenges is an Advisor.

Tips for Helping Your Clients Get Their Mortgage–and Their Dream Home–Faster

A recent WSFS Bank survey found that homebuyers feel high levels of anxiety when purchasing a home even more than when getting married by a wide margin (64% vs. 36%). As we have all seen in recent months, the inventory shortage is contributing to multiple offers and even more anxiety for buyers.

Digital Considerations to Help You Prevent Fraud

You’ve seen it – someone sends you an email posing as your bank, asking you to verify your account information. Or maybe your business receives an electronic invoice from a vendor with a minor, yet off-putting, detail – like an unfamiliar email domain name. One small lapse of judgement on your part, and you’re compromised.

Equipment Financing for Small Businesses

For many small businesses, surviving today’s economic uncertainty means that being conservative with working capital is a necessity. Some can get by with hiring freezes or finding ways to cut down on operational costs. For those who need to purchase or upgrade expensive equipment to remain competitive, however, cutting down on costs may not be enough.

Effects of Asset Inflation Outpacing the Cost of Living

A dollar today does not represent a dollar tomorrow. Inflation is the cause of that fact. Traditional measures of inflation have depicted a lower rate of inflation over the past 20 years. However, measures used by the government agencies are missing other forms of price increases that cannot be ignored and should be considered.

Get More Confident about Investing – Start by Educating Yourself

At some point in everyone’s life, there is usually a reason that prompts you to start investing. Some of the reasons may include establishing an emergency fund, saving for a home, saving for a college education and building retirement funds.

WSFS Pivots Volunteer and Donation Efforts to Continue Community Support During COVID

The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the communities in which we live and work. As the needs of many have increased, so too have the hurdles for providing support to nonprofit and community organizations in a safe, socially distanced way.

How to Choose the Right Loan to Remodel Your Home, Make a Large Purchase or Consolidate Debt

With so much talk around home buying and refinance rates driving the housing market this summer and fall, many want to capitalize on the low rates. Homeowners are choosing to make improvements to their existing houses to accommodate remote working and schooling, or other comforts to gain more living space.

Brewing Success: How Passions for Craft Beer, Comradery and Community Led to a New Family Business

Since they first started dating, Kaitlin and Chris McCall had talked about owning their own business, and with a healthy amount of entrepreneurial spirit along with retail management, marketing and finance experience under their belts, they knew they had a foundation for success.

Building Wealth During Different Life Stages

Investing should be viewed as a lifelong process. The earlier you get started, the better off you’ll be in the long run. Whether its saving for retirement, a new house or college tuition, most of us will need to develop a disciplined savings strategy.

Meet a myWSFS Banker: Brian Korn Dishes Out Service and Pizza Advice

Lose a debit card? Brian, a myWSFS Personal Banker, can help. Have a question about a loan for your small business? Brian will set up the appointment with the right lender at WSFS Bank to get you the money you need. Need a recommendation for a pizza restaurant? Just ask Brian.

Managing Cash Access Just Got Easier

Cash isn’t dead – and neither is the means for getting it. A half century after they were introduced, automatic teller machines (ATMS) are still standing strong and banks are expanding ways for customers to use them through Mobile Cash technology.

Why Should You Give Back to Your Community?

While we often stress how saving can help lead to a better life, it is just as important to remember to be a giver as well.

Safe Investment Considerations

Many people are risk averse when it comes to investing. It’s natural to be wary of the volatility of the stock market and to want to protect your savings with a safer investment option.

Tips for How To Give Back to Your Community

Now, more than ever, communities and their nonprofit organizations need support. Social distancing has provided an extra hurdle for nonprofits to assist those in need, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

A Successful Retirement Starts with You

It starts with you. With retirement a mere five to ten years away, many Americans will start to panic thinking (perhaps appropriately) that they are not on track to retire comfortably. In the decade that I have been an advisor, I’ve seen many unique stories that all share a common thread – the desire to live life to its fullest through the choices we make, the things we own and do, and the people most important to us.

WSFS and Be Ready Community Development Corporation Team Up To Help Revitalize Wilmington Neighborhood

Pastor Lottie Lee-Davis of the Be Ready Community Development Corporation first began working alongside WSFS in about 2016 through serving on the Steering Committee for West Side Grows Together with WSFS Associate Jeff Graf, a Retail Office Manager.

Cash Management Gets a Boost from Smart Safes

In this new normal, businesses need to be more certain than ever about their cash flow. Knowing how much cash is coming in – and going out – allows you to evaluate your business’ financial standing and make necessary operational decisions to keep your business healthy.

Money Management — Simple Steps to Take Charge of Your Finances

By definition, confidence is “a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances.” People tend to exhibit confidence in their own abilities based on many factors, including knowledge and experience. Sometimes confidence is felt and observed in the moment, while at others it is seen over time through positive results.

Back-to-School 2020 – How to Prepare Your Family for Remote and In-Person Learning This Fall

Back-to-school season is here, and this year is different than any other in our lifetimes. The impact of COVID-19 on our schools last spring was swift as districts had to quickly pivot to remote learning as the pandemic intensified.

WSFS and Anthony Penna Charitable Fund Band Together to Support a Local School’s Music Program

Corynn Ciber, Senior Vice President & Chief Digital Officer at WSFS Bank, first became aware of the Anthony Penna Charitable Fund’s work in the Delaware community a few years ago.

More Stressful Than a Wedding? Many People Say Buying a Home Is Just That

Think back to the days leading up to your wedding – the tension, the fear and then the relief when the final vows were spoken. It turns out that the homebuying process is a lot like that for many people.

Tips for Rolling Over Your 401(k)

In the shifting landscape that is today’s labor market, Americans are changing jobs more frequently. It tends to happen for a myriad of reasons, from mergers and acquisitions, life events or just looking for a new opportunity.

Day Trading… Don’t Believe the Hype

The sharp downward turn in equity markets due to the pandemic and eventual global quarantine caused volatility to spike to a record high.

Delaware Businesses Respond to and Innovate Through Unprecedented Change

These truly have been unprecedented times. COVID-19 will continue to impact businesses and communities in ways we have not experienced in generations.

First-Time Homebuyer This Summer? Here’s How to Build Your Expert Team

Rents are up, mortgage rates are down, and pandemic restrictions are easing. It’s no wonder that so many people across the region are looking to buy their first homes.

WSFS Interns Help Bring Projects to Life to Assist Customers

For many students, internships help forge a path for their future careers, enabling them to gain hands-on experience and determine what type of work inspires them.

How Can You Keep Kids’ Minds Sharp This Summer?

School is out for summer! While it’s a time to rejoice for children, it can leave many parents wondering how to keep their kids learning in between ice cream cones and dips in the pool.

Lights, Camera, Action! NewsWatch TV Keeps Consumers and Businesses In-The-Know With Award-Winning Production and Programming

As a longtime small business owner, Ed Tropeano of NewsWatch TV and Bridge Communications LLC knows a thing or two about the rewards and challenges many of his clients experience when running their companies.

‘Stay Alive and Thrive’: How Three College Friends Built a Business That’s Helping Fuel the Region’s Economy

The idea to start a business together began on July 4, 2017, three friends with strong entrepreneurial spirits brainstorming ideas for a successful business and industry to break in to.

Buying into Volatility

The stock market moves fast on ordinary days. But during extremes, stock market declines can feel like terminal velocity implosions.

Ready to Go – Summer Homebuying Season Is Heating Up With Low Rates, Easing Restrictions

If you’re emerging from your home after the COVID-19 shutdown wanting to buy a new one, you aren’t alone.

On Screen and Off WSFS Intern Class Keeps Learning

Internships provide an opportunity to take principles learned in the classroom and apply them in the real world, while gaining experience that can’t be found in a textbook, to build the foundation for future careers.

The Benefit and Suitability of Roth Conversions

When approaching the age to begin required minimum distributions from retirement accounts, many investors may benefit from a Roth conversion.

Growing Your Business by Learning from Challenging Times

As businesses reopen and face new ways to operate and generate revenues this summer and beyond, many are looking for guidance as they develop new growth strategies, discover new cash flow resources and consider an SBA program for support.

Buying a House is Stressful – Follow These Tips to Manage the Anxiety and Secure Your Dream Home

You've been dreaming about it, thinking about it, and now the time has come to start looking for your new home.

WSFS Retail Associates Branch Out for Customer Service

Across Delaware and the Greater Philadelphia region, WSFS Associates are stepping up and branching out, as they live the mantra, “We Stand for Service.”

Navigating Anxiety When Looking to Buy a Home

WSFS Bank surveyed 1,007 Delaware and Greater Philadelphia area residents in February and May earlier this year, finding that while people are confident they are prepared to buy a home and get a mortgage, they also have anxiety about the process.

Tips for Providing Financial Education to Children

With living rooms taking the place of classrooms as learning continues online, many parents find themselves serving as a teacher now more than ever. An important topic to teach all children – and one that can often be overlooked – is financial literacy.

How a Dog, Mobile Banking Apps and a Little Luck Came Together for a Fur-Ever Tale

As one of the millions of Americans that use mobile and online banking every year, I took the convenience and instant access to my banking accounts, ability to make quick transfers, and ease and speed in which I can pay peers and businesses for granted.

How to Safely Use Rewards Credit Cards and Contactless Payments to Your Benefit

In this new era of social distancing in public, people are turning to using their credit cards and other forms of contactless payments while shopping.

Understanding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness

What does your business need to know about Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness? WSFS’ Candice Caruso discusses forgiveness criteria and other relief options for businesses with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

Simple Steps Businesses Can Do to Fight Fraud

As financial institutions develop innovative ways to protect the accounts of businesses large and small, so to do criminals work to develop their own methods.

Viewpoint: Payment Options to Keep Cash Flowing

The coronavirus pandemic has caused lots of uncertainty and change in both our personal and business lives. It has forced us to adapt to a new normal, perhaps changing the way business gets done in the future. While things remain fluid, there are some steps companies should consider to keep payment processing moving forward and efficient.

When Merchants Are Compromised: How Scammers Are Stealing Your Business’ Account Information

As businesses continue to shift to digital payment systems for in-store and online transactions, fraudsters and financial institutions (FIs) are caught in a game of cat and mouse.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work for New WSFS Associate

Erica McMullen was all set to start her new job as Senior Credit Officer, Credit Administration at WSFS Bank when she found out her first day was also the day the Bank would be moving most employees to remote work to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Celebrating Small Businesses: Route 113 Boat Sales Uses Stellar Service to Keep Coastal Delmarva Boaters on the Water

What started as a hobby became a passion, a way of life. For Glen and Karen Smith, owners of Route 113 Boat Sales and Service in Selbyville, Del., being on the water also became the entrepreneurial itch they needed to scratch.

4 Digital Financial Tools To Help You Bank Safely During COVID-19

With the world still mired in an unprecedented pandemic and social distancing the new norm, people find themselves adjusting the “old way” of handling everyday tasks in order to stay safe.

After PPP – Other Options to Get Your Business Through COVID-19

By now, the dust has mostly settled with the CARES Act's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application process. Millions of businesses throughout America have received PPP approvals and funding to help cover payroll and other eligible costs.

Richard Snow Helps Thousands of Small Businesses Only Weeks into New Job

With billions of dollars and the livelihood of many small businesses at stake, Snow knew there was no time to waste in getting Customers’ applications processed. He also recognized right away that he would be wearing many hats.

“Ron the Closer” – How One WSFS Associate Stood and Sat For Service for His Customers

He’s closed a mortgage loan sitting on a pickle bucket and in a high-rise on Wall Street, too. Meet Ron Jablonski. When you’ve been in the mortgage and real estate business for more than three decades like Ron, you’ve seen some unusual circumstances unfold during a closing.

WSFS Bank Associates Go Above, Beyond and Outside in the Name of Customer Service

With a pandemic causing an unprecedented situation nationwide, it was far from business as usual for both Customers and WSFS Associates.

How to Manage Your Finances and Save More Money During COVID-19

By now, you've probably stashed away some extra non-perishable food, cleaning products and toilet paper as we ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. The past months have forced us to adjust how we obtain and use essential products and services as we take extra steps to protect the health of our families, friends and communities.

Protecting Against Payment Fraud During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports a dramatic increase in fraud complaints related to COVID-19, now more than ever, businesses must protect themselves and their customers from the realities of payment fraud.

WSFS Culture Shines in Unprecedented Times: Meet Kyle Babcock

Imagine that your start date for a new job in a different industry is in the middle of the worst pandemic the world has seen in one hundred years. Naturally, a lot may run through your mind: how will I get onboarded? Will the company push my start date a few weeks out? If they do that, how will I cover my bills?

How the CARES Act and Smart Decisions Can Help You Protect Your Finances

The new Federal stimulus package, or CARES Act, provides many Americans with much-needed relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to giving people additional funds to weather the financial storm that COVID-19 has caused, the stimulus provides tax relief for retirement savers and retirees.

Managing Your Investments During COVID-19

During these unprecedented times it is unsettling to watch the news surrounding the stock market, but it is also important to maintain perspective – history has shown that the market will recover. One of the biggest risks investors face over time is overreacting to events and market volatility, which can negatively impact their savings.

Managed Services Solutions: Coping with COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the focus of banks on the impact of fixed costs. The unfortunate axiom is that even though the volume of banking activities has decreased, fixed costs remain constant regardless of volume.

Tips for Keeping Your Small Business Healthy During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Some tips to help keep you, your family, your employees and your business healthy during these unprecedented times.

Smart Strategies to Keep Your Finances Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Steps to protect your financial wellness and minimize the impact of coronavirus on your finances.

How to Carry on a Family Tradition - Di Bruno Bros. Style

Bill Mignucci Jr. had been planning to leave town and head to California after he graduated from Drexel University in 1990.

What to Look for in a Bank for Your Business

Choosing a bank for your business can be a lot like choosing a doctor: there are objective factors to consider, but it really comes down to the relationship.

5 Management Strategies to Grow Your Company

Many entrepreneurs want to build a growth company, but few succeed. Learn to grow your company in 5 steps.

How to Prevent Business Email Compromise

Maintaining a secure work environment and minimizing fraud are key for business owners today.

Planning to Buy Your First Home

Buying your first home is a big and exciting step. The first step is to talk with a Mortgage Loan Officer at your bank.

5 Ways to Save for a Big Purchase

It can be overwhelming to think about the amount of money you’ll need for a big expense, like paying for a wedding or making a down payment on your first home. A great place to start is calculating how much you’ll need to save each month to meet your goal.

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