AmeriServ Presents: Bank Chats
Financial education shouldn't be boring! Bank Chats combines a relaxed conversational style with experts from various fields to talk about banking and finance using terms that everyone can understand.
DISCLAIMER
This podcast focuses on having valuable conversations on various topics related to banking and financial health. The podcast is grounded in having open conversations with professionals and experts, with the goal of helping to take some of the mystery out of financial and related topics; as learning about financial products and services can help you make more informed financial decisions. Please keep in mind that the information contained within this podcast, and any resources available for download from our website or other resources relating to Bank Chats is not intended, and should not be understood or interpreted to be, financial advice. The hosts, guests, and production staff of Bank Chats expressly recommend that you seek advice from a trusted financial professional before making financial decisions. The hosts of Bank Chats are not attorneys, accountants, or financial advisors, and the program is simply intended as one source of information. The podcast is not a substitute for a financial professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. AmeriServ Presents: Bank Chats is produced and distributed by AmeriServ Financial, Incorporated.
Episodes
65 episodes
Winning A Car On TV Can Still Leave You Broke
On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff dig into what really happens after you win money, trips, or prizes on a game show and why the celebration can come with a tax bill. We break down the hidden costs that don’t make it on camera, from 1099...
The Nightmare After Christmas: Burst Pipes & Big Claims
On this episode of Bank Chats, our guest, Matt Noel, walks us through a Christmas pipe burst that dumped 12,000 gallons through a house and turned a finished move-in home into a six-month rebuild. We talk candidly about what a homeowner's insur...
Trump Accounts Explained
On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff break down Trump accounts in plain language and explain how the $1,000 federal seed works, what happens at age 18, and why taxes matter when the money comes out. They also compare them to 529 plans and ...
Pre-Need Planning and Perpetual Care Services
On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff talk with Tim Walters, Senior Vice President and Director of Perpetual Care Services, about the money, contracts, and real-world choices behind funeral planning, including why so many families feel l...
Gold Prices, Myths, And Medals
Gold’s glow is hard to ignore when prices hover near highs. In this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff pull back the curtain on how gold prices are set, how to buy gold, and some other fun gold factoids surrounding the Olympics and St. Patrick's...
Chasing Gold: The Olympic Dream
Dan Barefoot was 1 of the nearly 3,000 athletes who competed in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. His journey, like many others', came at a cost. From sponsorships to crowdfunding, U.S. Olympic athletes raise capital for their training, ...
Cupid Doesn’t Take Crypto, But Scammers Do
Love stories rarely start with prepaid gift cards. As more relationships begin online, romance scams are rising fast, turning loneliness and hope into a con that empties bank accounts. We pull back the curtain on how scammers build quick emotio...
From Safety To Interest: How To Use Credit Cards Without Getting Burned
Holiday magic fades; the bill does not. On this episode of Bank Chats, we dig into credit cards—where they shine for fraud protection, travel, and big-ticket purchases—and where they can bite you, with interest, fees, and credit score dings.
Breaking the Cycle of Financial Stress
The calendar flipped to 2026, but those holiday charges didn’t disappear. We unpack how financial stress shows up in your body—lost sleep, headaches, tight chest—and why naming the exact trigger is the fastest way to shrink fear and regain cont...
When Money Lies: Counterfeit Cash
Counterfeit cash feels like a throwback crime until it hits your register or wallet. Though you may never encounter a counterfeit bill, the amount in circulation would probably shock you. We unpack which bill is the prime target, how counterfei...
Mastering The 50/30/20 Rule For A Stress-Free Holiday Budget
Holiday spending doesn’t have to wreck your January. We take a clear, no-jargon look at the 50/30/20 budgeting framework and show how to make it work when life gets messy, prices rise, and traditions add extra costs. From right-sizing housing t...
Why The U.S. Stopped Minting Pennies And What Happens Next
In this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff unpack why the Mint stopped producing pennies, what the proposed Common Cents Act would change, and how rounding cash transactions actually works. We weigh business losses, consumer fairness, and les...
Counting The Real Costs Of A Side Gig
Side hustles promise freedom and extra cash, but the real story lives in the details: taxes, time, wear and tear, and the quiet risk of burnout. From delivery apps and service work to rentals, flips, and reselling, we unpack what “profit” looks...
Why Treating AI As a Tool, Not A Threat, Can Make Banking Safer and Smarter
Fear sells, but it rarely informs. We wanted a grounded take on AI: what it actually does today, where it goes wrong, and how banks and consumers can use it without getting burned. With guest John Valkovci of Saint Francis, we unpack generative...
Can Mobile Games Really Pay You? A Look at Reward Apps, Skill Games, and Lotteries
Think playing solitaire can pay the rent? We take a look at the booming world of “get-paid-to-play” mobile apps—reward platforms, “skill-based” tournaments, and lottery-style games—and ask the only question that matters: how much can you actual...
The Illusion of Money: What Currency Really Is
Money surrounds us every day, but how often do we stop to consider what it actually is? From the salt-based currencies of Ancient Rome to the digital cryptocurrencies of today, the concept of value has undergone remarkable transformations throu...
Digital Dangers: How College Students Become Easy Targets for Scammers
Think you're too tech-savvy to fall for a scam? Think again. Young adults between 20-29 are now losing money to fraud more frequently than seniors—a startling reversal of what many assume about scam victims. As students flood back to campuses n...
Financing with Purpose: The ERECT Funds
A true example of win-win. The Employee Real Estate Construction Trust (ERECT) Funds have been helping finance commercial real estate projects for over 3 decades.On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff sit down with Senior Vice Pres...
A+ Savings: Smart Back-to-School Shopping Tips
It's that time of year again, back-to-school shopping is in full swing. Many parents dig deep in their pockets to purchase school supplies, new outfits, and the latest tech gadgets for their child(ren).On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew an...
Cryptocurrency Currently: What's New
On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff welcome back John Valkovci from Saint Francis University to chat about the evolution and current state of cryptocurrency. John fills us in on new policies/regulations surrounding digital assets, as w...
Eagles, Eyes, and Pyramids: Decoding the Dollar
Have you ever really looked at a dollar bill? Not to see if a previous owner doodled something in the corner, or if there are too many creases for a vending machine to accept it.On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff chat about the pl...
The Price of Gold: Dan Barefoot
Competing in the Olympics is a dream many athletes strive to reach, but at what cost? On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff sit down with Team USA Skeleton slider, Dan Barefoot, to chat about the sport, his journey, and what it takes phy...
Travel Tips — Money Edition
The summer travel season is upon us, so Drew and Jeff decided to share some tips and tricks to hopefully help you save some money on vacation, and keep the money you do bring with you safe.Resources:
