5 Rituals To Keep You Happy All The Time

from Barking Up The Wrong Tree

How to be happy forever and ever and ever…

• Positive Emotions: We only ask the question “Having fun yet?” ironically. So savor the good times. Take a mental snapshot.
• Engagement: Flow can debug your happiness code. Spend more time doing the things that make time stop.
• Relationships: A fortress of solitude can be a fortress of loneliness if you’re not careful. Do a gratitude visit with someone and spread the joy.
• Meaning: It’s smelling salts for life. Be the person you want to be remembered as.
• Accomplishment: All too often our mediocrity is self-imposed. Go accomplish something. There’s nothing like the satisfaction of a job well done. Corny, but true.

Do the PERMA 5, but do them for their own sake, not for some future payoff. That’s how we learn to appreciate the moment. And life is nothing more than a collection of moments. Click HERE to learn more about embracing the PERMA 5 to achieve on-going happiness.

Foreign Adversaries Prohibited From Purchasing Virginia Farmland

by DeMarion Johnston, General Counsel, Virginia Bankers Association

Virginia has a new law on the books as of July 1st that prohibits foreign adversaries from owning certain real estate in the Commonwealth. The Virginia legislation provides that a foreign adversary shall not acquire any interest in agricultural land in Virginia after July 1, 2023. A “foreign adversary” is not a citizen of the United States, can be a government or nongovernment person, and is determined by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The Virginia legislation also provides that in the event a foreign adversary acquires an interest in Virginia agricultural land, the transfer is void and title to the interest in the land will vest in the name of the Commonwealth as of the date of the attempted acquisition.

This new legislation will present challenges for banks by adding another layer of complexity to agricultural lending. Click HERE to learn more details by reading this article in its entirety. Click HERE to view the legislation.

The Unexpected Power of Complaining

by Skip Prichard



Most of us whine and complain about whiners and complainers. When you just arrive at the office, the last thing you want is someone complaining about something. The common misconception around complaining is that it’s a negative habit, a behavior that only serves to destroy morale and create a negatively-charged atmosphere. But if channeled correctly, complaining can be an incredibly powerful tool. It can ignite change, fuel creativity, promote open communication, and create a healthier, honest culture. Click HERE to learn more.

How Small Business Owners Size Up Their Banking Relationships and the Economy

by The Financial Brand Editorial Team

What factor weighs most heavily when small business owners select their primary financial institution? How many are thinking about switching? What types of financing are they using? And what’s their perspective on the economy? A recent survey answers these questions and more, casting light on some opportunities for deepening relationships with these valuable customers. One insight that stands out: a majority feel concerned about the health of their financial institution following several bank failures this spring yet have not received any communication to help reassure them. Click HERE to learn more.

How the Best Leaders Lead Extroverts and Introverts Effectively

from Lolly Daskal

Leading a team can be a challenging task, especially when that team is made up of individuals with a mix of personality types. One of the key differences among team members is whether they are introverts or extroverts. While these terms are often used to describe how people interact with the world around them, they can also have a significant impact on how people respond to leadership and communication styles. It’s important for leaders to understand the differences between introverts and extroverts and adapt their leadership style accordingly. While extroverts may respond well to a more directive and assertive leadership style, introverts may prefer a more collaborative and inclusive approach. Click HERE to learn more about how to effectively lead both.

Bankers Should Be Active on LinkedIn -- Leaders Need to Encourage It

by Jack Hubbard

The idea of employees using “social media” can be worrisome to compliance departments at financial institutions. But LinkedIn has established a 20-year track record of helping people across many industries expand their networks, deepen connections and boost the bottom line. Too many banks still discourage use of this valuable tool. Banking leaders should set an example, because it does, in fact, pay to be more social in this particular media. Click HERE to learn why.

NEW! Virginia Title Center Keeps You Safe From Wire Fraud with CertifID

Digital banking makes moving money easier for everyone — including cyber criminals, who are getting more cunning every day. Every wire transfer you send or receive is at risk. Yet many ask if wire fraud is really that serious? Wire transfers continue to be the most frequently reported payment method for fraud with a reported aggregate loss of $2.4 Billion and an average loss of $120k per victim. And, did you know that one out of every three real estate transactions are targeted for wire fraud?

At Virginia Title Center, we take the safety of your money and your client's money seriously and now offer wire fraud protection through a partnership with CertifID. This offers end-to-end protection to keep customer information secured and insured at all times through a suite of services. CertifID makes it easy for us to securely send our wire instructions to clients and lenders; allows us to safely collect bank details from home sellers and other partners; verifies the bank details that have been provided are accurate and not tampered with; and, offers PayoffProtect to validate the authenticity of wiring instructions to ensure loan payoff payments aren't sent to fraudsters. All wire transactions are backed by Lloyd's of London and insured up to $1 million. Click HERE for a flyer you can share with your clients, and talk to your settlement processor to learn how using CertifID can protect you and your clients.