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
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 like after you count everything that doesn’t show up in the app’s payout screen.
Throughout, we come back to one test: calculate your true hourly earnings af...
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 AI’s strengths, the reality of hallucinations, and why data quality and model choice matter more than hype. No sci-fi doomsday, just candid mechanics and practical gu...
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 actually earn? Drew and Jeff share firsthand experiences; unpack how early milestones hook you with small wins; and explain why minimum cashouts, token expirations, and tran...
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 throughout human history.
We dive deep into the foundations of modern monetary systems, exploring how virtually all global currencies now operate as "fiat mon...
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 nationwide, they're walking into a minefield of sophisticated schemes designed specifically to exploit their unique vulnerabilities.
In this eye-open...
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 President and Director of Specialty Real Estate, Justin Maser, to talk about this pool of funds, as well as how the development of even one commercial real estate building can ha...
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 and Jeff chat about various tips and tricks they found for back-to-school shopping that could save you time, headaches, and money.
Resources:
Honey
College Budget B...
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 well as the concept of tokenized bank deposits.
Credits:
An AmeriServ Financial, Inc. Production
Music by SchneckMind, powered by Suno
Hosted by Drew Thomas...
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 plethora of symbolism that can be found on US currency. Did you know those fine lines in the corners of a dollar bill serve a purpose? Do you know where that bill was printed? ...
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 physically, mentally, and financially, to pursue a dream in the sport of Skeleton. Dan's story is one you want to hear!
Resources:
projectpushtogoldfund.org
B...
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:
Timely Tips - Vacation and Travel Security
Credits:
An AmeriServ Financial, Inc. Production
Music by Rattlesnake and Millo
Hosted by Drew Thomas and Jeffrey Matevish
Thanks for liste...
May is Internal Audit Awareness Month, and to celebrate, we invited our Chief Auditor, Laura Fiore, to the podcast to chat about the audit profession. Laura dives into the key differences between internal and external auditors, and maps out how the role of internal auditors spans the entirety of a company. How can an internal audit department benefit your company? Find out in this episode!
Resources:
The ...
A topic of discussion in recent news, tariffs, specifically import tariffs, may affect your spending habits in the not too distant future.
On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff talk tariffs. Why are tariffs put into place? Who pays these taxes, and how do they affect consumers? Find the answer to these questions and more in this episode.
AmeriServ's Website:
https://www.ameriserv.com/
April is an exciting month in finance. Not only is April Financial Literacy Month, but April 7th-11th is America Saves Week, AND April 24, 2025 is Teach Children to Save Day! On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff chat with Kerri Mueller and Randy McLaughlin on the topic of savings, and how to make saving money fun and easy for children of all ages.
Resources:
Financial Library
...
There are different categories of value. Goods and services that you pay for have a value, but so do your family photos. Sure, Drew may not place value on Jeff's family portrait, but there is sentimental value to Jeff. On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff chat about monetary value, and how the value of certain goods and services have changed over the decades.
AmeriServ's Website:
https...
Our Saint Francis friends are back once again, this time to chat about a technology that has quite the buzz surrounding it. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has many practical applications but can be detrimental if used improperly. What exactly is AI? Can we trust this technology? How could AI benefit the financial industry? Learn the answers to these questions and more on this episode of Bank Chats.
Credits:
When it comes time to upgrade your vehicle, do you buy or lease? On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff discuss the pros and cons of each option. Would you rather have the latest and greatest model, or the freedom to drive as many miles as you'd like? Would you rather have lower monthly payments, or potentially build equity? Check out this great debate!
AmeriServ's Website:
https://www.ameris...
Excellent customer service is the backbone of many businesses. On this episode of Bank Chats, Drew and Jeff talk with Amie Stevens, the Retail Training Director at AmeriServ, about customer service in the financial industry. What makes a good bank teller? How do banks and other businesses alike balance customer satisfaction with business needs? How do you keep customer service staff motivated and up to date ...
You've reached the end of your 15 or 30 year mortgage, and you are about to have your home fully paid off. Now what? On this episode of 2 Cents, Drew and Jeff chat about what happens after your last payment.
AmeriServ's Website:
https://www.ameriserv.com/
Additional Resources
Financial Library - Housing
Credits:
An AmeriServ Financial, Inc. Production
Mus...
Many of us dream of a day when the numbers on the piece of paper we hold in our hands match the numbers on the TV screen. What would you do if you won the lottery, and your life changed overnight? The lottery industry in the US is massive, but is it a sound financial plan or investment? Drew and Jeff chat about everything jackpot in this episode of Bank Chats.
Credits:
An AmeriServ Financial, In...
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