Insights by IDOF

In episode nine, Consumer Finance Bureau Chief Erin Van Engelen sits down with Michelle Guth
and Tyler Porter to dive into tips geared towards Navigating the Barriers to First Time
Homebuying and how to purchase a home successfully. The guests featured in this episode are
experts in the mortgage industry, representing one current and one past member of the Idaho
Mortgage Advisory Board. They will offer tips for First Time Buyers, including but not limited to
downpayment myth busters, checking your credit, knowing your budget, seeking advice,
focusing on long-term goals, and understanding rates.

In episode eight Consumer Finance Bureau Chief Erin Van Engelen talks with Tom Nate, Supervisor of the Regulated Lender Program, about Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans. The number of consumers utilizing BNPL has steadily increased, and this model continues to expand in the mainstream marketplace. Learn about the key components of BNPL agreements, how they differ from more traditional financing options, and potential benefits and drawbacks to consider.

In episode seven special guest Superintendent Intendent of Public Instruction, Debbie Critchfield joins Consumer Finance Bureau Chief Erin Van Engelen and Securities Bureau Chief John Yaros to talk through the highlights and practical applications of newly adopted legislation requiring financial literacy for Idaho students.

In episode six, Securities Bureau Chief John Yaros sits down with Carole House, former Director of Cybersecurity and Secure Digital Innovation at the White House’s National Security Council, to dive into the growing threat of Account Takeover Fraud; a type of cybercrime that most commonly occurs as a result of compromised passwords, login credentials for financial accounts, etc. Learn about the evolution and prominence of this threat and how to effectively mitigate your risk through cyber hygiene and account monitoring, and what to do in the event of an account takeover. 

In episode five, Consumer Finance Bureau Chief Erin Van Engelen and Deputy Director Anthony Polidori discuss the basic financial practices that young adults, and those who support them, can begin implementing to ease the transition to financial independence.

In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week Consumer Protection Specialists Celia Kinney with the Idaho Department of Finance, and Rachelle Littau with Idaho Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, share essential information to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft, and highlight strategies to recognize and report attempted fraud and scams.

The second segment of this two-part series spotlights Idaho community banks. Trent Wright, President of the Idaho Bankers Association sits down with Financial Institutions Bureau Chief Salvador Cruz to discuss the components that set Idaho chartered banks apart from other financial institutions, and how they have continued to adapt to support Idaho entrepreneurs,  families, and communities in Idaho.

In the first of a two-part series, Financial Institutions Bureau Chief Salvador Cruz interviews Troy Stang, President and CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association, to discuss how Idaho community credit unions have transformed over time, and how “banking locally” can directly benefit Idaho consumers, businesses, and communities.

The Insights podcast communicates Department news and perspectives to aid consumers in making educated financial decisions, and to inform both industry and consumers of regulatory and consumer protection issues. In episode one, Consumer Affairs Officer Celia Kinney and Deputy Director Anthony Polidori break down the origin, purpose, and mission of the Idaho Depart of Finance.

Join Celia, the Consumer Affairs Officer at the Idaho Department of Finiance, and Anthony Polidori, the Deputy Director of the Department. In this first episode, they go over what the Depart of Finiance really is, who they are, and what kind of service's the provide to Idahoans.