By: Wade George, Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, Authentic Adjustment LLC

​A Public Adjuster is an expert property claims handler. They are not an employee of the Insurance company; instead, they are hired by the policyholder (homeowner or business owner) to advocate on the policyholder’s behalf. The Public Adjuster assists and negotiates every detail of the claim. Public Adjusters are insured, bonded, and state licensed professionals. They are skilled, experienced, and trained to interpret policies, document and evaluate damages, and negotiate claim settlements.

2. What do Public Adjuster’s do?
A Public Adjuster exclusively serves the client, not the insurance company. We negotiate and work tirelessly on your behalf to get you the money you are entitled to for your claim. We inspect the loss site, analyze the damages, assemble claim support data, review the insured’s coverage, and determine current replacement costs. Public Adjuster’s provide services on a full-time and professional basis adjusting first-party property claims for owners of fixed properties (residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional) that are damaged by covered causes. This also includes financial losses involving business interruption, rental income, improvements, and additional expenses. Public Adjusters work for you to itemize the loss, figure out how much money it will take to do the repairs or rebuild, and negotiate the settlement.

3. Why would anyone need a Public Adjuster?
Our work is complicated and takes a great deal of talent, experience, and skill. If your property recently suffered damage from a pipe break, a fire, hurricane, or some other situation, now is not the best time to learn on the fly about how to properly present an insurance claim. Public Adjusters take over for you when you’re lost, overwhelmed, or simply don’t have the time to deal with the claims process. The policyholder is responsible for proving the extent of the loss to the insurance company. No matter how organized you and your documentation may be, filing and receiving payment on a claim is a time consuming and tedious process. Our years of experience and the systems we have in place make it a better use of time to have us handle things for you.

By: Lane Donatelli, Sales Director, ETA Insurance Group
​
As open enrollment for group health insurance is fast approaching, there are a few ideas that employers should be considering. This year, as business is getting back to what may feel like the pre-pandemic normal, there have been major shifts that keep the hiring and retention of key employees feeling anything but normal. Benefits play a huge role in how an employee values their job and their employer. Flexible hours and working from home are becoming more the norm than a benefit in many industries, so employers need to look beyond these and consider benefits that will have a financial and even an emotional value to the employee or candidate.

This is where worksite benefits play a huge role. By offering worksite or “supplemental” benefits such as Life, Accident, Disability, Critical Illness, and GAP Insurance, coupled with affordable Health Insurance, employers can offer very robust benefit packages for employees and their families while keeping within their budgets. Small employers (2-to-49 employees) have plenty of options to provide, or connect their employees with, robust and meaningful benefits as well so they shouldn’t believe the hype that the standard small group plans are the only option, and they are all too expensive. The Insurance Industry has gotten very creative and will continue to develop ways to meet the needs of the consumer, both in the group and individual settings.

Now that you have some ideas of what to offer, it’s time to survey your employees and get their feedback on what your benefit package should consist of to give you the biggest bang for your buck. Whether its insurance products, hybrid work schedules, special pay plans, time off, or retirement investment plans, let your employees tell you what is most important to them. Armed with that information, let your broker build some models for you that will please many of your employees, while protecting your bottom line. I promise… There is a perfect solution out there. It just needs to be constructed.
​
​Finally, we always recommend continuous training for your employees on the benefits they have available. It is very disheartening to see an employer offering a fantastic benefit package only to learn that the employees were never properly advised on all the benefits and therefore are not taking advantage of all the bells and whistles afforded by their plan. Educating your employees and then providing a “total compensation” report at the end of the year showing the total amount of compensation they received (or the total amount of money you spent on them) will go a long way in making your employees feel appreciated and “fairly” compensated.

​Inflation is top-of-mind for many Americans, including business owners. Small or privately-held businesses currently make up more than 99% of companies in the U.S. and inflation can have a large impact on these organizations if not properly planned for and addressed. Getting ahead of inflation is even more challenging for smaller businesses because they don’t usually have a dedicated, in-house finance and accounting team constantly reviewing financial statements, monitoring expenses and calculating profitability.

When inflation occurs, each dollar spent doesn’t go as far as it did before which ultimately decreases buying power. For example, consider a construction business. We’ve seen lumber, steel and copper all skyrocket in price during the last 18 months. As the business is forced to pay more for materials, its margins are decreased, and profitability is negatively impacted.

With many small businesses only “closing the books” quarterly, they could be three to four months behind needing to increase pricing to account for inflation. Unknowingly, a business could be selling at a loss. Business could be booming, but if prices are not adjusted accordingly, financial hardships could still be on the horizon. Small business owners must be vigilant about working with a team of professionals including their accountant and banker to ensure they are aware of inflation’s impact on their margins.

Another reason inflation can be especially challenging for small businesses is because they operate on lower margins than their big-box counterparts. Many times, these businesses are financed by the owner’s savings. This puts small businesses owners at a significant financial risk. Small business owners often have a majority of their financial security riding on the success of their company so it’s imperative they take steps to ride out periods of higher inflation.

Some of the inflation we are currently facing is expected to be transitory. We have an imbalance of supply and demand largely due to supply chain complications caused by the pandemic. This should temper over time. While the Federal Reserve (Fed) expects increased inflation for the remainder of 2021, it sees inflation diminishing into 2022.

While some inflation will dissipate, businesses need to consider what increased expenses are going to stick. One that stands out is wage inflation. As businesses struggle to fill open positions, many are offering increased compensation and improved benefits to attract and retain talent. As inflation settles and some pricing returns to normal, the increased payroll and benefits costs will not. Businesses need to consider how they will carry these increased expenses for the long term.

Inflation poses significant challenges, especially to smaller businesses. It is vital to work with a team of professionals to help your business navigate inflation and create a plan for long-term success and stability. To learn more about how the Univest Commercial Banking team can assist, contact us at 877-723-5571.

Univest Bank and Trust Co. is Member FDIC, SBA Preferred and an Equal Opportunity Lender.

Gina Loiacono, Community Engagement & Grants Manager
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley
gina@habitatlv.org

​

“Re” is such an interesting little prefix, isn’t it? Just two little letters completely alter the meaning of words. Throw that prefix on a word, and you can instantly start reading, writing, and talking about doing things again, or going back to a previous state of being, or arranging something in a different way. At the Habitat Lehigh Valley ReStore, those two letters are incredibly impactful. Yes, it is a retail store location, but it is so much more thanks to an R and an E. 

The Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley ReStore, located at 1053 Grape Street in Whitehall, is a treasure trove contained within the walls of the old Circuit City space. Once a shopper enters the storefront, they can be transported back in time surrounded by antique pieces and bric-a-brac of years gone by. Other shoppers, knowing it’s time to retire their outdated interior design and renovate their living space, may enter the storefront and be thrilled to find brand new, unopened, top-of-the-line, trending furniture, homegoods, and decor. Contractors, landlords, and home repair specialists alike can enter and find materials, supplies, reusable furnishings, new shipments of tile, flooring, and so much more! There’s lumber, windows, doors, cabinets, and plumbing supplies to be had. See, no day is the same as the day before or the day after at the ReStore...it is an ever-changing retail space of gently used and brand new items. 

Opened in 2013, the ReStore is a hidden gem perfect for the DIYer and home decorator on a budget. With products sold at a fraction of the regular retail price, shoppers will leave the ReStore with the knowledge that not only did they score a great deal, but they also supported the mission of Habitat Lehigh Valley- building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter in a world where everyone deserves a decent place to live. 

All revenue generated at the ReStore funnels directly back into the Habitat Lehigh Valley homeownership program and its endeavors. When you shop at the ReStore, you are helping low-income, hardworking families in the Lehigh Valley achieve their dream of homeownership. You are helping a young child have access to a secure and stable living environment. You are helping mothers and fathers establish financial success and develop goals for themselves and their children. You are helping families in need invest in healthcare and education. You are supporting something bigger than yourself...you are a member of the local community that may be shopping small, but impacting something huge. 

The ReStore’s services don’t begin and end at retail operations. Donations to the ReStore not only contribute to Habitat Lehigh Valley’s mission, but they also support and maintain a better, eco-friendly environment for everyone. As one of the most environmentally sound shopping and donation options in the Lehigh Valley, the ReStore has diverted over 8.2 million pounds of reusable goods from local landfills since opening in 2013. Additionally, the Habitat Lehigh Valley ReStore has recycled over 10,000 gallons of latex paint due to the remarkable efforts of staff, volunteers, and community support at monthly latex paint recycling drives held at the ReStore. Paints are recycled, remixed, and resold in a plethora of new colors, including exterior, interior, and chalk finishes. 

At the ReStore, staff, volunteers, and shoppers are part of the Habitat Lehigh Valley family. Their efforts are part of the blueprint for a thriving community which supports its homeowners and small business owners. There, reducing, reusing, and recycling are all actions taking place to make sure that no one goes without a safe, affordable place to live. The Habitat Lehigh Valley ReStore experience is a pivotal cog in the revitalization of a local community. Now is the time to reimagine how you shop, donate, and volunteer...reinforce your personal commitment to giving back to others, and rekindle a family’s dream of owning a home in the Lehigh Valley. ​

Twelve years ago, Bryan Shumway faced a major life change. He was losing his sight, his career as a welding inspector, and his way of life as he knew it. A routine eye exam revealed a serious problem. He underwent a lens transplant, and the diagnosis came later: retinitis pigmentosa. He now uses a cane to walk, relies on friends and family for rides, enrolled in online courses, and embarked on a whole new career in energy healing, public speaking, and life coaching.

But, the 55-year-old Whitehall, Pa., man did not get there alone. He did so with the sage counsel and support of others facing life-altering vision changes at Sights for Hope in Lehigh Valley and Monroe County. “It’s scary when you are losing your sight. You feel like your life is ending. I would highly encourage anyone to help seek the proper support. You’re not going to do this alone especially if you are losing your vision. You are going to need help and guidance,” Shumway said.

That is why we are raising the alarm about so many people putting off routine eye exams – as well as preventive overall health checkups – during the pandemic. It’s time to make those appointments – especially for young children whose healthy vision is critical to learning success.

With in-person kindergarten registrations canceled for the second straight spring and fewer people pursuing routine and preventative care, at least 15,000 children in the Lehigh Valley and Monroe County started school without receiving a vision screening or eye exam. Through data collected from our screenings, we know that approximately 10 percent of children have an undetected vision problem. So, with pandemic-related cancellations, we expect about 1,500 children in the Lehigh Valley and Monroe County to have unidentified vision problems. By starting these important years of early education without eye screenings, they are at a great disadvantage. About 80 percent of learning happens with vision.

To make matters worse, a recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology shows an apparent link between extra at-home screen time during the pandemic with increases of myopia in children. That is why it is more important than ever for parents of children ages 3-5 to schedule an eye exam and for schools and daycare centers to offer them. According a 2019 brief from the CDC, on average of only 6 out of 10 preschoolers had their vision checked before the pandemic.

Adults should also pay attention to their eyesight and use the 20-20-20 rule to minimize eye strain given the increased amount of screen time during the pandemic. The 20-20-20 vision rule is a great tool to combat eye strain when looking at screens too much. The rule entails looking at something 20 feet away from your screen every 20 mins for a total of 20 seconds. With less time commuting to the office, adults are spending more time working and looking at screens for longer periods of time. According to Eyesafe Nielsen, in March of 2020, the first month of the pandemic, it is estimated that screen time per person 18 and up increased to about 13 hours a day.

Our health is paramount, and vision is part of that. There are several resources to help people maintain healthy eyesight. In the Lehigh Valley and Monroe County area, Sights for Hope, formerly Center for Vision Loss, empowers people with visual impairments to seize their independence and opportunity, and champions healthy eyesight throughout its communities. We combine a service of tradition motivated by Helen Keller in 1928 with contemporary practices and advanced technologies to offer vocational training, rehabilitation services, transportation to medical appointments and grocery stores, and social programs that enhance the quality of life for clients who face life with visual impairments.
 
For children, we offer free vision screenings that could potentially flag issues now that might impede learning later. In a typical year, we screen 8,000 or more children, most of whom are of preschool age. Our trained professionals use advanced hand-held screening devices that are highly accurate and especially effective with kids who are autistic, have other physical challenges, or have language problems.

While we are in a time in history when we are singularly focused on our health, we must remember that caring for ourselves also means we need to prevent illness. One major way to do that is to keep our regular medical checkup appointments and ensure that our eyes are every bit as important as other parts of our health.
 
Dennis Zehner is Executive Director and CEO of Sights for Hope serving the Lehigh Valley and Monroe County PA.

Gina Loiacono
Community Engagement Manager, Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley
gina@habitatlv.org

Like many people, I listen to music...a lot. All kinds...all genres… and my family would say that my music tastes are pretty eclectic. My favorite part of listening to popular music is when the lyrics + the music + real life relatability all come together to create a perfect human experience. Well, imagine my surprise when a song from a dated Broadway musical hit me over the head one day with that awesome combination on the way to work in the morning.

When Stephen Schwartz sat down to write the lyrics for “Beautiful City,” I’m absolutely certain he had no idea it would become a piece of music that would withstand the test of time. And there’s no way he could possibly have predicted that, later, it would go on to be used and rewritten in various ways to honor the victims of such significant events as the 1993 race riots in Los Angeles or the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center on that fated September day.

However, I’d really like to let Mr. Schwartz in on a little secret: his original 1973 lyrics speak very clearly to the heart and mission of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley...and the beauty that is our very own Lehigh Valley area. Thanks, Stephen.

Take a look at this excerpt:

Come sing me sweet rejoicing
Come sing me love
We're not afraid of voicing
All the things
We're dreaming of
Oh, high and low,
And everywhere we go

We can build
A beautiful city
Yes we can
Oh yes we can
We can build
A beautiful city
Call it out
And call it the city of man

We don't need alabaster
We don't need chrome
We've got our special plaster
Take my hand (Take my hand)
I'll take you home (I'll take you home!)
We see nations rise
In each other's eyes (in each other's eyes!)

We can build (we can build)
A beautiful city (a beautiful city)
Yes we can
Oh yes we can
We can build (we can build)
A beautiful city (a beautiful city)
Call it out
And call it the city of man
· “Beautiful City,” music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, 1973

Read those lyrics again. Seriously. When carefully examined, these lyrics absolutely illuminate our community’s call to action in the Lehigh Valley to build affordable, safe, reliable housing for hardworking local families. At Habitat Lehigh Valley, we partner with local families to build strength, stability, and self-reliance...we build sturdy, safe, new construction style homes that allow new homeowners to build dreams and futures. (“We’re not afraid of voicing all the things we’re dreaming of…”) Building dreams and futures sure does sound like building beautiful cities, doesn’t it?

But, do you know what else we do at Habitat Lehigh Valley? We repair that currently existing beautiful city, too. In conjunction with Allentown homeowners under the 80% area median income and our newly invigorated Repair Program, Habitat Lehigh Valley is able to extend the call to build dreams and futures by repairing home exterior issues such as security, safety, and weatherization in the Jordan Heights area of Allentown surrounding St. Luke’s Hospital Sacred Heart Campus. Together, we address critical repair needs, ensure the ability to age in place in the comfort of a loved living environment, and afford current Allentown homeowners the opportunity to have their home shine once again. We don’t only build homes, but we also make sure that families can stay in their homes for many years to come. Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley knows that with homeownership comes great joy and stability. However, we also know that it also comes with great responsibility, long-term maintenance needs, and financial demand.

The Habitat Lehigh Valley Repair Program seeks to partner with local organizations, corporations, businesses, and the homeowners themselves to remove the blight that often burdens residents with costly repair bills. When every member of the local community comes together to shine a light on the needs of others and instantly jumps in to help, we will see “nations rise.” We won’t be “afraid of voicing all the things we’re dreaming of” as community residents and homeowners, because we are supporting each other surrounded by the very heart of our beloved Allentown. And while we “don’t need alabaster or chrome,” we do need vital support from donors and advocates for this tremendous program. With your help, we “can - indeed - build a beautiful city.” Help Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley today…”take our hand, and we’ll take you home”...where you are safe, secure, and settled in the comfort of your home for a bright and promising future.

If you or someone you know within the Jordan Heights area contained in the map below would benefit from this program, please contact Brenda Strockyj, Program Director, at brenda@habitatlv.org or 610 776 7737, ext. 300.

However, that is not the case for everyone. Hardworking, local families in the Lehigh Valley whose dreams of homeownership have escaped them time and time again would do anything for a little placard with one of those simple quotes...and more importantly, a place of their own in which they can hang it.

It is not news to anyone that the importance of our homes - our dwelling place - has been taken to extreme levels over the course of the last twelve months. Articles have been written about it...news reports have illuminated it...and it's right in front of us when we scroll through our social media. We spent time in our homes...A LOT of time. We worked, we learned, we played, we slept, we paced, we stressed, we laughed, we cried, we attempted to make banana bread, we ordered pizza, we binged “The Office” for the 400th time, and we isolated in our homes to keep our families and our communities safe and healthy. At this point, we’ll do anything to get out of said home and not spend every waking hour confined to those same four walls day in and day out. We can only watch so much Netflix before we really start to lose it and defy time as a construct.

On the other hand, when so many of us are longing to escape our homes and the monotony of quarantining, there are just as many of us who long to experience the security and comfort of reliable, affordable housing. They long for nights spent in the home...in the space that is comforting, safe, and necessary for all.

At Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, we know that a house is more than simply a roof over our heads. A house provides shelter, safety, security, and the knowledge that there is a place to rest our heads at night, free from the burden of unreliable and unsafe housing. Renters in the Lehigh Valley are spending two-thirds of their income in monthly rent...how is that conducive to stable living in a time when financial demands continue to increase?

By: Tom Jordan, Central PA Market President, Univest Bank and Trust Co.

Interest rates are currently at record lows due to the Federal Reserve’s response to COVID-19 and will likely stay low until the U.S. has recovered economically from the pandemic. With such low rates, business owner borrowers may want to consider an interest rate swap if they are looking for a low, long-term fixed interest rate.

Fixed rate vs. floating rate
A fixed rate is an interest rate that will not change for the duration of a loan agreement. With this type of loan, businesses are immune to changing interest rates by settling on a long-term, fixed interest rate. For example, individuals who take out a loan with a 4% interest rate will pay this rate for the entire loan period and their payments will stay the same for the duration of the loan.

A floating rate is based on an index such as the London Inter Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the Prime rate which is set by the Federal Reserve. One of the potentially attractive qualities about floating rates is that it’s a market-traded rate. This means the rate can float up or down depending on inflation and index movements which in turn impacts monthly payments on loans.

A floating rate will adapt to economic changes like we have seen in the past few years with the pandemic and economic turmoil, where a fixed rate will not. If a business owner with a fixed rate looks back over the last 10 years, they may find he or she could have potentially saved money in the long-term by utilizing a floating interest rate.

What is a rate swap?
Interest rate swaps allow businesses to exchange a floating rate for a fixed rate. Swaps might be ideal for borrowers with loan opportunities over $1,000,000 who are planning on holding the asset for the loan term and who are looking for construction-to-permanent financing, refinances or purchases financing. Some business owners might complete a rate swap with the goal of reducing exposure to fluctuating interest rates.

Is your business eligible?
Businesses must be Eligible Contract Participants to swap rates. There are multiple criteria to become an Eligible Contract Participant, such as having total assets that exceed $10,000,000, or multiple business owners with a combined net worth of $1,000,000. It’s important for business owners considering a swap to work closely with their lender to both ensure they meet one of the criteria to become an Eligible Contract Participant and decide if a rate swap is right for them. Understanding fixed vs. floating interest rates can help business owners ultimately maximize financial security and minimize potential costs.

In the current economic environment and with Federal interest rates at an all-time low, now may be a time to consider an interest rate swap. It’s important for business owners to understand how it works and how they could benefit the business and potentially save money in the long-
term. Interested in learning more about how interest rate swaps could work for you and your business? Univest is here to help. Contact us to begin a conversation.

Univest Bank and Trust Co. is Member FDIC, Equal Opportunity and SBA Preferred Lender.