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The Pathfinder Savings Account

Let us show you the way to make your savings grow with a competitive interest rate that is compounded quarterly. You can check the most current rates on this site.

The Pathfinder Savings Account is FDIC-insured, and there are no service fees.
Stop by any Valley Savings Bank to open your Pathfinder Savings Account. The sooner you get started saving, the more your savings can grow.

The Story of the Piggy Bank

Piggy banks have been around long time. Most experts agree that the first piggy banks started to appear in Europe around 1500. Nobody knows who made the first piggy bank, and its history is somewhat uncertain. The piggy bank probably evolved over time, along with many theories about how it evolved.

How the piggy bank got its start

Once upon a time, a long time ago, metal was too expensive for making household items like pots and pans. Instead, these items were made from cheap clay called “pygg.” Many housewives had a jar made of this clay that they used to store extra coins. They called it their “pygg” bank.
The words for “pygg” clay and “pig,” the animal, come from the same word, which means “mud.” The clay is made of mud and the pig plays in the mud!
At some point, perhaps a potter thought it might be amusing to make a “pygg” bank in the shape of a pig. Or maybe an order came in for a “pygg” bank, and a confused potter thought the bank was supposed to look like a pig. No one knows for sure, but whoever created the first bank shaped like a pig created a sensation. Piggy banks became very popular, especially with children.

How to be a smart saver*

Pay yourself first.

You’re worth it! Every time you receive money as a gift or get paid for a job well done, set aside some portion of that money (20%) as savings before you spend.

Focus on a goal.

Keep your reasons for saving money top of mind. Post the goal on a mirror so you will see it often.

Comparison shop.

Compare prices on the same or similar items at several stores to make sure you’re getting the best deal and a good value for your money.

Track your spending habits.

Keep a listing of everything you purchase, from bubble gum to shoes and CDs. It will help you see where your money goes and where to cut costs.

How to use a piggy bank

A piggy bank is a great way to tuck away spare change, part of your allowance or the money you’ve earned. You can see your efforts adding up. But once it’s full, make it a habit to bring your coins to the bank for deposit so they can continue to grow. Now you’re ready to start saving coins again. You’ll be amazed how quickly the coins add up!

In a piggy bank, your savings will grow only as long as you keep adding more coins. But if you deposit your money in a Pathfinder savings account, your savings will continue to grow even if you don’t add any more money. That’s because the bank will pay you a sum of money called “interest” on the money in your savings account. Of course, your savings will grow even faster if you do keep adding to your account because the more savings you have the more interest you will earn.

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