Local banker receives 'Tribute to Women' award

Jodie Garcia, first vice president of the Mid-Michigan Republican Women's organization, received the "Tribute to Women" Award on May 13 at a banquet in Saginaw. The event, sponsored by the Republican Women's Federation of Michigan, recognizes one outstanding woman in each of the 29 clubs in the state.

The women are honored for their contributions to their own club, to the Republican Party and to their communities.

According to Virginia White, president of the Mid-Michigan Republican Women, "Jodie Garcia is an accomplished leader who makes things happen."

Jodie is assistant vice president of Standard Federal Bank. She has been a Lansing Fire Board commissioner, past president of the Old Town Commercial Association, board member of the March of Dimes, and fundraising committee member of the Girl Scouts, the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition and Capital Area United Way. Her husband is Judge Richard Garcia.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.