County National Bank

You can fight identity theft by monitoring and reviewing your credit report.  You can request a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies:  Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Go to

• www.annualcreditreport.com

for your free annual report, which will be viewable immediately upon authentication of identity.  If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help.  Contact CNB Customer Service at 888-322-1088.

The Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program that became effective at the end of 2008 expired on December 31, 2012.  TAG ensured that all noninterest-bearing transaction accounts were fully guaranteed by the FDIC for the entire amount in the account (unlimited coverage).  Coverage under TAG was in addition to and separate from the coverage available under the FDIC’s general deposit insurance rules.

As of 1/1/13, noninterest-bearing transaction accounts will no longer have unlimited deposit insurance coverage, but will revert to standard coverage.

If you have a large-dollar account that exceeds the FDIC coverage limit, you may qualify for an Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) account through County National Bank.  For more information about ICS, click here, or call Melissa Stroede at 517-782-2500.

A CNB Debit Card can also be used as a Credit Card

To use your CNB Debit Card as a Credit Card, it’s as simple as selecting Credit at the point of sale versus Debit.  One of the benefits is that you don’t need to remember or input your PIN – you just sign your name.  And, signature-based transactions do offer you the added protection of zero liability if there are any unauthorized purchases. 

You can use your CNB Debit Card as a Credit Card to make online purchases or even bill payments.  It’s easy and convenient, and you won’t need to rack up charges on your credit card – so, no surprises when that credit card bill comes! 

For security purposes, you can add your photo to your CNB card for free, and the cashier can quickly confirm your identity.  If you don’t have a CNB Debit Card and would like the ease of use and flexibility of one, please visit a New Accounts Representative at any of our office locations.

The use of  Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) has picked up steam locally and nationally in the last couple of years.  It’s a great option for health care coverage for both employers and employees.  HSAs allow some relief to employers from the ever-rising cost of employee healthcare coverage, and they allow employees to be in more control of their healthcare spending.

Health Savings Accounts are linked with a high-deductible health plan and allow users to grow their accounts with tax-free earnings.  HSAs are portable, which means you can take them with you when you change jobs.  Also, unspent contributions roll over from year to year – what you don’t spend, you save!

If you’d like to learn more about HSAs, click here.  Or you may contact one of our HSA experts at 888-322-1088.

With housing prices and mortgage interest rates at record lows, now is a good time to explore buying a new home.  Preparation is key to applying for a mortgage, so here are some tips from the American Bankers Association (ABA) to help you prepare for buying a home.

 Review your finances.  A detailed analysis of your financial situation is central to the decision to buy.  Calculate all of your monthly expenses, in addition to your potential mortgage payment, homeowner’s insurance, and taxes.  Factor in car payments, credit card debt, and living expenses.  Budget for home maintenance costs as well.  Aim to keep the mortgage payment and all other obligations below 40% of your monthly income and stay within your budget when considering homes.

Check your credit score.  Your credit history is an important factor when applying for a loan.  Most lenders rely on the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) credit score when reviewing your loan application.  The score reflects how well you manage your debt and is calculated using data from your credit report.  A lower credit score will result in a higher interest rate on your loan.

Organize your finances before you go to the bank.  Getting a loan requires a few different documentations including pay stubs, tax returns, and financial statements that are less than 60 days old.  Provide copies of additional monthly payments such as car loans, credit cards, and student loans.

Factor in closing costs.  Once you have found a home within your budget and agreed on a purchase price, there will be costs associated with closing the sale.  These costs can vary and will depend on the purchase price and whether a real estate attorney or title/escrow company will be involved in the transaction.  By law, lenders are required to give you a written estimate of closing costs within three days of accepting your loan application. 

The experienced staff at CNB can help you navigate the process and help you choose the best mortgage option for you.  To begin, you may complete a mortgage application online or if you need more information, please contact a CNB Mortgage Lender at 888-322-1088 or 517-439-0440.

To avoid becoming a victim of debit card fraud, the American Bankers Association offers these tips:

• Immediately notify your bank if your card is lost or stolen.
• If you have reason to suspect fraud, check your account balance right away by utilizing online banking or telephone banking.
• Use your body to shield the ATM keyboard as you enter your PIN.
• Keep your receipts to check against your statement.
• Keep a record of card numbers, expiration dates, and toll-free numbers for banks so you can contact the issuing bank easily in cases of theft.
• Mark through any blank spaces on debit receipts, including the tip line at restaurants, so the total amount cannot be changed.
• Know your limits.  Many issuers limit daily purchases and withdrawals for your protection.
• Be wary of those trying to help you, especially when an ATM “eats” your card.  They may be trying to steal your card number and PIN.
• Do not give your PIN to anyone over the phone.  Thieves often steal cards and then call the victims for their PIN, claiming to be law enforcement or the issuing bank.
• Always take your receipts or transaction records with you.
• Do not leave your ATM card lying around the house or on your desk at work.  No one should have access to the card but you.
• Check your bank statements often.  Report unauthorized transactions immediately.

If you’ve been thinking about refinancing your home loan, now is the time!

We can help you:

• Consolidate your debt
• Lower your interest rate
• Lower your payments
• Reduce the length of your loan

We offer a fast turnaround time.  Apply online today!

As more consumers turn to the Internet to do their shopping, so do the fraudsters with their scams.  County National Bank suggests that consumers follow some simple steps to protect themselves and their financial information while shopping online.

CNB offers the following tips:

• If you’re not sure, don’t share. Anyone can set up a website these days so be sure you’re familiar with the retailer’s site before you give them any of your financial information.
• Is the site secure? Look for the ‘s’ in https:// and a small padlock at the bottom of the screen before entering any payment information.
• Know the terms of your purchase. Is the product returnable and if so, who pays the shipping fees? How long will the product take to ship? What does shipping cost? Read the fine print. If it’s not clear or you don’t agree, make the purchase elsewhere.
• Print & Save. Be sure to print and save the transaction receipt, the order number, a customer service phone number, and any other information you can just in case there’s a problem with your order.
• Check the privacy policy. Find out what they’re doing with your information by reading the privacy policy. If it’s too complicated to read or they don’t have one, choose to do business with a more consumer friendly website.
• TMI. Don’t divulge too much information to anyone on the Internet. If a website is asking for your bank account number, social security number or driver’s license number, don’t share it.
• Know your rights. If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission, as well as the Michigan Attorney General. Be sure to report it to the Better Business Bureau, too.

You can make a statement when you elect to receive your bank statement electronically. By simply opting not to receive a paper statement, you’ll help reduce paper consumption and deforestation. And not only that – with CNB online banking and e-statements your account information (including your statement) is right at your fingertips. You’ll also have access to your statement quicker than by conventional mail, an e-statement is safer than a mailed statement, it helps to reduce storage and clutter, and it’s absolutely free.

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Telemarketing fraud is a crime. Criminals use the phone to commit many different types of fraud and telephone scammers are very good at what they do. Learn how you can protect yourself against them.

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