County National Bank

Craig S. Connor, president and CEO of County National Bank announced the board-approved recent officer promotions for William C. Jors and Wendy S. Dancer.

William (Bill) C. Jors has been promoted from assistant vice president – commercial loan officer to second vice president – commercial loan officer. Bill joined CNB in March 2005 as a loan officer, having worked previously in mortgage and commercial lending for more than 15 years. In January 2008, Bill was promoted to assistant vice president – commercial loan officer, where he has been a key factor in CNB’s growth in the Jackson market.

Bill has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Spring Arbor University, following graduation from Jackson High School.

Bill volunteers through numerous Jackson area charities, including United Way, American Red Cross, The Knights of Columbus and Habitat for Humanity. He also hosts the weekly County National Bank radio show on WKHM-AM 970. Bill is a lifelong resident of Jackson, where he and his daughter currently live.

Wendy S. Dancer has been promoted from credit department manager to credit department officer at the bank. Wendy joined CNB in November 2007 as a management trainee. In September 2008, she was promoted to the position of credit department manager, where she oversees a staff in both the Jackson and Hillsdale market offices.

Wendy received a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, following graduation from Lumen Christi High School. She is a lifetime resident of Jackson, where she and her family currently live.

Wendy and her family are active members with Queen of the Miraculous Medal parish and school.

About County National Bank:

County National Bank is proud to serve the communities of South Central Michigan, providing financial products and services in 11 full-service offices and 18 ATMs. For over 77 years, CNB has been committed to superior customer service, technological innovation, and a tradition of community banking.

Prior to the Jonesville High School football game last Friday night, Don Germann, County National Bank Jonesville Branch Officer, presented a check for $2,000 to Dale Steward of the Jonesville Boosters for the new baseball scoreboard, as Deb Hollister, County National Bank, and Kathy Bondsteel, Jonesville Athletic Director looked on. As the community bank in Jonesville, County National Bank is proud to support the project spearheaded by the Jonesville Booster Club and Jonesville Community Schools. Go Comets!

Craig S. Connor, president and C.E.O. of County National Bank, recently announced the Board approved officer appointment of Barry A. Malek.

Barry A. Malek joins the CNB staff as an assistant vice president – trust officer at the Wisner Office in Jackson.

Barry brings both trust and investment experience having worked with Paine Webber for seven years, and later with National City Bank and Comerica Bank for twelve years in trust and investments for these banks. Barry is excited about making the change to a community bank trust department, which allows a more personal customer relationship.

Barry is a graduate of Cedarville University and has completed levels I, II and III of Trust School at Cannon Financial Institute. He currently holds the CTFA (Certified Trust and Financial Advisor), CRC (Certified Retirement Counselor) and is currently pursuing his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) certification.

Barry is a member of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metro Detroit, and has formerly held membership in the Financial Analysts Society of Detroit, served on the Salvation Army of SE Michigan Planned Giving Committee, Junior Achievement volunteer instructor, Board of Trustees for the SE Michigan Youth for Christ and the Economic Restructuring Committee for the City of Farmington.

Barry and his family plan to relocate to the Jackson area.

County National Bank’s Hillsdale Branch Officer, Wendy Broesamle, hands a check for $500 to David Boswell, the Hillsdale Community Schools’ Choir Director, as Hillsdale High School Principal, Adam Schihl, looks on.

County National Bank, the community bank headquartered in Hillsdale, is proud to once again support the Hillsdale Community Schools’ Artrageous Festival being held on March 25th, 26th, and 27th at Davis Middle School. The Artrageous Festival includes performances of the musical “Pajama Game” on March 25th and 26th at 7:30pm in the Davis Middle School Auditorium. There will be visual art on display before and after the performances, as well as during intermission. On March 26th from 1:00pm until 4:30pm at Davis Middle School, the “Coffee Shop” will be open and will feature performances by the Jazz Band, selected solo and ensembles, the Literary Block (students reading their own poems and short stories), and the showing of student films. Visual art will also be on display. On March 27th at the Davis Middle School Auditorium at 3:00pm, the “Festival of Song” will be held, which includes performances by the choir, orchestra, and band. Visual arts will again be on display before and after the performances. Admission to all events during the Festival, excluding the musical, will be by donation only. The tickets for the musical are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

The Artrageous Festival is a unique showcase of the incredible talent of the Hillsdale Community Schools’ students and looks to be as well-attended and successful as it has been in the past. County National Bank is proud to be a sponsor of this awesome community event.

Robert Wrozek, County National Bank’s Horton Road Branch Officer, presented a check to Charles Aymond, the Director of the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History, to once again sponsor the museum’s lecture series offered free of charge to the public. The free lecture series is a popular series that has brought to the community various speakers and exhibits. County National Bank, the local community bank, is proud to be able to sponsor the free lecture series and recognizes the importance of having a jewel such as the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History in the community of Jackson. CNB is proud of the relationship with the museum and has decorated the nearby Horton Road office with several museum pictures in the lobby. If you’d like to know more about the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History and the free lecture series, contact the museum at 517-787-2320 or visit www.ellasharp.org.

Wendy Broesamle, County National Bank’s Hillsdale Branch Officer, presented Scott Dow, Hillsdale County Fair Secretary-Manager with a check for $1000 for the Hillsdale County Fair Renovation Fund. The Hillsdale County Agricultural Society announced that the fairgrounds have been selected to benefit from a dollar-for-dollar matching gift up to $10,000 from two generous donors. Gifts to the endowed fund, established at the Hillsdale County Community Foundation, will provide income for the renovation and maintenance of the Hillsdale County Fair buildings and grounds for years to come. County National Bank is the only community bank headquartered in Hillsdale County and is proud to continue to support the Hillsdale County Fair as they bring the community “The Most Popular Fair on Earth”. CNB encourages others to support the Fair’s endeavor to meet their $20,000 goal. Please call the Hillsdale County Community Foundation at 517-439-5101 for more information.

County National Bank is pleased to announce support for the Center for Family Health’s capital campaign with a donation of $2500. The donation will be matched by the Weatherwax Foundation and then further by the federal government’s Medicaid program, meaning that the Center for Family Health will receive $20,000 as a result of CNB’s donation. Pictured is Ryan Ambs, Branch Officer at County National Bank’s Wisner Street Office, presenting the check to Molly Kaser, the Center for Family Health’s Chief Executive Officer, along with the Center’s Finance Director, Dale Ernst.

The funds will go toward construction costs of the Center for Family Health’s new 54,100 square foot facility located in downtown Jackson. The new facility will allow Center for Family Health to consolidate offices and increase their capacity to more efficiently serve those medically underserved.

The Center for Family Health is a leader in providing excellent, accessible health care to the residents of the Jackson community. The Center provides a wide range of primary healthcare services, including prenatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric, behavioral, health, and dental care. You may visit centerforfamilyhealth.org for more information and if you would like to make a donation, you may click on the “Support Us” tab or contact the Center at 517-781-3950.

County National Bank is a local community bank with three locations serving the Jackson market – Cortland Street (downtown), Wisner Street, and Horton Road. Please visit CountyNationalBank.com or call 888-322-1088 if you’d like information on CNB’s financial products and services.

HILLSDALE, MICHIGAN May 20, 2010 – June is National Homeownership Month and County National Bank recommends that their customers focus on mastering basic financial principles as they prepare to buy a home.

“Consumers may want to know the basics before taking on a mortgage,” explains Scott E. Evans, Vice President – Senior Mortgage Officer. “Having experience with budgeting may be helpful, especially goal-focused saving, before you buy. Knowing how to save is advantageous when you’re ready to borrow.”

County National Bank has identified the following personal finance basics their customers can use as they prepare for homeownership:

Saving

Saving is a key component when buying a home in the current market. Most lenders will require a down payment, which demonstrates your ability to manage money. Banks are committed to helping consumers save. Many offer savings plans that automatically transfer funds from checking to a savings account, mutual fund or other savings plan.

Managing Credit

Because of the current economic climate lenders have put more emphasis on credit, generally requiring consumers to have credit scores 700 or better to qualify for the best rates. To improve their credit scores, consumers should pay all bills on time, avoid closing old or paid off accounts which can lower credit scores, pay-down debt, check credit reports annually and talk to creditors when in trouble.

Lowering Debt

Debt constitutes 30 percent of your credit score, and County National Bank recommends that consumers pay more than the minimum due and always pay on time. Pay off debt with higher interest rates first, transfer high-rate balances to credit cards with lower interest rates, and limit long-term debt to purchases that will appreciate in value, such as a home.

Budgeting

Developing a financial plan helps to keep your finances in order. It’s important to avoid overextending finances and reaching credit limits or “maxing out” credit cards. Budgeting allows you to pay down debt, save and meet other financial goals.

Ready to buy? Visit one of our local offices, check out our website at www.CountyNationalBank.com, or get the facts from ABA’s National Homeownership Month page at www.aba.com/abaef/NationalHomeownershipMonth.htm.

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