County National Bank

The Michigan Bankers Association announced that County National Bank has received the 2012 Financial Literacy Award for their region.  CNB has been awarded this distinction six times in the past seven years, and they are honored to be recognized for their financial education efforts.  As a community bank, County National Bank is committed to promoting financial literacy in their market areas.  Through their involvement, they have been able to reach many community members, including children, teens, adults, and senior citizens.

In addition, CNB recently testified before the State of Michigan’s House Banking Committee in Lansing, providing an overview of their financial literacy efforts to some of the state’s lawmakers.  CNB Compliance Officer, Stacey Clemens; Jonesville Branch Officer, Don Germann; and Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Jill Taylor presented information about the various programs CNB has participated in, such as Teach Children to Save; Get Smart About Credit; Lights, Camera, Save!”; and more.  CNB appreciated the invitation to testify before the House Banking Committee and to be recognized in this way.

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.

Craig S. Connor, president and CEO of County National Bank announced a board-approved recent officer promotion for William C. Jors.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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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All funds in a “noninterest-bearing transaction account” are insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from December 31, 2010, through December 31, 2012. This temporary unlimited coverage is in addition to, and separate from, the coverage of at least $250,000 available to depositors under the FDIC’s general deposit insurance rules.

The term “noninterest-bearing transaction account” includes a traditional checking account or demand deposit account on which the insured depository institution pays no interest. It also includes Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (“IOLTAs”). It does not include other accounts, such as traditional checking or demand deposit accounts that may earn interest, NOW accounts, and money-market deposit accounts.

For more information about temporary FDIC insurance coverage of transaction accounts, visit www.fdic.gov.