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We have a monthly publication, which we send to our customers. If you'd like to receive our newsletter by regular mail, let us know. Otherwise, we'll keep the latest version here. These are the articles from August 2004.
It’s not too late to take advantage of low home loan rates! Home loan rates remain at historic lows, but it is the prediction of most economists that they will not stay this low for long. Now may be the best time to lock in a low residential loan rate for a variety of reasons. It’s not too late to purchase that new home of which you have always dreamed. Farmers and Merchants offers 15, 20 and 30 year fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages that feature low closing costs. We can assist you with your loan without hassle. It’s not too late to refinance your existing home at a lower rate. Kicking yourself because you missed the low rate refinance boom? Well, you haven’t! Rates are still at thirty-year lows and we can lock you in at lower payments or a shorter term at a minimum expense. It’s not too late to do your home improvement before the season is over. The loan department at Farmers and Merchants offers a variety of ways to finance your home improvement needs. We can fix you up with a home improvement loan at a low rate or we can combine your improvement costs with your existing mortgage at the current low interest rates. It’s not too late to use the equity in your home to finance…anything you want! Whether it’s a late vacation, a new vehicle, or home improvement, F & M has a variety of home equity products tailored to fit your needs. If your son or daughter is heading off to college, a home equity line of credit may be just the ticket for funding his or her needs. And in many cases the interest on a home equity loan is tax deductible.
It’s never too late to take advantage of the many loan products Farmers and Merchants State Bank has to offer. Stop by today and let our loan professionals, Patricia, Don or Doug, serve you and leave the hassles behind.
Recent birthdays celebrated include Blanche Kane (97), Ina Ault (95), and Hubert Miller (90) all of Bushnell, and Bruce Bricker (87) of rural Bushnell. F & M’s trust department has three employees with momentous service anniversaries this month! All WIU graduates, Betsy Powell celebrates her 10th year (actually 15 when we include part-time), Connie Morrow celebrates her 10th and Jessie Havens celebrates her 5th. Betsy joined Trust-Mart® part-time as a COE student at B-PC High School, and went full-time following her WIU graduation. She serves as Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer, and Marketing Coordinator. Connie started in the Prairieland Accounting and Tax office in Hamilton and transferred to the Bushnell location in 1999. She serves as Accountant, Tax Preparer, Internal Auditor, and Portal Development Coordinator. Jessie serves as Trust Administrative Assistant, Computer Network Assistant and Security Officer. The trust, tax and accounting services these ladies provide to our community is truly appreciated by Farmers and Merchants State Bank. Congratulations to each of you!
Former F & M employee, Jack Estes, is extremely proud of his nephew, Derek Estes. He was recently awarded the Bronze Star for heroism on the battlefield in Iraq!
If these expenses have you overwhelmed and you don’t know where to turn, stop by the Farmers & Merchants State Bank loan department and visit with Patricia, Don or Doug to discuss loan options available to you. Our loan officers are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday, 8:30 am to noon. They will strive to make your life easier.
Jessie Havens joined the Farmers & Merchants family in January of 1999, the same year she graduated from Western Illinois University, and just after marrying her husband, Mike. She worked briefly in the loan department before moving to the trust department where she is a Trust Administrative Assistant, Computer Network Assistant, and Security Officer. Her parents are David Mason of Bushnell, and Cindy Stumph of DeKalb. Jessie grew up in Cuba and graduated from Cuba High School before attending WIU. She and her husband and one-year old daughter, Gracie, reside in Bushnell. When Jessie is not at work she enjoys traveling, walking, biking, taking pictures, and spending as much time as she can with her family and Gracie!
A few of Jessie’s favorite recipes include:
Layer the bottom of a greased 9” x 13” pan with 1 jar of nuts. In medium saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows. Add condensed milk and peanut butter chips. Stir until melted. Pour evenly over layer of nuts. Top with remaining jar of nuts, pressing nuts into mixture with fingers. Let set until firm. Cut into squares and serve.
Boil brown sugar and butter for about one minute. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Place graham crackers on cookie sheet. Drizzle syrup mixture over crackers and sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 350º about 6 minutes.
Place crust on pizza pan. Combine chicken and barbeque sauce, and spread over crust. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 450º for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Common types of heat-related illness are heat cramps (severe cramping), heat exhaustion (fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, pale or flushed skin), and heat stroke (hot, red, dry skin with no sweating, confusion, unconsciousness).
To help prevent heat-related illnesses, drink plenty of cool, caffeine- and alcohol-free liquids, wear loose clothing, and limit exposure to the sun during midday hours.
“Phishing” is an unsolicited e-mail designed to steal passwords, PINs, credit card information or bank information. If you get an e-mail saying your bank or other accounts need to be updated or verified, and you click on the link provided, you may be taken to a very authentic-looking website that may even have the same company logo and URL address of the company being impersonated.
How can you tell that the e-mail is not legitimate? Your bank (Farmers & Merchants State Bank included) does not need to verify your ATM PIN or Social Security number by way of e-mail, and neither do other companies. You should initiate a call to your bank or account holder if you find it necessary to verify personal information.
Farmers & Merchants State Bank’s front window display also contains many items nearly a century old! We hope you’ll sneak a peek at it, too!
Make plans to attend the Fall Festival, August 25-29. The Grand Parade will start at 5 PM on August 26th, and as always, top entertainment will be provided each evening at no charge! See you there!
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Wedding anniversaries recently celebrated include Kermit and Helen Oliver (71 years), Ralph and Joan Rhoads (56 years), Ken. and Marjorie Wolf (54 years), Dale and Nadyne (Tiny) Walters (54 years), H.M. (Mickie) and Marilyn Logsdon (52 years), Lindy and Donna Zeigler (50 years), Ed and Betty Wilson (50 years) and Elmer and Margaret White (50 years), all of Bushnell, Bob and Beverly Ver Steeg (52 years) of Avon, and Joe and Louise Meloan (63 years) of Highland.
