ICBA and CFSB Kicks Off Community Banking Month

Community banks build economically sustainable communities by lending locally

Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2014)—The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) today kick off ICBA Community Banking Month—a month full of community pride for local residents, small businesses and the community banks that proudly serve them. Throughout the month, ICBA and CFSB will encourage consumers and small businesses who are interested in building more economically sustainable communities to check out what their community bank has to offer.

“Community banks help local families achieve financial stability while also driving small business lending in their communities—keeping America’s communities economically healthy and vibrant,” said ICBA Chairman John H. Buhrmaster, president of 1st National Bank of Scotia, N.Y.  “Throughout April, ICBA, our members and our state and regional partners will celebrate the unique and vital role that community banks serve in their communities, while educating consumers and small business owners about the benefits of banking locally with their community bank.”

Community banks are relationship lenders that thrive when their customers and communities do the same. Taking care of customers and looking out for the best interest of local communities is the community banking business model.

There are almost 7,000 community banks, including commercial banks, thrifts, stock and mutual savings institutions, with more than 50,000 locations throughout the United States. Assets may range from less than $10 million to $10 billion or more. Community banks constitute 96.8 percent of all banks.

“CFSB has thrived since 1890 thanks to our loyal and valued customers who believe in the community banking business model,” said Betsy Flynn, CFSB President/CEO.  “The future for community banking is bright, and I encourage everyone to Go Local and realize the difference that a community bank can make in their lives now and for years to come.”  

To follow the conversation on ICBA Community Banking Month, follow the hashtag #BankLocally on Twitter. To learn more about community banks, visit www.icba.org while further information about CFSB can be viewed at www.yourlifeyourbank.com.

ICBA Encourages Americans to Save During “America Saves” Week

Community banks can help consumers create savings plans, build nest eggs

 

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 24, 2014)—The Independent Community Bankers of America ® (ICBA) and Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) is proud to add community bankers’ voices to organizations nationwide that are encouraging Americans to save as part of America Saves Week, Feb. 24 – March 1, 2014. This nationwide campaign, which began in 2007, features a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate and government organizations that are committed to raising awareness of the importance of creating savings funds, building emergency funds and assessing savings plans.

“It’s never too late to develop good saving habits to achieve financial stability,” Bill Loving, ICBA chairman and president and CEO of Pendleton Community Bank in Franklin, W.Va., said. “By participating in America Saves Week, the nation’s nearly 7,000 community banks are raising awareness of the importance of savings plans and offering tips on how consumers can reach their savings goals.”

America Saves Week is an annual opportunity to help promote positive savings behavior and for consumers to assemble their own savings plans. Learn more about why saving is so important and how to get started on building a nest egg at www.americasavesweek.org.

“Community banks are there to help local residents plan for their financial present and future every day of the year,” Terry Jorde, ICBA senior executive vice president and chief of staff, said. “Beginning to save can be intimidating, but no contribution is too small. With the help of your local community bank, creating and maintaining savings funds should be one less thing you need to worry about.”

ICBA and CFSB offers the following tips to help Americans get started on their personal savings:

Set a goal: People are more successful when they have certain goals in mind, so create and share a savings goal with your family and friends. Start small—even saving your loose change can get you somewhere. Aim to start a path toward building an emergency fund of savings with six to nine months of living expenses.

Make a plan: By creating a spending plan, list your expenses and compare them to your income. The plan will help prioritize what are necessities and wants for the month. Attempt to use your credit cards more efficiently, too. Doing that can help ensure that you will not take on too much debt and can minimize interest charges.

Save automatically: Many employers offer regular payroll deduction, which is one of the best ways to start and keep saving money. Make it a routine to automatically put aside a certain amount of money each paycheck, or ask your community bank to make an automatic transfer from your checking to savings account each month.

For more helpful tips, take a look at the Twitter hashtag #NewYearFinLit, which was used for ICBA’s Twitter chat on New Year’s financial literacy resolutions last month.

To learn more about community banks, visit www.icba.org and follow @ICBA on Twitter. Also log on to www.yourlifeyourbank.com for more on CFSB and search for CFSBank on Facebook and Twitter for further updates and information from the region’s oldest independent community financial institution.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for nearly 7,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services. For more information, visit www.icba.org.

About CFSB

CFSB is a locally-owned and operated ESOP financial institution with headquarters in Benton, Kentucky.  CFSB has locations throughout Calloway, Marshall and McCracken County in Western Kentucky and employs more than 170 team members. Member FDIC.  For more information, visit www.yourlifeyourbank.com.

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CFSB Goes Red!

CFSB went red today for National Wear Red Day.

We hope this gesture helps people become more aware of this "silent killer." Our thoughts and prayers are with the families out there that have lost loved ones to heart disease.

ICBA and CFSB Provides Tips for Consumers on Data Privacy Day

Cybersecurity, data breach crimes are increasing, and consumers need to be aware of how to protect their information

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 28, 2014)— Today is Data Privacy Day, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance, and given recent consumer data security breaches at a few of the nation’s largest retailers, the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) wants consumers to be alert when it comes to protecting their sensitive financial information and to know  how to be safe online.

Community banks have worked aggressively to protect their customers following recent consumer data breaches. They have been informing customers about community banks’ multiple layers of security protection, monitoring customer accounts for fraudulent activity, reissuing credit and debit cards to consumers as appropriate and educating consumers on how to avoid fraud. If charges you did not make appear on your credit or debit cards, alert your community bank immediately.

“The latest data breaches at retailers such as Target and Neiman Marcus remind us that criminals are looking to capture sensitive consumer financial information and personal data online and in-person,” said Bill Loving, ICBA chairman and president and CEO of Pendleton Community Bank, Franklin, W.Va. “The community banking industry wants consumers to have as much information as possible so they can help protect themselves against these types of attacks.”

ICBA and CFSB provides consumers valuable tips when it comes to taking proactive security measures:

• Be sure to use unique passwords for all financial online accounts. Never share or duplicate usage of your password, account number, PIN or answers to security questions.
• Monitor all of your financial accounts and report any suspicious activity, such as false or multiple charges, to your community bank immediately.
• Do not save credit or debit card, banking account or routing numbers, or other financial information, on your computer, phone or tablet.
• Be vigilant about using a password on mobile devices. Be sure to set your devices to automatically lock after a selected period of time to ensure no one can access your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
• Do not provide your secure financial information over the phone or Internet if you are unsure of who is asking for it. Contact your community bank directly by using the phone number on the back of your debit or credit card, or stop in your bank to speak with someone in person. Remember, your community bank will never contact or text you asking for personal or banking information. Assume any unsolicited text request is fraudulent.
• Be aware of the location of your mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) at all times. Only log on financial websites when you have a secure, safe and trusted Internet connection.

“Contact your community bank immediately if you think any of your financial data has been compromised,” Loving said. “The sooner you alert proper authorities about suspicious activity, the sooner it can be resolved.”

 

For additional information about Data Privacy Day, visit Stay Safe Online’s website at www.staysafeonline.org. For information about community banks, visit www.icba.org. For further information on CFSB, log on to www.yourlifeyourbank.com.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for nearly 7,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services. For more information, visit www.icba.org.

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About CFSB

CFSB is a locally-owned and operated ESOP financial institution with headquarters in Benton, Kentucky.  CFSB has locations throughout Calloway, Marshall and McCracken County in Western Kentucky and employs more than 170 team members. Member FDIC.  For more information, visit www.yourlifeyourbank.com.

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Our Duck Has a Name

New Year….New Name

That’s right, our duck has a name!

Moby Duck

Thanks to all those who participated in naming our feathered friend.

Merry Christmas!

We want to take this time to send Christmas cheer your way!

CFSB wishes you each a very blessed and happy holiday.

 

Toys for Kids

This week, the MCHS Star Bank class, sponsored by CFSB, went shopping for Toys for Kids. With events like the MCHS PowderPuff Football game, students raised funds for this worthy cause.  Eight Marshall County children will have a Christmas to remember thanks to the caring Star Bank students. We are very proud of our Star Bank students!