National Exchange Bank & Trust

Build Credit While Managing Debt
4/22/2008
Good credit history has never been more important than it is today.

When people spend more than they can afford and pay less toward their debts than they should, they are getting into the bigger problem of establishing bad credit. Stick to a realistic budget that allows you to pay off your debt, pay your current bills and save money for the future. Make it a goal to save enough money to cover three months of bills should something happen to you where you would not have a steady income.

If your credit score has plummeted or you are in credit card debt, seek confidential credit card counseling. Some creditors will accept reduced payments if you are working with a reputable program to get out of debt. Creditors will help you modify your plan to make it more manageable. Do not wait until your accounts have been turned over to a debt collector to seek out help.

As you take control of your debt, be cautious of advertisements that offer quick fixes. Agencies offering debt relief may actually be offering bankruptcy. Because bankruptcy stays on your credit history for up to 10 years and hinders your ability to establish credit, it is important to understand thoroughly any debt-relief services. If any credit repair offer seems too easy or too good to be true, it probably is. Before doing business with any debt relief service, contact your local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau.

You may obtain up to three free credit reports each year. Three suggested credit reporting agencies are Equifax, Transunion and Experian.

Secure your Retirement with an IRA
4/2/2008
Today, more than ever before, financial security during retirement is one of the greatest challenges American workers face. Social Security adequacy is uncertain, and therefore, Americans are forced to rely more heavily on their own resources post-retirement.

Individual retirement arrangements are viable answers to a secure retirement. And, it is not too late. You can deposit money into your 2007 IRA until April 15, 2008.

There are different types of IRAs: Traditional and Roth. The differences between the Traditional and Roth include:
Traditional IRAs: offer immediate tax benefits, with contributions and/or earnings tax-deferred until the money is withdrawn. Minimum distributions are required at 70.5 years of age.
Roth IRAs: are funded with post-tax dollars and not taxed when the money is withdrawn. Minimum distributions are not required.

If you do not have an IRA, contact a National Exchange Bank and Trust representative. Our institution offers Traditional and Roth IRAs in certificates of deposit or money market accounts. Money may be automatically transferred from your National Exchange Bank and Trust checking account into your IRA plan with a preauthorized monthly plan. Money may also be rolled over from former employers into one account so that all of your finances may be handled under one roof.

Making Changes for your Convenience and Security
3/7/2008
National Exchange Bank and Trust is pleased to announce that all checks are now processed through an imaging system. The process increases check processing efficiency and transaction authorization.

Because of technology, we are able to scan the front and back of original checks into the computer system and store them for seven years. With check imaging, statement reconciling, check researching and balancing information is available at your fingertips. Check images are available at no charge through Exchange OnLine and serve as a security feature that helps prevent fraud and identity theft from your checking account.

National Exchange Bank and Trust?s safekeeping program allow your checks to be stored for seven years; up to three free check copies are available each month. Contact us with any questions about Exchange Online, check imaging and safekeeping.

Build Credit While Managing Dedbt
4/22/2008
Good credit history has never been more important than it is today.
When people spend more than they can afford and pay less toward their debts than they should, they are getting into the bigger problem of establishing bad credit. Stick to a realistic budget that allows you to pay off your debt, pay your current bills and save money for the future. Make it a goal to save enough money to cover three months of bills should something happen to you where you would not have a steady income.
If your credit score has plummeted or you are in credit card debt, seekconfidential credit card counseling. Some creditors will accept reduced payments if you are working with a reputable program to get out of debt. Creditors will help you modify your plan to make it more manageable. Do not wait until your accounts have been turned over to a debt collector to seek out help.
As you take control of your debt, be cautious of advertisements that offer quick fixes. Agencies offering debt relief may actually be offering bankruptcy. Because bankruptcy stays on your credit report for up to 10 years and hinders your ability to establish credit, it is important to understand thoroughly any debt-relief services. If any credit repair offer seems too easy or too good to be true, it probably is. Before doing business with any debt relief service, contact your local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau in the companyâ€™s location.
You may obtain up to threefree credit reports each year. Three suggested credit reporting agencies are Equifax, Transunion and Experian.

Loan Rate Cuts: The Economical Affects
2/12/2008
The loan rate cut affects consumers in their daily lives in many ways; from mortgages to credit card bills to savings. Be aware that the rate cut will be most beneficial to borrowers with good credit.

People with good credit and variable-rate mortgages could use the rate cut as an opportunity to restructure their debt. Financial analysts generally recommend that you refinance if you are going to live in your home for several years.

Additionally, home owners have seen a decrease in value of their homes making it a good time for those with good credit to find a bargain.
Please contact us for a free evaluation of your current mortgage situation.

Rate cuts benefit those consumers shopping for loans while the savings rates continue to be pressured by the interest rate spread.

While the economy is in the political spotlight as presidential candidates are focusing on financial issues that are concerning to consumers and businesses, it is as important as ever to evaluate your financial position. Let us know how we can help.

Watching for Phishing Scams Can Save your Good Name
11-26-2007
With all the technological advances in today’s world, scam artists are getting more and more creative in how they gain your trust to get your financial information. The first step to preventing identity theft and fraud is to stay informed of the different scams being utilized. Talking regularly with a Customer Service Representative at your local office will help you stay aware.

Phishing scams have been in existence for a few years, but many people are still unaware of how realistic phishing e-mails can look. Scam artists are no longer only targeting large financial institutions. In the past year, the number of small, local banks being targeted has increased significantly.

Technology can greatly increase the convenience of your banking, but it is important to keep security issues in mind. Phishing e-mails and the web sites they send links to may appear almost identical to those of legitimate financial institutions. National Exchange Bank & Trust will never ask for verification of your personal information via e-mail.

Festival Foods Office Provides Added Convenience
10-17-2007
The newest office of National Exchange Bank & Trust opened October 5, 2007. The office opened in the new Festival Foods Grocery Store in Fond du Lac at 1125 East Johnson St. The office will offer added convenience to our customers in the expanding east side of the Fond du Lac community.

This is the first in-store office of National Exchange Bank & Trust. The office provides a full range of products and services, a state of the art 24-hour ATM and is easily accessible in the front of the store.

Surveys show that in-store banks are increasingly popular, so we continuously strive to provide the most convenient banking options to our customers. Please visit our Festival Foods Office to experience the National Exchange Bank & Trust difference today!

Making Secure Sign On Work For You
9-21-2007
For Secure Sign On to provide maximum security when using Exchange OnLine, please continue to ensure your picture and personal phrase appear when logging on. If you do not recognize your phrase or picture, do not enter personal information.

A recent study by researchers at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) showed that online banking customers did not notice when their personal images were absent when logging in.

Make Secure Sign On Work for You: If you do not recognize your phrase or picture, or one is not present, contact us immediately.

We Now Offer More Electronic Banking Services
8-15-2007
Electronic Banking Services continue to increase in popularity. A study conducted in association with Dove Consulting shows that customers are increasingly using electronic payments. Now even Monopoly has gone electronic.

National Exchange Bank & Trust is keeping up with the times by offering you the most highly-advanced banking options. The newest additions to our Electronic Banking Services include eStatements and Secure Sign on. We also recently upgraded our Visa Platinum Credit Card by offering rewards with the Points2U Program. And our top-notch Electronic Bill Payment offers the convenience of paying your bills with the touch of a button.

In a world where technological change is a constant, it is good to know your bank is keeping up. It is also good to know you can depend on the friendly staff to be there to help you in person, if needed. Visit any location to speak with a friendly representative about our electronic banking options.

Elkhart Lake Office Celebrates its 100th Birthday
July 17, 2007
The Elkhart Lake Office of National Exchange Bank and Trust will celebrate 100 years as a community leader on August 15, 2007. The “bank on the corner” was the first and only bank in Elkhart Lake for 88 years.

The bank will host a celebration for customers the week of August 13 – 17, at the Elkhart Lake Office. The community is encouraged to visit the office at 54 South Lake Street to register for $100 daily giveaways and enjoy refreshments.

To kick off the week’s festivities, the bank’s staff will be on-site as a co-sponsor at Elkhart Lake’s Downtown Night on August 13 offering giveaways and a chance to win a family package to the Milwaukee County Zoo.

“This celebration is a way to give back to the people who support us. We are honored to be celebrating 100 years in a caring community like Elkhart Lake,” said Assistant Vice President Mary Beth Nichols of the Elkhart Lake Office.

A Visa CheckCard is a Smart Idea for Summer Travel
June 18, 2007
Summer is here and so is vacation season! Before you head off on your summer getaway, do not forget to pack your Visa CheckCard. There are many benefits to using a Visa CheckCard, including your enrollment in Visa Extras which rewards you for every purchase for which you sign. But your Visa CheckCard is especially beneficial when traveling.

• Use your CheckCard anywhere Visa is accepted, avoiding the geographic limitations of your checkbook

• It is safer than carrying cash and travelers checks are continuously becoming less widely accepted

• Using your debit card when traveling abroad may save you money when considering the exchange rate

Do not forget a few important tips when traveling with your Visa CheckCard:

• Notify your bank to let them know you will be traveling so they do not consider the transactions made suspicious.

• Check the withdrawal limit on your debit card. If you need a higher limit, ask about Visa Extras. By registering with National Exchange Bank & Trust, your daily withdrawal limit automatically increases.

• Make a record of your account numbers and keep them safe, in case your information is lost or stolen. Do not pack the account numbers in your luggage.

• Make sure the card is in good shape or is not your only method of payment. Check the expiration date to ensure it does not fall during your trip.

Read more about the benefits of a Visa CheckCard!

Community Banks Give Back
May 16, 2007
Community Banks constitute 95% of all banks in the United States according to the Independent Community Bankers Association. And while the number of banks in the United States is decreasing due to consolidation, a finding from the FDIC Statistics on Banking suggests that community banks will continue to expand. Inc.com has even suggested that entrepreneurs look to their local community bank when starting a small business.

With all the buzz about community banks, you may be asking: what can they do for you? The advantages are endless!

National Exchange Bank & Trust is proud to be an independently-owned community bank. In addition to friendly service and local decisions, we continue to invest back into the communities we serve. Plus, customers enjoy many bank-sponsored events and opportunities. These include informational seminars meant to educate, our Shred Day Program to help keep you safe, and appreciation events and activities.

See the National Exchange Bank & Trust difference first-hand: Visit us at our Annual June Dairy Month Petting Zoo on June 2, 2007, and learn what your community bank can do for you!

An HSA May be the Perfect Addition to Your Health Plan
April 17, 2007
A new census by America’s Health Insurance Plans revealed that 4.5 million American’s are currently covered by a low-premium, high deductible health plan paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Each year, the number of individuals taking advantage of these plans increases, as does the number of businesses offering them to their employees. If you currently have a high-deductible health plan, an HSA may be perfect for you. Click here to determine if you meet the requirements to sign up for a tax-advantaged HSA.

Benefits of a National Exchange Bank and Trust HSA:

• Convenience and simplicity of the account serviced at your local office
• Access to your account through FREE Exchange OnLine Internet Banking
• No monthly fee if:
o The account is set up with direct deposit
o $2,500 is maintained in a separate savings, money market, IRA or Certificate of Deposit
o $500 minimum balance is maintained
• Free HSA Visa Debit Card with no annual fee
• First order of HSA checks at no charge

Tax Season Offers a Reminder to Shred Important Documents
3-27-2007
Tax season may cause grumbles as people flip through their messy filing systems to search for receipts, statements and other important documents. This serves as the perfect reminder that having all this excess paperwork is not only a hassle, it is also unsafe. Having sensitive documents with personal information can lead to identity theft. With the range of new scams surfacing every day, identity theft, the most classic case of fraud, is often overlooked. Identity theft, however, is not going away. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that identity theft was the number one fraud complaint in 2006. If you have excess paperwork or important documents that need to be shredded, please visit us for “Shred Day” at our Fond du Lac South Main Office or our Howards Grove Office on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring in up to one large garbage bag (or its equivalent) of documents for shredding and further prevent your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft.

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