What’s Your Next Step?

Posted on May 1, 2015 by vcnbfamily

We have been busy talking about next steps here at VCNB. Everyone has a next step in life. Maybe it’s a huge step like getting married, starting a family or buying a home. Maybe it’s a small step like the bathroom remodel you have been planning for years. Perhaps it is a far off step like retiring or becoming an empty nester. As we look around the VCNB Financial Family we see people taking next steps every day: babies, promotions, military service, weddings, retirements, new homes, smaller homes, new hobbies, children going off to college, and adults going back to school. There have been some unhappy next steps along the way as we have said goodbye to parents, siblings and mentors as well. While we hope all your next steps are happy, the good and the bad are all a part of life. With this in mind, we want to be with you along the way for whatever your next step in life is, no matter where it takes you. Home loans, savings accounts, cutting edge services and good old fashioned customer caring are some of the things we do every day. Plus, for a while we are offering you a chance to earn money for becoming our customer. Now through June 30, you can get $100 for opening a new checking account with a debit card. You can also earn $50 for opening a new savings account. These accounts can be opened online or in any of our seventeen branches. We also want to help some neighbors in need as they take their next steps. That is why we will donate $10 for every qualifying checking or savings account opened during the promotional period. The money will be shared by two charities – Sojourners of Vinton County and Maywood Mission of Lancaster – to purchase shoes for people in need. We will donate up to $1,000 at the end of the promotional period.

Next Step Promo Terms and Conditions_Final

Click Image To Enlarge Terms and Conditions.

Click the terms and conditions at right to view a full screen description of complete details. Visit www.vintoncountybank.com for account information or to get started opening an account. You can also stop by any one of our seventeen branches to speak with an expert and open your new account today. Are you thinking about your next step? Comment below to tell us what it will be! We are excited to hear your stories!

Local Business Spotlight: Venue 62 For Your Next Event

Posted on April 29, 2015 by vcnbfamily

We understand that being a small business owner is tough. That’s why we plan to spotlight a different business each month to help you learn about unique businesses in your own back yard.

Distinctive. Unique. Historic. Full of character. . .

These are all terms used to describe Venue 62, Grove City’s up-and-coming boutique event space.

Located in the heart of Grove City’s Town Center, Venue 62 opened for business last Spring. Originally financed, purchased and renovated in 2010 to house owner Matt Yerkes’ software company, the idea of having a food-service business in part of the building was always part of the long-term plan.

After seeing the facility in person, one can certainly see that the building’s rich history and character are an integral part of the Venue 62 experience.

The historic brick building dates back to at least the 1920’s, when it was a drug store and stood next door to an automotive dealership. As we know, times have certainly changed in the last century. This fact is demonstrated by the new car prices ranging from $319 to $645 that are still painted on one of the exposed brick walls inside the venue.

When it came time for renovations, Yerkes had a vision that came, in part, from seeing a small section of exposed brick along the wall. “What if we exposed the entire wall?” he wondered. It was only later, after many hours of labor, that the new car prices of yesteryear would be uncovered.

This only added to the look and feel of the historic building, which includes custom built barn doors on the interior, a trickier project than expected. “We had this idea for these large doors, but we had to be sure to build them small enough to fit through the front of the building,” he said. The doors are used to enclose a middle section that was designed specifically with business meetings and gatherings in mind.

The beams from which interior lights hang were created from lumber that once held up the false ceiling in the building’s pre-renovation years.

The vision and hard work have paid off. Since opening for business nearly one year ago, Venue 62 has played host to numerous wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal and baby showers, luncheons, memorial services, and professional gatherings.

Bookings have steadily increased to the point that Christmas events are being booked eight months in advance. They work to accommodate the needs of their guests to make event planning a smooth experience.

“We have a D5 liquor license, which allows beer, wine, and liquor, and an A2 Occupancy license which allows for nearly 100 guests,” Yerkes explained. The back section of the building was completely renovated to include a brand new commercial kitchen last summer. This allows for an expanded and fully customized menu for events of all types.

And while Venue 62 will provide food and beverages of the customer’s choosing, customers are not tied to using Venue 62’s catering. Food options from outside vendors are allowed for events, which really allows for freedom and creativity when event planning.

The future looks bright for Venue 62 and Grove City’s Town Center. A planned expansion for downtown parking options is in the works, as are development plans for the nearby library, city hall, and various commercial and residential properties in the area.

Since 2010, Yerkes has witnessed a resurgence in the downtown district and expresses great hope for the future. “It’s a great time to be here in the Town Center. We’ve been really pleased to be a part of it,” he said.

Venue 62 is located at 3995 Broadway, Grove City. Visit Venue 62 on Facebook or on their website at www.venue62.com.

Teaching Children To Save

Posted on April 23, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Thanks to Central Elementary Principal Teresa Snider for hosting us during Teach Children To Save Month!

Every spring our McArthur office sends people into the elementary schools in Vinton County to talk with third graders about saving money. We do this because April is Teach Children To Save Month and because teaching these basic principles to young people is one way to give their personal finances a great start.

Teach Children To Save is a national program that organizes banker volunteers to help young people develop a savings habit early in life. We typically speak to third grade students and their teachers at West, South and Central elementary schools in Vinton County.

We talk to the kids about what a bank does and why someone might need to do business with us. We talk to them about savings accounts, why they might someday want to borrow money and even how a bank does business.

We also tell them a story and help them with a math worksheet, demonstrating how one child saved money for something she really wants while another child spends her money on small items instead of saving for the big goal. At the end of the lesson we talk about whether it is better to be a spender or a saver and then answer all their questions about banks and about that day’s lesson.

It is a thought provoking day for both the students and their banker teachers. We often marvel at the questions these young students ask and look forward to the school visits every year.

Staff from our Friendly Bremen Banking Centers also visit schools in their area for similar programming every spring.

Are you a teacher or a principal? Would you like to have a banker visit your students? Contact us so we may make arrangements!

Open Your HSA Online Today

Posted on February 6, 2015 by vcnbfamily

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an easy way to save for healthcare expenses and now you can open your account online at VCNB! We hope this new feature, which we recently added to our website, will help customers who want an HSA but can’t make it in to a branch.

They say an apple a day will keep the doctor away. A Health Savings Account will help you prepare for the things an apple just can’t take fix.

An HSA is more than just a savings account. It is a tax favored account that allows you to pay for qualified medical expenses if you have a high deductible insurance plan. Everything from doctor copays to medications, blood work, insulin supplies and bandages are among the qualified expenses. To learn more about the HSA and how it works here, click here.

Did we mention that our Health Savings Accounts are extremely competitive? Unlike most banks, we provide a monthly statement so that you always are on top of your saving and spending. There is a $3 monthly fee that is waived if you accept e-statements in lieu of a paper statement. The one-time $25 set-up fee is also waived with this coupon, valid through March 31, 2015. If you open online, use coupon code HSA25 .

We provide online access, a debit card and your first box of checks for free.

If you think an HSA is right for you but you simply aren’t sure, remember that we have experts in our offices who are happy to talk with you and open your account in office. To open an HSA online or learn more, visit our website.

Better Together

Posted on February 3, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Some things are simply better together.

That’s how we feel about our checking and savings accounts here at VCNB. One is great but the two are even better together!

Think of your checking account as a place to manage your money. This is a transactional account from which you can make frequent withdrawals. You can do this by making debit card purchases at point-of-sale machines or by writing checks. You can make ATM withdrawals or come into the bank to withdrawal or deposit money. You can even pay bills online.

A savings account is a different kind of animal. Instead of using this account for daily transactions, a savings account is used for . . . you guessed it! Saving money!

It’s a great place to tuck away funds for an emergency or for a rainy day. If you’re planning a vacation or getting ready for Christmas, a savings account is a great option for keeping those funds separate from your daily spending money. While it’s kept in savings, your funds will grow some with interest.

Because federal law dictates that you can only make six savings withdrawals per month, this is a perfect place to park money and forget it until you actually need the cash. One time or periodic transfers of funds from your checking to savings make saving money much easier.

Right now, we are rewarding customers who open a new checking and savings at one time. From now through March 31, 2015, open a Checking My Way or Classic checking account and accept a debit card to receive a cash bonus of $100. If you open a Passbook savings account at the same time as the checking, you will receive an additional cash bonus of $50.

To receive the bonus, customers must make a $100 minimum deposit into the checking account and a $100 minimum deposit into the savings account. The account can be opened online or at a branch with a coupon requested online.

Want more information? Be sure to read the terms and conditions pictured below. Simply click on the photo to enlarge. Are you ready to open your new accounts? Click here!

Your Financial Checklist

Posted on January 19, 2015 by vcnbfamily

We’ve been talking a lot lately about spending tips and saving money on our Facebook page and here on our blog. It’s a timely topic with January being Financial Wellness Month.

Today we have a checklist to help you get started toward your money goals today!

It’s the Right Time to Get $100

Posted on January 15, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Every day is a good day to open a checking account with VCNB, but this is an especially lucrative time. Have you heard that we’ll give you $100 when you open your new checking account? You read that correctly. We will give you $100 if you open a new checking account with us this month.

Open a Checking My Way or Classic Checking account with VCNB online and we will give you $100! To qualify for the bonus, you must fund your new account with a minimum of $100, be a legal resident of the Continental U.S. and be 18 years or older.

Your new account must be opened by January 31, 2015 to qualify for the offer.

Visit our website to learn more or to open your account today!

Create a savings plan for 2015

Posted on December 29, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Did you save enough in 2014? Do you have enough money tucked away for retirement? How about for a small emergency? What if the furnace blows next month or your car needs repairs? Do you have enough in savings to get by? If you’re like most Americans, the answer is a resounding no.

Most financial experts recommend that you pay yourself first. That means before you pay rent, buy groceries or go to the movies, you set aside a portion of your income. We recommend that you create a monthly budget to see where your money is going. In doing so, set a savings goal for each paycheck. If you think there isn’t room for savings, take a closer look at frivolous expenses or impulse buys that could be draining your checking account (Click here to read about 35 ways to save some dollars).

Once you know how much you want to save, you just need to decide where to tuck the money away to keep it safe. If you are just starting out, the best approach is to open a savings account. At VCNB we offer a personal savings account that requires an opening balance of $100 for adults with no minimum for minors. Interest is paid on this account if it has a balance of $100 or more.

Once you have a savings account, you can deposit funds at the bank, with direct deposit and with Online Banking. You can even set up automatic transfers to ensure the funds actually make it to savings. Once it’s there, try not to touch the money unless there is a true emergency.

If you have a high deductible insurance plan, another great savings option is the Health Savings Account (HSA). While some banks charge large fees for an HSA, VCNB offers this account for free if you accept a monthly e-statement rather than a paper statement. If you wish to receive a paper statement, the account fee is $3 per month. There is a one-time $25 set up fee for this account that is waved if you have this coupon. Basically, an HSA is a tax favored way to save money for qualified medical expenses.

If you don’t use the money you deposited into your HSA this year, the funds will roll over to the next year. For many young people with lower medical expenses, this is a great way to begin saving for later in life when medical expenses typically become more burdensome. Once you reach the age of 65, your HSA savings can be used for any type of expense. Check out this link to learn more about an HSA at VCNB.

If you already have a nest egg but would like to earn more interest for your savings, a good investment is an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Certificate of Deposit (CD) with VCNB. With a CD, you can select the length of time you would like to invest and then watch your money grow. An IRA allows you to save more for your future because you can contribute to your retirement over time while earning interest. We offer Traditional, ROTH, SEP and Educational IRA’s, allowing you to choose what’s best for your long term goals.

There is no greater security than financial security. For most people that doesn’t come overnight. Instead it comes dollar by dollar. Take a moment now to consider what you want your finances to look like a year from now, five years from now and twenty years from now. Then devise a plan and start saving today!

Your future self will thank you.

VCNB announces holiday hours

Posted on December 23, 2014 by vcnbfamily

The holidays are finally here and VCNB offices will be closed some so our employees may celebrate with their families.

All of our offices will close at noon on Christmas Eve except for our Young’s Family Market location which will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All of our locations will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. However, our website and mobile banking app are available 24/7.

We appreciate our customers and wish you and yours the happiest of holidays.

Protect Yourself From Fraud

Posted on December 10, 2014 by vcnbfamily

With the holiday season upon us, the threat of fraud increases every day. We know you are busy but it is important to stay on top of things even while you are celebrating and searching for the perfect gifts.

One problem we face today is that fraud comes from so many different sources and comes in many forms. Whether it is online, over the phone or in-person, you can take steps to reduce your risk.

When shopping in a store, carry only the cards you intend to use, never leave your purse or wallet unattended and know where your card is at all times, even when the cashier has it. Also, be sure that others are not capturing your PIN number when performing PIN transactions.

When paper checks are converted to an Automated Clearing House or ACH at a merchant, store voided checks safely to prevent counterfeit checks or unauthorized ACH transactions.

When using an ATM, inspect the area around the card reader area for any tampering, tape, glue or other evidence of a card skimmer. A skimmer is an electronic device that is installed over the normal card reading slot of an ATM to record data from the magnetic strip on the back of your card. This device is often accompanied by a hidden camera that records your PIN. Pay attention to what the card reader and keypad normally look like on the ATMS you frequent and don’t use an ATM if the card reader fits poorly, is loose or appears to be added on.

In the cyber world, it is important to protect your personal information and your computer. That means keeping updated anti-virus software on your computer and being smart about how and where you share your information.

Shop online with trusted merchants and look for the https: to indicate that the page is encrypted. Use strong passwords that consist of a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters for all online accounts. Did you know that “123456” and “password” are the two most common passwords in the world? Avoid these as well as passwords that contain personal information that is easy to find in your social media profile. While it may be inconvenient, change your passwords regularly as well.

Also be suspicious of emails or Facebook messages from people you don’t know. Don’t open the email or click on any links within the message. If you are like most Americans you keep a lot of personal data stored on your smart phone or tablet. Prevent that information from falling into the wrong hands by locking your mobile devices with a password. Some devices also come with apps that allow you to track and even erase data from missing devices.

And while it may be low tech, do not underestimate the power of the telephone for criminals. People posing as debt collectors, those making charity requests or even government representatives can be very convincing over the phone. If someone calls, attempt to confirm that they are legitimate by requesting their name, address, phone number and other relevant information. If they claim to represent a well-known organization like the IRS or VCNB, hang up and call the organization’s published phone number. If you suspect fraud is involved, contact local law enforcement.

Criminals will commonly ask for personal information to help you claim a prize. Remember if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Also remember that VCNB will never request personal information over the phone or online. Never give out account information, your PIN, Social Security number or other important data.

Finally, be sure to regularly keep track of receipts and transactions. Keep and read receipts to ensure they reflect the correct transaction amount. And review your accounts in some way regularly. At VCNB, you can set up Account Alerts so that you receive a text message or email each time a transaction posts. You can also call our Telebanc line at 1-800-317-5990, check balances online at www.vintoncountybank.com or call Customer Service at 1-800-542-5004.

Monitoring your credit report regularly is another effective way to identify problems.

If you think your VCNB account has been compromised, contact your local branch or Customer Service immediately. If you call outside of business hours, there is an option in the phone menu to report a lost or stolen card. Choose this option to protect your card and yourself from damages and then contact Customer Service during business hours.

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