Small Business Spotlight: Great Escapes Travel

Posted on February 25, 2016 by vcnbfamily

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

In the age of self service and online travel booking sites, many Americans may not think to consult a travel agency for their next vacation. However, there’s one travel agent in Logan who says business is thriving and that her services are as needed today as ever. Great Escapes Travel owner Tracey Adams is a 33-year veteran of the business who says above-and-beyond customer service keeps clients coming back trip after trip.

“Even though people can book online, you would be surprised to know how many people feel more comfortable booking a trip with me,” Adams said. “I can take someone’s vacation savings and turn it into the trip of their dreams. Even if they vacation every year, I want them to come home feeling like it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

Paris From Disney trips and Caribbean cruises to international journeys to far flung places, Adams can send a client anywhere in the world they want to go. The real value though is that she provides not just the standard flight, room and car rental, she plans and sees to every step of their journey. “From the minute they leave their home until they return, I take care of everything. Flights, transfers, cancellations, online check-in, hotels, cars, research. You name it and I do it because I want to make it as easy and convenient as possible for my client,” she explained. “It’s a service that my clients have grown to expect. Not every agency will do all that but I think personal service is important.”

The demographic of her client base is broad, including people of all ages and backgrounds. She cites stories of trips she has planned for both young and old, families, couples, friends and singles as well as travelers from all backgrounds. She said that most of her clients are repeat customers, making it easier to recommend destinations and activities because she is familiar with their likes and dislikes.

What are some reasons a traveler might find a travel agent like Adams helpful? The list is long, she says. One important reason relates to experience and knowledge. “Either by research or by first hand experience I am familiar with your destination. I’ve been doing this for 33 years so I can tell you what to see and what to avoid. I know when you’re actually getting a good deal and what you need to do before you leave,” she said. She went on to discuss how so many international travelers aren’t sure about how to get a passport, what inoculations they might need or what to pack. “I do all the research and I take care of you. I can look after you if a flight is cancelled and be there for you every step of the way.

When considering her favorite destinations, she mentioned Disney because there are so many customizable options and because it is incredibly popular with people of all ages. Her absolute favorite trip though is Alaska. “It’s the most amazing place I’ve ever seen in my life. The people are so nice and the air is clean. The ice, the whales, the eagles are amazing in person,” she gushed.

Another favorite is the Caribbean where she not only sends countless clients every year but where she leads an annual trip. This year’s seven day Carnival Western Caribbean trip will be Oct. 1 through Oct. 8 and bookings are still available. Ports of call for this trip include Costa Maya, Isla Roatan, Belize and Cozumel. “This is a huge group from Logan and the surrounding area and we have a blast,” she said with a laugh. “Cruises are great for families and for people who aren’t sure they really want to travel. Men especially are the hardest to get on a cruise but they’re the first to come back and book another because they have the best time.”

To learn more about Great Escapes Travel and how they can help you plan your next trip, call 740.385.1999 and follow them on Facebook. They are located at 60 N. Mulberry St. in Logan.

See below for a few more pictures from Great Escapes Travel!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A Season Of Giving All Year Round

Posted on December 15, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Lots of folks think of December as a season of giving but here at VCNB we try to maintain a spirit of giving all year long. We think it’s important to give back to the communities where we do business.

While there are a few causes near and to the heart of who we are as a bank, we enjoy supporting all sorts of community and school causes. From park renovations to school programs and from Christmas presents for kids to food pantries, downtown revitalization projects, arts festivals, fire department gear and everything in between, it seems like there is no shortage of efforts that need community support.

We also spend a lot of resources on financial literacy, especially for kids and teens in school. We talk to high school kids about credit and about the basics of managing their finances once they graduate high school. We also work with elementary students through programs like Get Smart About Credit, Bremen Bank Days and Teach Children To Save. Another major project for us, an EverFi program called Financial U, uses video, 3-D gaming, avatars and social networking to bring financial concepts to life for this digital generation. Offered at ten schools in VCNB communities, EverFi helps school districts meet state financial literacy standards.

Our employees often get in on the act too, donating their time and resources to support countless organizations that are important to them. Many of our employees volunteer for animal shelters, nursing homes, food pantries, the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. Hundreds of hours are given by our employees to support efforts they care about.

This month in Ross County, employees of our Ross County Banking Center have been involved in a contest to raise funds for the Salvation Army. Several of our offices have collected funds for organizations like food pantries and Project Backpack.

Autumn Warthman, Branch Manager at the Hocking Hills Banking Center, knows a thing or two about giving back to the community. Warthman’s office has helped with some major projects in the Logan area including the rehabilitation of Kachelmacher Park. Her office donated funds and her employees gave sweat equity to help with the project.

Warthman says that she sees giving back to the community as an important part of doing business. “I think it’s important to give back to help in whatever ways we can, especially for youth education like EverFi. We want people to know that we don’t just do business here. We support the community and we’re here for them in other ways besides banking,” Warthman explained.

We are grateful for the opportunity to do business in so many great communities and look forward to 2016 and the opportunities to do more good!

Find Us At Saturday Events!

Posted on December 3, 2015 by vcnbfamily

christmas nutcracker free images We will be busy bees this Saturday with all the holiday events happening in our communities. We do love Christmas and we thoroughly enjoy taking part in the traditions of our towns so be sure to stop by and say hi if you have a chance Saturday. Here’s where we’ll be:

Logan Santa Parade
2 p.m.
This is a fantastic parade and one of our favorites! The parade winds through the streets of downtown, starting at the Hocking County Fairgrounds and ending at the Tractor Supply parking lot. The parade features many units including bands, businesses, local non-profits and regional event royalty. Best of all, it also marks the real beginning of the holidays in Logan with the arrival of Santa Claus! Parents are invited to bring their children to enjoy activities provided by the Logan Town Center before the parade, meet Santa and enjoy the lighting of the downtown lights. The staff of our Hocking Hills Banking Center will be passing out candy so be sure to wave!

Pataskala Cookie Walk
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Who doesn’t like cookies? With the donation of either one dollar or one canned food item, participants will receive a bag and a map for an approximate one mile walk around downtown Pataskala, collecting a cookie from each of the nearly three dozen stops on the route. Along the route there are children’s activities, food, and live music and entertainment. The Friendly Bremen Banking Center is a proud supporter of this year’s event and we’ll be participating with our own cookies so be sure to come see us. Learn more at the Main Street Christmas – Pataskala Facebook page!

Christmas in Downtown McArthur
3-6 p.m.
Enjoy a good old fashioned holiday celebration in downtown McArthur. This free event, hosted by the Vinton County Chamber of Commerce, features free wagon rides, door prizes, kids crafts, music, chinese auction, a parade, Santa and more! There’s even a 5K earlier in the day! Stop by our bank to enter our drawing and for your child to put together our Christmas craft project! Learn more here.

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!

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.

VCNB Family

Our Family Serving Your Family Since 1867

Tag Archives: Hocking Hills Banking Center