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!

Special Santa: Making Christmas Merry For Chillicothe Kids

Posted on December 7, 2015 by vcnbfamily

A record number of children in the Chillicothe area will enjoy a merry Christmas this year thanks to the generosity and hard work of the Chillicothe Jaycees and a small army of local businesses and community members. The Jaycees’ Special Santa Project will provide gifts for over 1,200 kids this year, ensuring that these kids have a reason to smile on Christmas morning.

Our Ross County Banking Center has actively supported Special Santa for several years and is proud to do so again in 2015.

Ryan Adams is the Branch Manager at our Ross County Banking Center on Western Avenue and serves as External Vice President for the Chillicothe Jaycees. “This is our biggest year ever,” Adams explained. “There are well over 1,200 kids in the program so far. We always expect an increase from year to year but the growth has been much more than expected this year.”

Devoted to community development and improvement, the Jaycees is a civic organization for men and women ages 21-41. The group is one of the area’s oldest civic organizations, serving the Chillicothe/Ross County community since 1932.

Jaycees members are given the opportunity to develop professional skills through community service while bettering the community through events and projects. Adams said the Jaycees raise thousands of dollars every year to fund a number of projects. In addition to Special Santa, they sponsor events including an enormous Easter Egg Hunt and Movies in the Park. They also partner with the Lion’s Club to host an annual Halloween Parade.

The Jaycees own and operate the Jaycees Public Golf Course on Pleasant Valley Road where they hold events like golf tournaments and even Junior Golf Clinics that are free to local kids.

“We do a lot of neat things. Much of what we do is based in partnerships with groups like the Lions and with local businesses,” Adams said.

Special Santa though is their most popular and most needed event. Adams explained that there is an application process where parents of children newborn to 12 years of age can submit their child’s wish list. Paper ornaments, donated by Printex, are displayed in local businesses and include the child’s first name, age, sex and six items they want for Christmas. While the Jaycees do much of the buying, people who want to help can claim a tag, shop for the requested gifts and return them to the Jaycees.

The Chillicothe-Ross Public Library assists with the application process and permits the Jaycees to use the old Central School, behind the library for this popular holiday operation.

“Special Santa was established in 2000 to help buy toys for kids. I don’t like to say needy kids because anyone can fall on hard times. The loss of a job, illness, there are a lot of reasons why someone may not be able to afford gifts for their kids this year,” Adams lamented.

He called the need in the community “overwhelming” as he described the number of applications and the types of gifts some kids request. “It’s kind of overwhelming when you think about it. I don’t think people really understand the severity of need in this community. And then to have a child request a warm coat, hat, mittens, shoes, underwear instead of a toy – it’s overwhelming.”

Adams credits the community for embracing Special Santa and all the fundraising that goes on to make it happen. “It is amazing to have this kind of community support. This is possible because we have a community of people and businesses that buy into the program and that want to contribute, want to jump on board and make it work,” Adams said.

There is still time become involved if you want to help. To learn more, email specialsanta@chillicothejaycees.org or call 567-703-6305. The Chillicothe Jaycees is also always looking for new members. Learn more about the organization and how you can become involved at their website.

Small Business Spotlight: Modern Technology To Heirloom Gifts

Posted on September 30, 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.

Looking for a gift for that person who has everything? Look no further. Buckeye Designs and Engraving specializes in unique gifts. With inspiration from Uncle Wayne Barker’s experience in graphic design, Ben Barker used his project management skills to open Buckeye Designs and Engraving. Together they produce everything from personalized wine glasses for weddings to engraved watermelons for summer fairs. One of the most common requests they do is the personalization of people’s guns but they thrive on trying new ideas. They believe that the sky is the limit!

Buckeye Designs and Engraving uses advanced laser engraving technology to create personalized gifts and other items. Owner Ben Barker shows off the technology they use.

Using advanced laser engraving technology, Buckeye Designs and Engraving is able to create one of a kind personalized gifts for all occasions. Their American made Epilog Laser system is able to etch intricate designs into wood, acrylic, plastic, marble, and much more. Attached to a computer just like a printer, the system will cut designs created in graphic design software into the medium of your choice using a CO2 laser beam.

Wayne Barker poses with a display of items in the showroom.

Family photos etched into marble, granite or wood make fantastic gifts. Wood plaques imprinted with sports teams can be displayed to show team spirit and custom pet tags can help guide your pets home should they roam off. Priding themselves on competitive pricing, this veteran owned and operated business also completes more standard business requests like nametags, nameplates and awards. So they really are a one-stop shop!

You can visit the showroom at 486 South Paint Street in Chillicothe to see a variety of their work. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. -7 p.m. and weekends by appointment.

Find them on Facebook Here or call 740.851.3851.

Family tree engraved on wood.

Transforming family photos into cherished keepsakes.

A watermelon for the Ross County Fair!

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!

Find Us Out and About This Weekend!

Posted on March 22, 2015 by vcnbfamily

One of the things we enjoy best about this time of year is having opportunity to see a lot of people outside of the office. It’s always great seeing our customers out and about and we think meeting new people is a lot of fun too.

This weekend is a big one for us as our Ross County Banking Center will be at the Southern Ohio Home and Garden Show and the Vinton County National Bank will be at the Jackson County Business Spring Showcase.

The Southern Ohio Home and Garden Show is celebrating eighteen years and will feature demonstrations, giveaways and more than one hundred indoor and outdoor exhibits. The event will feature a fish fry, live music, a Columbus Zoo show, an American Red Cross Blood Drive and presentations on gardening tips and on beekeeping.

In addition to exhibiting, we are proud to sponsor the Hospitality Suite for vendors again this year.

This event will be held on the Ross County Fairgrounds this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the show is free with a $3 parking fee that benefits Habitat for Humanity & Building Industry of South Central Ohio. Visit their website to view a complete schedule and list of vendors.

The Jackson County Business Spring Showcase is a nineteen year tradition that will feature over sixty vendors and a Taste of Jackson Food Court. There will also be numerous prizes given away in their grand prize drawing.

We are extremely excited to participate in this event for the first time this year!

The Jackson County Business Spring Showcase will be held at the Jackson High School Field House beginning Friday with a Business After Hours for invited Chamber members from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. This will be followed by a public preview from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is just $3 but $1 off coupons are available at Wal-Mart, Kroger and other participating Chamber members, including VCNB.

Plan to come see us at one of these shows this weekend!

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 Family

Our Family Serving Your Family Since 1867

Tag Archives: Ross County Banking Center