FNB Bank is proud to announce that Bridgette Grogan has joined FNB as the Calloway County Market Team Leader. Bridgette brings over 13 years of banking experience having served in various roles including Customer Service Representative Office Manager, and Consumer Loan Officer.
“We are excited to have Bridgette join us as Team Leader for our Calloway County Market,” stated Amy Futrell, Calloway County Market President. “With her professionalism and experience, she will be a huge asset to our team.”
Bridgette is a graduate of Murray State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She is a member of Glendale Road Church of Christ. Bridgette currently resides in Murray with her husband, Jeremy. They have three children: Taylor Garrison, Evan Garrison and Emerson Grogan.
FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky and ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. The bank currently has nine locations: Mayfield Main, Mayfield Southside, Wingo, Lone Oak, Paducah, Murray North, Murray South, Cadiz Main, and Cadiz West. FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.
The Murray State University College of Humanities and Fine Arts has announced its annual fundraising event, ‘A Taste of the Arts,’ will not take place as originally scheduled this October.
In light of concerns with the spread of COVID-19, college and department leadership made the decision to transition from an in-person event to an online and by-mail giving campaign.
“This would have been our twelfth annual event and we want to honor the tradition it has become by providing an opportunity for our alumni attendees and community supporters to continue their financial support of our students in art, music, and theatre,” said College of Humanities and Fine Arts Dean David Balthrop. “These students are still in classes and this year, perhaps more than ever, they still need the scholarship support we gain from this event.”
Though the event will not take place in its usual format, event sponsor FNB Bank has agreed to continue its sponsorship in support of student scholarships.
“FNB is always proud to sponsor the Taste of the Arts event in an effort to provide additional financial support for the art, music and theatre students at Murray State,” stated Sally Hopkins, FNB executive vice president and chief operating officer. “There is so much talent in this Murray State student segment and we want to assist in continuing the strong fine arts tradition at the University for years to come.”
In years past, the college invited donors and alumni to gather on the stage of Lovett Auditorium to witness the talents of Murray State art, music and theatre students and partake in live and silent auctions over dinner. At the 2019 event, revenue from ticket sales, auction items and outright donations reached an all-time high at more than $60,000.
“This year, despite canceling the in-person event, we hope our usual guests will make contributions in the same amount they would normally spend on their ticket and on auction items,” Balthrop said. “Doing so means our students will benefit directly from their generosity.”
Alumni, friends and community members are invited to make contributions securely online at murraystate.edu/givenow or by mail with checks made payable to the Murray State University Foundation to the Office of Development at 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, KY 42071.
Fall is just around the corner and FNB, the Ice House Gallery, and the Mayfield Messenger are proud to present you with the Fall Harvest Market – Children’s Fall Coloring Contest! Enter the Children’s Fall Coloring Page Contest by downloading the Coloring Page here. You may also pick up a printed copy of the Coloring Page at any FNB Banking Center or the Ice House Gallery (located at 120 N 8th Street). Completed pages must be returned to FNB Bank or the Ice House Gallery by Noon on Friday, September 25, 2020. The applicant’s name, age and phone number should be included on the back of the Coloring Page. All entries will be on display at the Fall Harvest Market, located at the Ice House, from 9 AM to 1 PM on September 26, 2020. Four random winners will be selected on September 26th from the following age groups: 0-3; 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. Each winner will receive $50 cash. The contest is sponsored by FNB Bank, the Ice House Gallery and The Mayfield Messenger. Coloring Page artwork provided by Ron Moyers of Mayfield. See below for official contest rules.
Fall Harvest Market – Children’s Fall Coloring Contest Official Rules: The deadline for participants to turn in their completed Coloring Page is Friday, September 25, 2020 by 12:00 PM at any FNB Banking Center or the Ice House Gallery. The $50 drawings for the Coloring Page Contest will be held after 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2020. One winner will be selected from each age group: 0-3; 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. Need not be present to win. Winners will be selected at random. Winners are required to be between the ages of 0-12. The winners will be contacted via the phone number listed on the coloring page entry.
Please contact Brooke Wiles, FNB Marketing Director, at (270) 251-6042 or by e-mail at brooke.wiles@growwithfnb.com for all questions pertaining to the Children’s Fall Coloring Contest.
Fall Harvest Coloring Contest is proudly sponsored by:
DepositAccounts.com, a subsidiary of LendingTree, has released its 2020 analysis of the healthiest banks in America.
“It is such an honor to have FNB recognized among the healthiest banks in America,” said Marty Nichols, FNB President & CEO. “Being a part of this list shows our commitment to excellence.”
DepositAccounts.com evaluates the financial health of over 10,000 banks and credit unions in the United States once per quarter. To determine bank ranking and recognition, DepositAccounts.com grades each institution on a number of factors, including capitalization, deposit growth, and loan-to-reserve ratios.
“We believe it is important to give consumers a way to evaluate the financial health of their institutions,” said Ken Tumin, founder of DepositAccounts.com. “Our list empowers consumers to make informed decisions when selecting a financial institution.”
DepositAccounts.com is the largest and most comprehensive online publication in the U.S. dedicated to banking and deposits product information for consumers. It covers every federally insured bank and credit union and utilizes its patented technology to track approximately 275,000 consumer deposit rates, each updated nightly. The site features more than 11,000 editorial articles detailing depository strategies and highlighting current bank rates and offers. It is also home to one of the largest communities of depositors on the Web, hosting more than 100,000 comments, customer reviews, and forum threads.
FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky and ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. The bank currently has nine locations: Mayfield Main, Mayfield Southside, Wingo, Lone Oak, Paducah, Murray North, Murray South, Cadiz Main, and Cadiz West. FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.
FNB Bank is proud to announce the relocation of their Downtown Paducah office, located at 630 Jefferson Street to 130 Lone Oak Road, Suite 101. FNB’s new Midtown office will be located across from the historic Coke Plant in the new LaBelle Plaza and will offer an added level of convenience for customers. The Downtown Paducah office will close at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29. The new Midtown office will open on Monday, June 1st at 8:00 a.m. in the drive-thru and at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby.
“We are excited about the move to Midtown,” stated Ike Nichols, FNB McCracken County Market President. “The new Midtown office will provide extended hours as well as modern banking services for our customers. The same friendly faces from our current Downtown office staff will transfer to the new Midtown location to continue serving our customers.”
The new banking facility is FNB’s second concept branch, modeled after the bank’s Murray South office. The branch offers new modern aesthetics and banking amenities, such as a self-serve kiosk and image deposit-taking ATM. All the while, the new office will still offer traditional banking services and delivery channels to appeal to all customers bases.
“Our new Midtown office will feature a modern look and our ‘Start Something Today’ brand,” stated Sally Hopkins, FNB COO. “We are also proud to incorporate design elements that are exclusive to Paducah as the focal theme utilized throughout the office.”
FNB will be one of the first businesses to open in LaBelle Plaza, a new shopping plaza development in Midtown. “We could not be more pleased to be part of LaBelle Plaza,” stated Marty Nichols, FNB President & CEO. “We believe that our vibrant new office is well suited for where and how people want to interact with their bank. We hope you will drop by in person or digitally and Start Something Today.”
The grand opening celebration for FNB’s new Midtown office is to be determined at this time, due to the evolving COVID-19 health restrictions. A ribbon cutting and grand opening event will be announced at a later date.
FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky and ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. The bank currently has nine locations: Mayfield Main, Mayfield Southside, Wingo, Lone Oak, Paducah, Murray North, Murray South, Cadiz Main, and Cadiz West. FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.
Just a few weeks ago it’s possible that we felt time escaped us. As closings from the COVID-19 pandemic force people to stay in their homes, we are reunited with our time, but may struggle to find exciting and interesting ways to spend it.
No worries! We’re sharing a list of seven free activities to enjoy with your family while social distancing.
1. Enjoy the wonders of nature by viewing a zoo/aquarium from the comfort of your home.
Monterey Bay Aquarium is offering an array of enticing scenes. Whether it be the hypnotic movements of their moon jellies or the delightful antics of their sea otters, you’ll find it hard to unglue yourself from the screen. With ten live cams at your disposal, you can turn this into a day of fun for the entire family!
2. Create the next great #TikTok Challenge.
It seems like everyone is joining TikTok to follow and recreate the latest hashtag challenge, or create their own videos. TikTok allows users to create and share funny videos while singing, dancing, or lip-syncing to their favorite tunes. Join the fun! Of course, make sure you’re of age, and parents ensure that you are comfortable before introducing or allowing your children on any social media site. Once you’ve made an account, find the perfect #challenge! Better yet, create your own. You may have a shot at becoming an internet sensation faster than you can say TikTok. 😉
3. Binge-watch your favorite TV show.
Take couch-surfing up a notch by recreating the movie night of your dreams. Dim the lights, grab some popcorn, candy, drinks, and your closest loved ones. You’ll find that it’s easy—almost natural—to bond over a good laugh, scare, or drama-filled moment…wouldn’t you agree?
4. Have a family game night.
Whether it’s Spades or UNO, games have a way of bringing the family together. Aside from having immense fun, games teach important life skills such as following rules, being patient, practicing sportsmanlike conduct, and fostering strong communication.
5. Finally, learn yoga (or improve your skills).
Get your Zen on as a family and master the art of Yoga. Not only is the activity beneficial for every age group, but there are many tools to help you learn. For example, Cosmic kids offers free yoga adventures for kids. Feel free to tag along and enjoy some healthy interaction as a family. Namaste.
Foster reading and creativity with free learning experiences from Scholastic’s Learn at Home program, tailored to different ages. The program offers daily projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing—helping to ease the new normal of at-home learning for many.
These family-friendly activities are bound to create some long-lasting memories while you become more connected during the weeks ahead.
With experts telling Americans to practice social distancing and to be ready for a possible 14-day self-quarantine one of our first concerns is food. How do we shop and prepare for 14 days worth of meals? Equally important are concerns about shopping without overbuying and staying on a budget.
In uncertain times like these meal planning can be an even more important, and comforting, strategy to help your family prepare appropriately. There are strategies you can incorporate now to stock your pantry and plan meals that are nutritious and tasty. And, sometimes during difficult situations, we learn new approaches that will be beneficial in the long run.
Stocking a Pantry
Space and the number of people in your family are primary considerations when planning items to purchase for a stocked pantry. According to the editors of Epicurious and experts from The Today Show, recommended foods to have on hand include:
Canned foods such as beans (chickpeas, black beans, etc.), tomatoes (diced or whole), tomato sauce and paste, pumpkin, canned soupsand canned or boxed broths, canned meats and fish such as Spam and tuna.
Shelf-stable dry goods, such as crackers, nut butters, dried fruits, cereal, protein bars, and granola/granola bars.
Cooking oils such as olive and vegetable oil, and basic seasonings such as salt, black pepper, and kinds of vinegar.
Frozen food such as fruits and vegetables, pizza, chicken nuggets, biscuits
Hydrating drinks such as sports drinks and children’s rehydration drinks can also be useful if a family member becomes sick
In addition to these items, if your pantry and budget have room, you might want to consider non-essential items for variety. This could include jarred salsa, bags of tortilla chips or other snacks, jars of pickles or preserved vegetables (roasted red peppers, olives, and artichoke hearts), and chocolate bars (a little chocolate can make many of us feel better).
Ideally, once your pantry is stocked, you want to reserve your emergency supplies for an emergency – during a quarantine for example. If your budget and the situation allows it, continue your weekly grocery shopping rather than using your emergency stash even for simple items like rice or pasta. If your budget doesn’t allow for completely reserving these staples, then try to restock your pantry each week with any items used so you continue to be stocked for an emergency.
If you do find yourself in an emergency, eat your perishable food first. Try cooking and eating fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, dairy items like milk and yogurt and even bread before turning to your pantry. Another strategy is to freeze unused items to preserve their freshness and use later.
There are a number of questions to consider before you put together a grocery list for your emergency supplies. How many people are in your family and how many meals will you actually cook? Will you specifically plan only dinners and then provide looser choices for breakfast and lunch? Or will you specifically identify menu items for every meal? What kinds of meals can you cook using items in your pantry? What items do you need to make sure you have a healthy variety? Whatever items you ultimately decide on, try to be as realistic to your family’s preferences as possible.
Meal Planning Tips
The simplest meal planning strategy is to literally write a menu for each meal. If you are only planning dinners you can create a menu of 7 meals and simply repeat it the second week. You can list 14 different dinners if you want more variety or some combination of both.
If you write down a meal plan ahead of time when the emergency situation arises all you have to do is pull out your plan and you’re all set. It can help alleviate some of the stress we feel in emergency situations if you know you have your meals all ready to go.
Remember in an emergency situation you may simply want to make sure you can get a meal on the table and let the more complex meals go by the wayside. It’s ok to give yourself permission to forgo meals with lots of ingredients and instead focus on simple and nutritious meals until your routine returns to normal.
Consider that vegetarian meals are often less expensive than meals with meat. Using a crockpot can allow you to use less expensive cuts of meat because the slow cooking process tenderizes the meat. Newer gadgets like instant pots and air fryers can also help prepare quick and easy meals. Everything from tacos and beans to baked chicken and vegetables to breakfast for dinner are all simple options.
Another idea is to cook some of your favorite dishes in advance of an emergency and freeze them. You can freeze many items including cooked chicken, lasagna, cookies, and casseroles. You will want to write the date on whatever package you freeze the meals in so that you can be sure to use them one way or another before they have been in the freezer too long.
Grocery Shopping
After deciding what to include in your emergency stash and what meals you will cook, it’s time to go grocery shopping. The most important step is to make a list before going to the store. Organizing your list by aisle in the grocery store is helpful. You can make a list of the old fashioned way on paper or use one of many apps.
More helpful tips:
Use money-saving apps such as Ibotta,Checkout 51, Grocery Pal and Coupons.com to help save money whenever shopping. Remember to only use coupons for items you really will use.
Use a calculator while shopping to help stay within budget.
Store brands are often less expensive than name brands.
Ask stores for rain checks if a sale item has run out.
After taking time to create a grocery list, planning meals, and shopping for groceries, you will hopefully find comfort in knowing that you are prepared to feed family in an emergency. Knowing that you are ready with your grocery shopping strategy during difficult times will give you one less worry during the emergency.
Over the past several weeks, as the COVID-19 global pandemic has spread, so has the need for resources and emergency aid. Each hour brings with it new developments, announcements, and changes, making it hard to keep up or know exactly where to reach out in the event you need assistance.
We’ve rounded up some of the most needed resources and tips on who to contact should you need help during the Coronavirus crisis.
If you need help paying your bills
While you may feel financially overwhelmed, the best option is always to face it head-on and make a plan, rather than ignore it. If you are struggling to pay your bills due to job reduction or loss, the best course of action is to call your lender or utility company.
Many lending companies, utilities, and other organizations are working with their borrowers and customers during this crisis. Contact your lenders, communicate your needs, explain your situation, and they may be able to help.
Being proactive and having a plan of action during this time will be the easiest way to reduce stress and anxiety.
Basic Necessities
If you are unable to purchase food and basic essential needs for your household, you may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). To locate your local office, visit the state directory (https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory), or contact the SNAP hotline at 1-800-221-5689.
If you don’t qualify for SNAP, there are still resources available for help. Locate a local food bank or pantry by visiting Feeding America or FoodPantries.org
Unemployment Benefits
The federal government has given states the authority to expand their unemployment benefits programs and offer new options in response to COVID-19. For the most updated information and to easily find your state’s unemployment benefits program, visit CareerOneStop.
Filing Taxes
The IRS has developed a special page on its website to support Americans affected by the COVID -19 virus. Visit the page here to see updates as new information is available.
It has been recently announced that the tax deadline for filing and payments has been extended to July 15, 2020. Additionally, several VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites have suspended operations and may offer alternative solutions, such as virtual assistance and drive-by drop off locations.
While federal payments have been extended, states may have different guidelines. For state developments, visit this list by the American Institute of CPAs, which is updated often.
Student Loans
While President Trump has recently announced an interest freeze on student loans, there’s still much uncertainty around what steps to take. The freeze only applies to federal student loans, meaning private loans are currently without relief.
“It’s not always the best idea to keep deferring payments – especially if you are trying to qualify for the federal student loan forgiveness program,” advises Lila Quintiliani, AFC and Military Saves Program Manager. “People might do better to switch to income-driven repayments, particularly if their income is reduced.”
To find out your specific repayment options, contact your lender directly.
Beware of Scammers
You must be careful to ensure you and your family members, especially the elderly, don’t fall prey to scams. Verify contact information with reputable sources, such as a company’s official website. Also, beware of giving any personal data that is requested via email. You can learn more about how to avoid scams or report a scam by visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
During times like this, it’s more important than ever that we look out for each other, build community, and take positive action so that we are better prepared as a nation in the future.
Most Americans don’t have an emergency fund. While we’re all experiencing this pandemic very differently — some having only minor inconveniences and others finding themselves without a job or having to close their business — those without a savings cushion are vulnerable to feeling the ramifications of COVID-19 for a very long time.
With stimulus checks on the way, there will be tough financial decisions to make once received. Here are active steps you can take, along with things to consider to help you develop a solid spending plan.
1. Make a list of all expenses
Write out every single expense that you have, including essentials like food and utilities. Be sure to go through your checking and savings account history to make sure you don’t have any “vampire” expenses, like monthly subscriptions that you may have forgotten about and no longer need.
2. Talk to all creditors and lenders
The CARES Act puts into effect two mortgage relief provisions: protection from foreclosure, and a right to forbearance (pausing or making partial payments) for those experiencing loss of income due to COVID-19. However, the provisions are not automatic and are only for federal loans, so you MUST talk to your lender.
If a creditor/lender offers you a payment plan or other relief, make sure you get it in writing and take note of the names and dates of the customer service representatives with whom you speak.
Thankfully, some utility companies have announced they won’t cut off services if they aren’t being paid. Be sure you know all of your utility and service providers’ stance on this, so there are no surprises. You don’t want to make any assumptions.
3. Prioritize expenses
Expenses relating to food, shelter, and medicine should come first. This would include mortgage, rent, utilities, groceries, diapers, and medications. It also includes medical insurance premiums and homeowners/renter’s insurance.
If you need childcare to work, that is another essential expense. Next in line are auto-related expenses, including transportation, gas, insurance premiums, and car payments.
Loans that are secured by collateral (for example, mortgages and auto loans) are generally considered more important than those without collateral, like consumer credit card debt. For example, if you don’t pay your mortgage, a bank can foreclose on your property; if you don’t pay your car loan, the bank can seize your car. While not paying your credit card bills will negatively affect your credit score, credit card companies will not come into your house and take your personal possessions.
Federal student loans are currently not accruing interest until September 30, 2020, and can be put into forbearance so that no payments are due. If you have a private or institutional loan, you will have to contact the lender for other options.
Remember, if you can afford the minimum payments on your credit cards, then make those payments. It will help to maintain your credit score.
Expenses for “elective” items, like gym memberships, streaming services, and other subscriptions, come last. Before simply canceling a contract, make sure to contact the vendor – canceling may come with a hefty penalty, but you may be able to temporarily “pause” the service.
4. Pay your debts in the order of priority.
Now that you know all your expenses, have prioritized them, and know your payment options with creditors and lenders, it’s time to make the payments in order of priority.
It’s important to note that many are still receiving their tax refunds now, too. If you receive a refund, you can apply the same process to that extra income.
If you are still unsure or are overwhelmed with where to start, use our decision tree for guidance on what to do with your stimulus check and tax refund.
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FNB Bank is proud to announce that Bridgette Grogan has joined FNB as the Calloway County Market Team Leader. Bridgette brings over 13 years of banking experience having served in various roles including Customer Service Representative Office Manager, and Consumer Loan Officer.
“We are excited about the move to Midtown,” stated Ike Nichols, FNB McCracken County Market President. “The new Midtown office will provide extended hours as well as modern banking services for our customers. The same friendly faces from our current Downtown office staff will transfer to the new Midtown location to continue serving our customers.”
The grand opening celebration for FNB’s new Midtown office is to be determined at this time, due to the evolving COVID-19 health restrictions. A ribbon cutting and grand opening event will be announced at a later date.
