June is National Homeownership Month

ICBA Offers Tips for Homebuyers


Washington, D.C. (June 7, 2010)— June is National Homeownership Month, and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the nation’s nearly 8,000 community banks continue to help Americans in communities throughout the country become, and remain, homeowners each year through the personal attention that only a local community bank can provide.

“Community banks take the extra steps necessary to give potential homebuyers the service and attention they need,” said Jim MacPhee, ICBA chairman and CEO of Kalamazoo County State Bank in Schoolcraft, Mich. “They can help their customers evaluate whether the time is right for them to purchase a home, determine the most affordable mortgage options for their situation and provide them with information to help the process go more smoothly.”

We offer the following suggestions for homebuyers:

1. Know all the sources and amounts of your monthly income and know your budget, including how much you spend on rent, utilities, entertainment, clothing, food and transportation.
2. Gather and organize paperwork, such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns and bank and investment statements.
3. Check your credit report and bring it to your bank. Credit reporting agencies must give you one free report annually. Access your credit at www.ftc.gov/freereports.
4. Work with one of our mortgage lenders to figure out how much you can borrow and which mortgage product is right for you. They will carefully explain the mortgage options of each mortgage product available, including rate adjustments, fees and other loan features, so you aren’t surprised by payment increases down the road.
5. Talk to us before you begin looking for a home. We can tell you what current mortgage rates are and help you understand how that translates into monthly mortgage payments. This will help you shop for a home that fits your budget and shows sellers you are an educated homebuyer.
6. Learn as much as you can about the home-buying process.
7. Check with your local state, city and county government agencies for special first-time-homebuyer loan or grant programs available to assist with down payment and closing costs.
8. Once you have spoken to a Reliabank mortgage lender, and know what you can afford, stop by real estate open houses to see what’s available in your price range.

We encourage you to visit a Reliabank location to learn what your mortgage options are. Not only are community banks, such as Reliabank, interested in helping homebuyers purchase a home, we also want to help borrowers find a mortgage they can afford and afford to keep.

Contact on of our mortgage experts:
Michelle O'Farrell - Watertown
886-6000
Jeremy Kaiser, Hartford
528-4000
Pat Biederstedt, Hayti
783-2616

We Could Make You a Winner!

We have partnered with KXLG 99.1fm radio in Watertown as the major cash sponsor in the 99 days of summer promotion! Pick up your window clings at any Reliabank location, put it in the back window of your vehicle and HOPE to get ticketed by KXLG! If you receive a large red ticket on your window, simply fill in the bottom, and drop off at various businesses in Watertown. When you hear your name on KXLG you'll have 99.1 seconds to call in and get your name entered in the big $5,000 drawing to be held downtown Watertown on September 13.

Visit http://www.mykxlg.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=182&Itemid=69
for more information!

Drop Off Points:

Watertown:Cowboy Country Stores (1,2,3), Cowboy Liquor Stores, Cowboy Bait and Ammo, Sheehan Cycle, Watertown Ford Chrysler and County Fair Foods


Clear Lake: Cowboy Country Store

Milbank: Food-N-Fuel
Ortonville:Cenex Convenience Store

Webster: A&W Restaurant

90 days of SUMMER 90 years of GROWTH

Today officially kicks off our summertime promotion. Celebrating 90 years as YOUR community bank!

CD Special 990 Days of sweet savings 2.45%apy*

Summer Toy Loan Special
4 years $20,000 @ 5.95%apr**

4.07% apy Ultimate Checking Account now with ID Theft Protection!***

Visit us online for details http://www.reliabank.com/

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) available as of 6/1/2010. 6 month penalty for early withdrawal. New money only. Minimum opening deposit of $2,500 required. Stated APY available with checking account and debit card. Lower rate will apply if requirements are not met. Offer available for a limited time.


** Annual Percentage Rate (APR) available as of 6/1/2010. Payment example: 48 monthly payments of $469.31. Automatic payment from Reliabank checking account required to earn stated rate. Other terms and rates available ependent on loan amount and credit qualifications. Visit with a Reliabank loan expert to review your options.


*** Ultimate rate 4.07% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) paid on balances between one penny and $25,000.00, and 1.01% APY paid on all amounts above $25,000.00 each cycle the minimum qualifications are met. If you do not meet the qualifications per cycle, your account will still function as a free checking account earning Base Rate 0.10% APY. Rates effective as of publication date. We may change the interest rate and APY at any time after the account is
opened. No minimum balance required, however, you must deposit $50 to open this account. Available to personal accounts only. No monthly service charge. Visit with a CSR to learn about the qualifications.

Why Opt-In on Reg E?

Federal lawmakers have created new rules governing overdraft protection programs that go into effect on July 1, 2010. As a result, you now have an option concerning whether you want to have our overdraft service cover your ATM and everyday debit card transactions. Please take note that this opt-in rule applies only to ATM and everyday debit card transactions, and does not pertain to overdraft protection services associated with written checks or recurring debit transactions, such as regularly scheduled bill payments.

WHY OPT-IN?
The vast majority of our customers do not overdraw their accounts and incur fees, however life doesn't always go according to plan, and overdrafts do occur. Without overdraft protection, your ATM and everyday debit card transactions may be declined if you attempt to make a transaction without sufficient funds.

For existing accounts: if you do not opt in, beginning August 15, 2010, your ATM and everyday debit card transactions may be declined if we know they will create an overdraft.

For new accounts; if you open a new account on or after July 1, 2010, your ATM and everyday debit card transactions may be declined if we know they will create an overdraft unless you opt-in.

We encourage you to visit with any Reliabank customer service employee if you have any questions regarding this regulation.

Could it be? Ultimate Checking just got BETTER!

In an effort to continue making our Ultimate Checking bigger and better – we have added an enhancement called ID TheftSmart™. Effective June 1, all Ultimate Checking accounts will qualify for FREE ID theft protection! This service is free to the primary account hold and only $2/month per person for additional people on the account.

(Also only $2/month per person on any other Reliabank checking account)

Did you know? 8,400,000 Americans reported being victimized by identity theft in 2009 alone!

As an ID TheftSmart™ member, you'll have exclusive access to your own experienced, licensed investigator. In the event your identity is compromised, he or she will take care of the majority of paperwork and hours of legwork required to reclaim your identity to pre–theft status and regain your financial standing—including areas most people don't even think of as being affected by identity theft.

Identity theft is a crime that is not easy to detect right away. Many victims don’t discover the theft for an average of just over three months, giving the thief ample time to go on spending sprees, make a mess of your credit, or even commit crimes in your name.

Contact any Reliabank location for more details!

Hat's off to graduating seniors!

May..... anniversaries, weddings, summer vacation, graduation!
As a community bank we are committed to helping area students further their careers. Each year we offer seven scholarships based on academic achievement, community service and essay.
We are proud to announce this years Reliabank scholarship recipients:

Reliabank Dakota - Nolan Clarke, Estelline
Reliabank Dakota - Taylor Bach, Florence
Reliabank Heritage - John Foley, Watertown
Reliabank Legacy - Corey Sisco, Canistota
Reliabank Pioneer - Katelynn Krause, Estelline
Reliabank Pioneer - Mary Isaacson, Hamlin
Reliabank LATI - Cheyenne Trumm, Hamlin

We wish all 2010 graduating seniors the best of luck in your chosen paths.
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door (Milton Berle)

ID Theft Now Offered on Checking Accounts

How could we possibly have improved on our Ultimate checking account? By adding an enhancement called ID TheftSmart™ to all Ultimate Checking accounts - protecting you if your identity is ever stolen.
Did you know? 8,400,000 Americans reported being victimized by identity theft in 2009 alone!

As an ID TheftSmart™ member, you'll have exclusive access to your own experienced, licensed investigator. In the event your identity is compromised, he or she will take care of the majority of paperwork and hours of legwork required to reclaim your identity to pre–theft status and regain your financial standing—including areas most people don't even think of as being affected by identity theft.

Identity theft is a crime that is not easy to detect right away. Many victims don’t discover the theft for an average of just over three months, giving the thief ample time to go on spending sprees, make a mess of your credit, or even commit crimes in your name.

As an Ultimate Checking account holder, membership is automatic.This service is offered to all other checking account holders for $2/month per person. A small price to pay for peace of mind. For further information contact any Reliabank office.