Reliabank Increases Scholarships

We are excited to announce that we have increased our scholarship amounts this year! For all High School seniors attending a college, university or technical school in the Fall of 2011 here are the scholarship options. Make sure to get your app turned in by April 1

Reliabank Dakota (2) - $1,000

Reliabank Heritage (4) - $1,000

Reliabank Legacy  (4) - $500

Reliabank Pioneer  (2) - $500

LATI  (1)- $1,000

Prairie Family Business and Reliabank

In 2010 Reliabank joined the Prairie Family Business Association.  This is a privately funded program that is managed by the USD-Business School and the purpose of this association is to help perpetuate family business from generation to generation. 

Prairie Family Business Association provides quality educational resources and networking opportunities which assist business owning families and their advisors in understanding the unique issues that are part of the family business system.

Throughout the Midwest, family firms comprise almost 90% of all business enterprises. More than 30% of all family-owned businesses survive into the second generation. Twelve percent will still be viable into the third generation, with 3% of all family businesses operating at the fourth-generation level and beyond.

Families involved with the PFBA are striving to implement best practices and educational tools to assure their families continue to nurture their family values and relationships, develop profitable companies, and create competent and committed shareholders for generations to come.

Click here to learn more

Why Do U Love Your Community Bank?

Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA) “I Love My Community Bank” campaign allows customers and small businesses to share their experiences with their community banks. On the “I Love My Community Bank” website, consumers can post comments, photos and video testimonials about their community banking experiences.

So tell us why you love Reliabank.

We love being a community bank because it allows us to know each individual, we take the time to help solve problems, we are able to make decisions locally, help build relationships and watch generations grow and flourish!

National Consumer Protection Week March 6-12

Consumers of all ages are increasingly turning to the Internet for help with managing their finances, but knowing where to go online for reliable, practical money tips can be challenging. That's why the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has compiled a "Top 10" list of FDIC online resources for consumers on subjects ranging from deposit insurance to shopping for a bank account and avoiding financial fraud.

The FDIC's Top 10 list was announced today in observance of National Consumer Protection Week 2011 (NCPW), which is March 6-12.

• "EDIE," the FDIC's Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator: An online calculator that assists consumers and businesses in determining their deposit insurance coverage for each FDIC-insured bank where they have deposit accounts. EDIE also provides a printable report showing whether those deposits are fully protected or if some exceed the federal limits.


• FDIC Consumer News: The FDIC's quarterly publication for consumers offers information and tips on credit cards, bank accounts, loans, scams, money management, and much more. Consumers can also listen to articles anywhere, anytime online or by downloading to an MP3 player.


• Bank Find: Our online directory that consumers can use to locate an FDIC-insured institution, learn what happened to a bank that changed names or no longer exists, and more.


• Customer Assistance Form: An easy-to-use form to submit a question to the FDIC or a complaint regarding a financial institution. Of course, consumers with questions or concerns can also call the FDIC toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC, which is 1-877-275-3342.


• Consumer Alerts: Warnings about financial frauds and scams.


• Small Business Web Page: Useful information for small businesses, especially regarding access to loans, plus an online form to ask the FDIC a question or register a concern.


• The FDIC YouTube Channel: Videos on topics such as deposit insurance and Internet fraud and messages from FDIC Chairman Bair.


• Money Smart: A financial education curriculum concentrating on the development of consumers' financial skills and positive banking relationships.


• Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit: A Web page that provides easy access to helpful information for homeowners on avoiding foreclosure and foreclosure "rescue" scams.


• E-mail updates: Sign up to receive e-mail notices of each new issue of FDIC Consumer News, Consumer Alerts, and other announcements and publications from the FDIC. Consumers can also follow the FDIC on Twitter and Face

iHELP Available at Reliabank

iHELP loans are designed for the "gap" between the cost of education and the amount you can borrow under the federal programs. This programs is provded through the Independent Community Banks of America and are originated and serviced by Student Loan Finance Corporation (SLFC).

To learn more and apply for your iHELP loan we've set up a page on our website: Click Here for details.

iHELP Investing in the Education of America

Retirement Party!

Last Friday our wonderful friend and co-worker, Sandy Peterson, retired after 48 years of service in the banking industry!

Reliabank in Watertown hosted a beautiful open house for her full of flowers, food, friends and gifts.

Many people stopped by to wish Sandy a happy retirement



What are your plans for retirement? The very first thing I am going to do is take a trip to Arizon and Texas. Hopefully the snow will be gone when I return and I can go golfing anytime that I want to!

What have you enjoyed most about working at Reliabank? What I have enjoyed the most is working with the customers, some of which I have worked with for the majority of my banking career. I have also thoroughly enjoyed working with my fellow employees at Reliabank and they have become my extended family.

What do you remember as the biggest changes you’ve seen since you started at the Bank? The biggest change I have seen during my banking career is the advancement of technology. When I started, virtually everything was done by hand and now very little is done without the assistance of some form of technology.

Looking back, do you have any memories regarding the bank that you’d like to share? My favorite memories of the bank will be the interactions with fellow employees and customers. Also having Mr Johnson take the time to sit at my desk and visit about sports and our families. It has been a pleasure to work at Reliabank Dakota!

Have fun in your retirement Sandy and don't forgot about us!!

ICBA and RELIABANK Encourage Americans to Save During America Saves Week February 20-27

Washington, D.C. (February 20, 2011)—The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and RELIABANK are proud to add their voices to the nearly 1,000 organizations nationwide that are encouraging Americans to save as part of America Saves Week, Feb. 20-27.

“Saving is key to financial stability and independence,” said Jim MacPhee, ICBA chairman and CEO of Kalamazoo County State Bank in Schoolcraft, Mich. “Studies show most Americans have too much debt and not enough savings. The recent economic crisis demonstrated just how important it is to have a cushion to help you weather the unexpected. Now more than ever, people need to develop good saving habits. By participating in America Saves Week, ICBA and our nearly 5,000 member community banks are helping raise awareness of how important it is for community bank customers to make saving a part of their everyday lives.”

ICBA and RELIABANK offer the following simple tips to help you boost your savings:

• Pay yourself first. Join a retirement plan at work that automatically deducts money from your paycheck. You can also have money automatically withdrawn from your checking account into your savings or an investment vehicle. Many employers offer automatic payroll deduction, one of the best ways to start and keep saving.

• Create a spending plan. Unlike a strict budget, a spending plan is a guide to help you take better control of your finances by tracking where your money goes. In a spending plan, you list expenses, compare them to income and then make changes based on your priorities.

• Start small. Save your loose change. Setting aside just 50 cents a day for one year can garner you a $500 emergency fund.

• Long range, aim to have an emergency savings of six to nine months of living expenses.

• Use your credit cards wisely so that you don’t take on too much debt and minimize interest charges.

It is also important to consider these factors in choosing where to place your savings:

• Access. How quickly can you access your money? Community banks are local and use up-to-the-minute technology so that customers can access their money when and where they need it.

• Safety. How safe is your money? At community banks, the FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor and $250,000 for certain retirement accounts. No one has ever lost a penny of FDIC-insured funds. Talk to your community banker for more information.

• Earnings. How much money will you earn? Community banks offer personalized customer service tailored to individual needs and savings products and services at rates that are comparable to or often better than larger institutions.

“Fortunately, it’s never too late to start saving,” Hugh Bartels, President of Reliabank in Watertown said. “We here at RELIABANK can help you create a savings plan to help you reach your financial goals.”

America Saves Week is a nationwide campaign in which a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate and government organizations help individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice and encouragement, America Saves Week assists those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund or save for a home, education or retirement. Learn more about why saving is so important and how to get started on building a nest egg at www.icba.org and www.americasavesweek.org.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America, the nation’s voice for community banks, represents nearly 5,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types throughout the United States and is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and the communities and customers we serve. For more information, visit www.icba.org