Archive for October, 2011

Burn Victim Logan Nelson Receives Special Surprise

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Logan Nelson’s eyes widened Tuesday when he saw what was waiting for him. And Centennial Bank operations manager Lyn Foshee was almost equally excited to make the presentation … if not more so.

The Fort Myers Softball Club recently won a co-ed tournament and donated the event’s proceeds to Logan. But not only that, they donated their purple and gold trophy.

Nine-year old Logan was severely burned in July behind his Punta Gorda home while playing with gasoline and fire. After extensive treatment at Shriner's Hospital in Cincinnati, Logan continues on his quest for a complete recovery.

“Here you go, buddy!” Foshee said as she presented the trophy in the Punta Gorda lobby of Centennial Bank. “This is almost as big as you are!”

The card attached from Angie Baker with the Fort Myers Softball Club echoed the sentiments of the entire Southwest Florida community.    

“We are wishing you a speed recovery! We are all rooting for you!”

 Logan Nelson’s eyes widen as Lyn Foshee of the Centennial Bank branch in Punta Gorda presents him with a trophy from the Fort Myers Softball Club.

Logan Nelson’s eyes widen as Lyn Foshee of the Centennial Bank branch in Punta Gorda presents him with a trophy from the Fort Myers Softball Club.

 

  Logan Nelson reads words of encouragement from the Fort Myers Softball Club as his grandmother, Elizabeth Nelson, stands nearby.

 

(l to r): Claire Chronister, Centennial Bank:  Logan Nelson; Elizabeth Nelson, Logan’s grandmother; Lyn Foshee, Centennial Bank.

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Home BancShares, Inc. Announces Record Quarterly Earnings of $14.3 Million

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Conway, AR – Home BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ GS:  HOMB), parent company of Centennial Bank, today announced third quarter earnings of $14.3 million, or $0.48 diluted earnings per common share, compared to $9.6 million, or $0.31 diluted earnings per common share for the same quarter in 2010.  The Company increased its third quarter net income by $4.8 million or 49.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period of the previous year.

Because acquisitions are growth and capital management strategies, earnings excluding amortization of intangibles after-tax are useful in evaluating the Company. Diluted earnings per common share excluding intangible amortization for the third quarter of 2011 was $0.50 compared to $0.33 diluted earnings per common share excluding intangible amortization for the same period in 2010. 

“The Company has achieved yet another historically record quarter during the third quarter of 2011,” said John Allison, Chairman. “Even with our repayment of TARP during the third quarter, our strong capital levels are sustained considerably above the regulators’ capital requirements.  With this in mind, we are able to maintain the position of taking advantage of opportunistic FDIC deals as they become available.”

Randy Sims, Chief Executive Officer, added, “Not only did we see our net interest margin improve 40 basis points during the third quarter of 2011 over the third quarter of 2010, but we again reported marked improvements in the non-performing non-covered loans and nonperforming non-covered assets when compared to those during 2010. Our Company is no doubt pleased with the continued success in the third quarter of 2011.”

Read more on Centennial’s financial condition by downloading our complete earnings release here.
 

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But It’s Only $5…

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

It's only $5 a month, right? So why should people be upset over such a seemingly small monthly charge assessed just for using a debit card?

At Centennial, we think the use of a debit card is one of the most basic services we can provide, and we just don't think it’s right to charge a fee associated with an activity that's become such a basic utility of society.

Besides, what can $5 get you? It can still get you quite a bit, actually:

  • Lunch on the extra-value menu.
  • About a gallon and a half of gas (add that up over a year and you've got a full tank).
  • Four 20 oz. sodas from the machine at work.
  • A program at a college football game.
  • Admission to a high-school football game.
  • A day's worth of change for the parking meter.
  • A foot-long sub sandwich.
  • Family outing to the dollar movies.
  • Three daily newspapers.

Point is, over time $5 here and there will get you some stuff. Now that some national banks have made the news by charging a debit-card fee, we feel even better about our decision to remain focused on our customers' needs and not charge a similar fee.

Check out this coverage from Arkansas Business:

"Centennial Bank of Conway this weekend unveiled a marketing campaign trumpeting continuation of its free, instant-issue debit card program. The ad took a shot at Bank of America without naming names.

It referred to programs at other banks as the 'sorry-but-we'll-have-to-charge-you-five-bucks-a-month-and-you'll-have-to-wait-three-painfully-long-weeks-to-get-it-even-though-you-could-really-use-it-today-debit-card.'"

Here's the link to the full story by veteran banking writer George Waldon.

We believe customers have the right to use a debit card free of charge, and they should receive their card immediately upon opening their account. It's pretty simple, really.

Just like a trip to the dollar movies or a Double Cheeseburger for the extra-value menu…
 

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Centennial Bank Groundbreaking in Searcy

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Centennial Bank will soon start construction on a new Searcy branch located at 2620 East Race St.

White County Judge Michael Lincoln and Searcy Mayor David Morris both spoke at yesterday's groundbreaking praising the wonderful blessings and talents within the community and explained that these blessings have allowed our community to continue to grow even in this unstable economy.

The new location will be a full service bank and house workers from the current Race Street branch located next to White County Medical Center.

Senior Vice President and Commercial Lender Blake Holzhauer said they hope to continue to provide good service and excellent products at the new location.

The branch is set to open by the end of January but could vary depending on weather conditions.

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Minimum Amount Checking Accounts?

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Q: Do I have to have a minimum amount of money in account? I've heard some places you have to have $100. Thank you.


Answer: Thanks for your question. It depends on the account. Our popular "Free Checking" account does NOT require a minimum balance at any time. At no time will you be charged a fee unless your balance goes negative. Centennial's Totally Free Checking will always remain Totally Free!

However, all our checking and savings accounts including Free Checking require an opening amount of $100, and some accounts, minus Free & Diamond Checking, will charge a small fee if the balance dips below $100.

That's pretty much standard practice in the banking industry. Some small fees are necessary for banks to maintain operating funds. But we think you'll find that compared to other banks, Centennial's charges are much less. No "nickel-and-diming" here.

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CENTENNIAL BANK TOP 100 REASONS

#23 - I never have to go out of my way to find a branch. There are so many convenient locations!
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NOTICE OF CHANGES IN TEMPORARY FDIC INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TRANSACTION ACCOUNTS

All funds in a "noninterest-bearing transaction account" are insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from December 31, 2010, through December 31, 2012. This temporary unlimited coverage is in addition to, and separate from, the coverage of at least $250,000 available to depositors under the FDIC's general deposit insurance rules.


The term "noninterest-bearing transaction account" includes a traditional checking account or demand deposit account on which the insured depository institution pays no interest. It also includes Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts ("IOLTAs"). It does not include other accounts, such as traditional checking or demand deposit accounts that may earn interest, NOW accounts, and money-market deposit accounts.

For more information about temporary FDIC insurance coverage of transaction accounts, visit www.fdic.gov.

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