Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

The History of Banking: Not As Dry As You Might Think

Monday, January 30th, 2012

The history of banking — on the surface, those four words send many running for the hills. The history of banking? Yikes. Right up there with the history of algebra, of paper, of weaving…each perhaps just a little dry.

But the history of banking actually is a fascinating subject. Really. Think of it. The ancient Romans are credited with creating formal banking as we know it today. The Knights Templar essentially ran a bank. (Imagine your banker riding his steed across a continent protecting bags of gold and wacking heads in the process.) Kings of old bankrupted entire countries, abusing their own banks to fund wars and chase treasure. 
That's good stuff….

The fine folks at Investopedia wrote a really good narrative on the history and evolution of banking, tracing its roots in ancient temples to the modern system in use today.
Again, good stuff.

At Centennial, our history is a little less nuanced. Chartered in 1999 and starting out as a hometown bank in Conway, Ark., we've held on to that hometown ideal while growing throughout central Arkansas and across Florida, from the Panhandle to the Keys (with more locations to come…).

So, think of us as your banking knights protecting our hometowns from usury, bad customer service and unnecessary fees.
 

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Banking Terms Made Palatable, Vol. 1

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

People say bankers never have any fun. Posh.

At Centennial, we may have to return a check for lack of funds, but we'll never return a joke for "insufficient funs."

Indeed, boom goes the dynamite.

Just take a look at how much fun can be had with otherwise boring and tedious banking terms. Think of what follows as an education…(cue Kevin James)…in fuuun.

We now present the first installment of…

Banking Terms Made Palatable…Palatable….Palatable…Palatable

This week's entries:

  • Future Dating

  • Regulation Q


Future Dating:

For dads with 13-year-old daughters, future dating is the leading cause of stress in the United States.

For banking customers, future dating is what takes place every other Friday at most offices in the western world. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you direct deposit.

In the banking world, that's what future dating is. According to our good buddies at Investopedia, future dating is "crediting a bank account to which the funds will be made available at a later date…"

And they add that future dating now is popular among government transactions as well. 

"Commerce, this is Defense. Dinner. You, me. I'll pick you up at 8…"


Regulation Q:

A requirement by Her Majesty's Secret Service that James Bond send thank-you notes to Quartermaster for the special gadgets and weapons developed and used in successful missions. (It helps to know a little James Bond, folks. Learn up here.)

In the banking world, Regulation Q is simple. It's a Federal Reserve regulation that caps the interest rate banks can pay on savings deposits. Investopedia says this rule was implemented to prevent loan sharking, but alas, offers no explanation as to the title. Regulation Q? Really?


Tune in next time for another installment of Banking Terms Made Palatable, where we just may visit fun concepts like "belly up" and "easy money"….They're actual banking terms, people, we promise.
 

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Holiday Gift Cards

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Finding the perfect gift just got easier!

Everyone enjoys the convenience of a Visa Gift card. Now Centennial Bank brings you the convenience to your nearest branch. Drop in and purchase a holiday gift card anywhere from $25 to $500.  It’s the ideal choice for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and all your gift-giving occasions. Discover the advantages:

  • Flexibility: Recipients can buy what they want, when they want—whether shopping online, in person, or by phone.
  • Protection: It’s safer than cash and can be replaced if lost or stolen. Plus, it provides the protection and security features you've come to expect from Visa.
  • Choice: Visa Gift cards can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted – that means millions of places to choose the perfect gift.

And because it’s a prepaid card, spending is limited to the amount of money placed on the card for your recipient.

Want to purchase Visa Gift cards in larger quantities?
At Centennial Bank, we can accommodate the purchase of several cards. The flexibility of Visa Gift cards makes them perfect for employee incentives or customer rewards.

Already have a Visa Gift card?
Verify your remaining card balance to ensure that your next purchase transaction is approved. You may call our toll-free number at 1-888-372-9788 and ask a customer service representative to help you!

Member FDIC

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College Saving Tips!

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Many college students are finishing up their first semester of college, and, as they probably found out quickly, it’s not cheap to live outside mom and dad’s nest. While college is the one of the few times in a person’s life it’s acceptable to be broke, it’s important to keep a savings account in mind.

Ideally, a college student’s savings account is one that has been growing since youth. Perhaps it was started by mom or dad or, even, grandparents. As time went on and the pennies added up, and, if it wasn’t used for that first car, it’s grown into a nice little nest egg in time for college.

Suddenly, with books, supplies and food to buy that nice stash of money looks tempting to tap into. However, with a down economy and a suffering job market, there’s a chance that savings account will benefit a student more after college than during.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to continue to bolster that savings account while attending college.

  • Pay on that credit card every month – Unlike a debit card, it’s nice to be able to swipe a credit card and not have the transaction directly affect your checking account. However, paying nothing more than the minimum every month on the card’s balance will hurt you in the long run.  
  • Save your change – Don’t leave that piggy bank at home! Take it to college and put your pocket change in it every night. Glue the plug shut so you won’t be tempted to reach into it. Change adds up to real dollars in a hurry.
  • Avoid late night meals – Late night runs with friends to fast food joints are a timeless college tradition. Go ahead and tag along, but don’t eat. Not only will you save the money, you’ll avoid those extra pounds.
  • Cut coupons – Your grandparents probably do this, and you probably laugh at them. But coupons are easy to find – check out the free newspapers on campus – they save real money at the grocery store/
  • Eat cheap food – It’s not mom’s home cooking, but Ramen noodles, Easy Mac and oatmeal will fill you up and save you cash.
  • Brew your own coffee – We all know those all-nighters are easier with a cup of java, but instead of the $4 cup from the campus coffee shop, how about snagging mom and dad’s old coffee maker and a $0.99 can of coffee from the store?
  • If you eat out, look for the deals – When you do decide to join friends for a meal out, check the newspaper and restaurant marquees for deals. College bars and restaurants have great specials almost every day and night. Take advantage!

Centennial also offers customized college savings accounts that are designed with the college student in mind! Check out some of our savings account options or get in a touch with a Centennial banking officer today to find out more!
 

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Choices…

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

We can all agree that people appreciate having options. Like single-cell amoeba and salesmen, they blanket the earth.

Choices are the foundation of daily existence for beings on this planet, human and non-human alike. And that's the way we like it.

In the course of a day, typical choices for a human being in this part of the world might include….Do I take Markham or Cantrell to work today? Do I want a burger or Mexican for lunch? Do I stay at the tailgate right up 'til kickoff or do I get into the stadium in time to see the Marching Razorbacks take the field? 

These are typical options making themselves available, again, for folks in our part of the world.

Point is, we're faced with options everyday and really, must engage them just to survive. The option to get out of bed — perhaps, the option to go to bed — greets us every morning.

Those of us with money to invest — OK, those of you — have options. You can pay a steep broker's fee to get investment advice from Thurston Howell the Third, or you can see our investment professionals at Centennial. They have the same degrees, certifications and licenses as those other guys, can provide all the same investment and trust options, and chances are they're a lot more down to earth.

Doesn’t matter if you're a Centennial banking customer or not.

Of course, we'd love to be your full-service source of options. Like life, we enjoy providing them. 

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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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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 at ‘A Family Affair’ in Blountstown

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

Centennial Bank was proud to be present at Calhoun County Children's Coalition, 14th Annual Family Affair event! The event was held on Sat. Aug 6th from 8-11 at the W.T. Neal Civic Center in Blountstown, FL.

Children were given FREE school supplies and lots of other family friendly activities were present at the Affair. Centennial brought our entire Blountsown staff- and of course Penny- to play and interact with the children. Great family fun for the whole community!!!

Centennial Bank Employees: Brenda Cargile, Melody Smith, Pam Skinner, Eileen Cataldo, Vicki Montford, Anita Cantu

 
 

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Centennial Gets Down at ‘Jazz Jams Uptown’, Uptown Altamonte

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

Centennial Bank was one of the proud sponsors of last weekends 'Jazz Jams Uptown' at Cranes Roost Park, Uptown Altamonte. The concert series, held Saturday, August 20 from 8-10 pm, was a free summer entertainment event and attracted hundreds of local residents and vendors to the Park- adding to the excitement of things to do and see. Jazz band Four 80 East was the final performance of the series- and we all had a seriously jazzy good time!

Four 80 East performing live at Eddie Rose Amphitheater

Centennial Bank representatives:  Bob Garrison, Rebecca Shea and David Felker speaking to spectators at our booth.

Centennial Bank representatives:  Bob Garrison, Rebecca Shea and David Felker speaking to spectators at our booth.

 

About Uptown Altamonte::
Uptown Altamonte was developed more than 20 years ago by the City to position the community as a central place where residents can live, work, and play. The area-wide development has allowed the City of Altamonte Springs to host some of the finest and most award-winning blend of residential, educational, healthcare, commercial and recreational uses in Central Florida.

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Centennial Bank to Sponsor Pirate Fest in Punta Gorda, Fla.

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Fishermen's Village Pirate Fest August 26th - 28th 2011  Punta Gorda, Florida. Fishermen's village Pirate Fest is a 3 day pirate festival produced by Pirates of the Treasure Coast, SIK Promotions &  Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda Florida.It is a Florida Pirate Festival packed with some of the best pirate entertainment and pirate entertainers available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fishermen's Village on beautiful Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda, Fla. will be the site of a friendly invasion during the last weekend in August. Fisherman's Village Pirate Fest 2011 will take over this quaint waterfront venue with a portion of the proceeds to benefit local charities the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition and The Yah Yah Girls. Centennial Bank is proud to be a sponsor of such a fun and beneficial community event.    http://www.fishermensvillagepiratefest.com

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CENTENNIAL BANK TOP 100 REASONS

#65 - As a non-profit, Centennial offers a specific account that makes the most of my efforts to help others.
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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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