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.
 

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.
 

These days, the issue of free checking seems to have banks falling all over themselves. Check out this post from BankRate.com that examines just how much it costs banks to maintain free checking accounts. (http://www.bankrate.com/financing/banking/banks-losing-big-on-free-checking/)

At Centennial, we don't see free checking as an issue at all. To us, it's pretty simple. We offer free checking because we think it's the right thing to do.

That's all. We don’t think banks should charge customers for the right to hold their money. Banks provide plenty of services for which they rightfully charge fees. But just for holding your money? It's not like those deposits aren’t enabling banks to invest and grow their revenue. Isn't that payment enough?

Centennial is stronger than ever and growing throughout the region (banking locations in Arkansas, Florida, and more to come!). Offering our customers free checking isn't impacting our bottom line — other than to make us feel good for doing the right thing. Ultimately, shouldn’t that be what the bottom line is all about? We think so.

By the way, we left out a right, and it's an important one: the right to a very, merry Christmas and a happy and joyous holiday season!!

 

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!
 

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. 

Penny was able to visit with Mrs. Forbus's Kindergarten class as well as Mrs. Ellis's Fifth grade class.  Centennial donated some First Account saving kits along with pens and pads and taught lessons about banking and the banking system. 

Thanks to all the teachers and kids for such a fun event!

Techs and fire department personnel worked with parents to properly fit the seat into their car, and the child safely into the seat. Many seats did not pass inspection and low cost, certified car seats were available to replace them.  Firefighters destroyed the unsafe seats so they could never be used again.
 

Florida Keys Healthy Start and Centennial Bank want to educate parents on the following points:

• 3 out of 4 car seats are improperly installed
• Most car seats expire 5 to 6 years from manufacture
• All kids under 13 should ride in the rear seat
• Infants should ride in rear facing car seats installed in the back seat
• After outgrowing regular seats, kids should ride in booster seats until they are 80 lbs

For more information see www.keyshealthystart.org.
 

Proceeds from the event benefit the Richard D. Yarger Charlotte POPS Scholarship Fund.

 In keeping with our table theme, a sign was posted for everyone to stop by and visit the Centennial Bank DISCO! The sign was donated by a local customer – Signs-R-Us – and also included their logo for all to see.

Pam Munz photo: Pam Munz from the Punta Gorda Branch dressed “DISCO” for the occasion.

The Centennial Bank table was complete with a mirror ball borrowed from a local dance studio.

Seated at the Centennial Bank table l to r:  Jeri Green, Lyn Foshee, Pam Munz, Willard Munz, Claire Chronister, Steve Chronister and Larry Green. (Missing from the photo is Teri Ashley)

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performed under the stars to entertain the attendees.

Take Stock in Children is a non-profit comprehensive program that helps low-income and at-risk students escape the cycle of poverty through education.  Take Stock in Children provide students college scholarships, volunteer mentor, student advocates, case managers and tutoring.

In this picture, front is Trisha Fohr, Kathy Scherer.  Back is Bob Garrison, Bryan Hoover with Take Stock in Children and Rebecca Shea.

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 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.