GRANITE FALLS BANK
The ADVANTAGE
NEWSLETTER
Issue 10 Quarter 1 2011
PHONE: 320-564-2111
FAX: 320-564-2114
www.granitefallsbank.com
Convenience Comes in Many Forms
The way we bank has changed. Take for instance debit card use. With our debit
card, we have the ability to access our checking accounts from around the world
for payment in almost any currency. We can obtain cash using an ATM at any
hour of the day. It’s also nice to get a description on our monthly statements of
where we use our debit cards and to know we are not responsible for unauthorized
use. In addition, the Granite Falls Bank debit card has no annual or monthly
fees. For those of our customers who would like to gift money or travel, I
recommend purchasing one of our VISA Gift Cards or Travel Cards for added
safety.
John Virnig; President
With the ever increasing popularity of personal computers and smart phones, many
of us have the opportunity for even more convenience. With Online Banking we can view activity and
balances in deposit and loan accounts, we can view the checks we have written, we can view our
statements, and we can transfer funds between accounts - all at any time of the day. We can also set up
convenient alerts and reminders on our accounts, as well as complete services such as Stop Payment
orders. In addition, business customers can send direct deposit payroll, order bank wires, etc.
More recently we added Electronic Statement delivery, Bill Pay, and for our business customers, Remote
Deposit Capture. Receipt of electronic statements, or E-Statements, creates the advantage of faster
delivery and more efficient storage of bank statements. And you still receive images of all your checks.
We have heard very positive comments from those that have tried Bill Pay. This feature of our online
banking allows you to perform a one-time set up of the vendors you pay, and then easily direct payments
to them without addressing envelopes, looking for stamps, and running to the post office. You can also
schedule these payments for when they’re due so you can make sure
they’re paid on time. Finally, for our business customers we added
Remote Deposit Capture. This permits our business customers to make
their deposits from their own office. No longer necessary are the daily
trips to the bank.
I highly encourage you to take advantage of as many of these
conveniences as you can. Just stop in, give us a call at 320-564-2111,
or send an email to [email protected] and we can
get you started!
Personal Financial Expertise
One of the many advantages of doing your banking at the Granite Falls Bank is having access to Personalized
Financial Expertise – We help you understand your financial and insurance options so you can make decisions that
are best for you. So how do we accomplish this? Mostly with outstanding staff that can advise you on important
financial matters.
How much debt is too much debt? Let us calculate your personal debt ratios and show you where you stand. For your
business we can help you with balance sheets, cash flows, leverage ratios, and other key ratios to measure your
financial risk. We can also perform financial benchmarking to see how your personal or business financial condition
compares to others. We can warn of potential stress and study potential financing options with you.
Finally, we can also help you with account
selection, give you tips on fraud prevention, and
help you better understand financial issues you
have with third parties.
Come visit the experts at the Granite Falls Bank.
We love to help!
Loan Department: (top row) Craig Bakkelund, Vice President; John Virnig, President; Kevin Sharkey,
Loan Officer; (middle row) Kris Doose, Compliance Officer, Loan Officer; Lisa Knutson, Personal Banker;l
(front row) Michelle Lund, Customer Service; Shana Bueltel, Loan Administrative Assistant; Betty
Buesing, Personal Banker.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
More money has been printed by Parker Brothers for their Monopoly games, than
the US Mint has printed as real money
About 30 million pennies are made every day
A million dollars in pennies would weigh 246 tons
Paper Money is actually made out of 25% linen and 75% cotton
Martha Washington is the only woman to have ever been depicted on US money
The ABA Education Foundation established National Teach
Children to Save Day to spotlight the importance of teaching
our nation's youth about saving money. Every April bankers
make presentations to students in grades K-12 about saving,
budgeting, recognizing needs and wants and how interest
makes money grow. April 12, 2011
Page 3
Paula Kortgard 9 Years of Service
Paula resides with her husband, Deland in rural Granite Falls. Del works at the Granite Falls
Hospital in the Maintenance Department. They have three children Jamie, Kelly, and Steven;
and have been blessed with five grandchildren!
Paula started working at the bank in October 2002. As Head Teller, Paula can be found in the
lobby assisting the public with their banking needs.
Paula enjoys spending time on the lake with Del, fishing for walleye or taking in the sun!
Favorite Movie: Dirty Dancing Favorite Past Time: Anything outdoors, gardening, sewing,
and baking Dream Vacation: Bahamas or Hawaii
Favorite TV Show: Antique Roadshow
Spring Ahead by Springing into Action!
®
The catchy phrase “spring ahead” signals change for Americans. When
you’re longing to get outside in the spring months, consider several
simple steps to enhance safety for you and your family. Home accidents
result in 10 million emergency room visits each year in the U.S.,
according to Home Safety Council estimates. Many of these injuries occur in garages and near doorways to a home.
Check fluids. Look under sinks, in bathrooms, closets, garage and basement for liquids that include
chemicals. Look for potentially hazardous liquids. Safely discard any liquids that are unneeded or expired,
based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Proper disposal is usually best accomplished with a
community-based program. Typically, pouring hazardous materials down a sink, on the ground, or in a
storm sewer; or placing them in the garbage, is not a safe option.
Cap, label and raise. Safely cap containers containing chemicals of any kind, label correctly, and raise up
out of the reach of children and pets.
Ventilate. Make sure petroleum-based products, and products with noxious fumes, are not stored in a
confined space, or a near a heat source. Springtime also is a good time to have chimneys professionally
cleaned.
Check alarms. Housing codes typically require smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; consider adding in
garages and basements. Check all batteries.
Prepare for an emergency. Make sure all entrances and exits to your home, including through the garage
or basement, are clear. Place a first-aid kit and flashlight in the garage and basement. Mount a fire
extinguisher in the garage, and train adults how to use it.
Check appliances. Check appliance hoses for dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers. Danger
signs: crimping, cracking or other damage on power wires, supply/discharge hoses, and vents. If you have a
sump pump, test it before spring downpours and melting snows do.
Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agents of America
Contact the F&M Insurance at 320-564-2111 or Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Insurance and Investment products are not a deposit or other obligation, or guaranteed by the bank or its affiliates. Insurance and annuity investments are not insured by the FDIC or any other
Federal Government Agency of the U.S., the bank, or any of its affiliates. Insurance investment products may lose value. F&M Insurance is an affiliate of the Granite Falls Bank.*
Granite Falls Bank
PO Box 8
702 Prentice Street
Granite Falls MN 56241
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
MARSHALL, MN
PERMIT NO. 86
Phone: 320-564-2111
Fax: 320-564-2114
www.granitefallsbank.com
Personal Financial Expertise
We help you understand your financial
and insurance options so you can
make decisions that are best for you.
®