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May 2017 Newsletter | In This Issue
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Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks
We are pleased to announce that our parent company, F & M Bank Corp. (FMBM), has ranked 4th out of 13 banks in Virginia on the American Banker's top 200 publicly traded community banks list.
Our beautiful state of Virginia accounts for approximately 40 of the 669 banks included in the survey. Virginia was one of only six states to have 10 or more banks on the list of top 200 banks.
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Luray Branch Business After Hours
Join our Luray Branch on Thursday, June 15th at 5:30pm, for a Luray-Page Chamber Business After Hours. Enjoy light refreshments, local beverages, door prizes, networking, and more! Don't forget your business cards!
To stay up to date on event details, visit our Facebook event page.
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How to Avoid Pay Day Loan Fraud
“Pay day” loan fraud is a new trend our bank is seeing where customers apply online for a loan, and as part of the application process, are instructed to enter the online banking ID and password for their financial institution. Applicants are also asked for the answers to their online banking security questions. The bank has noticed an upswing in this type of fraud and would like to help educate our customers as to how this occurs, and what you can do to protect yourself or a loved one from such a scam.
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In early May, F&M Bank head teller Carol Fogle had the privilege of giving Mr. Jared Brice of Strasburg High School our Teacher of the Month award. Jared was nominated for his dedication to supporting the EverFi Financial Education program in his classroom.
Jared teaches photojournalism, principles of business, and economics & personal finance and is constantly reminding his students that financial literacy is important. He states, "No matter what career path you take in life, being knowledgeable and competent with one's finances is extremely important. Being able to manage your finances and to both survive and thrive financially is something everyone, of every background and career, must be able to do. I think it is important that students are informed and given the financial skills to make it in the real world."
Jared uses the online financial education program provided by Everfi Financial Education and sponsored by F&M Bank as a supplement to his lectures and lessons. The students really enjoy the coursework as it is interactive and engaging!
Thank you, Jared, for your dedication to #FinEd and for all you do as a teacher!
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| Pictured: Carol Fogle, F&M Bank Woodstock, and Jared Brice, Strasburg High School. |
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Identity Theft is the fastest-growing crime in the United States, affecting millions of Americans annually. It can happen to anyone—regardless of how careful you are, regardless of your age and income, and regardless of where you live. Restoring your identity on your own can be time-consuming and stressful. Don't wait until you're a victim to take action.
Protect your identity at one of our community shred days! Through our partnership with Shred-it, we provide free, off-site document shredding to ensure the most secure destruction of your personal documents.
Timberville - Saturday, June 3rd, 12-2 PM
Elkton - Friday, June 9th, 3-5 PM
Craigsville - Saturday, June 10th, 12-2 PM - also a customer appreciation day!
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Perks for Small Business Owners
F&M has partnered with Valley-based businesses to provide their employees savings and discounts. Participate in the Perks @Work program offered by your employer and you will receive special savings on local goods and services, plus unique benefits at F&M Bank.
In return for the partnership, F&M brings customers to the door of participating businesses, supports the local economy, and keeps a few extra dollars in our customers' pockets. Interested in joining? Contact us to learn how to become a Perks @Work member or sign up and promote your business.
This month we are featuring Warehouse Auto Repair in Staunton, VA. The garage offers the following services: VA state inspection, oil and filter change, tires, tire rotation, flat repair, tune ups, factory service, electrical diagnosis/repair, check engine, ABS, airbag light diagnosis/repair, brake service, rotor machining and more!
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Sign up your business for F&M’s Perks @Work program and you receive an oil and filter change - $24.95 - 5 quarts 5W-30 oil and standard filer. Some models may cost extra.
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Harrisonburg-Rockingham United Way Day of Caring
Employees from six different F&M Bank branches volunteered on May 10th to participate in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham United Way Day of Caring. Volunteers spent the afternoon at Friendship Industries in Harrisonburg weeding, mulching, trimming and painting.
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Best Ways to Fund Spring Home Repairs
Now that spring has blossomed into full-on allergy mode, the time we spend outside is even more appreciated, especially with the help of a good antihistamine. The next time you venture out, take a moment to do a walk-around inspection of the old homestead. See some room for improvements? Maintaining, repairing and upgrading a home can range in cost from a minor trickle to a major cash drain. From a small repair to a major improvement, there are prudent ways to fund whatever spring home project you decide to undertake.
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2018 Calendar Contest Now Open
Each year Farmers & Merchants Bank holds our annual contest for amateur photographers to showcase the natural beauty of Rockingham, Shenandoah, Page, and Augusta counties during all seasons of the year. 120 local photos were entered in the contest during 2016, and it was quite a task to pick a grand prize winner and 12 monthly winners. We are now accepting entries for our 2018 calendar contest, with a final deadline of August 1, 2017. All entries will be posted to our Facebook page on August 2, 2017 for the first round of voting. For entry forms or more information, visit our website.
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| Our 2017 May Photo, taken by Larry Painter |
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Area Students Awarded VBA Bank Day Scholarships
In early March, F&M Bank hosted 23 Valley high school seniors and participated in the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) Bank Day scholarship program. The results are in, and F&M Bank is excited to congratulate Skylar Wampler and Chandler Showalter on winning the Valley Region!
Skylar Wampler, Broadway High School, is the Valley Regional winner and is awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Chandler Showalter, Waynesboro High School, is the Valley Honorable mention and is awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Both students wrote excellent essays highlighting the importance of saving, investing, and establishing a relationship with a local bank to help pave the way for their financial future. This is the first year in which students shadowing at F&M Bank have won both the Regional and Honorable Mention categories.
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Throughout the month of April, employees donated over $750 among the Collins Center, Choices, Response, and New Directions Center.
These nonprofits all strive to eliminate domestic and sexual violence and its impact in the community and provide hope and healing to victims.
We hope you don't mind these dress-down days as they are for a good cause! Keep an eye out for future announcements on our Facebook page.
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Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA Pet of the Month
Hambone is a 10-year-old red and white coonhound mix. This handsome hound has the cutest eyes and would love to shower you with kisses. Hambone arrived at the SPCA in February very underweight. This old boy has packed on a few pounds and is now up to a healthy weight. Hammie would love to find a forever home with a yard where he could run around and get lots of exercise to help him maintain his weight and keep some muscle on his bones. Hambone loves to go for walks and will gladly lead you along on any adventure. He's a strong boy, but walks well on a harness. Hammie qualifies for our Seniors for Seniors pricing! Any adopter 55 or over will enjoy a reduced adoption fee. Visit the shelter today! More info on our website www.rhspca.org.
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Financial Education at Your Fingertips
Have you seen our comprehensive suite of financial education topics? Organized around life events, you can find the information you seek at the times when you need it. Connect to the right people who can help, download financial quick guides, and receive your own personalized financial checklist, all for free from our website.
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