BANK NEWS & RELEASES
January 27, 2012: Chief Executive Officer, Barry Williams, receives 2011 Hall of Honor Award from the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce.
This award is given to a maximum of three individuals each year who have participated in civic activities for many years. Highlights of Mr. Williams' contributions to the New Braunfels community are:
- Chamber Chair of the Board Award in 2005
- Chamber Board member; Senior Blue Coat
- Past Chairman of Greater New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation
- Appointed to Texas Economic Development Fund and Small Business Fund by the Governor of Texas
- Serves on Texas Department of Banking Strategic Planning Committee
- Wurstfest Opa
- Past Board member of Texas Bankers Association
- Past Board member of McKenna Hospital, McKenna Foundation, and United Way
- Past Board member of March of Dimes, Communities in Schools, New Braunfels Little League, and Hope Hospice.
We congratulate Mr. Williams on receiving this great honor and thank him for his service to our community.
September 27, 2011: Updated Donations Information and Donation Account.
All immediate needs for item donations have been met. Monetary donations are still much appreciated and of great assistance. First State Bank has set up an account for donations to the fire victims. Should you wish to donate, please call or drop by any branch and our tellers will assist you.
September 13, 2011: Updated Donations Information and Donation Account.
The immediate needs of clothing, pillows, bedding, towels have been met. Some residents are being permitted to re-enter their homes and the needs are changing.
Tents, air mattresses, pots and pans, any kitchen items, mops, brooms, buckets, tweezers, extension cords, cat food, cat litter, animal carriers, men's large shoes - new, all size socks, kids & adults, peroxide, alcohol, pain medication, farm feed, PineSol, 409, Comet, Clorox, laundry detergent, fans, shovels, hoses, masks with filters, gloves, spices (kitchen), toilet paper, paper towels, rags for cleaning, sponges, toiletries, non-perishable food items, flashlights, can openers, towels, wash rags, dish soap, first aid items.
Additionally, First State Bank has set up an account for donations to the fire victims. Should you wish to donate, please drop by any branch and our tellers will assist you.
September 8, 2011: Updated Donations List and Information about Bastrop County.
Volunteers are running with little or no sleep so volunteers are welcome at the Smithville Recreation Center or Donation Drop Sites.
There is a dire need for new underwear for men, women and children, socks and shoes. Either tennis shoes or flip flops. Other needs are: light blankets, towels, wash cloths, hand towels, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes, razors, eating utensils (forks, knives, spoons), shampoo, soap, clothes of all sizes, non-perishable food items, pet food, cat litter.
Smithville Donation Sites are:
First State Bank, 201 Main St, Smithville, TX
Smithville Recreation Center,106 Royston, Smithville, TX
Donation Drop Site, 210 Main St, Smithville, TX
Bastrop Donation and Volunteer site is:
Rundell Business Park off Highway 71 in Bastrop, 512-332-8661.
Comal County residents who wish to donate items to assist the Bastrop County wildfire victims can donate items at any of our 3 branches: New Braunfels Main Branch on the Plaza, New Braunfels Gruene Branch at 2610 E Common St and Canyon Lake Branch at 1805 FM 2673.
We will be making trips to Bastrop and Smithville Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 9 - 11. Next week's delivery schedule is yet to be determined.
September 2011: Our prayers are with you, Bastrop County.
For those of you in Bastrop County, both the Bastrop and Smithville branches are open to serve you.
Comal County residents who wish to donate items to assist the Bastrop County wildfire victims can donate items at any of our 3 branches: New Braunfels Main Branch on the Plaza, New Braunfels Gruene Branch at 2610 E Common St and Canyon Lake Branch at 1805 FM 2673.
Items currently needed are: Clothing, toiletries, pet food, laundry detergent, new pillows, blankets, diapers, formula, shoes. No food items at this time, please.
We will be updating the site with additional information as we hear from our Bastrop County employees and friends, who have all been affected by this disaster.
In Bastrop County, donations and volunteers are needed at: Bastrop County Donation Distribution Center, 210 Main Street, Smithville, TX and Rundell Business Park off Highway 71 in Bastrop, 512-332-8661.
Bastrop Fire Information Line 512-332-8814 OR 512-753-2180
Photo: James Long, Vice President, Lending
August 2011: Big Ideas for Small Businesses.
Everything you need to manage your business or organization: from commercial checking and business loans to Remote Deposit Capture, Cash Management and Merchant Services, we can assist you with managing and growing your business. View our Business Banking services and contact one of our financial specialists to help you build your roadmap to success.
June 2011: Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge, LA - Melissa Etheredge and Laurie Whitmire, Vice Presidents of Lending, First State Bank, are among the 157 bankers receiving graduation diplomas on June 3, 2011 from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. This three-year program provides courses covering all aspects of banking, economics and related subjects. Students traveled from twenty states and Mexico to participate in this Session.
Sponsored by 15 southern state bankers associations in cooperation with the Division of Coninuing Eduation at LSU, the banking school requires attendance on campus for three years, with extensive bank study assignments between sessions. The faculty consists of bankers, business and professional leaders, and educators from all parts of the U.S.
During their three years at the Graduate School of Banking, students receive 180 hours of classroom instruction, thirty hours of reviews, planned evening study, and written final examinations at the end of each session.
April 2011: First State Bank Announces Promotion
New Braunfels, TX – First State Bank, member FDIC, announces the promotion of Mr. John A. Harrell to President and Chief Operating Officer. Harrell began working for First State Bank in 2003 and for four years has been EVP of Professional & Executive Lending. He is based out of the bank’s main office in New Braunfels.
Mr. Barry Williams retains his role as Chief Executive Officer and will remain involved with business development and overall strategic focus.
“John has been successful at building many commercial relationships and has done an excellent job of working through the loan process to provide timely and responsive financing solutions. His new responsibilities provide the challenge of supervising the bank’s daily operational activities and John will do a great job.” says Williams.
Established in 1895, First State Bank offers a variety of commercial and consumer loans and accounts, and is dedicated to serving the needs of small businesses and individuals. The bank currently operates through 5 branches in convenient locations: New Braunfels, Gruene, Canyon Lake, Bastrop, and the original charter, Smithville, Texas.
February 2011: Guaranteed Return. Assured Serenity.
You still have time to open an IRA CD and receive the tax benefits! Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) can assist you as you plan for the future and can be a tax-deferred or tax-free way of saving for retirement. Enjoy the serenity of knowing competitive interest is paid and guaranteed until maturity.
Contact one of our Customer Service Representatives today to discuss your individual needs.
January 2011: Low rates mean it's high time to refinance!
Interest rates are very low and refinancing your home could benefit you in several ways. Take this quick quiz to determine if refinancing could be right for you:
1. Are the current mortgage interest rates at least 1 point less than your existing mortgage interest or do you have an extra mortgage insurance payment (MIP) ? If so, refinancing your home mortgage might make sense. Lowering your rate and getting rid of that MIP could mean substantial savings.
2. Do you currently have an adjustable rate mortgage, negative amortization or interest only loan that is due to reset or which isn't building equity? If so, today's historically low mortgage interest rates make it a great time to refinance a home loan and lock in low rates on a standard mortgage refinance loan with a fixed interest rate.
3. Do you have at least 20 percent or more equity in your home? If so, you might benefit from refinancing by reducing or eliminating the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) that you are paying each month.
4. Is your debt to income ratio nearing the maximum? If you refinance your home, you may actually improve your credit score by freeing up additional income and lowering the minimum monthly payment amounts of your basic bills.
5. Other scenarios might include consolidating credit card debt, funding home projects, paying for college, or refinancing a rental property with a high interest rate.
If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions then you may benefit from speaking to our Mortgage Director, Shelby Chapin, about refinancing your home.
September 2010: Barbell Investment Strategy
Well, the homepage feature pretty much says it all: By diversifying your investments, you'll have the liquidity of a money market account and the high yield of our 7 year CD! The money market account offers a competitive rate and you have access to your money**. The 7 year CD offers a high APY* that you'll be gaining on your investments. Call us today to learn more about this strategy or to customize a plan to fit your needs.
* Annual Percentage Yield. Rates subject to change. Restrictions apply. See bank for details.
** Federal regulations limit withdrawals to 6 per statement cycle. Additional withdrawals are $5 each.
August 2010: First State Bank website gets a fresh new look!
August 2010: We received another Bauer 5 Star rating. To review our bank (or others) go to www.bauerfinancial.com.
February 2010: We have a new product! An 84 month CD was created with a great APY: 3.80%. This is a fantastic opportunity to lock in a high rate for the next 7 years. Rates are subject to change and minimum opening balance is $25,000. Check our CD section under Personal Banking for more details or give us a call today at (830)608-0233.
October 2009: We held an informal gathering of investors to discuss estate planning in general and particularly how the market landscape is changing over the course of the next two years and how to best prepare for those changes. Current regulations were discussed regarding the amounts that can be transferred via an estate tax free, how that amount is unlimited in 2010, and that 2011 rules have yet to be determined.
September 2009: We have a new Director of Mortgages named Shelby Chapin. Interest rates are very low right now. If you're in the market for a new home, give Shelby a call at (830)626-8627. Lock those rates in today!
August 2009: Two really exciting things happened this month for First State Bank! 1) We were rated a 5 Star Bank by Bauer Financial, an independent financial institution ratings firm, and 2) we grew to 250 million in assets. How’s that for strong?
