Volume 8 Issue 3 September 2014

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1 News & Tips A Newsletter Dedicated to Growing and Strengthening Your Financial Future Volume 8 Issue 3 September 2014 Protect Your Cards With MasterCard SecureCode MasterCard SecureCode is a service from MasterCard and Shazam that protects your cards with a personal password. Leighton State Bank recommends MasterCard SecureCode to provide our customers with added security against unauthorized use of your card. It s easy, safe, and free. You will need to register your cards to get a SecureCode. It is very important that you remember your code and keep it in a safe place. This will enhance the safety and security of shopping online. Visit leightonbank.com to register: find the MasterCard SecureCode article in the Education Center under the Resources tab. After creating a SecureCode, you will need it for your online purchases. Here s how it works: A window will pop up asking for your code when you make online purchases. After reviewing the details of your purchase and confirming that everything is correct, simply enter your SecureCode to complete the purchase. When you correctly enter your SecureCode, it confirms that you are the authorized cardholder and your purchase is completed. Without entering the SecureCode, confirmation will not be given and purchases will not be completed that s added security for your cards! Leighton State Bank Is Proud to Be an Active Participant in the Communities We Serve! Leighton State Bank employees enjoy talking to community members during Pella s Ag in the City celebration. Leighton State Bank s entry into Monroe s Old Settlers festival parade, ridden by the Junior King and Queen, won first place in the business division. This community celebration has been held annually since The theme this year was Road Trip to Home Sweet Home, and the bank s entry into the parade was named Save for Your Road Trip with Leighton State Bank. Visit for a complete list of FREE online and mobile banking services.

2 2 Steve Fopma CEO From the CEO Approaching my thirtieth year in banking, it repeatedly occurs to me that achieving financial goals requires hard work and discipline. Whether you are a young person just starting to handle money or a newly married couple trying to chart a path to handling your financial resources, whether you re middle aged and trying to balance multiple needs or in your retirement years, my experience has indicated some basic principles for your finances. If developed and consistently followed, these principles can set or keep you in a healthy financial position. I would encourage all readers to be diligent in practicing these basic financial practices: Track the balance in your checkbook on a regular basis and avoid checking account overdrafts. Develop the discipline of saving some money on a consistent basis. Reserve saved money for significant purchases or unexpected emergencies. Pay your bills and payments on time. Reduce your credit card balances to zero on a regular basis. Before making a major financial decision, discuss it with a trusted financial advisor. If a major financial decision impacts others (such as a spouse) don t proceed until all parties are in agreement. Review your credit report on a regular basis. One practical area where these habits are rewarded is in home lending. Earlier this year there were major changes in the rules and regulations surrounding home lending; after a few months under the new guidelines, it is clear that those who have good financial habits can readily qualify for a home loan. Virtually anyone could qualify a few years back, but now it is not uncommon for those with some derogatory credit to no longer qualify. Many of you have developed the good habits described, and I congratulate you. I encourage everyone to do the hard work and develop the discipline of good financial habits I am confident you will be glad you did in the long run. Progress continues on the second phase of our building project in Pella. Stop in and we would be happy to share details! New Members Join the Leighton State Bank Team Leighton State Bank is pleased to welcome four new members to our team. Visit our website to view profiles of each new employee, or scan the QR code to the right with your smartphone. Congratulations, Kurt and Lindsay! Rich Gogg Vice President/ Senior Loan Officer Adam Rohloff Loan Officer Trainee Best wishes to Kurt and Lindsay Stout, the new parents of baby girl Schaeffer Renae. Schaeffer was born July 20, 2014, at 3:28 a.m. She weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. Lorraine Davis Teller Stefanie Hart Teller OUR MISSION: Equipping customers to grow financially strong.

3 Planning for an Unplanned Retirement 3 Be Financially Prepared for Retirement at all Times Many of us spend years building our nest egg with the goal of stepping into retirement financially and psychologically prepared. However, sometimes retirement arrives earlier than we planned. Reasons for an unplanned, early retirement could be due to something positive, like receiving a large inheritance. On the other hand, negative reasons could be due to health issues, disability, unemployment, or caring for an ill family member. Whatever the reason, you need to carefully consider the following rules. First, don t make any immediate financial decisions. One wrong decision can cause financial problems for the rest of your life. For example, if you retire early because you ve suddenly come into money, don t immediately make any major investment decisions. Instead, put the money in a bank, and don t touch it until you have time to consider the possibilities and consult with your financial advisor. Second, revise your financial plan. This is the single most important thing you can do to give yourself control of your new retirement. This is especially important if you are forced to retire for a negative reason. You will want to review your entire plan, income and outflow, insurance, estate planning, investments, possible government assistance, etc. In addition to addressing the practical issues, I recognize leaving the workforce can be a difficult emotional adjustment. If you, a friend, family member, or colleague need help financially adjusting to an unplanned retirement, please call. VSR Welcomes New Team Member To read a profile of Kaylee, scan the QR code with your smartphone, or visit our website (www. leightonbank.com). Kaylee Shelford Administrative Assistant Mark Ellingson Please note * : The use of diversification and asset allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The previous commentary contains opinions and analysis that are provided by the author for informational purposes only and should not be used as the primary basis for an investment decision. Consider your own investment objectives and risk tolerance prior to investing. Not all strategies discussed may be suitable for all investors. Recipe to Share: Rich & Laura Gogg s Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients 4-5 boneless/skinless chicken breast halves 1 can undrained black beans 1 can undrained Tex Mex or spicy hot chili beans 2 cans Ro*Tel hot diced tomatoes with habaneros Optional ¼ cup diced green onions 1 tsp hot Mexican style chili powder 1 can hot enchilada sauce 1 can chicken broth oz cans green chilies oz cans diced jalapeños 2 Tbsp brown sugar oz Velveeta (2% or jalapeño), cut into cubes 1 tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp cumin 1 tsp cinnamon 1. Mix all ingredients (except chicken breasts and Velveeta) in slow cooker; blend well. Add chicken breasts, stir. 2. Cover and cook on slow 6-8 hours until chicken is done. Remove chicken breasts. Cut into bite-size pieces. 3. Add cubed Velveeta, stir well. When cheese is melted, add chicken and stir. 4. Serve with tortilla chips/strips and sour cream (opt). Zero Liability for Card Theft If you promptly notify us about an unauthorized transaction involving your consumer card and the unauthorized transaction took place on your MasterCard branded card, including any PINbased, ATM, or POS transactions, zero liability will be imposed on you for the unauthorized transaction. In order to qualify for the zero liability protection, you must have exercised reasonable care in safeguarding your card from the risk of loss or theft and, upon becoming aware of such loss or theft, promptly reported the loss or theft to us. If you fail to take reasonable care, the MasterCard rule for zero liability will not apply and Regulation E guidelines will apply. Please contact us with questions. OUR VISION: Thriving as the preferred provider of banking, insurance, and investment * services to our communities.

4 900 Washington Steet PO Box 6 Pella, Iowa Grow Strong With Us OUR VALUES: Integrity, flexibility, helpfulness, proficiency, and commitment. Contact Us Pella Office 900 Washington St. Pella, IA Phone: VSR Financial Services, Inc. * 702 Liberty St. Pella, IA Phone: Leighton Office 225 Otley St. Leighton, IA Phone: Monroe Office 101 W Washington St. Monroe, IA Phone: Leighton Insurance Services 225 Otley St. Leighton, IA Phone: *Investment products offered or sold are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits of the bank, are not guaranteed by the bank, and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of principal. Insurance products offered or sold are not FDIC insured, not a deposit, not insured by any federal government agency, not guaranteed by the bank, and may go down in value. *Securities and Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser and Member FINRA and SIPC. *VSR Financial Services, Inc. and Leighton State Bank are not affiliated. In this issue Use MasterCard SecureCode....1 LSB s Community Activities...1 Message From LSB CEO...2 New Team Members Join LSB...2 VSR Investment Planning...3 Recipe to Share...3 Card Theft Notice...3 DATES TO REMEMBER October 13 Columbus Day (Bank Open) November 11 Veterans Day (Bank Closed) November 27 Thanksgiving (Bank Closed)

5 New Business Hours Starting September 15, 2014 PELLA MAIN LOBBY Saturday By Appointment* Flexibility is a value at Leighton State Bank. Need to meet before or after hours? Contact us and we will do our best to work with your schedule. *Pella s drive-up, which includes a walk-in lobby, will be open from 8:00 11:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings. For access to safety deposit boxes, please visit our drive-up lobby for assistance. Contact us to make lending appointments. PELLA DRIVE-UP LOBBY MONROE LOBBY LEIGHTON LOBBY Saturday 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. PELLA DRIVE-UP Monday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. MONROE DRIVE-UP Monday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. LEIGHTON DRIVE-UP Monday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.