CLAREMORE, Okla. – Tom Bayless will retire after 50 years in banking and 30 years working for RCB Bank. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of RCB Bank.

“Tom kept RCB Bank on the cutting edge of technology for years,” said RCB Bank President and CEO Roger Mosier. “He anticipated the needs of our customers and worked tirelessly to make their experience better.”

Bayless spearheaded the effort to implement electronic and online banking platforms. He also helped RCB Bank become one of the first banks to implement remote deposit capture for businesses.

Loan officer Mandy Cannon remembers another side of her boss. “When I missed work for a month with a family illness, Tom checked on me and my family before anything else. It confirmed to me that he is a man of God who cares for others and that family is a priority.”

Tom understood RCB Bank’s connection to family and community from an early age. His grandfather was a cashier at Rogers County Bank when it first opened in January of 1936 and his father was best friends with Stan Robson, whose father founded Rogers County Bank.

“It is amazing how many connections people in Claremore have to RCB Bank,” said Bayless.

“I will miss all of the employees, the challenges of growing the bank, and most of all, Myrtle Prather’s cinnamon rolls.”

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Oklahoma and Kansas. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

“Our outdoor classroom will continue to be improved with this money,” said Irving Elementary School Principal Jeff Everett.

Earlier this year, RCB Bank donated two large picnic tables to the school.

“We want students to have a comfortable place to learn and be outdoors,” said RCB Bank Market President Gregg Conklin.

Pictured: Front row: Gregg Conklin, Winfield market president; Mr. Jeff Everett, Irving Elementary School principal.  Back row: RCB Bank employees Britney Murphy, Gloria Ulbrich, Irving elementary students, Cecily Delarosa and Robyn Tapia

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Oklahoma and Kansas. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

Spring has historically been the busiest time of year for the real estate market. Maybe it’s the brighter weather, greener earth or the sweet smells of blossoms blooming that stir a desire to move. Whether you are buying or selling your home, there are several ways to spring clean your finances to help improve your credit or help you get a better interest rate on your mortgage.

Consider refinancing your student loan debt.

Student loans can have high interest rates, and are frequently set up on a repayment plan based on your current income. In the case of an income-based plan, you are normally paying interest (and maybe not all the interest you accrue on a monthly basis). Some loan programs require a bank to count a percentage of the student loan balance toward your monthly debt if there is not a scheduled payment showing on your credit report. This percentage is typically more than your required payment, which increases your debt-to-income ratio and can potentially cause you not to qualify. Amortizing your loan and setting a specific repayment time will pay your student loans off over time and may boost your credit as you pay down the balance instead of it increasing due to unpaid interest.

Lower your debt-to-income ratio.

Your debt-to-income ratio is an important factor in mortgage qualification. If you have multiple credit cards payments or high interest loans, your monthly payments can be quite high. If you are able to consolidate your credit card debt or loans into one payment and lower your overall monthly cost, then you can lower your debt-to-income ratio as well.

Limit credit inquiries.

When you apply for credit, e.g. credit card or loan, the lender generally does a hard inquiry or “hard pull” on your credit. These hard inquiries may hurt your credit score, especially if you allow several of them within a short time span. When you are shopping for a mortgage, the inquiries from banks or mortgage companies made within a 14-day period should only count as one hard hit. This should not affect your credit score dramatically. It is when you are applying for a variety of credit types (car loan, furniture store, credit card, etc.) in a short time that it may hurt your credit score.

In contrast, when you check your own credit score, it is considered a soft inquiry and does not affect your credit score.

There are many ways to improve your credit, but most are going to be situation dependent. A trusted mortgage lender will be able to help you and offer guidance on how to improve your credit score. This may take a few months to a year, or it could be as quick as a few weeks depending on your personal circumstance.

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of RCB Bank personnel and meant for generic illustration purposes only. With approved credit. For specific questions regarding your personal lending needs, please call RCB Bank at 855-BANK-RCB. Some restrictions apply. RCB Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151. 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Thirteen finalists drew keys and tried to unlock a black box holding the official keys to a 2019 Chevy Blazer during RCB Bank’s Car Giveaway Event on January 24.

Emily Hancock of Wellington was thrilled to win a brand new car!

Emily called her mom after the win saying, “Guess where I am sitting? In the front seat of a brand new car!”

“RCB Bank is honored to be able to celebrate our communities and give back,” said Erin Pegorsch, vice president, marketing director of RCB Bank. “While I know Emily will never forget this day, neither will anyone else at the ceremony.”

The car giveaway promotion took place from October through December 2019 in Oklahoma and Kansas. Contestants were entered automatically each time they made a purchase using their RCB Bank debit card. They could also enter online or by mail once per day. Each week, RCB Bank randomly drew one name to be a finalist at the Car Giveaway Event.

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Kansas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Thirteen finalists drew keys and tried to unlock a black box holding the official keys to a 2019 Chevy Blazer during RCB Bank’s Car Giveaway Event on January 17.

Connie Kosanke of Collinsville, unlocked the box and was shocked to discover she had WON!

“I’ve never been in a contest in my entire life, and to win a car, I’m so delighted!” she said. “I love RCB Bank. Everybody I’ve met is terrific. They don’t let you want for nothing.”

“RCB Bank is honored to be able to celebrate our communities and give back,” said Erin Pegorsch, vice president, marketing director of RCB Bank. “While I know Connie will never forget this day, neither will anyone else at the ceremony. Her genuine excitement after realizing she had won the car made the whole event.”

The Car Giveaway Promotion took place from October through December 2019 in Oklahoma and Kansas. Contestants were entered automatically each time they made a purchase using their RCB Bank debit card. They could also enter online or by mail once per day. Each week, RCB Bank randomly drew one name to be a finalist at the Car Giveaway Event.  RCB Bank is giving away a second Chevy Blazer in Kansas. The Kansas Car Giveaway event takes place at 3 p.m. Friday, January 24 in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Contestants must be present at the ceremony to win. All applicable U.S., federal, state, and local taxes, duties, or other taxes or fees are the sole responsibility of each winner, who will be issued a 1099 IRS tax form for the amount of the awarded prize.

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Oklahoma and Kansas. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

Imagine your retirement fund as the seat of a stool. Its stability depends on the construction of the legs. Put all the weight on one leg of the stool and you risk a wobbly future. Instead, use multiple funding sources to build a sturdier retirement savings plan. Depending on your desired lifestyle, we suggest saving between 10-20% of your salary to fund your retirement. Use this balanced approach to diversify savings.

First Leg: Employer Plan

If your employer retirement plan offers a match, fund this account up to the full match if not more. If your employer does not offer a match, you will want to contribute more money toward this account.

Second Leg: Social Security

Social Security benefits can vary drastically depending on how long you work, the amount you earn during your highest earning years and when you elect to claim your benefits. The generation retiring now is receiving about 35-40% of their former salary in the form of Social Security benefits.

Third Leg: Personal Savings

This may include savings accounts, IRAs, CDs, investment accounts and your home’s equity. While it is possible to build a solid three-legged stool, you may want to reinforce your retirement fund with a fourth leg.

Fourth Leg: Retirement Income

Income may be in the form of a rental property, part-time job or small home-based business. However you go about it, you have to sit on your retirement stool, so make it is sturdy enough to hold you during your retirement years. Find a wealth advisor you trust to help you plan a retirement savings strategy built for your individual lifestyle goals and needs.

Save now. Save often. Your future self will thank you.

We offer free portfolio reviews at no cost, no obligation. We’d be happy to take a look at your current portfolio and offer a second opinion to ensure you’re getting the most out of your investments.

Connect with an RCB Bank Trust Wealth Advisor in your area.

Invest in your retirement. RCBbank.com/GetFit

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only. Investment products are not insured by FDIC or any government agency, Not a bank guarantee, Not a deposit, Subject to risk and may lose value.

A mortgage is one of the most expensive and long-term commitments you will make in your life. So how can you both save money and take years off your loan? It’s actually pretty simple. If you pay just a little extra on your mortgage each month or year, you will owe significantly less over the life of the loan.

Although most borrowers know their home is a valuable asset, they often don’t consider how much interest adds to their overall cost. Your mortgage is amortized, meaning you pay regular installments on principal and interest over the specified period of time. Every time you pay your mortgage, interest costs decrease and the principal increases. If you pay nothing extra on the mortgage, the total amount you owe over the life of the loan will not change. However, pay a little extra and you can take years off your loan and save thousands of dollars in interest.

Let’s look at this closer. If you get a 30-year loan for $250,000 and it accrues 4% interest per year, you will end up paying $179,674 in interest over the life of the loan. This is a big number, but one you can reduce by budgeting some extra money for your mortgage.

Using the example I’ve just described, the monthly mortgage payment is $1193.54 per month. If you can make one extra mortgage payment per year, you can save over $28,000 in interest over the life of the loan! Make it a Christmas present and pay a little at a time or make one lump payment at the end of each year. Paying just a little extra on your mortgage is the gift that keeps giving.

The more knowledge you have about the mortgage process, available loan options and your individual qualifications, the more satisfying your homebuying experience will be. Connect with a local RCB Bank lender to get answers to your lending questions. Give us a call or visit our online Mortgage Center.

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only.  The monthly payment calculation expressed above is not for any specific loan type and is meant for generic illustration purposes only. For specific questions regarding your personal lending needs, please call RCB Bank at 855-BANK-RCB. With approved credit. Some restrictions apply. Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151.

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — RCB Bank employees in Arkansas City brought Christmas to four local families.

“As employees of RCB Bank, we are proud to be able to give back to the community,” said Retail Coordinator Kim Fleetwood. “We have loved working with Angels in the Attic over the past four years to identify families in need and provide gifts for them.”

Pictured left to right: Ivy Beals, Angels in the Attic; Brandi Soule, loan administration assistant; John Sturd, RCB Bank market president; Gregg Conklin, RCB Bank market president; Kim Fleetwood, retail coordinator.

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Kansas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. – RCB Bank and their employees collectively donated $7,400 to the United Way of the Plains and their efforts in Cowley County.

“In addition to the Bank’s donation of $2,500, RCB Bank employees in Arkansas City pledged an additional $4,900 for United Way,” said RCB Bank market president John Sturd. “RCB Bank is proud to support United Way and the local non-profit agencies they serve.”

Pat Hanrahan, President and CEO of United Way of the Plains, said this money will be very helpful to Cowley County.

“We value our partnership with RCB Bank and are so appreciative of this generous gift,” said Hanrahan. “This is a great start to our newly merged United Way operation. These funds will greatly assist in providing services in Cowley County.”

The United Way in Cowley County recently merged with United Way of the Plains to enhance services to residents.

Pictured left to right: Kim Fleetwood, RCB Bank retail coordinator; Pat Hanrahan, United Way of the Plains President and CEO; John Sturd, RCB Bank market president.

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Oklahoma and Kansas. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Angels in the Attic, a local nonprofit that works with area groups to assist struggling individuals, received a $2,500 gift from RCB Bank. The money will support efforts to serve the community, help individuals set attainable goals and assist them as they become more independent.

“The need in our community is greater now than ever before, especially this holiday season,” said John Sturd, RCB Bank market president. “Angels in the Attic work tirelessly to provide assistance to those in need. RCB Bank is pleased to help them in their efforts.”

Pictured left to right: Ivy Beals, Angels in the Attic; Janice Marr, Angels in the Attic; John Sturd, RCB Bank market president; Kim Fleetwood, RCB Bank retail coordinator.

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Kansas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

Just ahead of the holiday season, RCB Bank this week generously donated $1,500 to the Community Health Center in Cowley County’s Pay-It-Forward Fund.

The purpose of this internal fund is to ensure that medically underserved patients receive quality health care by bridging relatively small cost-gap disparities. The continual disbursement of this fund supports payment of underserved patient’s medical care costs such as life-saving drugs. These disparities, although minor in cost, many times have consequential impacts on the health outcomes of an underserved patient. This fund is only for the benefit of those whom make the health center their medical home. Medically underserved is defined as a patient who is uninsured or underinsured and/or whose annual income is less than 200% of the current federal poverty level.

Individuals and groups may contribute to the Pay-It-Forward Fund by visiting or mailing donations to the Community Health Center in Cowley County at 221 W. 8^th Avenue, Winfield, Kansas, 67156. You should earmark your gifts towards this effort by noting “Pay-It-Forward” in the memo. The health center, through the Legacy Regional Community Foundation, also maintains an endowed fund for specialty care.

Pictured from left to right: Gloria Ulbrich, Gregg Conklin, David Brazil, Taylor Schwartz, Kim Fleetwood and John Sturd

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Kansas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

RCB Bank officers and employees have been busy collecting jars of peanut butter! They recently donated more than 200 pounds of peanut butter to the Winfield Food Pantry and Joseph’s Storehouse, along with a check for $2,000.

RCB Bank’s core values are relationships, community and boldness and during the months of October and November, employees were challenged to collect 100 pounds of peanut for the Food Pantry. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.S., 1 in 9 people worldwide live with chronic hunger.  In the U.S. alone, 1 in 7 people do not have enough to eat. RCB Bank Market President Gregg Conklin wasn’t surprised when employees crushed the goal.

“RCB Bank employees care deeply about the communities they live in,” Conklin said. “When it comes to supporting others, be it the Winfield Pantry, Joseph’s Storehouse, CASA or local schools, RCB Bank employees are some of the most generous with their time, talents and treasures.”

Why did we donate peanut butter?

“So many of us love peanut butter for its great taste, nutrition or just for the wonderful childhood memories we get when we bite into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” Conklin responded. “Many do not realize that peanut butter helps make ends meet for thousands of people who use food banks in the United States, and that peanut butter is also part of life-saving treatment for malnourished children. RCB Bank is proud to support community organizations like the Food Pantry.”

Pictured: RCB Bank President Gregg Conklin (left) and Winfield Food Pantry Director Phil Jarvis, with RCB Bank employees and Food Pantry volunteers.

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Kansas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #798151.

If you are preparing to buy or refinance a home, take a look at your VA Loan option, which offers lower out-of-pocket financing than traditional lending options. Here are five benefits of VA Loans.

No. 1. 100% Financing

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) guarantees this loan, allowing you  to finance the entire purchase price of the home. Nearly all conventional and FHA loans require the loan-to-value to be below 100%.

No. 2. No Monthly Mortgage Insurance Costs

Most loans with less than a 20% down payment require you to pay for a mortgage insurance premium (for FHA loans) and private mortgage insurance, commonly referred to as PMI, for conventional loans.

While there is no monthly mortgage insurance, there is a one-time funding fee, which ranges from 1.5% – 3.3%, based on your eligibility and down payment. You may also be exempt from the funding fee if you were awarded a service-related disability.

You are also able to roll your funding fee into the loan to help keep your out-of-pocket expenses lower at closing.

No. 3. More Flexible Underwriting Standards

A VA Loan is the only loan that does not require student loans deferred over  one year to be included in the debt–to-income ratio, which is used by lenders to determine how much you can afford to borrow. Also, a VA loan allows for higher debt ratios than other loans like FHA, conventional and rural development.

No. 4. You Can Have Two VA Home Loans at a Time

VA does allow you to purchase another home if you are choosing to move prior to selling your current VA-financed home. It depends on how much entitlement you have left from the previous purchase and the loan limits in the area where you are buying your new home. Your mortgage lender can help you calculate your entitlement and qualification.

No. 5. VA Jumbo Option Available 

In most counties today, the maximum loan limit for conforming conventional and VA loans is $484,350. However, there are certain counties where the VA maximum loan limit exceeds $484,350; these loans are known was VA Jumbo loans. These amounts are current as of the time of writing this article. Most Jumbo loans require 20% down payment; however, VA loans do not. Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to pay a 10% or less down payment.

You can learn more about eligibility requirements at www.benefits.va.gov. Search VA home loans.

When it comes to obtaining a VA Loan, you want to work with a qualified VA mortgage lender.  RCB Bank is proud to offer a VA loan benefit to our active duty service members and veterans. We can help you determine your eligibility and what you qualify for. Plus, once you start the loan process, we’re here to walk you through start to finish.

Connect with a local RCB Bank lender to get answers to your lending questions. Give us a call or visit our online Mortgage Center.

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only.  For specific questions regarding your personal lending needs, please call RCB Bank at 855-BANK-RCB. With approved credit. Some restrictions apply. Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151.

There is a lot of incorrect information out there that may persuade you not to pursue getting a home. Before you run in fear, talk to a lender first about your concerns, so we can help you know what is truth or myth.

Myth #1: You have to have a 20% down payment in order to get a mortgage – WRONG.

There are many down payment options. For instance, if you are a veteran, or buying in a rural location, you could potentially get into your new home with little to no down payment.

Several first-time homebuyer loan options start with a 3% down payment, and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers financing options starting with a 3.5% down payment.

With all of these down payment options, homeownership may be more BOOlievable than you think.

Myth #2: Being Pre-Qualified is the same as being Pre-Approved – WRONG.

Pre-qualification is based on un-verified information. This is an initial look at your application to make sure there are no major red flags that may prevent you from getting a mortgage. For example, a pre-qualification may use an estimate of your credit score and compare your income with your debts to see if you can support a mortgage payment. The pre-qualification process is quick and is based on information you provide to your lender. A pre-approval is a more extensive process where the lender uses verified information (e.g., your credit report and pay stubs) to determine which mortgage you actually qualify for.

Without a pre-qualification or pre-approval, home shopping may become a frightfully batty experience.

Myth #3: Shopping around for lenders will hurt your credit – WRONG.

Multiple inquiries can hurt your credit, but FICO allows for rate shopping by grouping all similar inquiries made within a 30-day timeframe as one hard-hit. This allows you to shop around as long as it is within 30 calendar days.

When shopping lenders, be sure to ask what fees they charge, what the interest rate and annual percentage rate (APR) are, and if you aren’t putting 20% down, what is the cost for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Don’t be spooked by misinformation about mortgages. Talk to a lender and get the truth. I’m here to help you have a FANGtastic homebuying experience, even if you are not an RCB Bank customer. Connect with a local RCB Bank lender to get answers to your lending questions. Give us a call or visit our online Mortgage Center.

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Mortgage appraisal— a professional opinion of a property’s market value, determined by a licensed appraiser.

An appraiser will visit the property and examine the interior and exterior of the property. They will take pictures, measure rooms, note upgrades and examine other aspects of the house for functionality. Once they finish looking at the property, they will research similar homes through various assessor databases and local real estate portals.

Appraisal guidelines protect consumers. Lenders are required to give you copies of all appraisal reports and other written valuations. If you have questions, talk to your lender. Open and honest communication will help you better understand the mortgage process.

May I choose my appraiser?

No. Your lender must request the order. Lenders, realtors and appraisers must follow Appraiser Independence requirements to ensure the appraisal is fair. You can read the guidelines on Fannie Mae’s website, fanniemae.com.

Why are appraisals important?

An appraisal is important because it provides you with valuable information about the property so, as a buyer, you do not pay more than the home is actually worth. It can also play a big role in determining the amount of money you may borrow when purchasing or refinancing your home.

I got a home inspection; do I still need an appraisal?

Yes. The home inspection does not replace an appraisal and vice versa. A home inspection is an in-depth, objective examination of the physical structure and major components of a home. A home inspector will not determine the value of the home; they help you assess potential risks that may affect your investment.

How long before I receive my appraisal?

Appraisals can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete due to many variables that may affect the time frame. For instance, during the peak of real estate season, it may take longer due to the backlog of requests. Rural, luxury or complex properties also take more time to complete based upon availability of comparable sales data.

We are to here to help, even if you are not an RCB Bank customer. Connect with a local RCB Bank lender to get answers to your lending questions.

Invest in yourself. RCBbank.com/GetFit

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only. For specific questions regarding your personal lending needs, please call RCB Bank at 855-BANK-RCB, With approved credit. Some restrictions apply. RCB Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151. Kenneth Wohl NMLS #453934.

Don’t be another victim.

Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to fake IRS communication scams, according to the IRS. Here are important reminders from the IRS about tax fraud.

​Two most important things to know about the IRS.

1. ​The IRS DOES NOT initiate contact by email, text messages or social media with taxpayers to request personal or financial information.
2. The IRS does not threaten taxpayers with lawsuits, imprisonment or other enforcement action. The IRS also cannot revoke your driver’s license, business licenses or immigration status. Threats like these are common tactics scam artists use to trick victims into buying into their schemes.

​Telltale signs of tax fraud.

​IRS-impersonation telephone scams

You are told you owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. Victims may be threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. You may also be told you have a refund owed to you and the caller needs personal information in order to process the refund. If you don’t answer the phone, they may leave an urgent callback message.

Scams targeting tax professionals: The objective is to steal their clients’ data so they can file fraudulent tax returns that better impersonate their victims.
​
​Email, phishing and malware schemes

You receive an official-looking email from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including tax software companies. Their name and logo appear on it. These phishing schemes may seek information related to refunds, filing status, confirming personal information, ordering transcripts and verifying PIN information.

Be alert to bogus emails that appear to come from your tax professional, requesting information for an IRS form. The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information, nor do they require life insurance and annuity updates from taxpayers or a tax professional.

​Taxpayer Advocacy Panel scams

Some taxpayers may receive emails that appear to be from the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) about a tax refund. These emails are a phishing scam, where unsolicited emails try to trick victims into providing personal and financial information. Do not respond or click any link.

What to do? 

The IRS will only deal with you on these related issues via US mail. 
If you get a call, hang-up and contact the IRS directly.

• Never respond to an email or fax.
• Never call the number listed in the email or provided to you by phone.
• Go directly to the IRS website at www.IRS.gov for assistance.
• Read up on IRS Tax Scams Consumer Alerts.

Source: www.IRS.gov

 Ask for Details. Member FDIC.

By Stacy Dunn | RCB Bank Information Security

Information is as good as gold.

If you think your business is too small to be a victim of data loss, think again. Cybercriminals find small to medium-sized businesses to be more accessible targets.

While physical securities are a concern (leaving documents lying around or not shredding personal paperwork), the majority of incidents tend to be more hands off.

Hackers like to infiltrate businesses with social engineering tactics:

• Phishing & vishing
• Customer account compromise
• Vendor management intrusion

The National Institute of Standards and Technology offers a framework to help businesses protect their work spaces. Each business has unique risks and will require tailored security measures.

Preventive measures:

• Limit employee access to sensitive data.
• Use strong passwords that expire.
• Use multi-factor authentication.
• Train staff on information security.
• Reduce risk with effective policies and procedures.
• Encrypt all data, especially email and mobile devices.
• Use reliable endpoint protection, firewall and email filtering.
• Update and patch systems regularly.
• Protect all facets of your business, e.g., websites and vendor access.

Your network is only as strong as your weakest user.

Hackers are one step ahead in trying to steal information. Take steps to not become their next victim.

Information security training is a must-have in today’s environment.

Invite RCB Bank’s Information Technology and Business Services teams to speak about cybersecurity at your workplace. Call 918-342-7379 to schedule an appointment, or connect with our business services representative in your area.

Invest in your business.
RCBbank.com/BusinessSolutions

This article is published in Value News, February 2019 Issue, valuenews.com.

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only. See a business representative for specific questions regarding PosPay details, pricing and fees for your personal situation. Call us at 855-BANK-RCB, RCB Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151.

By Stacy Dunn, Information Security, RCB Bank

By Jocelyn Wood, RCB Bank

I stress over gift-giving.

I never know what to give people. I’m embarrassed when I can’t afford their wish list.

Holidays are a time for gratitude and fellowship. Gifts are to be an expression of joy and generosity, not a stress inducer. Definitely not a debt instigator.

If you fret over gift-giving, try one of these no stress, pay less ideas that won’t break your budget.

Low cost, big heart gift ideas:

“We give memories,” said Michelle Duhaime, Lawrence. “I bought 20 cans of silly string. I gave each grandchild two cans; told them Grampa was hiding somewhere on the property; and to go find him! Best $20 I have ever spent!”

“I follow a four-gift rule for my kids,” said Melissa Welchel, Oklahoma City. “Buy something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.”

“For families, we do group gifts, board games, homemade gift baskets, rather than buying for each individual,” said Welchel.

“I help someone with a project they’re working on,” said Kim James, Verdigris. “It means more than buying something they may not need or want.”

“We restrict ourselves to one store bought gift and we set a price limit,” said Stephen Taylor, Tulsa. “For friends, we make homemade goodies or gifts. People are happy getting it, and we don’t spend time agonizing over whether someone will like their gift.”

“We give money to our pastor to give to someone who could use extra help,” said Tara Depperschmidt, Stillwater. “We don’t want to know who it goes to; just that it goes to someone who really needs it.”