Opposed by few, a voice to many, an advocate for all. Signing off for the last time on January 26, 2013, as the 41 year voice of Brownstown Central athletics…

“and this one belongs to the Lady Braves/Braves.”

Lawrence L. “Jack” Montgomery, age 67, of Brownstown, Indiana, entered into eternity on January 26, 2013, surrounded by his loving family at his home.

Jack was born September 27, 1945, in Crothersville, Indiana, to parents William and Margaret Jewell Chandler Montgomery, and was the youngest of seven siblings. Growing up on a farm, he was taught an important philosophy by his father: We are not here for a long time, and while we are here we should contribute. And Jack Montgomery did just that! He devoted so much of his life and time serving his communities and impacting those he encountered, and received numerous accolades and recognitions for his community service involvement.

Jack graduated from Crothersville High School and went on to earn a degree in math and business from IU. He moved to Brownstown and began his career in banking with The Peoples Bank in 1970. In 1980, Jack explored other opportunities, but returned to the bank in 1989 where he later became Senior Vice President before retiring in 2010.

Jack married his beloved wife, Mary Ann Callis, in February, 1993. She and his children, Renee Deann (Shane) Gallion and Ryan Adam Montgomery, as well as his step-children, Jenny (Fransico “Paco”) Hamm and Rebecca (Joel) Aelick, and his grandchildren (Lance, Ellis, Elisa, Caylen and Ethan) and step-grandchildren, (Carman, Nicolas, Joshua and Justin) will miss him dearly.

Jack’s corporate family at The Peoples Bank will remember “the main thing is to remain calm“, and will always be appreciative of his dedication to the ‘neighbors and friends’ he so graciously served.

It’s finally here. Time to remember the reason for the season, and a time to get together to enjoy not only “the GIFT”, but family and friends.

Christmas is a joyous time of the year. As we conclude the time, and look forward to the new year, we pause to reflect on the past, and also the relationships of us and our customers. We have enjoyed getting to know on an individual basis all those who bank with us.

With that in mind, we wish the very best to you, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year…….from all of the staff of The Peoples Bank

This is the time of year when we all too quickly switch gears and go directly from Halloween to Christmas.

Let this post be a friendly reminder of a date in between; that would be Thanksgiving. Take time to reflect on your family, your county, your job, and your blessings in general. All too often we skip right through Thanksgiving and charge toward the end of the year, not noting all the good things which are given to us automatically by just being citizens of these United States of America.

Do you know a soldier serving overseas, or even here in the U.S. currently. If you do think of sending them a thank you card, or even a package with candy, cookies or other items they might need. They are protecting our individual freedoms so we can enjoy them without worry.

Look around your house and see what you have and what you should appreciate in your family. Tell them you appreciate them and their contribution to you fullness of life.

Give thanks……….. Happy Thanksgiving from the staff of
The Peoples Bank

With the elections only about a month away, we are hearing all kinds of horror stories about what may or may not happen as the first of the year. The reality of it all is that we as citizens in a small community in southern Indiana have very little we can do about the “big picture”. Our best opportunity is to talk to our legislators, get their hopefully honest feedback, then vote for whomever we feel will do the best for us on that “hill in Washington, D.C.” or at the Indiana Statehouse.

That covers the big picture, but what about your future, and the dollars you have to invest. We all recognize the low rates at this time. Should we go outside the realm of safety and go to risk in the market. That too is a personal judgement we have to make. If you are under 40 the risk may be worth it. But beyond 50 or so, if we lose everything in a downturn market, we have little time to come bank with dollars in the bank or fund for retirement.

Best advice is to think about the long term. Bank rates are low, but better to receive little than to lose all. Consider looking at banks for stability and safety. Take the banks most recent statement, check their loan to deposit ratio, then invest in an institution you feel will take care of your needs with the least worry on your part. Presently, charges and service charges are all over the map with different institutions. Look also at that area and then make the choice. If you have questions, contact the customer service personnel at more than one local institution and check the answers to all your questions before you decide. Then select the bank which most closely matches your individual needs. You will be glad you did. Don’t take chances on your future, or your dollars.

Mark Norman, President & CEO

Coming September 14, under a tent set up in the stone lot north of our main office in Brownstown, there will be a “Customer Appreciation” day. The tent will be 30×30, and major grilling will be done at the tent. Tables inside for dining consisting of Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Chili Dogs, Beans, chips,drinks and deserts. The time will be 10:30 until 2:30, with drawing for prizes on the half hour. A grand prize of a Nikon 810 camera and accessories will be given away at the end of the eating at 2:30, and you need not be present to win the grand prize.

Just our way of saying thank you to our “neighbors and our friends” for our continued success.

Our staff will be manning the grills, the serving, and the clean up. All you have to do is show up and enjoy the day. We will also have staff just browsing the area to help to make your time with us enjoyable.

We look forward to seeing you there, and hope you can join us for the fun and festivities.

Mark Norman, President and CEO

It has finally happened. The Jackson County Fair has come and has gone. The premier event which brings together hundreds of volunteers each July to celebrate agriculture and 4H projects. Once again the weather was not kind as the thermometers read near 100 all week. But nothing detered the spirit of the fair, the animals or the people from being on hand to display and to compete.

We congratulate all who participated, both the exhibitors and the attendees of the fair.

We especially wish to recognize and thank the entire staff of the bank for “manpower” all week at the bank booth in building three. The “your friends and your neighbors” attitude of staff helps to make the event a good time for all.

But, what happens now….do we have a letdown from the fair and go into depression. The answer is no, we now start to prepare for a return to school and to school activities. Whether you are an academic follower or an athletic follower, or if you participate in the activities of the arts areas; like the fair there is something for everyone.

Participate in your school’s activities to find the excitement of just being around and supporting our youth. So, life after the fair will be fun and exciting in a different sense, but it will keep you busy.

Please watch for our staff out supporting activities in our county, and say thanks for being a part of what’s happening in Jackson County.

Some common adult financial abuse scams:

Manipulation to control assets or income: The crook manipulates an elder in order to seek control over Social Security checks, pension checks, checking accounts, credit cards, ATM cards or other financial assets.

Telemarketing and mail fraud: Here a crook uses telemarketing or mail solicitation to convince an elderly person to buy something with little or no value, make a bad investment, or contribute to a nonexistent charity.

Bogus lotteries: The crook sends or calls seniors with announcements saying they have won fabulous sums of money. However, to receive payment, the “winner” is asked to send mney for fees or taxes. The request for cash in any form is a dead giveway.

Home repair and other such scams: These crooks target seniors by using door-to-door salesmen who will start work without permission or outright lie about the need for work to be done. They also often cheat on the cost of materials and labor. Bill collection on these jobs is often very aggressive. This ploy is also used for other types of work such as appliances and automobiles.

Coercion to control assets or income: The crook uses coercion to get the elder to sign over financial investments, real estate or valuable property.

Fake Accident: The crook convinces an elder that a friend or relative has been hurt in an accident and needs money for assistance.

These are but a few, a very few scams on the market today. If you are contacted by someone you do not know do not release any information or sign anything before contacting the bank, or a reliable relative and discussing your particular situation. The bank is familiar with most current scams, and will be happy to assist you.

In Jackson County, Indiana, July is a month supressed by “heat”. To counter that, we have the 4th of July to celebrate our heritage; then prepare for the Jackson County Fair. Both are significant, for different reasons.

The Fourth of July of course, is reason to celebrate and be proud of our independence. It is also a time to remember our forefathers who were wise enough to set into place guidance for our democracy. Our legislators have, ever since, tried to tear apart those guides to no avail.

It is a day for cookouts and friends, a day to reflect our heritage, and a day to celebration. SO….CELEBRATE and enjoy.

Then the end of July, the whole county joins together at the Jackson County Fairgrounds to enjoy a week of 4H and open competition in everything from clothing to cattle. Also fun competitions like toy tractor pulls and bubble-blowing. The grandstand features shows, auto racing, and educational programs. The carnival is “Poor Jacks Amusements” one of the cleanest best run carnivals on the road today.

You can enjoy the blacktop walkways, or stroll through the grass. You can enjoy homecooked foods or miscellaneous concessions. Air conditioned dining or outside picnic tables.

Visit the antique area, the family arts area, the 4H area, or just spend the week relaxing in the “Lawn Chair” strip, where old friends meet and greet with people they sometimes see only one time each year.

Yes, July is a special month for Jackson County. Enjoy it from start to finish. And, along the way you meet and greet some of “your neighbors and your friends” from The Peoples Bank. We are at all events in July in Jackson County with you….

You work hard and deserve a vacation !!!

If you are planning on traveling out of the USA this summer, please contact the electronic banking area of the bank to let them know to give your account special attention. If you plan on using your charge card, it is important that we notify VISA or Mastercard so they will not freeze your account just when you need it. They monitor account activities, and if you are going from one area to another quickly, they will freeze and flag your account as a possible stolen card. Don’t let this spoil your vacation.

Another reason to call if you are leaving the country is some countries periodically will not accept authorization of cards. These are normally countries which are in turmoil, and it doesn’t happen often, but occasionally you might run into this situation. Prepare in advance to save headaches and having vacation spoiled.

If you have any questions about charge cards or debit cards, please call. 812-358-4000

President & CEO Wm. Mark Norman

He also announced that again in 2011 The Peoples Bank was listed in the annual banking publication as one of the “top 200″ community banks in the nation (Based on three year average of ROE of the bank).

Credit was also given to all officers and staff at all four locations for their efforts not only in taking care of customers entering the bank, but also their participation in their community activities around the county.

The lobby at the Brownstown corporate office has been changed and an additonal office built to assist in loan processing and customer service.