A new year brings fresh goals — and for many homeowners and buyers, it’s the perfect time to reset financially. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, refinance your mortgage, or use your home’s equity to consolidate debt, today’s mortgage rates offer real opportunities.

Thinking About Buying a Home in the New Year?

If purchasing a home is part of your 2026 plan, now can be a great time to prepare. Buying earlier in the year may mean less competition, more flexibility, and the ability to refinance down the road if rates improve.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or purchasing your next home, getting pre-approved early helps you shop with confidence and stay focused on homes that fit your budget.

Already Own a Home? Refinancing May Still Make Sense

Refinancing isn’t only about lowering your interest rate. Homeowners refinance for many reasons, including:

• Lowering monthly payments
• Shortening the loan term
• Consolidating debt
• Accessing home equity for renovations or other needs

Let’s Make a Plan for Your New Year Goals

Get started today by completing this form to connect with a mortgage lending expert and take the first step toward your 2026 goals.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and bank customers are increasingly being targeted through fake emails, text messages, and phone calls. At First State Bank of St. Charles, protecting your personal and financial information is a top priority. This security alert explains how common banking scams work, the warning signs to watch for, and what you should do if you suspect fraud.

Common Bank Account Security Threats Targeting Customers

Fraudsters often impersonate trusted financial institutions to trick customers into sharing sensitive information to access financial accounts. These scams may come in several forms:

Phishing Emails

Emails that appear to come from your bank asking you to “verify” account details, reset passwords, or review suspicious activity.

Smishing (Text Message Scams)

Text messages claiming urgent account issues that include links directing you to fake websites.

Vishing (Phone Call Scams)

Scammers may call, posing as bank employees, spoof their caller ID to display the bank’s official phone number, and request personal information.

These messages are designed to create urgency and panic so victims act quickly without verifying the request.

Verify suspicious calls by hanging up and calling us back at 636-940-5555.

What First State Bank of St. Charles Will NEVER Ask For

It’s critical to understand how legitimate bank communications work. We will NEVER contact you to ask for:

• Online banking usernames or passwords
• Account numbers or debit card PINs
• Social Security numbers
• One-time passcodes or authentication codes
• Requests to transfer money to a “safe” or “secure” account

If anyone requests this information while claiming to represent our bank, it is fraudulent.

Red Flags That Indicate a Banking Scam

Be cautious if you receive a message that includes any of the following warning signs:

• Urgent or threatening language (e.g., “Your account will be closed immediately”)
• Unexpected links or attachments
• Generic greetings such as “Dear Customer”
• Spelling or grammar errors
• Pressure to act quickly or keep the message confidential

Scammers rely on fear and urgency. Taking a moment to pause and look for signs of fraud can help prevent financial loss or identity theft.

Report Fraud or Possible Imposter Scams

Fraud and imposter scams are common in today’s digital world, making it essential to stay alert and report suspicious activity. Phishing emails, fake social media accounts, and fraudulent phone calls often attempt to steal personal information. Reporting these scams helps protect both you and others. If something feels unusual or too good to be true, trust your instincts and take action.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message

If you receive a communication you are unsure about:

1. Do not reply to the message
2. Do not click any links or open attachments
3. Do not call phone numbers provided in the message

Instead, contact First State Bank of St. Charles directly using:

• Call 636-940-5555
• Visit our contact us web page

What to Do If You’ve Shared Sensitive Information About My Identity?

If you believe you may have provided personal or financial information to a scammer, contact us immediately at 636-940-5555. Acting quickly can help limit potential damage and protect your accounts.

Staying Safe from Common Scams Begins with Awareness

Bank fraud and phishing scams continue to evolve, but staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself. First State Bank of St. Charles is committed to helping our customers stay safe by providing trusted guidance against fraudulent transactions.

Staying safe from common scams starts with awareness. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts—your financial security matters. Business customers can also strengthen protection against fraud by enrolling in our Positive Pay services.

A Historic Change in U.S. Currency

For more than 100 years, the penny has been a familiar part of American life. But in 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury officially ended production of the one-cent coin, citing cost and practicality concerns.

Although pennies remain legal tender, banks can no longer order new ones from the Federal Reserve. This means that over time, pennies will become less common in circulation.

Why Stop Making Pennies?

The decision comes down to cost and efficiency. Each penny costs more than three cents to produce, meaning taxpayers have been paying millions of dollars each year just to mint coins worth less than their production cost.

As inflation continues to reduce the penny’s purchasing power, the U.S. Mint determined that continuing production no longer makes financial sense.

What Happens to Existing Pennies?

You can still use pennies in everyday transactions, and retailers can still accept them indefinitely. However, because banks are no longer able to order new supplies, once our existing stock runs out, pennies will slowly become harder to find in circulation.

At First State Bank, we will continue providing pennies while our current supply lasts. Business clients may request penny rolls in limited weekly quantities.

How Cash Rounding May Affect Your Purchases

The end of penny production means that cash totals (not card or electronic payments) may be rounded to the nearest five cents when the final amount includes odd cents.

Here’s how it works:

• Rounding only applies to cash transactions.
• Totals ending in 1¢–2¢ are rounded down to the nearest 0 or 5.
• Totals ending in 3¢–4¢ are rounded up to the nearest 5.
• Electronic payments (debit, credit, mobile, online) are not affected—they remain exact to the cent.

For example:

• If your cash total is $10.02, you’ll pay $10.00.
• If it’s $10.03, you’ll pay $10.05.
• Over time, the rounding averages out—so consumers neither lose nor gain in any significant way.

Tips for Businesses

If your business handles cash transactions, consider the following:

• Adjust pricing and POS systems to accommodate rounding.
• Communicate clearly with customers about the change.
• Encourage card or digital payments to reduce coin dependency.
• Review cash-handling policies to manage remaining coin inventory.

Our Ongoing Commitment

Change like this can raise questions, but we’re here to help.

 At First State Bank, we’ll continue monitoring updates from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury and will share guidance as it becomes available.

Our goal remains simple: to help our customers and local businesses navigate every transition with confidence and clarity.

Is There Money Waiting for You? Let’s Find Out.

It might sound too good to be true—but there’s a chance the State of Missouri is holding onto money that belongs to you. According to the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, they are currently safeguarding more than $1.5 billion in unclaimed property.

Maybe it’s an old paycheck that never got cashed, a forgotten bank account, or an insurance refund that never reached you. On average, 1 in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property—and the typical return is around $300. Best of all? There’s no fee to claim it. And the process is easier than you might think.

What is Unclaimed Property?

The Basics

Unclaimed property is any financial asset that’s been inactive or forgotten for a certain amount of time—usually between one and five years. Think of it like money that’s fallen between the couch cushions of life. Some common examples include:

• Forgotten savings or checking accounts
• Uncashed checks (even payroll or refunds)
• Dormant stock dividends
• Unclaimed insurance payouts
• Safe deposit box contents

When businesses or financial institutions can’t locate the rightful owner, they’re required by law to turn those assets over to a state’s unclaimed property division for safekeeping. From there, the money sits and waits for you.

Why Does This Happen?

It’s surprisingly easy to lose track of financial assets. People move, change jobs, or forget to update their contact info. Maybe a relative passed away without a clear estate plan. Or perhaps you just lost track of an old account over the years.

Whatever the reason, it happens all the time—and not just to other people. That’s why checking for unclaimed property is worth a few minutes of your time.

Where to Search: Start Here

Your State’s Official Database

Most states make it easy to search for unclaimed property through a free, secure website. If you’ve ever lived or worked in Missouri, Kansas, or Arizona, here’s where to start:

• Missouri: https://treasurer.mo.gov/UnclaimedProperty/en/Property/SearchIndex
• Kansas: https://missingmoney.ks.gov/app/claim-search
• Arizona: https://azdor.gov/unclaimed-property/owners-file-claim/search-for-property

Each site walks you through the process, step by step. Just enter your name and see what pops up. Tip: Try a maiden name or old address, too.

National Unclaimed Property Databases

If you’ve lived in multiple states—or if you’re helping a relative search for property—consider casting a wider net. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) offers a free multi-state search tool that covers participating states and even some U.S. territories.

You can also explore databases for federal agencies, such as the IRS or the Treasury, which may hold tax refunds, savings bonds, or other assets.

Tips for a Successful Search

Be Thorough

• Try all versions of your name. Include nicknames, maiden names, or previous married names.
• Check every state you’ve lived in. Don’t forget short-term moves or college locations.
• Keep old addresses handy. Properties are often linked to where you lived when the asset became dormant.

Check for Family, Too

It’s worth searching for the names of your parents, siblings, or grandparents for unclaimed property. Especially if you’re the executor of an estate, you might uncover something they didn’t even know they had.

Found Something? Here’s What to Do Next

What You’ll Need to File a Claim

To prove you’re the rightful owner, most states will ask for:

• A government-issued ID
• Proof of current or previous address
• Possibly your Social Security number or documentation showing your relationship to the property (like an inheritance or business link)

If you’re missing something, don’t worry—there are often workarounds or alternative documents you can provide. Some states even accept digital copies to help speed things along.

Tips for Submitting Your Claim

• Get organized. Keep digital and physical copies of everything you submit.
• Follow the instructions on your state’s website carefully.
• Track your claim. Many states allow you to check the status online, so you can see when your money is on its way.

If the process feels complicated—especially with estates or legal documents—you might consider reaching out for help. Our First State Wealth team is always here to assist with the next steps.

Why This Matters

At First State Bank of St. Charles, we believe in helping our customers get every dollar they’ve earned-whether it’s through better financial products or simply pointing them to money that’s rightfully theirs. Searching for unclaimed property is quick, secure, and surprisingly satisfying.

So go ahead—see if there’s a little treasure waiting for you. You just might find more than you expected.

Take advantage of lower rates to refinance, consolidate debt, or buy your next home.

Mortgage rates are still lower than they’ve been in recent months — giving homebuyers and homeowners new opportunities to save. Whether you’re looking to buy a home, refinance your mortgage, or consolidate high-interest debt, now is a great time to explore your options.

At First State Bank Mortgage, we offer competitive mortgage rates, personal guidance, and local expertise to help you make confident financial decisions.

Here’s how today’s lower rates could benefit you:

• Consolidate debt – pay off high-interest credit cards or other loans and simplify your monthly payments with one affordable mortgage loan.
• Refinance your mortgage – reduce your interest rate, shorten your loan term, or access your home’s equity for renovations, education expenses, or unexpected costs.
• Purchase a new home – afford more home for your budget or keep your monthly payment lower.

Don’t wait until rates start climbing again — take advantage of the current market and see how much you could save.

Use our mortgage calculators to estimate your payments, see potential savings from a cash-out refinance, or calculate how much you could save by consolidating debt.