mAR - APR

Unearthing The Ancient Past:

2011 The Indian Artifact Show
With a record-setting winter
now finally behind us, people
are bursting with Spring fever
and eager to find new ways of
enjoying the outdoors. One
such beginner-friendly hobby
that is emerging from under the
radar is that of Arrowhead Col-
lecting, as showcased recently
at the Indian Artifact Show
last Mar 26, in the James C.
Reeves National Guard Armory
building in Lineville. At the ex-
hibit, collectors from nine differ-
ent states converged on the site
The BankNote

to swap, trade, and display their

wares to interested viewers,
ranging from novice to expert.
The depth of dedication these
FIRSTSTATE BANK NEWSLETTER

collectors embrace is revealed

in the meticulous way these
artifacts are displayed in master
-crafted show boxes, that draw
the eye into panoramic displays
of historical significance. The
most valuable resource of all,
however, is the one-on-one
discussions with the collectors
themselves, including LHS‟s
time-honored history teacher,
Mr. Walter Farr. One of the
primary instigators of the Indian
Artifact Show, Mr. Farr has a
well-established reputation as
an authority on Indian History,
as well as an exemplary collec-
tion of his own to further embel-
lish his knowledge. As Mr. Farr
explains, Alabama was origi-
nally inhabited by the Creek,
Choctaw, Cherokee, and
Chickasaw Indians, with local Hillabee Indians being from the Creek. Artifacts from this
tribe date back thousands of years, with the Clovis Point in particular traced back as far as
the Paleolithic Period at least 8,000 years ago. The collectors at the exhibit are as inter-
ested in sharing their craft with beginners as they are in showcasing it, and encourage new-
comers to enter into the experience as well. For visitors interested in how to begin a collec-
tion of their own, Mr. Farr suggests, “The best place to get started is along shorelines where
the water line has dropped to about 8 or 10 feet. Search for what might have been a good
campsite, and then zero your eyes in toward the flakes on the surface.” From beginnings
such as this, authorities such as Walter Farr have developed inventories of history that are
now consolidated into meaningful displays for the public to behold. The Indian Artifact Show
meets an average of four times per year, and is expected to return this year in the month of
June. With collectors & visitors traveling to our region from as far away as Ohio and Indi-
ana to attend, the Indian Artifact Show is one more notch in Clay County‟s growing belt of
worthy attractions. As passion for this pursuit gains steam, it is exciting for beginners to
realize there remains a cache of undiscovered artifacts, just waiting to be uncovered.
Four Pillars of FirstState Bank...

Part of being a community bank is knowing what you stand for, and at FSB there are
four distinct pillars on which we are firmly founded. Within the fabric of our efforts
there is a noticeable commitment to Education, Health, Heritage, and Technology. As
more than just a metaphor, some of the worthy causes FSB supports are as follows...
EDUCATION: Proceeds donated to all area schools, The Bookworm Club, Online
Training for FirstState employees, and Financial Literacy in FirstState publications.
HEALTH: Proceeds donated to Clay Co Health & Wellness Center, Yellow Dot Pro-
gram of Lineville & Ashland Police Depts, and the Amer Cancer Soc’s Relay For Life.

HERITAGE: Tributes to area landmarks and achievements, Lobby Artwork, celebra-

tions of community advocates who have dedicated their lives to developing Clay Co.
TECHNOLOGY: Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, Telephone Banking, Debit Cards,
ATM. Local I.T. experts provide customer assistance during regular business hours.

2011: A Year Of Looking Back...

As our 40th anniversary approaches this summer, FSB is reflecting on how life in 2011 differs from the past; not only in the
banking world, but in our world itself. We welcome our customers to join us this year as we embrace the spirit of “Looking
Back” while we remember that, “We journey through life facing forward, but only gain perspective within the rear view mirror.”

40 YEARS AGO: 1971 20 YEARS AGO: 1991 As

With only two banks existing the Berlin Wall fell, Communism
in Clay County at the time, gave way to war in the gulf, and
FirstState founders sought Desert Storm brought the U.S.
to create a new institution for into the Middle East. As the
financing that would keep highest volunteer county per
their money close, and han- capita, nat‟l news media de-
dled by familiar faces that scended upon Clay County to
would ensure better service cover our street-wide send-off
to our local area customers. of our troops going into battle.

30 YEARS AGO: 1981 10 YEARS AGO: 2001

As Ronald Reagan survived Twentieth century angst over
an assassination attempt just Y2K proved to be out of touch,
two months into his presi- as the War on Terrorism sol-
dency, FSB was establish- emnly began on Sep 11, 2001.
ing itself as the community As Homeland Security became
bank of Clay County. Our a new concept, FirstState Bank
Ashland branch began work was laying the groundwork for
from a trailer in „87, followed another new branch soon to be
by a building in „88, amid opening, this time in Randolph
national failures of S&L’s. County in the city of Wedowee.

Page 2 T HE B A N K N O T E
Paper or Plastic?

Back in the 1980‟s, the service ques- giving way to the increasingly
tion, “Paper or Plastic?” emerged for popular tool of Bill Pay via
grocery customers‟ preference of Internet Banking. And while
traditional paper bags or handle- P2B electronic payments were
laden plastic. Today that prod is less predictably on the rise, another
common as most urban stores have facet of it is poised to increase
switched entirely to plastic, while as well: P2P or, person-to-
some rural stores have retained the
nostalgic brown bag. Over the last
OR person payments. With FSB‟s
Internet Banking, Bill Pay is not
20 years, a parallel pattern has de- limited to businesses alone, but
veloped in spending habits over the also allows payments to be
reliance on paper (cash) versus the made to any person of your
reliance on plastic (debit or credit choice. This means that rather
cards). In the elusive climate of the than having to write paper
American lifestyle, these habits are checks to friends and family,
once again shifting, and this time to the task can now be accom-
yet a third alternative: the electronic plished through Internet Bank-
payment option. The advent of Inter- ing as well, saving you just as
net Banking has not only allowed much time as if they were

OR
customers to cut costs on ordering made to a business. Think for a
new checks and reduce time spent moment about the possibilities
on bill-paying, but has also enabled this tool could open for your
new methods of payments outside of check-writing habits. With this
just their creditors. In 2011‟s first new saver in place, it is time to
quarter survey, P2B (person-to- revamp the “Paper or Plastic?”
business) checks declined by 11%, refrain to include P2_? as well.

FDIC’s Top Ten...

The FDIC has been working to find ways to help
you, the customer, have more access to the infor-
mation you need to keep better tabs on your fi-
nances, and stay current with the ever-changing
world of money management. Their Top Ten
Online Resources are summarized below to
streamline that search. To learn more, FSB rec-
ommends visiting FDIC‟s website: www.fdic.gov.

1) EDIE - The FDIC‟s Online Calculator that assists in determining customers‟ coverage at each FDIC-insured bank.
2) FDIC Consumer News - Quarterly publication that informs consumers on all the latest money tips.
3) Bank Find - Online directory that locates FDIC-insured institutions and provides news of its status & performance.
4) Customer Assistance Form - A form to submit a question directly to the FDIC. Toll free number: 1-877-ASK-FDIC.
5) Consumer Alerts - Warnings about financial frauds and scams.
6) Small Business Web Page - Useful information for small businesses, especially regarding access to loans.
7) FDIC YouTube Channel - Videos on the latest financial topics such as Deposit Insurance and Internet Fraud.
8) Money Smart - Financial Education to develop consumer financial skills and positive banking relationships.
9) Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit - Webpage that provides helpful info to homeowners seeking to avoid foreclosure.
10) Email Updates - Receive email notices of all FDIC updates on Consumer News & Alerts.

MAR - APR 20 1 1 Page 3

In The Spotlight: Pam Waldrop
In the spirit of “Looking Back”, no one knew fifteen
years ago that Compliance would grow to become the
key area of influence that it is today. Turn-of-the-
century headlines spawned new control regulations
(such as Sarbanes-Oxley) to prevent collapse before it
happens, and at FSB, this sensible precaution was
taken to heart so deeply that our own Compliance area
expanded with an additional position of Internal Audit.
Now serving as FSB‟s Auditor, Pam Waldrop assists
Compliance Officer Donna Morris in monitoring, testing,
and tweaking bank practices to ensure they remain
sound. With a background in office management at the
Clay Co Chamber of Commerce, Pam began work with
FirstState in 2002, soon after the nationwide Compli-
ance rush. Her initial role was as a CSR, and then
gained Utility experience behind the Teller line as well
as in Bookkeeping. Having worked in Compliance for
"All our dreams can come true, if we have years now, Pam‟s skills were recently refined through
hands-on training with ICBA (Independent Community
the courage to pursue them" Bankers Association), and received her Community
Bank Internal Audit Certification in September 2010.
...words to live by from Pam Waldrop She relays that she not only increased her skill set with
more bank auditing knowledge, but also broadened her
perspective of how “checks and balances” complete an Organization. Pam‟s outlook extends beyond just a pass-or-fail
mentality, and maintains her affinity for customer interests with the truism that, “Customer relationships are the founda-
tion on which a successful organization is built. If the foundation is not solid, then the entire structure will collapse.”

Community Life: Honeysuckle

The Pantone Color Institute has dubbed Honeysuckle to be
the Official Color of 2011, declaring that, “In times of stress
we need something to lift our spirits, and Honeysuckle is a
captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline
going——perfect for warding off the blues”. More than just
being easy on the eyes, Honeysuckle stems are a feast for
the senses, as they release a sweet scent when broken, and
produce a tasty nectar. The bell-shaped blossoms are in full
bloom in our neck of the woods, and are filling the county
with their welcomed splendor. And as a gift that keeps on
giving, Honeysuckle is also a favorite attraction of humming-
birds, where imitations of it hung from kitchen windows are
sure to draw them closer for would-be admirers. As durable
as it is beautiful, Honeysuckle outlasts rival eye-catchers like
Wisteria past the arrival of Spring, well into the summer sun.

If you have a digital picture of life in our community that you would like to share in a future issue of The BankNote, please email it to:
Vaughn.Samuels@FirstStateDirect.com. Submissions are not guaranteed to be published and stories may require editing.

Lineville Office Ashland Office Wedowee Office

P.O. Box 547 P.O. Box 518 P.O. Box 264
Lineville, AL 36266 Ashland, AL 36251 Wedowee, AL 36278
(256)396-2187 (256)354-2145 (256)357-0440

www.FirstStateDirect.com