Welcome to Farmers and Merchants State Bank

What do I need to open an account?

Visit the Neola or Minden branch in person and complete new account paperwork with a teller. Under the USA PATRIOT ACT, you must furnish two forms of identification including a photo ID and either your social security card or another document containing your social security number.

Can I open an account online?

Farmers and Merchants requires that all new accounts be opened by the customer physically appearing at the branch to furnish identification credentials and sign the account agreement. We prefer this method for three reasons: (1) security is strengthened by reducing the possibility of fraudulent account activity or misrepresented identity, (2) the Federal Government requires that we comply the USA PATRIOT ACT and according to bank policy that requires the customer to furnish identification credentials in person, and (3) we prefer to embody the spirit of a community bank by knowing our customers.

Once a customer has an account, we gladly offer Online Banking, Bill Pay, and Telephone Banking services for your convenience.

What is the USA PATRIOT ACT?

The USA PATRIOT ACT is short for the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 . Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT ACT requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account or changes an existing account. This federal requirement applies to both new customers and current customers. This information is used to assist the United States government in the fight against the funding of terrorism and money-laundering activities.

How do I order new checks?

You may call or visit the bank and speak to a teller to make your request. Or you may visit the "Links" section of this website, click on the "Check Reordering" link, and follow the instructions from Clarke American.

How can I get an ATM/Debit card?

If you have a checking or savings account in good standing for at least 30 days, you may request an ATM/Debit card by calling us at (712) 485-2245.

Does the bank report customer information to the credit bureaus?

Farmers and Merchants reports loan repayment history to a credit bureau on a periodic basis. Failure to make payments as specified in your loan agreement can affect your credit rating and your ability to obtain credit in the future.

Can I get a copy of my credit report?

Farmers and Merchants cannot furnish a credit report to you, but you may request a free credit report annually from each of the three main credit bureaus (Experian, Transunion, and Equifax) at www.annualcreditreport.com .

If you are denied credit by Farmers and Merchants (or any financial institution), you may also request a free copy of your credit report from the credit bureau that provided the credit report. Please contact us for more information.

Does the bank use credit scores?

No. Farmers and Merchants does not obtain your credit score from any source for any reason.

Why did I get charged an ATM fee?

As a Farmers and Merchants customer, if you use ATM's owned and operated by the bank (Kum & Go at I-80 Neola exit #23 and Fill N Food / A&W at I-80 Minden exit #29) you will not incur an ATM fee. If you use any other ATM, Farmers and Merchants will charge $1 (plus Iowa sales tax) and the ATM owner also is likely to assess a separate surcharge (typically $1-$3).

Through a mutual agreement, cardholders using ATM's belonging to Shazam "Privileged Status" banks may avoid a surcharge when using the ATM to withdraw cash. To find the locations of "Privileged Status" ATM's in your area, go to the "Links" section of this website and click on the link for Shazam ATM Locations.

My account balance is wrong according to the ATM. Why is that?

One common reason an ATM may not report a balance that matches your calculated balance is that all transactions are posted once daily at 2:00 PM and all transactions after 2:00 PM are not posted until the next day (transactions after 2:00 PM Friday are not posted until 2:00 PM Monday). ATM balances are updated twice daily, Monday through Friday, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Depending on when withdrawals and deposits reach the bank for processing, account balances at the ATM may not reflect all recent transactions. This is a natural timing issue that all banks experience and the best way to avoid surprises is to record ALL of your transactions promptly.

My account balance is wrong or I am missing a transaction according to Telephone Banking. Why is that?

See the response above regarding ATM balances. Similar timing issues occur with Telephone Banking.

My account balance is wrong or I am missing a transaction according to Online Banking. Why is that?

See the response above regarding ATM balances. Similar timing issues occur with Online Banking and Bill Pay.

Is Online Banking safe?

Online banking is a fast growing, popular service that millions use with no greater risk than the more traditional forms of banking. Farmers and Merchants would never introduce a service to customers that it believes to be risky. Despite media attention to unauthorized access of personal financial data, most incidents occur via "low tech" means such as stolen credit card receipts, theft of corporate data backup, loss or theft of laptop computers, and breaching the trust of family or friends to exploit inside knowledge of personal financial data. Having said that, the Internet does indeed pose actual dangers that all customers must be aware of and protect against.

Farmers and Merchants has chosen established, well-credentialed merchants to host its Online Banking and Bill Pay services. These providers undergo a rigorous industry standard "SAS 70" audit each year to demonstrate that best security practices are being taken to safeguard your data and transactions from harm. Communications between the bank and these providers is encrypted.

But even the best security practices on our end is nullified if you do not follow good security practices on your end. If you never share or write down your User ID and Password; if you always maintain a current firewall; if you use up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-spam software; if you avoid using e-mail to communicate confidential information; if you continually update your operating system and browser with the latest security patches; if you ensure that your browser is in "secure mode" ("https") when accessing account information or engaging in e-commerce; if you use long, complex passwords and change them often; if you do not access your online bank accounts via a "public" network (e.g. library, Wifi hotspot) then you will diminish the chances of a criminal being able to exploit you or your bank accounts online.

Will the bank ever send me e-mails?

The short answer is "No". Farmers and Merchants does not use traditional e-mail to correspond with customers or prospective customers. We do not conduct e-mail promotional or advertising campaigns nor do we ever contemplate doing so. Furthermore, we do not furnish your e-mail address to any third parties for any purpose.

The Online Banking system contains a secure "bank mail" feature that enables each customer to engage in secure electronic communications with Farmers and Merchants. This is NOT traditional e-mail, but a secure, encrypted message system just between you and the bank and accessible only inside the Online Banking website.

The Online Banking system also contains two additional features ( "Reminders" and "Alerts" ) in which you, the customer, request to be sent traditional e-mails based on criteria that you pre-designate. Using "Reminders" you can define an e-mail reminder message to be sent to you on a given date or recurring date. For example, you may set up a reminder to e-mail you one week in advance of your spouse's birthday. An "Alert" is similar to a reminder except that you choose specific account-related criteria to trigger an e-mail alert message. For example, you may wish to be alerted in the event that your checking account balance falls below $1000. All reminders or alerts are added, modified or deleted only by the customer and never by Farmers and Merchants.





		What do I need to open an account? Visit the Neola or Minden branch in person and complete new account paperwork with a teller. Under the USA PATRIOT ACT, you must furnish two forms of identification including a photo ID and either your social security card or another document containing your social security number. Can I open an account online? Farmers and Merchants requires that all new accounts be opened by the customer physically appearing at the branch to furnish identification credentials and sign the account agreement. We prefer this method for three reasons: (1) security is strengthened by reducing the possibility of fraudulent account activity or misrepresented identity, (2) the Federal Government requires that we comply the USA PATRIOT ACT and according to bank policy that requires the customer to furnish identification credentials in person, and (3) we prefer to embody the spirit of a community bank by knowing our customers. Once a customer has an account, we gladly offer Online Banking, Bill Pay, and Telephone Banking services for your convenience. What is the USA PATRIOT ACT? The USA PATRIOT ACT is short for the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 . Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT ACT requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account or changes an existing account. This federal requirement applies to both new customers and current customers. This information is used to assist the United States government in the fight against the funding of terrorism and money-laundering activities. Back to Top How do I order new checks? You may call or visit the bank and speak to a teller to make your request. Or you may visit the "Links" section of this website, click on the "Check Reordering" link, and follow the instructions from Clarke American. How can I get an ATM/Debit card? If you have a checking or savings account in good standing for at least 30 days, you may request an ATM/Debit card by calling us at (712) 485-2245. Does the bank report customer information to the credit bureaus? Farmers and Merchants reports loan repayment history to a credit bureau on a periodic basis. Failure to make payments as specified in your loan agreement can affect your credit rating and your ability to obtain credit in the future. Back to Top Can I get a copy of my credit report? Farmers and Merchants cannot furnish a credit report to you, but you may request a free credit report annually from each of the three main credit bureaus (Experian, Transunion, and Equifax) at www.annualcreditreport.com . If you are denied credit by Farmers and Merchants (or any financial institution), you may also request a free copy of your credit report from the credit bureau that provided the credit report. Please contact us for more information. Does the bank use credit scores? No. Farmers and Merchants does not obtain your credit score from any source for any reason. Why did I get charged an ATM fee? As a Farmers and Merchants customer, if you use ATM's owned and operated by the bank (Kum & Go at I-80 Neola exit #23 and Fill N Food / A&W at I-80 Minden exit #29) you will not incur an ATM fee. If you use any other ATM, Farmers and Merchants will charge $1 (plus Iowa sales tax) and the ATM owner also is likely to assess a separate surcharge (typically $1-$3). Through a mutual agreement, cardholders using ATM's belonging to Shazam "Privileged Status" banks may avoid a surcharge when using the ATM to withdraw cash. To find the locations of "Privileged Status" ATM's in your area, go to the "Links" section of this website and click on the link for Shazam ATM Locations. Back to Top My account balance is wrong according to the ATM. Why is that? One common reason an ATM may not report a balance that matches your calculated balance is that all transactions are posted once daily at 2:00 PM and all transactions after 2:00 PM are not posted until the next day (transactions after 2:00 PM Friday are not posted until 2:00 PM Monday). ATM balances are updated twice daily, Monday through Friday, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Depending on when withdrawals and deposits reach the bank for processing, account balances at the ATM may not reflect all recent transactions. This is a natural timing issue that all banks experience and the best way to avoid surprises is to record ALL of your transactions promptly. My account balance is wrong or I am missing a transaction according to Telephone Banking. Why is that? See the response above regarding ATM balances. Similar timing issues occur with Telephone Banking. My account balance is wrong or I am missing a transaction according to Online Banking. Why is that? See the response above regarding ATM balances. Similar timing issues occur with Online Banking and Bill Pay. Back to Top Is Online Banking safe? Online banking is a fast growing, popular service that millions use with no greater risk than the more traditional forms of banking. Farmers and Merchants would never introduce a service to customers that it believes to be risky. Despite media attention to unauthorized access of personal financial data, most incidents occur via "low tech" means such as stolen credit card receipts, theft of corporate data backup, loss or theft of laptop computers, and breaching the trust of family or friends to exploit inside knowledge of personal financial data. Having said that, the Internet does indeed pose actual dangers that all customers must be aware of and protect against. Farmers and Merchants has chosen established, well-credentialed merchants to host its Online Banking and Bill Pay services. These providers undergo a rigorous industry standard "SAS 70" audit each year to demonstrate that best security practices are being taken to safeguard your data and transactions from harm. Communications between the bank and these providers is encrypted. But even the best security practices on our end is nullified if you do not follow good security practices on your end. If you never share or write down your User ID and Password; if you always maintain a current firewall; if you use up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-spam software; if you avoid using e-mail to communicate confidential information; if you continually update your operating system and browser with the latest security patches; if you ensure that your browser is in "secure mode" ("https") when accessing account information or engaging in e-commerce; if you use long, complex passwords and change them often; if you do not access your online bank accounts via a "public" network (e.g. library, Wifi hotspot) then you will diminish the chances of a criminal being able to exploit you or your bank accounts online. Back to Top Will the bank ever send me e-mails? The short answer is "No". Farmers and Merchants does not use traditional e-mail to correspond with customers or prospective customers. We do not conduct e-mail promotional or advertising campaigns nor do we ever contemplate doing so. Furthermore, we do not furnish your e-mail address to any third parties for any purpose. The Online Banking system contains a secure "bank mail" feature that enables each customer to engage in secure electronic communications with Farmers and Merchants. This is NOT traditional e-mail, but a secure, encrypted message system just between you and the bank and accessible only inside the Online Banking website. The Online Banking system also contains two additional features ( "Reminders" and "Alerts" ) in which you, the customer, request to be sent traditional e-mails based on criteria that you pre-designate. Using "Reminders" you can define an e-mail reminder message to be sent to you on a given date or recurring date. For example, you may set up a reminder to e-mail you one week in advance of your spouse's birthday. An "Alert" is similar to a reminder except that you choose specific account-related criteria to trigger an e-mail alert message. For example, you may wish to be alerted in the event that your checking account balance falls below $1000. All reminders or alerts are added, modified or deleted only by the customer and never by Farmers and Merchants. Back to Top










©2005 Farmers & Merchants State Bank. All rights reserved. Website powered by Goldleaf Financial Solutions.

	Farmers & Merchants State Bank Home \| Privacy Policy \| Terms of Use \| USA PATRIOT ACT Deposits \| Loans \| Services \| Links \| FAQ \| Online Banking
NOTICE: Farmers & Merchants State Bank is not responsible for and has no control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics of the web sites that have links here. Please contact us with any concerns or comments.