Check Fraud on the Rise
Many types of scams and frauds target bank customers, but one in particular has skyrocketed across the country — check fraud. According to the Missouri Bankers Association, organized crime rings are stealing checks from the mail. They are stealing from personal mailboxes, blue collection boxes and even postal carriers. Criminals “wash” stolen checks using chemicals […]
Avoid Online Job Scams
by Kallie Dixon, Vice President/Compliance Officer/BSA/OFAC/CRA Officer HOMEBANK employees have reported an increase in online scams over the past few months. You’ve probably heard about these types of crimes in the news and thought “that could never happen to me.” But it DOES happen to people just like you. Good, honest people who wish […]
Keep Your Business Safe During the Holidays
Retailers will tell you that they work the first three quarters of the year to break even on their expenses. It’s only in the fourth quarter (and during the holiday season) when they will realize a profit… or not. It’s a crucial period for them. The holiday shopping season is nearly upon us. Here […]
Purchasing Hunting Property
Hunting season has arrived in Illinois and Missouri. If you are having difficulty finding a landowner who will give you permission to access his/her land or if deer or turkey don’t seem as abundant on this land as in the past, perhaps it’s time for you to purchase your own piece of paradise. Here are […]
Investing in Our Communities
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) is federal legislation that encourages banks to assist in meeting the financial needs of their local communities, especially in low- and moderate-income (LMI) areas. Federal authorities regularly examine how well financial institutions fulfill these responsibilities. “The CRA does not force banks to make high-risk loans (in fact, the legislation […]