In The News

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $1.9 billion to these phishing schemes and other fraud in 2019 — and the ongoing pandemic has only increased the threat. Imagine where we are in 2020.

It’s time to put scammers in their place. Online scams aren’t so scary when you know what to look for. And at First State Bank, we’re committed to helping you spot them as an extra layer of protection for your account. We’ve joined with the American Bankers Association and banks across the country in a nationwide effort to fight phishing — one scam at a time.

We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam — and stop bank impostors in their tracks. It starts with these four words: Banks Never Ask That. Because when you know what sounds suspicious, you’ll be less likely to be fooled.

These top 3 phishing scams are full of red flags:

• Text Message: If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be First State Bank asking you to sign in, or offer up your personal information, it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.
• Email: Watch out for emails that ask you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information. The sender may claim to be someone from you bank, but it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.
• Phone Call: Would we ever call you to verify your account number. No! Banks never ask that. If you’re ever in doubt that the caller is legitimate, just hang up and call the bank directly at a number you trust.

You’ve probably seen some of these scams before. But that doesn’t stop a scammer from trying. For more tips on how to keep phishing criminals at bay, including videos, an interactive quiz and more, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com. And be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family.

First State Bank welcomes John Theisinger as Vice President, Commercial/Ag Lending. Theisinger will work out of the bank’s main office at 706 Washington St., Mendota.

“We are pleased to have John join the First State Bank team,” said Tim McConville, President/CEO of First State Bank. “His years of experience and commitment to the communities he’s served mirror the core values of our company,” McConville added.

Theisinger brings more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry in North Central Illinois, with a focus on agriculture and commercial lending. Born and raised on a farm outside of Oglesby, Theisinger attended Illinois Valley Community College and received a degree in Ag Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He and his wife, Tania, have raised three children and currently reside in Tonica.

With 18 branches providing financial products and services throughout North Central Illinois, First State Bank is a leader in retail and commercial banking. For further information, visit www.firststatebank.biz. 

August 12, 2020 — First State Bank has announced they are donating $63,000 to the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District’s REC Center, over a 5-year period.

The REC Center - Rochelle Park District will be Rochelle’s centralized hub to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the area. The REC will allow for a variety of activities – including basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball and baseball with the indoor turf and multipurpose flooring in the fieldhouse; to swimming, water aerobics and swim lessons in the aquatic center. Plans include a 24 hour state-of-the-art fitness center and group fitness classroom, along with two multipurpose rooms and an outdoor patio for gathering space; video tours available at www.rochelleparkdistrict.org.

“The Park District is thankful for the support of businesses like First State Bank” said Park District Commissioner, Joe Lenkaitis. “We are grateful for the commitment and generosity of First State Bank while leading the way to strengthen the vision of our community.”

“First State Bank is committed to building up our local communities by financially supporting projects and organizations that benefit the local communities we serve,” said Brent Ohlinger, Community President of First State Bank in Rochelle. “The REC will be an asset to the entire area and First State Bank is proud to be able to contribute.”

First State Bank is a leading financial services provider with 18 branches throughout North Central Illinois. Stay up to date on all of our exciting new happenings. Follow our social media platforms and visit firststatebank.biz for news and announcements. Member FDIC.

Welcome to First State Bank! We are a locally owned community bank and our commitment remains to providing exceptional products and services to the communities we serve. We offer a complete financial services package that includes First State Insurance, First State Mortgage as well as Trust/Wealth Management services.

I understand that over the next several months, there will be changes that occur that will affect your accounts. I would like you to know you can be confident that First State bank has a solid history and strong financial portfolio. Your deposits are safe and secure. All deposits are covered under guidelines defined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

In today’s banking environment, it is important for you to know that your bank is solid, safe and secure both personally and professionally. From the beginning, First State Bank’s focus has been to be the dominant provider of financial services in North Central Illinois. First State Bank will remain an independent community bank committed to the security of its depositors by maintaining high capital standards. First State Bank also recognizes its civic responsibility to the communities it serves and the rewards of providing a challenging work environment to its employees.

We are committed to making your transition to First State Bank simple and easy. Our team of financial experts is dedicated to providing you nothing less than top of the line, innovative, customer focused products and services. We look forward to providing you a long lasting and enjoyable banking experience. If you have questions, you can check the Frequently Asked Questions, look around our website, visit any of our convenient locations, or call us at 800.362.9632.

As President and CEO, I am very proud of our First State Bank family. Welcome.

Respectfully,

Timothy J. McConville

President/CEO

Michaela DeLong, a preschool teacher at Holy Cross School in Mendota, has been named the Golden Apple Teacher Award winner for January 2020.

Presenting her with her award is FSB Vice President of Marketing Jan Phalen. Her class was so proud of their teacher they wanted to get in the picture too!

For winning, Miss DeLong receives a $100 VISA gift card from First State Bank and a $100 gift certificate from School Tool Box.

Nominate your favorite teacher for the February Golden Apple Teacher Award here: https://bit.ly/2NkcNNO. Previous nominees will remain eligible for the award.

First State Bank recently made a donation to the Perry Memorial Hospital Foundation in Princeton.

Tim Kunkel, Community President of the Princeton branch of First State Bank, is pictured with Sue Spratt, Perry Memorial Hospital Foundation Chairwoman. The Living Legacy Family Health Clinic Advocate level donation will be used toward Perry Memorial's Family Health Clinic, which opens for business on Monday, Feb. 24.

Nicole Nyman, a Preschool teacher at Douglas Elementary in Princeton, was awarded the First State Bank Golden Apple Teacher Award for December 2019.

Presenting Mrs. Nyman with her award is Princeton Community President Tim Kunkel. For winning, Mrs. Nyman receives a $100 VISA gift card from First State Bank and a $100 gift certificate from School Tool Box.

Some of the things Mrs. Nyman's nominators said about her include 'Her students love her, she always goes the extra mile to spend a couple extra minutes with each child... She loves all her students equally... She has given my daughter the confidence she will need to succeed in school."

Nominate your favorite teacher for the January Golden Apple Teacher Award here: https://bit.ly/2NkcNNO. Previous nominees will remain eligible for the award.