Friday, February 22, 2019

CDs Vs. Savings Accounts - Which Savings Product is Right for You?

Saving money is always important! However, not every savings may be right for you and your specific situation. Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks believes you should know all your options before choosing the best saving strategy. First Bank of the Lake doesn't try to sell you on any financial product you don't need. Keep reading to learn more about CDs and savings accounts. For further help determining which savings product is right for you, call our bank in Osage Beach today at 573-348-2265.


CDs Vs. Savings Accounts - Which Savings Product is Right for You?


Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

What is a CD?

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are common savings products also known as "time deposits". CDs are typically offered in terms of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, or greater.

  • In exchange for locking away a consumer’s cash for a specific time period, CDs typically offer higher yields than a regular savings account. 
  • The rates typically increase with the length of deposit terms. 
  • Deposits in a bank CD are federally insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. 

First Bank of the Lake has a variety of CD's to fit your needs. Terms ranging from 3 months to 60 months with very attractive interest rates*.
*Rates subject to change without notice

Traditional Savings Accounts

Traditional plans for customers who need a safe way to protect their capital while earning interest. You are not required to have other accounts to earn interest.

  • It takes $100 to open this account.
  • The account includes a semi-annual statement and Free Direct Deposit.

We Also Offer Minor Savings Accounts

  • Requires $50 to open this account with no minimum balance required.
  • Minimum Balance to Avoid Imposition of Fees
  • If balance falls below $200 on any day in the statement cycle, a maintenance fee of $2 will be imposed once during the cycle.

Transaction Limitations
Transfers from a Savings account to another account or to third parties by preauthorized, automatic, or telephone transfer are limited to six per statement cycle with no transfers by check, draft, debit card, or similar to third parties.

  • An excess withdrawal charge fee of $1 will be charged for each debit in excess of six per statement cycle.
  • If a customer or the bank closes an account within 180 days after the opening of the account the customer will be charged a $30 closing fee.

Free Kasasa Saver®
Build savings automatically — link this account to your free Kasasa® checking. Free Kasasa Saver® is saving simplified. Connect it to your Kasasa Cash® or Kasasa Cash Back® checking to build your savings effortlessly. When you earn cash rewards in your Kasasa checking, those earnings transfer into your Kasasa Saver. That’s Kasasa at First Bank of the Lake — free accounts that reward you for banking locally.

  • Have at least 12 debit card purchases post and settle
  • Be enrolled in and log into online banking

Please note, even if you don’t meet these qualifications, there are no penalties — your accounts are still free. Plus, you’ll still earn our base rate on your Kasasa Saver balance. And you can get right back to earning your full rewards the very next cycle that you qualify.

Need Helping Picking the Right Savings Product for You?


Our community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here for you! When you work with a local bank, you put your money to work growing the local economy. Save money while supporting your community and give First Bank of the Lake a call. We are ready to help you save money while using a product that can work for YOU.


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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065


(573) 348-2265

Friday, February 15, 2019

5 Tips for Boosting Your Credit

Whether you are looking to buy a house or a car, it is always a good idea to have the best credit score you can. If you are struggling to keep a good credit score, this blog is for you. Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you a few tips for boosting your credit. For a mortgage loan at the Lake of the Ozarks or an installment loan for your next car, call First Bank of the Lake today at 573-348-2265.


5 Tips for Boosting Your Credit


Pay your bills ON TIME.
Paying your credit card bills late can hurt your score and your chances of qualifying for a great rate on a loan. Just set yourself a reminder each month and make it a priority to pay your bill on time. This is a big deal and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Only apply for NEW credit cards when you need to.
There is such a thing as having TOO MANY credit cards. Only apply for one when you really need it. For example, if you are at the check out stand and the cashier offers you 10 percent off your purchase if you sign up for a credit card, weigh the pros and cons and decide if you really need it. Applying for too many credit cards can hurt your score too.

Avoid closing a credit card you don't use.
Unless you are having to pay an annual fee for this card you are not using, it may be in your best interest to keep it open. Having less open credit cards can hurt your score in some cases.

Keep track of your score.
How you can be expected to improve your score if you don't know what it is? You can try tracking it by using something along the lines of Credit Karma­®. This way you are constantly in the know and can do things to improve your credit score when you need it.

Don't miss your payments and get organized.
Missing a payment on your credit card all together can really hurt your score. Don't let this happen to you and just develop a system for paying it and get organized. If you are the type of person that will forget often, some companies will allow you to set up online bill pay where your payment balance will just automatically be paid from an account of your choosing.


Need a Loan at the Lake of the Ozarks?


First Bank of the Lake is here for your financial needs. When you work with a local bank in Osage Beach, loan approvals and other key decisions are made locally by people who live in the community, have face-to-face relationships with our customers, and who understand local needs. Learn more and stop by today!

Want More Awesome Finance Tips? Sign Up For Our Newsletter!


First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065


(573) 348-2265

Friday, February 8, 2019

Spring Time Events at the Lake of the Ozarks

Spring will be here before you know it and First Bank of the Lake is here to tell you about a few of the fantastic spring events coming up. We love being a community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks. There is something special about how the businesses around here come together to make community events a success. Keep reading for the need-to-know details regarding a few of the spring events coming up.


Spring Time Events at the Lake of the Ozarks


Source: www.FunLake.com

Bridge and Dam Half Marathon, 5K and 10K
Mar 30, 2019
Bagnell Dam Blvd.
Lake Ozark Missouri 65049
Phone: 573-746-6002
Email: info@bridgeanddamhalfmarathon.com
Website: http://www.BridgeandDamHalfMarathon.com
Hours of Operation: 7:30 am

Here is the course of the race:
The race starts on Bagnell Dam and runs over the Community Toll Bridge onto MM and down Las Campanas and back.

This run will allow you to see some of the most beautiful views at the Lake of the Ozarks. Reward yourself for working so hard and take in the beauty of the Lake area while you are running.

Please note: Lake of the Ozarks Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host the event and all proceeds benefit LOTO FCA. Sponsorship and Race Crew volunteer spots are available.

Get more information and register at the link above.

Alhonna Early Bird Open Buddy Bass Tournament
Mar 30, 2019 - Mar 31, 2019
Alhonna Resort
677 Outer Road
Lake Ozark MO 65049
Phone: 573-365-2634
Email: sheryl@alhonna.com
Website: http://thealhonnaresort.com
Hours of Operation: 7am-4pm

  • This is a 2 day bass tournament with 100% payback of all entry fees. 
  • The tournament entry fee includes a complimentary breakfast at 6AM each morning for tournament participants at Bobber's Restaurant located at Alhonna Resort. 
  • Tournament prizes will be awarded directly following the weigh in on Sunday. 
  • Guest accommodations are available at Alhonna Resort. All rooms include a complimentary boat slip.

Please note: The tournament hours are 7AM to 4PM on Saturday and 7AM to 2PM on Sunday.

69th Annual Dogwood Festival
Apr 25, 2019 - Apr 27, 2019
Camdenton Middle School
Camdenton Middle School
88 Laker Drive
Camdenton MO 65020
Phone: 1-800-769-1004
Email: info@camdentonchamber.com
Website: http://camdentonchamber.com/dogwood-festival/

This is one of the biggest events at the Lake of the Ozarks. There is fun for the entire family, including:

  • Crafts 
  • The Pageant
  • Food
  • Entertainment 
  • The parade 
  • The fish fry 
  • Entertainment and much more!

Please note: The Dogwood Festival Parade is in Downtown Camdenton; Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 10:00 am.



We hope you enjoy these community events! As we said earlier, we love being a community bank in Osage Beach. You will find that you can actually be rewarded for banking locally. When you work with a local bank, you put your money to work growing the local economy. Also, our loan approvals and other key decisions are made locally by people who live in the community, have face-to-face relationships with our customers, and who understand local needs. Learn more about First Bank of the Lake by visiting our website at www.FirstBankLake.com.

Want More Awesome Finance Tips? Sign Up For Our Newsletter!


First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065


(573) 348-2265

Friday, February 1, 2019

Get to Know Our Team - Mary Steinwachs

Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is very excited to continue our monthly blog series - Get to Know Our Team with Mary Steinwachs this month. First Bank of the Lake has a passion for offering the best customer service and we enjoy getting to know our customers. Keep reading to get to know our own Mary Steinwachs a little better.


Get to Know Our Team - Mary Steinwachs


1. How did you get started in the banking industry?
My first job out of high school was in the Customer Service Department at a large bank.  I later moved to their Data Center and then to accounting.

2. What is your position at the bank? What are some of your key responsibilities?
Vice President and Controller.  I am responsible for managing the Banks financials.  Additionally, I am responsible for the Retail Division and BSA Compliance.

3. What brought you to the Lake of the Ozarks?
My family vacationed here when I was young.  The Lake has been like home to me - I always said I was going to live here when I grew up!  My husband and I bought a second home here in 2008 and by 2010 we were living here full time.

4. Where did you attend school?
I was born and raised in the Kansas City area.  I received a Bank Operations Degree from the American Bankers Association and I am also a graduate of the Kansas/Nebraska Advanced School of Banking.

5. What do you enjoy the most about your job? 
I love everything I do!  But my favorite part is being in a Community Bank environment, I get the opportunity to work with all areas in the Bank to build relationships with our customers. No two days are ever the same and I work with some really great people.

6. How do you enjoy spending your time when not at work?
When we are not working, my husband Paul and I love to be on the water boating or tubing with our kids and grandkids.  Weather permitting, we are always near the water. We feel blessed to live in paradise.  Off season, we enjoy video games, 80s rock concerts, spoiling our rescue dogs, and traveling to warm, tropical places.

7. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
A Veterinarian.  I love dogs, the more the better!

8. What is your dream vacation destination? Why?
Tahiti and Fiji.  Really anywhere tropical with a beach.

9. What is something few people know about you?
I am adopted.  I am blessed to have 2 families.  My biological family is from Lebanon, MO.  That is why the Ozarks is home!

10. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I would buy a tropical island and open a dog rescue.



Stay tuned next month for when we continue our Get to Know Our Team monthly blog series with a different team member. We hope you enjoy getting to know more about our team members. If you are looking for a new bank at the Lake of the Ozarks and are unsatisfied with your current bank, check out First Bank of the Lake. Visit our website at www.FirstBankLake.com for more information.


Want More Awesome Finance Tips? Sign Up For Our Newsletter!


First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065


(573) 348-2265