Mobile Deposit at First Bank of the Lake - A Better Way to Deposit Checks!

If you have heard about mobile deposits but haven’t tried using them yet, you don’t know what you are missing!  The convenience of depositing checks is literally at your fingertips.  With the First Bank of the Lake Mobile Banking app, it's easy, fast & FREE! It's as simple as point, click, done. Deposit checks anywhere and anytime. It's the fastest, easiest way to get checks into your account AND it is safe and secure.  

At First Bank of the Lake, we would like to tell you a little more about how to make mobile deposits and answer some frequently asked questions.  Read on to learn more.  If you have any questions that we do not answer in this blog, please give our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks a call at (573) 348-2265.  We are here to help with all your banking needs.

How does it work?

Depositing checks has never been easier. Once you downloaded the FBOL mobile app, simply launch it on your phone and select Deposit. To deposit a check, choose the account to make your deposit. Then enter the amount. Sign the back of your check with your signature and the endorsement For Mobile Deposit Only at First Bank of the Lake. Now, take a photo of the front of the check. Photograph the check against a background that gives you strong contrast. Ensure the entire check is visible, in focus, and well lit. When ready tap the camera icon to snap your picture. If it’s clear, use it. Repeat this process for the back of the check. Once both images have been captured make your deposit. That’s it!

Is it secure?

Yes, depositing checks with Mobile Deposit is safe and secure. Every deposit you make is password protected and highly encrypted. In fact, our mobile login uses the same multi-layer security that’s used as if you’re logging in from your desktop computer. We confirm your credentials along with the device you are using. You can also securely sign in with Touch ID® and Fingerprint Authentication

What types of checks can I deposit?

You can deposit checks payable in U.S. dollars, including personal, business, and most government checks. Checks must be payable to and endorsed by the account holder.

The following are not eligible for mobile deposit: International Checks, U.S. Savings Bonds, U.S. Postal Money Orders, MoneyGram, Federal U.S. Treasury Checks, remotely created checks (whether in paper form or electronically created), convenience checks (checks drawn against a line of credit), and cash, etc.

When will my funds be available?

Generally, mobile deposits received and accepted on a business day before 4 pm CT will be available that business day.

What should I do with my check after I deposit it?

It's recommended that you write a note on the original document reminding you that the check has been deposited. Then, store the document until you’ve confirmed it's been accepted. We recommend securely holding on to your check for 30 days (or at least 7 days) after you deposit it in case we need more details from you.

How will I know if my check was deposited?

You’ll receive an email notification confirming that we’ve received your deposit and another email when we’ve accepted it for processing. Or you can view your Mobile Deposit History in the app.  There you will be able to see your deposits pending, failed, and those which have been accepted.

How do I get started?

To get started with Mobile Deposit, download the FBOL mobile app and enroll your checking or savings account(s). To use Mobile Deposit, you must first be enrolled in Online Banking. Not enrolled in Online Banking?  No problem!  Just go to https://www.fblake.bank/for-you/mobile-deposit and click on the yellow Enroll Today button.  If you're already enrolled in Online Banking, just follow these steps: 

• Go to the Apple Store or Google Play.
• Search for First Bank of the Lake or FBOL mobile.
• Download the FBOL mobile app.
• Enter your Online Banking User ID & follow the prompts. It’s that simple! 

With Mobile Deposit, making a deposit on the go is a snap!

As your hometown bank in Osage Beach, we know your time is valuable.  You have better things to do with your time than to make a trip to the bank every time you receive a check.  You also want to have access to your money as quickly as possible, and you want your financial accounts and information to be safe and protected.  Having the option of making a Mobile Deposit at Lake of the Ozarks makes banking quick, easy, and secure. So, skip the trip and use Mobile Deposit today!  For more information feel free to explore our website at https://www.fblake.bank/ or contact us here at First Bank of the Lake.  You can also follow us on social media to stay up to date on the latest tips and information about banking at the Lake of the Ozarks.

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Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100

Osage Beach, MO 65065

                                                                            (573) 348-2265 

Using Online Bill Pay to Help You Save Time and Stay Organized!

Do you dread sitting down to pay your bills each month?  Or worse, do you end up making your payments late because you forget when they are due?  You are not the only one.  At First Bank of the Lake, we know late payments not only come with late fees, but they can also hurt your credit score.  That is why we would like to tell you about Online Bill Pay at First Bank of the Lake. 

Online Bill Pay is a fast, easy, and secure way to pay all your bills in one place using your checking account at Lake of the Ozarks.  Pay your bills manually when they are due or set up automatic recurring payments.  You can even send money to friends and family.  If you would learn how to use this time-saving tool to pay your bills and send money securely online from your hometown bank at Lake of the Ozarks, read on!  

Online Bill Pay at First Bank of the Lake is a powerful, complete payment system that's secure and easy to use. And, it's FREE! With Online Bill Pay you can … 

• Easily add companies and people to pay virtually anyone.
• Set email reminders that can notify you when a bill is ready to be viewed or when it's due. 
• Take advantage of automatic, recurring payments that work best for your payment schedule and financial routine.
• Avoid the stress of late fees by making same-day or next-day payments. (Fees apply for expedited payments). 
• Stay organized with convenient eBills.
• Group similar payments like utilities, cable, and phone into categories.
• Request, receive or send payments to anyone in the U.S. with our convenient Popmoney® service.

We are Here For You.

If you have any questions about online banking, our secure messaging center helps you get answers to any questions you might have.

Need to make sure you made a payment?

Your bill history is right at your fingertips. You can search for past payments by company, date, and status, the moment you need an answer, wherever you are.

Getting started is simple. So, give it a try and see how much time it saves you!

As a bank that was founded with a mission to put your first, we are very excited to offer Online Bill Pay at Lake of the Ozarks.  Not only does it make paying your bills on time a breeze, it makes it so much easier to keep track of where your money is going, when your bills are due, and to know when they are paid.  You don’t have to worry about stamps and envelopes, you don’t have to go to the post office, and you don’t have to take notes and keep records.  All that is done for you. 

If that sounds like the solution you have been looking for, you can get started, go to https://www.fblake.bank/for-you/bill-pay and click on the Enroll Now button. Or, you can go to https://www.fblake.bank/education-center to view a video for more details.  To keep up with all the latest banking news and information from your local bank in Osage Beach, follow us on social media using the links below.

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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

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Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100

Osage Beach, MO 65065

                                                                            (573) 348-2265 

What to Do If Your Debit Card Is Lost or Stolen

At First Bank of the Lake, we know it is a terrible feeling when you realize you can’t find your debit card, or worse if you discover it has been stolen.  Hopefully, it never happens to you, but if it does, it is good to know ahead of time just what actions you should take to be safe.  By acting quickly, you can limit your financial liability in the event that someone tries to use your card and access your account.  If you would like to know what to do if your card is lost or stolen, read on!

Step 1 – Contact Your Bank

Calling quickly to report the issue is key. If your debit card from First Bank of the Lake is lost or stolen, immediately call 800.417.8715, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Otherwise, let your bank or issuer of your debit card know that your card is missing.  If you notice a purchase or withdrawal you did not authorize, report that as soon as you realize it.  Once you have reported the loss or theft, you cannot be held liable for any purchases or withdrawals after that point according to federal law. If you have CardValet from First Bank of the Lake, you can lock your card with your phone app as soon as you realize it is missing.  You can go to https://www.fblake.bank/for-you/card-valet to learn more about CardValet and all the handy features that come with it.

Step 2 - Monitor Transactions

You will want to review your bank statements and account transactions promptly and regularly to carefully confirm debit card transactions, payments, and other transaction data.  Again, if you find anything you did not authorize, report it immediately.  Also, keep in mind, that with the CardValet App, you are able to see a real-time list of all your transactions and can set alerts to notify you when a purchase is made. 

In addition, our bank in Osage Beach offers Kasasa Protect.  It is a comprehensive and affordable service that comes with 24/7 monitoring, identity restoration services, and more! It also includes Lost Wallet Protection which allows you to take care of canceling and replacing all your important documents through one point of contact.  Restoration through your agent includes your cards, licenses, social security cards, insurance cards, passports, military IDs, and even traveler’s checks.  You can see more details about Kasasa Protect by going to https://www.fblake.bank/for-you/kasasa-protect on our website.

Step 3 - Cancel Automatic Payments

If you have automatic payments set up using the lost or stolen debit card, you will want to have those canceled. Once you deactivate your card those payments will not go through, and you don’t want to have the added stress of making late payments or damaging your credit. You will have to set up an alternative payment method until you get a new card issued.

Step 4 - Follow Up in Writing

The next step is to follow up in writing with your bank.  Give them your account number, the date and time you first knew your card was missing, as well as when and how you reported it. Send it by certified mail and request a return receipt.  It is important for you to keep good records throughout this situation.  Write down the dates when you send letters or make phone calls, who you send it to or talk to, and the information shared.  

Step 5 - Know Your Responsibility

The sooner you act, the less responsibility you will bear if your card is used fraudulently.  That is why it is so important to report the loss or theft immediately.  If you report it before someone uses your card, you are not liable for any unauthorized transactions.  If someone uses your card before it is reported, your responsibility will be determined by how quickly you reported it. If you do so within 2 business days of discovering the loss or theft your maximum loss will be $50.  If you report it between 3 business days and 60 calendar days your loss is limited to $500.  If not reported until after 60 calendar days, you are responsible for all the transactions made with that card. If unauthorized transactions are made but your card is not lost, as long as you report it within 60 days of your statement being sent to you, you will not be liable.

Your Hometown Bank is Here for You!

We know that discovering your debit card is lost or stolen is scary and your first instinct may be to panic.  As your hometown bank at Lake of the Ozarks, we want to help you get through it as quickly and easily as possible without it becoming a financial liability for you.  If you have any questions about how First Bank of the Lake can help you before, during, and after the loss of your debit card, give us a call or see more details on our website.  For more helpful tips and information regarding banking at the Lake of the Ozarks, feel free to subscribe to our social medial channels using the convenient links below!

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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

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Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100

Osage Beach, MO 65065

                                                                    (573) 348-2265 

Keeping Your Bank Account Safe – Staying on the Look Out for Scammers

Online crime is on the rise as more of us are spending our time and managing our money online.  Most of us believe we would recognize a scam if we saw one, but you would be surprised how many people fall victim to online fraud and identity theft each year.  It is always good to be reminded of what to look out for so you can be proactive and protect your personal information and your bank accounts.  If you are interested in staying safe online and keeping your information out of the hands of scammers, First Bank of the Lake hopes you find this blog helpful!  

Stop and Think

The scammer’s whole purpose is to get you to share information with them that can be used to access your bank account or steal your identity.  Any time someone contacts you and then asks you to provide personal information, stop and think.  Just taking a moment to pause can save you from a huge headache or financial loss.  It is OK to be suspicious.  Scammers can reach out to you using names and even branding and logos that appear legit.  The phone number may appear to come from the bank, the email address may be very similar, they may even be using the name of an actual employee.  

But your hometown bank in Osage Beach will never initiate communication with you and then ask you to provide any personal information related to your account via phone, text, email, etc.  If anyone asks you to provide sensitive information and you did not initiate the contact – stop and think.  Do not provide them with any of the information they are asking for.  Do not click on any link or open attachments you are not expecting or that are from a source with which you are not familiar.

Examples

The techniques people will use to try to access someone’s bank account are numerous. But just to give you an idea, here are a few examples.  Scammers will pretend to be from a technology company and want to help you fix a non-existent problem with your computer.  They then convince you to give them remote access to your computer to correct the issue, which can also give them access to your personal information.  

Similarly, an imposter may represent themselves as a bank employee and inform you that some situation needs to be corrected, they just need to get your confirmation code or other information, or they need to transfer money out of your account.  

Some online crooks will even act like they are a family member in distress with some emergency for which they need cash right away.  They may say they have a medical emergency or need bail money or are stranded somewhere dangerous, and they need help.  This one is nicknamed the “grandparent scam” and often the person begs the grandparent not to tell the grandchild’s parent.

End Communication

If someone reaches out to you, and you did not initiate any communication with them first, question the situation.  If they are claiming to be from your local bank at Lake of the Ozarks and are asking you for personal information, the best thing to do is end the communication immediately.  Then call First Bank using the number you already have for us and let us know what happened.  Even if you have specific business with the bank like being in the process of applying for a loan, it is good to pause and question if you receive an email, phone call, or text that you are not expecting.  Just a simple phone call to verify it is coming from your contact person is worth the time.

Remember

First Bank will not initiate communication with you and then ask you to give us any of the following. 

*Social Security Number

*Online Banking Secret Word or Password

*PIN number

*One-time passcode you receive

*3-Digit Security Code or expiration date on debit or credit cards

*Passwords

Keeping Your Bank Account Safe!

At our hometown bank in Osage Beach, we want to help you keep your hard-earned money safe and your identity private.  If you are ever concerned that someone may be attempting to scam you, access your account, or obtain your personal information, please call First Bank at the number below, or email us at info@fblake.bank.  You can also call the number on the back of your debit card.  

We are here for you and happy to help you. If you would like further peace of mind when it comes to your bank account and personal identity, ask us about Kasasa Protect and the CardValetApp offered at First Bank of the Lake! For more tips and information about banking at the Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to follow us on social media using the channels below. 

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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

Member FDIC. 

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Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100

Osage Beach, MO 65065

(573) 348-2265

SBA Loans - Our Team Partnering with You to Finance Business Growth!

We know having the right banking partner is essential to the success of your business.  First Bank of the Lake was founded to meet the needs of the local community and is proud to be an SBA Preferred Lender.  That is because when a bank or financial institution has a “Preferred Lender” status, they have the authority to make final credit decisions on SBA-guaranteed loans. This means lending decisions are driven by our team of banking professionals who understand your business and are inspired to employ our creativity, understanding, experience, and expertise to build the right solution for you. 

In today’s blog, we thought we would focus on some of the features of First Bank of the Lake’s SBA programs, our lending process, and our free loan consultations.  If you are interested in learning more about what it is like to partner with First Bank of the Lake for your SBA loan needs, read on!  This blog is for you.  

Features of First Bank’s SBA 7(a) & 504 programs:

At First Bank of the Lake, our SBA 7(a) & 504 programs offer some very attractive features for business loans.  One feature is longer terms for cash flow enhancement.  Another is low down payment requirements.  These programs also feature increased liquidity for next opportunities, and a streamlined underwriting and closing process. In addition, when you choose First Bank of the Lake as your SBA lender you will enjoy quick responses, flexible options, experienced underwriters, and fast closing.

OUR LENDING PROCESS:

Lending Partner

Your relationship with an experienced SBA Preferred Lender begins with clear and open communication.  We learn about your goals and the challenges you face.  While every business is unique, we will provide innovative solutions based on decades of experience helping business owners just like you. Every loan request begins with understanding your business, your project, and your objectives.  This knowledge helps us expedite the loan process for you.  

Underwriting Phase

During the underwriting phase, we carefully review your project.  We will review your business and personal financial information, the use of requested loan proceeds, any collateral offered, as well as special conditions unique to your situation.  This detailed due diligence helps us reach our goal of providing you with a quick credit decision.  If everything lines up, you will have a loan approval within a matter of days.

Loan Closing Phase

After your loan is approved, your dedicated closing team works with you to coordinate every last detail.  Our closing experts ensure all closing conditions are satisfied and all documentation is properly prepared. During the loan closing phase, we all share a common goal; to get your loan closed in a timely manner.

On-Going Service

Our commitment to the success of your business does not end when the loan closes.  We’re here to provide ongoing support and to do what we can to facilitate the growth and success of your business.  Our team is available to offer consultation and guidance as needed.  This ongoing communication is unique to the SBA industry and is a resource our clients find invaluable.

Loan Consultations:

Our lenders will work with you through the entire process starting with a free loan consultation.  During this consultation, you will be able to discover your options and review the approval process. We will learn about your unique business and your goals, and talk about how to structure financing that will meet your business needs.  All you have to do to schedule your consultation is to go to https://loans.firstbanklake.com/sba-loan-consultation/ and fill out the form!

You Specialize in Business, We Specialize in Business Financing!

Have you been thinking about purchasing an existing business or franchise?  Are you an entrepreneur who sees a need for a product or service, and has an idea for a business that meets that need?  Do you have a small business that you have nurtured to the point it is ready to expand or grow?  At First Bank of the Lake, our goal is to support your vision with financing that makes good business sense.  We are more than just lenders.  We are your lending partners.  In the same way that you dedicate your heart, time, and ideas to your business and your vision for its future, we focus our resources on helping businesses understand the myriad of options available to them.   We believe educating you on how each option will affect things like cash flow, taxes, operations, and overall competitiveness is important for you to be able to make the best decision.

If you are looking to start, expand, or purchase an existing business, we are here to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.  If you want an SBA lender that takes a consultative approach and partners with you to structure the financing you need to help grow your business and achieve success, we are able and ready to be that partner.  Schedule your consultation today!  For more banking tips and helpful information about banking at the Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to follow us on social media using the channels below!

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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

Member FDIC. 

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Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100

Osage Beach, MO 65065

(573) 348-2265