Looking for a smart way to reduce your tax burden today and plan for the future? Look no further than an IRA Certificate of Deposit from Jewett City Savings Bank. Our IRA CDs come in a range of terms up to five years — with rates that are guaranteed, no matter what happens in the financial markets.

Don’t miss out on 2009 tax-year advantages!
You have until April 15, 2010, to make IRA contributions for the 2009 tax year and take advantage of possible tax deductions. (Consult your tax advisor to see if you qualify for a tax deduction for all or part of your IRA contributions.)

5-Star Rating for Financial Strength
Invest your money with confidence, knowing we have received the 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability from BauerFinancial, Inc., a national bank rating firm.

United Community & Family Services (UCFS) and Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) are collecting gift cards from ANY vendor/store/restaurant for ANY amount to meet the needs of families in our region. Your gift cards will be combined with the donations of others to provide food, clothing, books, supplies and many other needs.

From now through February 15th, you can drop off your unused gift cards at our offices in Jewett City and Preston. Any type of gift card can be donated with any amount or remaining value that may be left on the card.

Turning over a gift card is an ideal way to make a tax-deductible donation without impacting your own budget! Click here to find out more.

Sign up for eStatements, now available through Online Banking, and receive your Jewett City Savings Bank statements automatically each month:

• Fast – Receive your monthly statements sooner – no more waiting for the mail. You will be notified via e-mail when your statement is ready. Just click and connect!
• Convenient – Access more statements – accumulate and view up to 16 months of ­statements online including images of ­cancelled checks.
• Secure – Protect yourself from identity theft by avoiding opportunities for potential thieves to intercept paper statements.
• Green – Use no or less paper – save your statements to your computer or just print out the ones you need.

e-Statements are easy, free and secure!
Log in to Online Banking and sign up today.

Recently, Arianna Huffington wrote a post on The Huffington Post encouraging people all over the country to move their money out of bigger banks and into smaller, community-oriented financial institutions that generally avoided the reckless investments and schemes that helped cause the financial crisis.

Fueled by the personal initiatives of thousands, this grassroots effort has the potential to shift power in the financial system away from Wall Street and to Main Street.

To find out more about the Move Your Money movement, visit MoveYourMoney.info. Or, visit the Huffington Post to tell them about your favorite community bank.

 

Here are some great tips from the ABA Education Foundation on how to be a savvy holiday shopper:

Create a Budget
Before you start your holiday shopping, develop a realistic budget. Be as detailed as possible. Look at past banking and credit card statements as well as receipts from last year to gauge your holiday spending.

Be a Scrooge
The fewer lines of credit you have, the easier it is to keep track of bills and pay off debt on time. Use caution when you consider applying for additional cards.

Don't Let the Grinch Steal Your Holiday
Beware of fraudsters or suspicious offers to buy products. Do not enter your credit card number unless you are certain the Web site is trustworthy. Keep receipts and billing statements to check for unauthorized charges. Shred documents that contain personal information.

Do You Hear What I Hear?
Understand the terms of your credit card. Credit cards are great financial tools when used with care. Use ABA's "Guide to Credit Cards" to understand the specifics of credit card use.

Fight the Temptation
Holiday shopping can be overwhelming and sale items can make it difficult to say no. Resist impulse shopping and stick to your budget.

For additional holiday spending tips visit the Smart Holiday Spending Center from the ABA Education Foundation.

The ABA Education Foundation provides financial education programs and resources that help bankers make their communities better. Nearly 90,000 bankers have taught basic finance skills to about 4 million young people through participation in the Foundation’s signature programs, Teach Children to Save and Get Smart About Credit. Founded by bankers in 1925, the foundation is guided by a board of bankers and is an affiliate of the American Bankers Association.

Each year, Jewett City Savings Bank sponsors and helps organize the annual Jewett City & Griswold Snowflake Festival and Parade. This year's event was a smashing success, including a decorating contest for children, a parade with floats created by local organizations, and visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus.

If you are on Facebook, you know how easy it is to connect with friends and family. Now you can also connect with your Hometown Bank through our Facebook Page!

Through our Page we'll be sharing Charitable Foundation updates, favorite links, photos, Bank news and much more. We'll also be using the Page to notify our Fans of upcoming specials and to announce new products & services.

Becoming a Fan is easy! Just click on "Become a Fan" below, or visit our Page.

Become a Fan as of December 20, 2009 and you will be automatically entered into our drawing to win an Apple iPod Touch! Important information: Winner to be selected at random and contacted through Facebook. No purchase necessary. Employees of Jewett City Savings Bank are not eligible to win.

As you may know, here in Connecticut the way we dial our phones is changing.

That’s because as of November 14, 2009, all local calls that are currently dialed with 7 digits will need to be dialed using the area code. (For example, if you normally dial 376-4444 to reach the Bank, you will now need to dial 860-376-4444).

For more information about the area code change, please visit the Department of Public Utility Control’s web site.

(Please note, the link provided is to a web site created, operated and maintained by a private business or organization. Jewett City Savings Bank provides this link as a service to our web site visitors. We are not responsible for the content, views, or privacy policies of this site. We take no responsibility for any products or services offered by this site, nor do we endorse or sponsor the information it contains).

Jewett City Savings Bank is among strongest in nation

Jewett City Savings Bank was among the top favorites selected in the Commercial Record’s “Best of” 2009 readership poll. The Bank placed second in the Community Bank category, earning a Silver Award when the votes were tallied.

“We were honored to be nominated, and to be ranked so favorably by the publication’s audience,” said Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO. “ Our everyday goal is to be the hometown bank customers turn to and rely on. It is gratifying when our efforts are rewarded in ways such as this.”

The Commercial Record is a publication for senior executives in the real estate, banking, and mortgage industries in Connecticut.

5-Star Superior Bank
In addition, for the 69th consecutive quarter, Jewett City Savings Bank has received the 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability from BauerFinancial, Inc., a national bank rating firm.

The 5-Star rating is the highest attainable from BauerFinancial, and is based on the overall financial condition of the Bank. It denotes that Jewett City Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation.

“Only seven percent of the nation’s banks have earned the 5-Star Superior rating for as many consecutive quarters as we have,” said Merchant. “That fact alone sets us apart as a model community bank.”

“With these two awards, our customers have every reason to be proud of their Bank,” Merchant added.

Just in time for the opening of the 2009 season, Jewett City Savings Bank donated $1,650 to the Plainfield Youth Football Association for the purchase of a battery-powered Automated External Defibrillator. The device will be available for all Plainfield Youth Panthers and numerous other activities held at their facility.

“We wanted to be sure the Plainfield youth football and cheerleading programs had this potentially life-saving device available before Opening Day,” said Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank.

The Plainfield Youth Panthers program (formerly the Plainfield Rams) serves 320 football players and cheerleaders from area towns including Plainfield, Moosup, Central Village, Sterling, Canterbury, and Oneco. Practices are held on the field five days a week, with games scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.


Life Savers – (Center, rear, L to R) Kevin Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, presents the Bank’s gift of a portable Automated External Defibrillator to Chris Kelley, president, and Tina Richmond, secretary, of the Plainfield Youth Football Association.

“Chris Kelley, the president of the Association, and the new board of directors have put an enormous amount of work into improvements in the program, the field, and into changing the name and identity of the program from the Plainfield Rams to the Plainfield Youth Panthers,” said Merchant. “The name change, and change in colors to orange and black, reflect the Plainfield High School mascot and colors.

“The Association is clearly proud of the results of its efforts, and Jewett City Savings Bank is happy to contribute to the overall success and safety of the program.”

This is the fourth portable defibrillator the Bank has donated for the benefit of the community. Earlier donations were made to the Moosup Little League, the Plainfield Public School system for use at the Plainfield Early Childhood Center, and the Griswold Public Schools, where the importance of defibrillators was brought to light by the tragic death of Norwich Free Academy student Larry Pontbriant due to sudden cardiac arrest.

“Jewett City Savings Bank is proud to be a leader in a campaign to make portable defibrillators available throughout our communities, to keep all our neighbors safe,” said Merchant. 

Mr. Kevin Merchant, CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, Jewett City, Connecticut proudly accepts a distinguished 5-Star Superior rating from BAUERFINANCIAL, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida. A 5-Star rating for financial strength and stability is the highest rating attainable from BAUERFINANCIAL (the Nation’s Bank Rating Firm for over a quarter of a century) and is based on the overall financial condition of the bank.

Earning a 5-Star rating denotes that Jewett City Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation. Achieving this designation for 69 consecutive quarters, like Jewett City Savings Bank has, is an even higher honor. In fact, only 7% of the nation’s banks have earned this Superior 5-Star rating 69 consecutive times.  

“There’s an old adage that says no press is bad press, but if you’ve seen the banking news over the past year or two, you know this isn’t always true,” notes Karen L. Dorway, president of BAUERFINANCIAL. “That’s why it’s so important today to share some good banking news, and Jewett City Savings Bank makes it easy. Jewett City Savings Bank is a model community bank. You should be proud to call it Your Bank.”

Jewett City Savings Bank was established in 1873 and has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 136 years. It operates through conveniently located offices in Brooklyn, Central Village, Dayville, Jewett City and Preston.

Jewett City Savings Bank: “Your 5-Star Community Bank.”

BAUERFINANCIAL, INC., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays for its rating, nor can it be eluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com.

Annual gifts to area ambulance and fire companies approach $9,000

Jewett City Savings Bank’s gift of $500 to the Killingly-Brooklyn Ambulance Corps took the all-volunteer emergency transport group by surprise, according to a thank-you note from K-B Ambulance Administrator Randy Daggett.

“It is deeply appreciated that a business would support our mission without being solicited,” Daggett wrote to Kevin C. Merchant, Jewett City Savings Bank’s president and CEO.

The spontaneous gift, Daggett said, “…speaks volumes for your institution and its stature in our community.”

The donation to K-B Ambulance Corps brings the total of recent gifts from the Bank to area ambulance and fire companies to nearly $9,000, according to Merchant.

“We make these donations annually in recognition of the vital role these organizations and volunteers play in our communities,” he explained. “The Bank truly appreciates their efforts in protecting the lives and property of our neighbors.”

Jewett City Savings Bank, Jewett City, Connecticut takes great pride in receiving a 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability from BAUERFINANCIAL, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida.  5-Stars is the highest rating attainable from BAUERFINANCIAL (the Nation’s Bank Rating Firm for over a quarter of a century) and is based on the overall financial picture of the institution.

Earning a 5-Star rating indicates that Jewett City Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation. In fact, this is the 68th consecutive quarter that Jewett City Savings Bank has earned this highest honor. Only 7% of the nation’s banks can claim this distinction.  

Given that, it is not surprising that Karen L. Dorway, president of BAUERFINANCIAL, has high praise for Jewett City Savings Bank. “Jewett City Savings Bank has avoided the lending and underwriting problems that have plagued much of the banking industry. It is clear that the staff of Jewett City Savings Bank, under the direction of Mr. Kevin Merchant, CEO, remains diligent in adhering to sound banking principles and standards.”

Established in 1873, Jewett City Savings Bank has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 136 years. It currently operates through five conveniently located offices in Brooklyn, Central Village, Dayville, Jewett City and Preston and can be found on the internet at www.jcsbank.com.

Jewett City Savings Bank: “Your 5-Star Community Bank.”

BAUERFINANCIAL, INC., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays for its rating, nor can it be eluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com.

Jewett City Savings Bank has introduced an array of new commercial products and services designed to help area businesses manage their accounts more efficiently and control business banking costs.

The new offerings include Total Business Checking, Zero Balance Accounts, Sweep Account Processing and a Sweep Investment Account, all of which give businesses the opportunity to optimize working capital. Also available is a Cash Management Service Suite, giving business customers wire transfer and ACH origination capabilities.

The Bank also offers a range of commercial products including business lines of credit; working capital, term and equipment loans; and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and Connecticut Development Authority (CDA) loans, as well as commercial real estate mortgages and construction loans.

Click here to find out more!

BAUERFINANCIAL, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida is proud to announce that Jewett City Savings Bank, Jewett City, Connecticut has earned its highest 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability. BAUERFINANCIAL, the Nation’s Bank Rating Firm, has been analyzing and reporting on the nation’s banks for over 25 years. The rating is based on the overall financial picture of the bank, and a 5-Star rating indicates that Jewett City Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation. This is the 67th consecutive quarter that Jewett City Savings Bank has earned this highest honor; only 8% of the nation’s banks can claim this distinction.  

“The number of 5-Star rated banks is diminishing”, comments Karen L. Dorway, president of BAUERFINANCIAL, “but that doesn’t mean they are extinct. Jewett City Savings Bank is an excellent example of traditional, conservative banking. In this new era of ‘back to basics’ thinking, this is exactly what you should be looking for in a bank.”

Jewett City Savings Bank was established in 1873 and has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 136 years. It operates through five conveniently located offices in Brooklyn, Central Village, Dayville, Jewett City and Preston and can also be found on the internet at www.jcsbank.com.

Jewett City Savings Bank: “Your 5-Star Community Bank.”

BAUERFINANCIAL, INC., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays for its rating, nor can it be eluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com.

Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, has announced the promotion of four employees to assistant vice president status.

They are Kevin Goyen of East Hampton, Brandy S. Hapgood of Plainfield, Terrill A. Sabourin of Moosup, and Jane M. Watson of Plainfield.

Kevin Goyen
Kevin Goyen, the Bank’s customer information security officer since 2007, joined Jewett City Savings Bank as systems administrator in 1999 and was named technology manager in 2006.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years as a naval aircrewman and performed anti-submarine operations. He became a Master at Arms 1st Class during his second enlistment in the Navy. Following his military service, he utilized computer skills gained as a hobby to land an entry-level job as a field service technician, gaining network and server knowledge and experience prior to joining the Bank.

Goyen is a graduate of Manchester (CT) Community College. He is currently enrolled in the Connecticut School of Finance and is scheduled to graduate in April 2010.  He continues to advance his skills in the Kenpo Karate discipline.

Brandy Hapgood
Brandy Hapgood, business development officer and branch manager in Jewett City Savings Bank’s Dayville office, joined the Bank in 2007 with over 13 years of financial services experience with Savings Bank of Manchester, Westbank, and Citizens Bank.

She began her banking career at age 18 as a teller, and progressed through positions of higher responsibility including management and business development. An honor roll graduate of Putnam High School, Hapgood studied business at Quinebaug Valley Community College. She is a member of Rotary Club of Danielson and the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce. She is a former board member of Habitat for Humanity of Northeast, CT, and is active in community activities such as Relay for Life.

Terrill Sabourin
Terrill Sabourin, deposit operations manager, joined the Bank in 1988 as a teller, and served as accounting clerk and operations support assistant before being named to her present position in 1999.

A graduate of Plainfield High School, she earned an associate’s degree in accounting at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson in 2000. She also earned diplomas in general banking, bank operations, general financial services, and financial services operations from the Center for Financial Training.  She is currently enrolled in the Connecticut School of Finance and is scheduled to graduate in April of 2010.

Sabourin is president of the Plainfield High School Athletic Boosters.

Jane Watson
Accounting manager, Jane Watson, joined the Bank in 1991 as a teller and went on to hold the positions of head teller in 1993 and her current position in 1996.  In 2003 she was promoted to Assistant Treasurer.

She is a graduate of Plainfield High School and has earned two associates degrees from Quinebaug Valley Community College. She also received a General Banking Diploma from the American Institute of Banking as well as a diploma from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.

… Jewett City Savings Bank visited Plainfield Memorial School on March 17 to donate a battery-powered automated external defibrillator (AED) to the Plainfield public school system.

According to Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO, the donation was made in support of local efforts to acquire a portable AED for each of Plainfield’s schools and municipal facilities, to help ensure the safety of students and the general public. The Bank’s donation will go to the Plainfield Early Childhood Center.

“We are pleased to donate to such a worthy cause,” said Merchant, “and we would hope that more area businesses and individuals join in the campaign to make portable defibrillators more generally available throughout our communities.”
 
Jewett City Savings Bank made a similar AED donation last year to the Griswold Public Schools, where the importance of defibrillators was brought to light by the tragic death of Norwich Free Academy student Larry Pontbriant due to sudden cardiac arrest. Larry’s mother, Evelyn Pontbriant, hopes to be able to provide a defibrillator for the Moosup Elementary School, and the Atwood Hose Fire Company will donate a unit to the Sheppard Hill School. Both schools are in the Plainfield school system.

According to Eileen Duval, the Plainfield School Nurse who is coordinating the fund-raising efforts, each portable AED costs approximately $1,700.  The Plainfield Recreation Center and Town Hall, which houses the town’s public swimming pool, also hope to acquire their own life-saving AEDs. 

LIFESAVERS – L to R: Bethany Duval, School Nurse; James Blair, Director of Pupil Personnel Services; Eileen Duval, School Nurse; Kevin Merchant, President and CEO, Jewett City Savings Bank; and Lyn Gandolf, Principal of Plainfield Memorial School.

Jewett City Savings Bank, Jewett City, Connecticut proudly announces it has earned BAUERFINANCIAL, Inc.’s highest 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability. BAUERFINANCIAL has been analyzing the nation’s banks for over 25 years and has earned the reputation as “the Nation’s Bank Rating Firm”, so to garner its highest 5-Star rating is a time-honored badge of distinction. Customers of Jewett City Savings Bank can be proud that their bank still shines, even under the watchful eye of the BAUERFINANCIAL microscope. The rating is based on the overall financial picture of the bank and at 5-Stars indicates that Jewett City Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation. This is the 66th consecutive quarter that Jewett City Savings Bank has earned this highest honor; only 8% of the nation’s banks can claim this distinction.  

“This New Year in particular brings with it a whole new set of worries, but where a consumer banks shouldn’t be one of them”, remarks Karen L. Dorway, president of BAUERFINANCIAL. “Some banks ignored proper loan underwriting standards in recent years and are now paying the price for that decision. But, Jewett City Savings Bank is a prime example of a bank that has stuck to traditional, conservative banking strategies, which, in this climate, is exactly what the ‘other banks’ are returning to. Jewett City Savings Bank is a model of banking safety and soundness and its customers can rest assured in that knowledge.”

Established in 1873, Jewett City Savings Bank has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends in eastern Connecticut for 136 years. It currently operates through five conveniently located offices in Brooklyn, Central Village, Dayville, Jewett City and now Preston and can be found on the internet at www.jcsbank.com.

Jewett City Savings Bank: “Your 5-Star Community Bank.”

BAUERFINANCIAL, INC., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays for its rating, nor can it be eluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation recently awarded a total of $6,000 to six area fire companies, according to Foundation President Kevin C. Merchant.

“These grants will enhance the efforts of our fire companies in providing for the safety of local residents and property,” said Merchant.

Each of the six fire companies has specific plans for the money: 

• A.A. Young Hose and Ladder Co. #1 in Jewett City will use its donation to help upgrade equipment used to extricate injured persons from a vehicle.
• Atwood Hose Fire Company, Wauregan, will purchase rescue and first aid equipment.
• Central Village Fire Co. #1 will use its grant to update fire apparatus with new lo-ban radios.
• Griswold Volunteer Fire Department will apply the $1,000 gift toward the purchase of a rescue cutter tool for use in vehicle extrication.
• Plainfield Fire Co. #1,  will purchase a new rescue stretcher and educational materials about fire safety to be used in school presentations.
• Voluntown Volunteer Fire Co. #1 plans to purchase equipment including hydrant connect kits, stokes basket, box light, heat resistant rope, and pagers.

The fire companies were among 16 area non-profit organizations who received a combined total of $24,500 in grants from the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation this fall.

Jewett City Savings Bank President & CEO, Kevin Merchant with Charles Colli, chief of the Atwood Hose Fire Company in Wauregan.


(L to R) Pete Merrill, President of Griswold Volunteer Fire Department, Jewett City Savings Bank President & CEO, Kevin Merchant, and Todd Babbitt, Chief of Griswold Volunteer Fire Department.

It was Jewett City Savings Bank’s party, but the Poquetanuck Fire Department EMS, Preston City Fire Department, Preston Veterans Memorial School and Preston Public Library received all the presents!

The local awards from the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation were among the highlights of the November 20th ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of the Bank’s new Preston branch at 353 Route 165 in Fleming’s Center.

It is Jewett City Savings Bank’s 5th full-service office, and the first bank in this community. Other offices are located in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Dayville and Central Village.

“We are pleased to bring our trademark brand of community banking to the residents and businesses of Preston,” said Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO.

Among those participating in the ribbon-cutting activities were:
• Kevin C. Merchant, President and CEO
• Robert M Congdon, First Selectman, Town of Preston
• Gerald S. Grabarek, Selectman, Town of Preston
• Tom Casey, Fire Chief for Town of Preston
• Katheryn Walsh, Principal, Preston Veterans Memorial School
• Denise Bachand, Director, Preston Public Library

Mary Papenfoth is branch manager at the new branch, which features a drive-up teller window and a 24-hour drive-up ATM for customer convenience and safety.


Our Preston Office Branch Staff, pictured from left to right:
Chantal Walsh; Rhonda Pearson; Mary Papenfoth, Branch Manager; Kathy Swartzel




Cutting the ribbon – pictured left to right:
Kevin Merchant, President and CEO, Jewett City Savings Bank, Mary Papenfoth, Branch Manager, Robert Congdon, First Selectman, Town of Preston

On October 3, 2008, Federal Deposit Insurance (FDIC) deposit insurance temporarily increased from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor through December 31, 2009. This includes deposits and accumulated interest in savings accounts, checking and interest-bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts, and term deposit accounts such as certificates of deposits.

There has been no change in the insurance of self-directed retirement accounts. The FDIC continues to insure self-directed retirement accounts separately up to $250,000 per owner.

• Visit myFDICinsurance.gov

As always, you can give us a call at (860) 376-4444 if you have any questions about your deposit insurance.

These days, many people are rediscovering the value of taking a conservative approach with their money. At Jewett City Savings Bank, we’ve been doing just that since 1873.

Through changing times, our commitment to careful financial management, high quality lending standards and following prudent investment practices has never wavered. Our focus has always been to provide our customers with community banking solutions that offer superior convenience, value and security. Rest assured that your deposits up to $100,000 (or $250,000 for retirement accounts) are FDIC insured at Jewett City Savings Bank. Click here to learn more about FDIC Insurance.

In these uncertain times, now may be the time to come home to a community bank with a history of financial strength. To learn more, stop by any office of Jewett City Savings Bank today.

In a move designed to offer local residents some relief from skyrocketing energy costs, Jewett City Savings Bank is once again offering a high-interest Energy Savings Account. This will be the third consecutive year the special program has been offered by the Bank, according to Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO.
 
“The Energy Savings Account was very popular last year,” said Merchant. “We’re pleased to offer it again now, to continue to help local residents meet the high cost of energy.”
 
The Energy Savings Account allows consumers the opportunity to earn a higher return on money they put aside for energy costs this winter. The account, which requires a minimum opening deposit of $100, will pay a guaranteed rate through April 20, 2009. Funds can be added at any time, in any amount, and a limited number of checks can be written on the account.
 
The deadline for opening an Energy Savings Account is September 6. The account is available at all offices of Jewett City Savings Bank.

Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, announced today that the Bank plans to open a new full-service branch office in Preston.

Located at 353 Route 165 in Flemings Center, the new office will feature a drive-up window and a 24-hour drive-up ATM for customer convenience. It will be the first banking office in the Town of Preston.

“We are pleased to be able to offer our trademark brand of community banking to the residents and businesses of Preston,” said Merchant.

An October opening is planned. The Preston location will be Jewett City Savings Bank’s 5th full-service office location. Other offices are located in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Dayville and Central Village.
 

Jewett City Savings Bank’s celebration at Killingly’s Tercentennial Parade in May raised $507 for Owen Bell Park.

The Bank passed out wooden coins at the Parade, and pledged a $1 donation to the Park for each coin returned to the Bank’s Dayville office within the following two weeks.

In addition, anyone who returned one of the coins received a free Jewett City Savings Bank piggy
bank and had the chance to enter a special prize drawing to win a Bag of Balls — soccer, baseball, softball and basketball!

The lucky prize drawing winner was three-year-old Andrew Haller of Dayville.

According to Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, the special promotion was part of the Bank’s support of Killingly’s Tercentennial Year as a Gold Sponsor.

For the 63rd consecutive quarter, Jewett City Savings Bank has earned a 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength from BauerFinancial, Inc., an independent national bank research firm.

BauerFinancial conducts a financial analysis of U.S. banks according to comprehensive formulas used to evaluate the institution’s financial performance. The banks are then assigned a star rating from zero to five, with five stars being the strongest.

Bank president Kevin C. Merchant stated that this most recent award places Jewett City Savings Bank in an elite group of banks considered “Exceptional Performance Banks” by the rating firm.

Jewett City Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank operating full-service offices in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Central Village, and Dayville. Established in 1873, the Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Based in Coral Gables, Florida, BauerFinancial, Inc. is the nation’s leading independent bank rating firm. It has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of US banks, thrifts and credit unions since 1983.

Jewett City Savings Bank has donated a battery-powered automated external defibrillator to the Griswold Public Schools.

According to Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO, the donation was made to support the school system’s fundraising campaign to acquire a minimum of four of the life-saving devices, to ensure their availability for the school population.

The need for the defibrillators was brought to light by the tragic death of Larry Pontbriant, a Norwich Free Academy student, due to sudden cardiac arrest.
 
“We encourage everyone to join in this defibrillator fundraising effort to help save a life by donating to this worthy cause,” said Merchant.

The portable defibrillators cost approximately $2,000 each, and donations toward the purchase of additional units for the schools can be made by contacting Athletic Director Glenn LaBossiere at 376-7636.

Jewett City Savings Bank has a long tradition of involvement with the local schools, including providing academic and community service scholarships and class marshal awards and supporting activities such as Project Safe Graduation, Drama Department productions and the Booster Club.

Pictured from left to right: Yvonne Palasky, Chair, Griswold High School Parent Advisory Council; Glenn LaBossiere, Athletic Director, Griswold High School and AED fundraiser co-coordinator; Kevin Merchant, President and CEO, Jewett City Savings Bank; Dr. Mark Frizzell, Principal, Griswold High School; and Sharon DeRico, Griswold High School Health Aide and AED fundraiser co-coordinator.

Safeguard against fraud and identity theft

Jewett City Savings Bank has joined the Go Direct campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks, to help senior citizens protect their monthly Social Security payments from financial crime.

Go Direct urges seniors, and others receiving federal benefit payments, to switch from paper checks to direct deposit.

“Direct deposit is safer, easier and more convenient than paper checks,” says Kevin Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, “and it gives seniors more control over their money.”

Merchant added that direct deposit eliminates the risk of forged checks and helps safeguard against identity theft.

“Last year alone, almost 57,000 checks issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury were forged, totaling more than $54 million,” he said. “Although paper checks make up only 20 percent of the total number of Social Security payments, they account for more than 90 percent of reported problems.”

The Go Direct campaign makes switching to direct deposit easy with a toll-free enrollment number, (800) 333-1795 and web site, www.GoDirect.org. Switching to direct deposit is free and takes only a few minutes.

The bank’s customer service representatives will be happy to answer individual questions about direct deposit of Social Security and other payments into a Jewett City Savings Bank account, Merchant said.

Residents dreading this winter’s high cost of home heating fuel can find relief at Jewett City Savings Bank. 

For a limited time only, Jewett City Savings Bank is offering consumers the opportunity to earn a higher return on money they put aside to pay for energy costs this winter. The special Energy Savings Account will pay a guaranteed rate through April 18, 2008, on accounts originally opened by September 30, 2007, but, now extended to October 13, 2007.

 “This is a wonderful way to help offset the high cost of fuel,” said Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, “and saving systematically, in advance, also makes good sense.”

 A minimum of $100 is required to open an Energy Savings Account, and funds can be added at any time, in any amount. Customers can make up to six transfers (including writing three checks) from the account each month. The account is available at all offices of Jewett City Savings Bank.

For the 60^th consecutive quarter, Jewett City Savings Bank has earned a 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength from BauerFinancial, Inc., an independent national bank research firm.

BauerFinancial conducts a financial analysis of U.S. banks according to comprehensive formulas used to evaluate the institution’s financial performance. The banks are then assigned a star rating from zero to five, with five stars being the strongest.

Bank president Kevin C. Merchant stated that this most recent award places Jewett City Savings Bank in an elite group of banks considered “Exceptional Performance Banks” by the rating firm.

Jewett City Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank operating full-service offices in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Central Village, and Dayville. Established in 1873, the Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Based in Coral Gables, Florida, BauerFinancial, Inc. is the nation’s leading independent bank rating firm. It has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of US banks, thrifts and credit unions since 1983.