“Moore Relief Project” Fund @ BOC

It has been incredible to watch the devastation in Moore, OK and then soon after the outpouring of support from across our great country.   Many people in every community are collecting items such as food, water, gloves, diapers, etc.  We will also be supporting these donation efforts but want to make another option available for those that can’t get to the store or want to make a financial contribution locally.

Bank of Commerce wanted to help so we have established the “Moore Relief Project” fund.  Many people won’t text to the Red Cross or Salvation Army for whatever reason and we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to help in some way.  All funds will be donated to Red Cross, Salvation Army and other needs associated with providing aid to first responders and families of those that have been impacted.

If you would like to donate, please contact us at 405-354-3030 or stop by any Bank of Commerce location.

Other ways to donate:

1. text “REDCROSS” to 90999 – $10 donation to American Red Cross-OK
2. text “STORM” to 80888 – $10 donation to Salvation Army
   
3. THURSDAY (May 23) at the El Reno High School graduation, El Reno FFA and El Reno Student Council will be collecting items at the event to help with relief efforts.

We are thankful to live and operate a business in this great state!

2013 El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day Children's Stage schedule announced

Reblogged from El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day:

Here is the schedule for the Children's stage for El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day Festival to be held on May 4, 2013.

10:00 a.m.       Mother/Daughter Look Alike Contest       

10:30 a.m.       Hula Hoop Contest (ages 6 and under)

11:00 a.m.       Center for Mixed Martial Arts

11:30 a.m.       Sponji

Noon               Dance Etiquette

1:00 p.m.        Hula Hoop Contest (ages 6 – 12)

Read more… 42 more words

There is still time to make plans TOMORROW to visit El Reno's Onion Fried Burger Day! Check out the schedule at this blog and make sure to be on hand when they cook up "The Big One" and serve YOU a piece of the world's largest onion fried burger!

Impending Snowstorm?? Get an app…

Seems everyone is eagerly awaiting the impending snowstorm in Central OK…So, this is exactly the right time to prepare!   Technologically speaking, that is…

We’re not talking about getting a vehicle full of supplies, a new computer, or phone, etc.. But it might be time to make sure you can take advantage of your technology should you (and your family) find yourself in the middle of a precarious weather or other situation.

Over the next several weeks we’ll discuss a hand-full of “Must Have Smart Phone Apps”!  Here are the first two…

You’ll need a flashlight!
Flashlight by Rik (iPhone) and Brightest Flashlight Free (Android) are two great FREE flashlight apps for your smartphone.  The apps basically turn your phone into bright flashlights.  And with the onset of LED flashbulbs on almost every smartphone they can be quite powerful.

If you’re caught in a disaster and the power goes out a handy flashlight can be a real friend!  Since most of us have phones with us 24/7, it makes sense to download a flashlight today.

What about your important docs / pics?
DropBox (iPhone, Android, Home) is a great app and not one you’d think of as necessarily being a “Must Have” app.  DropBox is FREE to download and FREE to use.  This system uses “cloud” storage technology so you can have access from your phone, tablet or any computer with internet access.  Many of us need access to important documents at the most inopportune times…like right after a disaster strikes…and DropBox is a great app for that reason.

After downloading the app to your phone and installing it on your computer at home you can simply upload your document, picture, spreadsheet (even video’s) and it becomes available on all your other computers.  You can even access DropBox from any computer by going to the DropBox website can even share items via email.  Since you can’t always grab your desktop as the tornado approaches, you can relax a little knowing your important docs are safe in the cloud and can be reviewed on your phone in a few seconds.

What apps do you use?

Did you know Bank of Commerce has an iPhone / Android app you can use too?  Check out our apps today and make sure to stop by and see us anytime!

Federal Benefits Going Electronic March 1st!

Sign-up TODAY!

Do you receive a monthly federal benefit payment like Social Security by paper check?

If so, then you should know that the U.S. Department of the Treasury is requiring everyone to switch to an electronic payment option for their federal benefits by March 1, 2013.

Follow these 3 simple steps to make the change ASAP!

1. Decide whether you want direct deposit or the Direct Express Debit MasterCard OR call 1-800-333-1795 to get personal assistance.
2. Next you’ll to provide specific information imprinted on your most recent federal benefits check. So have a copy nearby.  If your signing up for direct deposit, you’ll need your banks ROUTING NUMBER and your ACCOUNT NUMBER at your bank.
   

   Routing Number?

3. Visit http://www.godirect.org to sign up for direct deposit or call 1-800-333-1795 and speak directly with an agent.

Remember, the deadline is MARCH 1, 2013… So you need to get started today!   Making the change makes sense: Saves us all tax dollars, gets your benefits to you faster and gives you freedom to live without waiting on the mail!

 

Mortgage Rates Hold Steady

Mortgage Rates Remain Unchanged based on report from Freddie Mac

“The average interest rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages remained unchanged at 3.53 percent again this week, Freddie Mac reported yesterday. It was the third consecutive week the 30-year rate didn’t change. A year ago, rates for 30-year mortgages averaged 3.87 percent.” (Source: ABA)

Read the report from Freddie Mac HERE.

If you’re still “on the fence” about refinancing your home, it’s time to take action!

We would enjoy meeting with you and walking through why we believe it’s time to refinance.  Send us an email and let’s schedule a time to get together.

APPLY NOW

Smartphone Banking…Are you “ALL IN”?

Seriously, would you do all your banking on your smartphone?

There is much discussion in bank boardrooms and bank think tanks  regarding technology in banking and where it’s headed.

This discussion includes talking points like:

• Where is bank technology going?
• Use of mobile payments & deposits?
• Applying for loans with your phone?
• Opening accounts with your phone?
• …and the list goes on and on…

Today, there are totally electronic/internet banks with no office you can see and people you can only reach by phone (..or text).  Contrast that with your local community bank with real people on the ground in “Your Town, USA” that you see at the grocery store.  So, as it relates to the future of banking, the $64,000 question is: “What will the customer do?“

Trends indicate we will all be fully engaged in “mobile banking” in the next five or so years… What do you think?

Written check volume is dramatically down and electronic payments of all kinds are significantly up.  If that’s true (and it is) then the reality is a bank technology tsunami has arrived or is approaching your local community bank very soon.   So, who will choose to bank with and how will you choose?

THE BIG QUESTIONS:

1. If you literally could do “all your banking” on your smartphone..would you?
2. AND Is there a level at which you’re not comfortable using mobile banking technology?
3. What technology would you like to see your bank offer?
4. Are there technology based banking services you would pay to use?

Please give us your feedback as a comment on this post.

Stop by and see us anytime! You can find us online at BOCOKLA.COM!

How is your credit?

At the beginning of every new year there are many things we review or think about. These “things” might range from loan balances, starting the process of filing taxes, financial resolutions, etc. Do you have particular items you review? Well, one item you should consider is your personal credit report.

Usually, a customer learns of credit report problems (issues) about the time our loan officers meet with them during the loan application process. Certainly not the time to discover there are bad things on your credit…AND THEY AREN’T YOURS!

We suggest obtaining a FREE copy of your credit report HERE. The ability to do this is provided through the Federal Credit Reporting Act. This is a good thing!

Check out this video and learn a little more about making sure what’s reported about you…is yours!

Stop by and see us anytime! You can find us online too at BOCOKLA.COM!