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CBI Bank & Trust and F&M Division of CBI Bank & Trust Receives National Certification by Banking Advocates as Safe, Affordable Account

Wednesday September 1, 2021 – For Immediate Release

MUSCATINE, IA - Today CBI Bank & Trust announced that its Bank On Checking was officially certified by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards (2021 - 2022). The national safe account Standards, co-created by consumer advocates, leading national nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and other financial institutions, designate both core and strongly recommended features that ensure low cost, high functionality, and consumer safety.

Some key features of Bank On Checking include no overdraft or nonsufficient fund fees charged, the ability to pay bills and make purchases without checks, no minimum balance, low $5 monthly cost, and federal deposit insurance. Bank On Checking is available in every one of CBI Bank & Trust’s 16 branches across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Bob Howard, President Iowa Division of CBI Bank & Trust said, “One in ten U.S. adults don’t have a bank account, and we want to be in a position to help every one of them.”

“We’re pleased to be part of the growing Bank On movement to provide safe, affordable and accessible bank accounts to the roughly 6% of households that do not currently have one”, says Doug Sanders, President, F&M Bank Division.

“The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is delighted to award its national Bank On account certification to CBI Bank & Trust’s Bank On Checking,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “Bank On Checking Account offers Illinois residents who are looking to improve their finances a safe, affordable, and truly useful mainstream banking product– this is especially important during COVID-19, as consumers need to access and manage their money both affordably and safely. CBI Bank & Trust’s offering of this terrific account brings them into the forefront of national banking access efforts, and we thank them.”

The goal of Bank On is to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable financial products and services. The Bank On National Account Standards identify critical product features for appropriate bank accounts, making it easier for local coalitions across the country to connect consumers to accounts that meet their needs.

CBI Bank & Trust’s Bank On Checking is available at all 16 locations in 2 states. With the addition of the Bank On Checking, accounts that meet Bank On National Account Standards are now available at over 33,600 branches in all 50 states and Washington, DC; financial institutions with Bank On certified accounts already comprise over 52% of the national deposit market share. In addition to CBI Bank & Trust’s Bank On Checking, over 115 other financial institutions with Bank On certified accounts are available across the country.

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CBI Bank & Trust, F&M Bank Announce Completion of Merger

Monday, February 8, 2021 – For Immediate Release

Muscatine, IA — Central Bancshares, Inc., a community bank holding company based in Muscatine, IA, announced that it has merged its two wholly-owned subsidiaries into one organization.  F&M Bank, Galesburg, IL, was merged into CBI Bank & Trust, Muscatine, IA, on February 5, 2021.  Central Bancshares will continue to be the parent company of the merged bank.  The current locations of CBI Bank & Trust will continue to operate under that name, and the current locations of F&M will operate as F&M Bank, Division of CBI Bank & Trust.

The combined organization has $1.1 billion in assets, 230 employees, and serves over 43,000 consumer households and businesses through its 16 offices in eastern Iowa and western Illinois.  Greg Kistler, President and CEO of Central Bancshares said, “We are pleased to announce the successful merger of our two great banks.  There will be minimal impact to clients, and they will now be able to conduct business at any of our locations.  We remain committed to our core values of independent community banking, local management and decision making, empowered local employees, and support for the communities in which we live and work.”

The combined organization has offices in Coralville, Davenport, Kalona, Muscatine, Walcott, Washington and Wilton, IA, and Brimfield, Buffalo Prairie, Galesburg and Peoria, IL.

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WTSB/CBI Merger Completed

Monday, June 8, 2020 – For Immediate Release

(Muscatine, IA) The merger of Walcott Trust and Savings Bank into CBI Bank & Trust was completed over the weekend of Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7, and all customer accounts were converted over to the CBI data processing system.

“We’re pleased to announce the successful completion of our plan that was put in motion last year,” said Greg Kistler, President and CEO of Central Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of both banks. “The fact everything went so smoothly is a testament to months of planning, coordination and hard work by a number of talented individuals throughout our organization. I’m extremely proud of their efforts.”

Walcott Trust and Savings Bank, which was organized in 1893, had total assets of approximately $125 million and served a primary market area of Scott and northeast Muscatine Counties in Iowa through two locations: 101 West Bryant Street in Walcott and 2322 East Kimberly Road in Davenport. It was acquired by Muscatine-based Central Bancshares, Inc. in December, 2019.

The weekend merger lifted CBI Bank & Trust’s total assets to over $650 million. In addition to the two former WTSB locations, it has banking centers in downtown Davenport, Coralville, Kalona, Muscatine, Washington and Wilton in Iowa, and Buffalo Prairie in Illinois, and serves over 20,000 households and businesses.

“We extend a warm welcome to Walcott Trust and Savings Bank clients,” said Bob Howard, President and CEO of Muscatine-based CBI Bank & Trust. “Starting today, they can enjoy the convenience of banking at eleven locations, plus access to a wider array of services such as wealth management, investments, and treasury and cash management services.”

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Bank Purchase Completed

Thursday, December 12, 2019 – For Immediate Release

(Muscatine, IA)  Central Bancshares, Inc. of Muscatine, Iowa has completed the purchase of Walcott Trust and Savings Bank of Walcott, Iowa, effective December 12, 2019.  The transaction was originally announced in August. 

Walcott Trust and Savings Bank, which was organized in 1893, has total assets of approximately $125 million and serves a primary market area of Scott and northeast Muscatine Counties in Iowa through two locations:  101 West Bryant Street in Walcott and 2322 East Kimberly Road in Davenport.

Central Bancshares’ total assets have increased to over $1 billion with the acquisition.  It now operates three banking charters, serving an estimated 34,000 households and businesses, through 16 locations in eastern Iowa and west-central Illinois.  In addition to the Walcott bank, the company owns CBI Bank & Trust with locations in Coralville, Davenport, Kalona, Muscatine, Washington and Wilton in Iowa and Buffalo Prairie in Illinois, and F&M Bank with offices in Brimfield, Galesburg and Peoria, Illinois.  

Customers of the newly-acquired bank will notice little in the way of immediate changes, according to Greg Kistler, President and CEO of Central Bancshares, Inc.

“It will continue to operate under the Walcott Trust and Savings Bank name through the first half of this coming year,” Kistler said. “We then anticipate bringing the bank into the CBI Bank & Trust charter and onto our data processing system. This will open up a wider range of products and services for customers, and enable them to conduct business at nearly a dozen area locations.”

Kistler continued, “We are excited to welcome the customers and employees of the bank to our organization.”

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