Mercantile Bank

In observance of Juneteenth, our facilities will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th, with the exception of our Mercantile inside Walmart location, which will be open with holiday hours from 9:30 am to 2 pm.

From all of us at Mercantile Bank, we wish all dads a very Happy Father’s Day this weekend!

You hard work, love, and dedication inspire us every day. Thank you for everything you do!

June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. If you saw our , you know that financial abuse of elderly people is a serious issue many Americans face today. We shared tips for seniors and their friends and family on how to better spot and prevent financial abuse. Today, we would like to further highlight this important issue and share additional ways you can help stop financial abuse of older people, as well as other forms of elder abuse.

Visit the two articles below for more information on identifying and preventing all types of elder abuse.
https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WEAAD-Factsheet-FAQs.pdf

&

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/life-events-family-matters/stopabuse

Financial abuse of older Americans is a serious issue that deprives individuals of their resources and ultimately their independence. In 2023, scams targeting people aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses, an increase of 11% from the previous year. However, by taking simple steps to safeguard personal information and becoming more aware of warning signs, older Americans can be protected from becoming victims of abuse. Explore our article, "Prevent Elder Financial Abuse," in our resource center, and read this additional article from the AARP to learn how you can help yourself or someone you love identify and protect against scams targeting older Americans.

https://seniorplanet.org/articles-scammed/

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/id-theft-security/prevent-elder-financial-abuse

On this 80th anniversary of D-Day, we would like to honor the men and women who bravely fought for our freedom. May we always remember their incredible courage, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy they left behind.

The American Bankers Association (ABA) celebrates June as American Housing Month to highlight the commitment of America's banks to creating thriving, livable communities. To contribute, we are sharing educational materials on housing options available to consumers and best practices to help them achieve their housing goals. Our "Home Ownership" section in our financial resource center covers topics such as building your down payment, evaluating mortgage types, mortgage refinancing tips, and much more. Explore our Home Ownership articles through the link below to help you achieve your home ownership goals today!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/home-ownership

Have you considered whether a home solar system might be right for you? Home solar systems can be a great way to save on energy costs, demonstrate your commitment to the environment, and help protect our planet's resources, while also preparing you for potential power outages or grid failures. However, there are several factors you should consider before diving headfirst into the world of solar energy. Explore our blog, "Planning a Home Solar Electric System," to learn if a home solar electric system is right for you!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/home-ownership/planning-home-solar-electric-system

Today we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are forever grateful for their bravery and dedication to our country. Thank you to all the veterans who dedicated their lives to serve, and to all active service members who commit their lives to our freedom and protection.

Most of our facilities will be closed today in remembrance of those who served, however for your convenience, Mercantile inside Walmart will be open 9:30am-2pm.

If you’re a business owner, you have likely encountered or heard of cybersecurity threats such as phishing. Phishing is one of the most common methods cybercriminals use to infiltrate organizations and steal sensitive information. Among the most dangerous and costly phishing scams are payroll diversion scams. These attacks are extremely intricate, difficult to detect, and can cost a business nearly $75,000 per incident. Explore our article below to learn how to identify and prevent these scams before they harm your company.

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/business-resources/payroll-diversion-scams

Watch out for cryptocurrency ATM scams! Banks will never direct you to deposit money in response to any type of fraud on your account. If you receive a call, text message, email, or other form of communication directing you to transfer money, stop communication immediately and call or stop by your local community bank for assistance.

Cryptocurrency scam costing Springfield residents $200,000 a day Last month, a 91-year-old woman attempted to deposit $30,000 into a bitcoin ATM at King City Wireless in Springfield, Illinois, before being stopped by employees. Financial Crimes Detective Jennifer Wallace

As we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, we want to show our support by sharing financial tips for military personnel designed to help reduce financial stress and plan for the future. From budgeting to retirement savings, our guide has everything you need for financial stability. We're proud to support our servicemen and women and hope these tips ease some financial burden and allow you to better focus on your family and your duty. Check out our article below and share it with fellow military members. Thank you for your service!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/life-events-family-matters/financial-tips-military-personnel

We honor all the remarkable mothers whose love knows no bounds and whose strength knows no limits, not just on Mother’s Day but every day! Thank you for all you for all you do! We are happy to share photos from just some of our amazing Moms in our UCB Banks Family! ❤

Happy Older Americans Month! Every May, we take time to recognize the countless contributions older Americans provide to our communities and reaffirm our commitment to serving them. This year’s theme, dubbed "Power by Connection," recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Sharing stories, hosting events, or creating projects are some of the best ways you can help build new relationships while also strengthening old ones. Explore some more fun ideas you can use to celebrate Older Americans Month with your loved ones and those in your community below!

https://acl.gov/oam/2024/oam-2024-activities-ideas

The rise of cyber scams has transformed the digital landscape into a battleground, where unsuspecting individuals must navigate a minefield of deceptive tactics. However, exposing these schemes early can help potential victims better protect their sensitive/personal information. A recent outbreak of Caller ID spoofing scams involved criminals posing as the Illinois State Police. They would manipulate caller IDs to appear legitimate, then pose as an officer investigating your identity being stolen and ask for personal or financial information to commit identity fraud themselves. It's crucial to be cautious when sharing personal information, even if the caller ID seems trustworthy. Learn more about protecting yourself from such scams here: https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing

Tomorrow is World Password Day! To commemorate, we'd like to share helpful tips and reminders on creating and storing strong passwords to keep your accounts and devices safe from hackers. Check out this article brought to you by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency to learn how you can strengthen your passwords and keep your information secure!

https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords

April 27th marks National Teach Children to Save Day! To celebrate, we'd like to share some pointers for parents to use at every stage of their child's life to help instill financial responsibility. Teaching children the importance of saving early on is an incredibly valuable lesson that promises lifelong benefits and significantly impacts their future financial success. Explore our article, "Teaching Kids Financial Responsibility," in our financial resource center for these tips and more!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/life-events-family-matters/teaching-kids-financial-responsibility

With tax season coming to a close, it's crucial to ensure you have a sustainable financial plan for the remainder of the second quarter of the fiscal year. Even though April 15th has passed, you can still file for an extension if you require more time to complete your return. If your taxes have already been filed, April is an excellent time to start disposing of tax information that is no longer necessary. Check out the link below for more of our monthly financial suggestions to assist you in crafting your ideal financial strategy!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/personal-financial-management/personal-financial-plan-second-quarter

Introducing United Commonwealth Bank, the newest member of our UCB Banks family! We congratulate our United Commonwealth Bank team on their recent ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating their opening in Naples, Florida!

No matter where you live, work, travel, vacation, or winter in Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri, and now Southwest Florida, your UCB Banks are here for you!

Scammers never take holidays or vacations. They are always working in the shadows trying to find ways to trick you out of your money. Whether they are trying to steal your personal information, your identity, or are trying to get you to download malware or ransomware, the end goal is always the same - a payday at your expense. We urge you to please check out our article, "Scam Alerts & Prevention," where we highlight some of the newest and most prevalent schemes scammers have been deploying and how you can help avoid them!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/id-theft-security/scam-alerts-and-prevention

Peer-to-peer payment platforms, like Zelle, have greatly simplified the process of sending and receiving money. However, alongside these benefits, scammers have exploited Zelle's convenience to deceive unsuspecting individuals into either transferring funds or divulging account information. To safeguard yourself against such schemes, we invite you to read through our article, "Zelle® Scams," available in our website's resource library. This resource sheds light on typical methods employed by criminals via Zelle, highlights warning signs indicative of these scams, and offers preventative measures to shield yourself from falling victim to a Zelle® scam.

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/id-theft-security/zelle-scams

Facebook Marketplace has become a popular e-commerce platform since its launch in 2016. Many people prefer it over other sites due to its user-friendly interface and ties to the social networking platform. However, as more and more users begin to flood the site, so do scam artists trying to take advantage of buyers and sellers alike. Read through our new blog, "Facebook Marketplace Scams," in our website's resources library to stay informed on some of the tricks and schemes scammers will commonly use on the platform and how you can avoid falling into their traps!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/id-theft-security/facebook-marketplace-scams

Spring is finally here! As warmer weather begins to roll in, it's important to remember that spring can often bring severe thunderstorms and potentially even tornadoes. Now is the perfect time to ensure that you are financially prepared just in case disaster strikes! Make sure to read through our article, "Be Prepared if Disaster Strikes," in our website's resource library to ensure you are financially ready for anything nature might bring!

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/life-events-family-matters/be-prepared-if-disaster-strikes

Is your credit score looking a bit worse for wear? When it comes to credit scores, bigger is always better, and having a score that's too low can hinder you from achieving your financial goals. However, all hope is not lost. There are numerous ways you can improve your credit score all on your own! Check out our article, "DIY Credit Repair," in our website's resource library to learn about the steps you can take to repair your credit and boost your score! 🛠💸

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/personal-financial-management/diy-credit-repair

Scammers are pretending to be government employees. They may threaten you and demand immediate payment. Don’t be fooled! and HANG UP! Report the scam at: oig.ssa.gov

This week is National Consumer Protection Week, and we need your help to on government imposters! Check out https://www.ssa.gov/scam/ to learn more about how you can identify red flags, report suspicious activity, and avoid becoming the next victim of government imposter scams!

Are you considering a new car but unsure about the right financing options for you? Don't worry; we've got you covered! Explore our resource library article titled "How to Decide Whether to Buy or Lease Your Next Ride" for tips on determining whether buying or leasing is the better choice for your next ride! 🚗

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/personal-financial-management/how-decide-whether-buy-or-lease-your-next-ride

QR codes have begun becoming increasingly more common among companies and organizations because they provide a convenient way to share webpages without the need to manually type a URL into a web browser. However, just like all new technology, cybercriminals have attempted to take advantage of QR codes by swapping them for malicious codes to steal the victim's personal or even financial information. Check out the article “Stay Cautious of QR Code Scams” in our website’s resource library to learn more about these new types of scams and how you can prevent yourself from falling victim.

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library/id-theft-security/stay-cautious-qr-code-scams

SCAM TEXT ALERT NOTICE: Please be advised that we have received reports that some customers have been targeted by scammers using fake text messages that appear to be from UCB. These fraudulent messages contain a link that direct you to a false website. Please do not respond to these messages or click any links. As a reminder, we will NEVER direct you to a link regarding your account. Any legitimate text messages from us will only be those you have subscribed to and will never contain a link. Our messages will only ever direct you to a phone number you can verify or encourage you to login to your online or mobile banking on a trusted device. For information on phishing, smishing, and other scams and ways to protect yourself, please visit our online Resource Library.

https://mercantilebk.com/resource-library