Our Fam

 

March Anniversaries




Happy Work-A-Versary Brett, Alex, Ashley, and Melissa! We appreciate all you do!
 

2026 Chamber Chili Cook-Off




Shari and Robert from our Poplar Grove branch helped crown the best chili in town at the 2026 Chamber Chili Cook-Off last week! We love every chance to be involved in our local community’s traditions.
 

Amanda Pierce 10 Year Anniversary




Last month, we proudly celebrated a decade of creativity, collaboration, and unwavering commitment from Amanda Pierce, who joined Solutions Bank as our first in‑house marketing employee.

What began as a job posting she stumbled upon by accident has become a 10-year journey that helped shape the very identity of our brand.

Click here to read more about Amanda’s journey!


Mary Hill Promotion




Earlier this month, Mary Hill was promoted to Retail Banking Branch Lead in Forreston! In this role, Mary will continue to serve customers as a Universal Banker while also acting as the go-to resource for the Customer Service team. Mary’s dedication, customer‑first mindset, and steady leadership make this achievement so well deserved. Congratulations, Mary!
 

Forreston High School College & Career Fair




Alex, Bethany, and Ashley had an amazing time representing us at the Forreston Junior & Senior High School College & Career Fair earlier this month! We enjoyed connecting with students and sharing just how many career paths exist within community banking. From helping others and solving problems to technology, leadership, creativity, and numbers, there’s a role for every passion and interest. We’re proud to support our local communities and invest in the next generation of professionals!

 

Solutions Bank Scholarship Application




Calling all high school seniors! We’re giving out multiple $1,000 scholarships for students starting college this fall. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2026. Apply today: solutions.bank/personal/spending/students

 

Fraud Alert - Zelle Scam




Scammers are calling and pretending to be from your bank. Their newest trick? Claiming you have a Zelle payment that needs to be canceled. They’ll walk you through “fixing it” by asking you to sign up for Zelle or enter account info. In reality, they’re stealing your information and getting you to send money straight to them.

Remember: your bank will never ask you to transfer money or enter personal details to cancel a payment. If someone pressures you to act fast, it’s likely a scam. Stay alert, protect your accounts, and only use Zelle to send money to people you know and trust.

Visit solutions.bank/security-center to learn more about common scams and how to protect yourself. Knowledge is power.
 

Fraud Edu - Beware Unsolicited Emails




Got an unexpected email offering a huge discount or “exclusive deal”? Be skeptical. Clicking or replying could confirm your email to scammers or lead to even more unwanted messages. When in doubt, delete it and shop with retailers you trust. 

Head to solutions.bank/security-center to learn more about common scams and how to protect yourself from fraud.
 

Credit Card Processing, Simplified – No Strings Attached




Frustrated with your current credit card processing? Let’s untangle the mess.

At Solutions Bank, we recognize payment processing can be complicated. That’s why we’ve partnered with Clover to bring local businesses a payment system that’s straightforward, reliable, and designed to make your day run smoother, not harder.

With a quick review of your current merchant statements, our team can help uncover hidden fees, explain where your dollars are really going, and show you how Clover’s secure, easy‑to‑use tools can simplify the way you accept payments.

Clover isn’t just a card reader; it’s a flexible platform built to support your business as it grows. From faster checkout and multiple payment options to built‑in loyalty programs and customer engagement features, Clover helps create better experiences for both you and your customers. Plus, when you partner with Solutions Bank, you also gain local experts who are committed to helping your business thrive.

Curious what you could be saving or how much easier payment processing could be?
Visit our website to request a complimentary, no‑strings‑attached merchant statement review and see how we can help streamline your operations: www.solutions.bank/clover.
 

Estate Planning Seminar




Join us for this FREE seminar!  Same presentation, 3 different locations: March 24th in Forreston, April 7th in Freeport, and April 21st in Durand!

Questions covered include:
  •  Should I have a will or living trust?
  •  What is a living trust?
  •  What is probate?
  •  Do I need a power of attorney?
  •  Should I make lifetime gifts?
  •  What makes up my estate?
  •  How will I pay for nursing home care?
  • Will Federal or Illinois Estate taxes affect me?

Reservations are required. To reserve your spot, call (815) 235-1212 or (800) 373-4109 or visit pkbrs@plager-law.com.
 

Be Smart with Your Credit Card

 

Having a credit card can be a great thing.

  • You don’t have to carry large amounts of cash wherever you go because you can use your card for larger purchases.
  • Credit cards are excellent for traveling and are accepted nearly everywhere.
  • They are great for bigger purchases or when an emergency pops up - like when your refrigerator dies. Some cards even come with protections that cover your purchases in case of theft or defects.
  • If used sparingly, and paid off quickly, credit cards can even improve your credit score. It can demonstrate that you responsibly pay off your debts – and that you pay them on time.

You need to use credit cards wisely so they don’t cost you more than necessary.

When you use your credit card you’re taking out a loan that needs to be paid back – and the sooner the better.

Credit cards almost always have higher interest rates than regular installment loans, so here are some things you don’t want to do with your card …

► Don’t use them for minor everyday purchases. Using a credit card for routine items is like taking out a loan for a pack of gum. When you use cash or your debit card for these things, you’ll be more likely to think twice before overspending.

► Don’t just make the minimum payment … unless you absolutely have to. Minimum payments can cost you a lot in interest fees because it takes far longer to pay off your bill. Pay your full balance off each month whenever possible. As long as you pay in full by the due date each month, you won’t be charged interest fees.

Here’s a quick example to illustrate the importance of paying more than the minimum:

If you owe $2,000, your initial minimum payment will be around $40. And if your interest rate is 15% and you keep paying the minimum payment listed on your monthly statements, it will take you 14 years to fully pay your bill … and you will have paid a whopping $2,246 in interest charges alone.

And that’s only if you don’t charge anything else on your card during those 14 years!

► Don’t skip a payment or pay late … this can lead to costly late fees, a higher interest rate, and damage to your credit score.

Unless you have one of the few cards that doesn’t charge a late fee, you can face a late penalty of $25 for the first occurrence, and if it happens again within the next six billing cycles the fee will be $35.

Credit card companies can even raise your interest rate due to late payments.

► Don’t use your credit card for cash withdrawals … it’ll cost you. You’ll get hit with a fee when you withdraw the money, pay a higher interest rate, and interest charges begin as soon as you receive the money.

Unlike regular purchases made on your card, there is no interest grace period when you withdraw cash with your credit card. Interest charges begin immediately.

Then there are the fees … For small amounts of money, the transaction fee is likely to be around $10, but for larger amounts you could be hit with a charge of 3% to 5% of your total withdrawal. That could be $20 on a $400 transaction.

And then there is the higher interest rate. Nearly all credit cards carry a significantly higher interest rate for cash withdrawals, so you’ll be paying one rate for your normal charges and a higher rate on money you withdraw.

Always read the fine print when applying for a credit card or when you get your statement so you understand all your costs and fees.

And remember: Always pay your card charges off as fast as you can. Credit card costs can be low to non-existent if you do the right things: spend carefully and pay your bills quickly.

So be smart … be in control of your credit card.

Did you know, Solutions Bank offers a variety of credit cards for both personal and business use? Check out the links below to learn more about the credit cards we offer and apply today!

Consumer Credit Cards: Learn More

Business Credit Cards: Learn More


Upcoming Holiday Closures


Friday, April 3, 2026: Closing at Noon – Good Friday
Monday, May 25, 2026: Closed – Memorial Day

As always, 24/7 banking is available anytime, anywhere through our mobile app, online banking, and ATM’s. solutions.bank.