Friends Club Newsletter 1st Quarter 2021
HILLS BANK
Quarter One 2021
WHAT'S INSIDE? • First-Ever Virtual Events Offered • Fraud Protection Tips • Favorite Recipes From Our Travels
Member FDIC
What 's HAPPENING?
Farewell 2020! Thank you for the lessons. Welcome 2021! Let’s move forward together. We hope you were able to find joy this past holiday season and stayed in touch with family and friends. As we head into a new year, there is a refreshing and encouraging sentiment in the air. We hope you feel it too. Hills Bank Friends Club is excited to turn the page and offer you another edition of the newsletter. Within these pages, you’ll find virtual events, recipes, articles, and games. Enjoy! Virtual Events We are excited to offer our first-ever virtual events in this issue! While we know not everyone is able to participate in or is comfortable with these types of events, we do
hope you’ll find the information in this newsletter enjoyable and informative. If you are interested in a virtual event topic but can’t participate, please don’t hesitate to let us know, and we will either mail or email you any information we have on hand.
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In-person Events and Day Trips Though we are eager to gather again, our community rooms stay closed and our day trips are on hold. We have high hopes we can gather again toward the end of the year. Once we start to host in-person events, we will then consider planning day trips. We will continue to keep you posted. Travel Due to the current environment and the timing it takes to plan travel, Hills Bank has officially decided there will not be any extended travel offered during 2021. We appreciate your understanding as health and safety stay at the forefront of our decision. While Friends Club won’t be hosting this year, we know that many of you are still interested in travel. Consider group travel with our longtime partner, Star Destinations. For more information about their trips, visit page 14 in the newsletter, call 712-792-9793 or 800-284-4440, or email pam@stardestinations.com or cathyg@stardestinations.com.
If you have any feedback for virtual event ideas or speakers, topics for articles, or guest writer suggestions, please don’t hesitate to email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-358-2230.
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ANEWYEAR for New Reading Material (orviewing)
If reading more books is one of your new year’s resolutions, you’re in the right place! Share your love of a favorite book and encourage others to read more by emailing FriendsClub@HillsBank.com with the title of your book suggestion. Not a book person? Email the title of your favorite documentary or movie instead! Please email your suggestions by Friday, February 12, and any book, documentary, and movie recommendations will be shared on Hills Bank’s website at www.HillsBank.com/friends-club-newsletter. Ready to get started with a new book now? Check out the list below for 2020’s most popular books according to Barnes & Noble, The New York Times, Publishers Weekly , and The Washington Post .
• A Promised Land by Barack Obama • Caste by Isabel Wilkerson • The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett • Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle • Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell • Stamped by Jason Reynolds • The Rise by Marcus Samuelsson • Whale Day by Billy Collins • What We'll Build by Oliver Jeffers
Did you read any of these last year? Let us know, as well as if you have any other recommendations to share!
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F avorite R ecipes from Our Travels Hills Bank Friends Club Hosts Present: BANANAS FOSTER Provided by Kelsey Redlinger, who hosted the 2019 New Orleans trip. The group visited the New Orleans School of Cooking and watched a few dishes being made. This recipe was a stand out!
¼ lb. butter (1 stick)
½ lb. dark brown sugar (1 cup)
2 bananas
2 oz. banana liqueur Ground cinnamon
4 oz. dark rum
Ice cream
Melt butter and add brown sugar to form a creamy paste. Let this mixture caramelize over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the banana liqueur, bananas, and rum. Heat and ignite. Agitate to keep flame burning, and add a few pinches of voodoo magic (cinnamon) to the flame. Let the flame go out, and serve over ice cream. Yields 4 servings.
SALMON WITH CREAMY DILL SAUCE Provided by Tracy Stotler, who hosted the 2017 Friends Club trip to Alaska. The group enjoyed a lot of seafood, but this dish was a favorite!
1 salmon fillet (about 2 pounds)
Dill Sauce:
1 to 1-1/2 tsp. lemon-pepper seasoning
1/3 c. sour cream
1 tsp. onion salt 1/3 c. mayonnaise 1 small onion, sliced and separated into rings 1 tbs. finely chopped onion 6 lemon slices 1 tsp. lemon juice ¼ c. butter 1 tsp. prepared horseradish
¾ tsp. dill weed ¼ tsp. garlic salt
Line a 15-in. x 10-in. baking pan with heavy-duty foil; grease lightly. Place salmon skin side down on foil. Sprinkle with lemon-pepper and onion salt. Top with onion and lemon slices. Dot with butter. Fold foil around salmon; seal tightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Open foil. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 8-12 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Combine the sauce ingredients until smooth. Serve with salmon. Yields 6 servings.
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PORTUGUESE EGG TARTS Provided by Dawn Lyons, who hosted the 2019 Douro River Cruise. These wonderful tarts were available daily and were seen in bakeries throughout Portugal. The dough is worth the extra effort, but you can also use store bought puff pastry.
For the Puff Pastry:
For the Filling and Garnish: 1 cup granulated sugar
1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
1¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
cup water
cup water
1 cinnamon stick
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup, plus 6 tablespoons, whole milk, divided ½ cup all-purpose flour
Special Equipment:
6 egg yolks
Egg tart molds or muffin tin
Ground cinnamon, for garnish
Puff pastry: In a small bowl, whisk the butter until smooth. In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, water and salt. Mix on low speed, scraping the bowl down occasionally, until the mixture comes together. Transfer to a well-floured work surface and form into a 1-inch rectangle. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a ½-inch- thick rectangle, 10 inches long. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and roll the dough into a 15-inch square. Spread a third of the butter on the bottom half of the dough, leaving a 1-inch
rim. Fold the top half of the dough over the butter. Press the edges to seal and pat the dough with the rolling pin. Roll the dough into another 15-inch square and repeat with half of the remaining butter. Once you pat dough with rolling pin, rotate the dough so that the seam is facing you. Now, roll into an 18-inch square. Spread the remaining butter all over the dough, leaving a 1-inch rim. Starting with the edge closest to you, roll the dough into a tight log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until very firm, at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Filling: Preheat the oven to 500°. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water and cinnamon stick over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and let sit until ready to use. Cut the pastry log into thirty ½-inch slices. Place each slice into the tart mold or muffin tin, with the cut side of the spiral facing up. Press the center of the spiral into the bottom of the pan and continue pressing to evenly flatten the dough against the bottom and sides of the pan, about 1⁄16 inch above the rim of the tart molds or ¾ inch up the sides of the muffin tin. Refrigerate until firm, 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup, plus 1 tablespoon of the milk over medium heat until bubbles begin to form around the edges, 4 to 5 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the remaining 5 tablespoons of milk. Continue whisking while adding the hot milk in a slow, steady stream. Discard the cinnamon stick and whisk the syrup into the milk mixture in a steady stream. Return to the saucepan and cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened 10 to 12 minutes. Add the yolks to the mixture and whisk until well combined, then strain through a fine- mesh sieve. Pour 1½ tablespoons of the warm filling into each pastry shells. Bake until the custards are set and the tops are blackened in spots, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Then transfer the tarts to the wire racks and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm. Yields 30 tarts.
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Friends Club News
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN Provided by Barb Colehour, who hosted the 2017 Southern Tour. While in Savannah, Georgia, they stopped at Paula Deen’s Lady & Son’s restaurant. Barb even got a photo with Paula’s handsome son Bobby!
2.5 to 3 lbs. chicken (Barb uses chicken breasts)
1 qt. buttermilk
2 c. all-purpose flour
Garlic salt
¼ c. cornmeal
Pepper
Wash the chicken in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk for 10 min. In large bowl mix flour and cornmeal together. Coat each piece of chicken with flour mixture and place in skillet with enough oil to cover the chicken. Paula Dean uses peanut oil, but you can also use vegetable oil. While browning, sprinkle chicken with garlic salt (amount depends on how much you like garlic) and black pepper. Barb uses an electric skillet set on medium high heat. Be sure to watch closely, because browning will differ based on whether you use an electric or gas stove. When golden brown on both sides, transfer chicken to cookie sheet, cover loosely with foil, and put in a 300 degree oven for 1 hour. Bet you can’t eat just one piece!
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING Provided by Cathy Greteman, Star Destinations owner and tour manager of many Friends Club trips to Ireland. While in Killarney at the Plaza Hotel and Spa, Friends Club travelers always ask for this yummy recipe!
2 c. dates
Caramel Cream
2 ½ c. water
2 ¾ c. sugar 1 ¼ c. water 4 c. cream
2 tsp. baking soda
½ c. butter
2 c. sugar 4 eggs 2 c. self-rising flour 2 tsp. vanilla
Photo Credit: Kaite Laird
Boil dates in water until soft. Add soda. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and flour alternately. Beat well. Add dates to creamed mixture. Pour into a well-buttered baking dish to fill ¾ full. Bake at 360° for 20 minutes then reduce heat to 290° and bake for a further 20 minutes, or until firm to the touch, well risen, and golden brown. Drench well with caramel cream. Caramel cream: Boil together the sugar and the water until deep amber in color. Add the cream, but be very aware of the excessive steam. Boil for 2-3 minutes until all the sugar has dissolved. Caramel cream will keep for ages in the fridge.
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VIRTUAL EVENTS We are excited to offer our first-ever
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There are a few things to keep in mind:
LL
• We expect it will be a learning curve for us and you as we do the first few virtual events, so we appreciate your patience.
• Be prepared to provide an active email address when you register for an event, as that is how you will receive important and timely information. • For this first round of virtual events, we will be taking registrations via email or phone. Since these events are exclusive for members, we will confirm your membership status and send you a confirmation email with instructions on joining the event when the time comes. • The topic, presenter, and number of attendees will determine whether the event will be interactive, meaning attendees can use their own video and microphone, or if it will be more of a lecture-type presentation where attendees can only view the presenter. • Depending on the topic and presenter, the event may be hosted using Zoom or Webex. We will provide instructions for joining to the best of our ability, but please know that some of the questions you may have might be in regard to your computer settings. We will provide any resource we can, but it may be a good idea to identify a friend or family member that can help you answer questions and address concerns. To register for one or more of the virtual events, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103. Please provide your name, so we can verify your membership status, and an active email address upon registering. As mentioned on page 2, if you are interested in a virtual event topic but can’t participate, please don’t hesitate to let us know, and we will either mail or email you any information we have on hand.
Stay up to date on all of our event offerings by visiting our website at www.HillsBank.com/friends-club-events .
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VIRTUAL EVEENNTTSS Continued
Powder, Lipstick, and Perfume: The History of Women’s Compacts Thursday, February 18, 2:00 p.m., via Webex
Join Doris Montag to view a large collection of powder compacts and accessories in all their variety and glory. Doris has curated this collection and will share the history and social impact of compacts, and likely a tale or two. A longtime favorite of Friends Club members, Doris brings a homespun-style of storytelling about one “ordinary thing” or another. She is enthused to return to Friends Club through online events in 2021. More information about Doris can be found on her Facebook page, HistoryofOrdinaryThings, or in her monthly article featured in Mature Focus.
Historic Downtown Iowa City Buildings Tuesday, February 23, 11:00 a.m., via Webex
Tom Schulein, a retired Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, will join us to tell the stories of some 19 extant historic buildings within a defined area of downtown Iowa City. The local and national events at the time of their construction will be weaved into the narrative to provide some historical perspective.
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Bouncing Back: Being More Resilient with Aging Tuesday, March 9, 9:00 a.m., via Webex
Messages permeate every part of our society to convince us that aging brings decline, deterioration, and loss of purpose. How do we dispel the negative stereotypes of aging? How do we overcome the fears of aging? Join Beth Pelton, owner of Body Moves Fitness and Wellness Center, as she addresses resiliency, which is the ability to respond, adapt, and emerge from adverse challenges stronger, wiser, and with more health and energy. Practical action steps will be introduced to build resilience and to be able to better enjoy our mature years; the years that can be the very best part of life.
Post Office Murals: Putting a Stamp on Art Wednesday, March 17, 10:00 a.m., via Zoom
Have you ever noticed a mural painted on the wall of a United States Postal Office? Join Amanda Lensing, Senior Living Communities Program Coordinator with the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, as she discusses the State of Iowa’s 39 New Deal Post Office Murals sprinkled throughout the state. In fact, from 1934 to 1943, there were 1,400 murals created nationwide in 1,300 cities. Many of the artists Amanda will feature have local ties to Iowa and many were influenced by Grant Wood.
To register for one or more of the virtual events, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103. Please provide your name, so we can verify your membership status, and an active email address upon registering.
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Test Your General Knowledge Trivia – Two Options Available Option 1: Solo Trivia, Presentation Style, March 16, 2 p.m., via Zoom Option 2: Mixer Trivia, Breakout Rooms, March 18, 2 p.m., via Zoom Whether you consider yourself a trivia expert or more of a “learn as you go” participant, take some time for yourself and enjoy some general knowledge trivia, hosted via Zoom by Andrew’s Bar Exam, a longtime trivia provider. We have two options for you to choose from based on your comfort level and interest. Questions will be the same for both events, so please only register for one event. The Solo Trivia option will include the host presenting questions and the attendee answering on their own via an online answer sheet. You won’t have the option to see other people and they won’t see you. The Mixer Trivia will include the host presenting questions and then randomly assigning the attendees into breakout rooms to agree on the answer. You will be able to see others and they can see you. Again, please only register for one of the options.
The Friends Club Navigation series events will be recorded and made available online at www.HillsBank.com/friends-club-events approximately 3 business days following the virtual event.
To register for one or more of the virtual events, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103. Please provide your name, so we can verify your membership status, and an active email address upon registering.
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FRIENDS CLUB NAVIGATION SERIES INTRODUCING Finding the right resources when planning for retirement (or navigating life during retirement) can be challenging, so Hills Bank wants to help. In 2021, Friends Club will offer a series of virtual presentations aimed at connecting Friends Club members to Hills Bank experts on subjects pertinent to retired life. Each quarter will include presentations on separate topics, so feel free to attend any or all presentations in the series. From protecting your personal and financial well-being, to using Hills Bank’s products and services, to facilitating connections, each expert will provide guidance and education so you can venture through retirement with ease and confidence.
Navigating Fraud and Scams Wednesday, February 10, 10:00 a.m., via Webex
Join Christian Miller, Security Risk Management Officer, for a conversation about identity theft, which can be when a fraudster steals information like your name, credit card number, insurance information, social security number, and other important data to commit fraud or for financial gain. They may even pose as someone you know. Learn about commonly attempted scams, such as phishing attempts through phone and email and other evolving strategies fraudsters might use. Though fraud attempts change frequently, Christian will provide tips on identifying fraud quickly, as well as resources and strategies to protect yourself and your financial well-being against potential threats.
Navigating Finances in Retirement Thursday, March 4, 10:00 a.m., via Webex
Join Hills Bank’s Wealth Management Officers to learn some tips on navigating your finances in retirement. Topics discussed will include cash flow management, investing, and what to look for in a financial advisor. If you’re in need of guidance, resources, or simply have questions, let this trusted group of experienced financial experts provide you with the assistance to help you get started.
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EXTENDEDTRAVEL QUESTIONS
Are Star Destinations and Friends Club hosting the extended trips featured in this newsletter? In support of Star Destinations, Hills Bank is allowing the travel operator to promote trips to Hills Bank Friends Club members. These trips will be hosted by Star Destinations only and taken separately from Friends Club. At this time, Friends Club is not hosting or planning any 2021 trips. Who do I contact if I want more information on these trips or to register? With Star Destinations planning and hosting these trips, they are taking registrations and questions directly. Please contact Star Destinations. You can find their contact information within the insert on the next page.
Do you think Friends Club will travel again? We are very hopeful and will reassess everything this summer. Again, health and safety are our top priorities and deciding factors.
What will make you decide when it is safe to travel again? There are still many unanswered questions, and we plan to follow any guidelines in place. We plan to assess everything again this summer and survey our past travelers to get their thoughts and comfort levels.
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AMBASSADOR REFERRAL PROGRAM FRIENDS CLUB Congratulations to Paul Schwab , the 2020 winner of the Friends Club Ambassador Referral Program $1,000 drawing! Because Paul referred a friend or family member that opened a Friends Club Checking account, he was entered into our yearly drawing. Thank you!
Friends Club Ambassadors are an invaluable asset to the Club, and rewarding these loyal customers is very important to Hills Bank. Friends Club Ambassadors in 2021 will continue to enjoy these perks:
A $50 bonus for you and your friend** Entrance into a drawing to win a $1,000 cash**
Interested in becoming a Friends Club Ambassador? You'll become an Ambassador when you refer a friend to join Hills Bank and they open a Friends Club Checking account with a new deposit. Ambassadors must also meet membership requirements and use their Friends Club Checking account as their main checking account. You are eligible to receive these benefits each time you refer a friend. Remember, every person you refer to Friends Club – who opens a Friends Club Checking account – will qualify you to receive these benefits again, including another entry into the drawing. Visit any personal banker today or call 1-800-445-5725 to learn more. Thank you for your loyal support and membership!
* Hills Bank customers who are age 50 or better and maintain $10,000 in household deposits qualify to join Friends Club and to open a Friends Club (FC) Checking account. Friends Club Checking earns a variable interest rate. As of 7/22/20, balance over $10,000 earn an annual percentage yield (APY) of 0.25%, $9,999.99 to $1,000 earns (APY) of 0.15%, and under $1,000 earns (APY) of 0.10%. Fees may reduce earnings. $50 bonus will be paid when Friends Club Checking account is opened with a new bank deposit. ** Need not be present to win. Odds of winning will depend on the number of entries. New Friends Club Checking Accounts must be opened no later than 12/5/2021 and the drawing will be held on 12/8/2021. If you win the $1,000 cash drawing, Hills Bank will pay the Iowa State tax withholding requirement and the value will be reported on Hills Bank’s 1099MISC. For questions or more information, please call 319-358-2230 or email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com. No purchase required to enter.
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FINDING WRITTEN BY MEG SINNOTT, FRIENDS CLUB COORDINATOR Continental Co
Friends Club members may be feeling particularly isolated without in-person events and the adventure of travel. Despite being unable to explore a different culture or converse with a new person first-hand, a shared connection and sense of togetherness can be established by examining commonalities from afar, like how major continents view health and well-being, feeling purposeful, and maintaining relationships. Though the examples in this article resonate with “normal” life, hopefully a sense of connection to those more than six feet—maybe even oceans—apart develops, even if only for this moment. Maintaining Good Health Perhaps most unanimous globally, many cultures believe the secret to a long, healthy life resides in access to healthcare, engaging in physical activity, and combating stress. Beginning with Asia, a nation dedicated to preserving lifelong wisdom and showing respect, healthcare measures improved so extensively in cities like Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore, that travelers not only visit for general tourism but medical tourism as well (Seniors in Asia, 2012). Activity, whether of the social or physical variety, functions as its own form of healthcare for adults age 65 and older in Europe and Australia. In Europe, pursuing education, hobbies, volunteer opportunities, traveling, and being physically active brings utmost enjoyment to life (Ageing Europe, 2019). Australians seemingly agree with Europeans, as 86% participate in either volunteering, a social or community activity, or traveling to see family and friends (Older Australia, 2018). Striving for, and the methods to attain, good health universally bonds people across borders, even if only to agree on the difficulties of doing so. Feeling Purposeful Age and employment offers another connection point between the United States and continents like Europe and Africa, especially for working adults 65 and older. In Europe, about half of adults aged 65 and more are employed in a part-time capacity, and nearly 94% report higher levels of satisfaction at work than those in younger generations (Ageing Europe, 2019). In Sub-Saharan Africa, most adults age 60-64 remain in the workforce in some capacity due to financial responsibility (Trends in Africa, 2020). Many will work away from home, or for women specifically, provide in-home labor to support large families (Trends in Africa, 2020). Whether working full-time, part-time, or taking care of a family member, working adults 65 and older offer value, experience, and some of the best attitudes!
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onnection
Strengthening Relationships Many communities worldwide emphasize the impacts of close relationships on a person’s happiness and well-being. In Asia and South America specifically, living in a multigenerational household—with several generations under one roof—is believed to sustain familial development and contentment (Southeast Asia, 2020). In Southeast Asia, and especially in Thailand, almost 70% of the population lives in multigenerational households with three generations living under one roof in some cases
(Southeast Asia, 2020). Almost equally popular in South America, 1 in 4 households includes at least one older adult (The Reality, 2018). To reap the utmost benefits, Asian cultures carefully choose which child to live with—aside from just picking the favorite. In Vietnam for instance, parents consider a son’s home to be most beneficial, but in Thailand, parents prefer a daughter's home (Southeast Asia 2020). Sub-Saharan African households adopt a different dynamic, as grandparents raise nearly 8% of children. Considered the “youngest” continent due to 60% of the population being 25 and younger, grandparents assume the role of decision- maker and authority in most households (Young Africa, 2016). Regardless of how near a friend or family member is, seeing relationships as beneficial to overall well-being offers a kind reminder to connect with, and value, even the farthest away of family and friends.
...seeing relationships as beneficial to overall well-being
offers a kind reminder to connect with, and value, even the farthest away of family and friends.
If Not Now, Soon For Friends Club members eager to gather again or visit an exotic destination, in-person experiences can’t come soon enough. By looking outside the United States and relating to the similarities other continents express towards health and well-being, finding purpose, and maintaining relationships, the sense of isolation otherwise felt may start to dissipate. Best of all, when the next trip departs to one of these enticing continents, finding something in common with the locals won’t be an issue!
Sources: The Voice of Older Persons at EU Level-Eurostat 2019 Report. (2019). Age Platform Europe. https://www.age-platform.eu/publications/ageing-europe-looking-lives-older-people-eu-eurostat-2019-report Seniors Living in Asia I Retire in Asia. (2012, December 19). Retire in Asia. http://www.retireinasia.com/seniors-living-in-asia/ The ASEAN Post Team. (2020, February 16). Southeast Asia’s Rapidly Ageing Population. The Asean Post. https://theaseanpost.com/article/southeast-asias-rapidly-ageing-population Brown, R. L. (2016, December 19). In Dramatically Young Africa, Elderly are a Valuable Resource. The Christian Science Monitor. https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2016/1229/In-dramatically-young-Africa-elderly-are-a-valuable-resource New Census Report on Aging Trends in Africa. (2020, September 10). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/new-census-report-aging-trends-africa A.I.H.W. (2018, September 10). Older Australia at a Glance. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australia-at-a-glance/contents/social-economic-engagement/civic-social-participation Otey, D. P. (2018, March 31). The Reality of the Elderly in Latin America. LatinAmerican Post. https://latinamericanpost.com/20267-the-reality-of-the-elderly-in-latin-america
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How to Protect Yourself AgainsT
Fraud
WRITTEN BY NICK HASSETT, CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGIST; IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHRIS LEWIS, INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER; AND STEPHANIE THOMANN, TRANSACTION VERIFICATION OFFICER
As technology evolves to better serve bank customers like you, fraud is evolving too. In the past several years, the U.S. has seen a rise in sophisticated scams, phishing, and other fraudulent efforts designed to steal money and private information for nefarious purposes. By knowing what to look for and what to do if you see it, you can protect yourself and your loved ones against fraud and take action to safeguard your financial wellness.
Fraud in 2021 - What to Look For Fraud can usually be categorized in one of several ways, including:
Imposter Scams A scammer pretends to be someone you trust, such as a friend or family member, a bank employee, or a Social Security official. They may ask you to transfer money or provide personal information, such as your banking credentials, account or debit card number, PIN, or other sensitive data. You can protect yourself against these scams by: • Thinking twice about the caller or sender’s identity: Caller ID and email addresses can be faked. If you know how to get a hold of the sender via a different method, be sure to do so to verify their identity. • Avoiding suspect payment methods: Legitimate vendors, services, and government agencies rarely need you to pay via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. If someone asks you for these kinds of payments, that should raise a red flag. • Being willing to say no: Scammers may try to give you a sense of urgency to their request – especially over the phone. If you’re feeling pressured, be willing to firmly say “no,” and hang up. If the request is legitimate, you can contact the relevant party in a different way.
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Identity Theft This type of fraud may occur after an imposter scam – or it may seem to come completely out of the blue. Identity theft involves a fraudster stealing personal information such as your name, credit card number, insurance information, social security number, and other important data. Thieves use this info to access your bank accounts, open credit cards and loans in your name, file false tax returns to collect your refund, etc. If any of the following events happen to you, your identity may have been stolen: • Unexpected withdrawals from your bank account • Bills that normally come in the mail suddenly stop • Debt collectors call about debt you don’t recognize • Medical care providers send you bills for treatments you didn’t receive One of the best ways to make sure your identity hasn’t been stolen is to check your credit report regularly. You can get a free credit report with no strings attached at www.annualcreditreport.com
If you suspect your identity has been stolen, be sure to visit www.IdentityTheft.gov for a list of steps to take based on your circumstances.
Credit and Debit Card Fraud Credit and debit card fraud is one of the most common types of fraud, but thankfully it’s also one of the easiest to spot. Be sure to check your transaction statement each month, or better yet: keep up to date on your transactions in real time with online banking. If you see an unfamiliar transaction, reach out to your financial institution as soon as possible (contact information for Hills Bank is listed below).
If you think you see fraud or other suspicious activity on your account, please reach out to our Customer Contact Center as soon as possible. We’re available seven days a week by calling 1-800-445-5725 (1-800-HILLSBK): • Customer Contact Center Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. • After Hours Call Center: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Smartphone Pho WRITTEN BY CONRAD YUTZY, MARKETING OFFICER, DESIGN & PRODUCTION STRATEGIST
In the fall of 2018, I hosted a class for Friends Club members that focused (no pun intended) on how to get the most out of your camera. This class brought together different levels of photographers, including some that were even using their smartphones. As smartphone cameras are becoming more and more common, here are a few tips to help you take better photos with your smartphone. 1. Framing Your Subject – Believe it or not, you don’t always have to have your subject in the center of your photos. Sometimes it makes more sense to have your subject off to one side, allowing some negative space – or more of the background – in the image. This can create more of an interest in what or whom you are photographing. A simple trick to help you frame your subject is to turn on the grid lines in your settings.
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otography TIPS
2. Depth of Field – Adding depth to your photos is another way to make images more intriguing. For example, on an iPhone, you can use portrait mode. If you don’t have portrait mode, you can get closer to your focus point, making the background blurrier. This will really make your subject pop and stand out from the rest of the image. You'll notice the difference in the two images to the right. In the left image, the bowl of ornaments is the subject, and you can still notice other subtle detail in the image, for example, the
texture in the wall. If you look at the image on the right, you'll notice that the subject (ornament bowl) is much tighter in the shot and the focus point is much more shallow, blurring out much of the detail in the background.
3. Use Lenses – Now I know what you are thinking, “Can I really add a lens to my camera phone?” The answer is YES. These have gained popularity in the last couple of years and they can really offer some versatility in your photographs. For example, you could use a telephoto lens for your bird photography or a macro lens to get those great shots of the tiny little critters on a leaf. The best part about these lenses is that they just clip on to your phone!
If you have other tips for smartphone photography, we’d love to hear them! Just shoot us an email at FriendsClub@HillsBank.com .
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1st Quarter 2021
Craft Corner: ORIGAMI
ORIGAMI TULIPS VIDEO DEMONSTRATION SEARCH KEYWORDS ON YOUTUBE.COM: Craft Haven Origami Tulip
ORIGAMI CRANE VIDEO DEMONSTRATION SEARCH KEYWORDS ON YOUTUBE.COM: Craft Haven Origami Crane
FELT FORTUNE COOKIES If paper isn’t your material of choice, follow the steps below to create Martha Stewart’s Felt Fortune Cookies.
Materials Felt Ribbon Fabric shears Wire cutters Craft glue
Steps 1. Using fabric shears, cut a 4 1/2-inch-diameter circle from a piece of felt. Cut a piece of matching ribbon slightly shorter than 4 1/2 inches. Using wire cutters, cut a piece of floral wire slightly shorter than the length of ribbon. 2. Using craft glue, affix the wire to the middle of the felt circle. Glue ribbon on top, covering the wire. Let dry 30 minutes. 3. Fold the felt circle in half, using the wire as a guide,
so ribbon is inside cookie. Next, angle the sides toward each other, bending the wire at its halfway point and forming a fortune-cookie shape, as shown. 4. Assemble the fortune cookies. Carefully peel back one flap of the felt cookie, and insert a paper fortune and a few candies. Fold the flap back over to close cookie around contents.
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Friends Club News
Times are ever-changing, and while we welcome you in person or over the phone, another option to consider is immediately connecting with a banker through the convenience of your smartphone. You can message them at any time, just like texting, to take care of almost all of your banking needs by using the HERE by Hills Bank application. CONVENIENTLY CONNECT WITH YOUR BANKER SMARTPHONE BANKING IS HERE
What do I need to do to get this on my phone? Depending on your phone, you first need to download the HERE by Hills Bank application from the Apple App Store or Google Play. From there, the application will walk you through on how to set up your log-in and choose your banker(s). However, if you have the time, we’d love to help you get connected! Call your banker or Hills Bank location of choice to talk through the application or set up a time to visit with us. We look forward to hearing from you about HERE! Why would I use this? There are many different reasons someone may find the HERE application helpful. If you think you’d benefit from being able to text with a real Hills Bank banker on your smartphone— to do almost anything you could do in the bank—then this would be a great resource for you!
Your Friends Club team is waiting to connect with you in the HERE App, too! When trips and events return, we are happy to answer any questions. In the meantime, we can connect you with your personal banker of choice!
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1st Quarter 2021
SECURE ACT OF 2019 WRITTEN BY HILLS BANK WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP PART 3 OF 3
As a recap on the Secure Act 2019 article series, Part 1 of 3 discussed changes to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and Contributions; and Part 2 of 3 covered IRA distribution deadlines as well as Eligible Designated Beneficiaries.
Part 3 of 3 will cover how Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are affected with this legislation.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can be done by IRA owners and inherited IRA owners who are age 70½ or older. The SECURE Act raised the age of RMDs to 72, however the Act did not increase the age for QCDs. IRA assets are transferred directly from an IRA to an eligible charity, and the QCD dollar amount is then excluded from the account owner’s annual taxable income, up to a maximum amount of $100,000. This allows the owner to offset some or all of the required minimum distribution for the given year.
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Friends Club News
IRA owners who are eligible to make QCDs but are still making deductible contributions to an IRA will need to be cautious. The SECURE Act eliminated the 70½ age restriction for making deductible contributions to an IRA. Starting January 1, 2020, anyone with earned income, regardless of age, can contribute to a traditional IRA. However, IRA account owners must now reduce their intended QCDs by any deducted contribution amounts made into their IRAs after age 70½. Example: Loretta is 73 and has continued to work part time. Since the SECURE Act eliminated the age restriction on Traditional IRA contributions, she decides to make a deductible contribution of $7,000 to her IRA. Loretta is also a charitable person and in the same year as her contribution, she does a QCD for $10,000. The IRS views this as double-dipping. Loretta cannot combine both the $7,000 deductible contribution and the $10,000 tax-free QCD. Her otherwise tax-free QCD is reduced by the contribution amount, essentially causing $7,000 of her $10,000 QCD to be taxable. In addition to the SECURE Act’s complex formula, every post 70½ deductible IRA contribution is counted by the IRS. These annual post 70½ contributions are recorded and the aggregate follows the IRA owner, which therefore cancels the tax benefits of a future QCD. There are alternative tax strategies for individuals 70½ or better that are still contributing to an IRA and wish to make charitable contributions but avoid the anti- abuse rules outlined above. For example: • Rather than a QCD, taxpayers can donate highly appreciated assets from a taxable account. By doing so, the taxpayer avoids a capital gain recognition. • Taxpayers could contribute to a Roth IRA instead of a Traditional IRA, since only contributions to Traditional IRAs conflict with the QCD rules outlined above. • Instead of deducting a Traditional IRA contribution, taxpayers can deliberately make non-deductible contributions to a Traditional IRA, which would avoid the conflict with QCD rules.
For additional questions we recommend you make an appointment with your tax advisor. As always feel free call the Hills Bank’s Wealth Management team at (319) 338-1522.
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1st Quarter 2021
RIDDLE ME THAT STATE Can you guess the state(s) that are being described by the clues below? FUN&GAMES
1. What state traveled by an island? 2. What is the band-aid state? 3. What state has 10/10 vision? 4. What state is most colorful? 5. What is the friendliest state? 6. In what state can you get a good tan? 7. What state does the most laundry? 8. What two states do you miss the most? 9. What state no longer contains any ore? 10. What state has fresh ham? 11. What state takes away our jobs? (slang) 12. What state likes tiny drinks? 13. What state is most important? 14. What state has a key tucked away? 15. What state is only half land? 16. What are the four newest states? 17. What state has a pen name? 18. What state went to see a friend?
19. What state sounded sick? 20. What state asks a question?
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Friends Club News
NEEDLE HUNT
Look high, low, and in-between for the hidden needle. And no, the needle below is not the hidden needle, just an example of what you’re looking for on one of the pages of this newsletter. When you have a guess, email your name and the page number to FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103 by February 19. If your guess is correct, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card*. Two winners will be drawn and notified on February 22.
Congratulations to Denise N. from Hiawatha and Louella S. from Riverside for finding the needle on page 6 (located in the gold bar dividing the two recipes) of the fourth quarter newsletter, and being drawn as our two winners of the $25 gift cards. Thank you to everyone who submitted their guess!
*No purchase required to enter or win. Need not be present to win. Odds of winning dependent upon number of entries.
NAME THAT STATE ANSWERS
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1st Quarter 2021
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