High Country Bank 
OFFERS SIX TIPS FOR SAVING SUCCESS
Encourages Customers to Take Advantage of America Saves Week, Feb. 23 - 28
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Dear High Country Bank Customers,

In recognition of America Saves Week Feb. 23 - 28, we would like to offer some tips to help you, our customers, assess and improve your saving strategy.
"America Saves Week is an opportunity to step back and ask ourselves if we're doing all we can to meet our goals," said Jodi Baldiwn, Vice President of Operations at High Country Bank. "A few small changes can have a big impact on your financial future."
            
To put you on the path towards saving success, we offer the following tips:
  • Set a goal. The first step is to establish a realistic savings goal. Consider your expenses, make a budget and determine how much you can put away each month.
  • Track your spending. Hold yourself to the budget you've set by tracking your expenses. Consider using websites that segment your spending so you can easily see what areas, if any, you are going over budget then adjust accordingly.
  • Pay yourself first. Arrange to have a specific amount transferred to your savings account every pay period. If you wait till the end of the month to see what's left over, you are less likely to save.
  • Consult a banker. Stop in to High Country Bank and speak with a banker about which package of products and services would best suit your saving needs.
  • Consider investments. For long-term goals, such as saving for a home or retirement, look into bonds, mutual funds, real estate and stocks. 
  • Set up automatic bill pay. Although 97 percent of Americans pay their bills on time, some consumers find themselves paying late fees. Set up automatic bill pay so you're never paying more than you have to.

America Saves Week is coordinated by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council. Started in 2007, the week is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status. We are here for you, our customers.  Happy savings!  

Warmly,

Your Friends at High Country Bank
High Country Bank 2016 Employee of the Year, Chelsea Sack

Chelsea Sack is someone who demonstrates integrity, delivers results, communicates well, is approachable, and adaptable.  Chelsea has passion, solves any problem put before her, and takes the opportunity to broaden her experiences.  She is also an employee who continues to promote a positive working environment and is a person that one can enjoy working with everyday, because she is that amazing!  Because of all of these reasons, it is an honor to name Chelsea Sack as High Country Bank's employee of the year.  

Chelsea's peers shared the following:

"Chelsea is always kind and patient.  I can bounce ideas off of Chelsea and she makes me feel appreciated."

"Chelsea is the most dependable co-worker at High Country bank.  She approaches her work with passion and performs her duties with promptness and perfection.  She has astounding breadth of knowledge and helps immensely in answering very specific and technical questions.  Chelsea is an invaluable resource at the bank."

"I can ask Chelsea the same question more than once, and she never gets frustrated with me, and she is always patient when helping me walk through a transaction that I may not have encountered before.  Chelsea is always willing to help, even if it may not be in her job description."

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Charity of the Month

High Country Bank is proud to announce its February Charities of the Month;
A Little Help in Salida, Alliance Against Domestic Abuse in Buena Vista, and Heart of Colorado CASA in Canon City.  
  
Happy Chinese New Year, Salida!

High Country Bank is proud to be a Golden Dragon Sponsor supporting the Salida Creativity Lab and area students as they present Happy Chinese New Year, Salida!, a parade and multicultural celebration which is free for the community, at the Longfellow Elementary gymnasium on February 4, 2017, at 6:00pm. 

Throughout the month of January, Salida Creativity Lab will work with over 200 students in our community. Children ages 4 to 14 from 3 schools, 12 classes, and 9 grade levels will work together to create dragon-inspired movement, costumes, and props culminating in a Chinese New Year parade and celebration for the community.  After the parade, the community is invited to stay for new year activities and crafts, listen to music, and enjoy a multicultural potluck. The event is free and open to the public, and will be a lively and fun event for the whole family!  We hope to see you there!

Salida Middle School's Got Talent

High Country is proudly supporting this year's Salida Middle School Parent Teacher Association (SMPTO), as they present  Salida Middle School's GOT TALENT on February 9th at Salida High School Auditorium, at 6 pm.  SMPTO works to organize, collaborate, and provide support for Salida Middle School educators, programs and facilities.  Please come out and show your support for these talented children!

High Country Bank Continues Support of Salida Soup




It is with pleasure that High Country Bank continues to support Sellars Project Space as they orchestrate Salida Soup, which is a monthly community-based potluck where participants, through this micro-granting dinner, assist a variety of projects in 
the Upper Arkansas River Valley.  Traditionally, January's "soup pot" is presented to Sellars Project Space as they work their hearts out every month allowing this innovative program to continue.   Thanks to Jimmy Sellars and Mark Monroe for their dedication and passion.   









The Chocolate Lover's Fantasy

Your friends at High Country Bank would like to remind you of The Chocolate Lover's Fantasy.  The Alliance Against Domestic Abuse will be hosting the 32nd ANNUAL CHOCOLATE LOVER'S FANTASY on Saturday, February 4th from 5:30-8:00pm at High Country Bank in Buena Vista. Appetizers, wine and beer,  live music, and lots of CHOCOLATE!  Please come out and support the Alliance.  
 


Basketball for a Cause

High Country Bank made a donation this past month to Upper Arkansas Valley Basketball Officials. This donation will benefit a close colleague who is battling cancer.  Every season the UAVBC donates their time and their fees for one week, to cancer awareness.  Thank you for giving back to a cause that is close to our hearts.     

Holiday Hours

All High Country Bank locations will be closed on February 20, 2017, in honor of Presidents Day.     

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We are grateful to have the opportunity to engage our neighbors and work with them in "Building Futures Together."  Visit us at www.highcountrybank.net and please like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/HighCountryBank.   Member FDIC.

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