It's America Saves Week! 

Since 2007, America Saves Week – a national campaign, co-sponsored by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council – has been a call to action encouraging individuals and families to successfully save money, reduce debt, build wealth and create better financial habits.

Join us as we share inspiring tools and resources to help you save successfully and work toward building financial confidence.

Scroll down to see more on America Saves Week, Charter Bank in the news, our new employee spotlight, safety and security during tax season, and our current CD Special.

Congratulations Nikki Mulbrook, AVP Grimes Market Manager for Charter Bank, on receiving Ankeny Young Professional of the Year for 2022 at the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on February 16th! What a fantastic achievement! Pictured (L-R): Matt Morris, CEO; Nikki Mulbrook, VP Grimes Market Manager; and Sharm Sisler, COO - all from Charter Bank.

Introducing Dani Chrisco, Universal Banker in Ankeny, who started at Charter Bank in February 2022.

Dani grew up in Huxley and graduated from Ballard High School, she went on to graduate with a BS in Marketing and a BS in Business from Iowa State University. Dani began her banking career in high school as a Teller at a local bank in Huxley through a school to work program. She worked there throughout and after college. Dani continued to grow and develop, moving up to Personal Banker and then Marketing Director.

She stays involved in the community by volunteering for her kids' activities: sports, music, and music and athletic booster clubs. Dani also volunteers for Sole Hope and Ordinary Hero (charities that focus on orphan support - primarily in Ethiopia) as well as The Fence Project and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. 

Read on to find out more about Dani.

1.) Family Members: I have two daughters (14 and 16) and three sons (13-year-old twins and 14). 

2.) Many people don’t know that: I am naturally incredibly shy and I get very absorbed in what I'm currently reading.

3.) The best advice I ever got was:
- Many people today would rather be noticed than do something noteworthy. Choose to do something noteworthy.
- Never stop learning and growing as a person.
- “We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”– Joseph Campbell
- There is power in hope, strength in words, courage in beliefs, and resilience to be found when you’ve established a positive and productive mindset.

4.) Personal Goals to be a successful Charter Banker:
- Developing a sense of each individual's strong points along with areas that may need to be more developed, their goals, and what is needed to achieve those goals
- Determining the direction you want to go, establishing goals to get there, developing confidence, remaining flexible & ready to adapt when needed

On January 18th, (from L-R) Brien Scandridge, VP Johnston Market Manager for Charter Bank; Ciara Halverson, Waukee Branch Loan Officer; and Greg Grote, President of Charter Bank attended the 2023 Waukee Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown. 

Pictured from left to right: Matt Morris, CEO; Nikki Mulbrook, AVP Grimes Market Manager; Brien Scandridge, VP Johnston Market Manager; and Greg Grote, President - all for Charter Bank - enjoyed the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development Annual Dinner on January 30th. Nikki was also on the Volunteer Task Force to help plan, and organize the event.

Mark Rheinschmidt, VP Commercial Lending; Sharm Sisler, COO; Matt Morris, CEO; and Brooke Ruddy, Marketing Manager (pictured L-R) - all for Charter Bank - enjoyed the "The Price is Local" themed event at the Johnston Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on February 9th. Mark was a member of the planning committee for the event. Fun was had by all!

A great place to start building your financial confidence is to set up automatic savings. When you are saving a dedicated amount of money every week, every month, or on some other regular interval, you can begin to feel a sense of control over your saving habits. Click to read more.

How often have you heard that saving for life’s unexpected events is very important and a necessary part of being financially prepared? Instead of focusing on what you haven’t accomplished, click to read the blog with a few strategies to consider that may help you build your financial confidence and begin or continue on your path to saving for the unexpected.

What do homes, education, and retirement all have in common? They are major life milestones that require advance planning and saving large amounts of money. That amount of advance planning and money saved that is needed may make you doubt your ability to reach these goals. Even if you don’t feel that way today, you may have in the past or may in the future.