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Failed Bank Information Question and Answer Guide for Sherman County Bank, Loup City, Nebraska (with three branches doing business as Howard County Bank) FDIC Call Center Toll free number 1-800-823-5346 Hours of Operation – Central Time Friday, February 13, 2009:   Until 9:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2009:   9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2009:   Noon – 6:00 p.m. Thereafter Monday - Friday:   8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Is My Account Fully Insured? (https:www2.fdic.gov/drrip/afi/index.asp) Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (www.myfdicinsurance.gov) The total balance in your account(s) has been transferred to Heritage Bank, Wood River, Nebraska and will be available for transactions during regular business hours at the former Sherman County Bank branches. You can continue to use your same checks, ATM cards and Debit cards until notified. All direct deposits including Social Security checks will continue as usual.

DEPOSIT QUESTIONS

What if I have more than $250,000 in my accounts at Sherman County Bank (with three branches doing business as Howard County Bank)?

All deposit accounts have been transferred in their entirety to Heritage Bank, based in Wood River, Nebraska. Due to the President’s Day holiday on Monday, all former Sherman County Bank offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, February 17th, as branches of Heritage Bank.

As an All-Deposit Transfer transaction, the total of all deposit accounts, whether within FDIC insurance limits or not, have been assumed by Heritage Bank and will be available for business as usual.

I have been advised there is a hold on my account. What does that mean?

It is possible a depositor’s account was held due to delinquent loans where the depositor is the borrower or guarantor. Additionally, any account pledged as collateral for a loan will continue to be held. A letter will be sent informing you of any holds placed by the FDIC, along with instructions on how to proceed. If you have any questions regarding these holds, please call your loan officer or the FDIC at the number provided in the letter.

Can I continue to write checks or use my ATM/Debit card?

You will be able to continue using your personal checks at this time, and your ATM/Debit card will continue to work. The ATM machine will be unavailable for a short period of time on Friday for processing; however, it will be operational shortly after that is accomplished and will be available as usual.

I am a deposit broker or I have brokered deposits. What do I need to do?

As an All-Deposit Transfer transaction, the total of all deposit accounts, including brokered deposits, have been assumed by Heritage Bank. Be advised, however, that from and after the date of closing, the Heritage Bank will accrue and pay interest on deposit liabilities at a rate it shall determine; accordingly, the Heritage Bank shall permit depositors, including brokered depositors, impacted by reduced rates to withdraw their deposits without penalty for early withdrawal.

A merchant will not honor my check. What can I do?

A copy of this document or the press release (www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2009/pr09020.html) can be provided since both documents state all deposits have been transferred to Heritage Bank, and it is business as usual. Copies of this press release will be available at the former Sherman County Bank branches. Depositors or merchants can also call the FDIC at 1-800-823-5346 or the former Sherman County Bank branches.

How do I claim my account(s)?

Your account(s) has already been transferred to Heritage Bank, and your account(s) will be handled as usual. Any withdrawal, renewal or additional deposits will “claim” your account. Please be advised that if there is no activity in your account in the next 18 months, that money will be turned over to your state as unclaimed property. Unclaimed property can be located by visiting www.missingmoney.com or contacting your state treasurer ’s office or office of unclaimed property.

How does this failure affect me?

All deposits (both insured and uninsured) of Sherman County Bank have been transferred to Heritage Bank, and it will be business as usual. If you held an account at Sherman County Bank, you now have an account at Heritage Bank that is available to you at your former Sherman County Bank branches during regular business hours.

If you had a loan with Sherman County Bank, please continue to make your payments to the same address as you have in the past until you are instructed otherwise. Continue to make your checks payable to Sherman County Bank.

The former Sherman County Bank locations will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, February 17th. You will have continued access to your money through your ATM/debit card and by writing checks.

Can Sherman County Bank customers use Heritage Bank branches?
No, not at this time. During the transition of Sherman County Bank records to Heritage Bank systems, Sherman County Bank customers should continue to conduct their banking business at former Sherman County Bank branches. You will be notified when you can use Heritage Bank branches.


Similarly, existing Heritage Bank customers cannot use former Sherman County Bank branches and should continue to conduct their business at Heritage Bank branches.

I already have other deposit accounts with the new bank. When combined with balances at this bank, my deposits exceed $250,000. Are all funds insured?

The transferred accounts will be separately insured for at least six months after the merger. This grace period gives a depositor the opportunity to restructure his or her accounts, if necessary.

CDs from the assumed bank are separately insured until the earliest maturity date after the end of the six-month grace period. CDs that mature during the six-month period and are renewed for the same term and in the same dollar amount (either with or without accrued interest) continue to be separately insured until the first maturity date after the six-month period. If a CD matures during the six-month grace period and is renewed on any other basis, it would be separately insured only until the end of the six-month grace period.

What will happen to my direct deposits?

Direct Deposits will continue as normal, including Social Security checks. If you need to change anything in the future, please contact or visit your former Sherman County Bank branch location to make those arrangements.

Will I incur an early withdrawal penalty if I close my CD before maturity?

No. You may withdraw funds from any transferred account without an early withdrawal penalty until you enter into a new deposit agreement with your new bank. Entering into a new deposit agreement can be done by either renewing your CD or making a deposit to, or a withdrawal from, your account.

How will I get my final account statement(s) from Sherman County Bank?

You will receive your account statements at the same time you have received them in the past.

Will I continue to earn interest at the same rate?

All interest on insured deposits accrued through Friday, February 13, will be paid at your same rate. Heritage Bank will be reviewing rates and will provide further information soon.

Can I cash my interest check or cashier's check?

Interest checks and cashier's checks will continue to clear.

Why doesn’t my Internet connection to Sherman County Bank work?

The bank website will be available for regular transactions on Saturday, February 14th.

What if I have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Will my savings still be insured?

Yes, all deposits, including IRAs have been transferred in their entirety to Heritage Bank. IRA funds are insured separately from other types of accounts up to $250,000.

If you close your IRA before maturity, you have 60 days to roll this over into another retirement vehicle. You should consult IRS Publication 590 and/or your tax advisor concerning the possible tax consequences of such distribution. IRS Publication 590 may be obtained by contacting your local IRS office or via the Internet at www.irs.gov.

Will I lose anything on my deposit account?

No. All accounts have been transferred in their entirety to Heritage Bank and will be available starting on Tuesday, February 17th.

What will happen to the checks which have not cleared my account?

Checks drawn on Sherman County Bank that did not clear before Friday, February 13, will be honored up to your available balance.

What if I need information regarding my account during the time Sherman County Bank was in business?

Please contact a representative of your new bank at your former Sherman County Bank branch location to obtain a copy of any records you may need or visit your branch.

Who will send my 1098 and/or 1099 information after the end of the year?

Heritage Bank will be responsible for mailing your 1099 tax information. Your 1098 reporting will be done by the FDIC or the servicer of your loan. You will be notified of any changes in ownership or servicing of your loan.

Will I collect my uninsured deposits?

All deposits have been transferred in their entirety to Heritage Bank; therefore, there are no uninsured deposits.

Can funds be wired to me?

Please contact your former Sherman County Bank branch location to obtain information regarding your wire request.

LOAN QUESTIONS

Will my automatic transaction payment still occur on its assigned date?

You should experience no disruption in this service. We encourage you to check your bank account the day after your scheduled draft to verify the transaction. If the transaction did not occur, please notify your loan officer and we will research your loan.

Will construction draws continue? Will my project be completed?

Each loan is being reviewed independently, and you should direct your questions to your loan officer. These will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Will my subcontractors be paid as before?

Each loan is being reviewed independently and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. You should direct your questions to your loan officer.

Will you continue to pay my escrows?

All services previously performed related to your loan will continue. Should you receive notification that any portion of your taxes or insurance were not paid, please notify your loan officer immediately.

Are there any changes to fees or charges due to this event?

No. The current fee structure will remain the same.

Who is my lender and has my loan contact changed?

Your loan is currently owned by the FDIC Receivership and is being serviced by all of the same personnel with whom you have worked in the past. All prior contacts remain the same.

Will my loan be sold?

Your loan may be sold at a future undetermined date. If that occurs, you will be notified in advance through written correspondence. If you are concerned about whom your future lender or servicer will be, you have the right to independently refinance your loan with another lender.

Can I continue to perform advances on my line of credit? I need money to buy feed for my livestock or other needs.

All lines of credit, including Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), have been suspended at this time and have been retained by the FDIC Receivership. It is our intention to sell your loan. The Receiver is not a bank. We have the ability to fund some short-term needs if in the best interest of the Receiver, but any funding and issuance of a check is not immediate. We encourage you to seek financing from another bank. They will be able to better serve your needs on an ongoing basis. You may contact Heritage Bank at your old Sherman County Bank Location to discuss establishing a borrowing relationship.

I have a loan currently in process. How is my loan impacted?

Please contact your loan officer directly.

Will my loan sweep be discontinued?

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your loan officer.

Will my overdraft line of credit continue to cover my overdrafts?

Yes. These lines have been transferred to Heritage Bank. Please contact your new bank if you have additional questions regarding your accounts.

How and where do I make my payments?

You should continue to make your payments as agreed. Make checks payable to Sherman County Bank and utilize the same payment address information.

You may continue to make your payments at the branch or by phone via check or credit card.

If I refinance with another lender, will my pre-payment penalty be waived?

Any pre-payment penalties will be waived as long as FDIC as Receiver is in control of the loan, and the borrower refinances the outstanding balance with another financial institution.

What will happen to my SBA/FSA loan application in process?

The FDIC as Receiver for Sherman County Bank will not be originating any new loans.

If your loan has been approved by the SBA/FSA, but is not yet funded, please contact your loan officer. He will direct you to the proper SBA/FSA contact to help you locate another approved lender.

If your loan is in process, but is not yet approved by the SBA/FSA, we will release your SBA/FSA package on file with us to you, and you will need to apply with another SBA/FSA-approved lender. Please contact your loan officer to make arrangements to retrieve your application from the bank.

What will happen to my loan?

Each loan is currently being reviewed independently to determine the best action for that individual loan. If you are concerned about whom your future lender or servicer may be, you have the right to independently refinance your loan with another lender.

Since the FDIC Receivership now owns the loans and some borrowers are facing financial difficulty, will you foreclose on properties?

At this point, we have suspended all foreclosure actions in order to properly evaluate the loans and the borrower’s ability to repay. It is our intention to sell all loans, and it will be up to the new owner to determine the best method of collection on the loan. There may be instances where will continue with the foreclosure process, but this will be done on a case-by-case basis.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Why do all deposits, insured and uninsured, pass is some transactions but not in others?

The FDIC is required by law to employ the least-cost resolution measure for each failed financial institution. The most frequent result is for the FDIC to transfer only the insured deposits in a merger transaction. The FDIC is only able to transfer all deposits if the uninsured amounts are covered by the premium. The FDIC has been able to transfer all deposits in about 25% of the failures over the past 15 years.

How can I find out more about Federal Deposit Insurance rules?

You may access our website, which contains deposit insurance information and an Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE):

You may also order any FDIC publication:

I represent a TV/Newspaper/Radio and would like some information.

Please contact the Office of Public Affairs:

Is the new bank insured by the FDIC?

Yes. Your deposit at Heritage Bank is insured by the FDIC, and each depositor is insured to at least $250,000, as established by law.

How can I claim the contents of my safe deposit box?

It is business as usual. You may go to your branch and access your safe deposit box or make appointments by calling your former Sherman County Bank branch location.

I am a shareholder. What happens to my shares?

The Sherman County Bank had no publicly owned stock. Equity shareholders were invested in the holding company, Sherman County Management, Inc., and not in the bank. Please do not file a claim with the receiver, rather contact the holding company with any questions you may have.

I did some work for Sherman County Bank and have not yet been paid. What should I do?

Please send your bills to the following address:

What happened, why did the bank fail?

Sherman County Bank, Loup City, NE was closed Friday, February 13, by the Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance. Subsequently, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was appointed Receiver. According to regulatory policy, there is no advance notice given to the public. Please see the Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance press release for more information.

The good news is that no one lost any deposits as a result of the closure of Sherman County Bank. To protect depositors, the FDIC Board of Directors approved the assumption of ALL of Sherman County Bank’s deposits by Heritage Bank, headquartered in Wood River, Nebraska.

How can I apply to work for FDIC as a contractor or employee?

You may access information about doing business with the FDIC at
Procurement Opportunities (www.fdic.gov/buying/goods/opportunities/index.html)

You must also register in the Central Contractor Registration database at www.ccr.gov.
Entry into the database is not a guarantee that a contractor will receive a future solicitation.

You may also call 1-866-308-4470 for more information or send an email to ProcurementOpportunities@fdic.gov. Please include a statement of your corporate capabilities, contact information and Minority or Women-Owned Business (MWOB) status, if any.

To review positions currently available at the FDIC, visit Careers at FDIC (www.fdic.gov/about/jobs/index.html).

Last Updated 4/3/2009

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