Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q:
Will First Guaranty Bank continue to provide privacy of my personal
information?
A: First Guaranty Bank has always complied with the
Federal Privacy Policy and is vigilant in protecting the personal information
of its customers. The Privacy Policy
Disclosure you received remains in effect.
Q:
Will I still receive the same friendly service?
A: Delivering the same quality customer service
is very important to First Guaranty Bank, and we promise to continue providing
the same high level of customer service.
Q:
When will the legal merger date occur?
A: The legal merger date is scheduled for the
close of business on Monday, July 30, 2007.
Q:
Will I continue to bank at my current branch?
A: Yes, you can continue to bank at the
Ponchatoula and Walker locations along with 16 additional locations of combined
strength of First Guaranty Bank.
However, because of the proximity of the Homestead Bank and First
Guaranty Bank Amite locations, the Amite Office of Homestead Bank will be consolidated
at the close of business on Tuesday, July 31, 2007. You will continue to enjoy the same friendly
service of the Amite Branch employees of Homestead Bank at the Amite Branch of
First Guaranty Bank located at
Q:
Will I experience an immediate change to my Checking and Savings
Account?
A: We have compared your checking and savings accounts
with Homestead Bank to the current First Guaranty Bank products. Based on the activity of your current
Q:
Because my checking and savings account types will change, do I need to
take any action?
A: No, you will not need to take any action
regarding your checking or savings account type. First Guaranty Bank will take care of this change
for you, and you will receive correspondence regarding your account prior to the
close of business on Tuesday, July 31, 2007.
Q:
Will I still have access to my Passbook Savings Account?
A: Your Passbook Savings Account will be
converted to a Statement Savings Account.
Your passbook savings account will no longer be available. Savings account statements will be mailed
quarterly unless there is activity on the account. If there is any electronic activity on the
savings account during the month, a statement will be mailed monthly.
You
may update your savings account upon receipt of your statement.
Q:
Will my Savings, Checking, Certificates of Deposit, IRAs and Loan
Account numbers remain the same?
A: Yes, all account numbers will remain the
same.
Q:
Can I continue using my current checks and deposit tickets?
A: Yes.
First Guaranty Bank will provide you with a complimentary order of checks
from Deluxe Check Printers. That’s up to
150 checks free. Upon receipt of your First
Guaranty Bank checks, please return your unused Homestead Bank checks to any
First Guaranty Bank location. Please
give the checks to a Teller or Customer Service Representative. You can rest assured that all checks will be
destroyed immediately. You may begin using your new First Guaranty
Bank checks beginning Monday, August 13, 2007.
If you order checks from a third party, please contact a Customer
Service Representative.
Q:
I have deposit accounts at both Homestead Bank and First Guaranty
Bank. How does this affect my FDIC
coverage?
A: The savings and checking accounts held with
Homestead Bank at the close of business on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 will have
separate FDIC coverage for six months from that date based on the regulatory
limits of the FDIC. Certificates of
Deposit will have separate coverage until the first maturity date after the six
month period. After the interim period
has passed, the deposits will be combined with your First Guaranty Bank
deposits for purposes of FDIC coverage.
If you hold deposits with both Homestead Bank and First Guaranty Bank,
you may contact a Customer Service Representative to determine the best way to
structure your accounts for maximum FDIC coverage.
Q:
How will my deposit account statement with First Guaranty Bank change?
A: You will receive a final deposit account
statement on all deposit accounts from Homestead Bank as of the close of
business on Thursday, August 9, 2007.
Your
First Guaranty Bank personal checking account statement is scheduled to print
on the 4th of each month. Savings
account statements will be mailed quarterly unless there is any electronic activity
on the account. If there is any
electronic activity on the savings account during the month, a statement will
be mailed monthly.
Business
account statements will be mailed at the end of each month. Your First Guaranty Bank statements will have
the same general account information and format.
Q: Can I continue using my Homestead Bank Visa
Debit Card?
A: If you have a Homestead Bank Visa debit card,
you may use your Homestead Bank Visa debit card through the close of business
on Thursday, August 9, 2007. Because of
the uncertainty of the timeframe of the conversion completion, you may
experience an interruption of service between the close of business on
Thursday, August 9, 2007 and Monday, August 13, 2007.
First Guaranty Bank will provide you
with a new MasterCard debit card to begin using Monday, August 13, 2007. Your
new card will have the First Guaranty Bank logo, a new debit card number along
with a new Personal Identification Number (PIN). You will need to activate your card prior to
using.
Upon receipt of your new debit card, you
will have the option of changing the PIN at any First Guaranty Bank ATM.
If you have not received your debit card
and PIN by Monday, August 13, 2007, you can stop by one of our branches and
receive an instant issue ATM card along with a new PIN. Our ATM card can be used for withdrawals or
points of sale at most retailers.
Q:
Can I continue using my Homestead Bank ATM Card?
A: Please
come in to any First Guaranty Bank location on Monday, August 6, 2007 to
complete a new ATM card application.
Upon completion of an application, we will immediately provide you with
a new ATM card to begin using the next business day. Your new card will have the First
Guaranty Bank logo, a new ATM card number along with a new Personal
Identification Number (PIN). You will
need to activate your card prior to using.
Upon receipt of your new ATM card, you will have the option of changing the PIN at any First Guaranty Bank ATM.
Q:
Can I continue to use online banking and bill pay?
A: As we
prepare for the conversion of our banking networks, you will experience an
interruption in your online banking/bill pay services as of the close of
business on Monday, August 6, 2007 through Sunday, August 12, 2007. You can continue to use online banking
through midnight of Wednesday, August 8, 2007 while bill pay will only be
available until midnight Monday, August 6, 2007. A separate letter will be sent that will
address this in greater detail.
Q:
Can I continue to make my installment loan and mortgage loan payments at
the same address?
A: Yes, you can continue to make your payments at
the Homestead Bank Ponchatoula and Walker Offices. You can continue to make
payments at the Homestead Bank Amite Office until the close of business on Tuesday,
July 31, 2007. Beginning Wednesday, August
1, 2007, you may also make your payments at the First Guaranty Bank Amite location.
Q:
Will my Home Equity Line of
Credit payment due date change after the merger:
A: Your Home Equity Line of Credit payment due
date will not change.
Q:
Can I continue to use my Home Equity Line of Credit access checks after
the merger?
A: Yes, if you have line of credit access
checks, you can continue using these to access your line. The next time you order checks, you will
receive checks with First Guaranty Bank’s logo.
Q:
Will I have 24-hour access to my accounts with First Guaranty Bank?
A: Yes, you may access your First Guaranty Bank
account at anytime, beginning Monday, August 13, 2007, 24 hours a day, on our automated
voice response unit at 1-877-375-0610 or 985-375-0400. To enroll, you can stop by one of our branches
to complete an application beginning Monday, August 6, 2007.
Additionally,
personal assistance is available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until
5:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. For personal assistance, you may call 866-511-0490
outside of the calling area or locally at 985-345-0490 or 985-345-7685.
Q:
Will First Guaranty Bank continue to support our local communities?
A: Yes, because of the combined forces of two
great banks, we will continue to actively reinvest time and dollars in our
local communities.