May 13, 2020
Limited Reopening of Lobbies
On May 18, 2020, the American State Bank lobbies will open by appointment with restrictions and limitations. We remain committed to the health and safety of our customers, employees and community.
American State Bank will limit the number of customers permitted to enter the lobby based on branch size. In order to do so, doors will be locked. Customers wishing to enter the lobby will be met by one of our friendly staff members. An ASB employee will ask customers a few simple questions related to health and travel. Customers wearing protective equipment on their face will be asked to temporarily remove their mask for identification. Once identified, you are welcome to put your mask back in place.
We encourage you to maintain social distancing at all times. No handshakes, just kind greetings.
We will have a hand sanitation station and we will wipe counters tops and desks between each customer.
As a reminder, American State Bank offers several ways to access your accounts and meet your banking needs without visiting a branch lobby, including:
- Online banking
- American State Bank mobile app
- Remote check deposit through American State Bank mobile app
- Drive-thru accessibility
- ATMs
- Debit Cards
- Online statements
American State is committed to you, our customer. We are here to help you through these difficult and uncertain times.
May 11, 2020
Did you receive an EIP Stimulus Payment that you are not qualified to receive (deceased person, incarcerated person or nonresident alien)? The IRS has released information for how you can return the funds:
If the payment was a paper check:
- Write "Void" in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
- Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Don't staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
- Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.
If the payment was a paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit:
- Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
- Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP.
The IRS website also lists the locations for return. For Texas addresses it is:
Austin Refund Inquiry Unit
3651 S Interregional Hwy 35
Mail Stop 6542
Austin, TX 78741
For more information click here.
April 24, 2020
On April 24, 2020, The Federal Reserve Board announced an interim final rule to amend Regulation D (Reserve Requirements of Depository Institutions) to delete the six-per-month limit on convenient transfers from the "savings deposit" definition. The interim final rule allows depository institutions immediately to suspend enforcement of the six transfer limit and to allow their customers to make an unlimited number of convenient transfers and withdrawals from their savings deposits at a time when financial events associated with the Coronavirus pandemic have made such access more urgent. American State Bank has suspended tracking for excess debits on all Savings and Money Market accounts, as well as a waiving excess debit charges (i.e. $1.50 in excess of 6 debits).
April 16, 2020
Questions about the status of your Economic Impact Payment? Visit www.irs.gov
April 15, 2020
April 13, 2020
April 9, 2020
Center Branch
163 Cass-Caid Drive
Center, TX 75935
936.590.4500
Haslam Branch
13218 US Hwy 84 E
Joaquin, TX 75954
936-269-3175
April 7, 2020
April 6, 2020
April 3, 2020
Old Jacksonville Branch
5202 Old Jacksonville Hwy.
Tyler, TX 75703
903.266.5500
Troup Hwy. Branch
1116 Troup Hwy.
Tyler, TX 75701
903.266.9744
March 30, 2020
COVID-19 IMPACT AND SCAMS
Fraudsters are using the Coronavirus as an opportunity to scam consumers and financial institutions. Below are a few warning signs so you can better protect yourself from financial harm.
- E-mail and text message phishing scams, disguised as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), are being circulated throughout the world. The messages contain malicious links that download malware. The malware gives cyber-criminals access to the victims’ data. We encourage you to obtain information directly from the CDC or WHO website(s) and reputable sources.
- Fundraising Scams are set-up by fake charities that solicit donations from consumers. They claim to be involved in fighting the spread of the Coronavirus.
- Scammers are targeting consumers and encouraging them to “reserve a COVID-19 vaccination over the phone.” The scammer will obtain personal information from the victim, including credit card and social security numbers. They claim to be from the CDC, and they are reserving vaccines for “high-risk” individuals. There are NO vaccine reserve programs.
- Fraudsters are preying on consumers by offering an “advance” on the stimulus package from the U.S. Government. The criminal(s) contact consumers and claim that, for an upfront fee, they will wire the stimulus amount to the victim within hours or days. The fraudster obtains identifying and financial information from the victim and disappears.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued joint warning letters to at least SEVEN companies for “selling” fraudulent products with claims to prevent, treat, mitigate, diagnose, or cure COVID-19. Illegal price gouging on safety, cleaning, and treatment products is increasing daily. Be aware and diligent of scammers.
If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams. Please contact the FBI at www.ic3.gov so that the scammers can be tracked and stopped.
Fraud involving payment of Federal taxes should be reported to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
March 25, 2020
- CASH IS VULNERABLE - Your funds in bank accounts are federally insured to $250,000, making them much safer than keeping cash under the mattress or in your pocket.
- CASH IS NOT REQUIRED - With so many secure ways to access your accounts and to pay your bills and shop, there's almost no reason you'll need extra cash.
- CASH MAKES YOU A POTENTIAL VICTIM - If you told anyone that you withdrew a large sum of cash, they may have told someone else. That places you at risk of being the victim of a crime, which can place you in harm's way.
- CASH DOES NOT HAVE YOUR ID - Stolen cash, even if recovered by the police, does not carry and ID number that associates it with you. Your bank accounts do. Even if your credit cards are misappropriated, you can recover the funds!
- CASH IS, WELL, KIND OF DIRTY - The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends always washing hands thoroughly after handling cash because you never know where it's been!
- YOUR CASH IS SAFE - Texas Governor Abbott says your cash is safe in the bank for all of the reasons listed above.
- CASH WILL BE AVAILABLE - The U.S. Treasurer has already determined that banks are essential service providers. You will have access whenever you need it.
March 20, 2020
- The government will not ask you to pay anything upfront to get this money. No fees. No charges. Nothing upfront.
- The government will not call to ask you for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number.
- These reports of checks aren't yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
March 18, 2020
March 16, 2020
American State is committed to you, our customer. We are here to help you through this difficult and uncertain time.
We are closely monitoring the latest developments regarding COVID-19. The health and safety of our customers, employees, and communities are of utmost importance to us as we remain committed to providing uninterrupted service.
Our team is taking additional precautions to keep workstations and all public areas disinfected, and associates who are not feeling well have been instructed to stay home. Additionally, we have continuity plans in place to ensure critical operations can continue without disruption.
Precautionary steps we have already begun to take include:
- Increased cleaning and sanitizing for all locations.
- Providing our employees with information on steps they can take to prevent the spread of illness and how to recognize COVID-19 symptoms.
- Temporary restrictions on business-related travel and monitoring of the personal travel plans for our associates.
- Asking employees to stay home if they are ill.
- We are assessing the ability to have our employees to work remotely, where possible.
As a reminder, American State Bank offers several ways to access your accounts and meet your banking needs without visiting a branch, including:
- Online banking
- American State Bank mobile app
- Remote check deposit through American State Bank mobile app
- Drive-thru accessibility
- ATMs
- Debit Cards
- Online statements
If you have not yet registered for online banking and wish to do so, please contact your local branch and they will be happy to assist you.
We encourage you to visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) websitefor updates on COVID-19 and preventive measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
If you have been personally impacted by the coronavirus and need our assistance with your account, please reach out to your banker or contact us at 1-866-579-7959. We are here to help.