While American Trust and Savings Bank does not utilize Equifax for credit reporting

services, we feel it is prudent for everyone to be aware of the issue so they can take

appropriate action.

With over 143 million records compromised, it is very likely that your personal data was

compromised in the Equifax data breach. This is particularly troubling because this was a

breach of one of the companies that is supposed to be providing credit and identify

protection services. Social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and driver's license

numbers might have been accessed. This is the information someone could use to open

bank accounts, credit cards, and loans in your name, as well as file fraudulent tax returns.

Equifax set up a website for consumers to check if their information was exposed:

www.eguifaxsecurity2017.com. To do so, individuals must click the "Potential Impact"

tab and enter their last name and the last 6 digits of their social security number. It is

important to do this on a secure computer and use an encrypted network connection. The

website will indicate whether the individual has been affected by the breach.

The Federal Trade Commission identified some steps to help protect consumers after a

data breach:

■ Check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - for free - by

visiting annualcreditreport.com. Accounts or activity that you do not recognize could

indicate identity theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to find out what to do.

■ Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. A credit freeze makes it harder for

someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that a credit freeze will

not prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. Visit

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ for further instructions.

■ Monitor your existing credit card and bank accounts closely for charges you do not recognize.

■ If you decide against a credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your files. A fraud

alert warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and that they should verify that

anyone seeking credit in your name really is you. Visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ for

further instructions.

■ File your taxes early - as soon as you have the tax information you need, before a scammer

can. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax

refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS.

There are several government websites containing information about how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and steps

they may want to take after a data breach. Here’s how to access some of those resources:

Bank Donatesto ClarenceAmbulance

American Trust and Savings Bankdonated $5,000 to the new ClarenceAmbulance. Pictured from left to rightare Bob Rouse, Wanda Anderson,Greg Thompson, Duane Stonerook,Vern Schroeder, Don Hunwardsen andKent Stout, President of AmericanTrust & Savings Bank.

fromNEWSNEWSFall 2017

Equifax Data Breach

1. Go to www.consumerfinance.gov and type “Equifax” in the search field on that site. Then click on the article titled:

Identity theft protection following the Equifax data breach.

2. Go to www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov and type “Equifax” in the search field on that site. Then click on the article titled:

Miller, State Attorneys General Convey “Profound Concerns” to Equifax about Data Breach Response.

Regardless of your age, an IRA at

American Trust is a safe and secure

way to save for retirement while

reducing your tax bill at the same time.

If you’re changing jobs or about to

retire, rolling over your retirement

account to a secure investment is also

very important.

Individual retirement accounts, or

IRAs, are personal savings plans that

offer tax advantages as you save for

retirement. The amounts in these

accounts generally are not taxed until

you take a distribution starting as early

as age 59½ but not later than age 70½.

For 2017, you generally can contribute

up to $5,500 to a traditional IRA. This

limit can be split between a traditional

and a Roth IRA but the combined limit

is $5,500. If you are 50 years of age or

older before the end of 2017, the

maximum contribution that can be made

to a traditional or Roth IRA is $6,500.

American Trust also offers SEP

accounts. A SEP (simplified employee

pension) plan provides employers with a

simplified method to make

contributions toward their employees’

retirement and, if self-employed, their

own retirement.

IRAs: A great tool for retirement

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of September 15, 2017.

Requires a minimum deposit of $100. Rates may change after account opening.

1.40%*

AnnualPercentageYield*

IRA Savings

Guess the photo and you could win!

Avoid Slips and Falls During Harvest Season

Can you guess where in Lowden

this photo was taken? If so,

submit your entry, including your

name, address, phone and email

address. Drop it by

or send it to the bank at:

309 McKinley Avenue

PO Box 129

Lowden, IA 52255.

We have winners!Eunice Boedeker, Janis Krafock, Reuben Wenndt and Jim

Williams correctly guessed that the photo from our

Summer newsletter was taken in Karen Bentrott’s

backyard in Lowden. They will each receive a $25 gift

certificate for Lowden merchants.

Correct entries will be entered in a drawing for four (4) $25 gift

certificates to local merchants. Entries must be received by November 30,

2017. This will be a quarterly contest, so watch our next newsletter

for a new photo!

SHAZAM BOLT$TM is a fraud transaction

alerting, balance monitoring and ATM

locator application. And, you can use this

app to block and unblock your card with our

transaction control feature!

• Fraud Protection

• Email Alerts

• ATM Locator

• Account Balances

Customers of American Trust & Savings

Bank can download the free SHAZAM

BOLT$ mobile app from the Apple App

Store or Google Play. For complete details

go to http://atsb-lowden.com/docs/BOLT$

%20User%20Guide.pdf

This harvest season be sure to focus

your attention on potential slips and

falls, which can be linked to serious

injuries. Slips and falls are a major

cause of injuries throughout the

year, but especially common around machinery,

equipment, and structures during harvest.

Here are simple steps to follow that can help farmers avoid slips and falls:

• Always consider the height from which you work.

• Before climbing on farm machine or structures, scrape mud or manure

off of shoes.

• Keep the work platform, foot plate, and steps free of debris.

• Use shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles and heels.

• Dismount equipment only when it has come to a complete stop.

Source: FDIC Consumer News

Retirement Planning and Saving: Basic Strategiesfor Achieving Your Goals1. Figure out how much money you will need to save for

retirement. Start by contacting the Social Security

Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or going to

www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator to learn what your monthly

Social Security benefit would be when you plan to retire.

Remember, if you retire before your "full" retirement age

(available at that same Web site), your benefits will be reduced.

Then use an online calculator (offered by many banks and other

organizations) to estimate how much you need to save each

month or consider talking to an advisor, perhaps a financial

planner (visit www.sec.gov/answers/finplan.htm on the

Securities and Exchange Commission web site).

2. Take advantage of retirement savings programs at work,

especially those involving matching contributions from your

employer. If your employer has a program to help you save for

retirement, sign up and contribute — and in particular, save as

much as you need to get the full amount of any match the

employer may offer. And if your contributions are tax-

deductible, the money you save in taxes means your take-home

pay may not drop much.

3. Explore IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) and

other programs that can help you achieve financial goals

and save on taxes. In particular, self-employed individuals and

others not covered by a traditional retirement plan at work

should explore these options.

4. Cut back on unnecessary expenses so you have more

money for retirement savings. For example, pay off most or all

of your credit card balances and other loans to save on interest

and avoid having to make these payments during your retirement

years. Also, think carefully before purchasing any investment,

including a variable annuity, which comes with high fees or

penalties if you withdraw money early.

5. Be on guard against retirement investment scams. Walk

away from solicitations that "guarantee" consistently high

returns or that otherwise sound too good to be true — especially

from a stranger or anyone who pressures you to quickly say

"yes" to an offer. If the seller runs off with your money that can

seriously impair your retirement years.

Bank HolidaysThe bank will be closed on

Monday, October 9 for

Columbus Day,

Friday, November 10 for

Veterans Day and

Thursday, November 23 for

Thanksgiving.

The bank will close at 3 pm on

Friday, November 24.

Friday, Dec. 29, 2017.

All 2017 business must be

at the bank by 12 noon when the bank

will close for the day.

New Year’s Day – Monday, January 1.

No business will be transacted.

Christmas Day – Monday, December 25.

No business will be transacted.

Christmas and New Year’sClip and save

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season!

Visit Us on the WebBe sure to visit our web site at www.atsb-lowden.com for a complete overviewof bank products and services, calculators, informational links, and more.

Online Banking: Banking that Fits Your Schedule

Customers are enjoying the convenience of Online Banking by accessing account

information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SIGN UP IS EASY:

Go to www.atsb-lowden.com and click on “Enroll” in the upper right-hand corner

of the screen and follow the simple steps. In a short time you will be ready to enjoy

the convenience!

309 McKinley Ave., Lowden, IA • (563) 941-5391

www.atsb-lowden.com

All-You-Can-Eat Fish FryLowden American Legion

• Friday, October 6

• Friday, November 3 • Friday, March 2

• Friday, December 1 • Friday, April 6

• Friday, January 5 • Friday, May 4

Serving from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Only $12 for adults and $5.50 for

children 5 to 12.

Carry outs are available.

Trunk or TreatMonday, October 31, 2017

Time: 5:30 to 6:30 PM

3/30 StagMonday, November 20, 2017

Time: 5 PM

Location: 3/30 Country Club, Lowden

Open to the public.

Lowden Light Fest and Chili SupperSaturday, December 2, 2017

Chili Supper from 4:00 to 6:00 PM

at Lowden American Legion.

Santa will be on hand from

4:30 to 5:30, too!

His visit is compliments of

American Trust & Savings Bank.

Mark Your Calendar

Friday, November 3, 2017during banking hours

If you would like us to publish upcoming communityevents, be sure to contact us at the bank. We’ll includeit in our quarterly newsletter.

Cookie Day at American Trust

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSEAT AMERICAN TRUST & SAVINGS BANK

Friday, December 8 and

Friday, December 15during banking hours.

Stop in for your customer Christmas gift

and enjoy holiday refreshments.

It’s our way of saying

“Thank you for your business!”