Effective March 1, 2012, the Prestige and Prestige II Checking accounts will change to American Interest Checking. The new American Interest Bearing Checking account has the following features:

• Interest Bearing Tiered Rate Account **
• Minimum of $100 to open
• Unlimited Check Writing
• Three Cashiers Checks per month with no fee
• Travelers Checks (personal sign only) with no fee
• First order of checks are free (bank stock only)
• 10% Discount on Safe Deposit Box rentals
• Optional eStatement Delivery
• Maintenance Fee is $7.50
• Maintenance Fee will be waived if: Minimum balance for the cycle is above $4.999.99 OR A Direct Deposit of $500 or more is made during the cycle

As with all of our accounts, you will still have the option to enroll for any of the following services free of charge:

• Telebanker – our telephone banking service
• Debit Cards – the easiest way to pay
• ATM – 24 hour banking at one of our convenient local locations. In addition, there are thousands of surcharge-free ATMs available coast to coast on the MoneyPass network.
• Online Internet Banking – safe, secure and convenient banking at amnat.com
• Bill Pay – Save time and money when you pay your bills online
• eStatements – Your statement available at any time at amnat.com
• Mobile Banking – fast, convenient and at the touch of a finger anywhere, anytime

You can contact us at 940-397-2300 or csr@amnat.com if you have any questions or concerns

** Rate Tier Changes (rates as of 1-26-12 call Customer Service at 940-397-2300

or go to www.amnat.com for current rate sheet)

$ 0.00 –       999.99         0.00%        0.00% APY

$  1,000 –   4,999.99         0.05%        0.05% APY

$  5,000 – 24,999.99         0.07%        0.07% APY

$25,000 & above               0.10%        0.10% APY

Effective March 1, 2012, the following changes will be effective to the American Freedom Checking account:

The required minimum balance of $5,000 per month to avoid a service charge has been changed to $2,500.

Full Account Details:

• Minimum Balance to open account is $100
• Unlimited Check writing
• First introductory order of checks is free of charge
• Maintenance Fee is $6.00
• Maintenance Fee will be waived if: Minimum balance for the cycle is above $2.499.99 OR Account receives eStatement

As with all of our accounts, you will still have the option to enroll for any of the following services free of charge.

• Telebanker – our telephone banking service
• Debit Cards – the easiest way to pay
• ATM – 24 hour banking at one of our convenient local locations. In addition, there are thousands of surcharge-free ATMs available coast to coast on the MoneyPass network.
• Online Internet Banking – safe, secure and convenient banking at amnat.com
• Bill Pay – Save time and money when you pay your bills online
• eStatements – Your statement available at any time at amnat.com
• Mobile Banking – fast, convenient and at the touch of a finger anywhere, anytime

You can contact us at 940-397-2300 or csr@amnat.com if you have any questions or concerns

But they’re not going away – electronic savings bonds can be purchased online through Treasury Direct.

Already have paper savings bonds? Existing paper bonds are still valid and will earn interest for 30 years from the issue date or until redeemed. You can continue to cash savings bonds at American National Bank.

Learn more at www.treasurydirect.gov.

TreasuryDirect is a registered mark of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Dwight L. Berry, who has been with the bank since 1981, has been appointed president and chief executive officer, and John W. Kable has assumed the role of executive vice president.

“I am proud to have been a part of this wonderful organization for the past 30 years, and I can say with a great deal of confidence that as we build on our past successes, the future looks even brighter,” Berry said.

“The bank is doing very well and we have a lot of support from the community. We are looking to the future. We have a strong community base and the Wichita Falls economy is doing good,” he pointed out. “Obviously, the community support has been very strong for the bank to grow like it has. I am very proud of the bank being locally owned. We have a lot of MSU (Midwestern State University) grads here. A large percentage of our officer staff is from MSU and stayed here, and our staff is involved in all aspects of the community.”

Speaking of looking to the future, Berry said, “We want to continue to grow. We are the largest independent bank in this area. We want to grow and support the community. Our employees are involved in about all the civic organizations. I think community banks have a place in the future. We can provide any product that any major money center bank can. On top of that, we offer local, homegrown service.”

During Berry’s career, the bank’s assets have grown from $11 million to approximately $450 million — and has grown from one office with six employees to 154 employees in six locations, serving the cities of Wichita Falls, Iowa Park, Archer City and Flower Mound.

Berry replaced John “Bo” Stahler, who retired in July. Berry has more than 40 years of banking experience and was executive vice president of the bank before the appointment.

Kable, who has been in the banking industry for more than 30 years, began his career with the bank in 1989. He served as senior vice president of commercial lending before being named executive vice president.

“The key ingredient to our success is our commitment to quality customer service,” Kable said. “Our employees are our most important asset to our bank and its continued growth within the community. Our directors, officers and staff are dedicated to our customers, our community, and the growth of our bank.”

In his previous role with the bank, Kable managed a diversified commercial lending portfolio consisting of commercial loans, industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, energy and energy-related loans. Additionally, he served as downtown branch manager and on many management committees within the bank over the years.

The bank opened its doors for business in 1976. Since its beginning, the bank has expanded its services to include departments for mortgage loans, leasing, trust services and investments.

George Ritchie is chairman of the board of directors. Other members of the board include Julie Hanes, Milburn Nutt, Bill Rowland, J. Robert Scott, Kenny Bryant, Tommy Isbell, Ty Thacker, Ben Woody and Berry. Advisory directors are Hank Anderson, Max Vordenbaum, Mark Tucker, Bill Franklin, Don Whatley and John Kable.

On Thursday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a warning about HelpWithMyBank.com, an illegitimate website feigning to offer consumer information about bank accounts and loans.

Partner of the Year American National Bank displayed student projects in its bank lobby, presented uncirculated coins to students with perfect attendance, purchased a banner listing the names of students who scored well on TAKS, bought library furniture and video rockers for partner school Fowler Elementary — and more.