First National Bank and Trust Company Check Card Users Earn Greater Rewards

First National Bank and Trust Company has unveiled a rewards program for users of its Visa check card.  The launch of its check card program comes at a time when consumers' usage of check cards is on the rise across the country. In fact, a study released in April, 2007, by the PULSE EFT Association in Houston, found an increase of 20.3 percent for purchases with signature and an increase of 15.7 percent for purchases with PIN in 2006. 

"Consumers have discovered the ease and convenience of using check cards for their daily lifestyle needs," said Marie Strombeck, Senior Vice President, Retail Banking.  "We've found that our program offers greater rewards than our competitors'. Our customers are eligible for gifts with as few as 100 points while other programs require thousands of points before redemption."

Under the program, cardholders can earn points for using their check card on purchase transactions made with signature or PIN.  Offering points for PIN-based purchases is unique for rewards programs. "We wanted to ensure that our customers achieved the most value possible with the program and felt it was natural to include both signature and PIN-based purchases for that reason," noted Strombeck. 

Customers will receive a certificate every third month for all rewards points they have earned within the preceding 3-month period. They can choose to redeem their certificates at the rewards website, www.bankatfirstnationalrewards.com, or bank their points and accumulate them toward a gift in a higher-point category. Gifts are shipped within 3 to 5 days at no cost to the customer. 

Multiple gifts are available in each point category, putting the gift choice directly into the customers' hands.  "Research has shown that the gift is more valuable to the customer if they are able to select it themselves," states Laura Pomerene, Marketing Director. "We worked to create the program that would be most beneficial for our growing number of First National Bank and Trust check card users." 

First National Bank and Trust Company is a diversified financial services corporation headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, with $605 million in assets.  Chartered in 1882, First National Bank and Trust Company now serves more than 25,000 households in seven communities and eleven locations in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  Commitment to full service banking, investments, asset management and exceptional service has positioned First National Bank and Trust Company as a stateline leader in the industry.

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