First Bank of Sterling, Lyons and Chase, Kansas, is participating in the FDIC's Transaction Account Guarantee Program. Under that program, through December 31, 2009, all noninterest-bearing transaction accounts are fully guaranteed by the FDIC for the entire amount in the account. Coverage under the Transaction Account Guarantee Program is in addition to and separate from the coverage available under the FDIC's general deposit insurance rules.

First Bank does NOT participate in the optional FDIC program which provides unlimited coverage for NOW accounts that bear interest at a rate of .5% or less.