Business notebook (March 18)

Bowman named advisor of the month for Modern Woodmen

SIKESTON -- Lee Bowman of Sikeston, a financial advisor with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was named District Advisor of the Month for February.

Bowman has been with Modern Woodmen since November 2003.

Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, IL. Modern Woodmen provides life insurance, annuity, and security products to almost 770,000 members nationwide.

For more information contact Lee at 573-471-5377 or call the agency office at 573-701-0163.

First State Bank & Trust Company unveils new branding

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. – First State Bank & Trust Company, Inc. is rolling out a new brand, with updated color palette, logo and checking account names. In the coming months, the organization's website will also be redesigned to reflect the new branding.

"For more than 80 years, First State Bank & Trust Company, Inc. has grown, adding new services and expanding to five locations across Southeast Missouri," said President and CEO Matthew Drake. "Our growing initative to recognize our family of customers achievements is now an essential segment of our identity, reflected in our new branding."

The redesign is purely visual, with a few accounts gaining new names. Absolutely Free Checking is now Eco Checking. Electronic Advantage Interest Checking is now Advantage Checking. Platinum Interest Checking is now Platinum Checking. Fabulous 50 Checking is now Legacy Checking. Account benefits and features will not be affected.

A letter and email have gone out to current customers, alerting them of the change. Customers who have questions are encouraged to call or visit their local branch for more information.

The previous iteration of First State Bank & Trust Company, Inc.'s branding was adopted in January 1975, when the name was First State Bank of Caruthersville, MO. As the financial institution expanded, "of Caruthersville, MO" was gradually dropped and replaced with "and Trust Company" to draw attention to the fact that the organization had trust powers since 1960.

Janna Ferrell Shelter Insurance helps sponsor local scholarship

SIKESTON -- This spring, the Shelter Insurance Foundation will award a $2,000 scholarship to a graduate of Sikeston High School. Shelter Agent Janna Ferrell sponsors and partially funds this scholarship.

A committee of local high school officials and community leaders will select the local recipient. The committee will consider each applicant's scholastic achievements, educational goals, citizenship, moral character and participation and leadership in school and community activities. The scholarship is given without regard to race, disability, religion, national origin or gender of applicants. The name of the recipient will be announced at the close of the school year.

The student may apply the scholarship funds toward tuition, fees, or campus housing for any course of study beginning the fall after the recipient's high school graduation and leading to an academic degree at any accredited college or university. The Foundation makes payment directly to the school the recipient selects.

Applications and additional information about the Shelter Foundation Scholarship will be available in January and should be completed and returned to the school official serving on the selection committee by March 31st.

For more information, interested seniors should contact their high school counselor or principal or Shelter Insurance Agent Janna Ferrell.

The Shelter Insurance Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation for charitable and educational purposes. It is sponsored by the Shelter Insurance Companies – offering auto, home, life, farm and business insurance services to customers in 15 states via a network of local insurance agents and headquartered in Columbia, Missouri.