Yes!  A parent can obtain an ATM or debit card for a minor under the age of 18 (the required age to be a single account owner) if the minor is present with the parent at the bank.  So, you would need to go to the bank with your parent at the time she is requesting the card. 

The account would be in your parent's name, but they can assign a card to anyone as needed to access the funds.  The parent would be responsible for the account as well as transactions done by the authorized cardholder.  This can be done at any walk-in Arvest branch location.

Another option you may want to consider is our new Arvest Spending card which will be available on September 2nd.  This is a reloadable debit card designed for parents to provide money to students/teens.  It works just like a debit card, but has no overdraft and can be loaded by your parents using telephone or banking on the net transfers. You can read more about the new product on our Arvest Spending Card website or by visiting a branch after September 2.

Yes. Generally, you can use your card at merchant terminals outside of the US that display the VISA logo and ATMs that display the Cirrus logo.  It is possible that transactions in some countries, however, may be blocked by either Arvest or one of our processing networks for various reasons.  Those blocked countries would include countries with a high risk of fraud (for example, Turkey or some of the Baltic countries in Europe) or countries that the U.S. doesn't do business with (for example: Cuba). 

Transactions function properly in the vast majority of countries around the world.  If you have a question about a particular country, you can contact the bank to find out if they are cleared by Arvest for transactions, but please keep in mind if the Visa network is blocking them, we may not always know in advance.

Regarding fees, the only fees you should incur for using a non-Arvest ATM outside of the United States would be a surcharge by the ATM owner/operator and a non-Arvest ATM fee of no more than $2.  There would be no additional fees involved if you are simply making a purchase in a store or restaurant, etc. with your card.

One last reminder, before you travel away from home, please contact the bank to let us know so that we do not de-actviate your card if there is suddenly activity in a foreign land.  Sudden card use overseas is often a sign of fraud.   Please let us know before any trip if you plan to use your Arvest card.

In 1951, Diner’s Club issued the very first credit card to 200 customers who could use it at 27 restaurants in New York.  Today we can buy a car off the Internet and pay for it with a credit card!  The magnetic stripe (mag-stripe) on the back of the card made all of this possible.  It contains all of the relevant information and allows computer systems to track a cardholder’s use. With the advent of the mag-stripe, the credit card industry entered the age of information and never looked back.  Therefore, in this age of information, it is essential to understand why establishing credit and learning how to use it is vitally important in today’s world.

If you are a college student, having a credit card and making payments on time will make a difference in your life “after-college”.  Translation?  Everything from the current balances on your credit cards to the number of times you were late in making a payment is tracked and reported to a credit bureau.  Each time you apply for credit, the credit bureau reports your payment history.  Depending on your profession of choice, your credit history may be considered by your potential employer.  It could also be a factor in obtaining approval to rent an apartment and it will be critical in buying your first car and your first house! 

To maintain a good credit score: 

• Look for the credit card that offers the lowest interest rate, and incentives, like points, miles or cash-back incentives.
• Don’t apply for every offer you receive in the mail and at every store in the mall.  Each time you do, an inquiry is made on your credit history.  These inquiries are reported along with your payment history.  If you have too many inquiries, this is potentially harmful to your credit score as it appears that you ARE applying for credit everywhere and soon you will be going on a huge spending spree…
• Don’t go wild and immediately charge up to your limit.  Simply put, don’t buy more than you can pay for by the following month or so.
• Make your payment on time, every time.

In today’s hectic world, convenience is crucial. Yet safety must also be considered. Recently, hackers infiltrated several ATMs at a chain of national convenience stores, stealing customers’ PIN numbers and making off with at least $2 million. So just where is the safest place to use an ATM?

First, when possible, withdraw funds from the ATM at your financial institution. Security analysts say that an ATM’s safety depends largely on its location. Typically, an ATM at a bank is somewhat safer than it is in a public place, such as a ballpark, airport or convenience store.

To further decrease your odds of getting victimized, experts suggest changing your PIN number regularly and using different PINs for different accounts. And when it comes to online activity, never use your PIN under any circumstances. Ultimately, the best thing you can do is to check your account frequently and report any suspicious activity immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

If you’ve visited one of our over 200 locations during the past month, you’ve seen “paper bricks” everywhere! 

These paper bricks represent Arvest’s partnership with and our customers’ commitment to Habitat for Humanity.  During the month of July, we invited our customers to purchase a brick for $1 to help build homes for local families in need.  At the same time, our Associates participated in several fundraisers. 

The result:  Over $85,000 to benefit local Habitat for Humanity chapters in the communities we serve!  And, when you couple that with Arvest’s $250,000 pledge to build 13 houses all over Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, that’s over $335,000!

On behalf of our over 5,000 Arvest Associates, THANK YOU for sharing in our commitment to home ownership for needy families.  If you missed the “paper bricks” in our branches, you can still donate to Habitat for Humanity by visiting www.habitat.org.
 

Thank you to all the customers (particularly parents of students) who have been contacting us asking for a release date for the mysterious Arvest Spending Card, a new prepaid reloadable debit card.

Our brief description of the card with the statement "Arvest Spending Card Available Summer 2008" on our website has prompted inquiries for more information and an actual availability date.  Cards will be available starting Tuesday, September 2.

The Spending Card combines the capabilities of a reloadable prepaid debit card with the service and access that Arvest Bank provides through online banking, mobile banking and our ATM network.  More info on the card:

Makes Managing Money Simple

• Perfect for budgeting, students, traveling or for internet purchases
• Use for ATM withdrawals and as a Visa debit card
• Quickly reload funds to the card
• Track balances online or by phone
   

Arvest Spending Card Puts You in Control

• Load at the branch, by phone or with online transfers
• Free monthly e.Statement and web banking access
• Most payroll checks cashed for free for all Spending Card customers
• If providing card to a student or family member you can view transactions, add funds quickly and monitor card usage if necessary
• Low setup cost, and low monthly maintenance fee

Watch for more Spending Card news on the blog and on arvest.com as we approach the launch date.

One of the most common questions asked of mortgage lending professionals is “How do I prepare for purchasing a home?”  In today’s world, the home loan process has been streamlined, making it faster and easier for today’s consumers to complete.  These simple steps will help prepare you for the ultimate home purchase experience.

1. Determine what payment you can comfortably afford.  Generally speaking, buyers can afford a home equal in value to two times their annual gross income.
2. After calculating your monthly housing budget, develop a wish-list of what you would like your home to have. Prioritize your wish list in the order of “must have” and would “like to have” items.  Focus on “must-haves” as priorities in making a home selection.
3. Select a home with re-sale in mind.  Consider items such as proximity to public schools, recreational facilities, community expansion plans, and health services when selecting a neighborhood.  Even if such items are not of immediate importance in your purchase, future buyers may more heavily weigh these factors in a purchase transaction.
4. Consider a pre-approval application with a knowledgeable lender.  This can help send a message to the seller of a home that you are financially ready to purchase a home.  It also helps you understand what you can afford, the amount of money that you will need for closing, any credit issues you may have, what type of mortgage is best suited for you, and what documentation is needed to fulfill the mortgage loan process.
5. Find an experienced realtor and mortgage professional.  Informed partners make the difference between a smooth home buying encounter and a stressful event.

Arvest Bank offers the expertise and experience you can trust to make the home loan process as stress-free as possible.  To get started on making your dream home purchase a reality, contact your nearby Arvest Bank location or apply online at www.arvesthomeloan.com.
 

It is very important that you log out or 'exit' any secure login area you have accessed before leaving your computer.  Staying logged in could put you at risk in the event that someone attempts to access your PC without authorization.

To log out from Banking On the Net, look for the 'EXIT' button in the top right of the page.  When your online banking session is completed, click 'EXIT' and the window will close.   Depending on your browser version, you may see a message pop up confirming that the session.  Simply click 'OK' to complete closing the session.

For online BillPay, look in the top right hand corner of the BillPay window.   To exit BillPay, click 'Sign Out' and the window will close.   Depending on your browser version, you may see a message pop up confirming that the session.  Simply click 'OK' to complete closing the session.  After closing your BillPay, do not forget to close out your Banking On the Net page as well.