The Latest | July 2026
Chairman’s Message
Your Local Financial Partner, Through It All
As we cross the midpoint of the year, I’ve been reflecting on what it truly means to be a community bank. In a world where the economy can feel constantly in flux, I am reminded that our greatest strength comes from the long-standing relationships we are privileged to build with families like yours.
I know that managing today’s economic climate brings several questions. Whether you are navigating the increased cost of living, keeping an eye on shifting interest rates, or thinking about saving for the future, it is completely natural to look for a steady hand.
I want to reassure you that you do not have to manage this alone. Our commitment to stand by your side – through it all – remains unchanged.
At Liberty Bank, we have supported our neighbors through generations of economic cycles. Through our “neighbors helping neighbors” philosophy and holistic approach to your financial well-being, we are here to bring you peace of mind no matter what the broader economy brings.
With that in mind, I would love to invite you to join us for a relaxed and thoughtful mid-year conversation. Whether you want to review our CD promotions to make progress towards your savings goals, explore our mortgage specials to support your next move, plan for retirement, or talk about insurance to help you protect what matters most, our door is always open.
Thank you for your continued trust, your partnership, and for letting us share in your family’s financial journey.
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 787575
William J. Smigiel
Chairman and CEO
Liberty Bank for Savings
Keeping Community at the Center
We love connecting with our communities. Visit our Community Events Page and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the most up to date details on our upcoming events including free movies, kids crafts, and more.
A Thank You to Our Neighbors
There is nothing quite like summer in our local neighborhoods. From teaching community members at our Home Buyer Seminars, to sharing smiles and laughs at local events such as the Taste of Park Ridge, Logan Square Farmers Market, and Lincolnwood Fest, or protecting our customers with a free shred event at our Norwood branch, it’s been great connecting with our neighbors across our communities.
For us, keeping community at the center of everything we do means showing up, supporting, and celebrating our neighbors and the communities we call home.
Your Mid-Year Checklist: Review, Verify, and Plan
☐ Review and Verify Your Address
Knock, Knock! Who’s There? To make sure your personal financial statements, tax documents, and important notices are delivered to you safely, we want to ensure that we have your most current mailing address on file.
If you have recently moved, updated your PO Box/mailing address, or simply want to verify your information, please take a quick moment to verify your address.
- Log in to your online banking account
- Navigate to the “Home” tab
- Click “Change of Address Form”
- Complete & submit the form
☐ Plan Ahead when Traveling Abroad
Your Ticket to Trouble-Free Travel! Are you traveling out of the country? Give a call to your local branch and let us know the country and dates of your travel.
- Did you know you can set up a travel notice directly from our Mobile Banking App? Just log in to the mobile app, click “Cards” in bottom navigation bar, and enter the information of your travel notice.
☐ Update Your Delivery Preferences
Simplify Your Day to Day! Make the switch to electronic statements to say goodbye to the days of clutter and lost mail. With eStatements, you can access your tax forms, monthly statements, and notices faster and more securely online, anytime and anywhere.
You can enroll in eStatements while logged into online banking or directly through our website.
To enroll or learn more, visit our eStatements webpage.
Take the Next Step in Your Homebuying Journey
Many prospective homebuyers spend a lot of time wondering whether now is the right time to buy. While market conditions are always changing, buyers who are prepared have more options and less stress when the right opportunity comes along. Today’s housing market continues to present both challenges and opportunities. Home prices remain elevated in many communities, and desirable homes can still attract strong interest. That’s why understanding your budget and financing options before you begin shopping can make a meaningful difference.
For many buyers, the first question isn’t “What is the interest rate?” It’s “What can I afford?” Reviewing your finances, understanding your monthly payment range, and exploring loan options can help you move forward with confidence.
Preparation can also strengthen your position when you’re ready to make an offer. A fully underwritten pre-approval provides greater certainty than a basic prequalification and can help you act quickly when the right home becomes available. At Liberty Bank, we believe home financing should be straightforward. As a local portfolio lender, we offer competitive rates, local decision-making, and experienced guidance every step of the way. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving to a new neighborhood, or simply exploring your options, we’re here to help you create a plan that works for you.
Make Summer Memories without Breaking the Bank
Summer is the season of possibilities—road trips, backyard barbecues, patio dinners, and weekend getaways. But between traveling and seasonal activities, summer fun can quickly add up, leaving your bank account feeling deflated.
The good news? You don’t have to choose between making summer memories and hitting your financial goals. With a strategic budget and the right Liberty banking tools, you can enjoy the sunshine while actively growing your savings.
Here is how to build a foolproof summer savings strategy using Liberty Bank’s suite of products and services:
Build Your Summer “Fun Fund”
- The easiest way to avoid vacation guilt is to save for it ahead of time. Instead of pulling money from your primary emergency fund, set up a dedicated Liberty Bank Statement Savings Account specifically for your summer adventures. By naming the account something motivating—like “Summer Road Trip”—you’ll be less tempted to dip into it for everyday expenses.
Make Saving Automatic
- Don’t rely on memory to build your savings. Use Liberty Bank’s Online & Mobile Banking to set up automatic recurring transfers. Even moving just $25 or $50 every payday directly into your savings account adds up quickly over the summer months. By automating the process, you ensure that your savings goals are met first, leaving you free to spend the rest of your budget completely guilt-free.
Track Your Spend in Real-Time
- When you are out and about, it’s easy to lose track of smaller purchases like ice cream runs, concert tickets, or patio drinks. Stay on top of your daily budget by downloading the Liberty Bank Mobile App. Turn on Instant Push Notifications and Real Time Account Alerts for your debit card. Every time a transaction is made, you’ll receive a real-time update on your phone, helping you stay mindful of your daily spending limits before you accidentally overspend.
Put Your Idle Cash to Work
- If you already have a lump sum of savings sitting idle, summer is the perfect time to give it an extra boost. If you know you won’t need to touch a portion of your money for the next few months, consider opening a Liberty Bank High-Yield Certificate of Deposit (CD). Our current CD specials allow you to lock in a guaranteed, higher interest rate for a fixed period. It’s a great way to ensure your money is working just as hard as you do.
Make the most of Free or Affordable events
- You do not have to look far to find your next free thing to do. Liberty has local workshops, events, and activities happening in your local neighborhoods. Check out our upcoming events.
Outsmart the Scammers
Understanding how scams unfold — from the connection to the payment — can help you avoid falling victim. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and always pause before you pay or share personal information.
Stage 1: Connection: All scams start with the connection, which refers to the initial point of contact with an individual.
- Cold calls, emails, social media, text messaging, dating apps, and online marketplaces are all places where bad actors will attempt to connect with you.
- They often impersonate celebrities, businesses, government organizations, charities, or even a family member to lure in victims.
Stage 2: Convincing: Once the bad actors have gotten the attention of a potential victim, they move on to convincing victims that their scam is real.
- They’ll take the conversation to a more private space — like direct messages or text messaging apps — where it’s harder to spot fraudulent activity and feels more familiar to the victim.
- Scammers use all kinds of tricks to gain a person’s trust. They might create a sense of urgency, pressuring someone to send money quickly; or they might build a slow, convincing narrative.
Stage 3: Payment: The last step in the scam cycle is payment from an individual to the scammer.
- After hours, days, weeks, or even months of talking, the scammer will then ask a victim to send them money. Scammers often seek payment via gift cards, wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps, or even prepaid cards.
- It is at this stage that financial institutions enter the cycle of the scam, with little insight into payment context.
How to Stay Safe: Scammers are tricky, but there are ways to protect yourself.
- Be skeptical if someone you don’t know reaches out to you on social media or other platforms.
- Look out for red flags like too-good-to-be-true offers or urgent requests for money.
- Remember: If something doesn’t feel right in an email or a text, don’t click any links and don’t respond. Unfamiliar or suspicious phone call? Don’t answer and/or hang up. Verify any questionable requests by contacting the company directly using a trusted phone number or website.
If you ever have a question about keeping your information safe, give us a call at 773.384.2030 —we’re here for you.
We Want to Hear from You
Have a question, idea for a future topic or seminar, or feedback to share? We’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts.
NMLS# 787575
