The Latest | Sep 2026
Chairman’s Message
Preparing Today for a Secure Tomorrow
September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder that peace of mind begins with proactive planning. While we often think of emergency preparedness in terms of flashlight batteries and bottled water, financial readiness plays an equally critical role in protecting you and your family when the unexpected occurs.
For us, that means providing the personalized support, guidance, and resources to navigate all of life’s moments – including emergencies. That’s why we strive to offer comprehensive support for you and your loved ones through our relationship-based banking approach, mortgages, insurance, wealth management services, and more. If you ever experience financial hardship following a crisis, or if you simply want to ensure you are financially prepared for the unexpected, our team is here to listen and support you.
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 787575
William J. Smigiel
Chairman and CEO
Liberty Bank for Savings
Don’t Fall Victim to Phone Scams
Every day, people like you lose their hard-earned money to digital scams. The Federal Trade Commission has specifically reported a recent rise in phone impersonation scams. Protect yourself with our Outsmart the Scammers: Phone Impersonation Guide.
Remember: Scammers can make any number or name appear on your caller ID. Even if your phone shows it’s Liberty Bank for Savings calling, it could be anyone. Always be wary of incoming calls and other digital forms of communication.
Learn how to spot shady texts, emails, and phone calls by knowing the things Liberty Bank for Savings would never ask. Liberty Bank for Savings will NEVER:
- Ask you to send personal information like PINs, passwords, one-time codes, or Social Security numbers.
- Pressure you to log into or send money with payment apps.
- Send you a suspicious link or attachment and insist you open it “or else.”
- Tell you to keep it a secret.
If you receive a suspicious request, don’t engage. Contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number or official website.
To learn more about the latest fraud trends and protect yourself from scammers, visit our Security Center.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Partnership Spotlight on the Center for Changing Lives
We are proud to highlight our partnership with Center for Changing Lives (CCL), a Chicago-based nonprofit whose work directly reflects our neighbors-helping-neighbors’ mission and shared passion to support the communities we serve.
Why This Partnership Matters
Liberty Bank for Savings and the CCL serve customers at different points in their financial journeys, but their paths intersect in important and life-changing ways.
“This is neighborhood banking at its best: organizations working together to strengthen communities and expand opportunities for everyone,” said William J. Smigiel, CEO, Liberty Bank for Savings.
Imagine someone working with CCL’s financial coach to build credit, save for the first time, or obtain stable employment. A year or two into their coaching, they’re ready for the next step: opening a savings account, getting a mortgage, investing in a home. That’s where Liberty Bank for Savings comes in. We are not only a bank that understands community, but a lender that remembers that behind every application is a life story, a dream, and a neighborhood investment.
Or imagine a Liberty Bank for Savings customer struggling with unexpected financial hardship, facing housing insecurity or job loss. CCL’s free coaching services offer the support and resources that neighbor needs to begin rebuilding.
What makes this partnership so special is that we both recognize that real change happens in neighborhoods when a banker knows your name, when a coach believes in your potential, and when neighbors show up for each other.
As a long-time community partner, “Liberty’s partnership goes beyond monetary donations. Over the years, they have conducted several financial education workshops and first-time homebuyer workshops, bringing expertise and quality products and services to our clients,” said Juliana González-Crussi, President & CEO, Center for Changing Lives.
Did You Know? Liberty Bank for Savings was a founding partner of CCL’s Money & Us Program, which provides multigenerational financial education while addressing attitudes towards and behaviors regarding money.
About Center for Changing Lives
Founded in 1989, the Center for Changing Lives operates from a simple but powerful belief: everyone is naturally creative, resourceful, capable, and whole. They support their community members through a variety of services including:
- Financial Coaching to help you reach your financial goals and achieve financial health.
- HUD – Approved Housing Counseling to provide support in obtaining and maintaining safe & secure housing.
- Employment Coaching to help you name and reach your employment and career goals.
- Digital Capacity Coaching to navigate technology personally & professionally.
- Small Business & Entrepreneurial Coaching to help you get support to achieve your entrepreneurial dream or keep your small business strong!
- Resource Development Coaching to connect you to business resources and guide you as you build your own social capital.
DID YOU KNOW? CCL’s services are free, bilingual (English/Spanish), and open to all. The organization operates under the belief that changing lives requires changing circumstances, and that takes both individual support and community action.
Visit the Center for Changing Lives to learn more about CCL and ways to get involved.
Take a Look at Our Featured Events
At Liberty Bank for Savings, we believe in supporting our neighbors beyond day-to-day banking. Take a look at three featured events coming up this fall:
📄 Free Shred Event at the Foster Branch: 7111 W Foster Ave, Chicago – Reserve Your Spot Today
🍪 Cookies & Cash: Search for Unclaimed Property
🍬 Logan Square Farmers Market: Decorate a Treat Bag
Visit our Community Events Page to view our full calendar of upcoming events and reserve your spot today!
Be Financially Prepared for an Emergency
You’ve worked hard to care for your home and save for the future, but disasters can lead to financial emergencies. Financial emergencies may include car damage, unemployment, medical treatment, property damage, and more. To be financially prepared for an emergency, follow the tips below.
1. Build a Dedicated Emergency Fund: An emergency fund provides peace of mind during difficult times. To build your emergency fund:
- Target 3 to 6 Months of Expenses. Aim to save 3 to 6 months’ worth of essential living costs (housing, utilities, groceries, debt minimums, and insurance premiums). If you are self-employed or have dependents, expanding that buffer toward 6–12 months offers even greater security.
- Keep Funds Accessible and Separate. Park your savings away from your everyday Checking Account to resist the urge to spend it. Utilizing dedicated Savings Accounts or Money Market Accounts keeps your capital liquid and accessible while letting it earn interest over time.
- Automate Your Contributions. Set up recurring transfers from your everyday Checking Account on payday. Automating any amount, even $25 or $50 a pay period helps build a consistent cushion without requiring monthly manual effort.
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 787575
2. Ensure Proper Coverage: Saving money is only part of the equation; insurance protects your assets when emergencies occur. Regularly evaluate your policies to bridge coverage gaps. Key protections to maintain include:
- Home & Auto Insurance: Protects your vehicle, primary property, and personal liability against unexpected weather, accidents, or damage.
- Life Insurance: Provides critical income replacement and long-term financial security for your loved ones and dependents.
- Commercial Insurance: Crucial if you operate a business, shielding your operation from liability or unexpected property losses.
Remember to review policy coverage annually. Life events like buying a home, starting a family, or expanding a business require updates to your insurance coverage limits so you aren’t left underinsured during a claim.
Learn more about how Liberty Insurance Agency (LIA)* can help you and your loved ones be protected when an emergency occurs.
*Liberty Insurance Agency, Inc. is a subsidiary of Liberty Bank for Savings. Insurance products and services are not bank products or services nor are they FDIC insured or insured by any federal government agency. They are not a deposit or obligation of or guaranteed by Liberty Bank for Savings and may involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal. Applicants are individually underwritten and some individuals may not qualify.
3. Secure Personal & Financial Documents: In physical emergencies, natural disasters, or urgent legal situations, having fast, secure access to your core personal and financial documentation is critical.
- Utilize Physical Safe Deposit Boxes. While digital backups are essential, original physical documents such as property titles, birth certificates, paper insurance policies, passports, and stock certificates, should be stored in a physical Safe Deposit Box* at a local bank branch. This protects vital documents against home fires, flooding, or theft.
*Safe deposit boxes are only rented to existing Liberty Bank for Savings customers. For additional information, please refer to the Safe Deposit Box Terms and Conditions. The contents of Safe Deposit Boxes held at Liberty Bank for Savings facilities are not insured by the FDIC, Liberty Bank for Savings, or any other government agency, private agency or company.
- Maintain Digital Records securely. Complement physical storage with digital copies of bank details, insurance cards, and other personal documents.
- Keep Emergency Cash on Hand. During widespread power outages or system disruptions, digital payment networks may experience temporary downtime. Keeping a small, secure cash reserve in small bills ($5s, $10s, and $20s) ensures immediate purchasing power for necessities.
