•  Don’t use public WiFi: Try to avoid public WiFi networks when you’re taking advantage of all the great holiday sales available online. Public WiFi is wonderful for looking up general information, but if you’re accessing your bank account or entering sensitive information like a  debit or credit card number or password, then it’s much safer to do so over a private connection.
• Follow these rules on your mobile device, too: Many people aren’t waiting to start their holiday shopping on Black Friday anymore. In fact, consumers have started to use “Mobile Thursday” as a jumping off point, when they online shop over their mobile devices on Thanksgiving Day. Just make sure to follow the same security guidelines you do on a desktop computer, and squeeze in some time for food and family.
• Ignore links: Don’t click on popup ads or spammy emails that promise amazing deals. Clicking on one of these suspect sites could compromise your security and personal information. Simply click the “x” button that’s usually on a top corner of the screen, or delete the email without opening it.
• Look for secure URLs: If a URL address begins with “https,” then it is likely to be more secure than a site that starts with simply an “http.” The “s” stands for “secure,” and is a good sign to look out for.
• Search for URL changes: Also keep an eye on the URL when you first enter a site. If the URL changes when you enter the payment screen, then you might want to double check that you’re using a reliable source. Cyber-criminals sometimes establish fraudulent sites to solicit personal information from customers.
• Shop on known websites: Only enter your card and personal information on websites that are established, well-reputed and that you’ve used before. If you have any doubts about a site’s integrity, then it’s probably better not to take the risk.
• Talk to your kids: If you have kids who are old enough to shop online, make sure to have a conversation with them about web safety. Let them know what information is sensitive and can be used to commit identity theft. Teach them safe habits like checking their bank account statement frequently.
• Update anti-virus software: Before you start your online shopping spree, it’s a good idea to update your anti-virus software.
• Use cash or a credit card: When holiday shopping, it’s best to use either cash or a credit card instead of a debit card. This is because it’s much easier to recoup losses if fraud is committed on your credit card.

Enjoy the holiday season and amazing sales, and stay safe and secure while doing so!

WINDSOR, Va., Sept. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Farmers Bankshares, Inc. (FBVA), the Windsor-based holding company for Farmers Bank, announced that the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share on a pre-split basis (adjusted to $0.044 per share on a post-split basis) to holders of common stock of the company. On an annualized basis the $0.22 per share quarterly dividend is increased over the semi-annual dividend declared in December 2014 of $0.32 per share by $0.24 per share or 38 percent and remains unchanged from the dividend declared in June 2015.

The record date for stockholders entitled to payment of the dividend will be the close of normal trading on October 1, 2015, with payment to occur by October 15, 2015.

The five for one stock split announced on September 1, 2015 remains in effect for holders on record as of October 2, 2015.

The common stock of Farmers Bankshares, Inc. trades on the NASDAQ market as an Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board stock under the symbol FBVA. Any stockbroker can assist with purchase of the company’s stock, as well as with sales of holdings.

Farmers Bank, founded in 1919, is headquartered in Windsor, VA, and is a full-service community bank which operates six branches throughout Western Tidewater Virginia. Additional information is available at the company’s website, www.farmersbankva.com.

WINDSOR, VA, September 1, 2015 – Farmers Bankshares, Inc. (FBVA), the Windsor-based holding company for Farmers Bank, announced that the Board of Directors has approved a 5 for 1 stock split on its common stock.   Shareholders on record as of October 2, 2015 will receive 4 additional shares, via book-entry, for each share held, payable on October 15, 2015.  After the stock split, the number of outstanding shares will increase from 610,016 to 3,050,080.

Richard J. Holland, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “The stock split serves to expand our shareholder base by making the stock price more attractive to investors of all sizes.  It should also benefit shareholders by creating a more liquid market for our stock and increase trade activity.  Management and the Board’s decision to split the stock further emphasizes our commitment to the strategic growth of Farmers Bank.”

The common stock of Farmers Bankshares, Inc. trades on the NASDAQ market as an Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board stock under the symbol FBVA.  Any stockbroker can assist with the purchase of the company’s stock, as well as with sales of holdings.

Farmers Bank, founded in 1919, is headquartered in Windsor, VA, and is a full-service community bank that operates six branches throughout Western Tidewater Virginia.  Additional information is available at the company’s website, www.farmersbankva.com.

Contact:  Richard J. Holland, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 757-242-6111

WINDSOR, Va., July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Farmers Bankshares, Inc. reports unaudited earnings of $904,114, or $1.48 per share for the second quarter of 2015.  These results are an increase of approximately 10% from the $818,511, or $1.34 per share, earned during the second quarter of 2014.  Net income through the first six months of the year amounted to $1,715,410 or $2.81 per share, up 9.69% from the $1,604,526 or $2.64 per share, reported through the first six months of 2014.

Richard J. Holland, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “By continuing to focus strategically we have been able to sustain our positive trend in earnings growth and shareholder return.  We are very pleased with this quarter’s results, specifically non-interest income, as we begin to reap the benefits of the attention that has been placed on this area.”

Return on average assets on an annualized basis of 0.82% for the first half of 2015 increased slightly over the first six months of 2014’s results of 0.77%.  Return on average equity during the six months of 2015 was 8.80% as compared to 9.11% for the first half of the prior year.

Net interest income increased approximately 2.00% in the first six months of 2015 compared to first six months of 2014.  Loan demand continued to hold consistent, while loans slightly increased over the prior quarter, they still remained down $2 million over December 31, 2014.  Deposit balances decreased 4.37% or $14.6 million to $328 million during the second quarter of 2015 from $343 million as of December 31, 2014.  The majority of this decrease was due to the maturity of $10 million in brokered deposits in April 2015.  The repayment of these higher costing deposits will enhance net interest income through reduced interest expense for the remainder of the year.  Non-interest bearing deposits decreased approximately $4.6 million, mainly due to the cyclical nature of several municipal deposits, and still make up approximately 25% of total deposits.  Non-interest income, exclusive of securities transactions, increased 77.04% as compared to the second quarter of 2014.  Income related to the Bank’s investment in Manry Rawls, LLC contributed $166 thousand of additional year to date income in 2015 over the same period in 2014.  Service charges increased $86 thousand or 53.72% for the first six months of 2015 when compared to the same period of 2014.  Non-interest expense increased 6.00% or $315 thousand during the second quarter 2015 compared to same period in 2014.  Salaries and benefits rose 12.5% and consulting expenses increased by 70%, or $54 thousand.  The major contributing factors in non-interest expense were the consulting costs associated with strategic opportunities and talent recruiting costs.

During the quarter, Farmers Bankshares, Inc. redeemed $400 thousand of capital notes at a price of par plus accrued and unpaid interest, bringing total redemptions year to date to $1.325 million. These transactions were to accommodate investor’s liquidity needs and reduce our debt service obligations.  Even with this transaction, capital ratios at the Bank level remain strong and well above regulatory requirements for “Well Capitalized” financial institutions.

“While loan growth has remained stagnant we have been able to meaningfully impact net income through other means.  The reduction in our brokered deposits will help our margin to improve and become more in line with peer.  Our devotion to improving non-interest income has proven successful and has helped to offset extraordinary non-interest expenses this year.  Although non-interest expenses have increased over the prior year, these outflows should position us for more efficient and effective operations in the future,” statedVernon M. Towler, President.

The common stock of Farmers Bankshares, Inc. trades on the NASDAQ market as an Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board stock under the symbol FBVA. Any stockbroker can assist with purchases of the company’s stock, as well as with sales of holdings.

Farmers Bank, founded in 1919, is headquartered in Windsor, VA, and is a full-service community bank which operates six branches throughout Western Tidewater Virginia.  Additional information is available at the company’s website, www.farmersbankva.com.