Nearly four million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination of which taxpayers receive a debit card was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, another part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments.

These Economic Impact Payment Cards arrive in a plain envelope from Money Network Cardholder Services. The Visa name will appear on the front of the card; the back of the card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. Information included with the card will explain that the card is an Economic Impact Payment Card.

Those who receive Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card can do the following without any fees.

Make purchases online and at any retail location where Visa is accepted
• Get cash from in-network ATMs
• Transfer funds to their personal bank account
• Check their card balance online, by mobile app, or by phone

This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protection against fraud, loss, and other errors.

The card will come with instructions on how to activate and use it.

Learn More at the IRS Tax Tips website

We were pleased to take part in Mayfest in downtown Bennington on May 25. Our tent was a hub of activity as we gave out some swag, visited with people, and enjoyed the beautiful day. Mayfest is an annual event that brings vendors out all along Main St and the shops are all open as well. It is a fun day and we highly recommend you put it on your calendar for next May!

Jim Brown, President of The Bank of Bennington, announced that the bank has donated $10,000 to Second Chance Animal Center in Arlington, VT.In doing so, the bank joins nine other prominent area businesses and becomes one of “Ten for Ten”—local companies each donating $10,000 to the animal shelter’s capital campaign.
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Jim Brown, President of The Bank of Bennington, announced that the Bank has completed its annual giving to community food cupboards and fuel funds. During the 2018 year-end giving season, The Bank of Bennington donated $25,000 to more than 20 area organizations in 11 towns.

Primarily supporting the good work of food cupboards and heating assistance programs, these November and December donations help low income Vermonters during the holidays and beyond into winter. President Brown said, “We are a community bank. Our corporate structure as a mutual bank means we don’t have any shareholders, and our dedication is to our customers. We believe that by helping low income households, we benefit the entire community, customers and non-customers alike”

The Bank of Bennington is a mutual bank with deep commitment to the area. It is the only bank headquartered in Bennington County, with branches in Bennington, Arlington, Manchester, and Rutland.