Beginning today, December 5, 2011, Android mobile phone users can download an application designed specifically for Google Android devices!

We are excited to share this news because for almost 6 months, we've been offering MutualMobile, a free mobile banking service. When we discussed "What's your phone to you" back in July during the release of MutualMobile, Android users could use the browser on their phone to access their accounts. But now, the Andoroid App is here.

For users already enrolled in MutualMobile, we created some quick instructions to help you get the application.

1. Log in to your MutualBank online banking and access ‘Mobile Banking’. 
2. Select the “I want to change my Mobile Banking services” option to add the downloadable application. 
3. After you have changed your services, we will send you a text message with a link that takes you directly to our Android application, TouchBanking, in the Android Market.

If you have not yet enrolled in MutualMobile, it only takes a few minutes! Log in to online banking and navigate to the Mobile Banking pages to register.

Our phones are so many things to us these days...our watch, alarm clock, email, newspaper, search engine, navigation, and now banking. Go ahead...get started today!

The winter holiday season is almost here. Soon we will be busy with holiday activities--cooking, decorating and socializing. We'll also be shopping for gifts for family and friends, but unfortunately may overspend. Then in the New Year, when the bills start rolling in, reality and regret will strike.

Here are some tips on how you can enjoy the season without inducing an overspending hangover in January.

• Make a list of everyone on your gift list. Try to limit it to close family and friends, and set a maximum amount to spend for each recipient. Calculate this total; if too high, revise the individual limits to keep the total reasonable.
• If you have overspent already, review the list to see where you may be able to give meaningful gifts without spending. Consider giving personal "coupons" for specific chores-for example lawn mowing, babysitting, cooking a meal or hand car washes.
• While some people enjoy the hustle and bustle of shopping malls, you may prefer to stay home and shop online, which saves on travel expense. To maximize the value of virtual shopping, look for free-shipping promotions. Another option is to check with nearby retailers to see if they can save you on shipping costs if your item is shipped to the store, instead of to your home address.
• Many people use credit cards for their holiday shopping in order to increase frequent flier miles and other rewards offered by their credit card company. There are benefits to this strategy, but keep in mind that will need to budget for the charges arriving in January; they will need to be paid off to avoid incurring large credit card interest.
• You might opt to use cash for Christmas shopping. Decide on an amount for each person, total the amounts, and take cash from your checking account. Divide the cash into your predetermined amounts for each person, and place the cash in envelopes with each person's name and amount on the envelope. Take these envelopes with you on your shopping excursion. Stick with your list, and when the cash is gone, it's gone.
• With social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, you also may be able to find additional money-saving coupons and discounts.
• If you have adequate storage space, one of the best times to do your Christmas shopping is in January, when retailers are clearing out their merchandise from the holidays. Along this line, think of shopping for stocking stuffers during the year, as these trinkets can become costly if bought during the holiday rush.

To make the most of your holiday season, sit back and take a moment to enjoy the meaning of the season and the opportunity to gather with family and friends and all those you hold dear. Then take a deep breath, and shop wisely.

Source: Indiana Bankers Association - November 15, 2011

Each year, the Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity hosts a ‘Volunteer Dinner’ to celebrate and thank the volunteers who’ve helped them accomplish goals of raising money, building awareness and building homes.

This year at the dinner, we were given the Corporate Partner of the Year award. Over the course of 2011, MutualBank employees helped to build homes and raise money for Habitat for Humanity by paying $5.00 to wear jeans one Friday. We had the opportunity to underwrite a grant yielding the Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity $50,000 in funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. Additionally, we hosted the “Traveling Wall” for the “$10 Makes a Difference” campaign.  Lastly, we serviced nearly all of the Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity mortgages.

It was a true honor for us to be named Corporate Partner of the Year.  After all, MutualBank’s motto is to help people live better lives. It closely ties to Habitat’s motto: “Build Hope, Build Dreams, Build Community”. Together, we help people achieve their dreams of home ownership. Furthermore, our community is better when more people have safe and affordable homes
to live in.

We thank the Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity for their service to our community, giving employers opportunities to serve the community and honoring MutualBank as the
Corporate Partner of the Year. 

Pictured (Left to Right):
Lindsay Arthur, Executive Director, Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity
Jennifer Volk, Senior Staff Auditor and Outreach Committee President, MutualBank