As a local banker, I want our customers and the people of the Black Hills to know that your deposits in Black Hills Community Bank and other local, community banks are safe. In fact, recently, Congress passed legislation to increase the basic FDIC limit from $100,000 to $250,000 through December 31, 2009, making FDIC coverage of deposits even higher for bank customers.

I also want you to understand that FDIC coverage actually can be even greater than the new $250,000 limit, depending on how your accounts - whether for an individual, couple or family - are titled. The example below shows just one possible combination of accounts for a married couple. All accounts with these maximum balances can be fully insured by the FDIC.

Individual Accounts:   Husband $250,000 Wife $250,000     Joint Account:   Husband and Wife $500,000     Individual Retirement Accounts:   Husband $250,000 Wife $250,000     Revocable Trust Accounts:   Husband in trust for wife $250,000 Wife in trust for husband $250,000 Total $2,000,000

Individuals and businesses with deposits that exceed the FDIC-insured amount (for example, to maintain business cash flow), can have the same confidence that their money is safe. Black Hills Community Bank and other community banks in Rapid City and the Black Hills are well-capitalized according to state and federal standards, and our regional economy remains stable.