Atlanta's Capitol City Bank and Trust is a small community-oriented bank based in Atlanta's West End community. Not long after I moved to Atlanta nearly 15 years ago, my wife and I looked for a smaller bank to do business with before settling on Capitol City.
George Andrews founded the bank to be one in touch with the community, and to be personable enough to take care of people in the community.
On Friday, in an interview with 11Alive's Marc Pickard, Andrews pointed out that Capitol City does not need nor want any of the federal bailout monies that the big name banks are on bended knee begging for on Capitol Hill. He said that Capitol City's policy was a simple one: they only lended mortgage monies to those who qualified for mortgages. Nothing elaborate, nothing novel, nothing inventive -- just simplicity.
Capitol City Bank is financially healthy. But that doesn't mean George Andrews is immune to what is going on around him. Capitol City Bank doesn't need any federal bailout money. They really don't even want any -- but they will take some if they qualify. They don't want their competitor down the street to get some and not them.
Andrews embraced a novel concept -- he issued mortgages only to people who qualified. That is why he is angry about what he sees.
"It is very, very frustrating that we find ourselves in this position when basically we had little or nothing to do with the situation," he said.
Perhaps when America's financial ship is righted, the industry will look to the example set by Capitol City Bank and other community banks. The thought of that makes George Andrews smile.
Andrews said that if monies are being made available to everyone, certainly, Capitol City will take advantage of it -- after all, it has to be able to compete, and if the feds are spreading the wealth to everyone, they'll take some of that, too. But Capitol City says that by doing business the old fashioned way, they're still around, and will stick around.
Personally, I'm thrilled. I love going into a bank where I know the people there, and the people there -- right up on the line -- know me and my family. I'm also glad that smart business practices are going to make sure that my bank is going to stick around for the long run.
I found two deals I loved today for Christmas wrappings for next year!!
At Publix, (*your store may vary) wrapping paper is $.50. Well, there is a coupon booklet IN THE STORE (unless they have run out) called Winter Family Savings. On page two is a coupon for $1.00 off two or more packages of holiday wrapping paper or bows. Use the coupon on two rolls of wrap and they are free!
The coupon indicates "not to exceed purchase price" which means you will not get "overage." What is overage? Well, bows are on sale for $.25 so if you bought two bags of bows using this coupon, you would not be able to put the additional $.50 off your grocery bill. (Might want to ask the Mgr. if you can get four bags of bows free w/coupon though)
My other favorite deal of the day was at Cost Plus World Market, which I only stopped into because I had to return something nearby. I was so glad I did! Most of the the Christmas wrapping and decor is 75 percent off so wrapping paper is about a dollar, and there are also REALLY nice all natural wrapping paper kits that contain paper, raffia, raffia bows and tags. They were 9.99, now 2.50 for about 30 square feet you can use all year long.. (they are not all that Christmasy.. really)
Thanks to those who've sent me Great Deals tips!
I'm working on a story about getting ourselves ORGANIZED in the New Year.. so receipts don't get lost, coupons don't expire, rebagtes don't go unfiled.. all that stuff can SAVE YOU MONEY!!
My goal today was to do NOTHING other than return, return return.. I had a big backlog and a free unencumbered day (no newly turned 4 year old). I vowed not to even LOOK at sale items until the last bag was out of my car.
But in the spirit of finding deals for viewers, I got sidetracked. A little, not a lot. Got most of my returns done, ducked into a few stores and here's what's out there so far:
Loehmann's: Best Clearance I've seen so far, though I haven't been to the Premium Outlets or Discover Mills. Designers like Theory and Tahari for 90 percent off. Everything with a red tag is 50 percent off the lowest price. Some $200 jackets were 15 bucks! Lots and lots of costume jewelry and purses too. Don't expect a big selection of any one item size-wize but plenty of great designer clothes to pick through. A small clearance rack of premium denim but most is about 50 percent off retail all the time.
Filene's Basement: Most sale items are 50% off although there are a few racks of deep discounts. Better deals on Men's designer clothes than women's, in my opinion. OK selection of kid's clothes on clearance too. The Christmas decorations are 60 percent off but still kind of pricey. ( Christmas seems to be about 50 percent off everywhere but the gals at hotcouponworld.com say they are waiting for a 90 percent off sale at Target coming up.. Keep Me Posted HCW Members!!!
Target: See above, right now lots of 50 percent off. I'm holding out for better! One great thing about Target's return policy is if you know what card you used to pay for something you don't need a paper receipt and I found out today that you can return without a receipt twice in a one year period using only your driver's license.
Home Goods: 50% off Christmas decorations.
Marshalls: 50% off and had a looong line.
Toys R Us: 50% off all Christmas items.
Ross Dress for Less: DID have great Wii accessories but they are all gone :( The store I went to at Piedmont and Sydney Marcus was very picked over but had great men's button down shirts, brands like Cutter and Buck and Izod for 9.99 to 15.99!!.
Derrick now has 7 new shirts to make up for the lame, boring Christmas gifts I got him. :)
Sorry to all who have had problems getting their free Sparkfly card. They are working to fix the problem, but I think the holiday has slowed things down.
I CAN tell you where to get a CVS extra care card free, and even a Kroger Plus Card... :)
