The Client
As the only locally owned bank in Rowan County, North Carolina, F&M Bank prides itself on serving the community and the surrounding areas by offering a full array of financial services and providing timely responses to its customers. Founded in 1909, F&M Bank has grown from a single office to eight branches and eight ATMs throughout Rowan County with more than $350 million in total assets as of December 31, 2001. As F&M grows, it continues to be recognized for its sound banking practices.

F&M Bank offers a variety of financial services including deposit products, loans, commercial services, investment services, insurance services, online banking and telebanking. The bank has been a software client since 1983, before Euronet purchased ARKSYS Systems.

The Challenge
To stand out in their marketplace, F&M Bank sought a diverse set of electronic distribution channels such as telephone banking and Internet banking to offer differentiated options for their customers. The institution wanted a convenient and secure way to bank online anytime of day from any location with Internet service. The bank also wanted customers to have access to information on all customers' accounts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Finally, F&M Bank required an ATM management system that provided mature, reliable touchpoints that could evolve to meet their current and future needs.

The Solution
M turned to Euronet to provide these services and forged a long-standing relationship. For almost two decades, Euronet has helped F&M Bank develop a technological presence through a suite of products and services that give flexibility and unique combinations of transaction capabilities to the bank's consumers. F&M Bank started with Euronet's core technology, Integrated Transaction Management (ITM), and Euronet ATM Management. The bank also implemented Euronet Internet Banking and Euronet Telephone Banking.

The Results
F&M Bank has leveraged Euronet's software suite to maintain and expand its service offerings and enhance the customer's reliance on financial technology, reducing in-branch costs. This solution also allowed F&M Bank to meet the needs of their customers while watching their bottom line.

"We have worked with Euronet for nearly 20 years to provide next-generation electronic transaction solutions to the North Carolina financial market," said Ellis Cauble, F&M Bank Senior Vice President and COO. "Through our long-standing partnership, we can offer our customers the benefit of a national network and the convenience and customer service of a community bank."