(We're a little behind on our social media, so please bear with us as we get caught up.)

October has been packed with amazing tours and speakers! But, we have been learning so much and taking so many notes that we didn't always remember to take the photos...

Case in point: Peoples Bank & Trust in Arcola.

Dale Boyer and Fredy Moreno met with a few weeks ago and shared some financial advice and lessons.

Boyer, Community Bank President and longtime supporter of the CEO program, started the morning with advice for us on how to get the most out of our CEO experience.

Recently, Peoples Bank & Trust hired another CEO alum - Madison Schweighart (Class of 2024). Boyer views graduates of the CEO program as having a leg up on some other candidates, based on his experiences. He recognizes that CEO alumni come in with a sense of professionalism, even making better eye contact with customers.

"There are a lot of opportunities, a lot of very successful and wealthy people in our area," Boyer says, encouraging us to take it all in and open up to opportunities in our area.

Boyer ended with, "Congratulations on stepping outside your comfort zone," a reminder that we limit ourselves and our potential if we just stick to what is familiar.

Fredy Moreno, AVP Commercial Lending, has been in banking for 9 years. "Something I love about lending is giving people a chance," he says.

Moreno was full of good advice - both financial and life advice.

"Find something you have a passion in, something that moves you," Moreno says.

Financially, we talked about:
- loan interest rates
- treasury bonds
- The Federal Reserve
- credit history
- budgeting (80-10-10)
- savings
- time value of money
- the Small Business Administration
- FDIC

"My parents were very involved in our budgeting," Moreno said. "They didn't tell us how to spend our money, but they taught us how to be accountable."

Moreno has also learned from Boyer. In fact, he remembers reading an article where Boyer said he never buys clothing at full price. That little bit of wisdom stuck with Moreno, just like some of his parents' financial wisdom.

Now, Moreno uses Peoples Bank & Trust to help others financially.

While we may not have taken any photos with Dale Boyer and Fredy Moreno, we definitely took notes. Thank you to Peoples Bank & Trust, Boyer and Moreno, for inviting us in and taking time to explain a little about banking, finance, and what to expect from the CEO program.