Buy Bixby Tickets at Mabrey Bank

With the holiday season approaching, Mabrey Bank will again participate in and sponsor the Buy Bixby contest held by the Bixby Chamber of Commerce. Starting on November 1 and running through December 11, many local Bixby businesses, including both Mabrey Bank locations in Bixby, will be distributing Buy Bixby raffle tickets.

The prizes will be awarded on December 13, with two $1,000 prizes, one $2,000 prize and a $10,000 grand prize up for grabs. Here’s how you can earn tickets:

5 tickets – make a transaction (one per visit)
10 tickets – open a new checking or savings account
15 tickets – open a new CD
20 tickets – apply for a new loan

Last year, a winning ticket came from Mabrey Bank, and we would like to run that streak to two. Stop in to get your tickets starting Saturday, November 1.

For more information on Buy Bixby, click here.

Deposit accounts are foundational to banking. They allow consumers and businesses alike to spend, save, earn interest or be flexible with all three. Even better, deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC, meaning your money is safe and protected up to the legal limit.

In this Banking 101 post, we will walk you through the deposit accounts that we offer at Mabrey Bank and the advantages that each of them gives the customer. If you are interested in learning more or opening a deposit account, please stop by any of our 15 full-service locations across Oklahoma and speak to one of our expert bankers.

Previous Banking 101 articles:

• Credit Scores
• Credit & Debit Card Processing
• Spotting Scams

Traditional Savings Account
This is your classic savings account that you can open at almost any bank across the United States. At Mabrey, these have low minimums to open, low to no monthly service fees and free statements. These accounts give you plenty of flexibility to move money around as necessary. For those wanting to set aside money for a future goal or large purchase or just to build an emergency fund, a traditional savings account is a great place to start.

At Mabrey Bank, it requires just a $50 deposit to open a traditional savings account and as long as your balance remains more than $100, we waive all monthly service fees. Additionally, you earn interest daily on every dollar in your account if you balance remains at $100 or more.

Money Market Account
A Money Market account, or MMA for short, is for customers with larger balances and more limited transactional needs. Like a traditional savings account, it requires a $50 deposit to open a Money Market account, but that is where the similarities end.

While you sacrifice some flexibility putting funds into an MMA, you can reap the rewards. At Mabrey, your savings in an MMA will earn a higher interest rate than funds in a Traditional Savings Account. You also have limited mobility with funds in your MMA, while its not to be used for daily spending, you can access your money in a pinch if necessary.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) & CDARS
A Certificate of Deposit (CD) gives savers the highest earning potential of any deposit account. If you are unfamiliar with a CD, it is a time-based deposit account that offers steady, stable growth. As the customer, you and the bank enter into an agreement for you to leave a set amount of money in the bank for a specific time. At Mabrey that can be any amount over $2,000 for a period ranging from a few weeks to years.

That money has a fixed interest rate and specific date of withdrawal, known as the maturity date. These interest rates are higher than you could get for funds in a traditional savings account or MMA. However, these don’t offer any flexibility of movement during the CD term.

One variation of a CD is CDARS, or Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service. This allows a customer to deposit more than $250,000, the maximum amount for FDIC coverage, and yet keep every dollar insured. Mabrey Bank divides those funds amongst other banks to keep insurance on the full amount while you get the convenience of dealing with only one bank and one statement.

Personal Checking Account
Don’t forget about a checking account as a deposit account. While not used for saving, most customers have money deposited into their checking accounts each month for daily use. While checking accounts don’t offer much in terms of interest, they are the most flexible account a bank can offer as far as transactions, deposits, transfers, etc. If it is a traditional checking account you have access to these funds at any time, any day.

At Mabrey Bank, we want to be sure our customers and businesses have access to a deposit account that fits their needs, both for short-term needs and long-term goals. Get in touch with us by calling our in-house Customer Service Team at (888) 272-8866 or stop by a branch and speak to a banker to learn more.

Powering the energy sector requires industry expertise, strategic financial solutions, and strong partnerships.  With recent changes to the Energy Lending industry, we caught up with C.T. Young, our Energy Lending Manager, to discuss the updates and why Mabrey Bank is excelling in providing energy-specific products and services.

Why do community and regional banks, like Mabrey, make for strong financial partners of energy-focused businesses?

The energy lending landscape has undergone a seismic shift over the past five years. Over that time, many large national banks scaled back their energy portfolios, which could have spelled trouble for the industry. What ensued was the largest transfer of market opportunity in energy banking history, leading to community and regional banks becoming the backbone of financing for energy companies in America.

While national banks focused mainly on commodity prices, at Mabrey, we have been able to develop strong relationships thanks to our local market knowledge and deep understanding of the operational nuances that make one producer different from another.

Energy is a capital intensive and cyclical industry. Bankers like myself, who’ve lived through multiple commodity cycles, understand that a company’s performance during the downturn matters more than their performance at the peak. At Mabrey, we know how to structure facilities that work through the valleys, not just the mountaintops.

What separates Mabrey Bank as a leading partner for energy businesses?

Ultimately, speed matters in the energy sector. When an independent producer finds a drilling opportunity or acquisition target, they need a financing decision in weeks, not months. Mabrey Bank can move faster because our decision-makers are local, not spread out across markets.

For example, I recently closed a $12 million borrowing base facility in 25 days. A less local partner may have taken up to 90 days to finance that loan. Speed isn’t just a convenience for our energy partners, but it truly gives them a competitive advantage.

When a borrower calls outside of business hours with a question about their borrowing base, I want them to know they’ll reach me directly. Let’s say commodity prices plunge 15%. My clients and I are already having conversations about solutions so that problems don’t turn into crises.

How are current energy clients thriving in their partnership with Mabrey?

I know I probably sound like a broken record, but the speed of a financing decision allows our partners to thrive. We average 45 days on a decision where the industry average is 75 days. Not only can we make these decisions quickly, but we offer flexible financing options that we can cater to your unique situation. It can’t be a one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to a loan.

Finally, our expertise really sets us apart. For me personally, I have spent the majority of my career focused on energy lending. As the head of our energy lending division, I’ve spent the last decade building relationships with independent producers across the region, familiarizing myself with the business model for energy corporations to understand when there are strategic opportunities to grow. Mabrey Bank is leaning into energy banking, and it’s become a priority for us bankwide.

What would you tell an energy business that is not currently banking with Mabrey but is looking for a better financial partnership?

The future of energy banking isn’t about balance sheets, it’s about relationships and expertise. If you’re an independent producer still banking with an institution that views energy as a “legacy sector,” you’re leaving money on the table. The banks having success in today’s landscape are those that see opportunity where others see risk. Mabrey Bank is one of those that sees opportunity.

At the end of the day, we’re not just lending money. We’re partnering with the companies that power America.

If you are looking for a new financial partner, I’d love to connect and tell you more about how Mabrey Bank can help you take the next step.

OKMULGEE, Okla. – Mabrey Bank is proud to announce two internal promotions that further solidify the bank’s footprint in Okmulgee and the surrounding communities of East Central Oklahoma.

Tim Davis, who has spent the last 39 years of his banking career in Morris, has been promoted to East Central Director of Lending, SVP. While continuing to manage his team in Morris, Tim will also oversee Mabrey Bank’s market presidents and lending teams in Haskell, Muskogee, Weleetka and Wetumka.

In Okmulgee, Joe Berryhill has been promoted to Market President, SVP. Joe has served the Okmulgee community for the last seven years as a Commercial Lending Officer for Mabrey Bank and will now lead the team of lenders in that market.

“Both Tim and Joe are fixtures in their respective communities and have a history of developing long-lasting partnerships with customers and businesses,” said Mabrey Bank, East Central OK Regional President, SVP, Mark Mabrey. “We are excited for the impact that each will have in these new positions as we continue to showcase the Mabrey Bank difference.” Based out of Okmulgee as the Regional President, Mark Mabrey oversees all of Mabrey Bank’s teams and operations throughout the East Central region, which includes seven of Mabrey’s 15 locations.

Most Americans experience attempted scams every week – calls from unrecognized numbers, texts pretending to be someone else, emails urging that you are just one link-click away from a surprise gift. It’s so commonplace that many of us are almost desensitized to them. However, that mentality is what can lower our guard and actually make us susceptible to more clever fraud tactics.

In the next article in our Banking 101 series, we help you recognize common and uncommon scam ploys and give you tips on what to do (and not do) when faced with fraud. If you would like to read any of our previous Banking 101 articles, click below.

• Credit and Debit Card Processing
• Credit Scores

Preying on Panic
Creating panic or urgency can spur you to act on a scam before your common sense can prevail. Receiving a text or email with a message like “Your account has been locked” or “This is your final warning” scares you just enough to do something rash, like click on link that you shouldn’t. This false sense of urgency should immediately throw up a red flag about the legitimacy of the claim.

If you are concerned that the warning could be true, you can check by calling the business the message claims to be from and verifying the accuracy.

Spoofing the System
It is becoming more common for scammers to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate place of business using Caller ID. This is called “spoofing” and even Mabrey Bank hasn’t been immune to this practice. Scammers have called our customers before with “Mabrey Bank” pulling up on the Caller ID. If this does occur, you can always say, “I will call you back using the number on your website.” Any legitimate service representative for a business will understand and allow you to do so without complaint.

Keep in mind that Mabrey Bank will not call you and ask for personal information.

Goodbye Grammar
Official communication from organizations, like the one you are reading now, are often written or typed by communications professionals. At the very least, they are penned by those who take pride in their work and are not prone to sloppy or bad grammar.

If you notice an email or text containing several misspellings or punctuation errors, it is a strong red flag for a scam. Also, be sure to check out the email address its coming from. Often those can be slightly misspelled addresses.

A Sensitive Subject
Another warning for a scam is the ask for sensitive information. If someone on the phone is requesting your date of birth, social security number, account or PIN numbers, etc., that could be a clue for illegitimacy.

Remember, if you are unsure, you can always call back at a number you trust.

Heed Your Hunch
Lastly, always trust your gut. If something feels off to you about a text, email, phone call, voicemail, or any other message, it likely is fraudulent. Take a pause before acting and verify if the message is real or a scam. It usually takes less than 60 seconds to verify a request. It will take much longer than that to recover lost funds or personal information.

Remember, when in doubt, reach out. Mabrey Bank customer service representatives are here to help you keep your money and information safe and secure. If you ever have a question, we can be reached during business hours at (888) 272-8866.

Mabrey Bank is hosting its 5^th Annual School Supply Drive at all Mabrey locations from Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 25. As it has been in past years, the supplies collected at each branch will benefit a school or organization within that community, allowing our team members and customers to directly impact local students and teachers.

Each year, Mabrey Bank has been able to collect thousands of school supplies to donate across Oklahoma as our team seeks to live out the mission of the bank which calls us to “improve the communities we serve.” It’s a mission that the Mabrey family and bank team members have been following for more than 100 years.

Supplies can be dropped off inside any Mabrey Bank branch during normal business hours. At each location, we will have a school supply drop box conveniently located in the lobby. While all types of school supplies are appreciated and accepted, customers can check in with their local branch to see if any specific supplies might be useful for that community.

See below which organization or school that each Mabrey Bank location will be donating to through our 2025 School Supply Drive.

As a consumer, using a credit or debit card to buy an item at the store or a tank of gas might seem like a simple transaction. On the other side of the register, it’s a different story. For businesses that process card transactions, reliability, efficiency and affordability are all paramount to the bottom line. The next installment in our Banking 101 series on financial basics covers Credit & Debit Card Processing, also known as “Merchant Services,” and what you need to know.

Who plays a role in a card transaction?

Obviously, you have the cardholder and the merchant, plus each of their banks, which we will call the “issuing bank” (belonging to the cardholder) and the “merchant bank” (belonging to the merchant). The issuing bank is responsible for authorizing the transaction and for sending funds to the merchant bank if the transaction is approved. The issuing bank will then bill the cardholder monthly for their credit card purchases. Meanwhile, the merchant bank holds the account where funds are deposited following a purchase.

Then, you have the middleman – the payment processor. This can be a separate party or sometimes will be the merchant bank. Regardless, the payment processor ensures the funds are transferred from the issuing bank to the merchant bank. Often, the payment processor will offer the hardware or software used to accept cards, such as tap-to-pay terminals or other card-reading devices.

How does card processing work?

There are two stages to credit and debit card processing – authorization and settlement. If a debit card is used, both authorization and settlement happen in seconds with the money coming out of your checking account. If a credit card is used for payment, the account information is routed from the merchant bank by the payment processor to the issuing bank for approval. The issuing bank will either confirm or deny the transaction and the payment processor will deliver that back to the merchant bank and to the card reader.

Unlike the near instant settlement for a debit card, a credit card settlement can take 1-3 business days. This is the process of actually moving the funds from the issuing bank to the merchant bank. Typically, businesses send batches of transactions to their payment processor at a regularly scheduled time, like the close of a business day. The payment processor and the card networks (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) will work to ensure the funds are deposited into the correct account.

Why is card processing important?

To accept card payments, a merchant will need hardware and software, both of which could be provided by the payment processor. Regardless of whether it’s an entire point-of-sale system or just a simple card reader, these devices collect and send card data to the payment processor. In addition, a software app is often needed for processing. These programs can include features such as inventory management, reporting, analytics and the ability to send customers digital receipts.

Card processing also comes at a cost for the merchant, so it is important to find a merchant bank and payment processor that keeps processing fees affordable. Mabrey Bank partners with Basys, a payment processor, to ensure our merchant clients are not paying more than necessary for processing fees. Not all payment processors are created equal. For more information on how Basys securely handles your funds, click here.

If you would like to learn more about how Mabrey can help your business save money on your card processing fees, click here.

This open letter was originally published in Mabrey Bank’s Century of Service brochure.

In 2024, we celebrated Mabrey Bank’s centennial, a milestone that speaks to our longevity and ability of our organization to continually evolve. As I reflect on this important year in the bank’s history, I am as confident as ever in the direction and future success of Mabrey Bank and its mission.

Few businesses last 100 years, and our stability is a testament to the generations of Mabrey team members who have come before us, the dedication of our current team and the loyalty and support of our customers. We are incredibly proud of the community impact that Mabrey Bank has had over the last century and look forward to that continuing in 2025 and beyond.

The economy during the last year provided some challenges for the banking industry as a whole. Driven by a strong work ethic and the expertise of our team, we overcame those obstacles, and we expect 2025 to be an excellent year for the bank and our customers.

With the inclusion of specialty products, such as new Mortgage Lending options and Agricultural & Recreation Land Loans, to the opening of a new, exclusive Private Bank office in Tulsa in 2024, Mabrey Bank continues to diversify and expand on the best-in-class offerings and experiences we provide for our customers.

We remain firmly focused on unparalleled customer service and a devotion to our customers and communities.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you now or in the future.

– Scott Mabrey, Chief Executive Officer

Mabrey Bank has again been nominated as the Best “Local Bank” by TulsaPeople for the 2025 A-List. The honor continues Mabrey’s more than decade-long streak as a finalist for the prestigious annual award. Voting on the winners in all A-List categories is ongoing through Sunday, April 13 and can be done by following this link.

By being an A-List finalist, Mabrey Bank was chosen by the readers of TulsaPeople magazine as one of the best local banks in Tulsa area. With over a century of stellar customer service and eight full-service locations across the Metro, it’s easy to see why Mabrey Bank has been a mainstay as an A-List winner.

Other A-List categories include restaurants, shops, service providers, attractions and more.

Credit scores – we all have one, but everyone may not know their score or how important it can be. Did you know that your credit score could impact your ability to secure certain jobs, open a new credit card or receive a lower interest rate on your next home or vehicle?

We want to help with a basic 101 course on your credit score, including how it’s calculated, what it means and the steps you can take to improve it.

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a three-digit number which is a result of a mathematical formula that estimates how likely you are to pay your debt back on time. It can range anywhere from 300 to 850. It’s calculated through several factors: your credit payment history, the amount of available credit you are using, the number of credit accounts in your name and your overall mix of credit.

It’s actually a common misconception that everyone has just one single score. Your score could vary based on the reporting agency providing the score (Equifax, TransUnion or Experian) or industry in which you are looking to lend from (automotive, mortgage, etc.). While an exact score is nice to know, it’s more important to know what range your score falls in.

• 300-579: Poor
• 580-669: Fair
• 670-739: Good
• 740-799: Very Good
• 800-850: Excellent

It’s also good to know what is not factored into your score. Any personal demographics are not considered such as age, race, religion or marital status. Nor is your income or employment status and its history. While lenders will likely look at this information, you won’t need to worry about any of those impacting the score itself.

Why is a good credit score important?

We asked this very question to Thom Meyer, Mabrey Bank’s Chief Underwriting Officer, who is a loan and credit expert with over 30 years of banking experience.

“There are several reasons that a good credit score is very important,” said Meyer. “Anytime you want to borrow money, whether it be for a car, a house or any other reason, the person making the loan decision is going to rely heavily on how you have handled your fiscal responsibilities in the past. This is detailed on your credit report and generates your credit score. Also, many lenders have adopted ‘risk-based pricing’ which means the higher your credit score, the better the interest rate you will receive on your loan if it is approved. Credit scores are checked for other reasons, such as by landlords for potential renters and by insurance companies to calculate premiums and determine coverage. Employers often check credit scores in making hiring decisions.”

So, it’s simple. A better credit score saves you money and gives you access to more and better loan options.

One final item of note is that credit card rewards may also be more valuable with a better credit score. Exclusive cards that reward purchases with mileage, points or cash back are typically only available to those with good to excellent credit scores.

Where can I find my credit score?

While you can secure a free annual credit reports from all three national credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, these reports do not usually contain credit scores. If you have a credit card, your credit score is often available through your card issuer’s mobile app or online account. That score will update based on the activity of your card.

Experian will allow you sign up and view your FICO score for free. While this is just one methodology to calculate a credit score, it can at least give you an idea of which range you fall into. FICO scores are used often by lenders and credit card companies.

How can I improve my score?

It’s important to note that every credit score is different. Because a variety of factors play into your score, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all method of improvement. Understanding your score, and why it is what it is, will give you some specific clues for how you can improve it. With that said, here are three general habits that, if stuck to over time, should lead to a solid score.

• Make debt payments on time – The most important credit score factor is your debt payment history. According to Experian, this factor alone accounts for 35% of your FICO Score.
• Pay down revolving account balances – How much reoccurring debt you have at a given time, such as credit card balances, is another large factor in your credit score (30% of your FICO score). If you have high balances that aren’t easily paid off, consider a debt consolidation loan or a debt repayment strategy to lower that sum.
• Keep your oldest credit accounts active – The longer your credit history, the better your credit score. Your oldest credit account heavily influences this portion of your credit score, 15% of your FICO score. Closing a long-running credit card, for instance can do negative damage to your score.

That is a wrap on Credit Score 101. You can now put away notebooks and pack up your bags.

For any questions or for more information stop by a Mabrey Bank location and speak to one of our expert bankers in person. Or you can give our in-house customer service team a call at (888) 272-8866.