In This Issueone-savings-rate-fits-all percentage, it’s important to find what works for you. Pfau...

Volume Issue • June 2014

In This Issue:

How to Not Run Out of Money During RetirementWorried about spending all your retirement savings before you should? Read on

Why the ACA Might Mean Cheaper Auto InsuranceHealth insurance and auto insurance are more interrelated than you may think

Business Lessons From a BankerWhat small business owners can learn from a top banker

Five Keys to Consumer InvestingWhat to know before investing in a consumer property

Bank Sponsors Street of DreamsJuly 19 - Aug. 3

Omaha Gives Community Support Runs Deep

Loessfest Concert Draws Over 17,000Top Summer ConvertiblesThese convertibles will help you make the most out of the summer

Five Low Carb Breakfast SmoothiesControl carbohydrates and lose weight

San Diego, CaliforniaBeaches, theme parks and more attract vacationers to this coastal city

How to Not Run Out of Money During RetirementWorried about spending all your retirement savings before youshould? Read on

It’s the question that plagues almost every person saving for retirement: “How do I know this will beenough?” The simple answer: You don’t. Whether you’re in your 20s and just beginning your 401(k),or nearing retirement and examining the tentative figures set aside for you, don’t fret. There are lots ofreassuring ways to ensure that you don’t deplete all your savings when you’re retired. Follow thesesimple steps:

Start young. It’s never too early to start saving for retirement — even in your teens and twenties! Ifyour job doesn’t offer a retirement plan, you may consider starting your own independent retirementfund and invest as much as you feel comfortable. Time is your most valuable asset when it comes toretirement savings.

Keep your savings steady.Some people believe that ifyou focus solely on yourwithdrawal rate when youretire, you’ll be able tocalculate precisely whereyou’ll end up without fail.However, this isn’tnecessarily the case, asstocks and bonds are veryunpredictable.

"Instead, look at savingsrate, which, because of itsmean reversion, tends to bemuch less volatile in termsof what consistently workshistorically," says WadePfau, professor of retirementincome at the AmericanCollege. While there isn’t aone-savings-rate-fits-all

one-savings-rate-fits-allpercentage, it’s important tofind what works for you.Pfau recommends a baseline of 16-17 percent as a starting-off point.

Make sure you’re financially ready. It’s common for people who are qualified to retire to do so. Butjust because you’re eligible doesn’t always mean that you should in fact retire. What if your expensesare too hefty for what you’ll receive when you stop working?

“The number one thing to do is to make sure that you have done a thorough assessment of what yourexpenses are likely to be and how much income you will need to cover those expenses," explainsDallas Salisbury, president and CEO of Employee Benefit Research Institute. Once you examine yourevery day expenditures, you’ll be able to calculate if you’ll be fiscally ready to retire when you’reeligible — and if not, you may find that you’d prefer to stick it out at your job a bit longer until you’reready to retire money-wise.

Buy a private annuity. Many insurance companies allow you to purchase a private annuity so thatyou’re guaranteed a defined income for life when you retire. Take social security for example, acommon annuity among most Americans, which usually offers an annual cost-of-living payment. Withsocial security, age 62 is the earliest you can get a benefit, but keep in mind that the longer you wait,the higher the payout will be and sometimes it pays (literally) to wait several more years. One caveat:Not all annuities provide protection against inflation, so be sure to ask your insurance companyquestions and get one that does offer this.

Don’t rely solely on retirement. One of the biggest mistakes some people make is living above theirmeans with the notion that their checks will bail them out every time they need cash. One of thesimplest ways to assure you don’t run out of money is to not increase your spending. Also, if you’dlike, take up a part-time job or paid hobby — something you’ve always wanted to do. Having a littleextra cash flow ensures that you have plenty of funds rolling in.

Modify your withdrawal rate. Contrary to popular belief, your withdrawal rate is not set in stonethroughout your whole retirement.

“The two unknown variables when it comes to building an income strategy are how long you are goingto live, and what the market returns are. If you knew both of these variables with absolute certainty,you could know exactly the amount you could take from your portfolio,” explains David Blanchett,head of retirement research with Morningstar, a Chicago investment research firm. He recommendsadjusting your withdrawal rate every year or so (or whatever given period makes sense for you) basedon your life expectancy and current and future spending habits.

The best times to re-evaluate your withdrawal rate is when the market drops, there’s a change in theallocation in your portfolio or if something unexpected happens that alters your retirement expectations.

American National Bank • 800.279.0007 • http://www.anbank.com

Why the ACA Might Mean Cheaper Auto InsuranceHealth insurance and auto insurance are more interrelated than youmay think

You know the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is supposed to lead to lower healthcare costs for theaverage American. When more people — especially people at the lower end of the risk pool — haveinsurance, the cost of insurance and of healthcare itself should go down for everyone, on average.And so far, the numbers suggest that the Affordable Care Act is working.

Now, some analysts are suggesting that the ACA might actually make car insurance cheaper foreverybody, too.

"Liability insurancecompanies reimburse tensof billions of dollars eachyear for medical care relatedto auto accidents, workplaceinjuries and other types ofclaims," explains the RANDCorporation, a non-profitgroup that recentlycompleted a study on theissue. "For example, autoinsurers collectively paid $35billion for medical costsassociated with accidents in2007, about 2 percent of allU.S. [healthcare costs] inthat year. But some of thosecosts may be covered byregular health insurance asmore Americans becomenewly covered under theAffordable Care Act,according to the study."

In other words, medical costs resulting from car accidents that used to be paid by auto insurers might

In other words, medical costs resulting from car accidents that used to be paid by auto insurers mightbe partially paid by health insurers instead. This reduces the risks and real costs of car insurancecompanies, and the extra savings could be passed onto the average American consumer — that is,you. With actual healthcare costs from auto accidents also expected to be lower, too, this could be awin-win for insurers and consumers of all stripes.

"In some states — mostly those with the lowest Obamacare participation rates — the drop might betoo small to notice," says Rick Newman of Yahoo! Finance. "But Rand estimates that in states such asFlorida, Colorado, Montana, Oregon and several others, costs could decline by somewhere between 3percent and 5 percent by 2016, which would surely be a welcome savings to insurers. If they were topass on the savings to customers through lower premiums, a driver with a $1,000 annual premiumwould save $30 to $50, with higher savings for people with costlier policies, such as families withteenage drivers."

It isn't just auto insurance that might experience this modest drop in price over the next few yearsthanks to the ACA. Many types of insurance contain liability protection that pays for medical costsshould an accident occur. Business insurance policies, worker's compensation, property insurance —including homeowner's insurance — could all see a drop in premiums similar to that of autoinsurance, and for the same reasons.

Few pieces of legislation have been or remain as contentious as the Affordable Care Act, and nodoubt there are still many wrinkles left to be ironed out. The projections from the RAND Corporationare widely accepted, however, and the news is good. Car insurance should get a little more affordableas healthcare costs themselves drop a bit, too, meaning we'll all have a little more left in our pockets.Maybe it's time to start looking at a new car.


Business Lessons From a BankerWhat small business owners can learn from a top banker

One thing that entrepreneurs have in common is that they are able to wear many hats and tackle thechallenges associated with a variety of different job descriptions. No matter how flexible you are,however, it isn’t possible to be an expert in every facet of business.

This is why the most successful entrepreneurs are constantly seeking insider tips from all types ofexperts. Because finances are such a large part of a business’s success, Entrepreneur.com hasgathered tips from a top banker that can undoubtedly give you useful tips for running your business.

Entrepreneur.com interviewed Maria C. Coyne for its Voices That Matter series. Coyne has expertinsider information about small business banking because she is the executive vice president at afinancial institution that was named one of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2012 Large 7(a)Lender of the Year. She gave the following tips that entrepreneurs can put into practice whilemanaging their businesses.

Have big expectations from your financial institution

One of Coyne’s first tips isthat entrepreneurs shouldn’tsettle when it comes tohaving their needsrespected by their financialinstitution.

“Business owners shouldexpect their bankers to listencarefully and ask a lot ofquestions before makingdecisions or suggestions,”she states.

This is why it is a great ideato work with a small financialinstitution that is located inyour business’s community.Small institutions have beenshown to have a structurethat allows them to trulylisten to the needs of smallbusiness owners. Not onlyare they familiar with the community where the business is located, the people who hear yourconcerns are typically the same people who make decisions, compared to a large, impersonal chain ofcommand at a larger national bank.

Good customer service creates loyalty

Coyne also advises entrepreneurs to focus on customer service. Although all employees areresponsible for creating a positive customer service experience, great customer service starts withmanagement.

“Great customer service starts with a leadership commitment to build a culture where customerservice is an operating metric,” states Coyne. “You have to work at it.”

If your business’s customer service could use improvement, you can take a cue from the way thatCoyne’s institution encourages and monitors customer service. “.. we train our staff, measure resultsand then reward performance,” states Coyne. “This means that customer service is part of ouremployee performance reviews. We do believe in the power one person has to make a positiveimpression on our customers.”

Use credit cards wisely

One way that you can utilize your financial institution to help your business operations flow moresmoothly is to open a business credit card. Business credit cards can help when your cash flow is lowand can help you jump on time-sensitive opportunities that require money up front.

“Credit cards can be very useful to business owners, provided that they're used responsibly,” statesCoyne. “Small-business credit cards can also help business owners demonstrate a history ofsuccessfully paying business obligations with business funds rather than personal funds. It's a goodstepping stone.”


Five Keys to Consumer InvestingWhat to know before investing in a consumer property

Investing in a consumer property is no small feat. There are many businesses out there, and whilemany are successful, some of them are not. That’s why it’s critical to assess a host of areas beforetaking the plunge.

Some of the things to consider when evaluating investment opportunities for consumer productsinclude:

1. Brand. You’ve heard of Coca Cola. Chances are you’ve heard of Red Bull, too? That’s becauseitems become popularized due to their brand awareness, which entails anything from a company’scatchy logo to its memorable catchphrase or jingle.

When investing in aconsumer property, if thecompany’s brand iswell-established, your newventure will likely besuccessful. In this day andage, how flourishing a brandis may rely on their socialmedia metrics, so be sure tocheck out how manyFacebook likes and Twitterand Instagram followers thecompany has, as well ascustomer comments.Additionally, evaluating thecompany’s Facebook“people talking about this”metrics can also give youinsight into how popular thebranding is.

"We've seen a significantshift in the way consumers

embrace brands," says KellyO'Keefe, professor of brand management and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University'sBrandcenter advertising school. "If you think back to the '90s, advertising was the tool for buildingbrands. It worked by connecting brands to short messages or images.” Now, being that advertising isall over the Internet and social media, anyone can see whether a brand is doing well.

2. Product uniqueness. Determining how unique the product being sold is can help you establish ifit’s worth investing in. The more similar it is to other products, the less likely buyers will show interest— especially if the price is higher. Not only should it have a unique aspect, the distinctiveness of theproduct has to be known — perhaps it’s how the product is packaged or the verbiage and catchinessof a TV spot. Essentially, ask yourself: What does this product do differently than its counterparts inthe same category?

3. Growth. Particularly, same-store sales growth. A company with a good same-store sales growthmeans that each month and year, the company’s sales of products continue to increase within thesame store. That’s important because say that number is decreasing: that could potentially mean acustomer tried out a product but didn’t engage enough with it to purchase it again. This all-importantmetric can be found on sources such as SPINS and IRI, which give investors a look into the brand’sgrowth performance.

4. Gross margin. This is the percentage of total sales revenue that company profits after accountingfor expenses related to manufacturing, sales, and service. This number has an effect on how youprice your products, and most important, whether you’re making a profit. So, for instance, say acompany has $100,000 in fixed overhead costs and their gross margin is anticipated to be 50 percentof sales. In order to break even, they’d need to acquire a total of $200,000 in sales.

5. Management team. A strong management team is the backbone of a business — they are whomake the important decisions and strategizes all major conflicts. While there’s no one way to evaluatea company’s management team, there are still factors about the team that can make or break acompany.

For example, most of the time, tenure is a good way to estimate how successful a management teamis. So, if a CEO has been there since the beginning, they likely are extremely cognizant of the ins andouts of a company, and have been a main asset in its growth. Also, knowing what kinds of growth theexecutive team has set forth for the company, and how successful those were when panned out, is agood indication of the staff.

Note: While this list doesn’t constitute a clear-cut checklist of aspects to consider when investing in aconsumer property, if any of them are in question during your evaluation, then you may want toreconsider the investment.


Bank Sponsors Street of DreamsJuly 19 - Aug. 3

American National Bank is proud to be the Platinum sponsor of the Metro Omaha BuildersAssociation’s (MOBA) 2014 Street of Dreams. The event is being presented in coordination withBoyer Young Development and will take place July 19 – August 3. Six new homes by local builderswill be featured in the South Hamptons development on 238th and Q Street. The show hours will beMonday -Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday – Sunday 12-8 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase atany American National Bank location in the Omaha area or at HyVee Supermarkets. Ticket prices are$8 in advance; $10 at the gate; (children ages 3-12=$5-only for sale at the gate/under 2 are free).


Omaha Gives Community Support Runs Deep

The second annual Omaha Gives! campaign was a huge success. The 24 hour event on May 21brought in $6.3 million for 569 nonprofits by 34,275 people. Our community came together to supportour local nonprofits in the most profound way.

American National Bank was proud to be the Participation Prize Sponsor providing an additional$78,000 to the nonprofits reaching the highest number of donors.

The organizations qualified for additional Participation Prize money for their organization, based onthe number of donors that participated on their behalf. For a complete list of Participation Prizewinners please go to http://www.anbank.com/communitycommitment.html.


Loessfest Concert Draws Over 17,000

American National Bank sponsored the opening concert event for Loessfest on May 25 featuringThree Dog Night, The Guess Who and Loverboy. Late storms and lightning caused Three Dog Nightto end early, there were over 17,000 in attendance.

Loessfest continued for the next two weeks with many activities and events including fireworks, music,movies and many family events. Larry Foster, director of Council Bluffs Parks, Recreation and PublicProperty, stated that 36,325 people attended the various Loessfest events at Tom Hanafan River'sEdge Park.


Top Summer ConvertiblesThese convertibles will help you make the most out of the summer

There aren’t many things that can beat the feeling of the wind blowing through your hair on a hotsummer day. If you’re thinking about getting a convertible, here are three options ranging frompractical to aspirational.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Starting at an MSRP of $23,720, the Miata has been a Car and Driver “10 Best” an impressive 13times. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing that produces 167 hpand 140 lb/ft of torque, the MX-5 Miata offers your choice of five-speed manual, six-speed close ratiomanual or six-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Logic.

The MX-5 Miata Near features a near perfect weight distribution while a double wishbone frontsuspension and multilink rear suspension provides miles of smooth driving. Available in Sport, Cluband Grab Touring trims, all models of the MX-5 Miata come standard with a heaping list of standardequipment and available equipment so buyers can choose the right model with the options it reallywants.

In fact, car aficionados at Left Lane News rave about the MX-5 Miata.

“When first introduced in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 Miata caused a sensation because it combined thepositive characteristics of classic British roadsters, namely a lightweight design and incredibly purehandling, with bulletproof Japanese reliability. Fast forward to the present, and the Miata continues todeliver the same qualities in a slightly larger, more powerful package,” according to Left Lane News.

The 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE

Up next is the 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE, starting at an MSRP of $69,000. Available in three models,F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and F-TYPE V8 S, the F-TYPE is a perfect blend of luxury, design and power.Standard on F-TYPE models

is a 340 hp V6 engine withan eight-speed ZFtransmission. F-TYPE Smodels push the power upto 380 hp through the use ofa Supercharger and F-TYPEV8 S models dominate witha 495 hp Supercharged V8mill.

All models come standardwith leather seating,Intelligent Start/Stop and aNavigation system withTraffic Messaging. Availablefeatures include 20-inchwheels, an Electronic ActiveDifferential, power foldingexterior mirrors and anActive Sport Exhaust.

"In my experience, this is thebest Jaguar in decades. That's based on driving for long trips in mixed conditions. It's a car that getsbetter the more it's driven. On the road, the Jag just feels a bit more special than the Porsches, andthe reactions from the cars-and-coffee guys proved it," according to AutoWeek.

Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

For those who want to dream big, this Porsche is a great place to aim. With an MSRP just shy of$200,000, this car isn’t exactly for everyone.

However, the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is powered by a phenomenal 3.8-liter V6 that produces aremarkable 560 hp and 516 lb/ft of torque (that can jump to 553 lb/ft with an overboost function)through a seven-speed PDK (short for Porsche Doppelkupplung). A top speed of 197 mph and a3.0-second zero-to-60 mph time are impressive, but when you add in a 24 mpg highway rating, youstart to see that this Porsche is simply incredible.

Regardless of what you choose to buy, financing is only a phone call away, so stop by today to let usget you one step closer to driving the car of your dreams.


Five Low Carb Breakfast SmoothiesControl carbohydrates and lose weight

Carbohydrates are the fuel your body converts into glucose for energy. Without carbs to burn, yourbody resorts to burning fat reserves. This is a good thing if you want to lose weight. Get off to ahealthy start in the morning by making a low-carb breakfast smoothie, whether it's to lose weight or forother health reasons. Healthy breakfastsmoothieAlways combine fruitsmoothies with a proteinfor balanced nutrition.You can also eat extrawedges of the melonsalong with the smoothie. Ingredients:

1 1/2 cupswatermelon,seeded andchopped1 cup cantaloupe,seeded andchopped1/2 cup plainnon-fat yogurt1/4 cup freshorange juice

Directions:Using a blender, add thefruit first, then the yogurtand juice. Blend untilsmooth. High-protein morning smoothieThe protein in this recipe comes from the soy milk and the whey protein powder. Ingredients:

1/2 to 1 cup soy or almond milk1 or 2 tablespoons whey protein powder isolate1 cup mixture frozen berries such as strawberries or raspberriesLow cal sweetener of choice such as stevia, to taste.

Directions:Add the liquid first in your blender, then the powder and frozen berries. Puree until smooth. Add moreliquid to make a thinner consistency. Green breakfast smoothieWho says you can't eat veggies for breakfast? Go green for a low-carb, high-energy start in themorning to fuel your day. Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups vanilla almond milk, unsweetened2 ice cubes2 cups chopped, fresh spinach1/2 ripe avocado1 tablespoon flax seeds (must be roasted)No-cal sweetener to taste

Directions:Add all the ingredients in order and puree until smooth. You can adjust the number of ice cubes peryour preference. Tropical fruit sunrise smoothieBananas add natural sweetness and a thick texture to smoothies. Ingredients:

1 small banana1 orange, seeded and sliced1/2 cup low fat, plain yogurt1 cup orange juice6 ice cubes (or less)

Directions:Place all ingredients in a blender except the ice and puree. Then add the ice cubes and blend untilslushy. Nutty pineapple breakfast smoothieAs nuts go, almonds are low-carb and contain important fiber and protein along with other beneficialnutrients. Ingredients:

2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk2 1/2 ounces chopped, fresh pineapple20 almonds, chopped1 ounce soy or whey protein powders

Directions:Add all ingredients in order to your blender and puree until smooth. You can also add ice cubes tocreate a slushy texture. Once you begin to experiment with low-carb smoothies, you can add different ingredients you mayprefer. Just be sure that what you choose falls into a "low carb" category.


San Diego, CaliforniaBeaches, theme parks and more attract vacationers to this coastalcity

San Diego appeals to a variety of vacationers. Theme parks attract families, while arts andentertainment offerings bring in singles and couples without kids, and all enjoy the beaches. Stay at Paradise PointResort & Spa or W SanDiegoIf you're traveling withkids, book a BaysideJunior Suite at theParadise Point Resort &Spa on Mission Bay. The550 square foot suiteincludes a king-sized bedand queen-sized sofasleeper, plus a diningarea and a patio thatopens to the shore.Among the manyrecreational activitiesoffered are swimming inthe five pools, jet skirides, sailing from theproperty's full-servicemarina, and summeractivities such as campsfor kids and teens, Dive-InMovie Nights, and beachbonfires. Visit

http://www.paradisepoint.com for more information and reservations. If traveling as a couple or with friends, the W San Diego puts you close to the Gaslamp Quarter, thecity's dining, restaurant and shopping district. The 1,250-square-foot Extreme Wow Suite lives up toits name with modern beach chic decor in separate sleeping, living and dining spaces. The windowseat overlooking downtown San Diego and two-person jetted bathtub also contribute to the luxuriousatmosphere. Visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com for more information and reservations.

Play at SeaWorld San Diego CelebrationYou could spend multiple days at this theme park and still not see everything it has to offer. Seeshows and exhibits featuring killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and pets, such as dogs and pot-belliedpigs — not all in the same space, of course — and visit the park's 10 water rides, with one to suitevery level of thrill seeker. For an even more memorable experience, take part in the DolphinInteraction Program, during which you can spend time with the animals in the water. Visithttp://seaworldparks.com for more information. Eat at NobuTaste the food of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa at his San Diego restaurant. Signature dishes suchas Black Cod with Miso and Beef Toban are on the menu, as are unique creations by his executivechef David Meade. Located in the Hard Rock Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, it makes an excellentstop before an adult night out on the town. Visit http://www.noburestaurants.com for more informationand reservations. Take in a play at the Old GlobeSan Diego's Tony Award-winning regional theater, the Old Globe, honors its namesake with asummer Shakespeare festival each year. On this year's schedule are Othello, June 22 through July27, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Aug. 10 through Sept. 14. Performances take place at LowellDavies Festival Theatre. Buy tickets when you book your room to ensure you get seats. Visithttps://www.theoldglobe.org for more information and tickets. San Diego is a popular summer vacation destination. With that in mind, book as early as possible andexpect beaches and other attractions to be crowded.


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