Counterfeit checks drawn on Bank of Brookhaven, Brookhaven, Mississippi, and The Home Bank, FSB, Ducktown, Tennessee, are in circulation

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was notified by Bank of Brookhaven, Brookhaven, Mississippi, that counterfeit cashier's checks are in circulation. These instruments are drawn upon the bank and display the bank's routing number of 096016765. The counterfeit instruments closely resemble an authentic cashier's check; however, the authentic check has a micro-print signature line and micro-print border on the front and a watermark on the reverse side. Absence of these features will indicate a counterfeit or a copy. A copy of a counterfeit instrument and a copy of a genuine cashier's check (void) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Ms. Sue Smith
Vice President
Bank of Brookhaven
P.O. Box 889
Brookhaven, Mississippi 39602
Telephone: (601) 835-3033
FAX: (601) 835-4030

The FDIC also was notified by The Home Bank, FSB, Ducktown, Tennessee, that counterfeit cashier's checks are in circulation. These instruments are drawn upon the bank and display the bank's routing number of 064202572. The counterfeit instruments appear to be altered copies of an authentic check; however, the authentic item has a two-toned background, micro-printing in the border, and a watermark on the reverse side. A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of a genuine cashier's check (void) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Mr. Mark W. Loudermilk
Senior Vice President and CFO
The Home Bank
P.O. Box 927
Copperhill, Tennessee 37317
Telephone: (423) 496-6000
FAX: (423) 478-8638

Information concerning these financial institutions or instruments may be forwarded to the FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4040, Washington, D.C. 20429. Information also may be transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2003/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts, Financial Institution Letters and other announcements through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/news/news/announcements/index.html.

Michael J. ZamorskiDirector