Resuscitate Your Resolution with FNBO Direct Tips

Is your savings resolution in a rut? These tips from FNBO Direct can bring it
back to life.
OMAHA--(Business Wire)--
Despite best intentions, many of us are probably falling behind on our New
Year`s resolutions. In a December 2008 FranklinCovey survey, 75 percent of
respondents stated they expected to break their New Year`s resolutions within
three months1. And with more than half of the respondents setting a resolution
of getting out of debt or saving money, it`s likely your wallet is feeling the
side effects.

"Like any long term goal, saving more money has to become part of a daily
routine in order to achieve results," said Dan Harley, vice president of FNBO
Direct, the Internet banking division of First National Bank of Omaha. "It`s
easy to put saving aside, but we`re here to help keep you focused on your goal."

To encourage Americans to stick with their resolution to save, FNBO Direct is
encouraging consumers to "Pay Yourself First." The online bank is offering
simple yet effective savings tips courtesy of the five finalists participating
in the nationwide Pay Yourself First Challenge. These men and women represent a
cross section of Americans and have been on a savings mission for the last six
months. They are becoming pros at saving money; to-date they have saved a
combined total of over $57,000!

Alexa - San Francisco, Calif.: "Flip through junk mail for freebies. In doing
this I have found coupons for a free Starbucks tea latte, a free smoothie from
Jack in the Box, a $15 Buca di Beppo card, $20 at Palomino (a fancy local
restaurant), a free box of Frosted Mini Wheats and a free take-out entree at
Pasta Pomodoro!"

Kristen - Bellevue, Neb.: "Don`t skip dessert, but get it at the right time.
Most supermarkets offer half-price bakery items after 8 p.m."

Phil - Frisco, Texas: "I admit my wife and I love to dine out, but we minimize
the financial strain a few ways. We review every coupon that arrives in the mail
and stash the good coupons in a kitchen drawer. Every time we're feeling up for
a meal outside the house we check the drawer first. We also split meals at
restaurants that serve heaping portions or we`ll take half of each giant entrée
home and save it for a later meal. Finally, we`ve started skipping the soda and
only ordering water, which saves a few dollars each time we eat out."

Dave - Rochester, N.Y.: "I`ve made money by working odd jobs and selling things
on Craigslist. It required getting rid of some of my prized ABBA CDs, but
definitely put more money in our FNBO Direct account."

Tim - Snellville, Ga.: "We got roommates! A colleague of mine and his wife were
looking for a place to live, and my wife and I decided to ask them to move in
with us. It`s been a great way to save money. They take turns buying groceries
with us (and in turn we eat out less), and they help with our electric and
utility bills."

FNBO Direct offers many more tips to help you achieve your savings goal at
www.pyfchallenge.com and via the Savings Circle podcast available on iTunes.

About FNBO Direct
FNBO Direct at www.fnbodirect.com is an Internet bank that offers consumers
innovative online banking products. FNBO Direct is part of First National Bank
of Omaha, a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska, Inc. First National of
Nebraska has grown into the largest privately owned banking company in the
United States. This all-American bank celebrated 150 years of banking excellence
and commitment to community with a recent nod from Kiplinger`s for FNBO Direct
as the Best Online Savings Account2. Additionally, FNBO was ranked in
Computerworld`s annual survey among the top places to work for IT professionals3
and, for a seventh year in a row, as one of the 2008 Working Mother 100 Best
Companies4. First National and its affiliates have $21 billion in managed assets
and nearly 7,000 employee associates located in 35 states. Primary banking
offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota
and Texas.

1 Franklin Covey New Year`s Resolution Survey Results (Dec, 2008) -
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/FranklinCovey-Products-Fourth-Annual-New/story.aspx?guid={C7044F73-9B9D-4180-B3EA-56C6BF7A80B5}

2Kiplinger`s Personal Finance Best of List 2008 (Dec, 2008) -
http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/12/best-financial-services-for-2008.html

3Computerworld Annual Survey (2007). 100 Best Places to Work in IT-
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9024364

4Working Mother (2008) 100 Best Companies -
http://www.workingmother.com/web;jsessionid=B86F33FD534F15155F36B973D08FF21C.tomcat1?service=direct/1/ViewTopListingPage/dlinkDetails&sp=24&sp=77

Copyright © 2009 First National Bank of Omaha. All Rights Reserved. Online
Savings Accounts offered by First National Bank of Omaha, Member FDIC. Deposits
are insured to the maximum permitted by law.

First National Bank of Omaha
Kevin Langin, 402-633-3541
klangin@fnni.com
or
Bailey Lauerman
Wendy Fitch, 402-514-9425
wfitch@baileylauerman.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009