Bank collecting hurricane relief donations Seymour office among sites

For THE TRIBUNE

Irwin Union Bank branches in Bartholomew County, Greensburg and Seymour are collecting items for survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

Containers are set up in each Irwin Union Bank branch to collect donations of personal items that will be distributed by the Salvation Army.

Items needed include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, disposable razors, shaving cream, deodorant, combs, brushes, towels, washcloths, baby powder, sanitary items, dental floss, Band-Aids, antifungal cream, baby oil, hand lotion, facial tissue, handkerchiefs, antibacterial cream, hand sanitizer, moisture wipes and insect spray.

Irwin Union Bank branches also are collecting change to convert to cash donations. All cash donations will be used to purchase personal items for hurricane survivors.

Drop-off points at Irwin Union branches are at 202 E. Tipton St., Seymour; 500 Washington Street, downtown Columbus; 2351 Eastbrook Plaza, Columbus; Kroger, 3110 N. National Road, Columbus; West Hill Plaza, 4190 Jonathan Moore Pike, Columbus; 645 Harrison, Hope; 1803 N. Lincoln, Greensburg Plaza, Greensburg; and U.S. 31 and Tannehill Road, Taylorsville.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.