Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has learned that counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Horizon Banks, N.A., Limon, Colorado, are currently in circulation. The items utilize the routing number of another bank. The counterfeit items are quite dissimilar in appearance to the bank's genuine checks. In addition, the counterfeit checks are entitled "Horizon Bank," while the genuine checks also include the former name of the institution - "The First National Bank of Limon." Attached for your review is a copy of a genuine check (void).

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

Ms. Cary Lohmeier
Cashier and Security Officer
Horizon Banks
790 Main Street
Limon, Colorado 80828
Telephone: (303) 684-7350
FAX: (303) 684 7357

In addition, Peoples Bank, Lynden, Washington, has reported counterfeit cashier's checks, payable through Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California, are also in circulation. These instruments include Preferred Bank's routing number: 122042205. The items are similar in layout to the bank's genuine checks, but they have a ticker border, use different fonts, and do not identify the check as being "payable through." A copy of a genuine cashier's check (void) is attached for your review.

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

Tammy Sorensen
Security Coordinator
Peoples Bank
P.O. Box 233
Lynden, Washington 98264
Phone (360) 354-7249
Fax (360) 354-7266

Information about these financial institutions or instruments may be forwarded to the FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, NW, Room F-4040, Washington, DC 20429, or may be transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site 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.

Attachment (not available electronically)