From our November 23, 2000, edition.

Local banks to offer no-interest loans 

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

“Christmas Cash” loans are available again this year at The Donley County State Bank, The Herring National Bank of Clarendon, and Community Bank. 

As last year, local banks are making 0% loans, up to $3,000, available for “Christmas Cash.”

Interested parties must make application for a loan with any of the participating banks.  Once your Christmas Cash loan has been approved, you will be issued specially printed Christmas Cash Dollars, which may be spent like US currency toward new purchases of products and services (excluding Lottery tickets, gasoline, and tobacco products) at all of the participating businesses.  Businesses display posters indicating they are participants of the promotion. 

There will be no exchange of U.S. currency to make change.  For example, if you purchase items valued at $72.95 and you give the merchant $80.00 in Christmas Cash, the merchant can give you $7.05 in-store credit.  You may also pay $70.00 in Christmas Cash and the remaining $2.95 in U. S. currency. 

Christmas Cash Dollars are available in three denominations: $10, $20, and $50.  There are two signature lines, the same as there are on traveler’s checks. 

Your signature is placed on the signature line before you leave the bank, and then you must sign on the endorsement line when you spend your Cash. 

Christmas Cash must be spent at the participating merchants by December 31, 2000.  Unspent Christmas Cash may be applied toward your 0% loan at the bank through January 5, 2001. 

This cash may not be used as a regular monthly loan payment.  It can only be applied toward the principal amount due at the end of the Christmas Cash note.  Christmas Cash notes are paid back in ten equal monthly installments.  After January 5, 2001, Christmas Cash becomes worthless. 

It’s amazing the variety of products you can purchase with your Christmas Cash.  Some of the items purchased in years past include: replacement windows, vehicle repairs, groceries, furniture, entertainment equipment, cook-tops, dry cleaning for summer bedrolls, catered goodies, Christmas dinner, car stereos, special gift items, centerpieces, clothing, and much more. 

The Donley County State Bank, The Herring National Bank, and Community Bank will buy Christmas Cash from participating merchants at a rate of 95¢ for every $1.00.  Participating businesses are “interested in keeping your business here in Clarendon.”

This year’s participating merchants are: Amigo’s Mexican Restauranté, Bar H Dude Ranch, Chamberlain Motor Company, Country Bloomers Flowers and Gifts, Duckwall’s, Eads Furniture and Appliances, Floyd’s Motor Company and Body Shop, Guys and Dolls, Henson’s, J&W Lumber, Kidd’s Texaco and Clarendon Auto Supply, McKinney’s Motor Company, Poor Boy’s Antiques, Saye’s, White’s Feed and Seed, B&R Thriftway, The Clarendon Enterprise, Clarendon Outpost, Country Kitchen, Every Nook & Cranny, Floyd’s Automotive Supply, Greenbelt Cleaners, Harlan’s Flowers and Gifts, The Hitchin’ Post, Janie’s Beauty Shop, Mike’s Pharmacy, Naturally Texas T’s, “Sam Hill” Barbecue, and Thompson Upholstery.