Christmas Scrip loans up by six-percent following holidays

Phillips County residents kept $281,770.00 of their dollars local this holiday season by participating in the Christmas Scrip program. This year's overall totals were up about 6% from 2016.

Going strong for over 30 years, Christmas Scrip continues to be a valuable program for local residents to shop at home, and spread out the financial cost of the holidays or those big expenses, throughout the year.

This no-interest loan program was available at all three local banks; The First State, First Security and Independence Bank and co-sponsored by the Malta Area Chamber of Commerce. Scrip offers up $1,000 in loans, that is paid back in 10 monthly installments. It traditionally kicks off around the end of October, at the Parade of Lights, and runs through December 24.