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The Great Briefcase Hunt

$5,000 is up for grabs!

The Briefcase has been found!

Congratulations to Stephanie and Derek, and their family for finding the missing briefcase during F&M Bank’s first-ever Great Briefcase Hunt!

The family discovered the briefcase and the $5,000 prize on Labor Day, September 1st. In the spirit of giving back, they have chosen Fulton County Habitat for Humanity as the recipient of an additional $5,000 donation from F&M Bank.

Together, this family’s sense of adventure and generosity has helped make a lasting impact in one of F&M's legacy communities. We hope to see everyone next year. Where may the briefcase turn up? 

And the winner is ...

Hear from the winners of The Great Briefcase Hunt as they share their stories — how they discovered the hidden case, the excitement of the search, and the local charities they chose to support with their winnings. Their experiences show how a little curiosity and community spirit can make a big impact.

Watch Here ----->

The Clues Start Here

Grab your first clue at your local F&M Bank Office starting August 18th!

In case you missed it - here's the first clue found at your local F&M Bank office:

Three states, one mission, where kindness is king-
From Michigan lakes to Indiana’s spring
But Freddie was last seen, toes in the grass
In a Buckeye state town with a river that passed.

 

Northwest it seems, where sunsets blaze,
And small towns shine in nostalgic haze.
A legacy market, where stories run deep - 
It's not just where you live, it's where memories sleep.

A city of leaders, a name fit for command,
Where cornfields stretch and traditions stand.
Freddie took a stroll down a scenic lane—
In a town where the Maumee sings its refrain.
He walked past flowers, a fountain, a trail,
With shade overhead and squirrels on his tail.
A place once named for a man with a heart—
Who helped make the valley a natural art.
Find the green where children play,
Not far from where old benches stay.
Beneath the trees, not too far wide—
Look where roots and stone may hide.
Take the quiet side path where wood meets stone,
Climb the little flight that leads toward Riverview’s tone.
Pause where trunks huddle, close and tight—
Behind those weathered backs your prize sleeps out of sight.

F&M Bank will be giving away $5,000 cash prize to the winner in The Great Briefcase Hunt. Along with that cash prize the winner will select a charity from an approved list to receive a $5,000 donation from F&M Bank as well.

F&M Bank is the sponsor of the 2025 Great Briefcase Hunt.

To Participate:

There is one way to participate in the Hunt:

  1. Follow the official clue trail for The Great Briefcase Hunt, beginning with Clue #1 released in-branch. Subsequent clues will be posted weekly on our social media channels until the briefcase is found. Try to locate the hidden briefcase by following along the clues. No purchase is necessary to participate.

Eligibility: The Hunt is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years of age and older as of August 18, 2025. Void where prohibited. Employees, directors and officers, and their respective household members, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter. The promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and participants hereby agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herin.

Prize: $5,000 cash (or check) and a $5,000 donation to a charity from an approved list of F&M approved charities.

Prize Claim: The Great Briefcase Hunt will end, and the prize will be claimed when the briefcase is discovered in the wilderness.

Additional Terms: Participants agree to: a) the official rules, which shall be final in all respects; and b) release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless F&M Bank and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors and employees, from any liability, claims or damages arising out of their participation in the Great Briefcase Hunt and the acceptance, use, misuse, or possession of any prize. By accepting a prize, the winner agrees to, where legal, F&M Bank and its designees’ use of his/her name (First Name and Last Initial) for advertising and publicity purposes without compensation and, upon request, will provide consent to such use in writing.

Limitation of Liability: F&M Bank is not responsible for printing or typographical errors in any related materials, or for stolen, lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, illegible, or postage-due mail or entries. F&M Bank reserves the right to cancel or modify the promotion if fraud or technical failures compromise the integrity of the promotion as determined by F&M Bank in its sole discretion.

Data Collection: Any information collected may be used for marketing purposes and is subject to F&M Bank Privacy Policy available at fm.bank.

Additional Rules:

  • Bank employees and immediate family/household members of employees are not eligible to win.
  • The Briefcase will never be hidden on private property or in a national park, national monument, or other restricted or fee areas. Please respect all posted signage and rules when exploring and remember to "leave no trace" as you search.
  • F&M Bank is not responsible for taxes related to winnings. The winner will need to complete a W-9 and the cash prize is subject to IRS reporting.
  • No rock climbing, digging, or swimming is necessary. F&M Bank is not responsible for any personal claims of injury, death, loss, expense, or damages arising from participation in this campaign.
  • F&M Bank reserves the right to disqualify any individual it believes or finds to be tampering or violating the official rules, or in any unsportsmanlike or disruptive conduct. Please be kind to others who are searching. Any attempt by any person to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of this campaign is a violation of criminal and civil law.
  • Any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with the prize awarded shall be resolved individually and in Fulton County, Ohio, with participants hereby waiving any right of class action.
  • F&M Bank will immediately post on our social media channels as soon as we are aware the Briefcase has been found, but all other information or solves to the clues can be expected on https://www.fm.bank/great-briefcase-hunt.