STAY IN TOUCH – GET PREPARED!

Your bank is prepared. Are YOU?

The nation's banks play a vital role in supporting the communities that we serve. Because of our importance to the economy – serving the financial needs of businesses and families – we are required to develop and test emergency and disaster preparedness plans and recovery procedures. These plans spell out how we will protect and recover electronic data and information, ensure the availability of cash, continue customer service and otherwise be up and running after a wide-ranging disaster – one in which personnel are unavailable, key facilities are closed, and power and phones are out for an extended period. We're prepared for emergencies when – not if – they happen. Are you?

Sign up for Online Banking

In the event of an emergency, online banking gives you access to your funds from anywhere. It's fast, easy and FREE! Click here to enroll today.

Important items to have in the event of an emergency

• Forms of identification for all family members
  Driver's license, insurance cards, Social Security cards, passports, copies of birth certificates, etc.
  
• Checkbook
  With enough blank checks and deposit slips to last several weeks
  
• ATM cards, debit cards and credit cards
  
• A small amount of cash
  
• Key phone numbers
  Family, friends, bank, credit card issuers, brokerage firms, insurance companies, etc.
  
• Selected account numbers
  Bank and brokerage accounts, credit card, homeowner's or renter's insurance policies
  
• Key to safe deposit box
  You can't get into your box without your key – no exceptions.
  

Additional steps you can take

• Make backup copies of important original documents. Consider also giving copies to loved ones or perhaps your attorney.
  
• Determine what to keep at home and what to store in a safe deposit box at your bank. A safe deposit box is best for protecting certain papers that could be difficult or impossible to replace but not anything you might need quick access to. Original birth certificates and important contracts can be stored in a safe deposit box.
  
• Seal the most important original documents in airtight and waterproof containers to prevent water damage. This is good advice even if you place them in a safe deposit box, because the boxes are water resistant but not waterproof.
  
• Prepare one or more emergency evacuation bags. Most of what you pack inside will be related to personal safety – first-aid kits, food, water, medications to last several days, flashlights, etc. But your kit also is the place to keep some essential financial items and documents, such as cash, blank checks, copies of your credit cards and ID cards, and contact information for your financial service providers. Also periodically review the contents of the bag to make sure they're up to date. An evacuation bag should be waterproof, easy to carry and kept in a secure place in your home.
  
• Sign up for direct deposit. With direct deposit, your paycheck and other incoming payments will be transmitted automatically to your bank account.
  
• Use automatic bill payments from your bank account. This service enables you to make scheduled payments – such as utility bills, insurance premiums and mortgage payments – and avoid late charges or service interruptions.
  
• Review your insurance coverage. Make sure, for example, you have enough insurance to cover your home, car and other valuable property against major damage.