First State Bank is well aware of the need to protect privacy of financial and sensitive information obtained about our customers in the normal course of business. With the advent of electronic banking, we understand that customers are more attuned than ever to the need to protect personal information.

We recognize the reasonable expectation of privacy for all of our customers and the importance of protecting that privacy. We have established the following privacy principles as one method to protect customer privacy:

1) Recognition of Our Customer’s Expectation of Privacy

We recognize and respect our customer’s right to expect privacy of personal financial information obtained in the normal course of business. We understand the need to safeguard confidential information about our customers within the confines of the bank’s area of operations. We maintain standards and procedures designed to prevent misuse of that information.

2) Use, Collection and Retention of Customer Information

First State Bank will collect, retain and use information about individual customers only where we reasonably believe it will be useful (and allowed by law) to administer bank business and to provide products, services and other opportunities to our customers. First State Bank collects nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources: 

• Information we receive from you on applications or other forms; 
  
• Information about you transactions with us or others; and 
  
• Information we receive from a consumer reporting agency. 
  

3) Maintenance of Accurate Information

1st State Bank has policy and procedures in place to help assure that our customer’s financial information is accurate, current and complete in accordance with reasonable commercial standards. Our staff is fully prepared to respond to requests to correct in-accurate information in a timely manner. Our system is designed to regularly update information when appropriate and to remove old information as necessary.

4) Limiting Employee Access to Information

First State Bank has policy and procedures and security levels that limit employee access to personally identifiable customer information to those employees who have a business reason for knowing such information. We regularly emphasize employee understanding of the importance of confidentiality and customer privacy. We take appropriate disciplinary measures to enforce employee privacy responsibilities.

5) Security Procedures for the Protection of Customer Information

First State Bank will maintain appropriate security standards and procedures to help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information about our customers.

6) Restrictions on the Disclosure of Account Information

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you to anyone, except as permitted by law. If you decide to close your account(s) or become an inactive customer, we will adhere to the privacy policies and practices as described in this notice.

7) Maintaining Customer Privacy in Business Relationship with Third Parties

Sometimes it is necessary to provide personally identifiable information about you to a third party, such as to a vendor or service company that we hire to provide support or services for one or more of our products. These vendors and service companies agree to safeguard our confidential information about you and your products and services with us and to abide by applicable law.

8) Disclosure of Privacy Principles to Our Customers

In this new age of fast changing technology we are well aware of our customer’s concern about financial privacy. We want you to understand our commitment to personal privacy and our use of personally sensitive information. In order for our customers to know how 1st State Bank handles this important issue, we have prepared 1st State Bank’s Privacy Principles. This statement of principles should answer most of the important questions that you may have about how we protect and use sensitive information. Of course if you have any further questions about our privacy principles, the appropriate personnel will gladly assist you.

First State Bank’s Privacy Principles apply to all individuals who do business with us or who make business inquiries. We reserve the right to update or change them, along with related provisions, at any time.