News from First Bank of Highland Park

The Holidays are a time for giving. First Bank of Highland Park has been supporting our community for over fifty years and this holiday season we continue that tradition. When you open a new deposit account of your choice at First Bank of Highland Park with $10,000* or more, we’ll donate $100 to your favorite Chicagoland charity.** It’s giving made easy. 

*Limit one donation request per household. Promotion runs 11/1/11 - 12/31/11. For new money only. Funds must be on deposit for at least six months. **Donation requests can only be made for 501(c)3 (not-for-profit) organizations in the Chicagoland Metropolitan area. Any organization failing to meet these requirements will not receive a donation. FBHP Foundation will make the donation on behalf of the account holder, and advise the qualifying organization of the account holder’s role in the donation referral. There is no tax write-off benefit to any account holder making the referral. Please refer to our Disclosure Statement for the complete terms and conditions for our accounts.

How to Protect Yourself from Fraud and Data Breach Loss

An unfortunate reality of the Information Age is that data from debit and credit card transactions can be intercepted by thieves and used in fraudulent financial activity. As your bank, we take great precautions to safeguard your privacy, but many retail and service businesses still fall victim to fraudulent activity and data breaches. Fortunately, you can take a few common sense steps to protect yourself against fraudulent activity and data breaches.

First, it is always good practice to review your monthly statements. This was good practice fifty years ago, and it is good practice today. If you find anything that appears unusual, notify the bank and we will take appropriate action.

Second, there is a clearing house that contains information regarding electronic privacy breaches www.privacyrights.org , and you can regularly check it to stay informed on a comprehensive list of reported data breaches nationwide.

We take your financial security very seriously, and we truly value your business.

10 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR MONEY

Online Banking, Bill Paying and Shopping are convenience that most people want to enjoy. If you would like more information, see FDIC Article, "Online Banking, Bill Paying and Shopping : 10 ways to protect your money."

NOTICE OF CHANGES IN TEMPORARY FDIC INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TRANSACTION ACCOUNTS

All funds in a "noninterest-bearing transaction account" are insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from December 31,2010, through December 31,2012. This temporary unlimited coverage is in addition to, and separate from, the coverage of at least $250,000 available to depositors under the FDIC's general deposit insurance rules.

The term "noninterest-bearing transaction account" includes a traditional checking account or demand deposit account on which the insured depository institution pays no interest. It also includes Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts ("IOLTAs"). It does not include other accounts, such as traditional checking or demand deposit accounts that may earn interest, NOW accounts, and money-market deposit accounts.

For more information about temporary FDIC insurance coverage of transaction accounts, visit www.fdic.gov.

FDIC Scam Alert

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports from consumers who received an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The e-mail informs the recipient that "in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, federal, state and local governments..." the FDIC has withdrawn deposit insurance from the recipient's account "due to activity that violates the Patriot Act." It further states deposit insurance will remain suspended until identity and account information can be verified using a system called "IDVerify." If consumers go to the link provided in the e-mail, it is suspected they will be asked for personal or confidential information, or malicious software may be loaded onto the recipient's computer.

This e-mail is fraudulent. It was not sent by the FDIC. It is an attempt to obtain personal information from consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any circumstances provide any personal information through this media.

The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.