June 1 marked the official start of the 2008 hurricane season. Should a storm strike, First Bank and Trust of Indiantown is ready. The bank has detailed plans that ensure the protection of funds, personal data, availability of cash, and the continuation of operations as soon as the storm has passed. We want you to be ready too. We encourage you to include a financial plan in your preparedness activities.

Depending on the size of the storm, it can take weeks, months and even years for a community to recover. It is important to have a plan that addresses access to cash reserves, the safety and accessibility of important documents, and the availability of credit in case there are larger financial needs such as a high insurance deductible or emergency home repairs.

FINANCIAL PREPAREDNESS TIPS:

Have enough cash on hand to cover emergency lodging, meals, gas, prescriptions and other necessities for at least three days, longer depending on the size and severity of the storm. There are a number of ways banks can help you prepare for cash emergencies. Interest-bearing CDs, savings or money market accounts can all be easily accessed to cover the expenses of an emergency evacuation, an insurance deductible and minor home repairs. (CDs have a penalty for early withdrawal.) A customer service representative can help you determine the right account for your needs. If you anticipate a storm to be particularly damaging, you may even consider preparing with a home equity line of credit, giving you access to a larger pool of funds to make major repairs without waiting for insurance payments.

Secure your unused checks just as you would secure other valuables. This is a good idea, period. Identity theft and check fraud can happen at anytime.

Safe deposit boxes are ideal for protecting papers that could be difficult or impossible to replace, such as a will or trust documents. Keep in mind that safe deposit boxes are not suitable for papers to which you may need quick access.

Add phone numbers for your bank, credit card issuers, brokerage firms and insurance companies to your emergency contact list.

Additionally, services like online banking and bill-pay allow you to remain current on all of your financial commitments. If you find yourself away from home for any length of time, you can access your accounts and pay your bills online to avoid late payments or service interruptions.

ABOUT FIRST BANK AND TRUST OF INDIANTOWN:

First Bank and Trust of Indiantown has been providing family hometown banking in Martin County for nearly 50 years. The bank is a locally owned community bank with assets of $84 million. It operates four full-service retail banking centers in Palm City, Okeechobee, Lakeport and the original charter location on Warfield Boulevard in Indiantown.

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