BankAtlantic’s Community Bulletin Board: Hurricane Preparedness - Money Tips
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – July 7, 2010 – BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, announced its Community Bulletin Board: Hurricane Preparedness- Money Tips.
“Being prepared can make all the financial difference in the world for you and your family’s security in the event of a natural disaster,” commented Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic. “If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to be monetarily ready for the hurricane season of 2010.”
Here are some of the things you can do to be prepared:
• Collect important personal papers and information related to financial transactions. (See suggested list below)
• Create copies now (certified, in cases of birth certificates and other crucial documents) in case you need them to provide to government agencies
• Put important original documents in plastic covers to protect them and to prevent you from accidentally giving them away
• Store your original documents, photographs, and computer backup disks in an off-site safety deposit box. Be sure to keep this key in a safe place
• Create a Financial First Aid Kit in a clearly labeled, waterproof and fireproof, easy-to-grab container, metal box or safe. Keep copies of your original documents at home in your Financial First Aid Kit. Also, since ATMs do not usually work during a blackout or may not be restocked during an emergency, be sure to include some $5, $10 and $20 bills in your Financial First Aid Kit
• Notify the appropriate people where important information will be located, in case you are not available when it is needed. If you have an attorney, you may also want to provide him or her with a copy of your documents in a sealed envelope to be opened with your approval or in the event you become incapacitated.
Documents to store in your Financial First Aid Kit include personal and household information, professional advisors and health care providers, and important legal documents and financial statements. Suggested include:
• Birth, marriage and death certificates
• Divorce and child custody papers
• Social Security cards
• Drivers licenses
• Credit cards
• Adoption papers
• Passports
• Wills, living wills, and health care proxies
• Powers of attorney
• Property deeds and mortgage papers
• Recent bank and brokerage statements and stock and bond certificates
• Car titles and registrations
• Insurance policies (life, health, disability, long term care, auto, homeowners, renters)
• Military records
• Company benefits and recent pay stubs
• List (or pictures) of valuables and their worth as well as a list (or pictures) of other possessions
• Recent income tax returns
• Recent checking account records and checks
• Online passwords and toll free numbers
• Copies of education degrees and licenses
• Backups of digital information
• Medical and dental records and prescriptions
• Telephone numbers and email addresses of anyone you might have to contact including family members, friends, financial advisors, insurance companies, and credit card companies.
Many documents, accounts, and billing statements are now online. While this provides convenience and heightened security, it is important to ensure that you also have hardcopy as well. If you bank or pay your bills electronically, be sure to periodically print records from these accounts and include these in your Financial First Aid Kit. In addition, electronic payments, credit/debit cards and software programs for taxes and other finances require a password, PIN or personal security questions as an extra measure of protection. It is important to keep these access codes secure. Do NOT include a list of passwords and PINs in your Financial First Aid Kit documents at home.
BankAtlantic’s 2010 Hurricane Preparedness – Money Tips is a good start. However, to be fully prepared and for more detailed information, please visit:
• The Florida Division of Emergency Management at www.floridadisaster.org
• The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov
About BankAtlantic: BankAtlantic, “Florida’s Most Convenient Bank”, is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Florida. Via its broad network of community branches, online banking division - BankAtlantic.com , and conveniently located ATMs, BankAtlantic provides a full line of personal, small business and commercial banking products and services. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week with extended weekday hours, Free Online Banking & Bill Pay, a 7-Day Customer Service Center and Change Exchange coin counters.
BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic.
BankAtlantic Contact Info:
Media Relations:
Sharon Lyn Telephone: 954-940-6383
Fax: 954-940-5320
Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
BankAtlantic Bancorp Contact Info:
Leo Hinkley, Media and Investor Relations Officer
Telephone: (954) 940-5300
Email: InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
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The matters discussed herein are meant as a public service reminder and a general summary of hurricane preparedness suggestions, are not exclusive, and should not be considered an all inclusive or complete list of steps, procedures, items, suggestions or ideas related to or needed towards preparing for a hurricane or other natural disaster. Each individual, individual family and each natural disaster are unique and you should seek the advice of a professional or research and utilize the recommendations of the authorities which includes but is not limited to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, your local emergency management office, as well as your medical practitioner, legal counsel, accountant and veterinarian. Actual hurricane preparedness results or professional recommendations could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the statements contained herein, and the Company cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive.
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