On October 3, 2008, FDIC deposit insurance temporarily increased from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor through December 31, 2010. First Western Trust Bank is participating in the FDIC's Transaction Account Guarantee Program. Under that program, through December 31, 2010, all noninterest-bearing transaction accounts are fully guaranteed by the FDIC for the entire amount in the account. Coverage under the Transaction Account Guarantee Program is in addition to and separate from the coverage available under the FDIC's general deposit insurance rules. How and Why We Obtain Personal Information
First Western Trust Bank uses personal information about you to provide you with the superior service you expect from us. We may use this information to develop, offer, and deliver products and services; process transactions in your account; respond to inquiries from you or your representative; or to fulfill legal and regulatory requirements. First Western Trust Bank may collect public and nonpublic personal information about you from any of the following sources:

• You or your representative on applications or forms (eg, name, address, Social Security Number, birth date, assets and income)
• Transactional activity in your account (eg, transactions and balances)
• Other interactions with First Western Trust Bank (eg, discussions with our customer service staff or your entry of information into our interactive tools)
• Information services and consumer reporting agencies (eg, to verify your identity, to assess your creditworthiness or to better understand your product and service needs)
• You or your representative regarding your preferences (eg, the screen layout you specify if you use our Internet site)

Restricted Disclosure of Your Information
First Western Trust Bank considers the protection of sensitive information to be a foundation of customer trust and a sound business practice. We do NOT disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers, potential customers, or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law. We employ extensive physical, electronic and procedural controls in keeping with industry standards and practices, and we regularly adapt these controls to respond to changing requirements and advances in technology.
Within First Western Trust Bank and among our service providers, we restrict access to personal information to those who require it to provide products and services to you. We may share the personal information that we collect with the following entities:

• Affiliates, including affiliated service providers (eg, our data processing company and printing operation) We require these companies to adhere to confidentiality provisions that prohibit the use of any information beyond the performance of the specified service performed on our behalf.
• Unaffiliated service providers (eg, securities clearinghouse)
• Government agencies, other regulatory bodies and law enforcement officials (eg, for tax purposes or for reporting suspicious transactions)
• Other organizations, with your consent or as directed by your representative (eg, if you use First Western Trust Bank as a financial reference in applying for credit with another institution)
• Other organizations, as permitted by law (eg, for fraud prevention)

Privacy Online
Privacy, security and service in our online operations are just as critical as in the rest of our business. We therefore employ all of the safeguards described above, along with the following Internet-specific practices. First Western Trust Bank uses a variety of proven protections to maintain the security of your online session. For example, we make extensive use of firewall barriers, encryption techniques and authentication procedures.

When you visit First Western Trust Bank's website, we may collect technical and navigational information, such as computer browser type, Internet protocol address, pages visited, and average time spent on our website. This information may be used, for example, to alert you to software compatibility issues, or it may be analyzed to improve our website design and functionality.

If you are a former customer, we treat your information in the same manner as that of current customers. For your convenience, First Western Trust Bank offers several options for accessing and, if necessary, correcting your account information. You can review your information independently using your statements or online services. You may also e-mail, write or call us with your request for information. Specific mailing addresses and telephone numbers may be listed on your statements and other correspondence.

Federal law requires that Commercial/Business clients be provided with this notice.

Certain federal and/or state laws such as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act or Third Party Service Providers’ Rules may limit or prohibit certain transactions such as (but not limited to) those coded as unlawful Internet gambling transactions.

First Western Trust Bank (“The Bank”) may decline to accept, process or pay any transaction that we believe to be illegal or unenforceable (regarding your obligation to pay us or otherwise) under applicable law; or which is otherwise limited or prohibited, including but not limited to any transaction involving or relating to any unlawful Internet gambling or illegal activity.

These restricted transactions generally include, but are not limited to, those in which credit, electronic fund transfers, checks, or drafts are knowingly accepted by gambling businesses in connection with the participation by others in unlawful internet gambling.

Security and Encryption
Our online banking system brings together a combination of industry approved security technologies and recommended customer security procedures. We feature a password controlled system, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol for data encryption, VeriSign Digital ID, a router and firewall to regulate incoming and outgoing information to protect both your information and ours.

Browser
Security begins with your browser. Our SSL encryption has been certified as a 128-bit secure server. Only a web browser such as Netscape Navigator 4.7 or higher or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher will be supported. These browsers support 128 bit Secure Sockets Layer encryption. This provides a secure channel for data transmission. When you connect to our server, all requests sent by you and responses from us are encrypted.

Authenticity
To begin a session, you will be asked for your Log-In ID and user password. We use a “three strikes and you’re out” philosophy to protect our customers. After three unsuccessful attempts, the system locks out the user until someone from the bank intervenes and verifies the customer and password. Digital ID verifies the user’s identity and establishes a secure connection.

Data Transfer
Because of the security features of both the required browser and our SSL encrypted server, the connection is secure. Data traveling over the internet between the user and the bank is encrypted with the top industry standard, Secure Sockets (SSL) protocol.

Router and Firewall
All log-in requests are first filtered through a router and then through a firewall to determine whether the user is granted access to the requested destination and to protect the internal bank network from unauthorized outside access. The router is responsible for determining who has access to which parts of internet banking. The firewall is a higher level of security to further filter and verify access.


First Western has provided this information in an ongoing effort to maintain client awareness of Fraud and Identity Theft.

First Western will never trade, rent, or sell your personal information – including email addresses – to anyone. For more information on our privacy policy, please see related content.

Online Banking Fraud
The banking industry has seen an alarming increase in wire and ACH fraud as hackers and cyber thieves are becoming more successful in accessing bank accounts. Fraudsters are increasingly targeting small-to medium-sized businesses. Always elicit a professional IT services company to ensure your business and personal computer networking systems are secure and that virus protection is installed.

Phishing
Criminals use fraudulent emails (known as phishes) or pop-up Web pages that appear legitimate and are designed to deceive you into sharing personal or account information. The phishes often include logos of legitimate companies, content from their Web sites, and names of real employees.

Many scammers randomly generate email addresses - that's why you may have received fraudulent emails that appear to be from banks you do not have an account with. They may also obtain email addresses online from Web pages, chat rooms, online auctions, directories or other sources.

Remember, First Western Trust Bank will never send unsolicited emails asking you to provide, update, or verify personal or account information, such as passwords, Social Security numbers, PINs, credit or debit card numbers, or other confidential information. These requests are handled over the phone with a person from First Western.

Pharming
Pharming occurs when you type in a Web address and it redirects you to a fraudulent Web site without your knowledge or consent. The Web site will try and look similar to the legitimate site in hopes of capturing your confidential information.

Credit Card Fraud
Credit Card fraud can occur when someone takes your card and uses it without your consent. It can also happen when the card is still in your possession. Your card number may have been hijacked from an online website or even captured by a skimming device at an ATM or Point of Sale terminal. Always report lost or stolen cards immediately.

Phone Solicitations
Scammers will attempt to randomly call people with hopes to lure them with cash gifts or prizes in exchange for personal or account information. A famous scam is the "Gift of $10,000 cash." The caller tells clients that they've won a gift of $10,000. Clients are asked to confirm their account and routing numbers so that the money can be transferred to their accounts by wire. Another scam involves clients receiving a voice mail and being asked to verify possible fraudulent activities on their cards. The voice mail includes bogus phone numbers for clients to call. In regard to your cards, to be safe, always call the number on the back of your card.

Print Fraud
Scammers will use local and community newspapers publishing fake advertisements with special rates and offers. If clients call, they are asked for their personal information and for an advance payment before the transaction can be completed.

Check Scams
Scammers will overpay for an item purchased and ask the difference to be wired back. Most times the original check was counterfeit or forged for a higher amount.

Mail Fraud
Mail fraud occurs when scammers illegally intercept your mail or when you receive unrealistic and untrue offers.

Sweepstakes or Lotteries
Please beware of other lottery scams – especially those that originate from foreign countries. Letters notifying you that you've won a lottery or sweepstakes may require you to send money to secure your winnings. These "official" notices sometimes include fake checks. These notifications and checks are fraudulent.

To report a suspicious First Western email, Web page, or phone call, you can forward information about the email or Web page to risk@fwtb.com.

If you believe you have provided personal or account information in response to a fraudulent email, Web site, or phone call, immediately contact your First Western Relationship Manager.

At First Western Trust Bank, the protection of all your assets, including your identity is our top priority. Below you will find helpful tips to prevent you from becoming a victim of Identity Theft.

Tips on Preventing Identity Theft

• Don't include your Social Security number or driver's license number on sensitive documents.
• Don't leave incoming mail lying around.
• Drop your mail in an official postal mailbox.
• Shred or destroy any receipts, junk mail or documents containing your personal and financial information before you throw it away.
• Don't respond to unsolicited requests for personal or account information.
• Use a safe deposit box to protect important documents.
• Review your credit report at least once a year. For more information about ordering free credit reports, go to the special Web site established by the three credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com or call 877.322.8228.
• Look beyond the bank’s logo. To make fraudulent emails or Web sites appear real, scammers often include actual logos and images of legitimate companies. They also convey a sense of urgency, stating that if you fail to provide, update, or verify your personal or account information, access to your accounts will be suspended. It's important that you look beyond the logo and not give out your information.
• Use your spam filter. Many email services now have spam filters that minimize the amount of spam you receive. The filters can help you minimize the number of fraudulent emails in your inbox.
• Type, don't click. Even if you do open a suspicious email, don't click on any links. By clicking on the links, you could unknowingly download a virus or spyware to your computer. Even if you think the email is legitimate, type Web addresses into your browser instead of clicking on links. If the email is from an institution you know, use a bookmark that you've already created to visit the company's Web site.
• Change your online passwords often. The best practice is to change your password every 30 to 60 days. Be creative with your passwords – stay away from obvious passwords like your ZIP code, year of birth, or sensitive information such as your mother's maiden name or your Social Security number. Include numbers and letters so passwords can't be easily intercepted or guessed by others.
• Update your anti-virus and anti-spam software. By keeping anti-virus and anti-spam software up to date on your computers, you make it more difficult for scammers to access your personal and account information. You can purchase anti-virus and anti-spyware software at major retail stores, as well as on the Internet.
• Delete emails from unknown senders.
• Sign the back of your Credit or Debit cards immediately once they arrive in the mail.
• Memorize your PIN and never write it on anything.
• Don't enter your credit card information online unless you're on a secure site. (Look for a lock in the bottom right hand of your screen or for “https” in the web address)
• Don't send your credit card number in the mail.
• Keep a record of all your account numbers, expiration dates, and contact information for each issuer. This will come in handy if your wallet is lost or stolen.
• Report a lost or stolen card right away. Quick action will minimize potential loss and liability.
• Save your receipts to compare against your billing statement. When discarding receipts, tear them up or shred them.
• Monitor your bank and credit card statements monthly, making sure you recognize all charges. If you see any suspicious transactions, contact your bank immediately.
• Don't leave your purse, wallet, cards, or receipts unattended. Always keep them secure or in your sight.
• Only carry cards that you need; leave others in a safe place at home.
• Don't give out your account number unless you know and trust the company.
• Shield your hand from view of others when entering your PIN at ATMs.
• Use Direct Deposit for paychecks, Social Security payments, and other regular deposits.
• Be aware of fake check scams that promise easy money for working at home, winning sweepstakes, or depositing checks from foreign countries.
• Report lost or stolen checks immediately to First Western by calling your local banking office or 303-531-8100.
• Notify a lender immediately if you receive a call, confirmation, or decline letter on a loan for which you did not apply.

We're committed to keeping your accounts safe from unauthorized access and your identity confidential. You are your own best protection against online fraud. By staying informed, you can help protect your identity and accounts.