December, 2015
Private Bank of Buckhead and Decatur, PrivatePlus Mortgage  
First Class Service. First Name Basis
 
PrivatePlus Mortgage
Prior to your mortgage application...
By Scarlett Tassone

Scarlett Tassone
Tassone
As with a lot of things in life, it helps to plan ahead if a mortgage may be part of your future. You see, when planning to purchase a new home, there are a few common mistakes to avoid that will make the mortgage process smoother.

These mistakes can be costly, either by way of higher interest rates, delay of the purchase or even by disqualifying you - at least temporarily - from getting a mortgage. Mistakes can happen as early as years before you make application for a mortgage.
 
My article primarily discusses common mistakes before the application, but homebuyers should be very diligent during the loan process as well.

This is just a taste; read Scarlett's article in its entirety here.

Scarlett Tassone (NMLS #237043) is a Vice President and Mortgage Banker with PrivatePlus Mortgage, our dedicated mortgage services division, which originates mortgages in 49 states and is represented at our Buckhead and Decatur locations.

Milestones

New Year, Tenth Year...

Ninth AnniversaryPrivate Bank of Buckhead - which includes the Private Bank of Decatur and PrivatePlus Mortgage divisions - celebrated our Ninth Anniversary December 11.

Our clients - and the market - continue to respond to the fact that we provide you with access to bankers with decision-making authority who are fanatical about the level of service we deliver. We believe all clients should benefit from the heightened level of service other banks reserve for a certain few. That's what our name is about. There is no private-banking department; our entire bank and all of its associates are committed to providing that level of service to every client every day across every transaction, large or small.

As we move into a new year in our evolution and into a New Year, allow me to say THANK YOU again for your confidence and referrals,


Charlie Crawford, President, CEO and ChairmanCharlie's Signature
Charlie Crawford
President, CEO & Chairman
Private Bank of Buckhead
404-264-7960
Email

If you know anyone who does not love their bank or mortgage company, please encourage them to call me directly, or call on Private Bank of Decatur's Judy Turner or PrivatePlus Mortgage's Dan Smith.

Decorative winter branch
Mark your calendar


We'll close at Noon on Christmas Eve, December 24, and be closed Christmas Day, Friday, December 25. Remember, through our robust technology platform, you can bank most any time from most anywhere. Need more info? Contact Brian McGuire, 404-264-7956.

Customer focus

Trinity Mercantile & Design
If you want Trinity Mercantile & Design in Decatur to serve as your full-service interior design firm, that's what it is. Or, if you are just looking for a go-to-gift boutique, that's what it is...with the added bonus that the selections have been curated by the owners/designers who are there to help guide your purchases.

Opened in 2012, Trinity moved into its larger digs in October. Owners Lisa Turner and Wallace Bryan are both designers who seem to relish the breadth of what their business provides: Everything from candles and gifty things to locally made jewelry and artwork to lamps and accessories and mid-range furniture and, of course, design services.

Lisa Turner and Wallace Bryan
Lisa Turner and Wallace Bryan
As we visited with them recently, an eclectic and steady stream of visitors came by. A local artisan was dropping off her latest jewelry for display and sale. A client came by with a rug to consult on how it would work with furniture she's buying from Trinity. Curious shoppers came in and quickly became enthralled with the different "rooms" and offerings.

Wallace brings a background in interior design. Lisa brings "many careers," but especially time spent doing high-end renovations and collaborating with clients and builders on their finishes. The collaboration between the two really works, with Wallace noting, "everyone has good taste; we just work with them to help heighten that - to help explore what they want and need and can live with, but not jettison everything they have."

Lisa notes that one of their jobs is to help clients establish a base. "We push them to explore their own sense and style, not give them ours," she says. Both Lisa and Wallace refer often to color and even to themselves as "colorists," and clearly enjoy what they do, especially the relationships established through their work.

One relationship we appreciate them calling out is the one with Judy Turner and the PBofD team. "They provide amazing service and ensure that we have the 'safety net' products and services small businesses need," they say, noting "Judy and the others at the bank understand what we do, how we work and what we need because they are small business people too." They appreciate the community focus of Judy and the bank as well.

Trinity's community focus - apparent not only in some of its local offerings, and strong ties to local neighborhoods, residents and builders - is apparent by the fact that they held a fundraiser for a non-profit organization not long after moving into the new space. (See our Facebook album of Trinity photos.)

So, whether it's a hostess or holiday gift, a quality accessory or furniture item to spruce up your home for the New Year or a design consultation, check out our friends at Trinity.


Banking channels

Mobile device security
By Brian McGuire

Mobile devices such as smartphones, laptops or tablets are as susceptible to threats as desktop computers, primarily because bad guys prey on this banking channel as they do on others. We not only continue to stay ahead of technology and protocols to keep your accounts safe, but also help you prevent and detect fraud.

Mobile banking Unique threats to mobile devices in addition to "mobile malware" include "smishing," a phishing scam that occurs via texting. Clicking on an unsolicited text or photos therein may compromise your accounts.

"Spear phishing" occurs when cybercriminals gather information about someone through groups someone is affiliated with, such as social media channels. We'll cover social media security - as it relates to protecting your financial information - in a future issue of the newsletter.
 
Of course, mobile devices are easily lost or stolen, so password protect your device and investigate capabilities for remotely "wiping" information from a device that is lost or stolen.

Mobile device tips:
  • Store your device in a secure location;
  • Use the password protection or keypad lock function;
  • Don't share your password, account number, PIN, or other such information;
  • Don't save password or other vital information elsewhere on the device;
  • Don't let your device automatically log you in to your bank account;
  • Delete texts that relate to financial services, including legitimate ones from your banker;
  • Never disclose personal information via text message;
  • Turn off features of mobile devices that are not needed to minimize the "attack surface" of the device;
  • Be cautious when using public internet services;
  • Establish alternate communication channels. So, for instance, if you receive an email or text you deem suspicious, phone us rather than replying. 
  • Likewise, if a link or email or text seems to be taking you to a site that seems unfamiliar or if it is requesting information you are not comfortable providing, let us help you verify it; and
  • Immediately tell your mobile service provider, bank and other key institutions if you lose your phone.
In future articles we'll be discussing topics like Social media communication security, "Social engineering" risks, USB drive safety and more. Of course, always feel free to suggest your own security topic suggestions.

Brian McGuire, 404-264-7956, is Senior Vice President of Treasury Management Services, and our online banking guru.

News briefs
Preserving PlaceMade in the South...  

We're proud that our friend and client Preserving Place is featured in Garden & Gun Magazine's Made in the South Awards! Preserving Place is a great resource for holiday gifts - products or classes - and Martha's backstory is a great reminder to capture your family recipes and traditions.

Cindy Siegler
Siegler
Bank's compliance team grows 

The bank has named Cindy Siegler as Bank Secrecy Compliance Specialist. She brings nearly 20 years of experience to the bank, previously working in Bank Secrecy Act and compliance at another area community bank. "Cindy is experienced in the community bank setting and has been dedicated to continuing her training and education to stay ahead of the rapidly changing compliance curve," says Sandra Chastain, the bank's Regulatory Compliance Officer.

You say it best!

Checkmark Good Morning Charlie,

We are certainly enjoying the relationship with (the bank). We appreciate and enjoy Reid Hutchinson and his personal attention to Carter Barnes; he is fantastic. We love our personal banker! My husband and I moved our home mortgage to (the bank) this past September and we are happy we did.

Cheers,
Patricia (Perri) Higbie

Happy 2016 Mark your calendar II

We'll be closed New Year's Day, Friday, January 1. We look forward to being your banking partner in 2016!

Judy Turner with Elizabeth Wilson
PBofD president Judy Turner with Decatur Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson
Your community bank

We love hearing from Private Bank of Decatur customers like Community Activist and Decatur Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson: "I love the friendliness; I love walking in and knowing everybody. You don't have to wait for help. Everyone is willing and able to help you. It's that environment that makes it the bank for all of us, the old, the young, those of us who have little money and those who have a lot. We always feel so welcome. You can even call the bank and someone helps you."

Always evolving - for you

Early in the New Year we'll debut a new-and-improved web presence that, among other things, should enhance your mobile banking experience. Soon thereafter our newsletter will get a makeover too. We're constantly working to be the best banking and mortgage partner we can be for you. As you see these enhancements roll out, and at any other time, let us know how we are doing. In keeping with our "always listening" stance, you'll also receive our annual client service survey in March.

� 2015 Private Bank of Buckhead. All rights reserved.  PrivatePlus Mortgage and Private Bank of Decatur are divisions of Private Bank of Buckhead. Offer of credit is subject to credit approval. This email message is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) above. If you have received this message in error, or are not the named recipient(s), please immediately notify the sender and consider using the unsubscribe option below. You also can use the functions below to share this information with others.

Bank NMLS #758195 | Member FDIC  |   Equal Housing Lender