Monarch Community Bank

Monarch Community Bank welcomes AnnMarie Sanders as a new commercial loan officer for the bank.  Sanders has worked in banking for 9 years and most recently at County National Bank in Hillsdale.  Her responsibilities will include obtaining and managing commercial loans.

Sanders is a graduate of Jonesville High School and of Eastern Michigan University, where she obtained a degree in economics.  Over the years she’s served in various positions in the bank setting including loan operations, teller, vault teller, and bank secrecy act officer.  Sanders attended the Michigan Banker’s Association Commercial Lending School.

When asked what she’s looking forward to in her new position she said, “Meeting and working with a lot of new customers in Branch, Hillsdale, and Calhoun Counties”.   Sanders resides in Jackson County with her husband, Elwin, and  two children.  She enjoys reading, gardening, and attending her kids sporting activities.    Her office is located at 87 Marshall St. in Coldwater.

Many organization and businesses are struggling in this tough economy, but employees at Monarch Community Bank are committed to stepping up to help through the Casual for a Cause Program.  This program allows employees the option to “dress down” wearing a bank logo shirt for $1.00 per employee per week.  Throughout the year, the Marshall Branches donated to the Marshall Fountain Clinic and collected $250. 

Monarch employees decided to give to the Fountain Clinic for 2009 because of their generosity to those in need.  The organization helps those uninsured or underinsured who can’t afford needed medical care.  

Mary Jo Bryne of the Fountain Clinic and Cindy Benson of Monarch giving a donation of $250.

Everyday People. Our Priority. Check out why our people love working at Monarch

Monarch Community Bank is committed to protecting your data; however, we cannot do it without your help. Please follow the guidelines below to help protect you and your accounts. This information in not limited to keeping your Monarch Community Bank Online Banking account secure. It will help keep all your online experiences safe and secure.

• Monarch Community Bank will never solicit you for passwords, account numbers, or other personal information-if you get an email requesting information contact us at (800) 882-2911;
• Access the online banking Web site by typing www.monarchcb.com into the address bar, rather than clicking links you might see in an email, instant message, or on another web site;
• Check for anything that looks unfamiliar, unprofessional, or out of place to you and;
• Never allow your web browser to save username and passwords.

Secure Your Passwords

• Create strong passwords. These are complex passwords longer than six characters. It should include both upper and lowercase, numbers, and special characters (!,@,#,$, etc.). Create a saying and abbreviate it to help remember the password. For example, My dog Rex can help you remember the password Myd0gRe%;
• Use a different password for each online account;

• Keep your password safe-don’t leave it in a file on your computer or in a sticky note on your monitor;

• Change your passwords at least every 90 days and;
• Never share your password.

Secure Your PC

• Maintain active, up-to-date antivirus, spyware, and firewall protection . Microsoft Security Essentials, and AVG both offer free antivirus protection
• Keep your operating system (Windows XP, for example) browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox) and applications (such as Adobe Reader or iTunes) up to date;
• Exercise caution when computing in public (Airports, Coffee Shops, etc.) Be on the lookout for theft and people looking over your shoulder for usernames and passwords and;
• Only download from trusted sites, and always scan the file for virus first.

Securing Your email:

• Never open attachments unless the sender explicitly notified that they were sending one.
• Never click on a link in a spam message, even the unsubscribe link.
• If any company is asking for personal information (Account Number, Passwords, Usernames, etc) call the company at their listed number on your statement or credit card. Legitimate companies will never ask for that information in an email.
• Delete spam messages when they arrive. Ideally do not even open them.

Securing Your Data

• Backup your data frequently.
• Move Backup data and store in a fireproof safe, or Safe Deposit Box.

Physical Security:

• Guard your PIN number.
• Secure your mailbox.
• Shred any documents that contain identifying information before disposing of them.
• Don’t leave credit cards, bank statements, checks, or other financial documents where service workers can find them.
• Sign up for electronic statements.

Monitor your Accounts

• Managing your bank accounts and credit cards online can actually help you protect your identity-log in and check your financial statements regularly.
• If you notice any unauthorized transactions on your Monarch Community Bank accounts, immediately contact us at (800) 882-2911.
• Check your Credit Report annually. Use www.annualcreditreport.com to review your reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

In 2009, the Hillsdale Branch was happy to support the Salvation Army and in 2010 they will be supporting the St. Peter’s Free Health Clinic through the Casual for a Cause fund.  See yesterday’s post for more information about Casual for a Cause.  More posts soon on what organizations the other branches chose to support this year through the Casual for a Cause fund.

For 2010, the Willowbrook Branch took a survey of employees and has decided to give all monies collected for Casual for a Cause, the fund that employees donate to to “dress down” on Friday’s, to the Branch County Humane Society!  We’re excited to be able again to provide some additional funds to a local organization.   If you’re interested in donating or would like some more information about the shelter, call 639-4426.

It’s a wonderful perk to be able to “dress down” on Friday’s for employees at Monarch Community Bank, but it’s even better to give back to the community.  This year, the employees at the Willowbrook Branch chose the CHC Cancer Center to give the funds collected for the Casual for a Cause Fund.  Each Friday employees have the choice to wear logo wear and pay $1.00.  This year the Willowbrook branch collected $500 to give to the CHC Cancer Center.  It’s a wonderful feeling to give back to our community, especially when you see the nurses get emotional because of the generosity!

Monarch gives a check for $500 to the CHC Cancer Center on behalf of the employees.

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped donate “Green Backs and Green Beans” to benefit the Branch Area Food Pantry.  Together we raised $2,425 for the Christmas Food Baskets that were given away the Friday before Christmas.

Monarch Employees Gladly Present the check for $2,425 to the Food Pantry