March 2025 Email Contents
BAC's Diamond Jubilee - Celebrating All Year!
Throughout 2025, BAC Community Bank is proudly celebrating our Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of commitment to customers, innovation, and strong community relationships. Since our founding in 1965, BAC has been more than a financial institution—it has been a trusted partner,
growing alongside individuals and businesses through changing times.
In 1968, BAC moved from its original office on Dainty Avenue in Brentwood to this newly built modern office just around the corner on First Street.
A Legacy of Innovation
Throughout
our history, BAC has embraced early adoption and technology-driven solutions to better serve our customers. Key milestones in innovation include:
- 1960s-1980s: One of the first to introduce automated banking services in the region.
- 1980s-1990s: Development of software-based electronic banking before the launch of the public Internet. Expansion of digital banking and enhanced security
measures.
- 2000s-2010s: Launch of in-office deposit and mobile banking empowering customers to conduct banking and to manage finances without making a trip to a bank branch.
- 2010s-2020s: First of their kind streamlined digital services are introduced such as Mastercard Debit chip cards with card controls and the Zelle payment system for seamless banking.
- 2020s-present: Continuous
exploration in technology results in unique innovations such as Smart ALAC.
By staying ahead of industry trends, BAC Community Bank has ensured that customers always have access to secure, convenient, and cutting-edge financial solutions.
The Strength of Relationships
While technology has played a role in BAC’s success, our foundation has always been relationships built
on trust and personalized service. Whether helping a family launch a small business, supporting local professionals expand their operations, or guiding individuals toward financial wellness, BAC has remained dedicated to understanding customer needs and delivering tailored solutions.
Looking to the Future—Together
As BAC enters its next chapter, it remains committed to both innovation
and the human connections that drive lasting success. The bank continues to enhance its digital banking experience and technology solutions while maintaining the personal, community-focused service that has defined it for six decades.
A Heartfelt Thank You
BAC Community Bank’s success would not be possible without our loyal customers and dedicated employees. Your
trust, feedback, and partnership have shaped the bank’s journey. As we celebrate this milestone throughout 2025, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of our story.
For Diamond Jubilee highlights throughout the year, please follow us on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.
Here’s to 60 years of growth, innovation, and strong relationships—and to many more ahead!
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You Have Another Chance To
WIN $200 In Cash!
Many of our customers know and love Smart ALAC since it is the tool that puts them in direct contact with their own personal banker!
Whether you currently use Smart ALAC or are just getting started, you could WIN $200 in cash
by logging in and using Smart ALAC for at least two conversations with your personal banker between March 15 - April 30, 2025.
That action alone will enter you into our $200 drawing this Spring!
REMEMBER: You can log in with any computer browser or use the Smart ALAC app on your mobile device and have the same experience with your personal banker! Do
it today by visiting www.bankbac.com/smart.
Smart ALAC is the perfect companion to our mobile banking app.
If you need to check your balance or deposit a check, our mobile banking app is great for that. To connect with your banker about your banking needs and financial goals, tap into Smart ALAC.
When you use Smart ALAC, you can enjoy:
- Choosing and chatting with a live local banker
- Video conversations with your personal banker
- Secure document sharing
- Signing documents with Docusign® integration
- Co-browsing, where you and your banker can share screens for easier support
- Getting live help Monday-Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 9am-2pm
- Real-time
translation, allowing you to freely converse even if English is not your native language
- Having access to your conversations through a computer browser or the Smart ALAC app
Not using Smart ALAC Yet?
Smart ALAC is easy to use, and it’s a cinch to sign up. To select your own personal banker and enjoy the full experience, visit www.bankbac.com/smart and click the Sign Up tab to get started.
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Protect Your Business (and Yourself)
From Check Washing!
Check washing is a growing problem that's becoming increasingly sophisticated. It's a type of financial scam that can have devastating consequences for individuals and small businesses, resulting in significant financial losses and damage to your reputation.
Watch
this video to learn more today!
What is Check Washing?
Check washing is the process of altering or manipulating a check to steal funds from an individual or business. The criminal process often begins with the theft of checks from mailboxes or postal boxes.
Once the criminal has the check in their possession, they use a combination of common
chemicals to carefully remove the ink without damaging the physical check.
After the check is washed, it's typically filled out with new information, redirecting the funds to the scammer’s bank account. For instance, a check originally meant for a supplier could be altered and cashed by the scammer instead, causing significant financial
loss to the business owner.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
While it’s difficult to completely safeguard your check once it leaves your hands, there are several steps your business can take to make check washing both more difficult and easier to detect. Here is a quick overview of protocols that can
significantly reduce your risk of check washing and protect your business from financial loss. A more detailed explanation is at www.bankbac.com/CheckWashing.
- Using Permanent Gel Ink - Write your checks using a non-erasable black gel pen. Black ink is more difficult to remove than blue and the gel ink soaks into your check, making it harder to bleach away.
- Using Positive Pay with Payee Match - One of the best ways to protect
your checks is to sign up for Positive Pay. When checks are presented for payment, they are compared with information you have provided the bank. Anything that doesn’t match will create an exception that will be sent back to you for review, so you decide whether to pay or reject the
item.
- Implementing Internal Controls - Another important step in preventing check washing is to implement internal controls for check handling, storage, and processing.
- Investing in Security Checks - Using checks with advanced security features is another effective way to prevent check washing.
- Educating Employees - Educating employees on check washing and its warning signs
is also crucial in preventing this crime.
- Regular Account Audits and Monitoring - Finally, regular audits and account monitoring are essential in detecting and responding to potential check washing attempts.
Stay Vigilant, Stay Secure
Check washing is a serious threat to your business, and it's essential to be proactive and vigilant in protecting against
these scams. By taking proactive measures like safeguarding your checks, investing in Positive Pay, and training your employees in the signs of check washing, you can help your business stay secure and protect your financial future.
Visit www.bankbac.com/EducationCenter for more financial and safety tips.
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Earn up to $500 this Year
through Refer-A-Friend
BAC Community Bank customers have an opportunity to earn up to $500 each calendar year by referring friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others they know.
Each time one of your referred individuals opens a new personal
checking account at BAC and completes a few simple steps, you'll get $50 as a "thank you" for introducing them to us. (Maximum 10 paid referrals per calendar year, for a total of up to $500.)
Please see www.bankbac.com/refer for full details.
If you have used our referral program in prior years, go ahead and refer more new customers in the 2025 calendar year by logging in to ReferLive using the text link located below the Registration form on our Refer-A-Friend page at www.bankbac.com/refer.
If this will be your first time using our Refer-A-Friend program, simply fill out the Registration form on our Refer-A-Friend page at www.bankbac.com/refer and follow the on-screen instructions.
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Local Lending At Its Best:
Mortgages and Business Loans
Whether you are looking to purchase a new home, refinance your existing home, or purchase equipment for your business, BAC Community Bank is here to help.
- Mortgage Lending - Access remarkably competitive rates with the familiar high quality local service you enjoy through
BAC. Apply online today at www.bankbac.com/mortgage.
- Equipment Loans - Your business can leverage interest rates* as low as 5.99% for purchasing replacement tools or to fund expansion with minimal impact on your cash flow. Visit www.bankbac.com/equipment, call (209) 944-1516 or (925) 308-7545, or work with your local banker through Smart ALAC.
*Offer available in Northern and Central California. Advertised as low as interest rate is accurate as of March 10, 2025 and is subject to change. All rates and terms are subject to credit approval. Some restrictions may apply. Speak with a bank representative for details
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Thank You!
Thank you for choosing BAC Community Bank as your banking partner. We value all our relationships and appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
