Privacy Policy

Privacy Statement

This notice describes the privacy practices of Ohnward Bancshares, Inc. and its family of companies: First Central State Bank, Gateway State Bank, Maquoketa State Bank, Ohnward Bank & Trust, Ohnward Financial Advisor Services, Central Insurance, Maquoketa Insurance, Midland Insurance, Central Realty, and McDonald Realty.

However rapidly we may respond to changes in technology and data processing, we at Ohnward Bancshares also take pride in our adherence to the more old-fashioned virtue of customer confidentiality. When a customer opens an account with us, that customer provides us with private financial and personal information, and we are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of that information. Our customers are protected not only by federal and state laws but also by Ohnward’s commitment to uphold both the spirit and the letter of those laws. Our commitment is described in our Customer Privacy Statement. Our Privacy Statement applies to both current and former customers.

Collection, Use and Retention of Customer Information

As a financial institution, we maintain information and data about our customers for several reasons. We have learned that the more we know about our customers, the better we can understand their often unique financial needs and thus provide them with appropriate products and superior service. For example, if we knew you were a homeowner in need of financing, we would recommend that you consider a home equity loan or credit line as an alternative to an installment loan because of its potential tax benefits for you.

We also collect and analyze customer information as the first step in product development. Our goal is to spot trends or changes in the ways our customers manage their finances. With this constantly updated information, we are able to create new products and services or improve existing ones, giving you more effective money management tools.

There are some cases where we gather information to comply with laws and regulations governing the financial industry. For example, we are required by federal regulations to obtain a tax identification number (generally a social security number) when opening accounts.

We use some of the data we collect to maintain the security of your account(s) and to protect the privacy of your financial information. We must be able to positively identify you and your products and services to prevent access by unauthorized individuals.

If you send us e-mail, we may retain the content of the e-mail and your e-mail address in order to respond to questions or concerns you may have expressed. We may also retain your e-mail address in order to inform you of upcoming events or promotions.

In addition to the information sources mentioned above, we also use information obtained from consumer credit reports in conjunction with applicable transactions; for example, an application for a consumer installment loan.

Accuracy of Information 

We are committed to maintaining complete and accurate information about our customers, and we employ reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and thoroughness of this information. If you think any information we have about you or your account(s) may be incorrect, please notify us immediately. We will take prompt action to make the appropriate corrections and to notify anyone with whom we may have shared inaccurate information.

Employee Access

An important part of our employee orientation program is the emphasis we place on customer confidentiality. All of our employees are aware of their responsibility with respect to customer information. We have procedures and security levels that limit employee access to personally identifiable information to those with a business reason to know such information. Appropriate disciplinary measures are taken to enforce employee privacy responsibilities.

Our Internet Web Site

Visitors to our Web sites remain anonymous. We do not collect personal identifying information about site users, unless you choose to provide such information to us. Standard software is used to collect and store ONLY the following non-identifying information about our visitors: the name of the domain from which you access the Internet (for example, aol.com, if you are connecting from an America Online account, or iastate.edu if you are connecting from Iowa State University’s domain); the date and time you access our site; and the Internet address of the Web site from which you linked directly to our site. If you submit an online application, it will be transmitted over a secure connection using encryption, and will alert you to this fact. This is the case where confidential information, such as your account number or social security number is requested. Visitors may elect to provide us with personal information via e-mail or our feedback form. This information is used internally, as appropriate, to handle the sender’s request and manage the Web site. It is not disseminated or sold to other organizations. Visitors should, however, keep in mind that e-mail is not necessarily secure against interception. If you do not agree with the use of this information, or are not comfortable with the level of privacy, please use the clear button in on-line forms, or cancel an e-mail before it is sent. Visitors should call us directly if requests or statements include sensitive or private information, such as your account numbers, credit card numbers or social security number. We will NEVER ask you for your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your ATM card. If you are asked for this information, please call and report it to a customer service representative immediately.

Protecting Children

We do not knowingly solicit data from children, and we do not knowingly conduct on-line marketing to children. We recognize that protecting children’s identities and privacy on-line is important and that the responsibility to do so rests with both the on-line industry and with parents.

Protection of Information

Ohnward Bancshares is committed to the security of your financial and personal information. All of our operational and data processing systems are in a secure environment that protects your account information from being accessed by third parties. We maintain and grant access to customer information only in accordance with our internal security standards.

Restriction on the Disclosures of Account Information

We do not reveal specific information about our customers’ accounts or other personally identifiable data unless (1) our customer has requested or authorized it; (2) the information is provided to help complete a transaction initiated by our customer; (3) the information is provided to a reputable credit bureau or similar information reporting agency; or (4) disclosure is lawfully permitted or required. We do not sell customer information to other organizations for their independent use.

Sharing Information with Outside Entities

Although we are committed to protecting the confidentiality of your financial information, occasionally we are required to provide information about you and your finances to other companies outside of the Ohnward Bancshares financial family with whom we do business. These businesses agree to comply with our customer confidentiality requirements and must abide by applicable laws.

For example, we are required to share your financial information with parties named in a lawsuit or administrative action when we are served with a subpoena or court order and with federal or state regulatory authorities as authorized by federal or state law. Consistent with the practice of other financial institutions, we may also share information about you and your account(s) with reputable credit reporting agencies.

Sharing Customer Information with Our Affiliates

In our continuing effort to provide you with superior service and offer you financial products we think you would find useful, we may share customer information within the Ohnward Bancshares financial family. In doing so, we are able to offer you a complete financial package, with the best accounts and products for all your business and personal needs. As a result of this sharing within the Ohnward family, you may be informed of new or enhanced products, special promotional offers, and certain discounts you may otherwise not have known about or been eligible to receive.

We want to assure you that we carefully try to limit the use and collection of customer information to only what is necessary to conduct our business, provide superior service, and offer opportunities we think would be useful to you. You have our commitment to use customer information only in accordance with the principles outlined within this policy.

You may limit our affiliates in the Ohnward group of companies, such as our banks, insurance, realty, and investment affiliates, from marketing their products or services to you based on your personal information that we collect and share with them. You may also request that we not share information with our affiliates.  This information includes your name, address, telephone number, income, account history with us, and credit history and score.  Your choice to limit marketing offers and information sharing with our affiliates will apply until you tell us to change your choice.  If you have already made a choice to limit marketing offers from our affiliates, you do not need to act again.  If you are an owner of a joint account, please indicate when contacting us if your request applies to all account owners.  To limit marketing offers and information sharing, contact us by telephone:

First Central State Bank 1–800-262-3141

Gateway State Bank 1-888-242-4282

Maquoketa State Bank 1-866-872-3979

Ohnward Bank & Trust 1-866-852-5230