Bank Closed for Columbus Day – Monday, October 10, 2022

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Why is Abbeville First Bank Closed on October 10, 2022?

We follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule. 

Though federal offices and many workplaces will be closed for Columbus Day, most stores and restaurants will remain open for business. Bank holidays aren’t always the same day that people have off from work. This can lead to some of us thinking banks are open when they really are closed and vice versa.

What if you need us while we are closed?

1. Login Online or Use an App

This is the quickest and easiest method, you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your home! When you log in to your account online you can check balances, pay bills, move money around between accounts, set up alerts for a low balance or when a particular check clears, stop payments, and more!

Your banking abilities extend a little further, too, if you have our mobile app. It adds the ability to deposit checks right from your smartphone.
Personal Banking account apps: Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Business Banking account apps:  Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Since the U.S. Federal Reserve is still closed, some transactions will be processed the next business day. While you can perform your transactions, the money may not go through immediately.

2. ATMs

If you simply can’t wait to make a cash deposit or withdrawal, our ATMs are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

3. Come See Us Another Day

Bank holidays just mean you won’t be able to go into a branch and speak with a teller that day. Our lobby will be open and ready to serve you first thing in the morning on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Bonus: Plan ahead!

The remaining days that Abbeville First will be closed in 2022 are:

Veterans Day: Friday, November 11th
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 24th
Christmas: Monday, December 26th†

† When a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, most employees observed the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively (5 U.S.C. 6103(b) and Executive Order 11582 3(a)).

Thanks $100 Million!

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Abbeville First Bank was chartered on April 24, 1907  under the name of Building and Loan Bank of Abbeville.

In 1964, the Bank had grown to $4 million dollars and constructed a new building on the corner of South Main Street & Magazine Street.

In 1987 the Bank doubled the size of its facility on South Main and had grown to over $50 million in assets.

By 2001 the Bank had recognized the changing needs of the community and the decision was made to convert its charter to a State Savings Bank.

In 2013, continuing to evolve toward a full-service retail and commercial institution, the Bank changed its name to Abbeville First Bank.

In 2016, at over $75 million, the Bank opened its first branch office in Calhoun Falls. As more banks consolidated, Abbeville First was growing, by late 2021 we were over $100 million in assets.

Today we sit at over $107 million. The Bank’s objectives, aims, and goals are still the same as what got us here — providing personal service to the people of Abbeville and the surrounding communities.

Identity Theft and Internet Scams

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Today’s technology allows us to connect around the world, to bank and shop online, and to control our televisions, homes, and cars from our smartphones. With this added convenience comes an increased risk of identity theft and Internet scams. #BeCyberSmart on the Internet—at home, at school, at work, on mobile devices, and on the go.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • The total number of data breaches reported in 2018 decreased 23% from the total number of breaches reported in 2017, but the reported number of consumer records containing sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) exposed increased 126%.1
  • Credit card fraud tops the list of identity theft reports in 2018. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 167,000 reports from people who said their information was misused on an existing account or to open a new credit card account.2
  • Consumers reported $905 million in total fraud losses in 2017, a 21.6% increase over 2016.3

COMMON INTERNET SCAMS

As technology continues to evolve, cybercriminals will use more sophisticated techniques to exploit technology to steal your identity, personal information, and money. To protect yourself from online threats, you must know what to look for. According to the FTC, these are the top three kinds of threats reported in 2018:

  • Identity theft is the illegal acquisition and use of someone else’s personal information to obtain money or credit. Signs of identity theft include bills for products or services you did not purchase, suspicious charges on your credit cards, or new accounts opened in your name that you did not authorize.
  • Imposter scams occur when you receive an email or call from a person claiming to be a government official, family member, or friend requesting personal or financial information. For example, an imposter may contact you from the Social Security Administration informing you that your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended, in hopes you will reveal your SSN or pay to have it reactivated.
  • Debt Collection scams occur when criminals attempt to collect on a fraudulent debt. Signs the “debt collector” may be a scammer are requests to be paid by wire transfers or credit cards. In 2018 there was a spike in requests for gift cards and reloadable cards as well.

SIMPLE TIPS TO PROTECT IT.

  • Double your login protection. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that the only person who has access to your account is you. Use it for email, banking, social media, and any other service that requires logging in. If MFA is an option, enable it by using a trusted mobile device, such as your smartphone, an authenticator app, or a secure token—a small physical device that can hook onto your key ring. Read the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) How-to-Guide for more information.
  • Shake up your password protocol. According to NIST guidance, you should consider using the longest password or passphrase permissible. Get creative and customize your standard password for different sites, which can prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to these accounts and protect you in the event of a breach. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. Read the Creating a Password Tip Sheet
    for more information.
  • Be up to date. Keep your software updated to the latest version available. Maintain your security settings to keeping your information safe by turning on automatic updates so you don’t have to think about it, and set your security software to run regular scans.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ONLINE FRAUD

Stay Protected While Connected: The bottom line is that whenever you’re online, you’re vulnerable. If devices on your network are compromised for any reason, or if hackers break through an encrypted firewall, someone could be eavesdropping on you—even in your own home on encrypted Wi-Fi.

  • Practice safe web surfing wherever you are by checking for the “green lock” or padlock icon in your browser bar—this signifies a secure connection.
  • When you find yourself out in the great “wild Wi-Fi West,” avoid free Internet access with no encryption.
  • If you do use an unsecured public access point, practice good Internet hygiene by avoiding sensitive activities(e.g., banking) that require passwords or credit cards. Your personal hotspot is often a safer alternative to free Wi-Fi.
  • Don’t reveal personally identifiable information such as your bank account number, SSN, or date of birth to unknown sources.
  • Type website URLs directly into the address bar instead of clicking on links or cutting and pasting from the email.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU

If you discover that you have become a victim of cybercrime, immediately notify authorities to file a complaint. Keep and record all evidence of the incident and its suspected source. The list below outlines the government organizations that you can file a complaint with if you are a victim of cybercrime.

  • FTC.gov: The FTC’s free, one-stop resource, www.IdentityTheft.gov can help you report and recover from identity theft. Report fraud to the FTC at ftc.gov/OnGuardOnline or www.ftc.gov/complaint
  • US-CERT.gov: Report computer or network vulnerabilities to US-CERT via the hotline: 1-888-282-0870 or www.us-cert.gov. Forward phishing emails or websites to US-CERT at phishing- report@us-cert.gov.
  • IC3.gov: If you are a victim of online crime, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at http://www.IC3.gov.
  • SSA.gov: If you believe someone is using your SSN, contact the Social Security Administration’s fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

For more information about connecting with confidence visit: https://niccs.us-cert.gov/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2019

 

Sources:

1 Identity Theft Resource Center, “2018 End-of-Year Data Breach Report”, 2018.
2 Federal Trade Commission, “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2018”, 2019. 3 Experian, “Identify Theft Statistics”, 2019.

Happy Community Banking Month

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Did you know that the idea of a “community bank” didn’t begin until the mid-1800s, making banking more local? In 1907 Abbeville First Bank was organized under the name of Building and Loan Association of Abbeville. The principal objective of the association was to encourage the common person to save money monthly for the primary purpose of building or buying a home.

For generations, community banks across the U.S. have been the foundation for a thriving economy by catering to the unique needs of their communities and paving a path to financial prosperity for their account holders. These banks are an integral part of their communities. because they reinvest local dollars back into their neighborhoods and help create local jobs. Their banking philosophy revolves around relationships and is ingrained in the way they conduct business, one customer at a time. Local reinvestments helps small businesses grow and helps families finance major purchases and build financial security.

Happy Community Banking Month from the entire family at Abbeville First Bank and a special “thank you” to our community bank customers for allowing us to serve you!

Help Us Welcome Our New Loan Department Manager

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Matthew T. “Matt” Babb has joined Abbeville First Bank to manage the loan department and drive the bank’s commercial loan production.  Matt has 17 years of banking experience and comes to Abbeville First Bank from United Community Bank.

“Abbeville First Bank has had tremendous growth over the past few years,” says Andy Timmerman, President, “we now want to leverage this growth into opportunities to increase our services.  The Bank’s strategy is to expand our commercial lending and deposit services so that small businesses in the area can enjoy the same personal, local service already enjoyed by our consumer customers.  Matt is a perfect fit for this plan.”

His office is located at Abbeville First Bank’s Main Office, 205 S. Main St., Abbeville SC.  Babb said, “I am excited to be a part of the Abbeville First team.  My career has been spent in banking with the last ten of those years in commercial lending and I look forward to continuing this work by meeting the needs of my current and future customers in Abbeville, Greenwood and surrounding areas.”

Abbeville First Bank is headquartered in Abbeville, SC. It was founded in 1907 as a mutual bank which means it is owned by its depositors.  Abbeville First Bank’s sole mission is to serve the banking needs of its community which includes Abbeville, Greenwood, and the surrounding counties.

Matt can be reached by phone at 864.366.2158 or by email at mattbabb@abbevillefirst.com.

 

 

Main Office Drive-thru NOW OPEN

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UPDATE March 2, 2022

Drumroll please….. We are now COMPLETELY FINISHED with all structural repairs!

We are now open at full capacity and are so excited to be able to serve you at our drive-thru or in our lobby.

From everyone at Abbeville First Bank, thank you! The support and patience that our customers, contractors, & community have extended to us through the last several months have been unparalleled. We truly appreciate you trusting us to be your bank.

If you haven’t been by lately, we invite you to come by and enjoy the new & structurally-improved drive-thru or lobby.


Construction Piggy

UPDATE February 2, 2022

The time has come for the final stage of our repairs. We will be closing the drive-thru (temporarily) to replace the roof structure over the drive thru lanes. We know this is an inconvenience and we appreciate your continued understanding.

 

The patience and understanding our community has shown during the last few months has been invaluable. The hard work of our amazing staff and contractors has made it possible for us to continue serving you through it all. We look forward to seeing you in the lobby for your in-person needs over the next few weeks. We can’t wait to serve you at full capacity again soon.

Customer Alert on IRS Reporting Proposal

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To Our Dear Customers,

We care about you, your finances, and your account with our community bank, so we want to let you know about a concerning proposal taking shape in Washington. If passed, the proposal would require financial institutions like ours to report the inflows and outflows on personal and business accounts to the IRS.

Recent Independent Community Bankers of America polling conducted by Morning Consult found that 67 percent of voters oppose the proposal, which would be an excessive government intrusion that could hurt small businesses by double-taxing their income.

If you want to make your voice heard by policymakers or learn more about this proposal, visit banklocally.org/privacy. We value your business and privacy and want to make sure you have all the information you need regarding your finances and your money.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to continuing to serve you and our community.

Sincerely,

Andy Timmerman
Bank CEO/President

Abbeville First Copes with Building Concerns

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Abbeville First CEO Andy Timmerman remembers how he found out about the structural concerns facing the building which the bank has for years called home.

“About three weeks ago employees and customers heard a loud noise in the lobby area. Loud enough that they thought a car had hit the building. But they could not find any damage. When I returned to the office and they described the noise I decided to check out the attic. That is when I noticed a couple boards were snapped apart.”

Timerman knew something had to be done.

“At first I thought about calling a contractor to take a look but in thinking about what had recently happened to that condo in Florida I called Keith Dunn with Dunn and Shirley Engineering,” Timmerman said. “He referred me to Brian Robertson, a structural engineer in Greenwood. Robertson, along with specialty contractor Phil Keown, inspected the trusses in the attic and recommended we evacuate the lobby area immediately, in which we did.”

The building was further inspected by the Abbeville County Building Inspector, City Zoning Manager, and County Fire Marshal along with a South Carolina Deputy Fire Marshal.

“It was decided that we needed to vacate the drive-through area as well but that the back portion of the building was safe to occupy,” he said.

Timmerman and company had to face a sobering truth. The Abbeville First bank had to cope with some structural issues afflicting the building in which it is housed.

“The prefabricated trusses across the lobby and teller areas are coming apart,” he said.

The Abbeville First bank building has been a mainstay of downtown Abbeville for years.

“The original building was built in 1965 and it was doubled in size in 1987,” he said. “It is the section built in 1987 that is the issue. The prefabricated trusses that were used to support the roof and hold the ceiling are coming apart. Numerous boards have snapped in two and the gussets connecting the joints have pulled out. The ceiling at its center point has dropped nearly six inches.”

Timmerman was asked how long it will take to correct the problem.

“The contractor has spent the past two weeks installing a temporary shoring system that had to be designed by the engineer. They have also removed all of the ceiling, lights, and installation. The engineer is finalizing the design to replace the support system through the lobby and interior teller area. We are hopeful, with the shoring in place, an inspection to be done soon will give us the okay to open back up the drive-through. It could take as much as three months to install the new support system over the lobby and bring that section back to its original condition. This is if we do not run into any unforeseen issues. Once the lobby is ready then we will have to close the drive-through back down so the trusses over it can be replaced.”

Besides closing the drive-through and the front lobby there have been other repercussions.

“We have set up temporary teller stations in our back loan department lobby and moved some folks to different offices. But all of our services are still operational and our Calhoun Falls office has been able to pick up some slack. The staff and customers seem to be taking it all in stride.”

“Our customers have been understanding and patient,” TImmerman said. “All of our employees have pitched in to make this difficult situation work. As we learned during the pandemic, a crisis will bring a good team together.”

Thanks to our friends at  The Press & Banner

Green, Henry (7/28/21). ‘Abbeville First copes with building concerns ’, THE PRESS AND BANNER and ABBEVILLE MEDIUM

NOW OPEN! Our Lobby & Drive-thrus are Ready to Serve You!

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UPDATE December 29, 2021

Our lobby is fully open! There are still a few finishing touches needed but the lobby is back! We will be required to replace the roof structure over the drive thru lanes. This work will likely occur on January.

We appreciate all the patience and understanding you have shown during the last few months. It has been a challenge, but with our great contractors and the hard work of our wonderful staff we’ve been able to continue serving you through it all. We are looking forward to continuing to be here for you in the new year, with a new & improved lobby!

 

Construction Piggy

UPDATE October 5, 2021

We are continuing to work diligently to get the repairs reconstruction done to our lobby and drive-thru area.

We appreciate your patience during this time

UPDATE July 27, 2021

We will be temporarily opening our drive-thru at the Main office starting Monday, August 2nd. We will operate the drive-thru while the lobby is undergoing repairs. We anticipate this taking at least three months. Once our lobby is ready for business, we will close the drive-thru so repairs can be made on it. 

We appreciate your patience as we work towards resolving this.

July 1, 20021

At Abbeville First the safety of our employees and customers is always a priority.

Due to required emergency repairs, the lobby and drive-thru teller lanes of our Main Office at the Abbeville branch have been temporarily closed. 

Our Calhoun Falls location will not be affected and they are able to assist with your immediate teller needs.

For other banking activities and limited teller transactions you may enter through the secondary parking lot door.

You may still access your accounts by using our ATM and online banking.  If you are not currently using Abbeville First Online Banking we encourage you to register for this service at our Personal Online Banking site.  Business account owners please call the bank to set up Business Online Banking access.

We apologize for the inconvenience this situation is causing and hope we can return to normal operations soon.

Sincerely,

Andy Timmerman

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15

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June 15th was designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization.
You, or someone you care about, could become the victim of this growing crime. Here at Abbeville First Bank, we are dedicated to spreading awareness about the devastating effects of elder financial exploitation.

What Is Elder Financial Abuse?

Elder financial abuse is estimated to have cost victims at least $2.9 billion last year alone. It’s a crime that deprives older adults as well the newly retired of their resources and ultimately their independence. Older Americans that may have disabilities or rely on others for help can be especially susceptible to scams and other fraud. Advances in technology and new tactics can also make it difficult for seniors to know whom to trust and what’s safe.
A very disturbing aspect of financial exploitation is that although scammers are undoubtedly a threat, an elder is more likely to be exploited by an individual they know such as an adult child, grandchild, or personal care assistant. Examples of this include the theft or improper use of an elder’s debit card, stolen and forged checks, and withholding or theft of their government benefits.
Anyone who sees signs of theft, fraud, misuse of a person’s assets or credit, or use of undue influence to gain control of an older person’s money or property should be on the alert.
One of the best ways we can all protect loved ones from becoming victims of exploitation is to simply be involved and do the following:
  • Call to check in
  • Ask if they need help
  • Tell them about scams targeting elders
  • Stop by for a visit

Tips for Seniors: How can you protect yourself?

  1. Plan ahead to protect your assets and to ensure your wishes are followed. Talk to someone at your financial institution, an attorney, or a financial advisor about the best options for you.
  2. Shred receipts, bank statements, and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
  3. Carefully choose a trustworthy person to act as your agent in all estate planning matters.
  4. Lock up your checkbook, account statements, and other sensitive information when others will be in your home.
  5. Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure accuracy.
  6. Never give personal information, including Social Security Number, account number, or other financial information to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and the other party is trusted.
  7. Never pay a fee or taxes to collect sweepstakes or lottery “winnings.”
  8. Never rush into a financial decision. Ask for details in writing and get a second opinion.
  9. Consult with a financial advisor or attorney before signing any document you don’t understand.
  10. Get to know your banker and build a relationship with the people who handle your finances. They can look out for any suspicious activity related to your account.
  11. Check references and credentials before hiring anyone. Don’t allow workers to have access to information about your finances.
  12. Pay with checks and credit cards instead of cash to keep a paper trail.
  13. Feel free to say “NO.” After all, it’s your money.
  14. You have the right not to be threatened or intimidated. If you think someone close to you is trying to take control of your finances, call your local Adult Protective Services (1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487)) or tell someone at your bank.
  15. Trust your instincts. Exploiters and abusers often are very skilled. They can be charming and forceful in their effort to convince you to give up control of your finances. Don’t be fooled—if something doesn’t feel right, it may not be right. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What should you do if you are a victim of financial abuse?

  • Talk about it with a trusted family member who has your best interests at heart, or to your clergy.
  • Talk to your attorney, doctor, or an officer at your bank.
  • Contact Adult Protective Services or your local police for help.
  • To report suspected Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of a Vulnerable adult, call  1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487).

Tips for Family and Friends:  What are the warning signs of financial abuse?

The key to spotting financial abuse is a change in a person’s established financial patterns. Watch out for these “red flags”:
  1. Unusual activity in an older person’s bank accounts, including large, frequent, or unexplained withdrawals.
  2. ATM withdrawals by an older person who has never used a debit or ATM card.
  3. Changing from a basic account to one that offers more complicated services the customer does not fully understand or need.
  4. Withdrawals from bank accounts or transfers between accounts the customer cannot explain.
  5. New “best friends” accompanying an older person to the bank.
  6. Sudden non-sufficient fund activity or unpaid bills.
  7. Closing CDs or accounts without regard to penalties.
  8. Uncharacteristic attempts to wire large sums of money.
  9. Suspicious signatures on checks, or outright forgery.
  10. Confusion, fear, or lack of awareness on the part of an older customer.
  11. Shame or reluctance to talk about the problem.
  12. Checks written as “loans” or “gifts.”
  13. Bank statements that no longer go to the customer’s home.
  14. New powers of attorney the older person does not understand.
  15. A caretaker, relative, or friend who suddenly begins conducting financial transactions on behalf of an older person without proper documentation.
  16. Altered wills and trusts.
  17. Loss of property.

What should you do if you suspect financial abuse?

Talk to elderly friends or loved ones if you see any of the signs mentioned here. Try to determine what specifically is happening with their financial situation, such as a new person “helping” them with money management, or a relative using cards or credit without their permission.
  • Report the elder financial abuse to their bank and enlist their banker’s help to stop it and prevent its recurrence.
  • Contact Adult Protective Services or your local police for help.
  • To report suspected Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of a Vulnerable adult, call  1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487).
  • Report all instances of elder financial abuse to your local police—if fraud is involved, they should investigate.
More information about elder abuse and scams: