Tips to help safeguard your finances

Weather and health-related natural disasters can cause extensive property damage and wreak financial havoc on families and communities. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, The Northumberland National Bank and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are advocating simple measures to help consumers with preparation and recovery to reduce their financial impact.

“While we can’t avert natural disasters, we can help our customers minimize their financial devastation by enacting a plan to safeguard their finances and minimize the financial fallout,” said J. Todd Troxell, Norry Bank President and CEO. “As your trusted partner and ally, you can count on Norry Bank's financial expertise to help evaluate your financial preparedness before these unexpected, stressful events occur."

Norry Bank and ICBA offer the following tips to help customers make a plan and regain their financial wherewithal following a natural disaster.

• Establish an emergency savings account for use in a crisis and keep a small amount of cash on hand in case you’re unable to access funds electronically and need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel or food.
• Prepare backup communications plans if both cellular and landline services falter.
• Store digital and paper copies of financial documents, including investment records, property deeds, insurance policies, tax information, wills, trusts and financial and medical powers of attorney.
• Make copies of personal documents— Driver’s licenses, passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, adoptions, marriage and divorce papers, property deeds and titles.
• Print contact information for trustees, guardians, and executors and store them away for safekeeping.
• Create an inventory of personal and household valuables and use photo or video documentation to help assess their value and determine replacement costs.
• Contact your insurance agent or visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website, to determine if you need a flood insurance policy.
• Should an emergency occur, be cautious about sharing personal financial information (such as your bank account number, social security number or credit card number). Do not click on links in texts or emails from people you don't know. Scammers may try to take advantage of your financial fears during an emergency situation.

For more helpful financial preparedness tips, visit Ready.gov or download the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit to help reduce the financial impact of disasters on you and your family.

Visit Norry Bank's security center for additional tips and tricks on how to avoid scammers.