FDIC Releases Consumer Cybersecurity Guide
The FDIC yesterday released a special edition of the agency’s quarterly FDIC Consumer News entitled “A Bank Customer’s Guide to Cybersecurity.” The publication features several articles on cyber-related topics; including safety precautions for computers, smartphones, and tablets; tips for avoiding identity theft online; the roles of banks and the government in consumer protection.
March is North Kitsap Fishline Pasta Meals Collection Month
Drop by the bank’s lobby at 19917 7th Ave NE, Suite 101, in Poulsbo and leave non-perishable fixings and ingredients to make pasta meals. Each month, Liberty Bank proudly collects and delivers supplies to NK Fishline, in support of stronger and healthier families in our region.
North Kitsap Fishline Annual COME TO THE TABLE Dinner & Auction
Liberty Bank was a proud event and table sponsor at the 2016 annual North Kitsap Fishline Come to the Table Dinner & Auction, which was held at the Sons of Norway in Poulsbo.
Over 200 people gathered to support NK Fishline and to bid on dozens of silent auction items, including an automotive care and maintenance gift basket donated by the bank.
“To do the work we do providing thousands of meals a year to families and empowering them with other supportive resources to improve quality of life, we need steady supporters like Liberty Bank,” commented NK Fishline Executive Director Mary Nader. Liberty Bank also does a monthly collection of food, personal care items, or school supplies in its Poulsbo lobby. Drop by to see how you can help.
Discovery Workshop: Be Your Own Landlord
Understanding the Difference Between Leasing and Buying
With historically low rents and historically low prices and interest rates for commercial real estate, which option is best? It’s a common question, and the answer is rarely obvious. This workshop explained the economic difference between the two scenarios. We did the math that demonstrated the nuances between paying rent to someone else, and paying it to yourself. Cash invested in real estate is cash that becomes unavailable to the business, but SBA Loan programs, tax benefits, and the ability to sell the property at a future date are all factors to be considered.
Kelly Muldrow from the Windermere Real Estate’s Commercial Practice Group was available to share his expertise and resources for accessing SBA 504 funds. Kelly Muldrow is a Managing Broker in Windermere Real Estate’s commercial practice group. Since 2004, Mr. Muldrow has been involved in real estate sales and leasing, investment analysis, and commercial development, representing a broad array of clients, including investors, developers, tenants and small businesses.
Check Liberty Bank’s Calendar for future quarterly Discovery Workshops, which are free and open to the regional community.
Kitsap Economic Development Alliance Annual Meeting
Liberty Bank was a corporate sponsor for Kitsap Economic Development Alliance’s (KEDA) annual Decision Makers Breakfast and economic forecast, where over 225 community leaders gathered at the Kitsap Conference Center to gain insights into the regional economy, and learn more about the economic sectors that drive our economy. Attendees also learned more about the individual enterprises that comprise the local economy as the event focused on telling the respective stories of three dynamic Kitsap-based businesses: Lyons Painting & Design, Watson Furniture and SAFE Boats International. These new productions are extensions of KEDA’s “Kitsap Connected” campaign, which has been recognized nationally as an outstanding and effective stimulus for regional economic development. “We are proud to be a member of KEDA and to contribute the vibrant growth of the Greater Kitsap and West Sound regional economy,” stated Liberty Bank CEO Rick Darrow.
Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala & Community Awards
Liberty Bank was a proud sponsor of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber Annual Gala, held at the Clearwater Casino Resort.
Dozens of local businesses and over 300 community members gathered to celebrate in a spirit of partners united for progress. Liberty Bank was among the presenters giving numerous community awards, including Person of the Year to Ardis Morrow; Business of the Year to Tim Ryan Construction; Organization of the Year to Martha & Mary; and the Emerging Business of the Year was Beautifully Polished. Eric Mahler won the Young Leader of the Year award, and the Pearce Dressel Award for Volunteer of the Year was presented to Kathi Foresee. Guests enjoyed an elaborate dinner buffet and auction.
Discovery Workshop: Information Security for the Rest of Us
Practical Advice for Small Businesses
The truth is that the majority of data breaches within the United States emanate from small- and medium-sized businesses. Hackers are specifically targeting these smaller businesses because of the difficulty and cost associated with correlating a breach to a small business.
In this Discovery Workshop, the first in a series hosted by Liberty Bank, Brian Morkert, a local technology and security expert, discussed cost-effective solutions that any business can implement to protect itself and its customers from Internet thieves. Brian works daily on the front lines combating Internet miscreants and helping clients design, implement, and manage cost-effective network security and technology solutions that align with business needs.
Local business owners met to learn about and discuss topics including how data breaches are identified; security awareness training at work and home; what’s appropriate in security testing; and managed services and outsourcing. Also reviewed were common threats of today and those recently in the news; why traditional anti-virus doesn’t work and what does work; and what to do if you suspect you’re a victim.
Check Liberty Bank’s calendar for future quarterly Discovery Workshops, which are free and open to the regional community.
Kitsap Economic Development Alliance Real Estate Symposium
The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) sponsored a Real Estate Symposium that was held at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort. Liberty Bank sponsored a table and made a short presentation that summarized the bank’s progress over the last several years. Liberty Bank’s Senior VP & Relationship Manager Duane Edwards reminded attendees that Liberty Bank was the last bank chartered on the west coast and that it is passionate about building relationships that strengthen our community.
The Symposium was designed to give the attendees an update on the strengths and weaknesses in the local real estate market and, in general, the speakers were all upbeat and positive. Liberty Bank would agree that its continues to see strengths in the real estate markets and that continued improvements are expected due to the spillover from the Seattle market. Duane talked about the Liberty Bank commitment to the local real estate market with owner occupied commercial real estate, non-owner occupied commercial real estate, land development, owner occupied and non-owner occupied single family construction, and Home Equity Lines of Credit.
“Liberty Bank is deeply involved in the regional community,” Duane concluded. “This is why it is important to bank with your local community bank, where dollars are kept in the community and put to work to improve quality of business and life in the region, thereby augmenting the overall economic growth of local markets.”
The 13th Annual Kathleen Sutton Fund Auction
Women facing cancer have many challenges, and the Kathleen Sutton Inspirational Fund was created to help defer transportation costs for women being treated for cancer. Women living in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap & Mason counties are eligible for assistance. As an event sponsor, Liberty Bank aligned with other local businesses and community members to support this event, and several bank staff members stepped up to volunteer.
Coffee Oasis Garden Beautification
Liberty Bank joined forces to help homeless and other youth in need by contributing to Coffee Oasis, a local non-profit coffee shop enterprise that provides a safe place for after school programs and for youth counseling, as well as job training and placement for teens. Funds raised in September helped to beautify the property of the Coffee Oasis location in Poulsbo, and teens helped with installation of landscape plants and materials. With locations in Poulsbo, Port Orchard and Bremerton, Coffee Oasis offers resources for street youth including showers, laundry, clothing and food, youth centers, mentoring, case management, a shelter, and more.