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For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
For Lewis Long III, banking with Surety Bank isn't just a habit. It's a relationship that has lasted more than five decades.
As one of Surety Bank's longest-standing customers, Lewis has watched the bank grow alongside the community it has served since 1926. His connection to Surety began more than 50 years ago when he opened a savings account after hearing from neighbors that the bank consistently offered strong value and genuinely cared about its customers.
Over the years, Lewis has seen a lot of change. He remembers making deposits with a passbook while employees manually updated balances using a hand-cranked adding machine. What hasn't changed, however, is the way Surety Bank treats the people who walk through its doors.
For Lewis, that commitment extends beyond his own banking experience. When his sons were born, he opened accounts for each of them at Surety Bank, continuing a family tradition that has now spanned generations. One of his sons even participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when Surety Bank dedicated its current building in the early 1990s.
Throughout his life of military service, public service, and community involvement, Lewis has always returned to the same bank.
What has kept him loyal all these years?
The answer is simple: people.
"You couldn't ask for better service or better people," Lewis says. "I don't know how they remember everybody's name that walks in the door, but they do. They're just super folks. The people have always been a gift to us and to the community."
Lewis believes that the values Surety Bank was founded on continue to define the bank today. One story from the bank's early history has always stayed with him. During the Great Depression, he recalls hearing that Surety worked with customers rather than rushing to foreclose on them because they cared more about helping people than taking their property. That philosophy, he says, is still reflected in the way the bank serves its customers today.
It's one of the reasons Lewis has become an advocate for the bank wherever he goes.
Whether he's encouraging friends to open a money market account, sharing the bank's history, or even suggesting a new Surety branch for his hometown of Lake Helen, Lewis proudly recommends the bank he's trusted for more than half a century.
"I wouldn't champion the bank if I didn't believe in these folks and believe in this bank," he says. "Everybody is important. They see past whatever's bothering someone that day and still treat people with kindness and respect."
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of serving Central Florida, customers like Lewis remind us that while banking has evolved, some things should never change. Genuine relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it. It's how we will always do it.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that community banking means more than serving customers inside the walls of a branch. It means investing in the people, organizations, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.
That commitment is something Carla Quann, Director of Community Relations for the Volusia Sheriff's Office, has experienced firsthand.
"Our goal is to support everyone in our community," Carla explains. "Ryan [James] wanted to be a part of what we're doing because he cares about the community."
The partnership between Surety Bank and the Volusia Sheriff's Office began when Surety Bank President & CEO Ryan James joined the Volusia Sheriff's Foundation Board. Since then, the relationship has grown into a collaborative effort focused on addressing some of the community's greatest needs.
One example came during the holiday season, when thousands of local families faced uncertainty after SNAP benefits were unexpectedly interrupted. Through the combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, more than 3,500 grocery bags were distributed to families throughout Volusia County.
According to Carla, Surety Bank was an important part of making that effort possible.
Beyond community events and charitable initiatives, the partnership has also helped strengthen public safety.
As financial scams targeting older adults became increasingly common, Surety Bank worked alongside the Sheriff's Office to provide education, share industry expertise, and help detectives better recognize the warning signs of fraud.
That collaboration ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Unit—a dedicated team focused on protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation.
Working together, those efforts have helped recover more than $2 million for local victims of financial crimes.
For Carla, those results reflect what makes Surety Bank different.
"They're not just another hometown bank," she says. "They care about their community."
She believes that commitment starts with customer service but extends far beyond banking. Whether supporting nonprofit organizations, helping law enforcement address emerging scams, or simply answering the phone when someone needs help, Surety Bank has built relationships rooted in trust.
"People trust them," Carla says. "They've built that trust with their customers, and that's why people stay."
As Surety Bank celebrates a century of serving Central Florida, partnerships like this demonstrate that community banking isn't defined only by financial services—it's measured by the impact a bank has on the people and communities it serves.
For 100 years, Surety Bank has believed that when communities succeed, everyone succeeds. Through partnerships built on trust, service, and shared purpose, that commitment continues today—and will continue for generations to come.
Fraud schemes continue to evolve, and one of the latest trends affecting Money Services Businesses involves contractor-related scams. Unlike traditional check fraud, these transactions often involve legitimate cashier's checks, making them more difficult to identify through normal check verification procedures.
Instead, the focus shifts to evaluating the business behind the transaction and determining whether the overall circumstances make sense.
The scam typically begins when individuals posing as contractors approach homeowners offering services such as roofing, driveway paving, masonry work, foundation repair, or waterproofing.
These businesses often appear completely legitimate. They may have professional websites, branded clothing, business cards, invoices, and positive online reviews. In many cases, the homeowner believes they are hiring a reputable contractor.
After the work is completed, or in some cases while it is underway, the homeowner is instructed to obtain a cashier's check for payment. That check is then presented to an MSB for cashing.
The challenge is that the cashier's check itself is often valid. The fraud lies in the business behind the transaction, not the payment instrument.
Many of these businesses are created solely to facilitate the fraud. They may complete some or all of the work, but the services are often performed by unqualified labor, or left unfinished with no intention of honoring warranties or returning to correct problems.
Because the checks themselves are legitimate, identifying potential risk depends on strong corporate due diligence and careful review of the business presenting the transaction.
One of the most valuable parts of corporate due diligence is looking beyond the paperwork and evaluating whether the overall transaction makes sense.
In many of these cases, the documentation appears complete. The business may have incorporation documents, a professional website, branded materials, and everything expected during a review. On the surface, it looks legitimate.
However, taking a closer look may reveal details that deserve additional attention. For example, a construction company incorporated only days or weeks ago may already be cashing a large cashier's check for a major roofing or foundation project. While each of these facts may be reasonable on its own, together they may warrant additional review.
Consider questions such as:
No single factor indicates fraud, and every transaction should be evaluated on its own merits. However, taking a moment to consider the complete picture can help identify higher-risk transactions before they become larger issues.
This type of fraud reinforces why maintaining thorough corporate due diligence procedures is so important.
Reviewing business registrations, ownership information, supporting documentation, and overall transaction activity helps MSBs make informed decisions while reducing operational and compliance risk.
Strong due diligence is not about assuming every new business is fraudulent. It is about asking the right questions when something does not appear consistent with the overall transaction.
Fraudsters continue to refine their tactics, making scams more convincing than ever. Professional websites, polished marketing materials, and valid payment instruments should never replace thoughtful review and sound judgment.
By combining established due diligence procedures with a careful evaluation of the entire transaction, MSBs can better identify emerging fraud trends and help protect both their business and their customers.
As Surety Bank celebrates 100 years of community banking, one thing has remained constant throughout every decade: our commitment to people.
For Alexandra Wells, VP BSA Officer, that commitment is what makes community banking different.
After spending more than 20 years in the legal field, Alexandra joined Surety Bank in 2019, bringing together her legal experience and newly earned accounting degree to help protect customers from fraud, financial crimes, and suspicious activity. Since then, she has advanced through the Bank Secrecy Act department while helping strengthen Surety's commitment to customer protection. But for Alexandra, the work is about far more than regulations and risk management.
"It's about people," she says.
That philosophy became especially clear when an elderly customer began exhibiting unusual banking activity.
The customer, who had recently lost her husband and hired a caretaker, suddenly began cashing checks and making transactions that were completely out of character. Surety Bank's frontline staff noticed the changes immediately. Because they knew the customer and understood her normal banking habits, they recognized that something wasn't right.
The situation was escalated to Alexandra for further review.
After analyzing the account activity, Alexandra and another Surety employee visited the customer at her home. During the visit, several warning signs became apparent. The caretaker repeatedly answered questions on the customer's behalf, and purchases were being made that didn't align with the customer's typical behavior.
Further investigation revealed that the caretaker had gained access to the customer's debit card and was using it for personal purchases, including online shopping and vehicle rentals.
By acting quickly, Surety Bank was able to contact the customer's family, stop the unauthorized activity, and help prevent additional financial loss.
"It's one of the advantages of being a community bank," Alexandra explains. "Because we know our customers, we can recognize when something doesn't seem right and take action."
Stories like this highlight what has set Surety Bank apart for the past century. While technology and banking services continue to evolve, the foundation of community banking remains the same: relationships.
For Alexandra, those relationships extend beyond customers and into the workplace as well.
"At Surety Bank, you're not just a number," she says. "You're a person. We know each other by name, and we genuinely care about one another."
That culture of caring is reflected throughout the organization, from employees supporting one another through life's challenges to teams working together to serve customers with a personal touch.
As Surety Bank enters its second century, Alexandra believes the values that have guided the Bank for the last 100 years will continue to shape its future.
"We've always cared about our customers and our employees," she says. "That's the culture of Surety Bank, and I believe that's something that will continue for another century to come."
After 100 years, it's still how we've always done it: putting people first.
For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), corporate due diligence files are completed during onboarding and are not reviewed on a regular basis. Over time, documents expire, registrations lapse, and required updates are overlooked.
The problem is that these files are not simply internal paperwork or a bank requirement. In many states, maintaining accurate and current corporate due diligence documentation is part of an MSB’s broader compliance responsibilities.
When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can create operational disruptions that directly affect your business.
One of the most common issues we continue seeing involves outdated or incomplete documentation for businesses whose checks are being cashed.
In many cases, the MSB believes everything is in order until a transaction is reviewed and a problem is identified. By that point, funds may have already been provided to the customer.
When documentation is missing or expired, it can result in:
These situations are often avoidable with consistent file maintenance and regular internal reviews.
Corporate due diligence should be treated as an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time onboarding task.
Business information changes regularly. Companies may:
Without ongoing reviews, these changes can easily go unnoticed until they create a problem during transaction processing or compliance review.
Requirements vary depending on the state and type of business, but corporate due diligence files commonly include:
Many of these documents require periodic renewal or updates.
One recurring issue involves businesses failing to maintain active registration status with the Secretary of State.
In states like Florida, corporations are required to file annual reports to remain active. If those filings are missed, the business can become inactive or suspended.
During the due diligence process, Surety Bank reviews business registration status as part of transaction and compliance reviews. If a business is no longer active with the state, transactions may be delayed or unable to proceed until the issue is resolved.
Unfortunately, many MSBs do not discover the problem until after they have already provided funds to the customer.
One of the best ways to avoid these situations is by implementing consistent internal reviews of your corporate due diligence files.
It is recommended that MSBs review files at least twice a year to ensure documentation remains current and complete.
Even simple tracking methods can make a significant difference. Many businesses successfully use spreadsheets or internal checklists to monitor:
A small amount of organization upfront can help prevent larger operational and compliance issues later.
Corporate due diligence reviews are not simply administrative tasks. They are part of maintaining a strong compliance program and protecting your business from avoidable risk.
Strong documentation practices help businesses:
Most importantly, they help identify problems before they affect day-to-day operations.
Maintaining corporate due diligence files may not feel urgent until a transaction is delayed, a registration is found inactive, or documentation cannot be produced when needed.
Consistent reviews, updated records, and proactive tracking procedures help keep operations running smoothly and reduce preventable risk.
In many cases, the businesses with the fewest operational disruptions are simply the ones that stay organized and review their files consistently throughout the year.
For John Hamlin, business has always been about relationships.
As the owner of Hamlin & Associates and several affiliated companies, John has spent decades helping businesses succeed. Throughout his career, he's learned that the strongest partnerships aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on trust, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping people when they need it most.
That's one of the reasons he's been banking with Surety Bank for nearly 20 years.
When John first moved to the Daytona Beach area, Surety Bank was recommended to him by a trusted contact. From his very first interactions with the team, he noticed something different.
"It reminded me more of an old-school bank that cared," John recalls. "I wasn't just an account number. They took the time to learn my name, understand my business, and get to know me."
Over the years, John has worked with other financial institutions, but those experiences only reinforced what makes Surety unique. While larger banks often offered similar products and technology, they couldn't provide the same level of personal attention.
"You can go anywhere and get online banking," he says. "Surety offers that too. The difference is they also offer the personal relationship."
For John, that relationship has meant having direct conversations when questions arise, receiving honest guidance, and knowing that decisions are made by people who understand both his business and his goals.
After nearly two decades as a customer, John says he's never felt the need to call and complain about an employee or a banking experience.
"Everybody in this bank is of service," he explains. "They're accommodating, they're friendly, and they're always willing to help. That's rare."
As Surety Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary, John believes the bank's longevity comes down to something simple: maintaining the personal touch while continuing to evolve.
"You guys can do everything the big banks do," he says. "They can't do everything you do."
For John, that's what community banking should be. Modern conveniences matter, but relationships matter more.
And after nearly 20 years, that's why Surety Bank continues to be his bank of choice.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it's how we will always do it!
Surety Bank continually works to provide greater accessibility to all of its products and services. If you have any questions about accessible banking, call us at 386-734-1647
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