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Stay informed with out regularly updated resources. Each post convers a unique aspect of banking or finance to enhance your understanding and enable better financial decisions.
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.
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!
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For many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and 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.
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 many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and 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.
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 many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and 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.
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 many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and 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.
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 many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and 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.
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 many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and 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.
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 many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and 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.
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 many Money Services Businesses (MSBs), the independent review is viewed as another annual compliance requirement to complete, submit to the bank, and move on from until next year.
In reality, the independent review is one of the most important tools available to help identify weaknesses in your compliance program before they become larger problems.
A completed review alone is not enough.
What matters is what happens after the review is finished.
Independent testing is one of the pillars of an effective BSA/AML compliance program. Its purpose is not simply to satisfy a requirement. A quality review evaluates the strength of your compliance program, identifies weaknesses or gaps, reviews transaction monitoring procedures, and provides recommendations to improve controls and reduce risk.
A strong independent review gives MSB owners visibility into areas that may need attention before regulators or financial institutions identify them first.
One of the biggest issues we see is MSBs treating the independent review as a one-time document instead of an operational tool.
In many cases, findings are not addressed, recommendations are delayed, or the same deficiencies continue appearing year after year. This creates a pattern that signals a lack of improvement and a lack of attention to compliance responsibilities.
When the same issues continue repeating, risk increases significantly.
Repeated deficiencies can eventually lead to increased monitoring requirements, additional compliance costs, regulatory scrutiny, or even fines and penalties. In more serious situations, it can also create risk for the MSB’s banking relationship or licensing status.
In some cases, businesses may be required to undergo additional compliance monitoring by an outside third party until improvements are made.
The goal is not to create an additional burden, but instead to identify and correct issues before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.
Independent reviews frequently identify issues involving:
While some of these may seem minor individually, repeated deficiencies over time can create significant compliance concerns if they are not corrected.
No compliance program is perfect. What matters most is identifying issues, addressing them promptly, and demonstrating improvement over time.
An independent review should show progress year after year. If the same findings continue appearing without corrective action, regulators and financial institutions may view that as a lack of commitment to compliance obligations.
Although the independent review report is a bank-required document, MSBs are required to undergo independent testing because the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires every MSB to maintain an effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, and independent testing is one of the core required elements of that program.
While FinCEN requires independent testing to be conducted periodically, Surety Bank’s policy requires independent testing to be completed every 12 months for MSB customers.
Completing reviews consistently and addressing findings in a timely manner helps maintain a stronger and more effective compliance program throughout the year.
Compliance is not built once a year during an independent testing. It is built through consistent attention to processes, documentation, monitoring, and corrective action throughout the year.
The independent testing is designed to help identify weaknesses before they create larger operational or regulatory problems. Using it properly can help protect your business, your banking relationship, and your long-term success.
For John Simmons, banking with Surety has always been about relationships.
A longtime customer of Surety Bank, John has seen firsthand what it looks like when a financial institution truly shows up for its community. As a husband of 38 years, a father of four daughters, and a Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, his perspective is grounded in both family and service.
When the school began to grow, a new challenge emerged. They had run out of space to fit all of the students. Expansion wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was necessary to continue serving students and families well. Like many organizations in that position, they explored their options carefully.
Then came a call that changed everything.
The president of Surety Bank reached out directly, bringing together key stakeholders in a conversation focused on one thing: how to help. What followed was more than a transaction, it was a collaborative effort. The bank stepped in not just with financial guidance, but with a clear commitment to walk alongside the school’s leadership every step of the way.
That experience left a lasting impression on John.
In his words, Surety Bank was “there 120%,” offering direction, support, and reassurance during a critical moment. But what stood out most was how they got there.
“They treat people as people,” John explains. “They actually answer the phone. They communicate.”
In an era where many businesses prioritize efficiency over connection, that kind of responsiveness feels increasingly rare. Yet for Surety Bank, it’s part of their DNA.
John’s story is a reminder that the best banking relationships aren’t built on numbers alone. They’re built on trust, accessibility, and a genuine investment in the people they serve.
This is how Surety Bank has always done it and it’s how we will always do it!
100th Anniversary Stories
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