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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.
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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.
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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!
Not all risks come from outside your business.
In many cases, the most significant issues we see develop internally through gaps in oversight, compliance, and day-to-day controls.
As we move further into the year, we want to focus on a key principle that helps prevent these issues:
Trust your team, but verify your operations.
Consider the following scenario:
An MSB owner invested in the business but was not involved in day-to-day operations. Instead, they trusted a close family member to manage the store and handle compliance responsibilities.
At first, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Over time, however, several issues developed:
Eventually, the situation escalated.
The individual managing the business began making unauthorized financial decisions. There were compliance gaps that had gone unnoticed. Required oversight was missing. By the time the issues surfaced, the impact included:
The most important takeaway is this:
The responsibility did not fall on the person running the store. It fell on the owner.
Even if you assign:
The responsibility for compliance, licensing, and operations remains with the owner.
Regulators evaluate the licensed entity and the owner behind it, not just the individual performing the work.
A “hands-off” approach can create risk if there is no system in place to verify what is happening inside the business.
Internal issues are not always obvious.
Unlike external fraud, which is often a single event, internal breakdowns can develop gradually:
Because the business appears to be operating normally, these issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.
Oversight does not mean mistrust. It means protection.
Strong MSB operations include:
Owners do not need to manage every transaction, but they do need visibility into how the business is operating.
To reduce risk and strengthen your operation, consider:
Even small, consistent actions can help identify issues early.
Independent reviews, compliance officers, and internal staff all play important roles.
However, none of these replace owner oversight.
If any one layer fails, there should be another layer in place to identify and correct the issue.
Trust is important in any business. But in an MSB environment, trust must be supported by structure, process, and verification.
A strong system protects:
If you have questions about internal controls, compliance expectations, or how to strengthen oversight in your business, our team is available to support you.
For nearly 100 years, Surety Bank has believed a strong community is built through more than financial services. It's built through people showing up for one another. Since the bank’s early days, Surety has been committed to investing time, support and resources into the places where its customers live and work. That community-first mindset is why Surety was proud to support DeLand’s annual Night to Shine, hosted by Stetson Baptist Church.
Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs that was created to give honored guests, known as VIPs, a night filled with joy, dignity and belonging. Organizers said this year’s event welcomed about 150 VIPs and was made possible by roughly 400 volunteers who served, cheered and helped make the night unforgettable.
Night to Shine began in 2015 through the Tim Tebow Foundation and has grown into a global initiative hosted by local churches. The foundation says Night to Shine now takes place in all 50 states and in 76 countries, with 979 host churches participating during the 2026 season. In DeLand, the event brought families, volunteers and community partners together around a simple idea: everyone deserves to be celebrated.
From the first greeting to the final song, Night to Shine is built around creating a prom experience that feels personal and uplifting. In DeLand, VIPs enjoyed a full evening of fun, including:
Each part of the evening reinforced the same message: VIPs are seen, valued and welcomed.
People with special needs and their families can too often feel overlooked, simply because many social spaces are not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Night to Shine helps change that by creating an environment where belonging is intentional and celebration is the point. It’s also meaningful for caregivers, who get to watch their loved one experience a community that shows up with kindness and care.
Surety Bank is grateful to support events like Night to Shine because strong communities are built through relationships, service and shared responsibility. The turnout in DeLand reflected that spirit, with volunteers giving their time and local partners helping to make every detail count.
To the VIPs who brought the joy, the families who trusted the community with this special night, and the volunteers who made it happen, thank you. Night to Shine is one evening on the calendar, but the impact reaches much further, reminding DeLand what it looks like to celebrate every person with dignity and love.
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Tax season often brings an increase in check fraud activity, and we are currently seeing specific patterns in several markets. Based on recent site visits and bankwide data, fraud trends include altered checks, fraudulent IDs, and tax refund schemes that can put MSBs at risk.
Fraud is not evenly distributed across the country. Recent analysis shows:
Understanding these localized trends can help MSBs tailor their detection and prevention efforts based on where their business operates.
Why Fraud Is Often Missed
In busy MSB settings, tellers and staff are under pressure to process customers quickly. Fast service is important, but it should not come at the expense of proper verification. Common reasons fraud is missed include:
Slowing down when suspicious signals appear can prevent significant losses later.
One of the most common fraud methods involves chemical alteration (sometimes called “check washing”), where fraudsters remove original payee information and rewrite it.
How to detect it:
Areas that glow differently often indicate tampering.
Even if the check has no embedded security feature, an altered area will reflect under UV light in a way that the original paper will not.
Fraud prevention is not only about tools. People exhibit behavior that often signals something is wrong:
Watch for customers who:
These behaviors, when combined with instrument anomalies, are stronger indicators of fraud.
In some cases, the check is real, but the transaction context is not. A common example seen in Michigan:
These patterns suggest the check itself may be authentic, but the process that generated it was fraudulent. The bank will eventually identify the issue, but MSBs may face loss if the check is returned.
Slowing down and asking questions helps you protect your business from future exposure.
It’s natural to want to avoid losing a small fee by turning away a suspicious check. However, a rushed decision can expose your business to a much higher loss when a check is returned or fails later verification.
Protecting your business means:
When fraud is prevented at the front line, the long-term financial health of your business is protected.
For many residents of DeLand, the airport on the north side of town feels like a world of its own. Planes climb into the sky daily. Parachutes bloom overhead. Visitors arrive from across the globe. What many may not realize is that Skydive DeLand is not only a local attraction. It is one of the most influential skydiving centers in the world.
Skydive DeLand began operations in 1982, taking over a location that had already seen continuous skydiving activity since 1958. From its earliest days, the company was led by competitors at the highest level of the sport. Both founders were National Champions, and one went on to achieve the title of World Champion in four-person team competition.
That competitive ambition changed the sport.
To pursue world-class performance, the founders enhanced the way teams trained. They invested in aircraft, facilities, personnel, and infrastructure that allowed for intensive, structured team training. At the time, very few drop zones operated seven days a week. Skydive DeLand quickly became a full-time operation, open year-round.
As teams discovered the level of support and consistency available in DeLand, they began traveling here from all over the world. What started as a training philosophy became a global destination.
For many years, Skydive DeLand was recognized as the most active skydiving center in the world.
As training programs expanded, so did the industry surrounding them. Equipment manufacturers began relocating to DeLand in order to test new parachute designs and innovations in real-world conditions.
Today, more than 20 skydiving-related companies operate in the DeLand area. Together, they form the largest parachute equipment manufacturing cluster in the world. Skydive DeLand serves as the anchor for that ecosystem.
Manufacturers rely on the consistent jump activity to test new canopies and equipment designs. Similar to how automotive companies rely on test tracks, skydiving manufacturers rely on active drop zones.
The result is that DeLand became known internationally as the Skydiving Capital of the World. Travelers from Europe, South America, and across the United States continue to visit year after year, particularly during the late winter and spring seasons when weather conditions are ideal.
Beyond competitions and equipment development, Skydive DeLand has fostered a global community.
Teams train here for weeks or months at a time. Large events have attracted hundreds of participants. National championships have been hosted here. At any given time, visitors may be staying in local hotels, RVs, or short-term rentals.
That international presence supports tourism, local hospitality, and small businesses throughout DeLand. A past industry census estimated more than 600 jobs connected directly or indirectly to the skydiving and equipment manufacturing sector.
During economic downturns, when other industries struggled, Skydive DeLand remained strong. Tandem jumps and recreational experiences continued to attract visitors. Equipment manufacturing remained active. That stability helped support the broader local economy during difficult periods.
The people who make up the skydiving community are also deeply engaged locally. Many longtime jumpers and industry professionals participate in other civic and community activities throughout DeLand. For those who retire from jumping, many continue to invest their energy in the town they have come to call home.
In 2025, the Skydive DeLand community experienced a devastating loss.
Bob Hallett, one of the two original founders and the majority shareholder of the company, passed away unexpectedly following a traffic accident on his way to work. He had been with the company since its early days and remained actively involved in daily operations.
Bob was not only a business leader but a central figure in the skydiving community. His vision and commitment helped shape Skydive DeLand into the global leader it became. His passing deeply affected employees, jumpers, manufacturers, and longtime friends across the industry.
For a company that has operated as both a workplace and a close-knit community, the loss was profound. Yet the legacy he helped build continues in the culture, the operations, and the global impact of the organization.
One story reflects just how far Skydive DeLand’s reach extends. A local Stetson professor once attended a conference in Taiwan and turned on the television in his hotel room. There was a feature about Skydive DeLand. He returned home surprised to discover that an internationally recognized skydiving center operated just minutes from where he lived.
That story captures something unique about Skydive DeLand. It has put DeLand on the world map, even if some residents are not fully aware of what happens at the airport each day.
Visitors are welcome to observe jumps from the viewing areas or enjoy the adjacent restaurant deck. Others choose to experience a tandem jump. Some begin lifelong careers in the sport. Whether someone comes to watch or to participate, Skydive DeLand remains open and active every day.
For more information, visit SkyDiveDeLand.com to learn about tandem experiences, training programs, and upcoming events.
Skydive DeLand is more than a drop zone. It is a global training center, an innovation hub, and a long-standing contributor to the DeLand community. Its history reflects ambition, resilience, and a deep commitment to both sport and town.
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!
Not all risks come from outside your business.
In many cases, the most significant issues we see develop internally through gaps in oversight, compliance, and day-to-day controls.
As we move further into the year, we want to focus on a key principle that helps prevent these issues:
Trust your team, but verify your operations.
Consider the following scenario:
An MSB owner invested in the business but was not involved in day-to-day operations. Instead, they trusted a close family member to manage the store and handle compliance responsibilities.
At first, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Over time, however, several issues developed:
Eventually, the situation escalated.
The individual managing the business began making unauthorized financial decisions. There were compliance gaps that had gone unnoticed. Required oversight was missing. By the time the issues surfaced, the impact included:
The most important takeaway is this:
The responsibility did not fall on the person running the store. It fell on the owner.
Even if you assign:
The responsibility for compliance, licensing, and operations remains with the owner.
Regulators evaluate the licensed entity and the owner behind it, not just the individual performing the work.
A “hands-off” approach can create risk if there is no system in place to verify what is happening inside the business.
Internal issues are not always obvious.
Unlike external fraud, which is often a single event, internal breakdowns can develop gradually:
Because the business appears to be operating normally, these issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.
Oversight does not mean mistrust. It means protection.
Strong MSB operations include:
Owners do not need to manage every transaction, but they do need visibility into how the business is operating.
To reduce risk and strengthen your operation, consider:
Even small, consistent actions can help identify issues early.
Independent reviews, compliance officers, and internal staff all play important roles.
However, none of these replace owner oversight.
If any one layer fails, there should be another layer in place to identify and correct the issue.
Trust is important in any business. But in an MSB environment, trust must be supported by structure, process, and verification.
A strong system protects:
If you have questions about internal controls, compliance expectations, or how to strengthen oversight in your business, our team is available to support you.
For nearly 100 years, Surety Bank has believed a strong community is built through more than financial services. It's built through people showing up for one another. Since the bank’s early days, Surety has been committed to investing time, support and resources into the places where its customers live and work. That community-first mindset is why Surety was proud to support DeLand’s annual Night to Shine, hosted by Stetson Baptist Church.
Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs that was created to give honored guests, known as VIPs, a night filled with joy, dignity and belonging. Organizers said this year’s event welcomed about 150 VIPs and was made possible by roughly 400 volunteers who served, cheered and helped make the night unforgettable.
Night to Shine began in 2015 through the Tim Tebow Foundation and has grown into a global initiative hosted by local churches. The foundation says Night to Shine now takes place in all 50 states and in 76 countries, with 979 host churches participating during the 2026 season. In DeLand, the event brought families, volunteers and community partners together around a simple idea: everyone deserves to be celebrated.
From the first greeting to the final song, Night to Shine is built around creating a prom experience that feels personal and uplifting. In DeLand, VIPs enjoyed a full evening of fun, including:
Each part of the evening reinforced the same message: VIPs are seen, valued and welcomed.
People with special needs and their families can too often feel overlooked, simply because many social spaces are not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Night to Shine helps change that by creating an environment where belonging is intentional and celebration is the point. It’s also meaningful for caregivers, who get to watch their loved one experience a community that shows up with kindness and care.
Surety Bank is grateful to support events like Night to Shine because strong communities are built through relationships, service and shared responsibility. The turnout in DeLand reflected that spirit, with volunteers giving their time and local partners helping to make every detail count.
To the VIPs who brought the joy, the families who trusted the community with this special night, and the volunteers who made it happen, thank you. Night to Shine is one evening on the calendar, but the impact reaches much further, reminding DeLand what it looks like to celebrate every person with dignity and love.
Tax season often brings an increase in check fraud activity, and we are currently seeing specific patterns in several markets. Based on recent site visits and bankwide data, fraud trends include altered checks, fraudulent IDs, and tax refund schemes that can put MSBs at risk.
Fraud is not evenly distributed across the country. Recent analysis shows:
Understanding these localized trends can help MSBs tailor their detection and prevention efforts based on where their business operates.
Why Fraud Is Often Missed
In busy MSB settings, tellers and staff are under pressure to process customers quickly. Fast service is important, but it should not come at the expense of proper verification. Common reasons fraud is missed include:
Slowing down when suspicious signals appear can prevent significant losses later.
One of the most common fraud methods involves chemical alteration (sometimes called “check washing”), where fraudsters remove original payee information and rewrite it.
How to detect it:
Areas that glow differently often indicate tampering.
Even if the check has no embedded security feature, an altered area will reflect under UV light in a way that the original paper will not.
Fraud prevention is not only about tools. People exhibit behavior that often signals something is wrong:
Watch for customers who:
These behaviors, when combined with instrument anomalies, are stronger indicators of fraud.
In some cases, the check is real, but the transaction context is not. A common example seen in Michigan:
These patterns suggest the check itself may be authentic, but the process that generated it was fraudulent. The bank will eventually identify the issue, but MSBs may face loss if the check is returned.
Slowing down and asking questions helps you protect your business from future exposure.
It’s natural to want to avoid losing a small fee by turning away a suspicious check. However, a rushed decision can expose your business to a much higher loss when a check is returned or fails later verification.
Protecting your business means:
When fraud is prevented at the front line, the long-term financial health of your business is protected.
For many residents of DeLand, the airport on the north side of town feels like a world of its own. Planes climb into the sky daily. Parachutes bloom overhead. Visitors arrive from across the globe. What many may not realize is that Skydive DeLand is not only a local attraction. It is one of the most influential skydiving centers in the world.
Skydive DeLand began operations in 1982, taking over a location that had already seen continuous skydiving activity since 1958. From its earliest days, the company was led by competitors at the highest level of the sport. Both founders were National Champions, and one went on to achieve the title of World Champion in four-person team competition.
That competitive ambition changed the sport.
To pursue world-class performance, the founders enhanced the way teams trained. They invested in aircraft, facilities, personnel, and infrastructure that allowed for intensive, structured team training. At the time, very few drop zones operated seven days a week. Skydive DeLand quickly became a full-time operation, open year-round.
As teams discovered the level of support and consistency available in DeLand, they began traveling here from all over the world. What started as a training philosophy became a global destination.
For many years, Skydive DeLand was recognized as the most active skydiving center in the world.
As training programs expanded, so did the industry surrounding them. Equipment manufacturers began relocating to DeLand in order to test new parachute designs and innovations in real-world conditions.
Today, more than 20 skydiving-related companies operate in the DeLand area. Together, they form the largest parachute equipment manufacturing cluster in the world. Skydive DeLand serves as the anchor for that ecosystem.
Manufacturers rely on the consistent jump activity to test new canopies and equipment designs. Similar to how automotive companies rely on test tracks, skydiving manufacturers rely on active drop zones.
The result is that DeLand became known internationally as the Skydiving Capital of the World. Travelers from Europe, South America, and across the United States continue to visit year after year, particularly during the late winter and spring seasons when weather conditions are ideal.
Beyond competitions and equipment development, Skydive DeLand has fostered a global community.
Teams train here for weeks or months at a time. Large events have attracted hundreds of participants. National championships have been hosted here. At any given time, visitors may be staying in local hotels, RVs, or short-term rentals.
That international presence supports tourism, local hospitality, and small businesses throughout DeLand. A past industry census estimated more than 600 jobs connected directly or indirectly to the skydiving and equipment manufacturing sector.
During economic downturns, when other industries struggled, Skydive DeLand remained strong. Tandem jumps and recreational experiences continued to attract visitors. Equipment manufacturing remained active. That stability helped support the broader local economy during difficult periods.
The people who make up the skydiving community are also deeply engaged locally. Many longtime jumpers and industry professionals participate in other civic and community activities throughout DeLand. For those who retire from jumping, many continue to invest their energy in the town they have come to call home.
In 2025, the Skydive DeLand community experienced a devastating loss.
Bob Hallett, one of the two original founders and the majority shareholder of the company, passed away unexpectedly following a traffic accident on his way to work. He had been with the company since its early days and remained actively involved in daily operations.
Bob was not only a business leader but a central figure in the skydiving community. His vision and commitment helped shape Skydive DeLand into the global leader it became. His passing deeply affected employees, jumpers, manufacturers, and longtime friends across the industry.
For a company that has operated as both a workplace and a close-knit community, the loss was profound. Yet the legacy he helped build continues in the culture, the operations, and the global impact of the organization.
One story reflects just how far Skydive DeLand’s reach extends. A local Stetson professor once attended a conference in Taiwan and turned on the television in his hotel room. There was a feature about Skydive DeLand. He returned home surprised to discover that an internationally recognized skydiving center operated just minutes from where he lived.
That story captures something unique about Skydive DeLand. It has put DeLand on the world map, even if some residents are not fully aware of what happens at the airport each day.
Visitors are welcome to observe jumps from the viewing areas or enjoy the adjacent restaurant deck. Others choose to experience a tandem jump. Some begin lifelong careers in the sport. Whether someone comes to watch or to participate, Skydive DeLand remains open and active every day.
For more information, visit SkyDiveDeLand.com to learn about tandem experiences, training programs, and upcoming events.
Skydive DeLand is more than a drop zone. It is a global training center, an innovation hub, and a long-standing contributor to the DeLand community. Its history reflects ambition, resilience, and a deep commitment to both sport and town.
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!
Not all risks come from outside your business.
In many cases, the most significant issues we see develop internally through gaps in oversight, compliance, and day-to-day controls.
As we move further into the year, we want to focus on a key principle that helps prevent these issues:
Trust your team, but verify your operations.
Consider the following scenario:
An MSB owner invested in the business but was not involved in day-to-day operations. Instead, they trusted a close family member to manage the store and handle compliance responsibilities.
At first, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Over time, however, several issues developed:
Eventually, the situation escalated.
The individual managing the business began making unauthorized financial decisions. There were compliance gaps that had gone unnoticed. Required oversight was missing. By the time the issues surfaced, the impact included:
The most important takeaway is this:
The responsibility did not fall on the person running the store. It fell on the owner.
Even if you assign:
The responsibility for compliance, licensing, and operations remains with the owner.
Regulators evaluate the licensed entity and the owner behind it, not just the individual performing the work.
A “hands-off” approach can create risk if there is no system in place to verify what is happening inside the business.
Internal issues are not always obvious.
Unlike external fraud, which is often a single event, internal breakdowns can develop gradually:
Because the business appears to be operating normally, these issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.
Oversight does not mean mistrust. It means protection.
Strong MSB operations include:
Owners do not need to manage every transaction, but they do need visibility into how the business is operating.
To reduce risk and strengthen your operation, consider:
Even small, consistent actions can help identify issues early.
Independent reviews, compliance officers, and internal staff all play important roles.
However, none of these replace owner oversight.
If any one layer fails, there should be another layer in place to identify and correct the issue.
Trust is important in any business. But in an MSB environment, trust must be supported by structure, process, and verification.
A strong system protects:
If you have questions about internal controls, compliance expectations, or how to strengthen oversight in your business, our team is available to support you.
For nearly 100 years, Surety Bank has believed a strong community is built through more than financial services. It's built through people showing up for one another. Since the bank’s early days, Surety has been committed to investing time, support and resources into the places where its customers live and work. That community-first mindset is why Surety was proud to support DeLand’s annual Night to Shine, hosted by Stetson Baptist Church.
Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs that was created to give honored guests, known as VIPs, a night filled with joy, dignity and belonging. Organizers said this year’s event welcomed about 150 VIPs and was made possible by roughly 400 volunteers who served, cheered and helped make the night unforgettable.
Night to Shine began in 2015 through the Tim Tebow Foundation and has grown into a global initiative hosted by local churches. The foundation says Night to Shine now takes place in all 50 states and in 76 countries, with 979 host churches participating during the 2026 season. In DeLand, the event brought families, volunteers and community partners together around a simple idea: everyone deserves to be celebrated.
From the first greeting to the final song, Night to Shine is built around creating a prom experience that feels personal and uplifting. In DeLand, VIPs enjoyed a full evening of fun, including:
Each part of the evening reinforced the same message: VIPs are seen, valued and welcomed.
People with special needs and their families can too often feel overlooked, simply because many social spaces are not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Night to Shine helps change that by creating an environment where belonging is intentional and celebration is the point. It’s also meaningful for caregivers, who get to watch their loved one experience a community that shows up with kindness and care.
Surety Bank is grateful to support events like Night to Shine because strong communities are built through relationships, service and shared responsibility. The turnout in DeLand reflected that spirit, with volunteers giving their time and local partners helping to make every detail count.
To the VIPs who brought the joy, the families who trusted the community with this special night, and the volunteers who made it happen, thank you. Night to Shine is one evening on the calendar, but the impact reaches much further, reminding DeLand what it looks like to celebrate every person with dignity and love.
Tax season often brings an increase in check fraud activity, and we are currently seeing specific patterns in several markets. Based on recent site visits and bankwide data, fraud trends include altered checks, fraudulent IDs, and tax refund schemes that can put MSBs at risk.
Fraud is not evenly distributed across the country. Recent analysis shows:
Understanding these localized trends can help MSBs tailor their detection and prevention efforts based on where their business operates.
Why Fraud Is Often Missed
In busy MSB settings, tellers and staff are under pressure to process customers quickly. Fast service is important, but it should not come at the expense of proper verification. Common reasons fraud is missed include:
Slowing down when suspicious signals appear can prevent significant losses later.
One of the most common fraud methods involves chemical alteration (sometimes called “check washing”), where fraudsters remove original payee information and rewrite it.
How to detect it:
Areas that glow differently often indicate tampering.
Even if the check has no embedded security feature, an altered area will reflect under UV light in a way that the original paper will not.
Fraud prevention is not only about tools. People exhibit behavior that often signals something is wrong:
Watch for customers who:
These behaviors, when combined with instrument anomalies, are stronger indicators of fraud.
In some cases, the check is real, but the transaction context is not. A common example seen in Michigan:
These patterns suggest the check itself may be authentic, but the process that generated it was fraudulent. The bank will eventually identify the issue, but MSBs may face loss if the check is returned.
Slowing down and asking questions helps you protect your business from future exposure.
It’s natural to want to avoid losing a small fee by turning away a suspicious check. However, a rushed decision can expose your business to a much higher loss when a check is returned or fails later verification.
Protecting your business means:
When fraud is prevented at the front line, the long-term financial health of your business is protected.
For many residents of DeLand, the airport on the north side of town feels like a world of its own. Planes climb into the sky daily. Parachutes bloom overhead. Visitors arrive from across the globe. What many may not realize is that Skydive DeLand is not only a local attraction. It is one of the most influential skydiving centers in the world.
Skydive DeLand began operations in 1982, taking over a location that had already seen continuous skydiving activity since 1958. From its earliest days, the company was led by competitors at the highest level of the sport. Both founders were National Champions, and one went on to achieve the title of World Champion in four-person team competition.
That competitive ambition changed the sport.
To pursue world-class performance, the founders enhanced the way teams trained. They invested in aircraft, facilities, personnel, and infrastructure that allowed for intensive, structured team training. At the time, very few drop zones operated seven days a week. Skydive DeLand quickly became a full-time operation, open year-round.
As teams discovered the level of support and consistency available in DeLand, they began traveling here from all over the world. What started as a training philosophy became a global destination.
For many years, Skydive DeLand was recognized as the most active skydiving center in the world.
As training programs expanded, so did the industry surrounding them. Equipment manufacturers began relocating to DeLand in order to test new parachute designs and innovations in real-world conditions.
Today, more than 20 skydiving-related companies operate in the DeLand area. Together, they form the largest parachute equipment manufacturing cluster in the world. Skydive DeLand serves as the anchor for that ecosystem.
Manufacturers rely on the consistent jump activity to test new canopies and equipment designs. Similar to how automotive companies rely on test tracks, skydiving manufacturers rely on active drop zones.
The result is that DeLand became known internationally as the Skydiving Capital of the World. Travelers from Europe, South America, and across the United States continue to visit year after year, particularly during the late winter and spring seasons when weather conditions are ideal.
Beyond competitions and equipment development, Skydive DeLand has fostered a global community.
Teams train here for weeks or months at a time. Large events have attracted hundreds of participants. National championships have been hosted here. At any given time, visitors may be staying in local hotels, RVs, or short-term rentals.
That international presence supports tourism, local hospitality, and small businesses throughout DeLand. A past industry census estimated more than 600 jobs connected directly or indirectly to the skydiving and equipment manufacturing sector.
During economic downturns, when other industries struggled, Skydive DeLand remained strong. Tandem jumps and recreational experiences continued to attract visitors. Equipment manufacturing remained active. That stability helped support the broader local economy during difficult periods.
The people who make up the skydiving community are also deeply engaged locally. Many longtime jumpers and industry professionals participate in other civic and community activities throughout DeLand. For those who retire from jumping, many continue to invest their energy in the town they have come to call home.
In 2025, the Skydive DeLand community experienced a devastating loss.
Bob Hallett, one of the two original founders and the majority shareholder of the company, passed away unexpectedly following a traffic accident on his way to work. He had been with the company since its early days and remained actively involved in daily operations.
Bob was not only a business leader but a central figure in the skydiving community. His vision and commitment helped shape Skydive DeLand into the global leader it became. His passing deeply affected employees, jumpers, manufacturers, and longtime friends across the industry.
For a company that has operated as both a workplace and a close-knit community, the loss was profound. Yet the legacy he helped build continues in the culture, the operations, and the global impact of the organization.
One story reflects just how far Skydive DeLand’s reach extends. A local Stetson professor once attended a conference in Taiwan and turned on the television in his hotel room. There was a feature about Skydive DeLand. He returned home surprised to discover that an internationally recognized skydiving center operated just minutes from where he lived.
That story captures something unique about Skydive DeLand. It has put DeLand on the world map, even if some residents are not fully aware of what happens at the airport each day.
Visitors are welcome to observe jumps from the viewing areas or enjoy the adjacent restaurant deck. Others choose to experience a tandem jump. Some begin lifelong careers in the sport. Whether someone comes to watch or to participate, Skydive DeLand remains open and active every day.
For more information, visit SkyDiveDeLand.com to learn about tandem experiences, training programs, and upcoming events.
Skydive DeLand is more than a drop zone. It is a global training center, an innovation hub, and a long-standing contributor to the DeLand community. Its history reflects ambition, resilience, and a deep commitment to both sport and town.
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!
Not all risks come from outside your business.
In many cases, the most significant issues we see develop internally through gaps in oversight, compliance, and day-to-day controls.
As we move further into the year, we want to focus on a key principle that helps prevent these issues:
Trust your team, but verify your operations.
Consider the following scenario:
An MSB owner invested in the business but was not involved in day-to-day operations. Instead, they trusted a close family member to manage the store and handle compliance responsibilities.
At first, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Over time, however, several issues developed:
Eventually, the situation escalated.
The individual managing the business began making unauthorized financial decisions. There were compliance gaps that had gone unnoticed. Required oversight was missing. By the time the issues surfaced, the impact included:
The most important takeaway is this:
The responsibility did not fall on the person running the store. It fell on the owner.
Even if you assign:
The responsibility for compliance, licensing, and operations remains with the owner.
Regulators evaluate the licensed entity and the owner behind it, not just the individual performing the work.
A “hands-off” approach can create risk if there is no system in place to verify what is happening inside the business.
Internal issues are not always obvious.
Unlike external fraud, which is often a single event, internal breakdowns can develop gradually:
Because the business appears to be operating normally, these issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.
Oversight does not mean mistrust. It means protection.
Strong MSB operations include:
Owners do not need to manage every transaction, but they do need visibility into how the business is operating.
To reduce risk and strengthen your operation, consider:
Even small, consistent actions can help identify issues early.
Independent reviews, compliance officers, and internal staff all play important roles.
However, none of these replace owner oversight.
If any one layer fails, there should be another layer in place to identify and correct the issue.
Trust is important in any business. But in an MSB environment, trust must be supported by structure, process, and verification.
A strong system protects:
If you have questions about internal controls, compliance expectations, or how to strengthen oversight in your business, our team is available to support you.
For nearly 100 years, Surety Bank has believed a strong community is built through more than financial services. It's built through people showing up for one another. Since the bank’s early days, Surety has been committed to investing time, support and resources into the places where its customers live and work. That community-first mindset is why Surety was proud to support DeLand’s annual Night to Shine, hosted by Stetson Baptist Church.
Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs that was created to give honored guests, known as VIPs, a night filled with joy, dignity and belonging. Organizers said this year’s event welcomed about 150 VIPs and was made possible by roughly 400 volunteers who served, cheered and helped make the night unforgettable.
Night to Shine began in 2015 through the Tim Tebow Foundation and has grown into a global initiative hosted by local churches. The foundation says Night to Shine now takes place in all 50 states and in 76 countries, with 979 host churches participating during the 2026 season. In DeLand, the event brought families, volunteers and community partners together around a simple idea: everyone deserves to be celebrated.
From the first greeting to the final song, Night to Shine is built around creating a prom experience that feels personal and uplifting. In DeLand, VIPs enjoyed a full evening of fun, including:
Each part of the evening reinforced the same message: VIPs are seen, valued and welcomed.
People with special needs and their families can too often feel overlooked, simply because many social spaces are not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Night to Shine helps change that by creating an environment where belonging is intentional and celebration is the point. It’s also meaningful for caregivers, who get to watch their loved one experience a community that shows up with kindness and care.
Surety Bank is grateful to support events like Night to Shine because strong communities are built through relationships, service and shared responsibility. The turnout in DeLand reflected that spirit, with volunteers giving their time and local partners helping to make every detail count.
To the VIPs who brought the joy, the families who trusted the community with this special night, and the volunteers who made it happen, thank you. Night to Shine is one evening on the calendar, but the impact reaches much further, reminding DeLand what it looks like to celebrate every person with dignity and love.
Tax season often brings an increase in check fraud activity, and we are currently seeing specific patterns in several markets. Based on recent site visits and bankwide data, fraud trends include altered checks, fraudulent IDs, and tax refund schemes that can put MSBs at risk.
Fraud is not evenly distributed across the country. Recent analysis shows:
Understanding these localized trends can help MSBs tailor their detection and prevention efforts based on where their business operates.
Why Fraud Is Often Missed
In busy MSB settings, tellers and staff are under pressure to process customers quickly. Fast service is important, but it should not come at the expense of proper verification. Common reasons fraud is missed include:
Slowing down when suspicious signals appear can prevent significant losses later.
One of the most common fraud methods involves chemical alteration (sometimes called “check washing”), where fraudsters remove original payee information and rewrite it.
How to detect it:
Areas that glow differently often indicate tampering.
Even if the check has no embedded security feature, an altered area will reflect under UV light in a way that the original paper will not.
Fraud prevention is not only about tools. People exhibit behavior that often signals something is wrong:
Watch for customers who:
These behaviors, when combined with instrument anomalies, are stronger indicators of fraud.
In some cases, the check is real, but the transaction context is not. A common example seen in Michigan:
These patterns suggest the check itself may be authentic, but the process that generated it was fraudulent. The bank will eventually identify the issue, but MSBs may face loss if the check is returned.
Slowing down and asking questions helps you protect your business from future exposure.
It’s natural to want to avoid losing a small fee by turning away a suspicious check. However, a rushed decision can expose your business to a much higher loss when a check is returned or fails later verification.
Protecting your business means:
When fraud is prevented at the front line, the long-term financial health of your business is protected.
For many residents of DeLand, the airport on the north side of town feels like a world of its own. Planes climb into the sky daily. Parachutes bloom overhead. Visitors arrive from across the globe. What many may not realize is that Skydive DeLand is not only a local attraction. It is one of the most influential skydiving centers in the world.
Skydive DeLand began operations in 1982, taking over a location that had already seen continuous skydiving activity since 1958. From its earliest days, the company was led by competitors at the highest level of the sport. Both founders were National Champions, and one went on to achieve the title of World Champion in four-person team competition.
That competitive ambition changed the sport.
To pursue world-class performance, the founders enhanced the way teams trained. They invested in aircraft, facilities, personnel, and infrastructure that allowed for intensive, structured team training. At the time, very few drop zones operated seven days a week. Skydive DeLand quickly became a full-time operation, open year-round.
As teams discovered the level of support and consistency available in DeLand, they began traveling here from all over the world. What started as a training philosophy became a global destination.
For many years, Skydive DeLand was recognized as the most active skydiving center in the world.
As training programs expanded, so did the industry surrounding them. Equipment manufacturers began relocating to DeLand in order to test new parachute designs and innovations in real-world conditions.
Today, more than 20 skydiving-related companies operate in the DeLand area. Together, they form the largest parachute equipment manufacturing cluster in the world. Skydive DeLand serves as the anchor for that ecosystem.
Manufacturers rely on the consistent jump activity to test new canopies and equipment designs. Similar to how automotive companies rely on test tracks, skydiving manufacturers rely on active drop zones.
The result is that DeLand became known internationally as the Skydiving Capital of the World. Travelers from Europe, South America, and across the United States continue to visit year after year, particularly during the late winter and spring seasons when weather conditions are ideal.
Beyond competitions and equipment development, Skydive DeLand has fostered a global community.
Teams train here for weeks or months at a time. Large events have attracted hundreds of participants. National championships have been hosted here. At any given time, visitors may be staying in local hotels, RVs, or short-term rentals.
That international presence supports tourism, local hospitality, and small businesses throughout DeLand. A past industry census estimated more than 600 jobs connected directly or indirectly to the skydiving and equipment manufacturing sector.
During economic downturns, when other industries struggled, Skydive DeLand remained strong. Tandem jumps and recreational experiences continued to attract visitors. Equipment manufacturing remained active. That stability helped support the broader local economy during difficult periods.
The people who make up the skydiving community are also deeply engaged locally. Many longtime jumpers and industry professionals participate in other civic and community activities throughout DeLand. For those who retire from jumping, many continue to invest their energy in the town they have come to call home.
In 2025, the Skydive DeLand community experienced a devastating loss.
Bob Hallett, one of the two original founders and the majority shareholder of the company, passed away unexpectedly following a traffic accident on his way to work. He had been with the company since its early days and remained actively involved in daily operations.
Bob was not only a business leader but a central figure in the skydiving community. His vision and commitment helped shape Skydive DeLand into the global leader it became. His passing deeply affected employees, jumpers, manufacturers, and longtime friends across the industry.
For a company that has operated as both a workplace and a close-knit community, the loss was profound. Yet the legacy he helped build continues in the culture, the operations, and the global impact of the organization.
One story reflects just how far Skydive DeLand’s reach extends. A local Stetson professor once attended a conference in Taiwan and turned on the television in his hotel room. There was a feature about Skydive DeLand. He returned home surprised to discover that an internationally recognized skydiving center operated just minutes from where he lived.
That story captures something unique about Skydive DeLand. It has put DeLand on the world map, even if some residents are not fully aware of what happens at the airport each day.
Visitors are welcome to observe jumps from the viewing areas or enjoy the adjacent restaurant deck. Others choose to experience a tandem jump. Some begin lifelong careers in the sport. Whether someone comes to watch or to participate, Skydive DeLand remains open and active every day.
For more information, visit SkyDiveDeLand.com to learn about tandem experiences, training programs, and upcoming events.
Skydive DeLand is more than a drop zone. It is a global training center, an innovation hub, and a long-standing contributor to the DeLand community. Its history reflects ambition, resilience, and a deep commitment to both sport and town.
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!
Not all risks come from outside your business.
In many cases, the most significant issues we see develop internally through gaps in oversight, compliance, and day-to-day controls.
As we move further into the year, we want to focus on a key principle that helps prevent these issues:
Trust your team, but verify your operations.
Consider the following scenario:
An MSB owner invested in the business but was not involved in day-to-day operations. Instead, they trusted a close family member to manage the store and handle compliance responsibilities.
At first, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Over time, however, several issues developed:
Eventually, the situation escalated.
The individual managing the business began making unauthorized financial decisions. There were compliance gaps that had gone unnoticed. Required oversight was missing. By the time the issues surfaced, the impact included:
The most important takeaway is this:
The responsibility did not fall on the person running the store. It fell on the owner.
Even if you assign:
The responsibility for compliance, licensing, and operations remains with the owner.
Regulators evaluate the licensed entity and the owner behind it, not just the individual performing the work.
A “hands-off” approach can create risk if there is no system in place to verify what is happening inside the business.
Internal issues are not always obvious.
Unlike external fraud, which is often a single event, internal breakdowns can develop gradually:
Because the business appears to be operating normally, these issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.
Oversight does not mean mistrust. It means protection.
Strong MSB operations include:
Owners do not need to manage every transaction, but they do need visibility into how the business is operating.
To reduce risk and strengthen your operation, consider:
Even small, consistent actions can help identify issues early.
Independent reviews, compliance officers, and internal staff all play important roles.
However, none of these replace owner oversight.
If any one layer fails, there should be another layer in place to identify and correct the issue.
Trust is important in any business. But in an MSB environment, trust must be supported by structure, process, and verification.
A strong system protects:
If you have questions about internal controls, compliance expectations, or how to strengthen oversight in your business, our team is available to support you.
For nearly 100 years, Surety Bank has believed a strong community is built through more than financial services. It's built through people showing up for one another. Since the bank’s early days, Surety has been committed to investing time, support and resources into the places where its customers live and work. That community-first mindset is why Surety was proud to support DeLand’s annual Night to Shine, hosted by Stetson Baptist Church.
Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs that was created to give honored guests, known as VIPs, a night filled with joy, dignity and belonging. Organizers said this year’s event welcomed about 150 VIPs and was made possible by roughly 400 volunteers who served, cheered and helped make the night unforgettable.
Night to Shine began in 2015 through the Tim Tebow Foundation and has grown into a global initiative hosted by local churches. The foundation says Night to Shine now takes place in all 50 states and in 76 countries, with 979 host churches participating during the 2026 season. In DeLand, the event brought families, volunteers and community partners together around a simple idea: everyone deserves to be celebrated.
From the first greeting to the final song, Night to Shine is built around creating a prom experience that feels personal and uplifting. In DeLand, VIPs enjoyed a full evening of fun, including:
Each part of the evening reinforced the same message: VIPs are seen, valued and welcomed.
People with special needs and their families can too often feel overlooked, simply because many social spaces are not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Night to Shine helps change that by creating an environment where belonging is intentional and celebration is the point. It’s also meaningful for caregivers, who get to watch their loved one experience a community that shows up with kindness and care.
Surety Bank is grateful to support events like Night to Shine because strong communities are built through relationships, service and shared responsibility. The turnout in DeLand reflected that spirit, with volunteers giving their time and local partners helping to make every detail count.
To the VIPs who brought the joy, the families who trusted the community with this special night, and the volunteers who made it happen, thank you. Night to Shine is one evening on the calendar, but the impact reaches much further, reminding DeLand what it looks like to celebrate every person with dignity and love.
Tax season often brings an increase in check fraud activity, and we are currently seeing specific patterns in several markets. Based on recent site visits and bankwide data, fraud trends include altered checks, fraudulent IDs, and tax refund schemes that can put MSBs at risk.
Fraud is not evenly distributed across the country. Recent analysis shows:
Understanding these localized trends can help MSBs tailor their detection and prevention efforts based on where their business operates.
Why Fraud Is Often Missed
In busy MSB settings, tellers and staff are under pressure to process customers quickly. Fast service is important, but it should not come at the expense of proper verification. Common reasons fraud is missed include:
Slowing down when suspicious signals appear can prevent significant losses later.
One of the most common fraud methods involves chemical alteration (sometimes called “check washing”), where fraudsters remove original payee information and rewrite it.
How to detect it:
Areas that glow differently often indicate tampering.
Even if the check has no embedded security feature, an altered area will reflect under UV light in a way that the original paper will not.
Fraud prevention is not only about tools. People exhibit behavior that often signals something is wrong:
Watch for customers who:
These behaviors, when combined with instrument anomalies, are stronger indicators of fraud.
In some cases, the check is real, but the transaction context is not. A common example seen in Michigan:
These patterns suggest the check itself may be authentic, but the process that generated it was fraudulent. The bank will eventually identify the issue, but MSBs may face loss if the check is returned.
Slowing down and asking questions helps you protect your business from future exposure.
It’s natural to want to avoid losing a small fee by turning away a suspicious check. However, a rushed decision can expose your business to a much higher loss when a check is returned or fails later verification.
Protecting your business means:
When fraud is prevented at the front line, the long-term financial health of your business is protected.
For many residents of DeLand, the airport on the north side of town feels like a world of its own. Planes climb into the sky daily. Parachutes bloom overhead. Visitors arrive from across the globe. What many may not realize is that Skydive DeLand is not only a local attraction. It is one of the most influential skydiving centers in the world.
Skydive DeLand began operations in 1982, taking over a location that had already seen continuous skydiving activity since 1958. From its earliest days, the company was led by competitors at the highest level of the sport. Both founders were National Champions, and one went on to achieve the title of World Champion in four-person team competition.
That competitive ambition changed the sport.
To pursue world-class performance, the founders enhanced the way teams trained. They invested in aircraft, facilities, personnel, and infrastructure that allowed for intensive, structured team training. At the time, very few drop zones operated seven days a week. Skydive DeLand quickly became a full-time operation, open year-round.
As teams discovered the level of support and consistency available in DeLand, they began traveling here from all over the world. What started as a training philosophy became a global destination.
For many years, Skydive DeLand was recognized as the most active skydiving center in the world.
As training programs expanded, so did the industry surrounding them. Equipment manufacturers began relocating to DeLand in order to test new parachute designs and innovations in real-world conditions.
Today, more than 20 skydiving-related companies operate in the DeLand area. Together, they form the largest parachute equipment manufacturing cluster in the world. Skydive DeLand serves as the anchor for that ecosystem.
Manufacturers rely on the consistent jump activity to test new canopies and equipment designs. Similar to how automotive companies rely on test tracks, skydiving manufacturers rely on active drop zones.
The result is that DeLand became known internationally as the Skydiving Capital of the World. Travelers from Europe, South America, and across the United States continue to visit year after year, particularly during the late winter and spring seasons when weather conditions are ideal.
Beyond competitions and equipment development, Skydive DeLand has fostered a global community.
Teams train here for weeks or months at a time. Large events have attracted hundreds of participants. National championships have been hosted here. At any given time, visitors may be staying in local hotels, RVs, or short-term rentals.
That international presence supports tourism, local hospitality, and small businesses throughout DeLand. A past industry census estimated more than 600 jobs connected directly or indirectly to the skydiving and equipment manufacturing sector.
During economic downturns, when other industries struggled, Skydive DeLand remained strong. Tandem jumps and recreational experiences continued to attract visitors. Equipment manufacturing remained active. That stability helped support the broader local economy during difficult periods.
The people who make up the skydiving community are also deeply engaged locally. Many longtime jumpers and industry professionals participate in other civic and community activities throughout DeLand. For those who retire from jumping, many continue to invest their energy in the town they have come to call home.
In 2025, the Skydive DeLand community experienced a devastating loss.
Bob Hallett, one of the two original founders and the majority shareholder of the company, passed away unexpectedly following a traffic accident on his way to work. He had been with the company since its early days and remained actively involved in daily operations.
Bob was not only a business leader but a central figure in the skydiving community. His vision and commitment helped shape Skydive DeLand into the global leader it became. His passing deeply affected employees, jumpers, manufacturers, and longtime friends across the industry.
For a company that has operated as both a workplace and a close-knit community, the loss was profound. Yet the legacy he helped build continues in the culture, the operations, and the global impact of the organization.
One story reflects just how far Skydive DeLand’s reach extends. A local Stetson professor once attended a conference in Taiwan and turned on the television in his hotel room. There was a feature about Skydive DeLand. He returned home surprised to discover that an internationally recognized skydiving center operated just minutes from where he lived.
That story captures something unique about Skydive DeLand. It has put DeLand on the world map, even if some residents are not fully aware of what happens at the airport each day.
Visitors are welcome to observe jumps from the viewing areas or enjoy the adjacent restaurant deck. Others choose to experience a tandem jump. Some begin lifelong careers in the sport. Whether someone comes to watch or to participate, Skydive DeLand remains open and active every day.
For more information, visit SkyDiveDeLand.com to learn about tandem experiences, training programs, and upcoming events.
Skydive DeLand is more than a drop zone. It is a global training center, an innovation hub, and a long-standing contributor to the DeLand community. Its history reflects ambition, resilience, and a deep commitment to both sport and town.
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!
Not all risks come from outside your business.
In many cases, the most significant issues we see develop internally through gaps in oversight, compliance, and day-to-day controls.
As we move further into the year, we want to focus on a key principle that helps prevent these issues:
Trust your team, but verify your operations.
Consider the following scenario:
An MSB owner invested in the business but was not involved in day-to-day operations. Instead, they trusted a close family member to manage the store and handle compliance responsibilities.
At first, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Over time, however, several issues developed:
Eventually, the situation escalated.
The individual managing the business began making unauthorized financial decisions. There were compliance gaps that had gone unnoticed. Required oversight was missing. By the time the issues surfaced, the impact included:
The most important takeaway is this:
The responsibility did not fall on the person running the store. It fell on the owner.
Even if you assign:
The responsibility for compliance, licensing, and operations remains with the owner.
Regulators evaluate the licensed entity and the owner behind it, not just the individual performing the work.
A “hands-off” approach can create risk if there is no system in place to verify what is happening inside the business.
Internal issues are not always obvious.
Unlike external fraud, which is often a single event, internal breakdowns can develop gradually:
Because the business appears to be operating normally, these issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.
Oversight does not mean mistrust. It means protection.
Strong MSB operations include:
Owners do not need to manage every transaction, but they do need visibility into how the business is operating.
To reduce risk and strengthen your operation, consider:
Even small, consistent actions can help identify issues early.
Independent reviews, compliance officers, and internal staff all play important roles.
However, none of these replace owner oversight.
If any one layer fails, there should be another layer in place to identify and correct the issue.
Trust is important in any business. But in an MSB environment, trust must be supported by structure, process, and verification.
A strong system protects:
If you have questions about internal controls, compliance expectations, or how to strengthen oversight in your business, our team is available to support you.
For nearly 100 years, Surety Bank has believed a strong community is built through more than financial services. It's built through people showing up for one another. Since the bank’s early days, Surety has been committed to investing time, support and resources into the places where its customers live and work. That community-first mindset is why Surety was proud to support DeLand’s annual Night to Shine, hosted by Stetson Baptist Church.
Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs that was created to give honored guests, known as VIPs, a night filled with joy, dignity and belonging. Organizers said this year’s event welcomed about 150 VIPs and was made possible by roughly 400 volunteers who served, cheered and helped make the night unforgettable.
Night to Shine began in 2015 through the Tim Tebow Foundation and has grown into a global initiative hosted by local churches. The foundation says Night to Shine now takes place in all 50 states and in 76 countries, with 979 host churches participating during the 2026 season. In DeLand, the event brought families, volunteers and community partners together around a simple idea: everyone deserves to be celebrated.
From the first greeting to the final song, Night to Shine is built around creating a prom experience that feels personal and uplifting. In DeLand, VIPs enjoyed a full evening of fun, including:
Each part of the evening reinforced the same message: VIPs are seen, valued and welcomed.
People with special needs and their families can too often feel overlooked, simply because many social spaces are not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Night to Shine helps change that by creating an environment where belonging is intentional and celebration is the point. It’s also meaningful for caregivers, who get to watch their loved one experience a community that shows up with kindness and care.
Surety Bank is grateful to support events like Night to Shine because strong communities are built through relationships, service and shared responsibility. The turnout in DeLand reflected that spirit, with volunteers giving their time and local partners helping to make every detail count.
To the VIPs who brought the joy, the families who trusted the community with this special night, and the volunteers who made it happen, thank you. Night to Shine is one evening on the calendar, but the impact reaches much further, reminding DeLand what it looks like to celebrate every person with dignity and love.
Tax season often brings an increase in check fraud activity, and we are currently seeing specific patterns in several markets. Based on recent site visits and bankwide data, fraud trends include altered checks, fraudulent IDs, and tax refund schemes that can put MSBs at risk.
Fraud is not evenly distributed across the country. Recent analysis shows:
Understanding these localized trends can help MSBs tailor their detection and prevention efforts based on where their business operates.
Why Fraud Is Often Missed
In busy MSB settings, tellers and staff are under pressure to process customers quickly. Fast service is important, but it should not come at the expense of proper verification. Common reasons fraud is missed include:
Slowing down when suspicious signals appear can prevent significant losses later.
One of the most common fraud methods involves chemical alteration (sometimes called “check washing”), where fraudsters remove original payee information and rewrite it.
How to detect it:
Areas that glow differently often indicate tampering.
Even if the check has no embedded security feature, an altered area will reflect under UV light in a way that the original paper will not.
Fraud prevention is not only about tools. People exhibit behavior that often signals something is wrong:
Watch for customers who:
These behaviors, when combined with instrument anomalies, are stronger indicators of fraud.
In some cases, the check is real, but the transaction context is not. A common example seen in Michigan:
These patterns suggest the check itself may be authentic, but the process that generated it was fraudulent. The bank will eventually identify the issue, but MSBs may face loss if the check is returned.
Slowing down and asking questions helps you protect your business from future exposure.
It’s natural to want to avoid losing a small fee by turning away a suspicious check. However, a rushed decision can expose your business to a much higher loss when a check is returned or fails later verification.
Protecting your business means:
When fraud is prevented at the front line, the long-term financial health of your business is protected.
For many residents of DeLand, the airport on the north side of town feels like a world of its own. Planes climb into the sky daily. Parachutes bloom overhead. Visitors arrive from across the globe. What many may not realize is that Skydive DeLand is not only a local attraction. It is one of the most influential skydiving centers in the world.
Skydive DeLand began operations in 1982, taking over a location that had already seen continuous skydiving activity since 1958. From its earliest days, the company was led by competitors at the highest level of the sport. Both founders were National Champions, and one went on to achieve the title of World Champion in four-person team competition.
That competitive ambition changed the sport.
To pursue world-class performance, the founders enhanced the way teams trained. They invested in aircraft, facilities, personnel, and infrastructure that allowed for intensive, structured team training. At the time, very few drop zones operated seven days a week. Skydive DeLand quickly became a full-time operation, open year-round.
As teams discovered the level of support and consistency available in DeLand, they began traveling here from all over the world. What started as a training philosophy became a global destination.
For many years, Skydive DeLand was recognized as the most active skydiving center in the world.
As training programs expanded, so did the industry surrounding them. Equipment manufacturers began relocating to DeLand in order to test new parachute designs and innovations in real-world conditions.
Today, more than 20 skydiving-related companies operate in the DeLand area. Together, they form the largest parachute equipment manufacturing cluster in the world. Skydive DeLand serves as the anchor for that ecosystem.
Manufacturers rely on the consistent jump activity to test new canopies and equipment designs. Similar to how automotive companies rely on test tracks, skydiving manufacturers rely on active drop zones.
The result is that DeLand became known internationally as the Skydiving Capital of the World. Travelers from Europe, South America, and across the United States continue to visit year after year, particularly during the late winter and spring seasons when weather conditions are ideal.
Beyond competitions and equipment development, Skydive DeLand has fostered a global community.
Teams train here for weeks or months at a time. Large events have attracted hundreds of participants. National championships have been hosted here. At any given time, visitors may be staying in local hotels, RVs, or short-term rentals.
That international presence supports tourism, local hospitality, and small businesses throughout DeLand. A past industry census estimated more than 600 jobs connected directly or indirectly to the skydiving and equipment manufacturing sector.
During economic downturns, when other industries struggled, Skydive DeLand remained strong. Tandem jumps and recreational experiences continued to attract visitors. Equipment manufacturing remained active. That stability helped support the broader local economy during difficult periods.
The people who make up the skydiving community are also deeply engaged locally. Many longtime jumpers and industry professionals participate in other civic and community activities throughout DeLand. For those who retire from jumping, many continue to invest their energy in the town they have come to call home.
In 2025, the Skydive DeLand community experienced a devastating loss.
Bob Hallett, one of the two original founders and the majority shareholder of the company, passed away unexpectedly following a traffic accident on his way to work. He had been with the company since its early days and remained actively involved in daily operations.
Bob was not only a business leader but a central figure in the skydiving community. His vision and commitment helped shape Skydive DeLand into the global leader it became. His passing deeply affected employees, jumpers, manufacturers, and longtime friends across the industry.
For a company that has operated as both a workplace and a close-knit community, the loss was profound. Yet the legacy he helped build continues in the culture, the operations, and the global impact of the organization.
One story reflects just how far Skydive DeLand’s reach extends. A local Stetson professor once attended a conference in Taiwan and turned on the television in his hotel room. There was a feature about Skydive DeLand. He returned home surprised to discover that an internationally recognized skydiving center operated just minutes from where he lived.
That story captures something unique about Skydive DeLand. It has put DeLand on the world map, even if some residents are not fully aware of what happens at the airport each day.
Visitors are welcome to observe jumps from the viewing areas or enjoy the adjacent restaurant deck. Others choose to experience a tandem jump. Some begin lifelong careers in the sport. Whether someone comes to watch or to participate, Skydive DeLand remains open and active every day.
For more information, visit SkyDiveDeLand.com to learn about tandem experiences, training programs, and upcoming events.
Skydive DeLand is more than a drop zone. It is a global training center, an innovation hub, and a long-standing contributor to the DeLand community. Its history reflects ambition, resilience, and a deep commitment to both sport and town.
It’s November, your store is packed, the line at the register is snaking down the aisle and your seasonal staff is doing their best to keep up. You’re watching every sale, every return and every refund, knowing that the next six weeks can make or break your year. With card processing fees climbing, it’s tempting to push customers toward cash and even add a 3% “convenience” or “non-cash adjustment” fee when they tap or swipe a card. After all, there are no fees on cash… right?
The problem is that cash comes with its own price tag, one most retailers don’t see until it’s quietly eaten into their margins.
A study by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council found that the real cost of cash can range from 4.7% (grocery) to as high as 15.5% (bars and restaurants) once you factor in labor, handling and shrinkage. That means for every $100 in cash you accept, you might really be keeping only $84.50 to $95.30.
For many retailers, the biggest hidden cost is time:
For example, convenience stores—which operate in a similar high-volume, low-margin environment as many retailers—spend an estimated 15–20 hours per week just counting and handling cash. At an average wage of $14.33 per hour, that’s:
Over a year, that works out to $11,177–$14,903 in labor just to handle cash. During the holidays, when lines are longer and staff is stretched thinner, those hours often go up, not down.
Cash also keeps you in the dark longer than you might realize. With cash-heavy operations, you often don’t know your true daily performance until drawers are counted, deposits are prepared and everything is reconciled—sometimes hours after the store closes. That lag makes it harder to adjust staffing, reorder inventory or tweak promotions while it still matters.
Electronic payments, by contrast, can feed real-time metrics into your point-of-sale and treasury platforms. You can see, often down to the hour, what’s selling, which locations are busiest, which promotions are working and how your cash flow looks heading into the next day. That visibility is especially valuable in the holiday rush, when a fast decision about staffing or inventory can mean the difference between a record weekend and missed opportunities.
On top of labor, cash exposes retailers to risks that electronic payments help reduce:
This is why many banks are rolling out treasury platforms with fraud controls, positive pay, ACH options and remote deposit capture to help business customers move away from “cash management” and toward cash flow management. Framing the conversation around speed, security, real-time information and time savings can be more effective—and more honest—than simply pushing for “more cash.”
Let’s apply real numbers to a typical retail scenario.
Say you own a store and decide to add a 3% convenience fee to card transactions while still accepting cash. Here’s what happens on a $100 ticket:
Card payment with a 3% convenience fee
Cash payment with hidden costs (using the 15.5% example)
So for every $100 transaction, you effectively keep:
That’s a $15.41 difference per $100 ticket in favor of electronic payments.
During the holidays, when your volume spikes, that gap adds up quickly. The season you’ve been counting on to boost profits can quietly turn into the season where hidden cash costs quietly steal them away, one transaction at a time.
If you’d like to talk through how to reduce the hidden costs of cash, improve fraud protection and gain better real-time visibility into your business accounts and merchant processing, contact Surety’s Treasury Services Department to discuss business accounts and merchant accounts with built-in protection.
This is a fictitious story—but it's based on real events that happen to small businesses every single day.
The owner of a thriving local furniture business had just signed the biggest deal of the year. Everything seemed on track until her bookkeeper received an email from a familiar client with “updated wire instructions.” The message looked legitimate. No red flags. So the payment—nearly $50,000—was sent. Two days later, the real client called to say the deposit never arrived. The money was gone. And so was the illusion that something like this “would never happen to us.”
Within a week, long-time customers started asking tough questions. A supplier tightened payment terms. A local partnership quietly backed out of an event. And worse—people started whispering that the business “might not be secure.”
This is how quickly a single fraud incident can unravel years of hard-earned trust.
Even if you recover the stolen funds or file an insurance claim, the damage to your reputation can last far longer—and cut deeper.
Protecting your business starts with building strong internal controls and using the tools your bank offers:
Surety Bank offers many of these solutions through our Treasury team, and we can help tailor them to your specific operations.
Even with great controls, no system is bulletproof. If fraud strikes, your response will determine how much damage your reputation takes—and how quickly you can recover.
In the first 72 hours:
In the weeks that follow:
This fictitious business was lucky—it survived. But the lesson is clear: fraud isn’t just a financial risk, it’s a reputational one. And once trust is broken, it takes time, strategy, and transparency to win it back.
At Surety Bank, we help businesses of all sizes protect their operations from fraud. Whether you need payment controls, alert systems, or a plan for what to do in a crisis, our Treasury & Fraud Prevention Team is here to help.
In the Summer 2025 issue of Building Central Florida Magazine, Surety Bank’s CEO Ryan James maps out a playbook for contractors battling the tariff-driven spikes in steel, aluminum, and other construction staples. James urges firms to replace one-job-at-a-time budgeting with rolling, company-wide cash-flow forecasts; to negotiate for delivery and payment flexibility; to lock in contingency capital before trouble hits; and to embed escalation clauses that keep margins intact—all while maintaining proactive, transparent communication with clients.
Read the full article on page 17:
Building Through the Turbulence – Building Central Florida Magazine
It’s easy to assume that in a digital world, check fraud is a thing of the past. But the reality is quite the opposite. In 2023 alone, check fraud losses in the Americas totaled a staggering $21 billion—representing 80% of all global check fraud cases. Despite a steady decline in the use of checks, fraudsters are doubling down on a still-vulnerable payment channel.
So what happens when a check your business issued ends up in the wrong hands?
Let’s say you wrote a vendor check back in February. Today, that check suddenly clears—but it’s been altered or stolen. What’s your next move? Do you catch it in time? Will your bank reimburse the loss? If you’re like many business owners, you’d expect your bank to take care of it. But depending on the terms in your bank’s Deposit Agreement, you may only have 30 days from the date of your statement to report the fraud and recover those funds. And once that window closes, so may your chances of getting that money back.
At Surety Bank, we want our business clients to know that help exists—and it's called Positive Pay.
Positive Pay is a fraud prevention tool that verifies checks presented for payment against a list of checks you’ve actually issued. If the details don’t match, the bank flags the check and reaches out before funds are released.
It’s like having a security checkpoint for every check your business issues.
Here’s what fraud can really cost your business:
Surety Bank’s Positive Pay solution is designed to reduce those risks before they become losses. Instead of waiting for fraud to strike, it gives business owners a chance to act first.
Most business owners don’t have the luxury of watching every check line item on their bank statement. Positive Pay works in the background—quietly checking, flagging, and helping you intercept fraud before it’s too late.
By offering this service, we’re not just protecting your account—we’re protecting your time, your reputation, and your peace of mind.
Check fraud isn’t going away. But your exposure to it can.
If you’re still issuing paper checks, it’s time to ask yourself: How am I protecting my business from check fraud? At Surety Bank, we’re ready to help you find the answer.
Reach out to our Treasury Management team to learn how Positive Pay can fit into your fraud prevention strategy.
Paper checks may feel old-school, yet they remain the easiest gateway for thieves. The U.S. Treasury reports that check-fraud suspicious-activity filings have climbed 385 percent since the pandemic, while 63 percent of companies faced attempted or actual check fraud in 2024, according to the Association for Financial Professionals’ 2025 survey.occ.govafponline.org Those numbers tell a blunt story: even as businesses adopt ACH and virtual cards, the humble check still opens a back door to five- and six-figure losses.
The phone lit up in the back office of Sunshine Custom Cabinets on a Thursday afternoon.
Co-owner Angela Moreno glanced at the caller ID from her bank and expected a routine wire inquiry. Instead she heard:
“Ms. Moreno, six checks just cleared your account for almost ten thousand dollars each. Can you confirm them?”
Angela had mailed only three checks that week, none over $4,500. Somewhere between the post-office drop box and her suppliers’ lockboxes, thieves had “washed” the envelopes, bleached the ink, and rewritten the checks for a cool $59,821.32—wiping out two payroll cycles in minutes.
The next 48 hours blurred into police reports, fraud affidavits, and tense conversations with employees wondering if Friday’s pay would arrive. The bank eventually credited most of the money, but cash flow froze for nearly a month, and the team sank forty billable hours into cleaning up—a cost no insurance policy reimbursed.
Check fraud has morphed from fax-era nuisance to organized, AI-enhanced side hustle. The good news: consistent, unglamorous discipline—secure mailing, rapid reconciliation, and an automated pre-clearance layer—sends fraudsters looking for softer targets. Angela calls that Thursday “the most expensive lesson I never budgeted for.” Tighten your routine today, and you won’t need the same wake-up call.
Need a practical walkthrough of daily controls—minus the jargon? Talk with our Treasury Management team about fitting these layers to your workflow before your next envelope hits the mail.
As more banking moves online, security has become just as important as convenience. Whether you’re checking a personal account or managing company finances, your computer habits play a critical role in keeping your information safe. A few consistent practices can greatly reduce your risk of fraud and protect sensitive data.
Malware can capture keystrokes, steal login credentials, and access personal files without you realizing it. To stay protected:
Make full use of the security tools your devices and bank provide:
Closing your browser window isn’t enough to end your session.
Browsers can store sensitive information like login pages or cached credentials. To protect yourself:
Phishing emails and fraudulent pop-ups can trick you into giving away banking information. Watch for:
Best practice: Always access your bank by typing the official web address directly into your browser, never through email or ad links.
Businesses face higher risks, so proactive steps are essential:
Online banking can be safe and reliable when paired with good cybersecurity habits. By:
…you can protect both your finances and your peace of mind.
The key is consistency. Security isn’t a one-time task—it’s a set of habits built into your everyday banking routine. Taking these steps ensures your accounts remain secure, your sensitive information stays private, and you can manage your finances confidently, whether personally or for your business.
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!
Not all risks come from outside your business.
In many cases, the most significant issues we see develop internally through gaps in oversight, compliance, and day-to-day controls.
As we move further into the year, we want to focus on a key principle that helps prevent these issues:
Trust your team, but verify your operations.
Consider the following scenario:
An MSB owner invested in the business but was not involved in day-to-day operations. Instead, they trusted a close family member to manage the store and handle compliance responsibilities.
At first, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Over time, however, several issues developed:
Eventually, the situation escalated.
The individual managing the business began making unauthorized financial decisions. There were compliance gaps that had gone unnoticed. Required oversight was missing. By the time the issues surfaced, the impact included:
The most important takeaway is this:
The responsibility did not fall on the person running the store. It fell on the owner.
Even if you assign:
The responsibility for compliance, licensing, and operations remains with the owner.
Regulators evaluate the licensed entity and the owner behind it, not just the individual performing the work.
A “hands-off” approach can create risk if there is no system in place to verify what is happening inside the business.
Internal issues are not always obvious.
Unlike external fraud, which is often a single event, internal breakdowns can develop gradually:
Because the business appears to be operating normally, these issues can go unnoticed until they become serious.
Oversight does not mean mistrust. It means protection.
Strong MSB operations include:
Owners do not need to manage every transaction, but they do need visibility into how the business is operating.
To reduce risk and strengthen your operation, consider:
Even small, consistent actions can help identify issues early.
Independent reviews, compliance officers, and internal staff all play important roles.
However, none of these replace owner oversight.
If any one layer fails, there should be another layer in place to identify and correct the issue.
Trust is important in any business. But in an MSB environment, trust must be supported by structure, process, and verification.
A strong system protects:
If you have questions about internal controls, compliance expectations, or how to strengthen oversight in your business, our team is available to support you.
For nearly 100 years, Surety Bank has believed a strong community is built through more than financial services. It's built through people showing up for one another. Since the bank’s early days, Surety has been committed to investing time, support and resources into the places where its customers live and work. That community-first mindset is why Surety was proud to support DeLand’s annual Night to Shine, hosted by Stetson Baptist Church.
Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs that was created to give honored guests, known as VIPs, a night filled with joy, dignity and belonging. Organizers said this year’s event welcomed about 150 VIPs and was made possible by roughly 400 volunteers who served, cheered and helped make the night unforgettable.
Night to Shine began in 2015 through the Tim Tebow Foundation and has grown into a global initiative hosted by local churches. The foundation says Night to Shine now takes place in all 50 states and in 76 countries, with 979 host churches participating during the 2026 season. In DeLand, the event brought families, volunteers and community partners together around a simple idea: everyone deserves to be celebrated.
From the first greeting to the final song, Night to Shine is built around creating a prom experience that feels personal and uplifting. In DeLand, VIPs enjoyed a full evening of fun, including:
Each part of the evening reinforced the same message: VIPs are seen, valued and welcomed.
People with special needs and their families can too often feel overlooked, simply because many social spaces are not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Night to Shine helps change that by creating an environment where belonging is intentional and celebration is the point. It’s also meaningful for caregivers, who get to watch their loved one experience a community that shows up with kindness and care.
Surety Bank is grateful to support events like Night to Shine because strong communities are built through relationships, service and shared responsibility. The turnout in DeLand reflected that spirit, with volunteers giving their time and local partners helping to make every detail count.
To the VIPs who brought the joy, the families who trusted the community with this special night, and the volunteers who made it happen, thank you. Night to Shine is one evening on the calendar, but the impact reaches much further, reminding DeLand what it looks like to celebrate every person with dignity and love.
Tax season often brings an increase in check fraud activity, and we are currently seeing specific patterns in several markets. Based on recent site visits and bankwide data, fraud trends include altered checks, fraudulent IDs, and tax refund schemes that can put MSBs at risk.
Fraud is not evenly distributed across the country. Recent analysis shows:
Understanding these localized trends can help MSBs tailor their detection and prevention efforts based on where their business operates.
Why Fraud Is Often Missed
In busy MSB settings, tellers and staff are under pressure to process customers quickly. Fast service is important, but it should not come at the expense of proper verification. Common reasons fraud is missed include:
Slowing down when suspicious signals appear can prevent significant losses later.
One of the most common fraud methods involves chemical alteration (sometimes called “check washing”), where fraudsters remove original payee information and rewrite it.
How to detect it:
Areas that glow differently often indicate tampering.
Even if the check has no embedded security feature, an altered area will reflect under UV light in a way that the original paper will not.
Fraud prevention is not only about tools. People exhibit behavior that often signals something is wrong:
Watch for customers who:
These behaviors, when combined with instrument anomalies, are stronger indicators of fraud.
In some cases, the check is real, but the transaction context is not. A common example seen in Michigan:
These patterns suggest the check itself may be authentic, but the process that generated it was fraudulent. The bank will eventually identify the issue, but MSBs may face loss if the check is returned.
Slowing down and asking questions helps you protect your business from future exposure.
It’s natural to want to avoid losing a small fee by turning away a suspicious check. However, a rushed decision can expose your business to a much higher loss when a check is returned or fails later verification.
Protecting your business means:
When fraud is prevented at the front line, the long-term financial health of your business is protected.
For many residents of DeLand, the airport on the north side of town feels like a world of its own. Planes climb into the sky daily. Parachutes bloom overhead. Visitors arrive from across the globe. What many may not realize is that Skydive DeLand is not only a local attraction. It is one of the most influential skydiving centers in the world.
Skydive DeLand began operations in 1982, taking over a location that had already seen continuous skydiving activity since 1958. From its earliest days, the company was led by competitors at the highest level of the sport. Both founders were National Champions, and one went on to achieve the title of World Champion in four-person team competition.
That competitive ambition changed the sport.
To pursue world-class performance, the founders enhanced the way teams trained. They invested in aircraft, facilities, personnel, and infrastructure that allowed for intensive, structured team training. At the time, very few drop zones operated seven days a week. Skydive DeLand quickly became a full-time operation, open year-round.
As teams discovered the level of support and consistency available in DeLand, they began traveling here from all over the world. What started as a training philosophy became a global destination.
For many years, Skydive DeLand was recognized as the most active skydiving center in the world.
As training programs expanded, so did the industry surrounding them. Equipment manufacturers began relocating to DeLand in order to test new parachute designs and innovations in real-world conditions.
Today, more than 20 skydiving-related companies operate in the DeLand area. Together, they form the largest parachute equipment manufacturing cluster in the world. Skydive DeLand serves as the anchor for that ecosystem.
Manufacturers rely on the consistent jump activity to test new canopies and equipment designs. Similar to how automotive companies rely on test tracks, skydiving manufacturers rely on active drop zones.
The result is that DeLand became known internationally as the Skydiving Capital of the World. Travelers from Europe, South America, and across the United States continue to visit year after year, particularly during the late winter and spring seasons when weather conditions are ideal.
Beyond competitions and equipment development, Skydive DeLand has fostered a global community.
Teams train here for weeks or months at a time. Large events have attracted hundreds of participants. National championships have been hosted here. At any given time, visitors may be staying in local hotels, RVs, or short-term rentals.
That international presence supports tourism, local hospitality, and small businesses throughout DeLand. A past industry census estimated more than 600 jobs connected directly or indirectly to the skydiving and equipment manufacturing sector.
During economic downturns, when other industries struggled, Skydive DeLand remained strong. Tandem jumps and recreational experiences continued to attract visitors. Equipment manufacturing remained active. That stability helped support the broader local economy during difficult periods.
The people who make up the skydiving community are also deeply engaged locally. Many longtime jumpers and industry professionals participate in other civic and community activities throughout DeLand. For those who retire from jumping, many continue to invest their energy in the town they have come to call home.
In 2025, the Skydive DeLand community experienced a devastating loss.
Bob Hallett, one of the two original founders and the majority shareholder of the company, passed away unexpectedly following a traffic accident on his way to work. He had been with the company since its early days and remained actively involved in daily operations.
Bob was not only a business leader but a central figure in the skydiving community. His vision and commitment helped shape Skydive DeLand into the global leader it became. His passing deeply affected employees, jumpers, manufacturers, and longtime friends across the industry.
For a company that has operated as both a workplace and a close-knit community, the loss was profound. Yet the legacy he helped build continues in the culture, the operations, and the global impact of the organization.
One story reflects just how far Skydive DeLand’s reach extends. A local Stetson professor once attended a conference in Taiwan and turned on the television in his hotel room. There was a feature about Skydive DeLand. He returned home surprised to discover that an internationally recognized skydiving center operated just minutes from where he lived.
That story captures something unique about Skydive DeLand. It has put DeLand on the world map, even if some residents are not fully aware of what happens at the airport each day.
Visitors are welcome to observe jumps from the viewing areas or enjoy the adjacent restaurant deck. Others choose to experience a tandem jump. Some begin lifelong careers in the sport. Whether someone comes to watch or to participate, Skydive DeLand remains open and active every day.
For more information, visit SkyDiveDeLand.com to learn about tandem experiences, training programs, and upcoming events.
Skydive DeLand is more than a drop zone. It is a global training center, an innovation hub, and a long-standing contributor to the DeLand community. Its history reflects ambition, resilience, and a deep commitment to both sport and town.
100th Anniversary Stories
Surety Bank continually works to provide greater accessibility to all of its products and services. If you have any questions about accessible banking, call us at 386-734-1647
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