Independent Banker - July 2024 - 29

Next: Analyzing mark-to-market today 
risk and payments policy.
" That really gives banks an
opportunity to be very thoughtful
about how they move forward, " he
says. " I think that all too often there's
a focus on day-to-day operations,
and banks don't take the time to
sit down and map all this. The
process of conducting the evaluation
in a systematic way gives them
that opportunity. "
Once banks have a baseline of
assets, vulnerabilities, threats and
opportunities for mitigation, they
can plot the changes over time-
particularly risks are increasing or
decreasing, Anchin says.
" It's important that you have
a regular cadence. It's not a onetime
activity, as the physical assets
that you possess change, and
vulnerabilities and threats also
change, " he says.
Security starts with staff and
branch design
A culture of security begins with the
staff, so banks should make sure
they are involved in these types of
assessments, Anchin says. As staff
changes, banks must reassess the
threat from potential insider risk.
When designing new branches,
community banks can make choices
at little cost that can lessen potential
vulnerabilities and threats toward
physical assets, Anchin says. For
example, branches should have
large windows to increase visibility
of what's happening both on the
inside and outside, and vegetation
should be minimal to prevent
would-be bad actors from hiding and
potentially ambushing customers
and employees.
" Creating a secure environment
helps the staff to feel comfortable
and do their best work, and it also
builds trust and good relations
with customers and with the
The five security zones of a community bank
1. Interior back
This is the area where cash and other assets are held in
safes, lockboxes and stored cartridges. These sections are
at high risk of theft and require round-the-clock protection. Here,
banks can deny access with the use of locks and robust access
controls, plus surveil with integrated tracking solutions and video
management systems.
2. Interior front
In the front of the house, cash is constantly being
transacted from teller drawers and ATMs. This area requires
safe and discreet security to ensure customer and staff safety in the
event of a burglary. This is also a good place to deter and detect
with cameras and public view monitors to let thieves know they are
being monitored.
3. Entry and exit
These high-traffic areas are difficult to monitor. Use of
automated alerts from video in parking lots and at entrances
can help detect behaviors or individuals of interest before they gain
entry to the back of the branch.
4. Exterior
Outside the branch is the best place to stop a problem
before it becomes an event. This is a zone of detection and
deterrence. Perimeter security systems, cameras and access control
all play important roles in keeping this area secure.
5. Community
Once a crime has been committed, the community around
the bank can be at risk. It's critical to detain criminals with
the use of technologies that protect the stolen assets in transit,
following them using GPS technology so that police can pursue and
recover assets when and where it is safe, and prosecute criminals to
the extent of the law.
community, " Anchin says.
Community banks should also
partner with local law enforcement,
business improvement districts
and other local merchants that
can collectively help to improve
physical security.
According to Anchin, " One of the
strengths that community banks
have is that they are very connected
with their communities, and so
there's a lot of opportunities to form
these partnerships. "
Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a writer
in California.
independentbanker.org // 29
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - July 2024

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