Protecting Your Privacy

At Citizens First, we understand how important it is to our customers that their private customer information be kept confidential.  In order to best serve you, from time to time it is necessary for certain types of information to be shared internally within Citizens First Bancorp (CF). We are committed to protecting and managing your information and would like to take this opportunity to describe how CF gathers, retains, and protects the security of your information.  You can also help us in safeguarding your accounts and your identity.  Please see the section “Protect Your Accounts – Be An Informed Customer” for how to get more information.

Your Privacy Option

You have the option whether we contact you regarding CF products, as well as how we use your credit and personal financial information among CF divisions.  If you are comfortable with the methods in which we use your information currently, there is no need to indicate your preference.  We recognize, however, you may not want to be contacted and choose to opt-out.

How To Change Your Privacy Option

·         Write to us at Citizens First, 525 Water Street, Port Huron, MI  48060.  Requests must include your name, address, telephone number and social security number (or taxpayer identification number).  Incomplete information will delay or possibly prevent our ability to honor your request.

·         Call a CF Customer Service

      Representative at (800) 462-2786.

·         Visit any Citizens First Banking Center.

If you have a joint account, a request by one owner will apply to the joint account.  The opt-out designation, if elected, applies to your current portfolio of accounts.  Our system will be updated to reflect your privacy preferences within five business days following receipt of the request with complete information.  You can verify the update by calling the Customer Service number listed above or by visiting your local Citizens First Banking Center.

If you have already shared your privacy preferences with us under this policy, it is not necessary to contact us again.  We will continue to honor the preferences you have made.

Gathering and Maintaining Your Information

In order to assist you with your financial needs and provide you with more efficient service, it is necessary to collect and maintain certain types of customer information.  We may gather and retain nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:

• Applications or other forms you provide to us which include information (such as your name, address, social security number, tax identification number, assets, income and investment objectives).
• Financial account activity and transactions (such as your payment history, account balances and usage).
• Reporting agencies (such as your credit worthiness and credit history).
• Information from website visits (such as Cookies usage and transaction history, and other technical data we use for security purposes and to enhance your online experience).

Maintaining Accurate Information

Maintaining complete and accurate information on our customers is important.  CF has established procedures, in accordance with reasonable industry standards, to ensure information is current, accurate, and complete.  If you become aware that we may have any inaccurate information, please help us correct it by contacting a Customer Service Representative at (800) 462-2786 or by visiting your local Citizens First Banking Center.

Security Practices to Protect Your Information

Your information is used strictly for business purposes.  CF employees are trained to respect your privacy concerns and to safeguard your personal information.  Furthermore, as technology advances, Citizens First is continuously modifying its physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to ensure compliance with federal and state standards and to protect your nonpublic personal information.

Online Privacy

Citizens First is committed to protecting customers and guests who visit our website at www.cfsbank.com.  Accordingly, our website uses a variety of advanced Internet security technology, including the encryption of information that is transmitted while accessing account information over the Internet or submitting online applications by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Technology.  CF also uses digital certification, a unique identifier to substantiate Citizens First’s identity to your browser.  Additionally, authentication is required when using online services to validate your identity.  We may collect data from your online visits, such as Cookies, to display information more effectively to you and to allow customization of your website experience.  This data is encrypted for our use only and protected from third party access.

Protect Your Accounts – Be An Informed Customer

We also want to provide you with information about identify theft, fraud, and online threats.  Our website, www.cfsbank.com, has educational materials on topics such as email scams, Internet auction fraud, counterfeit check overpayments, “phishing/spoofing”, and malicious software.  In addition, our website includes proactive steps that you can take to protect yourself, as well as instructions on what to do if you become a victim of identity theft or fraud.

Managing Financial Information

Outside of Citizens First

Citizens First keeps private customer information confidential.  We do not disclose nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to non-affiliated third parties, except as permitted by law for routine business reasons that include, but are not limited to the following:

• Providing information to assist us in processing your applications or managing your accounts (such as automatic mortgage loan payments from your checking account).
• Protecting the integrity and security of your records including prevention of fraud and unauthorized transactions (such as credit card companies).
• Reporting to consumer reporting agencies.
• Complying with federal, state, or local laws, rules and other applicable legal requirements (such as a subpoena, garnishment or court order).

In such instances when it is necessary to share your customer information, we require third parties treat and maintain the privacy of your customer information with the same degree of diligence and careful attention as is required by Citizens First.

Within Citizens First

In order to best serve our customers, it may be necessary for certain types of information to be shared internally within Citizens First Bancorp.  Having information available to CF divisions enables us to provide you with quality assistance and convenience for a variety of products and services.  The type of information which may be shared includes, but is not limited to:

• Application Information (such as your name and address)
• Employment History (such as income or credit references)
• Account Balances
• Payment History (such as timeliness of payments)
• Credit Card Activity

Customer Identification Program

In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each individual or entity opening an account.  This includes all personal and commercial accounts, including loan and deposit accounts, as well as trust, brokerage, insurance, and investment management accounts.

What This Means to Our Customers

When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, address, social security or tax identification number, date of birth (if applicable), and other information which will allow Citizens First to identify you.  You will also be asked to furnish your driver’s license or other identifying documents.  We are required to follow this procedure each time an account is opened, even if you are a current customer of Citizens First.

·         Affiliates of Citizens First Bancorp, Inc. (holding company) covered by this Policy:

·         Citizens First Savings Bank

·         Citizens First Mortgage, LLC

·         Citizens First Mobile Services, LLC

·         CF Investment Services, Inc.

·         CFS Insurance Agency, Inc. d/b/a CFS Financial Services; d/b/a CFS Agency

·         CFS Title Insurance Agency, LLC

·         CF Exchange Services, LLC

·         Naples Capital Management Company d/b/a Horizon Capital Management Company

·         Coastal Equity Partners, LLC