using computer

Online Security

Online Banking Security Information
The security of your personal account information is important to us. We take measures to protect you and the privacy of your information. Keeping your access codes or passwords secure is one important step you can take to protect your information. To assist us in offering secure web-based banking services, we employ a number of measures that allow us to properly authenticate your identity when you access these services and protect your information as it travels between your computer/device and Centinel Bank. With the proper safety measures in place, your online banking transactions remain safe and secure. 
 

Protect Your Internet Security

  • Keep your password to yourself. Do not share it with anyone.
  • Change your password frequently.
  • Remain at your computer until your Online Banking transactions are completed and log out. Log out of Online Banking prior to visiting other Internet sites.
  • Don't use obvious numbers or easily accessible information for your log-in ID and password.
  • Ensure that no one is watching when entering your log-in ID and password.
  • Don't record your log-in ID and password on paper. Try to memorize them, if possible.
  • If you do record your log-in ID and password, keep them in a safe, secure location.
  • Review your account information often. Report any unusual activity immediately.
  • Never give account information to anyone over the telephone unless you initiated the call.
If you notice suspicious or unusual activity on your Online Banking accounts, call the bank immediately.

Email Communications

Please remember that e-mail is not secure against interception--be cautious when sending e-mail with personal information. If you need to send us any sensitive or confidential information such as your bank account, credit card or Social Security number, please Contact Us directly to inquire about a secure delivery channel for us to receive your information.
 

Information Encoding

We use the latest encryption technology to ensure that your private information cannot be intercepted. Encryption is a way to rewrite something in code, which can be decoded later with the right "key." When you request information about your accounts, the request is sent encrypted to Centinel Bank of Taos. We decrypt your request and send the requested information back to you in an encrypted format. When you receive the information, it is decoded so that you can read it.

Personally Selected Account Names

Centinel Bank of Taos does not display your account numbers over the Internet. Instead, we ask you to choose a "pseudo" name for each of your accounts. Example of pseudo name would be vacation account, checking account, and savings account. You can change your "pseudo" account name under the "Options" section of our online banking service.

Unique ID and Password (Online Banking ID)

In order to access your accounts online, you must enter a unique Online Banking ID and password number. We strongly recommend that you choose a password that you can remember (without writing it down) but does not use information that can be easily guessed by someone. Avoid the use of birthdays, children's names, etc. Do not reveal your Online Banking ID or password to anyone. Remember that the information you type into these fields is case sensitive and must be typed in exactly the same each time you login.

Three (3) strikes and you're out

If an unauthorized person attempts entry into an end user's account by trying to guess a Log-In ID, the bank will disable the password on the third incorrect attempt, thus invalidating the Log-In combination. If you accidentally activate this security feature by unintentionally mis-keying a password three times, you would need to contact the Bank to reestablish the password for that account. For example, a common mistake made by the end user is having the CAPS-LOCK on while keying in a password. To further protect you, a timeout feature is used. This feature will automatically log you out of your current financial service session after a 10-minute inactivity period on our site.
 

How secure is Centinel Bank’s Online Banking?

State-of-the-art technology is used to keep your information secure. All sensitive and personal information is encrypted, and access requires passwords that only you know. In addition, your social security or tax ID number is never displayed on the Online Banking system. However, if you feel your information has been jeopardized in any way, please contact your local branch immediately.

What do I need to access Online Banking?

You will need a connection to the Internet and a Web Browser to log in.