Q: Does EBSB gather information through ebsb.com?
A: Through our web site we strive to provide you with valuable information about how we may better serve you. Whether you are a valued existing customer or someone shopping for new bank services, we hope our site answers your questions about our products, services, locations and hours.

Our site does not require you to disclose any personally identifying information. If you provide personal or identifying information, it will only be used for the purposes described at the data entry point, and to inform you of the financial services in which you might be interested. Also, if you complete any data forms on our site, such as a special offer coupon, we may retrieve the input data as a means of following up with you. Your e-mail address and any personal information that you provide will not be sold, nor will it be shared with others outside the bank unless we are compelled to do so by law.

Cookies are used to estimate audience size. Each browser accessing our site is given a unique cookie, which is then used to determine whether a user is a first-time visitor or a return visitor. This helps us deliver better service by helping us understand whether the majority of those accessing the sight are new or repeat visitors.

As we develop new ways of communicating with you, we want you to know that our traditional standards of business privacy and professional service hold fast. You can count on our leadership and experience to serve you well.

Q: What kind of information does EBSB collect?
A: The kind of information we collect depends upon the financial needs and the products and services requested. For example, when you open an account or apply for a loan with the Bank, we need information about your financial status, including place of employment, income, monthly expenses and personal assets and debts, in order to process your request. In addition, to make banking more convenient and efficient as possible, EBSB maintains information about your transactions, your account balance and repayment history.

Q: How does EBSB obtain the information?
A: We collect information from many sources. Most of our information comes directly from you when completing an account or loan application. For a loan application, we also obtain information from credit bureaus and other creditors regarding your credit and payment history. If you use EBSB Online banking service, we record your online sessions so that we can process and verify your transactions and provide you with automated online summaries. We also obtain demographic and household information from outside sources such as database information firms.

Q: Who has access to customer information?
A: EBSB has strict internal policies against unauthorized use or disclosure of customer information. Customer information is accessible only to employees who need it to conduct business. We emphasize the importance of confidentiality through our Conflict of Interest/Code of Ethics Policy, employee training, operating procedures and Privacy Policy. We require businesses with which we have partnerships to maintain the confidentiality of customer information.

We maintain physical, electronic and operational safeguards according to established security guidelines to protect customer information.

Q: Why does EBSB need this information?
A: We maintain information and data about you to secure your accounts and to protect you and the Bank against fraud. We need clear and accurate information to be able to positively identify you and verify your transactions in order to prevent access to your accounts by unauthorized individuals.

We also gather and review customer information as a way to offer new products and services. For instance, if we know you are a homeowner looking for additional financing, we can recommend a home equity loan or credit line as an alternative to an installment loan because of its potential lower costs and tax benefits.

We are also required by laws and regulations to gather certain information. We are required by federal regulation to obtain a tax identification number (i.e. a Social Security Number) for many of our accounts, including all savings, checking or investment accounts that pay interest.

Q: What do I do if I see any inaccurate information in my statements?
A: We will make every effort to ensure your information is current, accurate and as complete as possible. If you see any inaccurate information on your statements or in any other correspondence from us, please write to us at:
East Boston Savings Bank
Deposit Operations
P. O. Box 111
East Boston, MA 02128

You may also contact our Call Center at at (978) 977-3272 or e-mail us at info@ebsb.com. All requests will be handled in a timely manner.

Should any of your information change prior to receiving any statements or mailings from us, please notify us so that we can update our records.

Q: Are there any regulations allowing disclosure of account information?
A: Yes. Current regulations allow EBSB to share certain information - such as your name, address and information about your accounts with any of our affiliates and subsidiaries. In cases such as fraud investigations or in response to a valid search warrant or subpoena, we may be required by law to provide certain information to law enforcement and government agencies.

There are also laws and regulations that affect the sharing of information with companies not associated with the Bank, such as check printers, data processors and firms that assist us in marketing EBSB products and services or other services you may find useful.

Q: What is the difference between an Affiliate and a Nonaffiliated Third Party company?
A: An affiliate is any company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Bank. East Boston Savings is an affiliate of Meridian Financial Services, Inc. A nonaffiliated third party (outside) company is any entity that is not an affiliate of, or related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control with the Bank.

Q: Does EBSB share information with Affiliate?
A: We do not share nonpublic personal information with our affiliate company, except as permitted by law.

Q: Why does EBSB share information with third party (outside) companies?
A: We use third parties to help process financial transactions and to provide you with financial products and services that we believe are beneficial to your needs. For instance, we use third parties to print your checks, to process your account transactions and to help market our products and services on the Bank's behalf. This means more efficient services and helps keep costs as low as possible. Also, when you open an account or apply for a loan or line of credit, we use various credit bureaus as part of the process for approving your application.

Q: Will the third party keep my information confidential?
A: EBSB will not share information with any company that does not agree to keep your information confidential. We carefully select the third party companies we work with jointly, and any information that is shared is always subject to strict confidentiality agreements. It is a violation of federal law for a third party to reuse customer information received from the Bank unless that information is also publicly available elsewhere.

Q: What kind of information does EBSB share with third party providers?
A: The information shared depends on the product or service we are providing to you. We may share your name, address, social security number, loan repayment history or credit line overdraft history, depending on the situation. We may share nonpublic personal information with third parties to assist us in marketing EBSB products and services or joint products or services that may be of interest to you.

Q: Is it possible to prevent information sharing with third-parties (opt-out)?
A: We do not sell information to marketers or any third-party. In accordance with Privacy Regulations and our policy, we share nonpublic personal information about you only as permitted by law. Therefore, there currently is no opt-out option necessary. If in the future we intend to share information that would trigger your opt-out right, we will notify you and provide an opportunity for you to opt-out of such information sharing as required by law.

Q: How can I reduce direct mailings from other companies?
A: If you would like to reduce the amount of advertising you receive from companies other than East Boston Savings Bank, you may request that the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) delete your name from telephone, mailing and e-mail lists used by their members in marketing products and services to you. DMA gathers information for these lists from public sources. Your request lasts for five years and includes all versions of your name in which you currently receive information, your address, and your telephone number.

To remove your name from national direct mail lists write to:
DMA Mail Preference Service
P. O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

To avoid unwanted phone calls from national marketers, send your name, address and telephone number to:
DMA Telephone Preference Service
P. O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014
For more information visit: www.the-dma.org.

Q: Where can I find out more about privacy laws?
A: To find out more, you can visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at www.ftc.gov.

If you have additional concerns or questions, please contact Philip Pace, AVP Compliance Officer, at (978) 977-2204.