Did you know that October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month? Every October this national campaign is designed to increase the public’s awareness of cybersecurity and cyber crime issues. Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. In 2015, there were 13.1 million victims of identity fraud in the U.S., according to Javelin Strategy and Research. To help keep our customers safe and their privacy protected, Astra Bank recommends following these tips to keep your information, and your money, safe.

In Astra Bank’s continued commitment to support the communities we serve, we’re excited about the ways our School Spirit Debit Card Program shows not only our support, but allows us to give our customers an opportunity to “support the home team.” Any time the card is used to make a purchase with the custom Sutton Mustangs/Fillies school debit card, the transactions help generate money that goes back to the school.

These high-tech cards that are accepted in the U.S. and around the world contain an embedded computer chip that adds a new layer of protection against fraud for purchases made at the point of sale and when used at ATMs. Information programmed into the chip is personalized for your account and each transaction at a chip-enabled terminal generates a unique code, adding an extra safeguard against unauthorized use and counterfeiting.

With the arrival of students on the horizon and Athe end of summer near, approximately 400 USD #489 staff members were busy preparing their classrooms and wrapping up meetings as they readied themselves for another school year. We bet thinking about what they are going to have for breakfast (the most important meal of the day) is likely the furthest thing from their mind – but never fear, Astra Bank is here! We were privileged to have had the opportunity to serve breakfast for the UDS #489 school staff on August 16th and couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a new school than with biscuits and gravy!

With the arrival of students on the horizon and the end of summer near, approximately 60 TMP staff members were busy preparing their classrooms, finalizing lesson plans and wrapping up meetings as they readied themselves for another school year. We bet thinking about what they are going to have for lunch is likely the furthest thing from their mind, as there are way more important things to think about – but never fear, Astra Bank is here!