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Recent News
ATM Skimming CompromiseA team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate ATMs in our area to steal both the users’ ATM card numbers and their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). This has NOT happened to a Business First ATM, but to other ATMs in the area. The equipment used to capture the ATM card number and PIN is cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. As the picture illustrates, a "data skimmer" is mounted to the front of the normal card slot that reads the ATM card number and wirelessly transmits the ATM number to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.
At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM Personal Identification Numbers as they are entered into the computer. 
The thieves copy the cards and use the PINs to withdraw thousands of dollars from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM. If you see an attachment like this or anything suspicious, do not use the ATM and report it immediately to the ATM owner by using the toll-free or other phone number on the front of the ATM. You may also let us at Business First Bank know about any suspected ATMs by calling us at 899-4300. Business Online Banking Log-in Process to ChangeOn April 11, 2007 Business First Bank of Santa Barbara will begin to implement the first stage of an even more secure business online banking system designed to further protect your account and information. The first step will involve changing the log-in process from one screen - which currently requests your user ID and password - into two screens. The first screen will now request your user ID and the second will request your password. In following weeks, we will make the final changes to the Business Online Banking log-in process as was recently completed for our Personal Online Banking process These changes (referred to as Multifactor Authentication) create more ways for the bank to know it is really you accessing your accounts. The first part of the process, will allow the bank to recognize the computer(s) you typically use for online banking. At any time you use a computer previously unknown to the bank, the online banking system may ask for further information that only you would know, like your first car model or favorite comic hero or favorite childhood pet. Another part of the new security will have us providing you with a special picture or image and a unique "pass phrase" that is shown during your online log-in process. This image and phrase combination, unique to your account, will help you be assured you have actually connected to our online banking web-site rather than some look-a-like fraudulent site. Together these two new security methods will help to verify that Business First Bank has connected to you and you have connected to Business First Bank. Single Sign-On for Consumer Online Banking and BillpayOn April 11, 2007, our Consumer Online Banking and Billpay customers will no longer need to log-in to two separate sites. From this point on, you will just need to log-in to Consumer Online Banking, and access to Billpay will be provided through a new menu option within the online banking system. Look for similar changes to our Business Online Banking and Billpay in coming months! Consumer Online Banking and BillPay now FreeAt Business First, your online banking has always been provided free of service and activity charges. We are now offering personal Billpay free of charge as well. Additional information on Multi-Factor AuthenticationBusiness First has opted to use a new state-of-the-art two-part log-in security process. The first part of the process, will allow the bank to recognize the computer(s) you typically use for online banking. At any time you use a computer previously unknown to the bank, the online banking system may ask for further information that only you would know, like your first car model or favorite comic hero or favorite childhood pet. Another part of the new security will have us providing you with a special picture or image and a unique "pass phrase" that is shown during your online log-in process. This image and phrase combination, unique to your account, will help you be assured you have actually connected to our online banking web-site rather than some look-a-like fraudulent site. Together these two new security methods will help to verify that Business First Bank has connected to you and you have connected to Business First Bank. Initial Login AttemptLogin Screen One, Enter your Access ID and click “Submit”:
Login Screen Two, Enter your Password and click “Submit”:
For your first login attempt, you will be presented with an opportunity to provide additional security information to Business First Bank. This information includes, at the top of the screen, your e-mail address (to provide security alerts and additional confirmation of your identify) and an Authentication Image and pass phrase (which will be presented to you on subsequent logins and prove your are at the Business First website and not some other look-a-like fraudulent site. At these stage of the log-in process you will enter your e-mail address and confirm, and your Authentication pass phrase, then proceed to the bottom of the screen by scrolling down:
At the bottom of the screen you will be presented with a series of challenge questions and an opportunity to select and provide answers to three of them. Select your desired questions and input your answers. You will also be provided the opportunity to register your PC for future reference as a security measure. If you are using your normal PC, select the “Register It” Option. If you are not using your normal PC, select the “Do Not Register It” Option. (In selecting the “Do Not Register It” Option, you will need to answer your Challenge Questions on subsequent logins on that PC to confirm your identity). Once all items have been completed, click “Submit” and you will proceed to the standard access screens.
Subsequent LoginsAfter successfully establishing your security icon, subsequent log-ins will include the Access ID Page and the Password page, which will now include your security image and pass phrase to show you that you are out our Business First Bank site. Login Screen One requesting Access ID. Input your Access ID and click “Submit”.
Login Screen Two providing your authentication image and pass phrase and requesting your password. Input your Password and click “Submit”.
With your correct password, you will have successfully logged in and all will be as before. 
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