Your Data Belongs to You: Why Privacy Matters More Than Ever
Blog
January 28, 2026
by
Paul Abramson
At American Riviera Bank, Data Privacy Day is more than a symbolic date on the calendar—it’s an annual reminder of something we live by every day: your financial data belongs to you, not to marketers, data brokers, or hidden third parties. Today, people are paying closer attention to how their information is handled and who they trust with it, and those who do feel nearly twice as confident that their data is protected (81% vs. 44%).1
As a community bank, our relationship with you is built on trust, not targeted advertising algorithms. We serve our neighbors, local businesses, and families right here on the Central Coast—and protecting your information is a core part of that commitment.
We Don’t Sell Your Data. We Don’t Track Your Life. We Don’t Do “Creepy.”¶
Across the financial world, many institutions increasingly rely on data-driven marketing models that pull information from your browsing history, shopping habits, and even location data to target offers. That’s not who we are.
At American Riviera Bank:
- We do not sell or share your personal data for marketing purposes.
- We do not participate in invasive tracking or behavioral profiling.
- We collect only what we need to serve you securely and responsibly.
Your trust is far more valuable than any data monetization model. When you choose to bank locally, you choose a financial partner who knows your name—not your digital footprint.
Large national institutions often store and process customer data far outside the communities they serve—sometimes across multiple states or tech platforms. At American Riviera Bank, we take a different approach:
- Your information stays within secure systems governed by our bank—not by Silicon Valley data giants.
- We maintain strict controls, local oversight, and transparent governance.
- We safeguard your financial life with the same care we bring to safeguarding our local communities.
Keeping your data close means keeping your privacy intact.
Security Designed for a Local Bank, Built for Today’s Threats¶
As a community bank, our security program reflects the highest standards in the industry. We continuously invest in:
- Multi-layered cybersecurity protections
- 24/7 fraud monitoring by experts who understand local patterns
- Industry-leading encryption and authentication tools
- Employee training and rigorous privacy controls
Because we’re local, our team can respond quickly—and personally—when you need us.
Simple Ways You Can Protect Yourself This Data Privacy Day¶
While we work hard to keep your information secure, Data Privacy Day is also a great opportunity to strengthen your own digital habits. A few ways to stay safer:
- Use strong, unique passwords and avoid reusing them. A password manager can help by generating complex passphrases and storing them securely so one breached password can’t compromise your other accounts. If you prefer not to use a password manager, make sure each password is unique and create memorable passphrases—for example: Pickle4Monkey@Home.
- Enable two-factor authentication everywhere you can — turning it on for essentials like email, banking, PayPal and other payments apps, social media profiles, shopping accounts, and even your password manager creates a strong second layer of security.
- Beware of unexpected emails, calls, or texts asking for personal details — even small inconsistencies can be a sign that something isn’t right.
- Keep your software and devices updated — those updates often include important security fixes that protect you from new threats. Here’s where you can quickly check for updates on your devices:
- iPhone/iPad: Settings → General → Software Update
- Android: Settings → About phone → Android version
- Windows 11 computer: Start → Settings → Windows Update
- Be thoughtful about what you share online — avoid posting anything that reveals financial details, personal identifiers (IDs, passports, driver’s licenses, or workplace badges), or clues to your security questions, as criminals can use even small bits of information to access your accounts.
Your privacy is a partnership, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Privacy Is Local. Your Bank Should Be Too.¶
Data Privacy Day is a national event, but protecting your personal information is deeply local. At American Riviera Bank, we believe privacy should be simple, transparent, and centered on you—not on advertisers, tech companies, or data brokers.
Thank you for trusting us as your community bank. We’re proud to stand with you in keeping your financial life secure—not just today, but every day.
1. https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/about/doing_business/trust-center/docs/cisco-consumer-privacy-report-2024.pdf
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