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Bank Failures

Question and Answer Guide

Sunrise Bank, Valdosta, GA

The following list of responses to frequently asked questions may assist you in understanding what is happening at Sunrise Bank.

On Friday, May 10, 2013, Sunrise Bank, Valdosta, GA was closed by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was then named Receiver. Subsequent to the closure, Synovus Bank, Columbus, GA acquired all the deposits and approximately $13.2 million of the failed bank’s assets from the FDIC as Receiver. The majority of the shares of stock were owned by the holding company, which was not involved in this transaction.

YOUR MONEY IS SAFE! No one lost any money on deposit as a result of the closure of this bank. All deposits, regardless of dollar amount, were transferred to Synovus Bank.

ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY: You may continue to use your outstanding checks and they will clear up to the balance in your account. Your ATM/Debit card will continue to work as usual. The total balance in your account(s), including checking, savings, money markets, Certificates of Deposit, and retirement accounts, has been transferred to Synovus Bank and will be available for transactions during regular business hours at the former bank branches.

DIRECT DEPOSITS: All direct deposits, for example, social security checks, payroll, veterans' benefits, welfare and/or disability, unemployment or any payment you receive electronically will continue as usual.

AUTOPAYMENTS/BILLPAY/ONLINE BANKING: These services will continue as usual. Your routing number and account number will remain the same until you are notified in writing by Synovus Bank.

INTEREST RATES: Interest on deposits accrued through close of business on May 10, 2013 will be paid at your same rate. Sunrise Bank’s rates will be reviewed by Synovus Bank and may be lowered; however, you will be notified in writing of any changes.  You may withdraw funds from any transferred account, regardless of whether your interest rate changes, without early withdrawal penalty until you enter into a new deposit agreement with Synovus Bank.

BROKERED DEPOSITS: As an All-Deposits Transfer transaction, the total of all deposit accounts, including brokered deposits, have been assumed by Synovus Bank. If you are a customer who has a Sunrise Bank deposit through a broker, you must contact your broker with any questions.

TAX REPORTING – 1098 AND/OR 1099: Synovus Bank will be responsible for mailing your 1099 tax information. Your 1098 reporting will be done by the FDIC or the servicer of your loan. You will be notified of any changes in ownership or servicing of your loan.

SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES: You may continue to access your safe deposit box during normal business hours. Any changes will be communicated by Synovus Bank.

OVERDRAFT LINES OF CREDIT: These lines have been transferred to Synovus Bank. Please contact Synovus Bank if you have additional questions regarding your accounts.

LOAN PAYMENTS: You should continue to make your payments according to the terms of your written contract. You may continue to make your payments at the branch office or send them to the same payment address with checks made payable to Sunrise Bank.

ESCROW PAYMENTS: All services previously performed related to your loan will continue. Should you receive notification that any portion of your taxes or insurance was not paid, notify your loan officer immediately.

LOANS IN PROCESS: Please contact your current loan officer directly.

SHARES OF STOCK: The majority of the shares of stock were owned directly or indirectly by the holding company, Capitol Bancorp, Ltd., Lansing, MI. The holding company was not included in the closing of the bank or the resulting receivership. If you are a Capitol Bancorp, Ltd. shareholder, please do not contact or file a claim with the receiver. You must contact the holding company directly for more information.

Capitol Bancorp Limited
200 Washington Square North
Lansing, MI  48933
1-517-487-6555

Sunrise Bank Stockholders:  Shareholders have a claim against the receivership; however, they have the lowest priority of claim.  You should contact an accountant and/or the IRS to discuss the exact requirements necessary to recognize the investment as a loss for tax purposes.  The FDIC does not require stockholders to file a claim with the Receiver.  However, we recommend that you keep our office informed of any address change, should we need to contact you in the future.

CLAIMS: Please send claims to the following address:

FDIC as Receiver for Sunrise Bank
1601 Bryan Street
Dallas, TX  75201-3430
Attention: Claims Agent

DEPOSIT INSURANCE INFORMATION: If you have accounts in both the failed bank and Synovus Bank, they will be insured separately for at least six months following the merger of the banks. This will allow you time to restructure your accounts if necessary.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: You may contact the FDIC Call Center at the number provided below with any additional questions:

FDIC Call Center
Toll free number 1-800-508-8289
Hours of Operation – Eastern Daylight Time
Friday, May 10, 2013: Until 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, 2013: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 12, 2013: Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 13, 2013: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thereafter: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

SCAMS: Be watchful for and resistant to any scams to obtain information from you by individuals or entities stating that they are acting on behalf of either the failed bank, new bank, or the FDIC. If you are contacted by anyone requesting personal information from you related to this event, please contact the FDIC Call Center listed above to report the incident.

For more information: www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/sunrisebank.html


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Last Updated: March 21, 2014