Matrix Bancorp (NASDAQ:MTXC)
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From May 2019 to May 2024
Matrix Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTXC) (the "Company") today
announced that two laptop computers, both the property of Matrix
Capital Bank, were stolen from its headquarters building in downtown
Denver, Colorado.
The computers, one of which contains certain proprietary
information regarding Matrix Capital Bank and some of its customers,
are strong-password protected and the information on them is fully
encrypted. The Company is in the process of contacting affected
customers. No customer of any of Matrix Capital Bank's affiliates is
affected by the theft.
At this time, the Company has no reason to believe that any
confidential customer information has been compromised or used for
illicit purposes. The Company is monitoring its information database
to determine if any illicit activity occurs as a result of this theft.
Michael J. McCloskey, the Company's chief operating officer, said,
"Despite our confidence that the data is safe, we are offering each of
our customers whose information could be compromised extensive fraud
detection protection through Equifax, an established credit bureau
reporting company. We will provide each affected customer with a
letter describing the steps we have taken on their behalf and the
means by which they may register for fraud protection with Equifax.
More specifically, we are providing, at our expense for a period of
one year, the Equifax Credit Watch(TM) Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring --
Credit Watch fraud protection services to each affected customer."
By enrolling in the Equifax program, affected customers will be
provided with an "early warning system" apprising them of changes to
their credit file, as well as assistance in understanding the content
of their credit file at the three national credit reporting agencies.
The Company does not expect the expenses associated with the program
to have a material effect on its financial performance.
Scot T. Wetzel, the Company's president and chief executive
officer, said, "We sincerely apologize to our customers for any
potential compromise of their personal data, and we want them to know
that we are taking every step possible to protect our customers from
any further information compromise. Moreover, we are offering a
$50,000 reward for information that leads to the recovery of the two
laptop computers with proof that the information on the computers has
not been compromised. Anyone who can provide such information should
call Theodore J. Abariotes at 720-932-4216."
Wetzel went on to say, "Matrix Capital Bank is dedicated to
protecting the confidential information of each of our customers. The
safeguarding of our customers' personal data is our highest priority
and we take this obligation seriously. Even now, we are examining our
policies, practices and procedures to reconfirm that henceforth our
customers' personal data is afforded the highest protection
available."
Effective August 7, 2006, the Company will establish a link on its
web site, www.matrixbancorp.com, to permit affected customers easy
access to information concerning the event and the steps they should
take to protect themselves in case their customer data is breached as
a result of the theft. The Company has also established a toll-free
number, 877-250-7742, for customers to call during normal business
hours to ascertain the status of the case and the steps the Company
has taken to protect their data.
According to Wetzel, the theft occurred on Friday, July 28, 2006
sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thieves entered offices in
the Company's headquarters tower on 17th and California Streets in
Denver and removed the laptop computers while the staff in that office
were temporarily absent.
Each of the computers is equipped with a wireless transmission
card that broadcasts the computer's identity, making discovery by
radio signal detection possible within a limited range. Upon
discovering the theft, Matrix Capital Bank representatives conducted
an extensive but unsuccessful search of the surrounding area employing
radio detection devices in an attempt to determine the presence of the
stolen computers.
During the night of July 28, 2006 and throughout the weekend of
July 29 and July 30, 2006, Matrix Capital Bank representatives
conducted an extensive review of the data contained on the personal
computers and determined that one of the computers contained client
data that could compromise client account safety if the
strong-password and encryption technology were compromised.
Since the morning of July 29, Matrix Capital Bank has been
cooperating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Denver
Police in the investigation of this theft. The Denver Police are
conducting an ongoing investigation. Also on July 29, the Company
contacted representatives of the Office of Thrift Supervision to
advise them of the theft.
About Matrix Bancorp.
Denver-based Matrix Bancorp, Inc. is focused on developing its
community-based banking network through its subsidiary, Matrix Capital
Bank, by strategically positioning branches across Colorado's Front
Range market. The area spans the Eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains
-- from Pueblo to Fort Collins, and includes the metropolitan Denver
marketplace. Matrix Bank plans to grow its network to an estimated
five to seven community bank branches over the next three to five
years. The Company's shareholders have approved "United Western" as
our new brand name and the Company anticipates a formal change in
legal and trade names to be completed during the third quarter of
2006. For more information, please visit our web site at
www.matrixbancorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All forward-looking statements contained in this release are made
within the meaning of and pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements are all statements other than statements of historical
facts, including but not limited to statements regarding the services
the Company intends to provide certain of its customers pursuant to
the theft mentioned herein, and all other statements concerning the
plans, intentions, expectations, beliefs, objectives, goals, and
strategies of the Company and its management.