We are getting ready to reloacte existing Safety Deposit Boxes for a new branch that is being built. I have searched the BOL site for security direction related to this event, but found little information on how to do this to appease not only boxholders but our insurance company. I do have a copy of the Bankers Hotline article: Box Relocations Provoke Lawsuits, and we have talked to our insurance company with limited direction. I am looking for more direction on how to do this and what kind of security measures are required for the move. Any information on this, or personal experiences from others who have done this would be helpful so I can get educated and begin to plan prior to the event. Thanks!

It has been several years since I was involved in a SDB move, but I'm thinking that if you move them over a mile you must give 30 days notice. Not sure about that, but I'm sure you will want to notify your customers anyway. Maybe you already have.

We wrote a letter to box holders emphasizing that the boxes would be under police protection during the move. We just asked the local police as a favor if they would send some officers and they were happy to. Be sure you do not make the time of the move public knowledge.

I do not know of any specific security requirements. I don't think there are any, but keep in mind that your bank's rep is on the line and even spending a few hundred dollars on security personnel to ensure nothing goes wrong is well worth it.

We sent a letter to our customers letting them know that the boxes would be moved and giving them a date well in advance of the actual moving date to remove any fragile or breakable objects they may have in their boxes. We had bank officers and off-duty police officers accompany the boxes during the move.

I haven't done this myself, but another Security Officer told me that he video taped the complete process.

Thanks for the information It is greatly appreciated. Everything posted so far we are implementing, so I think we should be alright. Again thanks for letting me get some experience from those who have heard about this process or have gone through it.

I also read somewhere that a bank placed hard boiled eggs in empty boxes and video taped the process. They then had some form of evidence to dispute damage claims.

Michelle