Pub. 6 2015 Issue 2

summer 2015 27 West Virginia Banker house. But according to Schwartz, the majority of banks will be eligible to purchase their domain during the general availability period that starts in June. .BANK domains will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is important for banks to start getting ready now. Check out the timeline for more details. The American Bankers Association, one of the Founders of fTLD, is offering several tips for getting started. The ABA is advising that banks: 1. Organize a .BANK project team, and include marketing, plus those responsible for your Internet platform, IT, and legal. By forming a working group of these representatives, banks can get a broad sense of the needs and possibilities for a .BANK domain. 2. It’s likely a bank uses a third-party to host its website or to provide other online services. That external resource should be part of the working group, to ensure that all technical aspects are considered. Even if banks don’t plan to use one or more .BANK domains right away, ABA recommends registering them so they are available when the bank is ready to use them. 3. Consider protecting trademarks. If banks have registered their trademark in ICANN’s Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH), they may apply for an exact match of that mark. If banks do not have a registration in the TMCH, they may apply for a domain that corresponds to their trademark, trade name or service mark. 4. Evaluate whether to move all activities to .BANK or to main- tain certain activities in an existing domain such as .COM. Many banks will purchase terms related to their main brand trademark, but also for their products, services or locations. 5. Check into the names available through the registrars. Due to the enhanced security requirements behind .BANK, includ- ing mandatory verification of eligibility, the .BANK domain can only be purchased from fTLD-approved registrars. The current list is viewable at approved-registrars. 6. Once banks have made the decision to purchase one or more .BANK domains, they need to consider how it will be deployed. It is expected that some banks will transition their consumer-facing online presence to .BANK to maximize the value of participation, while others will use the new address as a channel to communicate with customers, other banks or regulators. “It’s critical that banks get educated and mobilized quickly,” said Schwartz. “The .BANK domain will be a trusted, verified, more secure and easily identifiable location on the Internet for them to do business and it is only a couple of months away. Banks that can organize themselves now will be the ones that truly take advantage of this significant step forward for the industry.” n Mountain Valley Bank Anthony N. Ricottilli, CPA, recently joined the man- agement team of Mountain Valley Bank. He will serve as controller of the bank upon the upcoming retirement of Roger R. Stevens, CPA. Ricottilli most recently worked as a divi- sion controller for Carter Roag Coal Co. and also previously worked as an account- ing manager/controller for City National Bank in Charleston. Williamstown Bank Sharon K. Anderson was recently promoted to Senior Vice President. She has been with the Bank since 2002, serving in many capacities including balancing clerk, Assistant Office Manager – Parkersburg, Assistant Vice President and Bank Se- curity Officer, and most recently as Vice President-Operations. Ms. Anderson is responsible for several operational areas including Budgeting, the Bank investment portfolio, oversight of deposit and teller operations, daily balancing and support, product development and implementation, marketing, and maintaining the Bank online presence. Kelly W. Allen was recently promoted to Vice Presi- dent-Risk Management, Audit and Compliance. Ms. Allen is a veteran of 24 years with Williamstown. She has held many part-time and full- time positions within the Bank including; Teller, Loan Clerk, Credit Analyst and since 2009 Auditor & Compliance Officer. She is responsible for all audit and compli- ance functions including coordinating with external auditors and various Banking Examiners, as well as ensuring the Bank complies with consumer and banking reg- ulations along with the reporting require- ments of each. Melissa A. Morrison was re- cently promoted to Assistant Vice President. She has been with Williamstown Bank since 2000. She has several years’ experience with audit and compliance, as well as customer service in deposits and lending through her most recent position as Assis- tant Manager of the Parkersburg Office of the Bank. In her new role, Ms. Morrison will support employees in the Parkersburg Office with the fulfillment of their duties and assist customers with their loan and deposit needs. n Bank Notes For more information, consult the fTLD website at www.ftld.com for updates on .BANK registration, registrars and additional information on policies and requirements.