Season of Giving

Simply use your Bank Independent debit card between October 30th and December 11th for a chance to win one of six weekly $1,000 drawings or the $5,000 grand prize drawing. You will earn one entry per purchase each week that you make seven or more purchases. That means each time you choose your Bank Independent debit card you get another chance to win! And every week you qualify for a $1,000 drawing you get one entry for the $5,000 grand prize drawing.

2024 Bank Independent Debit Card Sweepstakes Program

Official Rules

1. GENERAL. NO PURCHASE, PAYMENT, OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  The 2024 Bank Independent Debit Card Sweepstakes Program (the “Sweepstakes”) begins on November 11, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. Central Time (CT), and ends on December 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CT (the “Promotional Period”).  The odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.

2. ELIGIBILITY. The Sweepstakes is open and offered only to natural persons who are legal residents of the 50 United States, excluding Florida, Rhode Island and New York, and have reached the age of majority in their state of residence or older as of the date of entry.  Employees and members of the Board of Directors of Bank Independent (the “Sponsor”), as well as any IRS dependents of, immediate family members of, and individuals residing in the same household as, any employee or board member of Sponsor are not eligible to participate.  By participating, entrants agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor.  Void where prohibited.  Sponsor’s computer will be the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes.  The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

3. HOW TO ENTER. There are two ways to enter the Sweepstakes during the Promotional Period.  

1. Automatic Entry Method. During the Promotional Period, eligible entrants who use their Bank Independent MasterCard® debit card (“Eligible Card”) connected to a Bank Independent personal checking account (the “Eligible Account”) during each week of the Promotion Period, with each transaction posted to the Eligible Account with a settlement date (the “Purchase”) during the Promotional Period, will receive one automatic entry per Purchase in the Weekly Drawings (as later defined) for each Purchase completed during that week.  There is no maximum number of entries for the Weekly Drawings. In addition, you will also receive one automatic entry per Purchase in the Grand Prize Drawing. There is no maximum number of entries for the Grand Prize Drawing.
   
   Only eligible entrants making Purchases with an Eligible Card that is not in default under the customer agreement for the Eligible Account, both at the time of purchase and at the time of the applicable Drawing (as defined below), are eligible for automatic entry.  No entry will be granted to any entrant whose Eligible Account is overdrawn or has been closed at the time of the Drawing.  All automatic entries will be deemed to be submitted by the primary person in whose name the Eligible Card used to enter the Sweepstakes was issued.  Account adjustment transactions, foreign transactions, returns, cash advances, ATM transactions or similar cash withdrawals, balance transfers, and payment of late fees or over-limit fees to the Sponsor or any affiliate of the Sponsor, are excluded from automatic entry.  Eligible cards or card numbers that are stolen, fraudulent, tampered with, or otherwise altered are not eligible for participation in the Sweepstakes.
   
   
2. Mail-In Alternative Entry Method. During the Promotional Period, eligible entrants may hand print the eligible entrant’s name, address, city, state, ZIP Code, telephone number, e-mail address, and date of birth on a 3” x 5” card and mail the card in a hand-addressed, stamped envelope to 2024 Debit Card Sweepstakes Program, BANK INDEPENDENT, P. O. Box 5000, Sheffield, AL 35660.  Mailed entries must be received by the “Mail-in Received By Date” listed in the chart in Rule #4 to be eligible for the corresponding Drawings.  Limit 1 entry per envelope.  Mechanically reproduced, photocopied, illegible, incomplete, or inaccurate entries are automatically void.   Mail-In Entries for the Grand Prize Drawing need to be specifically marked “For Grand Prize Drawing.”

4. RANDOM DRAWINGS.

1. Weekly Drawings. The Sponsor will conduct a total of four (4) random weekly

   drawings (each, a “Drawing” and collectively with the Grand Prize Drawing, “Drawings”) on or about the days set forth below from among all eligible entries timely received during the periods set forth in the table below.  Please note that automatic entries will be deemed received on the date the Purchase settles to the Eligible Account, not the date on which the Purchase occurs.  Entries for each weekly Drawing will not be included in subsequent weekly Drawings.

   
   

   Drawing Period	Start time to enter Drawing	Deadline to enter Drawing	Mail-in Received By Date	Drawing Date
   Drawing 1	11/11/24	11/17/24	11/17/24	11/18/24
   Drawing 2	11/18/24	11/24/24	11/24/24	11/25/24
   Drawing 3	11/25/24	12/1/24	12/1/24	12/2/24
   Grand Prize/ Drawing 4	12/2/24	12/8/24	12/8/24	12/9/24

    

   At each weekly Drawing, (each, a “Weekly Drawing”) the Sponsor will randomly select 1 entry from all eligible entries received during the applicable time period for a $2,500 prize.

2. Grand Prize Drawing. Eligible entrants will receive 1 automatic entry to the Grand Prize Drawing for each settled Purchase transaction during the Promotional Period.  Each Mail-In Entry for the Grand Prize Drawing specifically marked “For Grand Prize Drawing” and received by the “Mail-in Received by Date,” will receive an entry for the Grand Prize Drawing.  The Grand Prize Drawing will be held on December 9, 2024. At the Grand Prize Drawing, the Sponsor will randomly select 1 entry from all eligible entries for the Grand Prize Drawing for a $5,000 prize.
   
   
3. Rules applicable to both Weekly Drawing and the Grand Prize. The decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes, including the Drawings.  The eligible entrants selected (subject to verification of eligibility, the “Winners”) will be notified by phone, e-mail and/or U.S. Mail on or about two (2) business days following each Drawing.  A Winner in one week can receive additional entries for the Grand Prize Drawing but cannot be a Winner in an additional Weekly Drawing.  Winners must consent to Sponsor use of name and image for marketing/promotional use.  Winners must meet all eligibility requirements.  If any prize or prize notification or attempted notification is returned as undeliverable, if Sponsor is unable to contact a potential winner within a reasonable time period, or if a potential winner is found to be ineligible or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules, the prize may be forfeited.  Depending on the value of the prize, Winners may be required to provide their Social Security number, and complete and submit to Sponsor a Statement of Eligibility, and Publicity and Liability Release (where legal), each of which must be completed, signed and returned within thirty (30) days from date of issuance, or the prize will be forfeited and, solely at Sponsor’s discretion, may not be awarded, or may be awarded to an alternate winner.
   

5. PRIZE/ODDS. Each Weekly Drawing will result in one prize in the amount of $2,500.00. The maximum aggregate value of all prizes awarded for the Sweepstakes will be approximately $12,500.00.  Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries timely received.  Payment of each prize (the “Prize Distribution”) will be made by either (i) a cash deposit to the Eligible Account connected to the Eligible Card or (ii) if the winning entry was submitted by Mail-In Entry, a check mailed to the Winner at the address provided on such Winner’s Mail-In Entry.  All prizes will be awarded within 30 days after the date the Drawing occurs; provided that if Sponsor requires a Winner to complete a Statement of Eligibility, and Publicity and Liability Release, the applicable prizes will be awarded within ten (10) business days of receipt by Sponsor of the required documents.
   
   Total prize winnings are limited to $2,500 per Winner per Weekly Drawing and $5,000 for the Grand Prize Drawing.  Winners may not substitute or transfer the prizes.  Expenses not stated in these Official Rules, including but not limited to, taxes on prizes and any other expenses related to the acceptance of prizes, are solely the responsibility of the Winners.  If applicable, Winners will be issued an IRS 1099 tax form for the prize value.  Any other prize details will be at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.  Prizes will not be fulfilled where the Sweepstakes is void.  If a winner refuses a prize, an alternate winner may be selected from among the remaining eligible entries timely received.  Acceptance of a prize will be deemed to be confirmation of a Winner’s agreement to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor.
   
   
6. LIMITS ON LIABILITY. Sponsor and its affiliates, and all of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, “Released Parties”) are not responsible for illegible, lost, late, delayed, deleted, damaged, incomplete, postage due, misdirected, undeliverable, mutilated, destroyed, or stolen mail entries; or for incorrect, delayed or inaccurate entry information whether caused by systems issues, site users, inaccurate records, human processing, tampering, hacking, theft or destruction, or by equipment or programming used in this Sweepstakes; or for any error, interruption or unavailable network, server, satellite, or other connections; or for miscommunications, failed computer, telephone or cable transmissions, lines or technical failure; or for jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions, computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; or for any other errors of any kind, whether human, mechanical, electronic or network.  Should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, or non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend or terminate the Sweepstakes, and may select winners from entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor.
   
   BY PARTICIPATING, ENTRANTS AGREE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW TO RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD HARMLESS THE SPONSOR AND THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL ALLEGED AND/OR ACTUAL CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, DEMANDS, LOSSES, SETTLEMENTS, LIABILITIES, AND DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION BODILY INJURY, PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, DISABILITY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, VIOLATION OF PROPRIETARY, PUBLICITY, PRIVACY, OR ANY OTHER RIGHT), COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, COURT COSTS, SETTLEMENTS, AND DISBURSEMENTS) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO USE OF THE ENTRY, THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, MISDIRECTION, OR MISUSES OF A PRIZE AND/OR PRIZE-RELATED ACTIVITY OF WHATEVER NATURE, AND ACCESS/USE OF ALL WEBSITES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ONE OR MORE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES.    IN NO EVENT WILL THE RELEASED PARTIES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE SWEEPSTAKES OR ITS PRIZES OR ANY OF THE SPONSOR WEBSITES.

7. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION. Entrants agree (a) to abide by these Official Rules and all decisions of Sponsor which shall be final in all respects relating to the Sweepstakes; (b) that Released Parties will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by Winners against any liability for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons, including death, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, enjoyment, use or misuse of any prize or participation in the Sweepstakes or any Sweepstakes-related activity, or for any typographical or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of any prize via entry forms, posters or any other media; (c) except where legally prohibited, grant (and agree to confirm that grant in writing) permission for Sponsor and those acting under its authority to use his/her name, photograph, voice and/or likeness, for advertising, trade and/or publicity purposes without additional compensation in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the Internet, without notice, review or approval, as well as disclose publicly that entrant is a customer of Sponsor; (d) that Winners may be required to complete, sign and return a Statement of Eligibility or other such documentation as Sponsor may require to verify such Winner’s eligibility and that if documents are not returned on a timely basis, or if a Winner is found to be ineligible, or not in compliance with these Official Rules, his or her prize will be forfeited and, solely at Sponsor’s discretion, may not be awarded, or may be awarded to an alternate winner; and (e) Sponsor may disqualify anyone from participating in the Sweepstakes or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, Sponsor determines that such person is attempting to undermine, tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes, by cheating, deception or other unfair playing practices, or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrant or Sponsor’s representatives.  ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
   
   
8. WINNER’S LIST. For a list of all winners, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Sweepstakes Winners List, Bank Independent, P. O. Box 5000, Sheffield, AL  35660 for receipt by Sponsor on or before January 31, 2025.  If received prior to the end of the Promotional Period, only those Winners selected prior to receipt of the request will be included in the Winners List provided to requestor.

9. PRIVACY.   Any personally identifiable information collected during your participation in this Sweepstakes will be collected by Sponsor and used by it and its agents for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Sweepstakes as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor’s privacy policy, as posted on its website at bibank.com.

10. DISPUTES.  All disputes including without limitation issues as to interpretation of these Official Rules are to be resolved individually by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.  Any unresolved claims are subject to binding arbitration in Florence, Alabama.  In the event of litigation, all claims must be filed in Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama.

11. SEVERABILITY.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.  In the event of conflict between these Official Rules and any other Sweepstakes materials, these Official Rules shall control.

12. SPONSOR:      Bank Independent, P. O. Box 5000, Sheffield, AL  35660.