Frequently Asked Questions

Basic Information

1. How do I know if I am affected by the lawsuit and Settlement?

You are a Settlement Class Member if you reside in the United States and were mailed written notification by ANB&T that your Private Information was potentially accessed, viewed, and/or obtained as a result of the Data Incident on January 21, 2025. Settlement Class Members will receive a postcard notice of the Settlement that includes their Unique ID.

The Settlement Class specifically excludes: (i) American National Bank & Trust (“ANB&T”), any Related Entities, and their officers and directors; (ii) all Settlement Class Members who timely and validly request exclusion from the Settlement Class; (iii) any judges assigned to this case and their staff and family; and (iv) any other Person found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be guilty under criminal law of initiating, causing, aiding or abetting the criminal activity occurrence of the Data Incident or who pleads nolo contendere to any such charge. The Notice explains the nature of the lawsuit and claims being settled, your legal rights, and the benefits to the Settlement Class.

2. What is this case about?

This case is known as Kelly Banner, et al. v. American National Bank & Trust, Case No. DC30-CV2025-1068, (“Action”), filed in the 30th Judicial District Court of Wichita County, Texas. The people who sued are called the “Plaintiffs” and the company they sued, ANB&T, is known as the “Defendant” in this case.

Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against ANB&T, individually, and on behalf of anyone whose Private Information was potentially impacted as a result of the Data Incident.

This Lawsuit arises out of unauthorized access to ANB&T’s network and certain files containing Private Information including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, government-issued ID numbers (e.g. passports and state ID cards); financial information (e.g. account numbers and/or credit or debit card numbers), medical information, health insurance information, and/or dates of birth, which occurred on or about January 21, 2025 (the “Data Incident”).

ANB&T disagrees with Plaintiffs’ claims and denies any wrongdoing. After learning of the Data Incident, notification was mailed to persons whose Private Information may have been impacted by the Data Incident. Subsequently, this Action was filed asserting claims against ANB&T relating to the Data Incident.

3. Why is there a Settlement?

By agreeing to settle, both sides avoid the cost, disruption, and distraction of further litigation. The Class Representatives, Defendant, and their attorneys believe the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate and, thus, best for the Settlement Class Members. The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiffs or Defendant. Full details about the proposed Settlement are found in the Settlement Agreement.

4. Why is this a class action?

In a class action, one or more people called a “Class Representative” sue on behalf of all people who have similar claims. All of these people together are the “Settlement Class” or “Settlement Class Members.” Here, Plaintiffs and Class Representatives Kelly Banner, Julie O’Neal Gresham, Julieann Eckard, Pete Lopez, Laura Arnold, Susan Scott, Lauren Wolf, Brian Austin Bishop, and Julian Cerna sued on behalf of themselves and all Settlement Class Members.

5. How do I know if I am included in the Settlement?

You are included in the Settlement if you reside in the United States and were mailed written notification by ANB&T that your Personal Private Information was potentially accessed, viewed, and/or obtained as a result of the Data Incident on January 21, 2025. If you are not sure whether you are included as a Settlement Class Member, or have any other questions about the Settlement, call toll free (833) 647-8971, or write to ANBT Data Settlement, c/o Settlement Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799.

The Settlement Benefits

6. What does this Settlement provide?

The proposed Settlement will provide the following benefits to Settlement Class Members:

Documented Out-of-Pocket Expense Reimbursement: All Settlement Class Members who submit a Valid Claim using the Claim Form are eligible for the following reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket expenses, not to exceed $4,500.00 per Settlement Class Member, that were incurred as a result of the Data Incident such as (i) unreimbursed bank fees; (ii) long distance phone charges; (iii) cell phone charges (only if charged by the minute); (iv) data charges (only if charged based on the amount of data used); (v) postage; (vi) gasoline for local travel; (vii) internet usage charges (if either charged by the minute or incurred solely as a result of the Data Incident); (viii) costs of credit reports purchased between May 23, 2025, and April 21, 2026; and (ix) documented costs associated with credit monitoring services and/or fraud resolution services purchased between May 23, 2025, and April 21, 2026, with a statement that the monitoring or service was purchased primarily because of the Data Incident and not for other purposes.

To receive reimbursement for any of the above-referenced out-of-pocket expenses, Settlement Class Members must submit a valid and timely Claim, including necessary supporting documentation, to the Claims Administrator. Settlement Class Members must also have made reasonable efforts to avoid, or seek reimbursement for, the loss, including but not limited to exhaustion of all available credit monitoring insurance and identity theft insurance.

Alternative Cash Payment: In lieu of submitting a claim for documented out-of-pocket expense reimbursement, Settlement Class Members may submit a claim for an alternative cash payment of $50.00.

Credit Monitoring: Settlement Class Members can also elect to enroll in one year of three-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft protection services with identity theft insurance. Settlement Class Members who wish to claim credit monitoring must do so by the Claims Deadline on April 21, 2026, by selecting the credit monitoring option on the Claim Form.

Information Security Improvements: ANB&T has implemented or will implement and keep in place various data security-related improvements. Costs associated with these security improvements will be paid by ANB&T separate and apart from other settlement benefits.

7. How to submit a Claim?

All claims will be reviewed by the Claims Administrator. You must file a Claim Form to get any cash benefits and/or credit monitoring from the proposed Settlement. Claim Forms must be submitted online here by April 21, 2026, or postmarked no later than April 21, 2026. You can download a Claim Form here or you can call the Claims Administrator at (833) 647-8971.

8. What am I giving up as part of the Settlement?

If you stay in the Settlement Class, you will be eligible to receive benefits, but you will not be able to sue ANB&T and its Related Entities and each of their past or present parents, subsidiaries, divisions, and related or affiliated entities, and each of their respective predecessors, successors, directors, officers, principals, agents, attorneys, insurers, and reinsurers regarding the claims in this Action. The Settlement Agreement, which includes all provisions about settled claims, releases, and Released Persons, is available here.

The only way to keep the right to sue is to exclude yourself (see Question 10), otherwise you will be included in the Settlement Class, if the Settlement is approved, and you give up the right to sue for the claims in this Action.

9. Will the Class Representatives receive compensation?

Yes. The Class Representatives will request a service award of up to $1,500.00 each to compensate them for their services and efforts in bringing the Action. The Court will make the final decision as to the amount, if any, to be paid to the Class Representatives.

Exclude Yourself

10. How do I exclude myself from the Settlement?

If you do not want to be included in the Settlement, you must send a timely written request for exclusion. Your request for exclusion must (i) state the Settlement Class Member’s full name, current mailing address, and signature; and (ii) clearly manifest the intent to be excluded from the Settlement Class. Your written request for exclusion must be postmarked no later than March 23, 2026, to:

ANBT Data Settlement
c/o Claims Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799

If you exclude yourself, you will not be able to receive any cash benefits or credit monitoring from the Settlement and you cannot object to the Settlement. You will not be legally bound by anything that happens in this Action and you will keep your right to sue the Released Persons on your own for the claims that this Settlement resolves.

11. If I do not exclude myself, can I sue later?

No. If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement, and the Settlement is approved by the Court, you forever give up the right to sue the Released Persons (listed in Question 8) for the claims this Settlement resolves.

12. What happens if I do nothing at all?

If you do nothing, you will be bound by the Settlement if the Court approves it, you will not get any cash benefits or credit monitoring from the Settlement, you will not be able to start or proceed with a lawsuit, or be part of any other lawsuit against the Released Persons (listed in Question 8) about the settled claims in this Action at any time.

The Lawyers Representing You

13. Do I have a lawyer in the case?

Yes. The Court has appointed William B. Federman of Federman & Sherwood (“Class Counsel”) to represent the interests of all Settlement Class Members in this case. You will not be charged for these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.

14. How will the lawyers be paid?

Class Counsel will apply to the Court for an award of attorneys’ fees, costs, and litigation expenses in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00.

A copy of Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses will be posted here. At the Final Fairness Hearing, the Court will determine the amounts to be paid to Class Counsel and Plaintiffs and may award less than the amount requested by Class Counsel.

Objecting to the Settlement

15. How do I tell the Court that I do not like the Settlement?

If you want to tell the Court that you do not agree with the proposed Settlement or some part of it, including Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses and Service Awards, you can submit an objection telling it why you do not think the Settlement should be approved. Objections must be submitted in writing and include all the following information:

1. the objector’s full name, address, telephone number, and email address (if any);

2. information identifying the objector as a Settlement Class Member, including proof that the objector is a member of the Settlement Class (e.g., copy of notice, copy of original notice of the Data Incident);

3. a written statement of all grounds for the objection, accompanied by any legal support for the objection the objector believes applicable;

4. the identity of any and all counsel representing the objector in connection with the objection;

5. a statement whether the objector and/or his or her counsel will appear at the Final Fairness Hearing;

6. the objector’s signature and the signature of the objector’s duly authorized attorney or other duly authorized representative (along with documentation setting forth such representation); and

7. a list, by case name, court, and docket number, of all other cases in which the objector and/or the objector’s counsel has filed an objection to any proposed class action settlement within the last three years.

Your Objection must include the case name and docket number, Kelly Banner, et al. v. American National Bank & Trust, Case No. DC30-CV2025-1068, and be submitted to the Clerk of the Court by First-Class mail, received no later than March 23, 2026, to:

30th District Courtroom
900 7th Street
Wichita Falls, TX 76301

In addition, you must mail a copy of your objection to Class Counsel and Defense Counsel, postmarked no later than March 23, 2026:

Any objections to Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses and Service Awards must be submitted within 15 days of the filing of Class Counsel’s Fee Motion. A copy of Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses and Service Awards will be posted here.

16. What is the difference between objecting and asking to be excluded?

Objecting is simply telling the Court that you don’t like something about the Settlement. You can object only if you stay in the Settlement Class. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you don’t want to be part of the Settlement Class. If you exclude yourself, you have no basis to object because the Settlement no longer affects you.

The Final Fairness Hearing

17. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the Settlement?

The Court will hold the Final Fairness Hearing on April 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the 30th District Courtroom in Wichita County, Texas, 900 7th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. The hearing may be moved to a different date, time, or location without additional notice, so it is recommended that you periodically check this website for updated information.

At the hearing, the Court will consider whether the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, adequate, and is in the best interests of Settlement Class Members, and if it should be approved. If there are valid objections, the Court will consider them and will listen to people who have asked to speak at the hearing if the request was made properly. The Court will also consider the requests for Attorneys’ Fees, Costs, and Expenses to Class Counsel and for service awards to the Class Representatives.

18. Do I have to come to the hearing?

No. You are not required to come to the Final Fairness Hearing. However, you are welcome to attend at your own expense.

If you submit an Objection, you do not have to come to the hearing to talk about it. If your objection was submitted properly and on time, the Court will consider it. You also may pay your own lawyer to attend the Final Fairness Hearing, but that is not necessary.

19. May I speak at the hearing?

Yes. You can speak at the Final Fairness Hearing, but you must ask the Court for permission. To request permission to speak, you must file an objection according to the instructions in Question 15, including all the information required. You cannot speak at the hearing if you exclude yourself from the Settlement.

Get More Information

20. How do I get more information about the Settlement?

If you want additional information about this Action, including a copy of the Settlement Agreement, the Petition, the Court’s Preliminary Approval Order, Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses and Service Awards, and more, please visit the Important Documents page or call (833) 647-8971. You may also contact the Claims Administrator at ANBT Data Settlement, c/o Claims Administrator P.O. Box 25226 Santa Ana, CA 92799.

Please do not address any questions about the Settlement or the Action to the Clerk of the Court, the Judge, ANB&T, or ANB&T’s counsel.