Aug. 11--BILOXI -- Starting Friday, The Peoples Bank will require customers to remove their hats and sunglasses before entering one of its 16 branches across South Mississippi.

"We want to see your smiling face when you walk into our branches so we can recognize you and say 'hello,'" said President and CEO Chevis C. Swetman.

The policy is part of a growing trend to beef up security measures at banks and credit unions.

The Sun Herald updates this story in Tuesday's editions.

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Story Source: The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.)