member connections - bcu8. remove unused bike and luggage racks to make your car aerodynamic. 9....

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member CONNECTIONS Text Banking With Text Banking, you can check your balance, transfer funds, review transaction history and more! Log into Online Banking, select “Account Alerts/Text Banking” under My Accounts and validate your phone number to get started. And check out the second installment of our Text Banking Webisodes, “The Gift,” on the Credit Union website. 10 REASONS TO CHOOSE A CREDIT UNION CREDIT CARD We believe in providing the best products and services to our members. If you’re tired of the fees and restrictions of your current credit card, here are the top ten reasons why you should consider switching to a card with the Credit Union. 1. Great Products. We offer a variety of Visa ® Credit Cards including Cash Back, Rewards, Low Rate and our new Visa Signature ® with enhanced rewards. 2. Competitive Rewards. We offer both cash back and CURewards ® travel and merchandise rewards programs. Our Cash Back Card rewards you with up to 2% cash back¹ on the purchases you make every day, including gas, groceries and restaurants. And with CURewards, you earn points on every purchase that can be redeemed for a variety of travel and merchandise options. Best of all, your points never expire, so you can save and redeem them for the rewards you want. 3. Low Rates. Our rates are very competitive compared to other credit cards in the market, with rates starting as low as 8.50% APR.² 4. No Annual Fee on Our Most Popular Cards and No Balance Transfer Fees. When you transfer higher-rate balances from other cards, you’ll never pay a balance transfer fee. Many issuers charge as much as 5% of the transfer amount. 5. No Penalty APR. This means that your APR will not increase due to a single late or missed payment. Most major credit cards charge a penalty APR as high as 29.99%. 6. Convenient Online Access. Save paper by receiving your monthly statement electronically. And you can access your account information online, any time of day. 7. Special Offers throughout the Year. With a Credit Union Credit Card, you’ll enjoy opportunities to earn double points, rebates, special promotional rates and more! 8. Design Your Own Card. Personalize your card with a favorite photo! 9. Free Annual Summary. Receive a categorized summary of your annual purchases when you make at least 120 transactions per year. 10. Additional Visa Benefits and Enhancements. Our Visa cards provide valuable benefits including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Roadside Assistance, Travel and Emergency Services and Warranty Manager. Plus, with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy, you’ll never pay for unauthorized purchases on your card. 1 Rebates are automatically earned by making eligible purchases with your Credit Union Visa Cash Back Card. Each Eligible Purchase made by the cardholder or authorized user(s) shall qualify for the cardholder cash back rebate as follows: you will earn a 1% base rebate for each $1 of net purchases (defined as purchases minus purchase returns and allowances and purchase discounts plus transaction). You will also earn an additional 1% bonus rebate for each $1 of net purchases, up to a maximum of $2,000 per month on eligible net gas, grocery and restaurant purchases made at retail establishments that classify their merchant location for Visa in one of the following bonus categories: automated fuel dispensers, grocery stores/supermarkets and quick service payment/fast food restaurant/restaurant. Non-automated fuel purchases at gas station locations in the bonus category shall be treated as a regular purchase and will only earn the 1% base rebate. 2 APR = annual percentage rate. The credit type and credit limit will depend on verification and approval of your credit history. Winter 2012 | 800-388-7000 | www.BCU.org

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Page 1: member CONNECTIONS - BCU8. Remove unused bike and luggage racks to make your car aerodynamic. 9. Keep the windows closed when traveling at high speeds. 10. Avoid traffic jams and stop-and-go

memberCONNECTIONS

Text Banking

With Text Banking, you can check your balance, transfer funds, review transaction history and more! Log into Online Banking, select “Account Alerts/Text Banking” under My Accounts and validate your phone number to get started. And check out the second installment of our Text Banking Webisodes, “The Gift,” on the Credit Union website.

10 REASONS TO CHOOSE A CREDIT UNION CREDIT CARD

We believe in providing the best products and services to our members. If you’re tired of the fees and restrictions of your current credit card, here are the top ten reasons why you should consider switching to a card with the Credit Union.

1. Great Products. We offer a variety of Visa® Credit Cards including Cash Back, Rewards, Low Rate and our new Visa Signature® with enhanced rewards.

2. Competitive Rewards. We offer both cash back and CURewards® travel and merchandise rewards programs. Our Cash Back Card rewards you with up to 2% cash back¹ on the purchases you make every day, including gas, groceries and restaurants. And with CURewards, you earn points on every purchase that can be redeemed for a variety of travel and merchandise options. Best of all, your points never expire, so you can save and redeem them for the rewards you want.

3. Low Rates. Our rates are very competitive compared to other credit cards in the market, with rates starting as low as 8.50% APR.²

4. No Annual Fee on Our Most Popular Cards and No Balance Transfer Fees. When you transfer higher-rate balances from other cards, you’ll never pay a balance transfer fee. Many issuers charge as much as 5% of the transfer amount.

5. No Penalty APR. This means that your APR will not increase due to a single late or missed payment. Most major credit cards charge a penalty APR as high as 29.99%.

6. Convenient Online Access. Save paper by receiving your monthly statement electronically. And you can access your account information online, any time of day.

7. Special Offers throughout the Year. With a Credit Union Credit Card, you’ll enjoy opportunities to earn double points, rebates, special promotional rates and more!

8. Design Your Own Card. Personalize your card with a favorite photo!

9. Free Annual Summary. Receive a categorized summary of your annual purchases when you make at least 120 transactions per year.

10. Additional Visa Benefits and Enhancements. Our Visa cards provide valuable benefits including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Roadside Assistance, Travel and Emergency Services and Warranty Manager. Plus, with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy, you’ll never pay for unauthorized purchases on your card.

1 Rebates are automatically earned by making eligible purchases with your Credit Union Visa Cash Back Card. Each Eligible Purchase made by the cardholder or authorized user(s) shall qualify for the cardholder cash back rebate as follows: you will earn a 1% base rebate for each $1 of net purchases (defined as purchases minus purchase returns and allowances and purchase discounts plus transaction). You will also earn an additional 1% bonus rebate for each $1 of net purchases, up to a maximum of $2,000 per month on eligible net gas, grocery and restaurant purchases made at retail establishments that classify their merchant location for Visa in one of the following bonus categories: automated fuel dispensers, grocery stores/supermarkets and quick service payment/fast food restaurant/restaurant. Non-automated fuel purchases at gas station locations in the bonus category shall be treated as a regular purchase and will only earn the 1% base rebate.

2 APR = annual percentage rate. The credit type and credit limit will depend on verification and approval of your credit history.

W i n t e r 2 0 1 2 | 8 0 0 - 3 8 8 - 7 0 0 0 | w w w. B C U . o r g

Page 2: member CONNECTIONS - BCU8. Remove unused bike and luggage racks to make your car aerodynamic. 9. Keep the windows closed when traveling at high speeds. 10. Avoid traffic jams and stop-and-go

Dear Members,

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Mike ValentinePresident/CEO

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The New Year is a time when most of us reflect over the recent past and resolve to make positive changes for our future. One of those resolutions may be to improve your financial well-being. Let me assure you, the Credit Union is more committed than ever to helping all of our members achieve this goal.

Unlike many banks and other financial institutions that look for ways to generate profit, the Credit Union works to reward our members with competitive interest rates and free, easy access to your accounts. We offer 360 Banking, a suite of services that consists of Online and Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, a network of Shared Branches and surcharge-free ATMs, Deposit Anywhere and now Text Banking. Using the Credit Union as your primary financial institution and taking advantage of these conveniences will definitely improve your bottom line.

Another way the Credit Union can assist you in achieving your financial goals is with BALANCESM, an education center that allows you to explore all of the essential elements of personal finance. Whether you’re saving for your child’s education or trying to get out of debt, BALANCE has counselors who are ready to work with you. A certified financial counselor can answer many of your questions immediately – from how long an item stays on your credit report to whether it’s better to buy or lease

a car. They can even work with you to design a personal spending and savings plan. With BALANCE, financial education is available to you free of charge as a benefit of your Credit Union membership.

Every interaction with the Credit Union is an opportunity to improve your financial position – from setting up Account Alerts to notify you of account activity, to speaking with one of our Member Relations Representatives about Truly Free Checking, or talking to a Loan Specialist about consolidating high-interest credit cards to a Credit Union Credit Card. And it doesn’t stop there! We’re always looking for new and improved products and services, as well as ways to deliver them, that best meet your needs.

Providing our members with unlimited access, low or in many cases, no fees, and a caring staff of individuals who sincerely take an interest in improving your financial well-being are just a few of the ways we continue to prove, “We’ve Got Your Back.”

Best wishes for a healthy, prosperous 2012.

Best Regards,

Mike ValentinePresident/CEO

SAVE 15% WHEN YOU USE TURBOTAX ONLINE THROUGH THE CREDIT UNION WEBSITE!

No matter where life takes you, TurboTax makes it easy to do your taxes right and get your maximum refund, guaranteed. As a Credit Union member you can save 15% on TurboTax Federal and State products when you use TurboTax Online through our website. Start now!

TurboTax has you covered:

• Prepare, print and e-file your simple return FREE

• Maximum refund guaranteed• 100% accurate calculations• Fast refund – in as few as 8 days

with e-file and direct deposit

Take advantage of this limited-time offer. Visit our website to get started today!

Intuit, the Intuit logo and TurboTax are registered trademarks and/or registered service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Page 3: member CONNECTIONS - BCU8. Remove unused bike and luggage racks to make your car aerodynamic. 9. Keep the windows closed when traveling at high speeds. 10. Avoid traffic jams and stop-and-go

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FRUGAL FILL UPS: 25 WAYS TO SAVE AT THE PUMP

Don’t let skyrocketing fuel prices drive you crazy – there are many ways to put an immediate dent in your gas bill.

First, nothing will save you more money at the station than a fuel-efficient car. Large, heavy vehicles can burn up to three times as much fuel as a small car – and as gas prices rise, your wallet will groan with every extra pound. If it’s time for a trade in, seriously consider purchasing a car that was built to get good gas mileage.The following 24 additional tips will speed up your savings even further – print them out and keep them on your dashboard as a daily reminder!

2. Make sure your air filter is clean.

3. Keep your tires filled with the right amount of air.

4. Keep your clutch adjusted.

5. Have enough – and clean – engine oil in your car.

6. Choose the route with the flattest terrain and fewest stops.

7. Use your air conditioner sparingly.

8. Remove unused bike and luggage racks to make your car aerodynamic.

9. Keep the windows closed when traveling at high speeds.

10. Avoid traffic jams and stop-and-go traffic.

11. Remove heavy objects from the car.

12. Bike, walk or use public transportation whenever possible.

13. Turn the car off rather than idle (when appropriate).

14. Don’t warm up new cars – most don’t need it.

15. Avoid traveling at fast speeds in low gears.

16. Drive the speed limit.

17. Use cruise control on the open road, when safe.

18. Use downward slopes to your advantage.

19. Accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light.

20. Buy regular unleaded versus the highest priced gasoline – most cars are built for it.*

21. Don’t rev your engine.

22. Arrange for car pools to share the cost of gas.

23. Use your car only for necessary trips.

24. Use your navigation system (if available) to avoid getting lost and wasting gas.

25. Combine errands into one trip.

We recognize that money concerns have a serious effect on our quality of life. Now, via the Web under “Deposits” and then “Other Resources” or via phone 888-456-2227, financial education is available to you free of charge as a benefit of your membership in the Credit Union.

* Unless your vehicle’s owners manual advises otherwise.

Source: www.BalancePro.net

Page 4: member CONNECTIONS - BCU8. Remove unused bike and luggage racks to make your car aerodynamic. 9. Keep the windows closed when traveling at high speeds. 10. Avoid traffic jams and stop-and-go

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This publication does not constitute legal, accounting or other professional advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2012 BCU.

* Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) SEC and Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the Credit Union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. BCU has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to Credit Union members. BCU Investment Advisors is a trade name for the investment services available at BCU.

ACCOUNT ALERTS: HELPING YOU STAY ON TOP OF YOUR FINANCES

REACHING RETIREMENT, NOW WHAT? BCU Investment Advisor’s* New

Website Is Up and Running

Life moves quickly, and your finances need to keep up. With Account Alerts from the Credit Union, you can receive an email or text from 20228 within minutes of account transactions like withdrawals or direct deposits. It’s a free* and easy way to monitor your money on the go.

To set up your personalized Account Alerts, log in to Online Banking and select the notifications you want to receive:

• Your balance is above or below an amount you specify.

• A withdrawal, deposit or check posts to your account.

• Your daily ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases exceed an amount you choose.

• Your credit card or loan payment is due. • And more!

In addition to helping you stay on top of your finances, the nearly real-time updates on your accounts may save you money by helping you avoid fees for a low account balance or nonsufficient funds. Signing up for loan payment reminders can also help you dodge late fees. And Account Alerts can provide yet another layer of protection against account fraud by letting you know when suspicious transactions occur or your contact information has been changed.

Whether you’re figuring out how to pay for a new baby’s future college expenses, planning the retirement of your dreams or preparing to take care of affairs after you’re gone, we’re here to help you make the best decisions. BCU Investment Advisors* is member-owned, so your well- being is our well-being. Our new website is just another way for us to educate, inform and serve members like you.

On the new website, you’ll find information, articles and calculators on the issues that affect your financial goals, including:

• Financial guidance• IRA and 401(k) rollover

strategies• Insurance• Finance and estate

planning

• Retirement planning• Education planning• Wealth management• And much more

NEWS FLASH

You’ve worked hard your whole life anticipating the day you could finally retire. As that day is fast approaching, you’ll need to carefully manage your assets so that your retirement savings will last.

Here are key tips for a comfortable retirement:

• Understand your retirement plan distribution options• Review your portfolio regularly• Know your Social Security options• Spend wisely

As a member and owner of the Credit Union, you have access to a team of Financial Advisors* who can assist you with your retirement saving and planning goals as you approach that special day. Call us at 800-388-7000, ext. 8244 with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!

You can easily alter Account Alerts once you set them up, so you can be sure you receive the information that is most important to you. To get started or change your Account Alert preferences, just visit the Credit Union website today. After all, when you do slow down, it shouldn’t be to do your banking.

* Alerts sent to your wireless device may be subject to a fee by your wireless service.

Federally Insured by NCUA