his summer we are keeping it cool by offering low rates on all of our most popular loan products. Cool deals are

available for your home, auto and recreational vehicle. There is even a loan for your dream vacation. Whether you want to finance a new purchase or refinance an existing loan from another financial institution — we will save you money.

That’s what we call cool!

Check Out the Rates on our Cool Summer Deals:

Summer 2012

INSIDE VIEW...

First Steps to Creating a Budget..........................................Be Smart When UsingYour Smart Phone..........................................Questions For Your Home Inspector ..........................................RTP Federal Credit Union Employees Shine: First Quarter Spotlight Award Winners

the scope

Cool Summer Deals at RTP Federal Credit Union

BRANCHES: Research Triangle Park21 Park DriveRTP, NC 27709Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 (lobby and drive-thru)

Raleigh7560 Creedmoor RoadRaleigh, NC 27613Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 (lobby and drive-thru)

Cary915 North Harrison Avenue Cary, NC 27513Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30(lobby and drive-thru)

Downtown RaleighTerry Sandford Federal Building310 New Bern Avenue #107Raleigh, NC 27601Mon-Fri 10:00 - 2:00

Member Call Center – 919.941.5700Website: www.rtpfcu.org

RTP Federal Credit Unionwill be closed for the holidays:

July 4th: INDEPENDENCE DAY

September 3rd: LABOR DAYT

Mortgage Freedom, Home Equity and HELOC Loans as low as 4.00%*Whether you are eager to pay off your mortgage or take out equity on your home to pay off college loans or to do home improvements, we are here to help you save.

New and Used Auto Loans as low as 1.99%*Save on financing a new or used purchase or refinance your existing auto loan.

Recreational Vehicle Loans as low as 3.75%*Boat, RV and motorcycle loans are eligible for financing or refinancing at RTP FCU.

Vacation Loans as low as 5.99%*Finance your dream vacation without the worry of high-interest credit card debt.

For more information on RTP FCU’s Cool Summer Deals, visit our website at www.rtpfcu.org, speak with a member service representative at (919) 941-5700, or visit one of our branches.

* Restrictions apply. Rate and terms may vary based on credit history and profile. External refinances only.

It’s a great way to find out about special offers, current member discounts, new product and service offerings, special announcements and industry news. Just visit our homepage and click on “sign up for our eNewsletter” on the right side of the page and complete the information.

First Steps to Creating a Budget

The best way to make a budget for the future is to outline out how you spend your money now. First, look at where your money comes from and where it goes. Track all of your income and expenses for a month or two before creating your budget. You’ll need to keep track of all of your purchases — from your morning cup of coffee to Friday night movie tickets — by writing them down in a notebook or holding on to receipts. Of course, you must have money coming in to make those purchases. You’ll have to track all of your income including wages, tips, gifts, and any money that you may have borrowed.

Next, create categories for your spending. Such things as rent, groceries, utilities, gas, and entertainment are a good start. Write down how much you spend in each category every month. Don’t forget to include money that you save each month to help you meet your future goals. Make sure you are realistic about your budget, so that it’s easy for you to follow.

This is the first step to better financial management.

OBe Smart When Using Your Smart PhoneBy Center for Personal Finance editors

ne of four teenagers carries a smartphone. Many of these young users wind up broadcasting their whereabouts and other personal information to complete

strangers, boosting the chances of becoming victims of identity theft (USAToday.com April 20). A smartphone is a minicomputer holding quantities of personal information that requires protection, just like computers and laptops. Yet users — including teens — aren’t taking simple, necessary steps to protect their smartphones from thieves and hackers. Identity fraud spiked in 2011, in part because of unsafe social media and mobile behaviors. Smartphone users are about one-third more likely than the general public to be victims of identity fraud. About 7% of smartphone owners were identity-fraud victims last year, according to “Identity Fraud Report: Social Media and Mobile Forming the New Fraud Frontier” by Javelin Strategy & Research (MarketWatch.com March 26). In April the Federal Communications Commission and the wireless industry announced creation of a stolen smartphone database, rendering stolen devices worthless and preventing thieves from reactivating the devices on other carriers (abcnews.com April 10). The wireless carriers’ databases may be completed within six months, but it could take 18 months to complete the integrated database across all carriers. The Identity Theft Resource Center, San Diego, Calif., recommends these best practices for mobile device users:

Password-protect your phone. Use a strong password (numbers, upper- •and lower-case letters, and symbols).Enroll in a backup/wiping program. This service backs up information •on your smartphone to your home computer and “wipes” your phone if it’s lost or stolen.Install security software. Companies offer antivirus, malware, and •security software designed for smartphones. Make sure you download software updates.Download apps from trusted sources. Some “bad apps” contain •malware (short for malicious software).Don’t access financial accounts from free, public networks. Public •Wi-Fi hotspots are a prime target for hackers who then have direct access to your mobile device.

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For more helpful financial advice, see the Home & Family Finance Resource Center available 24/7 at www.rtpfcu.org.

Questions For Your Home Inspector

A professional home inspection can tell you whether obvious defects are signs of major problems and can discover hidden defects that could be costly to fix.

You can most commonly find an excellent professional home inspector in your area by asking for a referral from friends or business associates, or someone you know who recently bought a home.

A professional home inspector will methodically examine the exterior and interior condition of the home. Outside, he or she will look at the roof, chimney, soffits and fascia, gutters and down-spouts, bricks/mortar/paint, the condition of windows and doors, porches and decks, and the foundation.

Inside, the inspector will examine the basement, if applicable, for signs of mold and water. He or she will survey wall conditions, see if bathroom and kitchen fixtures are in good working order, and also inspect the electro-mechanical features of the home, including heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and pipes.

Here is a list of questions to ask that will help you find a qualified inspector:

Are you a full-time certified property inspector?•How many inspections have you performed?•What are your certifications?•Can you provide at least three references?•May I see a sample report? (It should be with narrative – not just a checklist)•Do you have “errors/omissions” insurance that covers a problem that is missed?•May I be present during the home inspection? (only accept a yes to this question)•What is the cost of the home inspection?•

A professional home inspector is trained to conduct inspections only and does not do corrective work. It is a good idea to be present and available during the property inspection.

For additional information on our mortgage loans, please contact Scott Kesselman at (919) 248-9325 or scottk@homeloancu.com.

eCheckingBank on your time and

reduce your carbon footprint with eChecking — it’s easy!Visit www.rtpfcu.org for details

or call (919) 941-5700

means more chill time

Rates as low as 5.99% APR* for members •with eChecking

No high-interest credit card• bills to pay

Terms up to 12 months•

Maximum loan amount of $5,000•

Vacation Loans

Rates as low as

Finance the Vacation of Your Dreams!

Call (919) 941-5700 to learn more!*Rate and terms may vary based on credit history and profile.

5.99%*

SummerSkip-a-Payment

Take a vacation from your loan this June, July or August!

Visit www.rtpfcu.org to fill out the Skip-a-Payment form!*

* Restrictions apply. See form for details.

Summer Fun at Theme Parks

RTP Federal Credit Union members can buy discounted tickets to some of our region’s favorite theme parks!

Theme parks include:

Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe•Busch Gardens Williamsburg•Water Country USA•Carowinds•Kings Dominion•

Fun for the whole family!

Buy your discounted tickets online!

For information on how to get your discounted tickets, visit our website at:

www.rtpfcu.org

D

J

Spotlight on ... Deborah Jones, Member Service RepresentativeFirst Quarter Spotlight Award Winner

eborah Jones was selected as a 1st quarter Spotlight Award Winner for exceeding the management team’s expectations by going above and beyond

the call of duty to demonstrate RTP Federal Credit Union’s core values. Deborah joined the credit union as a teller at our RTP branch in 2007 and is now an MSR at our Cary branch. Deborah has gone above and beyond the call of duty and has been a dependable and hard-working member of the RTP FCU team. Thank you and congratulations to Deborah for her hard work and dedication!

Ryan Jewell, Branch Supervisor, Cary Branch, commented:

“Deborah continues to wow me with her dedication and ability to anticipate needs. She is always willing to take on the challenge of filling in for other employees in their absence and also helps to train new tellers. Her continued knowledge of our members means that even when she is filling in for another employee, those members coming to the branch are still being provided with superior personalized service. She sets a great example and attitude that everyone in the branch recognizes.”

Spotlight on ... Jacob Bancino, Financial AnalystFirst Quarter Spotlight Award Winner

acob Bancino was selected as a 1st quarter Spotlight Award Winner for exceeding the management team’s expectations by going above and beyond

the call of duty to demonstrate RTP Federal Credit Union’s core values. Jake joined the credit union team in 2008 and has worked as a teller and an MSR. In his current role of Financial Analyst, Jake’s commitment to accuracy and efficiency along with his eager attitude to always be looking for improvements makes him an important member of the RTP FCU team. Thank you and congratulations to Jake for his hard work and dedication!

Charles Venable, VP of Finance, commented:

“Dependable, efficient, and eager are just a few words that describe qualities Jake exhibits day in and day out. He anticipates so many wonderful ideas and is always willing to take on new challenges, creating and improving reports and tools which increase the efficiency of many managers and employees at the credit union. With the help of Jake’s knowledge and hard work, we can be sure that the informative reports we use for decision making are accurate.”