Reward Yourself with our VISA credit card

The

DIRECT

Line

Sept/Oct 2013

a communication to our valued members In This Issue

New Student Loan product

Home Sweet Loans

Save our credit unions

Free money management seminar

Fall Shred Day

APPLY NOW for our VISA credit card and take advantage of the

Extra $avings with these special limited time offers:

$

$

$

$

1,000 Bonus Rewards Points

if your credit card is approved by Nov. 30, 2013**

Special Rate of 6.9%APR*

on all Balance Transfers & Cash Advances

made Oct. 1, 2013 - Feb. 28, 2014

*the special rate is valid until the promotional balance is paid off!

Bonus Points!

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Promotional rate subject to qualification. For cash advances and balance transfers made between Oct. 1, 2013 - Feb. 28, 2014, the rate is valid until

the promotional balance is paid off. Any cash advances and balance transfers made after Feb. 28, 2014, will be at the Annual Percentage Rate documented on your statement.

**1,000 Bonus rewards points offer good for applications approved between Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2013. Learn more about Rewards Points and get details at www.membersalliance.org.

With the holidays right around the corner, fall is a great time to

choose a credit card that works for you. A MembersAlliance VISA

Platinum Rewards credit card offers low interest rates along with

other money-saving benefits including:

No annual fee

No balance transfer fee

No cash advance fee

Rewards points with every purchase that can be

redeemed for travel, merchandise, account credit

and more**!

If you already have our VISA credit card, consider transferring

balances from other higher interest cards using this special low

interest rate, and use the cash advance option for holiday shopping

or end of year purchases.

Our VISA credit card is just another way for you as a member to

reward yourself with cost-saving benefits.

Get your application online or at any of our convenient locations.

membersalliance.org Follow us on2

Students get the extra credit they deserve

In today’s world, there is no

debate about the importance

of a higher education.

Unfortunately, there is

also little debate about

the fact that students and

families are faced with ever-

increasing financial burdens

in trying to achieve their

education goals.

The cost of college education

has risen dramatically over

the last 20 years. This has

led to an ever-increasing gap

between what scholarships

and federal loans cover

and the actual cost of attendance. To fill that gap, millions of

students and families rely on higher-cost private student loans.

In hopes of meeting the educational financing needs of credit

union members, in August, 2013, MembersAlliance joined

with some of the nation’s leading credit unions to offer a new

private lending solution called Credit Union Student Choice.

“Credit unions exist first and foremost to meet the needs of

their membership, not to maximize profit by selling off loans to

Wall Street. We are very proud to offer a private student loan

solution that will deliver real value and meet a pressing need,”

said Chris Erickson, VP of Lending. MembersAlliance Credit

Union’s private education line of credit features include:

• zero origination or prepayment fees

• low interest rates

• in-school deferred payment

• graduated repayment option

• convenient line of credit

“The line of credit allows students to make multiple draws

over the course of their entire undergraduate career after

completing just one simple application,” said Erickson. “Most

importantly, we control the pricing and retain the ongoing

relationship with our members.”

Financial education is another key component of the program.

To learn more about MACU’s private student loan solution,

visit www.membersalliance.studentchoice.org. The website

provides in-depth information on all of the ways to finance a

college education as well as calculators that will actually show

you the numbers. Ask a loan representative for details.

If home sweet home is

your destination this fall, we

have a loan sweet loan for

you! Whether you’re buying,

looking to refinance, or just

in need of some extra cash,

MembersAlliance can make it

happen.

Rates are still low, and we offer all types of mortgage

loans at very competitive rates and low closing costs. Our

friendly loan representatives can assist in finding the right loan

for you, saving you money with easy payments and flexible

terms for an amount you can afford. Or, visit membersalliance.

org for helpful information.

If you’re looking to use the equity in your home to finance a

purchase, we have a great rates on our fixed home equity or

home equity line of credit loans, too. Fall is a great time to

look at this affordable option for home improvements, special

purchases or other needs.

As the leaves start to fall, come home to MembersAlliance for a

loan at rates you can live with. . . Sweet!

Home Sweet Loan for your Home Sweet Home

You Can Rely On Us! 3

Community Engagement is part of who we areThis year, MembersAlliance proudly celebrates 75 years of serving

and supporting this community. We’re greeting people all around

town, at events such as the Rockford Park District’s Sounds of

Summer music in the park concert series at Sinnissippi Band shell.

MACU staff greet

concert-goers!

pictured left to

right:

Diane James,

Chris Erickson,

Cheryl Sio,

Lorna Cote,

Lisa Keller

and Carrie

Herrmann

Like superheroes, credit unions--volunteer-run, member-owned

cooperatives--appear and serve in times of need.

Started in Germany 160 years ago while Europe was reeling from

the Great Famine, credit unions spread to the United States during

the early 1900s and earned their tax-exempt status from Congress

during the Great Depression.

More recently, credit unions were among the few financial

institutions standing strong after the subprime mortgage crisis

rocked Wall Street in 2008. In recent years hundreds of thousands

of Americans have transferred their checking accounts to credit

unions as consumers shunned the reckless and costly banking

practices that precipitated the Great Recession.

That the rise of credit unions happened in tandem with historic

events that proved ruinous for the economically disadvantaged is no

coincidence—credit unions were designed to help people in need.

But even as credit unions have proven more essential than ever,

Congress is considering revoking their tax-exempt status as part of

its overhaul of the tax code.

During an era of outrageous financial rewards for banking

executives, the credit union philosophy of returning profits to their

members through higher rates of return on checking and savings

accounts, lower interest rates on loans, and fewer fees should be

celebrated.

Instead, by eliminating the tax exemption, Congress would fail

to distinguish between credit unions and banks, even though the

history of credit unions demonstrate they exist to serve consumers

that for-profit financial institutions either can’t or won’t.

By focusing on service instead of explosive growth, credit unions have

remained steadfast, prudent managers of their members’ deposits

through good economic times and bad. But the loss of their tax-

exemption would weaken many of the benefits that make them a

vibrant financial alternative.

If that happens, the next time a crisis threatens and credit unions are

needed, there may not be as many around to answer the call.

Please visit www.donttaxmycreditunion.org to send a

message to Washington, and let our voice be heard!

Excerpts from…..Copyright 2013 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice.

Money Basics: Making it work for you!In our continuing efforts to provide financial education

opportunities for our members and

community, we have scheduled

another free seminar this fall.

What: “Money Basics: Making it work for you!”

When: Thursday, Sept. 26 5:30 - 8:30pm

Where: Rockton Fire District community room

201 N. Blackhawk Rd., Rockton, IL

(just off Main St. by Rockton pool)

Who: Members & non-members Welcome!

Topics to be covered include:

-how to stretch a buck

-insider tips on increasing your

credit score

-checking account

management

-tips to help you save money

Heidi Berardi, Director of Education

& Community Relations for Family

Credit Management (FCM), will

present this helpful information.

If you’ve had some difficulties in

managing your finances, struggled

with keeping a bank account, or just need some good tips, this

class is for you.

ALL ATTENDEES WILL RECEIVE

A FREE copy of FCM’s premier

money management guide,

Personal Finance Made Easy. Refreshments will be served. For

more information, call our Rockton location at 815-484-1250.

FREE Seminar!

For the people, by the people

Prsrt StdUS Postage

PAIDRockford, IL

Permit No 781Main office 2550 S. Alpine Rd.Rockford 815.226.2260 Perryville branch6951 Olde Creek Rd.Rockford 815.484.1160 Inside Walmart3902 W. Riverside Blvd.Rockford 815.484.53507219 Walton St.Rockford 815.484.5345 4781 E. Rockton Rd. Rockton 815.484.1250

Calendar of Events Subject to change.

Fall Community Shred Day

Your deposits are insured to $250,000 per account.

This institution is not federally insured.

printed on paper from recycled components

membersalliance.org

Sept 19 Regional Business Expo - BMO Harris Center 2-7pm

Sept. 25 FREE Seminar: “Affordable Health Care Act: What

is changing with your insurance coverage this fall!”

6-7:30pm MACU S. Alpine location see insert pg.

Sept. 26 FREE Seminar: “Money Basics: Making it work for you!”

5:30-8:30pm Rockton Fire District bldg. see pg. 3

Sept. 28 Fall Community Shred Day 9am-noon

MACU S. Alpine location see pg. 4

Oct. 2 FREE Seminar: “Keys to Investing for Retirement”

11:30am-12:30pm MACU S. Alpine location see insert pg.

Oct. 9 FREE Seminar: “Keys to Investing for Retirement“

6-7:30pm MACU S. Alpine location see insert pg.

Oct. 14 Columbus Day - traditional offices closed

Oct. 16 FREE Seminar: “Affordable Health Care Act: What is

changing with your insurance coverage this fall?”

11:30am-12:30pm MACU S. Alpine location see insert pg.

You Can Rely On Us!

Why make it easy for thieves to get their hands on your

sensitive information? Thwart dumpster divers by shredding

papers containing confidential information, particularly:

anything with Social Security or account numbers

credit card offers & statements

ATM receipts

bank account statements

documents with PINs and passwords

items with your signature

medical records

pay stubs

canceled and voided checks

To help prevent identity theft, members and non-members are

invited to take advantage of this free service on Sept. 28 to

dispose of unwanted personal documents safely and securely.

Shredding is done on-site by Paper Recovery Service. A

maximum limit of 100 lbs. or 2 boxes per car is requested,

please, so that everyone can be helped.

Saturday, Sept. 289am - noon

MembersAlliance Credit Union2550 S. Alpine Rd. (by drive up)

Rockford

Sat., November 16: Teen Xtreme Credit Class 9am-1pm

basics of financial management for teen members age 15-17

December 9-14: 75th Anniversary Celebration - special events will

be scheduled at all MACU locations - details in Nov/Dec newsletter

Looking Ahead - SAVE THE DATES!!