Newsletter
Spring 2009
Building our brand identity
The team of NE PA Community Federal Credit Union has been hard at work to improve our image and increase public awareness on the benefits of banking with a credit union—our credit union in particular. With the help of a new marketing firm we set our sights on a number of projects that would help us achieve our goals. Among them are a new modern website, an updated newsletter and a fresh approach to our marketing strategy.
Our new website still contains the existing online banking tools you are familiar with, but that’s where the similarity ends. It now has a wide-open modern aesthetic that invites you to explore a bit deeper. Although much of the information contained in the site is the same, it is now presented in a fashion that is easier to navigate and find what you’re looking for. It will also serve as a valuable marketing tool that informs the public, cultivates new members and strengthens our organization. We ask that you visit often because we plan on updating its information on a regular basis. As you can see, the newsletter has a new look and feel as well. It complements the graphic standards established for the website and this consistency is designed to make all our marketing material and collateral easily identifiable. In an effort to reduce printing expenses and work towards green initiatives we will be surveying members to determine those who would be willing to accept an electronic version of the newsletter via email in lieu of the traditional paper newsletter. Ultimately these savings will go towards modernizing our communication methods, and a general reduction in operational expenses that will improve our bottom line.
All this will be complemented by a new marketing approach that will place our credit union in the public spotlight in a very positive manner. The conservative loan and investment strategies and localized operations of the credit union have largely insulated it from the current economic crisis. We feel it is our obligation to demonstrate to eligible candidates that banking with NE PA Community Federal Credit Union is “A Better Way to Bank”. This is our new branding statement, and our brand promise, which you will be seeing in all our future marketing efforts.
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Celebrating 10,000 Members!
Pictured left to right: Our 10,000th member, Mr. Donaghy and our 1st member, Dr. Jerrold Fritz.
On December 5, 2008, the credit union celebrated its 10,000th member, Jonathan Donaghy. Mr. Donaghy was awarded a $100.00 Visa Gift Card, an NE PA logo bag filled with NE PA promotional items, and an invitation to attend the 2009 Annual Meeting, along with a guest of his choice.
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Ask Bettyanne “Buyer Beware!”
What Does that Statement Mean to You?
I recently received an envelope designed to look like an official government mailing. The outside of the envelope warned “Penalty for Tampering,” along with an additional warning about a $2,000.00 fine or five years imprisonment or both for any person obstructing the delivery of this letter. Boy…was I nervous since the letter seemed so official. Little did I know that the penalty was a standard for all U.S. Postal Service Mail.
Upon opening the mailing, I discovered it was a pre-approval offer to buy a new vehicle. It contained a genuine-looking rebate check for up to $5,000.00. The letter disclosed that the dealer must sell every vehicle or face serious bank penalties and fees. Were they referring to the finance charge on their vehicle inventory? It also said they were offering up to 20% over the book value on my trade, and they promised to pay off my trade no matter how much I owed. Yippee!
Since I wasn’t born rich and haven’t quite gotten there yet, I was thinking maybe my stars were lining up. Seriously folks, you learned this in kindergarten; if it sounds too good to be true or it gives you that moment of hesitation, stop and think. Somewhere in every deal all money disbursed on your behalf is being financed and you will have to pay it back. You will owe more than your new vehicle is worth.
Before you shop for a vehicle, make sure you know the value of the car you want and the realistic value of your trade-in. If you are buying a used vehicle, request a vehicle history report and take the time to read it. Used vehicles have a required maintenance schedule. In these tough economic times when everyone’s money is tight, you should make certain you see the maintenance log to be sure the prior owner was able to follow the schedule.
Never finance more for the purchase of a vehicle than the vehicle is worth. If you do not have access to a computer to look up this information you may call the loan department at (570) 421-5585, option 2 and we will be glad to research the value for you.
We also finance vehicles purchased through private owners. All we require is a physical appraisal done by a licensed mechanic or auto dealer. You may borrow up to the purchase price plus the cost of tax and tags. We can process a pre-approval for you so you will know how much you may spend and what the payment will be.
Remember Mechanical Repair Coverage is available as well as GAP Insurance for all vehicles financed with NE PA Community Federal Credit Union. The costs of these programs can be included in the financing of your car loan.
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Fee Information
Please note the changes to the following fees, effective June 1, 2009:
Outgoing wire transfer fee - $15.00
Mortgage loan payoff fee - $15.00
Mortgage loan subordination review fee - $100.00
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New Services
Medallion Signature Guarantee
The credit union now offers FREE Medallion Signature Guarantee services, for those members who wish to transfer or sell securities. Contact the credit union for details.
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Privacy Policy
To assure the continued privacy and
confidentiality of personal financial information, your credit union observes these practices and procedures:
INFORMATION WE COLLECT – We collect nonpublic personal information about you from some of the following sources:
• Information we receive from you on applications or other forms, such as name, address, social security number, assets, and income.
• Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others, such as your account balance, payment history, parties to transactions, and credit usage.
• Information we receive from a consumer reporting agency, such as your creditworthiness and credit history.
INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE – We may disclose all of the information we collect as described above, and as permitted by law, to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf, or to other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements. We may also disclose information about you under other circumstances as permitted by law.
OUR SECURITY MEASURES – We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with Federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.
Credit union members and the public may receive copies of this notice of privacy practices by contacting the credit union. This notice meets the notification requirements of the National Credit Union Administration Rules and Regulations on Privacy of Consumer Information, Part 716.
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Auto Loan Pre-approval
Nothing could be more frustrating than finding the car of your dreams only to find out you don’t qualify for the financing. NE PA Community Federal Credit Union offers an Auto Loan Pre-approval program that allows you to shop with the confidence of knowing exactly what you can afford. Plus you get the added benefit of being treated with the respect you deserve at the dealership because Auto Loan Pre-approval is like walking in with a pile of cash! Contact us to see how easy it is to apply, and you will most certainly be instantly gratified.
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Loss-Causing Member Notice
Members who have caused a monetary loss to the credit union will be eligible for only a Savings Account and dividends on the account. This loss may have resulted from a charge-off loan, a Share Draft loss, or an ATM loss, including loss of fees or losses related to deposits that have not been repaid to the credit union.
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Make Your 2009 Annual Meeting and Grand Buffet Reservations
Your credit union’s 49th Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Pocono Inn Towne, 700 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA. The Grand Buffet is $25.00 and includes entertainment, prizes, and favors. The evening will begin with a cash bar at 5:30 p.m. The Grand Buffet begins at 6:30 p.m.
The business meeting will begin after dinner and include the Meritorious Service Award and the Dr. Alfred D. Sumberg Founder’s Award presentations. Reports will be heard, and the election of Board members will be held. David Piatt, Chairman, will preside over the meeting and the door prizes giveaway. Don’t delay – attendance is limited to the first 150 members, so make your reservations right away! Complete and submit the form below, or call us at (570) 421-5585 x 1124 to reserve your seats. The reservation deadline is Friday, April 24, 2009.
| Grand Buffet Menu |
|
• Tossed Garden Salad with Cucumber and Tomato |
• Baked Salmon with Dill Cream Sauce |
• Crispy Caesar Salad |
• Rice Pilaf, Oven Roasted Potatoes |
• Marinated Pasta Salad |
• Vegetable of the Day |
• Chicken Marsala |
• Brownie’s Famous Dessert Bar
|
| • Filet Tips with Burgundy Mushroom Sauce |
(Ice Cream, Toppings, Pies, Cakes,
Puddings, Jello) |
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Holiday Closings
• Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
• Saturday, July 4, 2009
Independence Day
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Credit Union Youth Week
Help us celebrate National Credit Union Youth Week from April 20-24, 2009. At this special time of year, we celebrate the youngest members of our credit union and promote fun with financial education.
• Games and prizes for the kids in the credit union lobby everyday that week from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Money Fun Class for elementary school aged kids (1st – 5th Grade) and their parents on April 22, 2009, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Class includes fun facts about savings and activities. Please call Kimberly Kochanski by April 17 at (570) 421-5585 x 1116 to reserve your spot.
• Don’t forget to visit the online resource Googolplex, on our website, where kids can have fun learning about earning, savings, and spending money.
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Making Secure Transactions Away From Home
What Does that Statement Mean to You?
In today’s increasingly connected world, we may find ourselves wanting to use a computer away from our home. As any traveler can attest, computer kiosks are in every airport and in many coffee shops. Additionally, wireless networks are everywhere, many of them free or available for a small fee. This proliferation of computers and networks makes it very easy to check your email, chat with friends or even balance your checkbook from just about anywhere.
That being said, lurking in the back of your mind as you reach for the mouse on one of these machines is (or should be) a fundamental question, “Can someone else steal my information if I use this computer?”
The answer is “YES”.
Since you cannot know what software or hardware has been installed on these computers, it is impossible to be 100% sure that someone has not installed something that will capture your user name and password, or your account information. Any computer that you do not own or control should be treated as if it is infected with viruses and other malicious programs, and should never be trusted. Only use a computer other than your own in dire circumstances.
For additional Online Safety go to our website at www.nepafcu.org.
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