Newsletter
Summer 2009
NE PA Community Federal Credit Union is proud to announce our newest recession-beating program. We call it the "Right Car, Right Rate, Ray Price" program. You'll call it a great idea. It's a ground breaking cooperative agreement between NE PA Community Federal Credit Union and the Ray Price Family of Dealerships. For more than 95 years, the Ray Price Dealerships have been a trusted local business, employing local people, working hard to maintain the highest level of customer service. Their values are the same as ours. That's why NE PA Community Federal Credit Union chose to partner with Ray Price.
The "Right Car, Right Rate, Ray Price" program is designed to save YOU money in two very big ways. This unique automotive financing program provides our valued members with special discount finance rates as low as 4.25% APR* AND exclusive discounts on new and used vehicles (2006 and newer) purchased from The Ray Price Family of Dealerships; discounts that are only extended to NE PA Community Federal Credit Union members. That means that as a member, you are GUARANTEED added discounts on vehicles that non-members simply cannot get. You save both on the price of the vehicle you choose and the monthly finance rate. Now that's a better way to bank.
Credit Unions are among the most stable financial institutions in America today, and your NE PA Community Federal Credit Union is committed to helping our members save as much money as possible. The "Right Car, Right Rate, Ray Price" consumer automotive incentive program is being created to help NE PA FCU members during these trying economic times. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better than exclusive discounts on a shiny new ride from the well-respected Ray Price Family of Dealerships, we are also offering participating members special finance rates as low as 4.25% APR* when you finance your purchase through NE PA Community Federal Credit Union.
Be sure to visit our Web site and www.raypricecars.com, during July and August for program details. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, today is the day to buy! Take advantage of this exclusive program before time runs out.
*APR -Annual Percentage Rate. The loan approval process is part of our Risk-Based Lending Program. Your rate will be determined by your credit history and term of the loan. Th e rate featured is for qualifi ed borrowers. Rate subject to change without notice.
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Truly Free Checking
We have always given members the best value in checking. Although other financial institutions claim to offer free checking, it is not always free. Take a look at what we offer and compare this to your current account:
• No Monthly Service Charges
• No Minimum Balance
• No Per Check Charge
• Earn Dividends On All Balances
• First 150 Checks Free
• Free Online Banking
• Free Online Bill Payer
• Free Visa Check Card with
unlimited point of sale transactions
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Senior to Senior
by Dorthy Fox
In this economy, it is difficult to make the dollar stretch far enough whether you are still working or already enjoying retirement. One of the suggestions that was previously made in another Senior to Senior article (Winter 2009 Straight Talk) was to find a part-time job after retiring. This will allow you to learn new things, meet new people, know what's going on in your community, and it will also give you some extra financial support. A couple of months after retiring from the credit union, I started working part-time for our local library. I learned a great deal about what the library offers to its patrons and how the library can save us all money.
At most libraries you can borrow books, audio books, cassettes, music CD's, and DVD's, and most can provide internet access as well. All of this is FREE OF CHARGE unless, of course, you are late returning the materials you borrow or lose your library card. Patrons can read area newspapers, as well as read the latest magazines. 
Most libraries have their own websites where you can find a wealth of information. If the library doesn't have what you are looking for, they can borrow it from another library. There are wonderful programs offered regularly for all ages such as children's story time, beginning internet classes, and general topics of interest. Again, all of this is FREE OF CHARGE. What a great way to meet new people and learn new things. The librarians at the reference desk can answer a variety of questions and help you find whatever you are looking for. I was amazed to find what services are offered. Of course, every area library has its own offerings and fees. I encourage you to drop by your local library to find out how you can utilize their services and start saving money. Why "buy" when you can "borrow"? And if you want to buy, most libraries sell some of the books and other items donated by others. Often there is an annual book sale that will save you a great deal of money if you want to "buy" instead of "borrow". This is your tax dollars at work. Enjoy every penny and start saving.
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Online Banking Myths
The most common myth about Internet banking is that simply accessing online accounts is a sure fire way to get your money stolen. While there are no guarantees that criminal activity against your account will not occur in the electronic world, the same applies to armed robbery of your local brick and mortar financial institution in the real world. Both types of crimes affect your financial institution and your money.
There are safeguards in place at financial institutions that should help to alleviate any concerns. First, the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) or the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insures deposits at most credit unions and banks. These agencies are responsible for ensuring that financial institutions under their watch operate in a safe manner and are protecting the personal information of their clients.
So what can you do to make yourself safe while you are using the Internet for financial transactions? First, avoid clicking web page links sent to you in emails and other online media that appear to come from your financial institution. Your financial institution will provide you with their website address and you should manually type that address into the browser when you wish to connect. Second, before you enter your user-id and password as a login, make sure that the connection is encrypted. Third, do not access a financial institution's website from computers that you do not control. Since you are not the owner of the computer, you may not know how current the anti-virus software is, if the computer has a Trojan backdoor or key logger program installed, or if other problems exist. Also, remember that browsers may keep a cached copy of web transactions.
Keep in mind that nothing in life is without risk, but Internet banking has evolved into a viable, secure means of performing routine business transactions. With proper care on the part of both the institution and the client, it can be a safe and rewarding experience. Visit www.nepafcu.org for more details.
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Pictured left to right: Dr. Jerrold Fritz - 1st member of the credit union,
Jonathan Donaghy - 10,000th member of the credit union, David Piatt - Chairperson of the Board.
Highlights of 49th Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meetings have always been an uplifting experience. It is possible that the reason is the reports have contained positive feedback about continued successes of the credit union, or the magnificent entertainment, or the great food, or the door prizes, or the humor provided by Chairman David J. Piatt - and possibly all of the above. This year was no exception. The 49th Annual Meeting was held at the Pocono Inn Towne, better known to us as "Brownie's", on April 22, 2009 with 69 members present.
Following the exceptional buffet and entertainment provided by the Stroudsburg High School Show Choir, Chairman Piatt delivered his report which dealt with a review of data which illustrated the strength and stability of the credit union. President/CEO Mark T. Filbert's report reflected on the fact that we are in the worst economy since the Great Depression, and he provided insights about how we were dealing with it. Of special interest was the implementation of a Member Relationship Management (MRM) System during the past year. A report of the Supervisory Committee and the Annual Loan Summary Report were also provided.
The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Diane "Debbie" Piatt in recognition of her ongoing service to the credit union, and the Dr. Alfred D. Sumberg Founders Award was presented to Dorothy A. Fox for her long-standing dedication and leadership to both the credit union and the credit union movement.
Elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors were Dr. Jerrold E. Fritz, Louis J. Vento, Sr., Todd W. Weitzmann, and William H. Weitzmann. Appointed to the Supervisory Committee were Paul Kayatta, Trudy Piatt, Rose Robacker, Raymond Schweisguth, and Amanda Smith.
The "laugh meter" reached its peak during the awarding of door prizes through our beloved humorist, Chairman David Piatt. You never know what the next funny remark will be. The only constant is the fact that he gets better and better as the evening progresses. You won't want to miss the Annual Meeting next year because it will be our GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY! Mark your calendars now. April 27, 2010 will be the big day at a location to be announced.
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If You Are Traveling, Let Us Know
For your protection, all transactions on your Visa Credit Card and Visa Check Card are monitored to determine if the transactions are within the locations where you usually shop. For example, if you normally use your card in Pennsylvania, but a transaction takes place in China, the transaction may not be approved. Please let us know about your travel plans outside of the area so that we can make a notation on your account. Call (570) 421-5585, option 3. Remember, your credit union has American Express Travelers Cheques and Foreign Currency Services available for your travel needs.
Discount Tickets
Members who have caused a Stay cool and save up to $40.00 for selected theme park admission tickets this summer. Don't wait in lines when you could be enjoying the fun. Stop by the credit union instead. We have discounted tickets for the following amusement parks:
• Dorney Park and Wildwater
Kingdom
• Camelbeach
• Six Flags Great Adventure
Holiday Closings
• Saturday, July 4, 2009 Independence Day
• Monday, September 7, 2009 Labor Day
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Work or Pay Stoppage Loan
Recent publicity about Pennsylvania's difficulty passing a budget by the July 1, 2009 deadline is causing some concern among persons employed by the Commonwealth – and rightfully so. State employees will probably be expected 
to work at their jobs, and not be paid until the budget is passed because the operation of the state government must continue. This confronts state workers with the very real possibility that they may miss a paycheck or more in the process. How do you pay your bills, buy the necessities like gas, food, medical supplies and treatment, without your regular pay?
This is where your credit union steps in with its Work or Pay Stoppage Loan. Members of our credit union become eligible for this loan on the first day that a work or pay stoppage occurs, and there is assurance that work and pay will continue once the reason for the problem is resolved. This is essentially a no-interest loan that can be taken on the member's net pay for a maximum period of two months. The credit union advances the funds to the members who will repay them when they receive their makeup checks. It is basically a replacement check that the members can use until they receive their pay. And, this is at no interest charge to the members, providing it is repaid within 30 days after the work or pay stoppage ends. Finance charges at the prevailing rate will begin after the 30-day period has ended.
This is one more example of the many ways in which your credit union membership is helping you with the very real problems you encounter each day. Without question it is a BETTER WAY TO BANK!
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Dormant Account Alert
All member accounts with no activity for two years will be classified as dormant. Credit union policy allows for a maintenance fee of $5.00 per year to be assessed on dormant accounts. The state's Deposition of Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Law requires all financial institutions, including credit unions, to report all abandoned and unclaimed property in their possession for five years or more from the date it was first abandoned. The money in those accounts that have been dormant for five years will be turned over to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. How can you avoid having your account classified as dormant? Simply make a deposit or withdrawal and you can avoid this maintenance fee. Contact us if you have any questions
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Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Drive-Thru Hours of Operations
Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tel. 570.421.5585 Fax 570.421.5288
NE PA Loan by Phone
Tel. 877.421.5585
www.nefafcu.org
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