CREDITViews FALL Inside: WE RE HERE FOR YOU 24/7 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE MEMBERS OF COLUMBUS METRO FEDERAL UNION

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1 FOR THE MEMBERS OF COLUMBUS METRO FEDERAL UNION CREDITViews CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Credit unions are member-owned cooperatives, and this is your chance to participate in the democratic process. We are currently accepting nominations to fill three positions on our board of directors. To be considered, you must be, at a minimum, a credit union member in good standing and willing to serve on a volunteer basis. You should be able to dedicate a few hours each month to board activities, including a meeting during regular business hours. To apply, send your résumé or a brief summary of your qualifications to: WE RE HERE FOR YOU 24/7 At Columbus Metro, we are committed to providing outstanding service for our members and constantly seek out new ways to improve the quality and efficiency of that service. To that end, we made a few changes to our call center recently. We have partnered with PSCU, a credit union service organization that offers professional call center resources to other credit unions, to help improve our overall level of service for members. PSCU s team of seasoned member service agents assist in answering calls and processing more general account transactions such as balance inquiries and transfers, which reduces call wait times and enhances service throughout our call center. This transition began in late July, but we continue to work closely with our staff and PSCU to ensure that our members needs are being met. Here s what our partnership with PSCU means for you: Extended service hours Member calls are now answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Shorter wait time Calls are answered promptly, even during the busiest times of the month. More meaningful assistance With the added resources for basic calls, Columbus Metro staff can dedicate more time to members calling with complex issues and provide more in-depth and personalized service. Same great service PSCU is a trusted and experienced partner, cooperatively owned by credit unions, with standards and principles that are aligned with ours. We value your membership and hope you are pleased with our solution. Nominating Committee Columbus Metro FCU PO Box Columbus, OH FALL 2016 Applications must be received by November 4, 2016, to be considered. Inside: The Benefits Of Physical Activity E-statements Save Time And Money Before You Buy A Home International Credit Union Day

2 KEY RATES Super Money Market $20,000 minimum % APY $50,000 or more % APY 6 Month Share or IRA Certificate $1,000 minimum % APY 12 Month Share or IRA Certificate $500 minimum % APY 15 Month Share or IRA Certificate $500 minimum % APY Allows deposits of $250 or more 36 Month Share or IRA Certificate $500 minimum % APY 60 Month Share or IRA Certificate $500 minimum % APY Education Growth Fund Certificate $250 minimum % APY Vehicle Loan (2015 to 2017) As low as %* Up to 72 months Vehicle Loan (2011 to 2014) As low as %* Up to 66 months Vehicle Loan (20010 & older) As low as %* Up to 60 months Credit Cards Visa Platinum % APR* Home Equity Loan Fixed Rate As low as % APR* Up to 180 months Home Equity Line of Credit Redi-Line % APR First Mortgages Contact Jenniffer McNamee at ext or jmcnamee@columbusmetro.org Rates current as of 9/27/16 and subject to change without notice. See a Member Services Representative for full details. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Loans made subject to standard loan approval guidelines. *The rate you pay may vary based on your credit history and/or loan-to-value ratio. Excess Share THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY If you are not sure about becoming active or boosting your level of physical activity because you re afraid of getting hurt, the good news is that moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking, is generally safe for most people. Start slowly. Cardiac events, such as a heart attack, are rare during physical activity. But the risk does go up when you suddenly become much more active than usual. For example, you can put yourself at risk if you don t usually get much physical activity and then all of the sudden do vigorousintensity aerobic activity, like shoveling snow. That is why it is important to start slowly and gradually increase your level of activity. If you have a chronic health condition such as arthritis, diabetes or heart disease, talk with your doctor to find out if your condition limits your ability to be active. Then, work with them to come up with a physical activity plan that matches your abilities. What is important is that you avoid being inactive. Even 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is good for you. The bottom line: The health benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks. SAVE MONEY THROUGH BETTER HEALTH Lowering your health care costs is an easy way to save thousands of dollars each year. 1. Quit smoking. The average smoker in Ohio spends $2,071 annually on cigarettes and related products. What s more, smokers spend an extra $3,026 per year on health care as a direct result of their smoking. (Source: 2. Eat healthier. A diet with fewer processed foods helps you build a better immune system and control your weight a leading cause of Type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes spend 2.3 times more on health care costs from the disease and its complications - $13,700 more per year, with $7,900 directly attributed to the cost of insulin, testing and more frequent doctor visits. (Source: 3. Get moving. Adding just 20 minutes of daily exercise can literally save you money by helping you control your weight. Obese adults spend 42% more each year on healthcare costs, while those who are morbidly obese (100 lbs. or more over ideal body weight) spend 81% more. (Source: Insurance Federally insured by NCUA

3 E-STATEMENTS SAVE TIME AND MONEY The best thing about technology is its ability to save us time, money and effort. E-statements do all three. Need to balance your checkbook or verify transactions? E-statements are delivered days faster than traditional paper statements, so you don t have to wait. Eliminate the need to securely store or shred and dispose of old paper statements. E-statements are available online through MetroWeb, our secure online banking site. You ll never have to pay for statement copies. You ll have access to 12 months of statements, and you can save or print them for future reference. Coming in 2017: Electronic tax forms Many members have asked whether they can get their tax forms electronically. Starting with tax year 2016, the answer is Yes! If you re signed up for e-statements when tax forms are generated in 2017, you ll receive a notification when your forms are available online. You can access them the same way you view your e-statements. If you already use MetroWeb, it s easy to sign up for e-statements simply click on the E-statements tab and follow the prompts to enroll. If you re not using MetroWeb yet, you can register online through the link on the login screen or call or ext and one of our member services representatives will be glad to assist you. BEAT THE RUSH WITH THESE HOLIDAY DEALS Tradition may say that the best deals are found on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but price watchers say that Thanksgiving Day offers some of the best deals online especially for jewelry. Sneak away while everyone else is napping or watching the football game and visit some of your favorite retailers for a day of markdowns. Other revelations the price reductions start the Monday BEFORE Thanksgiving for electronics. While most spending takes place on Friday and Monday, you don t have to wait to start saving. Like all holiday shopping, do your research ahead of time so you know the regular costs of the items you are buying, and have your budget ready to stay on track. It s easy to get carried away whether you re shopping online or at the mall. Stick to your plan and finish your list without going into the red. BONUS POINTS: Be sure to use your Columbus Metro Visa Platinum when you shop this holiday season. You ll earn 2x points on all purchases* from November 1 through December 31, From everyday purchases, like fuel and groceries, to all your holiday needs, like Thanksgiving dinner and holiday gifts, your purchases will really pay off. *Qualifying transactions must earn at least one point. Balance transfers and cash advances do not earn points. Returns do not qualify. Bonus points will post at various times during the qualifying period.

4 Buying a home is a big commitment. It can be rewarding, of course, but you don t want to make a big mistake by buying before you re ready. BY FAX Here are a few things you should think about: 1. Don t consider your home as part of your assets. It s where you and your family live, not an investment. BY cmfcu@columbusmetro.org 2. A home isn t liquid. Even in a good market, selling may take longer than you expect. If your future includes a job move or major changes to your family, consider not buying until your situation is more stable. 3. Review your mortgage qualifications and credit history before you start looking so you know exactly what conditions, rates and challenges you may be facing. 4. Don t forget to include insurance costs in your housing budget, especially if private mortgage insurance is required by the lender (which is usually the case for FHA or low down payment loans). 5. If you already own a home, sell it first (unless you can easily afford two mortgages). Yes, it s tempting to start looking but you don t want to find the house of your dreams and then lose out because your house hasn t sold. Selling your existing home first can put you in a stronger position when you do get ready to buy it might be just the advantage you need to win a bidding war on your dream home. If you decide that you are ready for homeownership, give us a call. Our experienced mortgage specialist, Jenniffer McNamee, can help you explore the various options and find the loan that s right for you. You can reach Jenniffer at or ext or jmcnamee@columbusmetro.org. BY MAIL P.O. Box Columbus, OH VISIT US 4000 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH E. Main St. Reynoldsburg, OH N. Hamilton Rd. Gahanna, OH DSCC Building 20 Room B110S DFAS Building 21 Room A HOUR SERVICES MetroWeb Bill Pay Support Visa Balance & Payment Inquiries Lost or Stolen Visa Lost or Stolen Debit MasterCard CONTACT US BEFORE YOU BUY A HOME BY PHONE

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6 P.O. Box Columbus, OH Presorted STD U.S. Postage PAID WC HOLIDAY CLOSINGS CREDITViews VETERANS DAY Friday, November 11 THANKSGIVING DAY Thursday, November 24 CHRISTMAS DAY Saturday, December 24 Monday, December 26 NEW YEAR S DAY Monday, January 2 Cut the Hidden Costs of College Paying for college is a daunting undertaking. And tuition is just one of many costs associated with the whole college experience. Fortunately there are ways to save if you know where to look: Some schools will cover all or part of the travel costs associated with a campus visit, so be sure to ask. Income-eligible students may be able to get a waiver for ACT and SAT testing fees as well as college application fees. Your alma mater may offer an application fee waiver for your son or daughter. Regional student exchange programs allow students to attend schools in nearby states while paying in-state tuition rates. Consider living at home instead of on campus. Or attend community college for a couple of years before transferring to a four-year school. If you don t live at home, share your housing expenses with one or more roommates. Don t forget to look for scholarships that cover extras like books or board. Consider working on campus through your school s work-study program or by serving as a resident advisor. A good education doesn t have to break the bank. If you do need help paying for expenses not covered by scholarships and federal loans, you may want to consider the Smart Option Student Loan by Sallie Mae. To learn more or apply, visit