Summer 2018 CommonInterest Your Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union quarterly newsletter Introducing the MSGCURewards Card CASH BACK TRAVEL MERCHANDISE Born from a passion for rewarding members. Introducing the all-new MSGCU Rewards Visa, created with our members' best interests in mind. With an MSGCU Rewards card, you will earn points for every purchase you make. What s more, we let you pick your passion when it comes to rewards, including travel, premium merchandise or simply cash back. The choice and the rewards are yours! Learn more inside. What s Inside Checking accounts made easy Member satisfaction rating Advancing financial literacy Mortgage estatements
Summer season brings bright new ways to serve you. Porch swing or lawn chair? The simple decisions of a Michigan summer are well-deserved. At Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union, we provide a breath of fresh air with a growing number of member benefits. We are dedicated to finding new ways to make managing your finances as rewarding and as easy as possible. I am happy to introduce our all-new MSGCU Rewards Visa card. Like all things MSGCU, it s about rewarding members and providing the best possible value. We know that this card has been on members wish lists and we hope you are one of the first to apply in-branch this month. We are humbled with news of our continued 97% member satisfaction rating for another year. It makes our work more meaningful when we know we are serving your needs appropriately. Serving members has been our purpose for more than sixty years beginning in our home, Macomb County. I would like to extend our support and congratulations on the recent Macomb County Bicentennial Celebration, quite a milestone and a community we are proud to be a significant part of. Thank you for your commitment to MSGCU. We will continue to show our appreciation by putting you first in everything we do. Sincerely, Peter D. Gates President/CEO Our decade-long 97% member satisfaction rating continues. With the completion of our annual member survey, we are humbled to receive another 97% member satisfaction rating this year. Thank you to all of our members. It is truly our privilege to serve you. We appreciate knowing you are happy banking at MSGCU and look forward to creating more financial success with you. Give your Friends the gift of 97% satisfaction Earn cash rewards simply by referring new members. Think of all the family, friends and neighbors you could help by referring them to MSGCU. You know they ll appreciate our great rates, minimal fees and full line of financial products from checking to investments, loans to savings options. Plus, you ll earn cash rewards too! To learn more about our Member Referral Program, ask about it in-branch, go to msgcu.org/member-referral, or call 866.674.2848. refer your friends and family Earn $5 for yourself and your referral when they open a membership. Earn $25 for yourself and your referral when they take out an auto loan of $5,000 or more. Earn $100 for yourself and your referral when they close on a mortgage.
Miami, mixer or moolah reward your way! Unlike store cards, airline cards or many bank cards, the MSGCU Rewards Visa gives you the freedom to choose your rewards. Earn points on every purchase and redeem them for 1% cash back, exciting travel options, or brand-name gifts. With the MSGCU Rewards card, you re assured the best-in-class features you've come to expect from MSGCU. No annual fee Points never expire No rotating categories Low variable rate No redemption fees Issued instantly at all MSGCU branches And right now, earn up to 5,000 bonus points. Open your MSGCU Rewards Visa before September 29 to earn 2,500 points when you make your first purchase of $25 or more. Make 10 purchases to earn an additional 2,500 points that s up to 5,000 bonus points! Just be sure to make your purchases within 40 days of receiving your new MSGCU Rewards card. Need groceries? Use the card. Need gas? Use the card. You ll earn one point for every dollar you spend, plus up to 5,000 bonus points.* Commit to paying your balance monthly and you ll be using your credit wisely it s a win-win. What will you do with your rewards? Redeem your points for 1% cash back or premium merchandise and travel experiences through ScoreCard. Browse the online catalog for thousands of items from trusted companies like Dyson, Apple, and Weber, plus unbelievable vacation getaways, valuable services, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We are continually updating our reward options so you'll have the latest and greatest rewards to choose from. You'll have so much fun searching for rewards and creating your own personal wish list that you'll be visiting often. Plus, with our ScoreMore program, you can earn extra points by shopping at participating merchants you love. Apply today! Get your MSGCU Rewards Visa today. Call 866.674.2848, go to msgcu.org/rewards, or visit your local MSGCU branch to apply. When it comes to rewards, we let you pick your passion The goal was to create a better rewards card, one that s uniquely MSGCU in its value to members. Our rewards card is easy. Earn points on your everyday purchases and redeem points for rewards that best suit you. Phil Cooper, Chief Lending Officer * Available for MSGCU Rewards Visas opened before 9/29/2018. Subject to credit approval. Complete the following within 40 days of account opening to earn up to 5,000 points: 2,500 points with the first purchase of $25 of more and 2,500 points after the first 10 purchases. Bonus points will be awarded within 90 days of completion. For details, go to msgcu.org/disclosures/promo, visit a branch, or call 866.674.2848.
MSGCU Scholarship honorees inspire us all. Congratulations to these high-achieving individuals who will no doubt help to shape and define our future. At MSGCU, we are proud to support their many talents and achievements as part of our 2018 Scholarship Program. In all, 31 scholarships of $2,500 each were awarded to high school seniors, college students studying education, and current educators. MSGCU recently congratulated the honorees at a special reception. Every one of these students and educators received a scholarship because they ve worked hard to achieve high goals, said Lorie Dietz, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. Their achievements inspire us and their potential encourages us. All of us at MSGCU are honored to contribute to their success. To see the complete list of 2018 MSGCU Scholarship honorees, please visit msgcuscholarships.org. We place a high value on education and educators. Advancing financial literacy where it matters most. Our Consumer Education team works on the road, bringing financial education to schools, youth groups, library clubs and more. Our presentations cover various financial topics to help students of all ages and learning styles understand how to manage money wisely. Students love the real-world approach, while educators love the critical thinking teaching method. What's more, we provide all learning materials at no cost. Topics include: Introduction to Credit Cards Credit Reports and Scores Checking Account Management Credit Unions and Banks Checks and Registers Financial Jeopardy Other topics are available and we can customize a presentation for your group. Last year, our financial education programs reached more than 4,000 students in 30 schools in Oakland, Macomb and Western Wayne counties. If you're interested in bringing our financial education programs to your group, email us at workshops@msgcu.org or request a presentation at msgcu.org/classroom-presentations. We'll be in touch to discuss your request in detail. Classroom Cash Grants returns just in time for school. School may be out, but we know teachers are always dreaming of ways to improve their classrooms. The MSGCU Classroom Cash Grant program begins this September. Be sure to check classroomcash.org in mid-august for more details. You could be awarded up to $750 to make your classroom plans a reality.
We make checking easy to switch and easier to love. We get it. Switching your checking account takes time. Yet, staying with a typical bank checking account costs more literally hundreds of dollars in fees over time. We did the math: average fees for a typical bank checking account are about $101 a year. Multiply this by 10, 20 or 30 years and it s easy to see why banks love fees. Giving you more starts with taking less Thankfully, MSGCU isn t a bank. We are memberowned and not-for-profit, which is why an MSGCU checking account is an exceptional value. And from now through October 31, you can earn $175 for switching to and using an MSGCU checking account. Getting your $175 is easy! Fee Overdraft Transfer Protection Average Bank Fee $7.83* Overdrafts $33.38** Average Consumer Cost 3 per year = $23.50 3 per year = $100.14 ($10 savings) MSGCU Helps Save you Money Optional transfer protection helps you avoid overdrafts, one free transfer per month. Optional Courtesy Pay available for $30 per item. 3 per year = $90.00 It all starts with opening an MSGCU checking account and following these easy steps: Out-of- Network ATM $4.69** 12 per year = $56.28 Access to nearly 30,000 free ATMs, four free out-of-network ATM transactions per month. 1. Make a one-time deposit of at least $100 within 7 days of opening your account. Service Fee Due to Low Balance $5.84** 2 per year = $11.68 No minimum balance. No monthly service fee. 2. Complete 20 purchases with your new MSGCU Debit card within 60 days. 3. Sign up for estatements and Online Banking. 4. Set up your direct deposit of $100 or more to your new checking account within 60 days. $175 + BONUS $101 ANNUAL SAVINGS = $276 FIRST YEAR VALUE WITH MSGCU CHECKING All the reasons you're going to love your new checking account. No monthly fees No per-check fees No minimum balance requirement Free 24/7 Online, Mobile, and Text Banking Free Direct Deposit and Payroll Deduction Free use at nearly 30,000 ATMs nationwide Free bill pay service Many ways to contact us when you need help estatements available We ll help you make the switch. Our Member Service Representatives will help you close and reorganize automated functions associated with your old checking account just ask! Visit us at any branch or open your checking account online at msgcu.org/checking. As always, it s our goal to serve you better. * Calculated average using available bank fee schedules including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co., Citigroup Inc., U.S. Bancorp, and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. **Source: Bankrate 2017 checking account survey; bankrate.com/banking/checking/checking-account-survey. See MSGCU s Fee Schedule for a complete list of fees; msgcu.org/feeschedule. Available for regular checking accounts opened between 5/1/2018 and 10/31/2018; limited to one incentive per member. The $175 incentive will be paid when the member completes all of the following: qualify for and open a regular checking account and ATM/Debit card; within 7 days of opening, make an initial deposit of $100 or more in the account; within 60 days, enroll in and receive one direct deposit (minimum $100) to the new account, sign up for estatements and Online Banking, and use the account s issued Debit card for 20 purchases. Members must not currently have a checking account or have closed a regular checking account as of 4/1/2018 or later. Account must remain open for 6 months.
Buying a new home? Consider an MSGCU Mortgage. A new home usually means an exciting life stage getting married, a growing family, retiring it can be both invigorating and challenging for members. I love helping members discover the best mortgage option for their life milestones. Mortgage Consultant Heba H. has been proudly helping our members into new homes for 17 years. Ask about our down payment options as low as 3% If you re in the market for a mortgage, even if you already have a quote from a mortgage broker or banker, a second opinion from a trusted resource could save you thousands of dollars. Save up to $825* in closing costs. Closing costs can vary widely among lenders. At MSGCU, we have low closing costs with an opportunity to go even lower. Here s how: 1. Attend our Homebuyers Workshop and get a coupon toward a free appraisal: Save up to $375! 2. Apply for a mortgage by October 31 and we'll waive the underwriting fee: Save $450! Enjoy your new home and keep $825 in your wallet! MSGCU Mortgage Consultants are available in branches, by phone at 866.674.2848, and online at msgcu.org/mortgage. * The up to $825 incentive includes: 1) waiver of $450 underwriting fee for all mortgages applied for between 6/1/2018 and 10/31/2018, and 2) coupon toward a free appraisal (up to $375) when attending a free Homebuyers Workshop prior to closing. Appraisal coupon credit will be applied at the time of closing. To register for an upcoming Homebuyers Workshop, visit msgcu.org/homebuyers. Coming Soon Electronic statements for Mortgages. Members with an MSGCU Mortgage already enrolled in regular estatements will be conveniently auto-enrolled into mortgage estatements when they become available in August. If you have not yet signed up for estatements but are interested in the convenience they offer, learn more by visiting msgcu.org/estatements. Automated banking by phone gets a new name. Beginning this summer, Member Connect will be known as MSGCU Phone Banking. To learn more about our phone banking services, visit msgcu.org/phone-banking. Holiday Closings Independence Day Wednesday, July 4 Labor Day Monday, September 3 Visit a branch Find your nearest branch at msgcu.org/locations Mon Wed: 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Thu Fri: 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Sat: 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Find us online It's easy to keep in touch. Visit msgcu.org/contact-us Live Chat: msgcu.org/chat Mon Fri: 8 a.m. 8 p.m. Sat: 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Give us a call Phone: 586.263.8800 Toll Free: 866.674.2848 Mon Wed: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Thu: 8 a.m. 6 p.m. Fri: 8 a.m. 7 p.m. Sat: 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Insured by NCUA.