Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency In the Spotlight Bonnie Houck Bonnie joined Sidney Federal Credit Union in August of 2002 as a Service Representative in the Market Street, Oneonta office. In April of 2005, she accepted the position of Member Service Representative in the Bainbridge office. In September of 2006 she accepted the position of Member Service Representative/Loan Coordinator, once again in the Market Street, Oneonta office. In 2009, Bonnie was Home Equity Loan Promotion Be the architect of your finances with a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit from Sidney Federal Credit Union! SFCU is waiving closing costs through April 30 th, 2011. Whether it s $7,500 or $100,000 we can finance the amount you need. We offer a Line of Credit with introductory rates as low as 2.25% APR until January 1, 2012, then variable rates as low as prime +0.50%. (Current Prime rate 3.25% APR) Additional discounts available when you have 4 or more active services see us for details. Home Equity Loan fixed rates are as low as 5.25% APR. We offer the flexibility you choose the term to meet your needs and budget WE CAN HELP! 4 NEWSLINE Spring 2011 HOURS OF OPERATION DRIVE-UP Stop in or call any of SFCU s eight convenient branch office locations and let our experienced loan staff help you use the equity in your home for your home projects, college education, kitchen remodel etc. LOBBY AND LOAN DEPT.* (Teller Line) Mon. Fri. Sat. Mon. Wed., Fri Thu. Sat. Bainbridge 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Greene 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Norwich 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Oneonta 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Sidney 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Mon., Tues., Thurs Fri. Mon., Tues., Thurs Fri. Sat. Hancock 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Wed. Sat. Wed. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Mon. Fri. Sat. Mon. Thurs Fri. Sat. Walton 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON *Loan Departments that close at 4:30 PM will remain open from 4:30 PM 6:00 PM by appointment only. ART (Audio Response Teller) Local: (607) 561-SFCU (7328) Toll Free: 1-877-642-SFCU (7328) Visit us at: www.sfcuonline.org promoted to the position of Loan Officer, the position she currently holds. Bonnie resides in Sidney with her husband of 20 years, Jay. They have four girls, Christina age 19, Ashley age 17, Jennifer age 13 and Bryanna age 12. The family loves to go camping in the summer and have BBQ s with friends and family. She has two dogs, Max and KC. Bonnie has been the Treasurer for the MacDonald Hose Auxiliary since 2002. She also teaches sixth grade Religious Education classes at Sacred Heart Church in Sidney. The following are areas of service within the credit union, where Bonnie participates: New Employee Training Committee, and Product and Services Training Committee. Holiday Closings May 28, 2011 Saturday before Memorial Day closed ALL day May 30, 2011 Monday of Memorial Day closed ALL day Sidney Federal Credit Union James A. Doig... President/CEO Board of Directors James Suriano...Chairperson Wayne King...Vice Chairperson James Doi...Treasurer Scott McLean... Secretary Bruce Wilhelm...Director Carol Bishop...Director Kelley Eckmair...Director Supervisory Committee James Guerriere...Chairperson Joseph Bianchi... Secretary Dan Bartz...Member Michele McFee...Member Kyle Westcott...Member Editor Elise M. Glassett...Marketing Specialist The Membership Newsletter of Sidney Federal Credit Union NEWSLINE National Wear Red Day 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President/CEO...2 Account numbers, passwords, security questions, oh my!...2 Money Orders at Your Credit Union...2 Hometown Day Parade...3 National Credit Union Youth Week...3 91 Years of Combined Service in our Collection Department...3 Rates & Terms...3 In The Spotlight...4 Home Equity Loan Promotion...4 Holiday Closings...4 Hours of Operation...4 Sidney Federal Credit Union...4 As of February 28, 2011 Total Members: 46,860 Total Assets: $326,155,839.66 The SFCU Body-n-Soul 4 Life Committee encouraged staff to support The American Heart Association during National Wear Red Day in an effort to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke. Pictured: Some of the Sidney headquarters staff. NCUA Spring 2011 NEWSLINE 1
SFCU Dedicated to Superior Service, Anytime, Anywhere FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO All Federal Benefits Will Be Paid Electronically, Don t Delay: Sign up now! Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced a new rule requiring all federal benefit and nontax payments to be paid electronically. People applying for Social Security, Veterans benefits or other federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will receive their payments electronically starting with their first payment. People currently receiving federal benefit checks will need to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013. People already receiving benefit payments electronically do not need to take action. They will continue to receive their payment as usual on the payment day. People who do not choose an electronic payment option at the time they apply for federal benefits or who do not switch by the deadline will receive their benefit payments via the Direct Express Debit MasterCard card, so they will not experience any interruption in payment. The Direct Express card is a prepaid debit card for federal benefit payments. James A. Doig Account numbers, passwords, security questions oh my! Did you know when you call the 1-877-642-SFCU (7328) phone number, you are connected to someone in our Member Service Center? In order for our staff to assist you, you will need to have your account number and password available. If you don t have a password on your account, you will be asked other security questions. We ask you for this information, so we can verify the person on the other end of the phone is you and to protect your personal account information. Getting your payment electronically is safer and more reliable than by paper check. In 2010, more than 540,000 Treasury-issued checks were reported lost or stolen. With direct deposit, the Treasury Department sends an electronic message to your credit union account on your usual payment day with the exact amount of your benefit payment from Social Security, VA or other federal agency. You don t have to worry about your money being stolen out of your mailbox and there s no need to make a trip to cash or deposit a check. Your money is on time, every time. Plus, it s better for the environment and saves taxpayer dollars. Applying for federal benefits soon? Go direct from day one! If you are applying for federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, you will need to get your money electronically from day one. Be ready to choose direct deposit at the time you apply for benefits. To get your money through direct deposit, here are three things you will need to know: The type of account you have (checking or savings) Your Sidney Federal Credit Union nine-digit routing transit number 221379905 Your Sidney Federal Credit Union checking or savings account number Receiving federal benefit checks? Make the switch today. You must switch to direct deposit by March 1, 2013. But why wait? Don t delay ask for electronic payments today and start getting your money the safer, more convenient way. It s easy: Visit your local Sidney Federal Credit Union branch to set up your direct deposit, Sign up online at www.godirect.org or Call the Treasury Department s Go Direct campaign helpline at (800) 333-1795 Have your Sidney Federal Credit Union account information and most recent benefit check on hand. Act now and get your money the safest, most reliable way. Sign up for direct deposit of your federal benefit payments today! For more information, visit www.godirect.org Money Orders at Your Credit Union Need a safe way to pay someone who doesn t take a credit card? Or have you ever taken up a cash collection for charity or for a co-worker s gift and felt awkward writing a personal check for the amount collected? Use a money order from Sidney Federal Credit Union! You can purchase money orders for a specified amount. They consist of two parts: the negotiable check to send to the designated payee and a receipt or stub that you can retain for your records. When you need a cost-effective, safe method of payment, a money order from SFCU is just the ticket. To purchase one, or for more information, stop by the credit union. Hometown Day Parade MINIMUM MINIMUM ANNUAL TYPE OF OPENING TO EARN DIVIDEND PERCENTAGE ACCOUNT BALANCE DIVIDEND RATE YIELD Main Share $6.00 $100.00.20%.20% $500.00.30%.30% $5,000.00.40%.40% Money Management $2,500.00 $2,500.00.40%.40% $5,000.00.60%.60% $10,000.00.80%.80% Term Share Certificates (Traditional IRA, Roth IRA Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts) SFCU- 23rd Annual SFCU Hometown Day Parade Sidney s 23 rd Annual Hometown Day Parade, sponsored by Sidney Federal Credit Union, will be held this year on Saturday, June 11, 2011. Last year over 100 units participated in the hour and a half long parade, while hundreds of spectators lined Main Street in Sidney. The first letter to past participants will be mailed shortly, and once again we anticipate a similar response as in previous years. Interested groups should contact the SFCU Marketing Department at (607) 561-7346, no later than May 6, 2011, to guarantee your spot in this event. SFCU RATES & TERMS PLEASE CALL CREDIT UNION FOR RATES AND TERMS Club Accounts None None.20%.20% (Christmas, Vacation, Tax) Health Savings Accounts $5.00 $100.00.50%.50% (Checking) $500.00 1.00% 1.00% $5,000.00 1.50% 1.51% Rates Effective as of March 1, 2011 LOANS RATES* TERMS New (2008-New) As low as 5.90% APR Up to 72 months** Used Auto (2003-2007) As low as 6.60% APR Up to 60 months** Secured Loans As low as 8.40% APR Up to 48 months (includes Major Purchases & Motorcycles) As low as 9.40% APR Up to 60 months Boat / RV Loans As low as 8.75% APR Up to 180 months Unsecured Loans As low as 8.25% APR Up to 36 months As low as 10.25% APR Up to 60 months Home Improvement As low as 8.95% APR Up to 36 months As low as 10.45% APR Up to 120 months Home Equity: Variable (promotional rate) As low as 2.25% APR 10 years Fixed (promotional rate) As low as 6.45% APR 12 years Mortgages: Variable As low as 4.40% APR 30 years Fixed As low as 5.40% APR 20 years VISA Card: Classic 13.9% APR Variable Gold 10.9% APR Variable Platinum 7.9% APR Variable SFCU ALSO OFFERS: Share Secured Loans, Overdraft Protection, Mobile Home Loans and Land Loans. *Your Annual Percentage Rate may vary depending on your credit score. ** Year and mileage restrictions may apply. Rates effective as of March 1, 2011 and subject to change. Some restrictions may apply. National Credit Union Youth Week This year, April 17-23, 2011 has been designated as National Credit Union Youth Week. The idea behind National Credit Union Youth Week is to encourage credit unions across the country to address the financial needs of those under the age of 18, beginning with the need for personal financial education. The overwhelming evidence is that many young people simply have a poor level of financial literacy. Credit unions have a unique bond with their members of all ages, but particularly with youth because our goals are service, not profit. Young people are not only current and future members, but are consumers who control billions of dollars. 91 Years of Combined Service in our Collection Department We consider the Collection Department at Sidney Federal Credit Union well versed in our members occasional setbacks. With 91 years of combined service, experience and financial education, we consider ourselves lucky and you should too! Difficult economic times and other factors such as job loss or a spouses unexpected death can sometimes make it difficult to make loan payments on time. The Collection Department at SFCU truly does care about our members circumstances and financial set-backs. They suggest our members call them before they are past due on a loan. They will talk to the member about the different options available, in order to keep the loan current. Our Collection Department s primary goal is to work with our members and keep their credit in good standing. You ve heard the saying, Bad things happen to good people our Collection Department understands that and wants to work with our members when their financial circumstances change. Please call us at 1-800-642-SFCU (7328) and ask for the Collection Department and let us help you become proactive with your financial responsibilities. 2 NEWSLINE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 NEWSLINE 3