WINTER 2018 The Financial Update A publication for the Members of Financial Plus Credit Union. curb the Winter blues With Our USED for NEW Auto Loan p3 Scorecard Rewards p6
What S new at FpcU? Four Fast Ways to Make Your Financial Life Better This Year 1) Set up Alerts Institutions like Financial Plus offer free text and e-mail alerts on account balance changes, withdrawals, deposits, cleared checks, loan payment due dates and more. These alerts are a great way to keep you aware of anything going on with your financial life. 2) Save a Portion of Your Paycheck Automatically Over 50% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings. That s not enough to cover the most basic of emergencies and often requires people to turn to credit cards or other financing when an emergency does arise. Saving doesn t have to be hard. Set up a portion of your check, even as little as 5% to automatically go into a savings account. Then, don t touch that savings and let it grow. 3) Cut Back on Dining Out This is not a new idea, yet every year, the average household continues to spend over $3,000 dining out. Not only can this choice affect your physical health, it can affect your financial health. If it seems impossible to give up all dining out, start with one. Make one day each week your day of no eating out. As a reward, consider putting that money in a Christmas Club or Vacation Club to be enjoyed in a more fun way later. 4) Review Your Credit Report What is on your credit report? You can review your credit for free up to three times yearly from the three major credit reporting agencies. The only source for truly free credit reports is at annualcreditreport.com. Don t fall for other sites that claim to offer free reports. They are trying to sell services such as fraud alerts, credit monitoring, and debt consolidation. BE IN THE KNOW... ALL THE TIME, AND TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR 2018 WITH HELP FROM YOUR CREDIT UNION! [2] Holiday Closings Monday, February 19 President's Day Friday, March 30 Good Friday - Open until Noon Loan rates and information available by calling any branch office or by logging on to www.financialplus.org. Federally Insured by NCUA.
With our USED FOR NEW Auto Loan! NOW Through February 28, 2018 RATES AS LOW AS *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Some restrictions apply. www.financialplus.org ASK US FOR DETAILS. Federally Insured by NCUA *APR Annual Percentage Rate. This offer is available to FPCU members. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change and based on credit worthiness, qualifications and collateral conditions. Loans subject to approval. [3]
From the president Tim O Donnell 2017 in review Financial Plus Credit Union had another exceptional year in 2017. Both gross and net income were outstanding, resulting in an increase to the credit union s reserves of over $3 million. Credit union reserves at year end were over $41,358,000.00. Asset growth was steady, growing 3.67% to over $310 million. Loans grew 3.56% to over $191 million. Our Morris and Diamond branches continue to have especially strong loan growth. While loan rates remain low, rates were starting to trend up toward the end of the year. Still the low rates continue to favor borrowers over savers. 2017 saw the introduction of the Owner Advantage Mortgage Program. This program allows members to buy a home with a lower down payment or to borrow more on an existing home than traditional mortgage programs. In 2017 we also introduced smart watch banking. You can now access your Financial Plus account with either your Apple or Android smart watch. Our financial literacy team continues to do a great job. Teaching our younger members good financial skills instills habits that will help them throughout their lives. Our Financial Literacy Program gave 87 presentations to over 2,722 students in 2017. We d like to thank our members for their continued support of Financial Plus Credit Union, and look forward to serving you in 2018. Meeting announcement FPcu s annual Meeting Financial Plus Credit Union s Annual Meeting will be held: Thursday, February 8, 5:15 p.m. at the Ottawa office. Members are invited to attend. If you would like a 2017 Annual Report, they are available at each office and on the Credit Union s website at www.financialplus.org. [4]
investments... Get Financially Fit Mark Witek, CFP & Steve Witek, CFP u.s. tax reform: Five Key Takeaways 1. What will the Tax Bill Mean for the U.S. Economy The tax bill is likely to stimulate U.S. economic growth in 2018 and 2019 through higher consumer and business spending. 2. How will Financial Markets React to the Legislation? With the corporate tax rate declining from 35% today to 21% under the current legislation, American companies are among the biggest winners in the federal tax reform movement. We determined that tax rate would, on average, translate into a 10% earnings boost for S&P 500 companies. 3. Under the Repatriation Provision, How Much Corporate Money Will Be Moving Back Into the U.S.? We estimate that U.S. companies operating overseas have amassed about $3.2 trillion on undistributed foreign earnings. 4. How Will Companies Use Their Repatriated Cash? Bonuses, wage increases, capital expenditures, dividend increases and stock buy backs will all be considered by the companies that benefit from the lower corporate tax rates. 5. What Does The Tax Plan Mean for Individuals? Most Americans will see a non-trivial tax cut starting in 2018. Generally speaking, families with incomes in the range of $50,000 to $60,000 a year will receive anywhere from $800 to $1,200 in tax relief next year. LPL Financial is a leader in providing comprehensive financial planning services. We can help you estimate what your savings and investing will be and assist you in setting up a retirement fund to provide the income you will need. As an FPCU member, you are eligible for a free no-obligation consultation with an LPL adviser. LPL Financial is a leader in providing comprehensive financial planning services. Schedule your free, no-obligation appointment with an LPL representative to discuss where you are today, where you hope to get to and how we can help you get back on track. Appointments can be made at FPCU in Ottawa, Peru, or Mendota. Call Financial Plus Credit Union today. *The guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer. Financial Advisers with, and Securities and Investment Services offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC and its affiliates. FPCU is not a registered broker/dealer and has a brokerage affiliate arrangement with LPL Financial. Investment Products are: Not FDIC/NCUA Insured Not Bank/Credit Union Guaranteed May Lose Value Not Guaranteed by any Government Agency Not a Bank/Credit Union Deposit [5]
announcements turbo tax online It s easier than ever to get your biggest possible refund with Turbo Tax. This program guides you through your taxes step by step, like a GPS and uncovers the latest deductions and credits based on your job, family and life. Simply log into FPCU s Online Banking and click on any of the TurboTax links. From there you ll be redirected to the Financial Plus Credit Union TurboTax page and save up to $15 on TurboTax Federal products. Start for free before 2/15/18 and be automatically entered for a chance to win $25,000. Turbo Tax guarantees 100% accurate calculations and your maximum refund. college scholarship applications $6000 to be given away! Applications are ready for pick-up at all five branch locations and on our FPCU website www.financialplus.org. All applications must be completed and returned by April 6, 2018. Financial Plus Credit Union will be awarding TEN $500 Scholarships and TEN $100 Buck s For Books Scholarships. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited College, University or Trade School for the 2018/2019 school year. Applicants need to be a primary member of Financial Plus Credit Union in good standing. College bound students, don t pass up this possible opportunity to earn cash for school expenses APPLY TODAY! scorecard rewards Financial Plus offers a great benefit with our VISA Credit Cards to reward you for all of your purchases. Receive points every time you make a purchase with your Financial Plus Credit Union VISA card and redeem your points for merchandise and more through www.scorecardrewards.com. To get started create your profile or log in to your existing account at www.scorecardrewards.com. [6]
credit Union news 2017 employees of the year We are pleased to announce the 2017 FPCU Employees of the Year. These employees were recently chosen by their co-workers as Employee of the Year from the various departments. A special award was given to the overall Employee of the Year. All of the award winners were chosen for their outstanding character and work performance in 2017. Award Winners Left to Right: Melisa Holding Morris Branch Employees Award; Wendy Coffey - HR/TR/MK/FL/IA Award; Adriana Calamaco Peru Branch Employees Award; Jennifer Truckenbrod Mendota Branch Employees Award; Kelly Olesen Operations Department Award; Dianne Bangert Supervisor Award Charles T. Munks Employee of the Year Award; Sonya Ruhland Ottawa Teller Award; Megan Baumgartner Ottawa Member Service Award; Mary Biba Jack Teausant Service Award; Not Pictured: Courtney Forino Ottawa Loan Department Award; Lesli Jones Diamond Branch Employees Award new associate board MeMber named The Financial Plus Board of Directors recently appointed a member of Financial Plus to serve as an Associate Board Member. The Associate Board member program is intended to develop Credit Union members into potential Board of Directors. We are pleased to introduce our new Associate Board Member. Chad Cox and his wife Jennifer are long time members and have lived in the Ottawa area since 1996. He is a Global Procurement Leader for Sabic and has worked for them for 21 years. His appointment as an Associate Board member was effective as of January 2018. employees recognized For years of service Two Financial Plus employees are being recognized this quarter for their years of service. Pictured are Sebby McKee (Director of Human Resources 30 years of service), and Bob Marshall (Board of Directors 30 years of service). Thank you Sebby and Bob for your years of hard work and dedicated service to the Credit Union. Employees of the Month Two employees were chosen as the Employees of the Month by their Financial Plus peers. The employees chosen were: Mary Biba, Operations Department in Ottawa for October; and Rose Bonnell, Member Service in Mendota, for November. Congratulations. [7]
800 Chestnut Street Ottawa, IL 61350 Glass Workers Branch Main Office - Ottawa Telephone: 815-433-1496 Express Telephone: 815-433-1975 www.financialplus.org Peru Branch Telephone: 815-223-6602 Morris Branch Telephone: 815-942-2228 PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Creative Services Mendota Branch Telephone: 815-539-3444 Diamond Branch Telephone: 815-634-0910 community events Financial Plus Gives Back In the spirit of the holidays Financial Plus Credit Union takes great pride in giving back to our communities. We were involved in many community efforts including the following: Freezin for a Reezin 500 Pound Challenge 1,217 pounds of food collected which was a new record for FPCU Toys for Tots we won the Battle of the Banks for the Ottawa area with $1,011 collected plus a large collection of toys Youth Service Bureau Star Tree program Over 300 presents donated Hope for Help 10 hooded fleece jackets and over $100 donated We Care Program Families sponsored Bake Sales $1,762 collected and donated to community charities Elf Action 16 gifts donated PADS canned food, clothing, financial donations, coat donations and volunteer work Starved Rock Country Community Foundation Tornado relief donation tree to collect for fence and appliance needs Thank you to our members and employees for all of their support of those in need during the holidays.