connections

member
CONNECTIONS
Text Banking
With Text Banking, you can
check your balance, transfer
funds, review transaction
history and more! Log
into Online Banking, select
“Account Alerts/Text Banking”
under My Accounts and
validate your phone number to
get started. And check out the
second installment of our Text
Banking Webisodes, “The Gift,”
on the Credit Union website.
10 REASONS TO CHOOSE A
CREDIT UNION CREDIT CARD
We believe in providing the best
products and services to our
members. If you’re tired of the fees
and restrictions of your current credit
card, here are the top ten reasons
why you should consider switching
to a card with the Credit Union.
1. Great Products. We offer a variety of Visa®
Credit Cards including Cash Back, Rewards, Low Rate
and our new Visa Signature® with enhanced rewards.
2. Competitive Rewards. We offer both cash
back and CURewards® travel and merchandise
rewards programs. Our Cash Back Card rewards you
with up to 2% cash back¹ on the purchases you make
every day, including gas, groceries and restaurants.
And with CURewards, you earn points on every
purchase that can be redeemed for a variety of travel
and merchandise options. Best of all, your points
never expire, so you can save and redeem them for
the rewards you want.
3. Low Rates. Our rates are very competitive
compared to other credit cards in the market, with
rates starting as low as 8.50% APR.²
4. No Annual Fee on Our Most Popular
Cards and No Balance Transfer Fees.
When you transfer higher-rate balances from other
cards, you’ll never pay a balance transfer fee. Many
issuers charge as much as 5% of the transfer amount.
5. No Penalty APR. This means that your
APR will not increase due to a single late or missed
payment. Most major credit cards charge a penalty
APR as high as 29.99%.
Winter 2012
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6. Convenient Online Access. Save paper by
receiving your monthly statement electronically. And
you can access your account information online, any
time of day.
7. Special Offers throughout the Year.
With a Credit Union Credit Card, you’ll enjoy
opportunities to earn double points, rebates, special
promotional rates and more!
8. Design Your Own Card. Personalize your
card with a favorite photo!
9. Free Annual Summary. Receive a
categorized summary of your annual purchases when
you make at least 120 transactions per year.
10. Additional Visa Benefits and
Enhancements. Our Visa cards provide valuable
benefits including Auto Rental Collision Damage
Waiver, Roadside Assistance, Travel and Emergency
Services and Warranty Manager. Plus, with Visa’s
Zero Liability Policy, you’ll never pay for unauthorized
purchases on your card.
Rebates are automatically earned by making eligible purchases with
your Credit Union Visa Cash Back Card. Each Eligible Purchase
made by the cardholder or authorized user(s) shall qualify for the
cardholder cash back rebate as follows: you will earn a 1% base
rebate for each $1 of net purchases (defined as purchases minus
purchase returns and allowances and purchase discounts plus
transaction). You will also earn an additional 1% bonus rebate for
each $1 of net purchases, up to a maximum of $2,000 per month
on eligible net gas, grocery and restaurant purchases made at
retail establishments that classify their merchant location for Visa in
one of the following bonus categories: automated fuel dispensers,
grocery stores/supermarkets and quick service payment/fast
food restaurant/restaurant. Non-automated fuel purchases at gas
station locations in the bonus category shall be treated as a regular
purchase and will only earn the 1% base rebate.
2
APR = annual percentage rate. The credit type and credit limit will
depend on verification and approval of your credit history.
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www.bcuCardinal.org
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
Mike Valentine
President/CEO
The New Year is a time when most of us reflect over the
recent past and resolve to make positive changes for our
future. One of those resolutions may be to improve your
financial well-being. Let me assure you, the Credit Union is
more committed than ever to helping all of our members
achieve this goal.
Unlike many banks and other financial institutions that look
for ways to generate profit, the Credit Union works to
reward our members with competitive interest rates and
free, easy access to your accounts. We offer 360 Banking, a
suite of services that consists of Online and Mobile Banking,
Bill Pay, a network of Shared Branches and surcharge-free
ATMs, Deposit Anywhere and now Text Banking. Using the
Credit Union as your primary financial institution and taking
advantage of these conveniences will definitely improve your
bottom line.
Another way the Credit Union can assist you in achieving
your financial goals is with BALANCESM, an education
center that allows you to explore all of the essential
elements of personal finance. Whether you’re saving
for your child’s education or trying to get out of debt,
BALANCE has counselors who are ready to work with
you. A certified financial counselor can answer many of
your questions immediately – from how long an item stays
on your credit report to whether it’s better to buy or lease
a car. They can even work with you to design a personal
spending and savings plan. With BALANCE, financial
education is available to you free of charge as a benefit
of your Credit Union membership.
Every interaction with the Credit Union is an opportunity
to improve your financial position – from setting up Account
Alerts to notify you of account activity, to speaking with one
of our Member Relations Representatives about Truly Free
Checking, or talking to a Loan Specialist about consolidating
high-interest credit cards to a Credit Union Credit Card.
And it doesn’t stop there! We’re always looking for new and
improved products and services, as well as ways to deliver
them, that best meet your needs.
Providing our members with unlimited access, low or in
many cases, no fees, and a caring staff of individuals who
sincerely take an interest in improving your financial wellbeing are just a few of the ways we continue to prove,
“We’ve Got Your Back.”
Best wishes for a healthy, prosperous 2012.
Best Regards,
Mike Valentine
President/CEO
SAVE 15% WHEN YOU USE
TURBOTAX ONLINE THROUGH
THE CREDIT UNION WEBSITE!
No matter where life takes you, TurboTax makes
it easy to do your taxes right and get your
maximum refund, guaranteed. As a Credit Union
member you can save 15% on TurboTax Federal
and State products when you use TurboTax Online
through our website. Start now!
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TurboTax has you covered:
• Prepare, print and e-file your
simple return FREE
• Maximum refund guaranteed
• 100% accurate calculations
• Fast refund – in as few as 8 days
with e-file and direct deposit
Take advantage of this limited-time
offer. Visit our website to get
started today!
Intuit, the Intuit logo and TurboTax are
registered trademarks and/or registered
service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United
States and other countries.
FRUGAL FILL UPS: 25 WAYS
TO SAVE AT THE PUMP
Don’t let skyrocketing fuel prices
drive you crazy – there are many
ways to put an immediate dent
in your gas bill.
First, nothing will save you more money at the
station than a fuel-efficient car. Large, heavy
vehicles can burn up to three times as much
fuel as a small car – and as gas prices rise, your
wallet will groan with every extra pound. If it’s
time for a trade in, seriously consider purchasing
a car that was built to get good gas mileage.The
following 24 additional tips will speed up your
savings even further – print them out and keep
them on your dashboard as a daily reminder!
6. Choose the route with the flattest terrain
and fewest stops.
18. Use downward slopes to your advantage.
7. Use your air conditioner sparingly.
19. Accelerate slowly when leaving the
stop light.
8. Remove unused bike and luggage racks to
make your car aerodynamic.
20. Buy regular unleaded versus the highest
priced gasoline – most cars are built for it.*
9. Keep the windows closed when traveling
at high speeds.
21. Don’t rev your engine.
10. Avoid traffic jams and stop-and-go traffic.
22. Arrange for car pools to share the
cost of gas.
11. Remove heavy objects from the car.
23. Use your car only for necessary trips.
12. Bike, walk or use public transportation
whenever possible.
24. Use your navigation system (if available)
to avoid getting lost and wasting gas.
13. Turn the car off rather than idle (when
appropriate).
25. Combine errands into one trip.
2. Make sure your air filter is clean.
3. Keep your tires filled with the right
amount of air.
14. Don’t warm up new cars – most
don’t need it.
4. Keep your clutch adjusted.
15. Avoid traveling at fast speeds in low gears.
5. Have enough – and clean – engine oil
in your car.
16. Drive the speed limit.
17. Use cruise control on the open road,
when safe.
We recognize that money concerns have a
serious effect on our quality of life. Now, via
the Web under “Deposits” and then “Other
Resources” or via phone 888-456-2227,
financial education is available to you free of
charge as a benefit of your membership in the
Credit Union.
*U
nless your vehicle’s owners manual advises otherwise.
Source: www.BalancePro.net
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ACCOUNT ALERTS: HELPING YOU
STAY ON TOP OF YOUR FINANCES
Life moves quickly, and your finances need to keep up. With Account
Alerts from the Credit Union, you can receive an email or text from
20228 within minutes of account transactions like withdrawals or direct
deposits. It’s a free* and easy way to monitor your money on the go.
To set up your personalized Account Alerts, log
in to Online Banking and select the notifications
you want to receive:
• Your balance is above or below an amount
you specify.
• A withdrawal, deposit or check posts
to your account.
• Your daily ATM withdrawals and debit card
purchases exceed an amount you choose.
• Your credit card or loan payment is due.
• And more!
In addition to helping you stay on top of
your finances, the nearly real-time updates
on your accounts may save you money by
helping you avoid fees for a low account balance
or nonsufficient funds. Signing up for loan
payment reminders can also help you dodge
late fees. And Account Alerts can provide yet
another layer of protection against account
fraud by letting you know when suspicious
transactions occur or your contact information
has been changed.
REACHING RETIREMENT,
NOW WHAT?
You’ve worked hard your whole life anticipating the day you could finally
retire. As that day is fast approaching, you’ll need to carefully manage your
assets so that your retirement savings will last.
Here are key tips for a comfortable retirement:
• Understand your retirement plan distribution options
• Review your portfolio regularly
• Know your Social Security options
• Spend wisely
As a member and owner of the Credit Union, you have access to a team
of Financial Advisors* who can assist you with your retirement saving and
planning goals as you approach that special day. Call us at 800-388-7000,
ext. 8244 with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing
from you!
You can easily alter Account Alerts once you
set them up, so you can be sure you receive
the information that is most important to you.
To get started or change your Account Alert
preferences, just visit the Credit Union website
today. After all, when you do slow down, it
shouldn’t be to do your banking.
* Alerts sent to your wireless device may be subject to a fee
by your wireless service.
NEWS FLASH
BCU Investment Advisor’s* New
Website Is Up and Running
Whether you’re figuring out how to pay for a new baby’s
future college expenses, planning the retirement of your
dreams or preparing to take care of affairs after you’re
gone, we’re here to help you make the best decisions.
BCU Investment Advisors* is member-owned, so your wellbeing is our well-being. Our new website is just another way
for us to educate, inform and serve members like you.
On the new website, you’ll find information, articles
and calculators on the issues that affect your financial
goals, including:
• Financial guidance
• IRA and 401(k) rollover
strategies
• Insurance
• Finance and estate
planning
• Retirement planning
• Education planning
• Wealth management
• And much more
* Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member
FINRA/SIPC) SEC and Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise
federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the Credit Union, and may involve investment risk
including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. BCU has contracted with CFS to make
non-deposit investment products and services available to Credit Union members. BCU Investment Advisors is a trade name for the investment
services available at BCU.
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This publication does not constitute legal, accounting or other professional advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability
for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2012 BCU.
Federally Insured
by NCUA