Need New Wheels? - Teachers Federal Credit Union
Transcription
Need New Wheels? - Teachers Federal Credit Union
fall 2011 102 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, New York Need New Wheels? 5 Ways to Build a Healthy Credit History pg. 4 Direct Deposit Offers Direct Results pg. 7 Test Your ID Theft IQ pg. 9 What Is Membership Worth to You? pg. 12 Inside Go Local … Go to Your Credit Union!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Share the Love! Refer a Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 TFCU: The Local, Educated Choice Need New Wheels? Take Us Shopping with You .. . . . . 4 5 Ways to Build a Healthy Credit History .. . . . . . . . . . . 5 Home Equity Loans Are a Tax-Smart Way to Borrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 What to Keep? What to Toss?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Direct Deposit Offers Direct Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 Reasons to Pay Bills Anytime, Anywhere . . . . . . . . . 7 TFCU Takes a Stand Against Fraud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Test Your ID Theft IQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A Little Here and a Little There … Adds Up to a Lot! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Financial Difficulties? We’re Here to Help . . . . . . . . . 11 Payday Loan Alternative Now Available. . . . . . . . . . . 11 What Is Membership Worth to You?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 You’re Welcome at More Than 4,350 Locations. . . . . . 13 Don’t Let Emotions Drive Your Investment Decisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Board of Directors Fred H. Schaefer – Chairman Nicholas Maletta – Vice Chairman Raymond P. Grossman – Treasurer George L. Dornhoefer – Secretary F. Jane Harris Robert J. Ney Juan C. Nuñez Mario P. Shortino Frank D. Spencer Executive Management Robert G. Allen – President/CEO Thomas A. Fallon – Executive Vice President/COO Supervisory Committee Ronald A. Mincio – Chairman You may be familiar with the phrase “knowledge is power.” It’s something we believe at Teachers Federal Credit Union. For more than 59 years, TFCU has remained a strong, local credit union that prides itself on providing our members with much more than competitive rates and low fees. Unlike several banks, we don’t see our financial institution as simply a place to park your money. We’re here to help you make smart financial decisions as you work toward achieving your short- and long-term goals. We help members do this every day through educational efforts. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff members live and work on Long Island, and they are in touch with the needs of our community. They are available to provide guidance to members in person as well as by phone and email. We have 23 convenient TFCU locations to serve you, including our new headquarters in Hauppauge (read more below). We also help members of all ages learn more about wise money management through the Financial Education Resource Center on our website at www.teachersfcu.org and publications such as Member Insight. This issue of Member Insight informs you how to take charge of your finances by building a healthy credit history (page 5) and guarding against identity theft (page 9). It also explains how services such as Online Bill Payer and Direct Deposit can help you save time and money (page 7). If you’ve faced some financial challenges recently, you may want to read “Financial Difficulties? We’re Here to Help” on page 11. Our BALANCESM credit counseling and education service can help you get back on track. Want to help others make educated choices when it comes to their finances? TFCU membership is available to your family members, as well as almost all people who live and work in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Learn more about sharing membership and joining TFCU on pages 3 and 12. Knowledge is power, and a strong, educated membership helps TFCU remain a strong credit union for you and your money. Robert G. Allen President/CEO Paul E. Misut April S. Neitlich Robert J. Ney James F. Nohe – Secretary Member Insight is published by Teachers Federal Credit Union for its members. It is designed to help maintain communication with members, market products and services and provide reliable and helpful information that will contribute to each member’s overall financial well-being and quality of life. Member Insight is published at Teachers Federal Credit Union, 102 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, (631) 698-7000. While consistent effort is made to ensure the integrity of information contained in this publication, material should not be considered legal, financial or professional advice. The publishers do not assume liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this data. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©Fotolia, ©iStock. Copyright ©2011 Teachers FCU. All rights reserved. 2 www.teachersfcu.org New Headquarters to Serve You Better TFCU is on the move! We outgrew our headquarters in Farmingville and have relocated to 102 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, N.Y. Our new location allows TFCU to consolidate all administrative departments, and expanded training facilities will allow us to better provide ongoing staff education. In addition, due to record-breaking mortgage activity, we have many rooms to accommodate closings. There is also more space to handle meetings for commercial loans and business accounts. This all adds up to better service for you, our members. Our full-service Farmingville branch will remain open to serve all your financial needs. Member Insight is recyclable. Please recycle after reading. Go Local … Go to Your Credit Union! You’ve probably heard about the “locavore” craze, where people try to eat only foods that are grown and produced locally. Shopping locally is growing in popularity as well. Many consumers prefer to spend their hard-earned dollars in the community, where they know they will be supporting local businesses. Another great way to “go local” is to manage your finances at Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU). Community Benefits of Credit Unions By managing your money with TFCU, you are doing your part to support a local organization. And keeping your money here, instead of at a big, national bank, has many community benefits as well, such as: •S upporting the local economy. Our branches are located right in your neighborhood, and our staff members are your neighbors! When you manage your money at a credit union, you keep local folks employed and ensure your money goes right back into your community. •P roviding education. TFCU wants all of our members to succeed financially. That is why we provide financial education to our members in the form of seminars, visits to local schools and educational materials such as newsletters, e-publications and more. Come Visit Us Today! Our branches are local, and we’d love to see you! See our list of locations on the back page. Our friendly staff can help you find the accounts and financial management tools that fit your needs. •G iving back. Your support of TFCU can have a big impact locally because your membership allows us to give back to the community. We sponsor charitable events throughout the year such as United Way, ALS Ride for Life and give to local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Make-A-Wish that help members of our community. Share the Love! Refer a Friend Teachers Federal Credit Union has remained true to our mission as a member-owned financial cooperative providing better value to our members. And member satisfaction continues to be one of our top priorities. When our members are satisfied, they spread the word to their families and friends. 4) More ways to bank. Online, mobile or phone banking, shared branches across the nation and local branches in your neighborhood. 5) Friendly service. Personalized solutions to meet your financial needs. As a Member, You Hold the Key Because your credit union membership lasts a lifetime, even if you change jobs or move away, we are still here for you. You will continue to receive all the rewards your credit union membership brings you – unparalleled service and convenient, worldwide account access. Membership at TFCU is available to those who live or work in Nassau and Suffolk counties.* As one of our members, you hold a valuable key to pass on to your family and friends. Immediate family members and members of your household are eligible for credit union membership. Your spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, stepchildren and stepparents are all encouraged to join. You can also invite your friends and co-workers who meet our membership eligibility requirements. Count the Ways We Improve Lives Credit union members benefit from: 1) Lower rates on loans. 2) Higher dividends on savings deposits. 3) No-surprise credit cards with competitive rates. We’re Here for You If you know someone who could benefit from credit union membership, invite them to check us out. Encourage them to stop by one of our branches, call (631) 698-7000, ext. 6780, or 1-800-341-4333** or visit us online at www.teachersfcu.org for more information. * Excluding Townships of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. ** Outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro areas. According to the Credit Union National Association, credit unions currently serve 87 million members with affordable financial services. Credit union members save $8 billion each year vs. people who bank at banks. The Educated Choice 3 Need New Wheels? Take Us Shopping with You. “Let me talk with my manager” – does this bring back memories of your last car-buying experience? Negotiating a deal on a new or used vehicle is a lot easier when you take us shopping with you. Hop in the driver’s seat with a preapproved auto loan from TFCU. Call Us Before You Go Shopping Do Your Research First Squaring away your financing before you walk into the dealership will give you leverage and save you money. The dealer knows you mean business, and you always have the option of walking away if you don’t agree with their price. You also don’t have to deal with the hidden costs and unknowns of dealer financing. Before shopping, figure out what type of car you want to buy and how much you should pay for it. Websites such as www.edmunds.com and www.kbb.com can show you what the market value is for the make and model you are interested in. Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) offers new car and used car price reports that tell you the real dealer cost including any additional incentives and holdbacks. Shoot for a price of 4% to 8% over dealer cost. And www.edmunds.com offers the TMV (True Market Value) service that shows you the price you can expect to pay in your market. It’s also a good idea to contact the dealer or seller to find out what additional taxes and fees they charge. Some of these are negotiable too, if they are not found on the original invoice. Even Easier, Use Our Auto-Buying Service Our GrooveCar credit union auto-buying service can do the research for you! Just tell us the make, model and year you are looking for – and we’ll find your car. Plus we’ll handle the negotiating, so you can get the best deal without the stress. If you like, we can even set up a test drive so you can find out which car is right for you. Once you make a decision, all you have to do is bring your preapproved loan check to the dealer and drive away with your new wheels. Now that’s easy! Call 1-866-GROOVE4 or visit www.groovecar.com. 4 www.teachersfcu.org Once you’ve pinned down your dream car, come talk to us. We offer a variety of loans and terms to fit your budget and can preapprove your loan before you shop. Contact us at (631) 698-7000, ext. 6790, or 1-800-341-4333.* We’re ready to shop when you are! * Outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro areas. Websites not belonging to TFCU provided for information only. No endorsement is implied. Ways to Build a Healthy Credit History If you’ve ever watched TV’s “The Biggest Loser,” you know that it’s easier to maintain a healthy weight now than try to lose weight and overcome possible health conditions later. (Or as some people say, “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips.”) The same is true of your credit history, which affects everything from your purchasing power to your ability to get a reasonable loan rate or land a job. Building a healthy credit history from the start – rather than trying to overcome mistakes later – can save you time, energy and money. To get an idea of your credit history, potential lenders will examine your credit score. A high credit score can make it easier to get a credit card or loan, and may result in the lender setting a lower interest rate. To boost your credit score, remember these tips: 1. Pay your bills on time. Learn more about our bill pay and automatic payment transfer options at www.teachersfcu.org. 2. Pay down your debt. Consider our lowrate loans to consolidate your debt. A financial counselor can also help you create a debt management plan. 3. Reconsider closing accounts. You may be tempted to close an old credit card account because you no longer use the card. But the longer your responsible borrowing history, the better your score. 4. Think twice about opening accounts. Applying for a lot of credit at once can harm your credit score. And every line of credit you apply for will stay on your record for at least seven years, even if the account is only open for a day or two. 5. Fix errors. Review your official records from all three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and be sure any incorrect information is corrected. You can order a free credit report from each agency once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com. With healthy rates on savings and low-rate loans and credit cards, TFCU can help you achieve fiscal fitness and a healthy credit history. Contact us at (631) 698-7000 or 1-800-341-4333* or visit www.teachersfcu.org to learn more. * Outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro areas. Websites not belonging to TFCU provided for information only. No endorsement is implied. Home Equity Loans Are a Tax-Smart Way to Borrow Did you know that your home’s equity may be an inexpensive source of credit? Borrowing against the equity in your home offers two major benefits: 1. Lower interest rates than most other forms of credit. 2. The interest you pay may be tax-deductible.* There are two simple ways to get at the money built up in your home: > Home equity loan. Sometimes called a second mortgage, a home equity loan allows you to borrow a lump sum to be paid back in monthly installments over a specified period. > Home equity line of credit. Rather than receiving a lump sum, this option lets you borrow against a given credit line as you need it. You can access your money by writing checks linked to the account. * Consult your tax advisor. The Educated Choice 5 Financial Records What to Keep? What to Toss? Everybody has a paper trail – everything from utility bills and financial statements to tax records and receipts. With so many records it may be difficult to determine which you should keep (and for how long). Filing and organizing records is critical to maintaining healthy finances. Not only will tax time be easier, but your spouse and other family members will be able to locate important information should the unexpected happen to you. Following these guidelines may help you organize your records. •C redit union documents: Destroy checks that have no permanent importance, but keep copies of checks related to your taxes, business expenses, and housing and mortgage payments. •U tility bills: Throw out (unless you need them for tax purposes). •T ax records: Most experts recommend destroying these after six years. • Insurance records: Keep for the life of your policy. •L ife documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, diplomas, divorce decrees and military records): Store in a safe deposit box indefinitely. •H omeowner records (deed and title to your house): Do not throw away. •L ife- and estate-planning documents: Keep the most current copy. • Receipts for major purchases, such as furniture and electronics: Keep as long as you own the item. Stay Organized It’s also important to keep a list detailing where your records are and how to access them. Store this in a safe place or with a trusted family member or friend (be sure to keep a copy). List each type of account, the identification number and contact information of the appropriate agent. We Can Help Keep Your Records Secure Safe deposit boxes at TFCU are a secure way to keep original copies of your most important documents. We offer a variety of sizes to fit your unique needs. 6 www.teachersfcu.org Direct Deposit Offers Direct Results Direct deposit has altered the way many companies do business. If you’re looking to streamline your payroll department and offer a convenient option for your employees, you may want to consider the many advantages associated with direct deposit – a service that eliminates standard paychecks by transferring money electronically from your business account to an employee’s savings or checking account. •C onvenience. Employees who opt to have their funds directly deposited can access their funds immediately once the deposit occurs. There’s no waiting for checks to clear. As an employer, this saves you money by cutting down on work time lost to trips to the bank. • I ncreased efficiency. With direct deposit, your accounting or payroll department will no longer have to write checks, giving employees more time to work on other tasks. Setting up direct deposit is a straightforward process. After the employee signs an authorization form, your direct deposit network will confirm that the routing and account numbers are correct, and will then begin forwarding to the account. •R educed risk of fraud. Since employees no longer require paper checks, the odds that a check will be stolen, manipulated or lost are lessened. As an employer, you can monitor payroll more effectively since bookkeeping time is kept to a minimum. TFCU has seen great results for businesses using direct deposit. For more information about this exciting opportunity or to inquire about other payroll services, give us a call at (631) 698-7000 or 1-800-341-4333* or visit www.teachersfcu.org. * Outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro areas. Still Haven’t Tried Online Bill Payer? 4 Reasons to Pay Bills Anytime, Anywhere Do you remember life before direct deposit? Perhaps you enjoyed catching up with the teller every payday and the satisfaction of completing the transaction in person. You may have hesitated to switch to an automated process fearing that it was less reliable and secure. But once you converted, chances are you never looked back. If you have similar excuses for not using Online Bill Payer, we have just as many reasons why you should. Excuse No. 1: It’s not safe. TFCU uses security certification, password protection and an encrypted network, which helps prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account information. What’s more, having fewer personal checks in the mail stream keeps you safer from identity thieves. Excuse No. 3: It will take too long to set up. It takes a short time to enter your billers’ information. But the process is simple, and once it is set up, paying bills requires just a few clicks of the mouse. In fact, you can pay all of your bills from one screen, at one time. You can even set up recurring payments. Excuse No. 4: It’s too expensive. Online Bill Payer is free to use, so it can actually save you the cost of postage and reordering checks. And as long as you schedule the payments far enough in advance of the due date, you won’t have to pay late fees. Getting started with Bill Payer is simple. Just talk to your member service representative or go to www.teachersfcu.org to sign up. We bet you’ll wonder why you waited so long to make the switch. Excuse No. 2: I already have a good system in place. Online Bill Payer automatically produces an organized, accessible record of all of your payments. You can easily generate reports to see where your money goes. And our system is compatible with personal accounting software that you may already use such as Quicken® or Microsoft Money®. The Educated Choice 7 TFCU Takes a Stand Against Fraud At TFCU we don’t take fraud and identity theft lying down. We are committed to standing against fraud and protecting your safety and well-being. TFCU uses a variety of weapons in the fight against fraud. Here are just some of the ways we’re protecting you: •O ffering multifactor authentication. When you use our website to do your online banking, pay bills or manage your accounts, you are safe thanks to our multifactor authentication. We require means of identification in addition to your user ID and password. These multiple forms of identification help us to ensure that no one but you has access to your financial information. •K eeping your information safe from phishing. Phishing is when you receive a bogus email or telephone call that looks or sounds like it is from a reputable source, but is actually a scammer trying to get your information. At TFCU, we will NEVER ask 8 www.teachersfcu.org for your account information in an email or an unsolicited telephone call. When in doubt, visit www.teachersfcu.org or call our main number, (631) 698-7000 or 1-800-341-4333*, and one of our representatives can help you. • Staying up-to-date on the latest trends in fraud. Fraudsters are always coming up with new ways to steal your information. We help keep you safe by staying up on the latest scams and warning you about them. •P roviding education. The best way to thwart a scammer is to be aware. That’s why we offer online information to help you learn how to protect yourself. Visit www.teachersfcu.org for details. Identity theft and fraud are serious matters. At TFCU, we’re here to protect you. * Outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro areas. Test Your ID Theft IQ You might think identity theft can’t happen to you, but all of us make minor mistakes that could potentially open the door to identity thieves. Answer the following questions to test your identity theft IQ, then total your score. 1) I use a cross-cut shredder to destroy all preapproved credit offers, convenience checks, balance transfer checks and mail that includes personal information. Yes = 3 No = 0 2) I provide my Social Security number when asked, without inquiring why it is necessary or how the information will be protected. Yes = 0 No = 3 3) My Social Security number can be found in my wallet or on my driver’s license or personal checks. Yes = 0 No = 3 4) I send and/or receive mail using an unlocked, unsecured mailbox. Yes = 0 No = 3 5) I only give out personal information in response to a telephone call or email that I initiated and know to be legitimate. Yes = 3 No = 0 6) When sharing personal information, I am conscious of people who may be trying to eavesdrop or glimpse at my information. Yes = 2 No = 0 7) I have ordered a copy of my credit reports during the past year. Yes = 2 No = 0 8) When using the Internet, I make sure my firewall and antivirus software is updated. Yes = 2 No = 0 9) I immediately delete emails and hang up on phone calls from people I don’t know. Yes = 2 No = 0 10) I keep sensitive financial information and passwords in a locked or protected area of my home that can’t be accessed by visitors. Yes = 2 No = 0 Remember: At TFCU, we will NEVER ask for your account information in an email or an unsolicited telephone call. Scoring: 25-20: You’re at the head of the class! 19-15: Consider brushing up on your ID theft prevention techniques. 14 or below: Contact TFCU by visiting www.teachersfcu.org or calling our main number, (631) 698-7000 or 1-800-341-4333*, for some free tutoring about how to protect your finances. * Outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro areas. The Educated Choice 9 Building Your Emergency Fund A Little Here and a Little There … Adds Up to a Lot! Can you think of one or two things you bought last month that you didn’t need? Most people can admit to the occasional impulse buy. But what if you thought twice about those unnecessary purchases? Instead of paying $20 here and there for something you don’t need, pay yourself by putting the $20 into a savings account instead. Saving just $20 each paycheck could add up to more than $500 in a year* – and you probably wouldn’t even notice the difference. Cutting back on unnecessary spending is a great step toward building an emergency fund. Most experts recommend setting aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses in case a sudden financial burden arises – loss of a job or car problem, for example. Having money saved can help protect you from taking on debt if the unexpected happens. 10 We Can Help You Save Ready to build your emergency fund? TFCU has the tools you need to reach your savings goals – whether you can deposit a little or a lot. Basic savings account – Our interest-earning savings account is a great way to start saving for your financial goals with any amount. Sign up for direct deposit or automatic transfers from your checking account. Money market account – Your savings can add up quickly with one of these higher-interest-earning accounts. When you maintain a minimum balance of $2,500, you can earn up to .65% APY.** Certificates – With a minimum balance of $1,000 and terms ranging from three to 60 months, we have a certificate that’s right for your savings plan. Why not save money by avoiding unnecessary fees? To get started, contact one of our financial experts today at (631) 698-7000 or 1-800-341-4333*** or visit us at www.teachersfcu.org. Use our overdraft protection, and remember to pay yourself with the money you save. * With biweekly paydays. ** APY = Annual percentage yield. Rates subject to change. *** Outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro areas. www.teachersfcu.org Financial Difficulties? We’re Here to Help Maybe you were making headway on the credit card bills, but then the car needed repairs. Or you were injured and couldn’t work for three months. Or perhaps winter heating bills simply overwhelmed your budget. Financial problems arise in a variety of ways, and they can not only ruin your budget, but sour your whole outlook. Fortunately, you have someone to stand by your side and help you get back on your feet financially right here at Teachers Federal Credit Union. We offer BALANCESM credit counseling and education on personal financial management topics. With the help of a professional, you can analyze your budget and financial condition and explore options to resolve credit problems. You can learn how to create an effective spending plan, use credit wisely and take advantage of consumer protections that are available. The best time to deal with financial difficulties is not when you’re ready to file for bankruptcy; it’s as soon as you notice a problem developing. If a pile of bills is spoiling your enjoyment of life, it’s time to get help. Counseling is completely private and confidential, and it’s FREE. To talk with a BALANCE counselor, call 1-888-456-2227. Payday Loan Alternative Now Available The National Credit Union Administration has issued a ruling that enables federal credit unions to offer short-term, small amount (STS) loans as a viable alternative to predatory high-cost payday loans that are offered by other financial service providers. If you’re currently using an outside check-cashing facility or a payday lender, TFCU’s new STS Loan may be a better option. Not only will you receive the short-term funds you need, you’ll also be building your credit profile. • Membership: Minimum of one month membership is required. • Dollar amount: Minimum $200; maximum $1,000. • Term: Minimum one month; maximum six months. • Frequency: Only one loan will be allowed in a rolling six-month period. For more information, call us at (631) 698-7000, ext. 6790. The Educated Choice 11 What Is Membership Worth to You? “No more ATM fees.” savings here and there. Your credit union has the tools to help you manage your money and build a stronger financial future – and the opportunity is all yours. “Refinancing to save thousands in interest on my home mortgage.” Ask yourself what you want: “No surprises on my credit card statement.” • Lower debt payments? • A savings plan for emergencies? • A credit card with real rewards and no hidden fees? • Checking and loan products that work in your interest? • Lower fees? • All of your accounts and loans in one convenient place? • Access to resources and people who can help you make good financial decisions? “Saving hundreds of dollars a year on my auto loan.” Every member has a reason for choosing Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU), and the value of membership comes in a thousand different shapes, sizes and dollar signs. The best part is, the benefits that help you save money and run your financial life better are absolutely free. Helping you succeed is our business, so we provide value through competitive rates, low fees and outstanding products and services. As a member, you are an owner of this business. We work hard for our members – not for the profits of bank shareholders – so we are constantly innovating and delivering the benefits our members want. What Do You Want? Perhaps you opened a savings account years ago, or you got a great deal on your auto loan with TFCU. However you got started with us, you should know that membership is more than just a few dollars in 12 www.teachersfcu.org Your credit union outperforms banks in all of these areas and more. It’s no surprise that people are fed up with the rising fees, shrinking value and lower service standards from the big banks. That’s why many customers are making the switch from banks to credit unions. Our dedicated team at TFCU can help you make the most of your finances. Stop in today to find out what we can do for you, or visit www.teachersfcu.org to see all the perks of membership. Shared Branching You’re Welcome at More Than 4,350 Locations Convenience is the No. 1 reason people choose a financial institution, and our shared branches – in combination with online and telephone access – make TFCU more convenient than even the largest banks. Shared branching lets you conduct credit union business with real people at more than 4,350 locations in the United States and in several other countries. • Make deposits and withdrawals. • Cash checks. • Transfer money between accounts. • Make loan payments. • Obtain balance inquiries and copies of your statement. • Purchase money orders and travelers checks. Through the Credit Union Service Center network you can complete nearly any credit union transaction as if you were in one of our branches. All you need is identification and your credit union account number. Thanks to a special, secure data processing link, the transactions you conduct at a shared branch are posted to your account instantly. You can do any of the following anywhere you see the Credit Union Service Center swirl logo: To locate the nearest Credit Union Service Center, visit www.creditunion.net. You’ll find a list of convenient locations, as well as maps, directions and hours of operation. So no matter where you travel, live or relocate, access to your money and your credit union is as close as the nearest shared branch. The Educated Choice 13 Don’t Let Emotions Drive Your Investment Decisions A Message from TFCU Trust & Financial Services Emotions play an important role in some of the most important decisions we make in our life. But when it comes to investing, emotions can do more damage than good. Here are three ways that emotions play a detrimental role in our investment decisions and what we can do about it: •D on’t follow the herd. When stock prices start to fall, some people decide to sell their stock mutual funds. What starts as a few people selling their investments can turn into a panic where everyone decides to sell. It’s called “herding” and it is one of the most common mistakes that people make when markets decline. •A void extreme thinking. When markets fall, people often start to think in extremes. Everything in the market begins to look black and white. The facts can have many meanings and we need to think intelligently about how these facts affect us before we make any investment decisions. •B e aware of our short-term bias. When it comes to investing, most of us have a short-term bias. That means that recent market gains lead to excitement and higher expectations. On the other hand, recent market losses lead to suspicion and caution. The challenge for investors is not to forget both the long-term history of the markets and their own long-term goals. TFCU Trust & Financial Services Chris Hibbard, ChFC, CFS Senior Financial Advisor Trust Liaison Officer 5439 Sunrise Highway Holbrook, NY 11741 (631) 698-7000, ext. 6020 Stay True to Your Goals and Your Plan When markets are volatile, it tends to bring out our emotional side. Before we react emotionally to short-term market gyrations, we should ask ourselves some important questions. What is our long-term goal? Have our goals changed? Was our plan to reach our goals a sound plan? Are there any good reasons to abandon our plan? Once we have asked and answered these questions our decisions are more likely to be driven by logic not emotions. Chris Hibbard and Steve Abbott are Financial Advisors with TFCU Trust & Financial Services located at Teachers Federal Credit Union. If you have any questions, or would like to provide feedback regarding the information presented in this article, you may contact Chris Hibbard at (631) 698-7000, ext. 6020, or Steve Abbott at (631) 698-7035. Representatives are not tax advisors or legal experts. For information regarding specific tax situations, please contact a tax professional. For legal advice, consult an attorney. Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free 1-866-512-6109. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. FR010921-7A88 14 www.teachersfcu.org Stephen Abbott, CLU, ChFC Financial Advisor 2410 North Ocean Avenue Farmingville, NY 11738 (631) 698-7035 Financial Services Representatives at Other Branches: > > > > > > C ommack – Linda Davis E ast Northport – Ron Rebaldo N esconset – Micki Cahill P ort Jefferson Station – Diane Jensen R ocky Point – Catherine Garnier S outh Setauket – Donato Surace Shared Service Centers More than 4,350 Locations Throughout the Country! Plus 67 on Long Island, including 23 full-service TFCU Branches. All you need to access your accounts is your identification and your TFCU member number. Go to www.creditunion.net or call 1-888-287-9475. NASSAU COUNTY Bethpage - 899 South Oyster Bay Rd. (Bethpage FCU) Bellmore - 2752 Sunrise Hwy. (Island Federal FCU) East Meadow - 2295 Hempstead Turnpike (Nassau Financial FCU) Elmont - 1633 Dutch Broadway (Bethpage FCU) Farmingdale 1033 Route 109 (Bethpage FCU) Franklin Square - 648 HemsteadTurnpike (Nassau Educators FCU) Freeport - 210 West Merrick Rd. (Bethpage FCU) Garden City 1325 Franklin Ave. Plaza, Suite 101 (Nassau Financial FCU) 830 Stewart Ave. (Sperry Associates FCU) Garden City Park - 2400 Jericho Turnpike (Sperry Associates FCU) Glen Cove - 111 School Street (Bethpage FCU) Hempstead - 170 Fulton Ave. (Bethpage FCU) Hicksville - 85 E. Old Country Rd. (Island FCU) Levittown - 3284 Hempstead Turnpike (In the King Kullen Supermarket) (Bethpage FCU) Lynbrook - 613 Sunrise Highway (Bethpage FCU) Massapequa 5455 Merrick Rd. (Nassau Educators FCU) 6257 Sunrise Highway (Bethpage FCU) Mineola - 259 First St. 2nd Floor, Room 136 (Winthrop-University Hospital EFCU) 131 Jericho Turnpike (Bethpage FCU) New Hyde Park - 1636 Marcus Avenue (Nassau Edcuators FCU) Oceanside 2995 Long Beach Rd. (Nassau Financial FCU) 45 Atlantic Ave. (Oceanside Christopher FCU) Plainview - 525 Old Country Rd. (Nassau Educators FCU) Rockville Centre - 556 Merrick Rd. (Nassau Educators FCU) Roosevelt - 405 Nassau Rd. (Bethpage FCU) Seaford - 3612 Merrick Rd. (Oceanside Christopher FCU) 4006 Merrick Ave. (Bethpage FCU) Syosset - 575 Underhill Blvd. (Nassau Educators FCU) Valley Stream - 264 E. Merrick Rd. (Nassau Educators FCU) Westbury 1000 Corporate Dr. (Nassau Educators FCU) 750 Old Country Rd. (Bethpage FCU) SUFFOLK COUNTY Bay Shore - 591 Montauk Hwy. (Bethpage FCU) Bay Shore - 834 Sunrise Hwy. (In the King Kullen Supermarket) (Bethpage FCU) Central Islip - 233 S. Research Pl. (Bethpage FCU) Commack 120 Veteran’s Hwy. (In the King Kullen Supermarket) (Bethpage FCU) 6150 Jericho Turnpike (Suffolk FCU) Hauppauge 250 Veteran’s Memorial Hwy., NY State Office Bldg. (LI State EFCU) 120 Motor Pkwy (Island FCU) Huntington - 33 Gerard St. (Bethpage FCU) Islandia - 1282 Motor Pkwy. (Suffolk FCU) Medford - 3681 Horseblock Rd. (Suffolk FCU) Melville - 722 Walt Whitman Rd., Route 1010 (Bethpage FCU) Miller Place - 691 Route 25A, Aliano Shopping Center (Suffolk FCU) North Babylon - 1350-35 Deer Park Ave. (Bethpage FCU) Port Jefferson - 4802 Nesconset Hwy. (Bethpage FCU) Riverhead 1095 Old Country Rd. (Bethpage FCU) Route 24 at 2 Enterprise Zone Dr. (Suffolk FCU) Sayville - 4820 Sunrise Highway (Island FCU) Selden - 520 Middle Country Rd. (Island FCU) Smithtown 240 Middle Country Rd. (Bethpage FCU) West Babylon - 50-110 Route 109 (Suffolk FCU) NEW YORK CITY Briarwood - 139-30 Queens Blvd. (Melrose CU) Flushing - 35-30 Francis Lewis Blvd. (Qside FCU) New York 577 9th Avenue (Lomto FCU) 111 W. 26th Street (Montauk FCU) 350 W. 31st St. - Ground Fl. (US Alliance FCU) 26 Federal Plaza – Room 1072 (Xcel FCU) Woodside - 5024 Queens Blvd. (Lomto FCU) The Educated Choice 15 Convenient Branch Locations Teachers Federal Credit Union 102 Motor Parkway Hauppauge, NY 11788 Mail to: P.O. Box 9005 Smithtown, NY 11787 ATMs are available at all locations. Hauppauge, Main Office 102 Motor Parkway Hauppauge, NY 11788 (631) 698-7000 1-800-341-4333 (outside the Long Island, Westchester and New York metro area) Amityville 355 Broadway (Route 110) Bay Shore Shirley 437 William Floyd Parkway Smithtown One W. Main St. South Setauket Nicolls Plaza 260-A Pond Path Hours Office Hours 118 Wheeler Road Mon.-Wed., Sat.: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Islip Thurs: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Commack Drive-up Hours* 10 Vanderbilt Pkwy. Mon.-Wed., Sat.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Smithtown Fri.: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 3rd Ave. and Sunrise Highway Central Islip East Northport 556 Larkfield Road Farmingville, 2410 North Ocean Ave. Holbrook 5439 Sunrise Highway at Lincoln Ave. Huntington 211 East Main St. Nesconset Nesconset Plaza 127 Smithtown Blvd. North Babylon 1134 Deer Park Ave. (Route 231) Oakdale 951 Montauk Highway Port Jefferson Station 450 Jefferson Plaza (Route 112) Riverhead Peconic Plaza 176 Old County Rd. (Rte. 58) Brookhaven National Laboratory ** 400 Brookhaven Ave. Upton, NY 11973 Mon.-Wed.: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thurs.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Entenmann’s ** 1724 5th Ave. Bay Shore, NY 11706 Mon.: Closed Tue.,Wed., Fri., Sat.: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Thurs.: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Stony Brook University Health Sciences Center Mon., Tue., Thurs., Wed.: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Student Activities Center Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fri.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Rocky Point 561 Route 25-A at Rocky Point Landing Rd. Selden * Not available in Amityville, Commack, North Babylon, Selden or South Setauket. ** Facility employees only. 301 Independence Plaza (Route 25) Recyclable paper. Please recycle after reading. Visit our website at www.teachersfcu.org for current rates or to enroll in free Online Bill Payer, free E-Statements and free E-notices.