July 2015 - SF Police Credit Union

APB
FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
J U LY 2 0 1 5
HOW YOU CAN USE YOUR VISA® CARD TO BUILD CREDIT
Swipe Wisely, Build Credit
POSITIVE REFLECTIONS:
As of May 31, 2015
Assets ......................... $788,241,786
Loans .......................... $447,037,060
Shares ......................... $672,288,419
Members ................................36,497
IN THIS ISSUE:
Enter Our Everyday
Heroes Photo Contest ........... PAGE 2
Meet Kathleen Litman:
Bringing Enthusiasm and
Expertise to Her New Role ..... PAGE 2
Special Olympics Law
Enforcement Torch Run ......... PAGE 3
From renting an apartment to getting a good
good credit if you charge small amounts that
job, there are many reasons why having
you can afford to pay off every month.
a solid credit history is an essential tool of
life. Credit cards can play a significant role
in your credit record. At SF Police Credit
Union, we strive to help our members
achieve their financial goals. Using your card
wisely can build your credit, opening the
door to future opportunities. Here are some
tips on using your card to build and sustain
good credit.
Take Advantage of Member
Discounts this Summer .......... PAGE 3
Use restraint when apply-
SFPCU June Car
Sale is a Success................... PAGE 4
use credit to build credit and a
Current Promotions ............... PAGE 5
Planning a Home Remodel?
Here are Ways to Make
it Smoother...............................PAGE 6
Announcing Our
Coloring Contest Winners!......PAGE 6
ing for credit. Yes you must
credit card is one easy way to
start. But don’t go overboard with too many
credit card applications — consider starting
with two. One could be our Platinum Visa
with no fees for balance transfers or cash
advances. It could help put you on the path to
Find us on Facebook! Search
for SF Police Credit Union
and “Like” our page today.
www.facebook.com/
sfpolicecreditunion
Avoid using all your
available credit. Each
credit card comes with a preestablished credit limit. Don’t
max out your card by using all your available
credit. It’s far too easy to do, and can turn
away potential lenders in the future. Instead,
use 10% to 30% of what’s available to you.
Keep track of your credit.
It’s smart to check your credit
report at least once a year for
possible errors. There are three
main credit-reporting companies: TransUnion,
Equifax and Experian, and you are allowed a
free credit report from each every 12 months.
Check out www.annualcreditreport.com
for more information.
Special Limited Time Offer!
Now through 8/31/15, new Platinum Visa cardholders will receive a 1.99% introductory APR*
on purchases for 6 months, and new and existing cardholders can enjoy balance transfers at
1.99% APR* for 6 months. For full terms and conditions visit www.sfpcu.org/visapromo.
SF Police Credit Union
www.sfpcu.org
* APR = annual percentage rate
Enter Our Everyday Heroes Photo Contest
Photographers, get ready to show off your
The winning photo will be announced
skills! SFPCU is holding a photo contest
on our website and Facebook on
celebrating First Responders who go above
September 30, 2015.
and beyond the call of duty in their communities. If you have a snapshot of a First
Responder participating in a community or
charity event, enter it in our Everyday Heroes
Photo Contest for a chance to win $1,000 for
your favorite charity and $100 for yourself.
Our photo contest is running now through
August 31. Selected photos will be featured
in an album on our SFPCU Facebook page.
As a bonus, your photo may also be selected
to appear in a special edition 2016 SFPCU
Entering is easy:
➊ Take a photo of First Responders in
action at a community or charity event!
➋ Provide a few details such as the name
and date of the event, along with who is
pictured in the photo submitted.
➌ Upload your photo submission online
at www.sfpcu.org/photocontest.
For complete rules, go to www.sfpcu.org/
photocontest
wall calendar!
MEET KATHLEEN LITMAN
Bringing Enthusiasm and Expertise to Her New Role
“This is going to be a year of excit-
see us not just as a financial institution, but as their financial
ing changes,” says Kathleen Litman,
partner; one that understands the challenges of their profession
new Senior Vice President of Market-
as First Responders,” Litman says. “But our members also have
ing at SF Police Credit Union. With a
high expectations in terms of how we meet their financial needs.
vision shaped by 27 years of marketing
They consider us their Credit Union, so it’s critical that we meet
experience in the credit union industry,
and/or exceed those expectations.”
as well as an MS degree in Marketing,
Litman sees SFPCU as an organization
Sights Set on Growth
poised for growth and driven by a desire to continuously raise the
“In today’s increasingly competitive landscape, credit unions
bar on the value it delivers to members. “I’m pleased to join an
have to work harder than ever to retain members and bring in
organization that already enjoys the benefits of a strong financial
new ones — and marketing is a key component to achieving
foundation, a loyal and engaged membership and dedicated
that goal,” Litman says. “While our goal is not to grow just to
employees. We’re in the primary stages of developing a strategic
get bigger, growth will enable us to better weather economic
growth plan, one in which Marketing will play a very active role,”
downturns, allow us to offer members a wider diversity of
Litman says.
products and services, and have the resources to provide more
A Philosophy Gleaned from Experience
convenience through technology. SFPCU has a strategic growth
plan to ensure we’ll be growing in a smart way.”
Over the course of her career, Litman has mastered the ropes
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of marketing in a variety of credit union environments — from
At SFPCU, Litman will be responsible for the overall branding of
mid-sized institutions to those with over a billion dollars in assets —
the Credit Union, along with membership growth, product mix,
and for varied fields of membership, including a law enforcement
promotions, research, website and social media. “My mission
credit union in Southern California. “Having previously worked
as a marketer can be distilled into two main things: to educate
for a police credit union, I can appreciate the uniqueness of our
and communicate,” Litman says. “I bring to my job a passion for
membership as compared to other credit unions. Our members
marketing and a love of what makes credit unions unique.”
www.sfpcu.org
Call Box
Education Committee Members:
Leroy Lindo, Mike Mahoney, Carl Koehler
A Q U A RT E R LY I N S E RT T O Y O U R A P B N E W S L E T T E R
J U LY 2 0 1 5
The Call Box is published with contributions from the Education
Committee: Leroy Lindo, Mike Mahoney, Mindy Pengel
Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run
The San Francisco Police Department
to personally present Chief Suhr with a
throughout Northern California support the
held its annual Law Enforcement Torch
check for $2,000 to benefit Special Olym-
athletes of the Special Olympics!
Run to benefit Special Olympic athletes on
pics Northern California.
June 22 in Union Square in San Francisco.
The Torch Run supports the Special Olympics Northern California goal to raise funds
to send athletes in Northern California to
the Special Olympics Summer Games,
which were held June 26-28 at the University of California, Davis.
In addition to the Special Olympics athlete
runners, officers from the Department
along with over 100 SFPD recruits from
the Academy participated in the run,
which proceeded from Union Square
down Folsom Street and along the Embarcadero, before ending back at Union
Chief Suhr kicked off the event around
Square. Selected participants carried the
9:30 am, with John Sasaki, from KTVU
torch for a portion of the run before hand-
News, serving as Master of Ceremonies.
ing the torch off to other runners.
L-R: Kevin Reeds, Ed.D (Chief Development Officer
The event was a success, and SFPCU was
Hong (SFPCU’s VP of Relationship Management),
Darlene Hong, Vice-President of Relationship Management, served as
SFPCU’s representative
proud to help law enforcement agencies
for Special Olympics Northern CA & NV), Darlene
San Francisco Chief of Police Greg Suhr
Take Advantage of Special SFPCU
Member Discounts this Summer!
As a member of SF Police Credit Union, you have
access to valuable discounts on monthly data plans
through Sprint, exclusive pricing on GM cars, plus hot
deals on ticket prices to fun summer destinations such as Disneyland, Six Flags, California Academy of Sciences, Monterey Bay Aquarium
and more. It’s another great reason to be a member and recommend
SFPCU to others. Happy shopping — and saving!
To discover all the options, go to the Special Discounts page of our website
at www.sfpcu.org/membership/special-discounts to see everything
that’s available. Make sure you note any special eligibility codes required.
Check out some of the discounts offered:
• Sprint — up to 15% off a mobile data plan, and
get your activation and/or upgrade fees waived
(combined savings of $62).
• Getaway Today Vacations — Save up to 20% on
Southern California vacation packages and cruises
• Hertz Rental Cars — up to 25% off on Hertz
vehicle rentals
www.sfpcu.org
3
SFPCU JUNE CAR SALE IS A SUCCESS!
On Saturday, June 6, 2015 and Sunday June 7, 2015, SF Police
Turnout for the event was strong, with sales of vehicles begin-
Credit Union partnered with SAFEAmerica Credit Union and
ning immediately upon the start of the event. We are pleased to
Cars-Net to sponsor a pre-owned vehicle sales event, which
say that the first sale of the day was to an SF Police Credit Union
took place at SAFEAmerica’s branch in Pleasanton, California.
member at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning!
Cars-Net provided 175 vehicles for sale with many makes and
models represented, ranging from Mini-Coopers to full-size
Chevy, Ford and Toyota pick-up trucks.
Everyone appeared to be having a good time, and the final sales
tally showed that the event was a huge success with 29 vehicles
sold over the weekend. Another car sales event at this same
SF Police Credit Union staff were on site, with the Relationship
location is planned for later this year in October, and dates for
Management team out in front greeting members, and our
sales in 2016 will be publicized in the APB once they’re finalized,
lending staff working inside to assist potential buyers in applying
so stay tuned!
for loans to purchase the vehicles they wanted.
SFPCU’s President & CEO Eddie Young shakes
hands with member Dave H.
The first car sold went to the Reyes family. Congratulations on your new car!
4
www.sfpcu.org
Thanks to our staff for making the Car Sale a success!
L-R: Daniel Powers, Janice Reudy, Natalie Del Sarto, Jennifer Li,
Fatima Gonzalez, and Siana Pulliam
CURRENT PROMOTIONS
To learn more about any of these promotions, please call 800.222.1391 or visit our website at www.sfpcu.org
SFPCU PLATINUM VISA®
• 1.99% APR* introductory rate
• No annual fees
on new card purchases and
• No cash advance or
balance transfers for 6 months
balance transfer fees
* APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Offer valid 06/1/15 – 8/31/15, purchases and balance transfers must be made during this
period to qualify. The Balance Transfer rate of 1.99% APR is valid for 6 months from each transaction date. Offer is only valid
for balance transfers from existing credit card balances at other financial institutions. The Introductory rate of 1.99% APR is
valid for purchases on new accounts opened during the promotional period, and is valid through your February 2016 statement. After the introductory periods, the promotional rates will return to standard purchase/balance transfer rate (Rate based
upon Prime Rate + a Margin of 6-12%). All new applications are subject to terms, conditions and credit approval. You must be
at least 18 years of age to apply, and show ability to repay future balances or apply with a co-signer if you are under the age of
21. Rates, fees and terms are subject to change at any time, contact us for more information.
1.99% APR*
Introductory rate
on new card purchases
and balance transfers
VEHICLE LOANS
• Rates as low as 1.74% APR*
• No payments for 90 days
• Flexible financing terms
• Minimum loan amount of $15,000 or higher
* APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Example rate of 1.74% APR with 36 monthly payments = $28.53 per $1,000 borrowed,
assumes .25% discount for enrollment in automatic payments (fully indexed rate of 1.99%). Internal refinance will be subject
to a 1.00% add on to your qualifying interest rate. Out-of-state vehicles are acceptable on dealer transactions only. Rates,
fees and terms are subject to change at anytime, you may contact us for current information at 800.222.1391, visit our Rates
Page for current rates.
Rates as low as
1.74% APR*
Simple. Secure. And Free!
There are many advantages to switching from paper statements
to our free and secure E-statements.
Benefits such as:
• No more clutter from paper statements
• Delivered securely to you online each month
• Archived online so you can refer to past statements quickly
and easily
• Signing up is easy—just login to Online Banking and click on
Statements in the lefthand sidebar.
CO-OP® ATM NETWORK
SHARED BRANCHES
With your SFPCU Debit Card, you can:
• Get cash at 30,000 fee-free ATMs,
including locations at 7-Eleven,®
Costco® and Walgreens.
• Plus, SFPCU members
have fee-free access to
Bank of the West ATMs.
With Global ATM Checking, you can use any ATM anywhere you are –
if another institution charges you, we refund the fees.*
* Terms and conditions apply, for details visit www.sfpcu.org/noatmfees.
Get access to your SFPCU accounts when
you’re away from home!
• Make deposits, withdrawals and loan payments at
over 5,000 Shared Branch locations nationwide.
To access your account, you’ll simply need your account
number and a current ID.
www.sfpcu.org
5
ENSURE YOUR PROJECT’S SUCCESS
Branch and ATM Locations
Planning a Home Remodel? Here are Ways to
Make it Smoother
In addition to SFPCU locations, as an
SFPCU member you also have access
to fee-free CO-OP ATMs, Shared Branch
locations and Bank of The West ATMs.
The years of hard work you’ve spent
Tips to Find Your Dream Contractor
building equity in your home are finally
1. Do your research in advance. If you
paying off. The dream kitchen or new
aren’t tied to a specific deadline, you’ll
landscaping you’ve always wanted can
have the flexibility and time to find the
become a reality through a home equity
contractor that’s right for you.
line of credit with SFPCU. With credit
limits up to $300,000, and rates as low as
4.00% APR*, you’ll have a reliable, affordable source of credit to fund your project
2. Stay local. Many problems arise as a result
of out of town contractors with no ties to
the communities where they’re working.
as it progresses instead of borrowing a
3. Check multiple sources for references.
lump sum now that could differ from the
Get recommendations from friends and
final total.
family, but also check with lumberyards and
Having the flexibility of a line of credit
allows the expense and scope of your
project to vary if needed. However, one
hardware retailers, plus online resources
from the National Association of the
Remodeling Industry (www.narim.org).
area you don’t want to see a variance in is
4. Get it in writing. Good contractors under-
the quality of the work done on your home.
stand that it’s necessary to stay on top of
To avoid having issues after the remodel
key deliverables to keep a project running
starts, you need to find a reliable contractor
smoothly. A signed scope agreement
who will work with you from initial estimate
gives you a legally binding assurance that
through completion.
your remodel will be finished on time and
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. The fixed introductory rate
is 3.50% APR for the first 24 months and valid on Owner
Occupied Properties only (Investment properties and/or
the refinancing of an existing HELOC secured by same
property are not eligible). Rates thereafter based on Prime
+ margin %. As of May 30, 2015, the Prime Rate is 3.25%.
The amount of the margin may vary, depending upon
individual credit history.
within budget.
If you’re ready to get started, apply for an
SFPCU Online
Online Banking / Mobile Banking:
www.sfpcu.org
iPhone® and Android™ Mobile
Banking App:
Search for SF Police CU in the iPhone
App Store or Google Play to download
our apps for free!
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/sfpolicecreditunion
SFPCU Contact Information
24/7 Call Center:
800.222.1391 or 415.564.3800
MemberLink 24-hour transactions:
415.242.2142 or 800.871.3419
Email:
[email protected]
Other SFPCU Services
MEMBERS Financial Services:
415.682.3361
BALANCESM Program:
888.456.2227
No-cost Auto Buying Service:
800.716.9550
SFPCU Home Equity Line of Credit today by
calling 800-222-1391 or visiting our website.
Announcing Our Coloring Contest Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of our National Credit Union Youth Month Coloring Contest!
Age 2-6 category
Find fee-free ATM locations
nearest you:
www.sfpcu.org/locations
Age 7-12 category
HOLIDAY NOTICE
SF Police Credit Union branches
will be closed:
Independence Day – Saturday, July 4
Labor Day – Monday, September 7
Columbus Day – Monday, October 12
Thanks to the California Academy of Sciences, Alyssa and Isabella each won a
Family Four Pack of Academy tickets and other museum-related prizes!
Winner: Isabella, Age 12
Winner: Alyssa, Age 6
For assistance during closed hours,
call our 24/7 Call Center at 800.222.1391
or MemberLink, the 24-hour transaction
line, at 800.871.3419 or 415.242.2142;
or access SFPCU Online Banking at
www.sfpcu.org.
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.
Websites not belonging to this organization are
provided for information only. No endorsement is
implied. Images may be from one or more of these
sources: ©iStock, ©Fotolia.
©2015 SF Police Credit Union
Federally insured by the National Credit Union
Administration | Equal Housing Opportunity