Our Mission October 17 Marks International Credit Union Day Fall

Fall 2013
Fall Community
Shred Events
October 17 Marks International Credit Union Day
On Thursday, October 17, credit unions in 100 countries will celebrate International
Credit Union Day (ICUD) by joining together and celebrating their cooperative spirit.
This year’s theme, “Unite for Good,” signifies our united front focused on you, the
members, with an unwavering belief in the “people helping people” philosophy upon
which we were built. When belonging to a credit union, you are never a number—
you are a member, and we are here to serve you.
Celebrate with WESTconsin!
WESTconsin Credit Union members are invited to celebrate ICUD at their local
office on Thursday, October 17. Join us for complimentary refreshments, door prize
drawings, mini-pumpkin decorating for the kids and more! We’re proud of our credit
union heritage; we hope our members are too!
Dispose of sensitive documents
right in front of your eyes with
free shredding services by Shred
Away! There is no charge for up
to two (2) cubic foot-sized boxes/
bags. Additional shredding is
available for $5 per box/bag.
Friday, October 18
• Amery 12:30–2:30 p.m.
• Baldwin 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 19
• Barron 9–11 a.m.
• Menomonie–North 12–2 p.m.
Our Mission
We are committed to helping our members achieve financial success.
Amery ............... (715) 268-8127
Baldwin ............ (715) 684-3333
Barron................(715) 537-5661
Hudson ............. (715) 386-2300
Menomonie–Downtown, East & North ........................(715) 235-3403
Prescott ............ (715) 262-4600
River Falls ........ (715) 425-8113
Spring Valley ..(715) 778-5644
High School Offices in Amery, Hudson, Menomonie, New Richmond and River Falls
Eau Claire............. (715) 833-8035
New Richmond . (715) 246-2068
US Toll-Free......... (800) 924-0022
westconsincu.org
90 Day Notes is a quarterly newsletter published by WESTconsin Credit Union to inform and educate its member-owners about the credit union and other financial matters.
Current Personal
Loan Rates
All rates stated are the lowest possible
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and
are subject to change. Your actual
loan rate will be based on your credit
history for secured and unsecured
loans, and collateral age for secured
loans. WESTconsin Credit Union
offers discounts on our already low
personal loan rates including a .25%
or .50% discount that is determined
by your Membership
Value Pricing® (MVP)
program status.
Secured and Collateral age 2010 and newer
Up to 24 months ...................................1.99–11.24%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $42.54–$46.74
Up to 36 months ...................................2.24–11.49%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $28.75–$32.99
Up to 48 months ...................................2.49–11.74%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $21.92–$26.22
Up to 60 months ...................................2.74–11.99%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $17.86–$22.25
Up to 72 months ...................................3.24–12.49%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $15.31–$19.82
Up to 84 months* ................................... 3.99–5.24%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $13.67–$14.25
Secured and Collateral age 2006–2009
Up to 24 months ...................................2.74–12.24%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $42.87–$47.21
Up to 36 months ...................................2.99–12.49%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $29.08–$33.47
Up to 48 months ...................................3.24–12.74%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $22.25–$26.72
Up to 60 months .................................. 3.49–12.99%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $18.19–$22.76
Up to 72 months* ................................... 3.99–5.49%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $15.65–$16.34
Secured and Collateral age 2005 and older
Up to 24 months ...................................4.24–13.99%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $43.53–$48.01
Up to 36 months ...................................4.49–14.24%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $29.75–$34.29
Up to 48 months ...................................4.74–14.49%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $22.92–$27.58
Up to 60 months ...................................4.99–14.74%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $18.87–$23.66
WESTconsin’s Service Center—
Convenient, Local, Responsive
Our friendly, professional representatives can assist you with
any of these member service needs:
• Personal loans
• Certificates
• WESTconsin Online banking and CALL-24
• Credit & debit card assistance
• Account inquiries
• Transactions over $200
• Responses to member emails
Phone: Call your local WESTconsin Credit Union
office, or (800) 924-0022
Email: For your security, complete our email
form located on our website
Fax: (715) 232-7301
Office Hours: M–F 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.,
except when closed for observed holidays
Amery High School Office Now Open
Amery High School has a new, interactive financial program on campus—their
own WESTconsin Credit Union office! On October 4, the Amery Community
Club, along with school district and credit union representatives, are
conducting a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the occasion. There will also
be tours, activities and snacks provided throughout the week.
The credit union is staffed and operated by
st
student tellers who are working through the
sc
school’s Youth Apprenticeship program, with
su
supervision from WESTconsin personnel.
SStudents and staff have immediate access to
fi
financial resources, information and products.
O
Operational
hours are Monday, Tuesday and
F
Friday
from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m.
A
Amery
joins River Falls, New Richmond,
Menomonie and Hudson as the fifth fully
operational WESTconsin Credit Union High
School Office.
Unsecured Consumer Loans
Up to 48 months ...................................9.00–17.00%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $24.90–$28.86
Up to 60 months* .............................. 10.50–17.50%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $21.51–$25.14
Lowest Secured and Unsecured rates above assume A+ credit
score and Gold MVP level.
*Term is subject to creditworthiness.
Holiday Hours
Offices and Service Center will be CLOSED on:
Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 28
Christmas Eve | Tuesday, December 24
Close at 1 p.m.
Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25
New Year’s Day | Wednesday, January 1
westconsincu.org
WESTconsin Retiree
WESTconsin is pleased to recognize employees for their dedication and
commitment with serving our members over the years. On behalf of everyone,
congratulations and best wishes on your retirement!
Susan Swenson—Marketing Assistant
Susan began employment with WESTconsin Credit Union in 1998 as a teller in
Menomonie. In 2001, she moved into the Marketing Department where she has
worked as a marketing assistant since then. She will retire with 15 years of service.
Office Events and Fundraisers
Available in Time for the Holidays—
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Cookbooks
WESTconsin offices will begin selling cookbooks the first of October with all
proceeds going to CMN. Cookbooks contain over 750 recipes from all around
our membership area. Cost is $15.00 each, or buy 5 and save $5! 100% of the
money raised stays at Gillette Children’s for CMN. Funds are used for research
and providing assistance to families as needed for meals and lodging while their
child is being treated. Learn more about how Gillette Children’s is changing the
way kids with disabilities see the world and how the world sees them by visiting curepity.org.
The Mitten Tree
Food Pantry Drive
From November 18–December 7,
WESTconsin Credit Union offices will
again be decorating trees in their
lobbies with donated mittens, gloves,
hats and scarfs as part of The Mitten Tree
campaign. Items must be new and will
be distributed locally to those in need
prior to the holidays.
Non-perishable food and paper products
will be collected December 9–18. Items can
be dropped off at any WESTconsin office.
All proceeds will be delivered to local food
ns
pantries for distribution. Monetary donations
will also be accepted. For every $1 donated,,
e
local food pantries can collect and distribute
approximately seven pounds of food.
Business Payroll and Credit Card Payment
Processing with Heartland Payment Systems
Being in business isn’t easy. You have inventory to
manage, employees to supervise, reports to complete—
and on top of all this, you need to be certain your card
payments, payroll and all of your processes are safe, secure
and quickly being completed. WESTconsin Credit Union
has chosen to partner with Heartland Payment Systems to
give you one less thing to worry about.
As a business owner or merchant, it is crucial to understand
the concept of “the middlemen” so you can make an
educated decision on choosing a payment processor.
Middlemen (often called Resellers, Independent Sales
Organizations/ISOs or Merchant Service Providers) are not
directly authorizing, capturing and settling transactions.
They may call themselves a “processor” by processing the
money they collect from merchant’s checking account every
day, but they don’t touch their credit/debit transactions
in any way. Not only do middlemen inflate costs, but they
hinder communication that results in insufficient notices
for rate changes, PCI mandates or changes to a merchant’s
processing methods, to name a few.
Heartland is the only company in the credit card
processing industry that does not employ middlemen.
Pricing is fully disclosed and statements are easy to
read—merchants know what they’ll be paying. Overall, a
merchant that does processing with Heartland benefits
from a professionally trained team that keeps them well
informed while looking out for their best interests.
For those small and mid-sized business owners who wear
many hats to get the job done, payroll is another constant
in a daily stream of administrative and professional
tasks that need to be addressed. Whether it’s paying
employees accurately and on time, hiring new staff and
making disciplinary decisions, or complying with complex
employment-related laws, regulations and court decisions,
payroll and human resources are a critical function to a
business’ success.
While this function certainly can be handled internally,
that’s not always easy—or sensible. The ideal solution is to
outsource your payroll with a single vendor that provides
a flexible suite of payroll processing and employmentrelated services as well as a team of well-trained
professionals who can help the owner spend more time
focusing on his or her business.
Heartland offers a comprehensive suite of integrated
payroll and employment-related services that facilitate
24/7 secure access to essential payroll data and employee
information for you and your trusted business advisors/
partners, as well as payment processing.
To learn more about payment and payroll processing,
contact Heartland’s dedicated local relationship
managers, Teri and Jim Renslow at (715) 821-0992 or visit
p y
y
heartlandpaymentsystems.com.
A Message from WESTconsin Investment Advisors
Changes for WESTconsin Investment Advisors—
Welcome Alex Burian; New Office at Menomonie Downtown
TIM CARLSON
ext. 7219
Since 1994, WESTconsin Credit Union has been making a financial management service available to you,
our members, through WESTconsin Investment Advisors, located at WESTconsin Credit Union. In keeping
with that service, we are pleased to introduce Alex Burian as our newest full-time WESTconsin Investment
Advisor serving members at WESTconsin Credit Union offices in Amery, Hudson, Prescott, New Richmond
and River Falls. He is working from the River Falls office and can be reached at (715) 425-8113, ext. 7506, or
[email protected].
ALEX BURIAN
Tim Carlson, WESTconsin Investment Advisor Vice President* and Investment Advisor will continue serving
ext. 7506
members from our other WESTconsin Credit Union office locations. In addition, he will maintain a servicing
relationship with a small group of members from the office locations that Alex serves.
Recently, WESTconsin Investment Advisors’ office space at the WESTconsin Credit Union–Menomonie Downtown location
moved from the second to first floor. Those seeking services or appointments should go to the member lobby area where
the entrance to the new Advisors’ office is located.
WESTconsin Investment Advisors is a personalized financial management service designed to help you identify your major
goals and objectives, analyze your current financial situation, and recommend alternative methods to help you achieve
financial security. WESTconsin Investment Advisors can provide the tools necessary to manage your finances in the face of
inflation, taxation*, and other uncertainties of life.
For more information about WESTconsin Investment Advisors, or to schedule an appointment with Alex or Tim, please call
(800) 924-0022 ext. 7218. As always, there is no cost or obligation for the service, only a great opportunity to help you.
*Representative is not a tax advisor. For information regarding your specific tax situation, please consult a tax professional.
*The title of Vice President is a WESTconsin Credit Union title and not a title with CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. 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, IA
50677, toll-free (800) 369-2862. 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.
FR081206-DCF6.
WESTconsin Awarded Certificate of Achievement from USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development Wisconsin recently announced WESTconsin
Credit Union as a recipient of the Platinum Million Dollar
Lender Award. The Award is presented to lenders who have
made a significant contribution in assisting Wisconsin rural
residents achieve the
dream of homeownership,
in partnership with USDA
Rural Development and
the Guaranteed Rural
Housing (GRH) Program.
In fiscal year 2012, WESTconsin Credit Union utilized more
than $5 million of GRH program funds by financing home
purchases to help moderate income families in Wisconsin.
More than 3,380 families across Wisconsin were able to
purchase a home last year through the GRH loan program,
totaling nearly $415 million.
The GRH program assists homebuyers in obtaining a 30-year
fixed rate mortgage without the down payment typically
required by conventional lenders and programs. The amount
of the mortgage is limited by the applicant’s repayment ability
and can be made for up to 100 percent of the appraised value.
There are no restrictions on the size or design of the home.
Loan closing costs and repairs can often be financed with
the home purchase. Eligible areas include rural regions and
communities under 20,000 in population, and not part of a
larger urban area. Visit the agency’s website at
rurdev.usda.gov/WI for more information.
Jim Moe
WESTconsin Realty, LLC—New Richmond Office
121 Meridian Drive, New Richmond, WI 54017
[email protected]
(715) 781-0387
8 Simple Steps to Add Curb Appeal
Upgrading your home’s exterior does not call for massive renovations; in fact, many projects can be accomplished in a day
or a weekend. Check out these clever, thrifty renovations to create a welcoming home.
1. Keep it tidy and trim
Mowing your grass and cleaning up your landscaping will
keep your yard looking flawless. Trim your shrubs and pull
weeds from your flowerbeds. It doesn’t cost a penny for this
fix, just a little sweat equity.
2. Add flowers
Upgrading your landscaping can be as simple as adding a
few container plants by your front door or hanging them
from your porch. A splash of color from the plants will
brighten up your entryway. You can purchase ready-made
containers or assemble them yourself with your favorite
plants and flowers. If you have a post style mailbox, adding
some flowers around the base of it really perks it up.
3. Wash it with water
You can rent a power washer to really clean up the place or
simply turn on the garden hose to give it a quick cleaning.
Don’t forget the windows; make them sparkle inside and out
by washing them with some white vinegar diluted with water.
4. Make it match
Match house numbers, mailbox, and light fixtures in a
similar style. They don’t have to match exactly, but can be an
eclectic mix and match as long as one element is the same—
for example, color, finish, or style. At the very least, always
make sure that they are clean and clear of dirt and debris.
5. Light up the night
Lighting will boost your curb appeal at night, but wired
landscape lighting can be expensive. Add solar lights along
your walkway for a low-cost upgrade.
6. Add accessories
Garden accessories that complement your home’s style
can really up the charm. Consider installing bird baths and
feeders, sculpture, wind chimes, weathervanes, and sun
catchers. Use cast off pieces of flat granite or slate to make
stepping stones for a path.
7. Door details
Installing molding around your front door can really make
it stand out. There are many options available at home
improvement stores. Choose a simple clean trim or get
more elaborate with a decorative architectural style.
8. Perk it up with paint
Give your home some character simply by painting your
front door a unique color. Choose a contrasting color that
complements your house’s exterior paint to really stand
out. For an extra bonus, you can also paint the trim a
coordinating color.
9. Style for your windows
Adding shutters to your windows can add style and color
but also help control light and ventilation. This one is
win-win when you consider that it may help to lower your
electric bill in the summer, too.
10. Window boxes add a pop of color
Plant brightly colored flowers that really stand out against
the house color. A self-watering window box will help keep
this upgrade low maintenance.
Some Holiday Cards Are More Rewarding Than Others
WESTconsin Platinum Visa features CU Rewards and NO ANNUAL
FEE along with Membership Value Pricing (MVP) benefits that use
your family’s combined accounts to fill your stockings with goodies.
You can check out hundreds of great brand name gifts, including
airline tickets and cruises, at CURewards.com. Even balance transfers
from non-WESTconsin credit cards earn CU Rewards points—with
no fee! Apply online at westconsincu.org, or give us a call. You can
usually get an approval the same day.
Upcoming Travel Club Trips
A Fireside Christmas | November 21–22
Hawaiian Island Cruise | February 14–23, 2014
It’s always gorgeous; it’s always
entertaining; it’s always filled with
inspiration and love. For almost
twenty years the Fireside Dinner
Theatre in Fort Atkinson has presented the area’s most
beautiful and original musical revues in celebration of
the most joyous holiday of the year. Friday, we will leave
Janesville and stop in Wisconsin Dells at an antique mall and
a craft store for some shopping and lunch. We will arrive
back in Menomonie at approximately 3:45 p.m. Cost for this
two-day trip is $205.
Capture the pure spirit and soul of
Hawaii with WESTconsin! Visit four
islands in seven days. You’ll have time
to learn how to surf or brush up on your
hula. And with overnights in Maui and
Kauai, you’ll have time to hike up to a waterfall, gaze at an
active volcano and party with locals at an authentic Luau.
Fly to Oahu and cruise the islands! Prices starting at $3,278
per person, based on double occupancy. Complete itinerary
is available on our website.
For reservations or more information, please contact Sharron Buss, Volunteer & Travel Club Coordinator,
at your local office, ext. 7733 or visit westconsincu.org.
Member Notices
2013 Scholarships Available Online
WESTconsin Credit Union is offering $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors
from the class of 2014. Students must have been a WESTconsin member since April 30,
2013 to be eligible for this year’s scholarship program. Visit the ‘Student Savers’ tab at
westconsincu.org for more information, and to access the online application.
S
Successful
School
Supply
Drives
S
Mobile Deposit—Coming Soon!
I July and August,
In
W
WESTconsin
offices served
as collection sites for
school supply donations
that amounted to 2,993
items, 99 backpacks
and $350. All supplies
were distributed locally
through designated
community partners.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Annual
School Supply Drive!
Later this year, WESTconsin Credit Union
will begin offering Mobile Deposit that
allows users the ability to deposit checks
by snapping a photo through their
mobile device. The new service is secure,
convenient and easy to use. Look for
updates on our website.
WESTconsin Credit Union Board Member Nominations
Interested in serving as a member of WESTconsin’s Board of Directors? The WESTconsin Nominating Committee will
meet in early November 2013 to select candidates. Elections will be held during the Annual Membership Meeting in the
spring of 2014. Director candidates must be credit union members in good standing and eligible to vote at the Annual
Meeting. You must have at least $5 in a Membership Savings Account in your name individually or be the first named
person on a joint account. Directors meet about 15 times each year. They also represent WESTconsin at community
and credit union functions. If you know someone who you think would make an excellent candidate, please ask for
their permission to send in a letter of recommendation to the committee; or refer them to personally submit one. If
you would like to be considered, please send a letter by November 1, 2013, stating your interest and highlighting your
qualifications to: Nominating Committee, WESTconsin Credit Union, PO Box 160, Menomonie, WI 54751.
Mortgage Lending Comes to Menomonie–East Office
WESTconsin is pleased to begin offering mortgage lending services from our Menomonie–East office
located at 3333 Schneider Avenue. Jordi Buchner, Mortgage Loan Originator with over 20 years’
experience, recently relocated from the Menomonie–Downtown location and is eager to help members
with home buying and refinancing needs from her new East office. She can be reached at
(715) 235-3403 ext. 7702 or [email protected].