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Spring 2011

SERV I NG ANOKA , CH I S AGO , D AKOTA , H ENNEP I N , R AMSE Y & WASH I NG TON COUNT I E S

Some monthly expenses you can prepare for and some take you by surprise. Either way, when it’s time to spend you’ll know your PCU Blue, Blue Rewards or Gold Visa Credit Card is giving you something in return.

PCU has the right card for your personal and/or business use. Personal lines start as low as $500 and can go as high as $30,000. Enjoy a variety of perks and benefits depending upon the card you choose, including:

�■ Low standard rates* �■ Built in fraud protection �■ Cash back or CU Rewards �■ No annual fee** �■ Local representatives to assist you over the phone or in person �■ Online account management through PCU Online Banking

Apply 24/7 online at www.postalcu.org or by phone at 651 770-7000 or 800 247-0857. Or, visit any PCU location and one of our friendly Member Service Representatives will assist you.

Because Real Life Spending Isn’t Always Planned, There’s PCU Blue, Blue Rewards & Gold Visa

* Rates subject to change. For current rates and disclosure information visit www.postalcu.org. **The Blue Rewards Card will have an annual fee after the first year.

Pg. 3 – Annual Meeting Dinner Tickets on Sale

Pg. 4 – PCU Commits to Meals on Wheels

Pg. 4 – A Better Way to Save for Retirement

Pg. 5 – Meet the Board Candidates

Pg. 6 – Thinking About Starting a Business in Minnesota?

Pg. 7 – Frequently Asked Questions About MEMBERS Financial

In This Issue:

Join your fellow member-owners at this year’s Annual Meeting, set for Sunday, May 1 at the Prom Center in Oakdale. See page 3 for details.

When your credit union first opened in 1926, we offered only savings accounts. A short time later, loans were added to the product line up. Fast forward to 2011 and it’s evident PCU has come a long way since those early days. Now, 85 years later, your credit union is a full-service financial center, offering a wide range of services to meet your ever-changing financial needs.

We live in a time of great opportunity, where advancements in technology and new product development enable us to serve you better, faster and more efficiently. These advances provide the means to take existing products and services and enhance or replace them to make them more beneficial to your life today.

With that in mind, I would like to share just a sample of what’s new at PCU: To provide you with a more cost-effective way to manage life’s expected and unexpected expenses, your credit union recently introduced the new PCU Blue and PCU Blue Rewards credit cards, featured in this issue of Dollars & Sense. To help you better manage your daily finances, we will soon roll out a streamlined and enhanced checking account line up, designed to capture the best features and benefits of our current offerings, including free checking. Also in the works is a new Online Banking and Bill Pay system, a new and

improved website, Mobile Banking and more.

In addition to these exciting changes, PCU continues to offer exceptionally low auto and mortgage loan rates. If you are in the market to buy, now is the time to lock in a great rate and save!

The future holds many exciting things for your credit union, as we continue to expand and improve the many ways we serve you. Of course, none of this would be possible without your ongoing support. We are proud to be your financial partner and are committed to providing you with sound financial solutions and unparalleled service.

Attend the Annual Meeting Tickets are now on sale for your credit union’s Annual Meeting on May 1 at the Prom Center in Oakdale. Join your fellow owner/members and take part in democracy in action. See page 3 for details. I look forward to seeing you there.

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Dollars & Sense is published quarterly for members of Postal Credit Union.

Editor: Cindy Kurtz Contributors: Shannon Garrity

Operating under supervision of the Minnesota Department of Commerce

Member of River Cities Chapter Minnesota Credit Union Network and CUNA, Inc.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS James C. Bryan, Chairman Keith E. Hauge, Vice Chairman Daniel L. Blees, Secretary Allan J. Brennan Laurie M. Ludwig Roger L. McClure Judy A. Schadewald Robert E. Vance Jr. Mary A. White

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE Lisa M. Liddell, Chairperson Jim Carrier

STAFF Russell M. Plunkett, President Dennis R. Bauer, Executive Vice President Brian G. Sherrick, Executive Vice President Jeanine S. Swanson, Senior Vice President Lawrence J. Miggler, Senior Vice President Alisha J.R. Johnson, Vice President Kelly R. Johnson, Vice President Michael C. Rush, Vice President

All Offices 8-5:00 pm ..................................... 651 770-7000

Toll Free* 8-5:00 pm ..................... 800 247-0857

TTY Deaf or Hard of Hearing 8-5:00 pm ..................................... 651 773-2808

PAL Local ........................... 651 773-2PAL (2725)

PAL Toll Free* ................................ 800 223-1933

Fax ................................................ 651 773-2901

Fax, Toll Free* ............................... 800 494-4980

VISA TTY Deaf or Hard of Hearing ... 800 221-7728

Investment Center ......................... 651 773-2876

Mortgage Center ............................ 651 747-4663

Business Services ......................... 651 747-8900

* Except Alaska and Hawaii.

www.postalcu.org

Founded in 1926 as St. Paul Postal Employees Credit Union.

President’s Corner

What’s New at PCU

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Join fellow PCU members at this year’s Annual Meeting, set for Sunday, May 1, at the Prom Center in Oakdale, just north of I-94 at 484 Inwood Avenue/ Radio Drive (County Road 13 – see map). All members are invited to attend the Business Meeting and enjoy a good meal. A sign language interpreter will be available for the deaf or hard of hearing, with designated seating near the front of the ballroom. The center features plenty of free parking.

Learn about PCU’s many opportunities!

The Annual Meeting’s popular “tradeshow” gives you the chance to learn more about PCU’s Mortgage & Title services, Business Services, Consumer Services, MEMBERS Financial, and the PCU Community Foundation.

Prizes and gifts – A total of 20 door prizes will be given away, and everyone in attendance will receive a free gift.

Dinner – Enjoy a delicious dinner of Homemade Pot Roast, loaded mashed potatoes, carrots and pea pods, gourmet salad, assorted breads with sweet cream butter, Tiramisu cake for dessert, and coffee, decaffeinated coffee or tea. Milk is available upon request. A cash bar will be available. Please note: Tickets

will be collected prior to serving the meal, so be sure to bring yours!

Tickets – Seating is limited, so buy your ticket early! The cost is $10.00; tickets must be purchased by Monday, April 25 or before they are sold out – whichever comes first! You may purchase tickets four ways:

ONLINE – Use the convenient form on our website at www. postalcu.org.

BY MAIL – An order form is included in this newsletter.

IN PERSON – From any Teller.

BY PHONE – Call 651 770-7000 or 800 247-0857. Payment will be deducted from your account.

There will be NO REFUNDS on ticket purchases. You do not need a dinner ticket to attend the Business Meeting only.

Registration information

YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE the Business Meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. to vote, obtain your gift or be entered into the door prize drawing! You will be asked for identification at the Annual Meeting to establish your membership for voting. Your

driver’s license, account statement, or this copy of DOLLARS & SENSE showing your name on the address label, will be sufficient. All primary members age 18 and older with at least $1 in a Share Savings account are eligible to vote. Additional joint owners of an account do not qualify. A member must be present to vote. An organization, society, or corporation having a membership in the credit union may cast its vote by one person upon presentation of written authority.

Nominations for the Board of Directors are not allowed from the floor at the Annual Meeting. The following candidates have submitted letters of intent to run, and will appear on the ballot at this year’s meeting. Three candidates will be selected to serve on the Board of Directors for a three year term. (See candidate biographies on page 5.)

Board of Directors Candidates

Expiring three year term: Allan J. Brennan* James C. Bryan* Keith E. Hauge* Peter S. Olsen

Tickets Now on Sale for 2011 Annual Meeting!

Sunday, May 1, 2011 Registration 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Business Meeting 1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Dinner 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Order Form Please send me Annual Meeting dinner tickets.

_______ Tickets X $10.00 = $__________ PAYMENT ENCLOSED

Charge my PCU account: h Savings h Checking

Name _____________________________________________________________________