in this issue · 6/1/2018 · payday loans of $350 charge a median annual interest rate of 391%....
TRANSCRIPT
Comments from Your CEO p 2 USA Patriot Act p 3 Securing Your Home Network P 3 Account Rates p 5
Closed Dates p 5 New! Business Accounts p 6 NOTICE OF CHANGES P 7 Money-Saving Tips p 8
IN THIS ISSUE:
2
Comments From Your CEO
2
Hello to the Membership of the Credit Union
for Robertson County,
This newsletter is our way to update and keep
you informed of what is going on with your
credit union. We express our heartfelt thanks
for your loyal business and for faithfully
utilizing the many valuable services we offer.
We are working hard to be ever more
convenient, fast, dependable and visionary in
the delivery of your services.
We recently completed a state-wide MOCK
Disaster with TEMA/TDFI. We chose to
participate in the disaster drill as a way to
learn to be prepared for whatever situation
might arise. We assure you of our continued
dedication and diligence in serving you and
striving to be prepared in all situations and
circumstances.
The financial condition of your Credit Union
remains strong. Year-to-date, we reflect asset
growth breaking $48 million (with growth in
assets of $3.6 million from one year ago) and
increased numbers of members.
Let this note serve to keep you abreast of your
credit union’s offerings, and to serve as a
reminder, if you are not taking advantage of
these services:
Remote Deposit Capture has been very well
received! It is a total convenience for you--
allowing you to make deposits without
coming into a branch by simply taking a
picture of a check with your phone and
sending it in for deposit. Please, either stop by
or call for instructions on utilizing this
service.
We are rolling out our Small Business
Services and will continue to grow the ability
to meet your needs in this area. Be sure to stop
by or call to inquire about these new services.
In addition to these, the Board has recently
added a new loan product to help you finance
a “Pole Barn.” Come by or call for
information on this new product!
We celebrated in April at our White House
Branch and enjoyed a Ribbon Cutting as we
expanded our space in that location to
include a new Drive Through and more
office space to handle the increased traffic
flow.
We will have information soon about an area
in Pleasant View, with projections, by the
end of 3rd quarter of this year, to announce
our plans for facilities there.
On a final note: Please beware of traps that
you do not need to get tangled up in! The
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
(CFPB) is presently discussing how
Regulators are planning to crack-down on
payday and auto-title lenders. There is a
“cycle of debt” that is thriving in the lending
industry. According to the CFPB, typical
payday loans of $350 charge a median annual
interest rate of 391%. Though the loans are
designed to be repaid quickly, four out of
five are extended, which is being called a
“debt trap.” One in Five people default on
payday loans. Please beware the “Short
Term Cash Fix,” it can turn in to long-term
debt. We strive to help our members avoid
these types of loans.
“Because YOU Matter” is definitely at the
top of our list in trying to make sure you are
SERVED and we will continue to strive to
deserve your business. Please stop by or give
us a call if we can be of assistance.
In Service,
Wanda E. Mason, CEO
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On October 25, 2001, President Bush signed into law the USA Patriot Act of
2001. The Act is intended to facilitate the prevention, detection and prosecution
of international money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
The Act requires customers of financial institutions to comply with the
identification verification procedures described in the Act.
The Act requires all financial institutions to verify the identity of their customers.
You may not be able to make transactions until documentation of identification is verified.
In addition to deterring money laundering and terrorist financing, comprehensive procedures
for verifying the identity of customers should reduce the growing incidence of fraud and identity
theft involving new accounts.
As such, the CREDIT UNION for Robertson County requires the following documentation prior
to opening accounts and causing transactions.
Individuals: government issued identification that evidences nationality or residence and
bears a photograph or similar safeguard. It must be unexpired.
Non-individuals: documents showing the existence of the entity (registered articles of
incorporation, a government issued business license, partnership agreement, or trust
instrument).
USA Patriot Act
Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your devices with these tips and resources from StaySafeOnline.org
A protected home network means your family can use the Internet safely and securely.
Most households now run networks of devices linked to the Internet, including computers, laptops, gaming devices, TVs, tablets, and smartphones that access wireless networks. To protect your home network
and your family, you need to have the right tools in place and confidence that family members can use the Internet safely and securely.
The first step is to Keep a Clean Machine and make sure all of your Internet-enabled devices have the latest operating system, web browsers and security software. This includes mobile devices that access your wireless network.
Secure Your Wireless Router
A wireless network means connecting an Internet access point – such as a cable or DSL modem – to a wireless router. Going wireless is a convenient way to allow multiple devices to connect to the Internet from different areas of your home. However, unless you secure your router, you’re vulnerable to people accessing information on your computer, using your Internet service for free and potentially using your network to commit cybercrimes.
Here are ways to secure your wireless router:
Change the name of your router: The default ID - called a service set identifier‖ (SSID) or ―extended service set identifier‖ (ESSID ) – is assigned by the manufacturer. Change your router to a name that is unique to you and won’t be easily guessed by others.
Continued on Page 7
Securing Your Home Network
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TruStage Auto & Home Insurance Program is made available through TruStage Insurance Agency, LLC and issued by leading insurance companies. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Discounts are not avai lable in all states and discounts vary by state. A consumer report from a consumer reporting agency and/or motor vehicle report will be obtained on all drivers listed on your policy where state laws and regulations allow. Please consult your policy for specific coverages and limitations. The insurance offered is not a deposit, and is not federally insured, sold or guaranteed by your credit union. *Average annual savings based on countrywide survey of new customers from 01/27/2014 to 01/16/2015 who reported their prior insurers’ premiums when they switched to Liberty Mutual’s group auto and home program. Savings do not apply in MA. AHL-1123803.2
Be sure to check out
our website at www.tcurc.org
for all the latest CREDIT UNION
news & happenings!
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HOLIDAY Memorial Robt Co
North-
Crest
Stone-
View
White
House
Electrolux
Independence Day | July 4 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed
Labor Day | Sept 5 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed
Columbus Day | Oct 10 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed
Veterans’ Day | Nov 11 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed
Thanksgiving Day | Nov 24 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed
Friday after Thanksgiving | Nov 25 OPEN Closed OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN
Friday Dec 23 OPEN Closed OPEN OPEN OPEN TBA
Christmas Day OBSERVED | Dec 26 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed
New Year’s Day OBSERVED | Jan 1 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed
RATES Dividends Declared 1st & 2nd Quarter 2016
paid as declared.
Projected 3rd Quarter 2016
Regular Shares $100 & up 0.15% APY
Youth Share $20.01 & up 1.00% APY
VISA Secured Share $100 & up 0.15% APY
Vacation & Christmas Club 0.15% APY
IRA 0.60% APY
Health Savings Account 0.50% APY
Elite $25K-$75K 0.25% APY*
Elite $75K-$125K 0.35% APY*
Elite $125K & up 0.45% APY*
* Rates are variable and subject to change monthly.
This Credit Union federally insured by the NCUA
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This account is perfect for non-profits, clubs,
teams or other groups with limited cash flow.
Minimum deposit required to open this
account is $50.00. The minimum balance
requirement is $100.00. If at any time during
the month, the balance falls below the
minimum, there is a $5.00 service charge for
the month. Additional fees, limitations and
restrictions may apply. Please stop by or call
for more information.
E-Business (Electronic Banking)
Open with a minimum deposit of $100.00. E-
Statements are required for E-Business
accounts. No monthly service charge.
Unlimited use of Online Banking Services
including BillPay (as approved) and real-time
text & email alerts. Other fees, limitations
and restrictions may apply. Please stop by or
call for more information.
Small Business Checking
This account is great for low volume
transaction accounts. Open with a minimum
deposit of $250.00. Monthly service charge
$15.00 if balance falls below $1,000.00 at
any time during the month. Additional fees,
limitations and restrictions may apply.
Please stop by or call for more information.
Premium Business Checking
This account Is ideal for sole proprietors,
partnerships and corporations with less than
200 transactions per month. Open with (Continued on page7)
Business Accounts
Now Available!
Your Credit Union is now offering Business
Accounts—including business checking! There
are several account choices; one is sure to fit your
needs!
With the introduction of our new Business
Accounts, there are a couple of things you need
to know . . . if you currently have a business
account with us (or your account is determined to
be a business account due to the type of activity
on the account) you will be receiving a ―Notice of
Change‖ letter asking for a selection of the type of
business account you wish to convert to. You will
have 30 days to respond, after which time, if we
have not heard from you, the credit union will
convert your account (based on the activity in the
account) to an appropriate business account type.
In the near future, we will also have more
business services available, such as merchant
services and night drop deposit access for larger
business deposits (at the StoneView Branch
location only).
Here is a brief overview of the types of Business
Accounts available. Stop by or call for information
on what documentation is required to open a
Business Account.
Share/Savings Account Eligibility requirements must be met, and the Share/
Savings Account is required to establish and
maintain credit union membership. There is a one-
time $5.00 joining fee.
Minimum balance to open the Share/
Savings Account is $20.00. Minimum
average daily balance required to obtain the
disclosed annual percentage yield is
$100.00.
Non-Dividend Share/Savings Account
The business may elect, and will agree, to
have a non-dividend paying Share/Savings
Account. Minimum balance required to open
this account is $20.00. There will be no
dividend paid on this account.
Organizational Business Checking
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Business Accounts (continued from page 6)
a minimum deposit of $500.00. Monthly service charge is $15.00 if balance falls below $1,500.00.
Unlimited use of Online Banking Services including BillPay (as approved) and real-time text &
email alerts. Additional fees, limitations and restrictions may apply. Please stop by or call for more
information.
Commercial Business Checking
This account is perfect for business with a larger transaction volume. Open with a minimum
deposit of $1,000.00. Monthly service charge is $15.00 if balance falls below $3,000.00. Unlimited
use of Online Banking Services including BillPay (as approved) and real-time text & email alerts.
Additional fees, limitations and restrictions may apply. Please stop by or call for more information.
Term Share Certificate (3 to 60 months)
Dividend rate is based on the term you choose for your Certificate. Please call or stop by for more
information.
Securing Your Home Network (continued from page 2)
Change the pre-set password on your router: When creating a new password, make sure it is long and strong, using a mix of numbers, letters and symbols.
Review security options: When choosing your router’s level of security, opt for WPA2, if available, or WPA. They are more secure than the WEP option.
Create a guest password: Some routers allow for guests to use the network via a separate password. If you have many visitors to your home, it’s a good idea to set up a guest network.
Use a firewall: Firewalls help keep hackers from using your computer to send out your personal information without your permission. While anti-virus software scans incoming email and files, a firewall is like a guard, watching for attempts to access your system and blocking communications with sources you don't permit. Your operating system and/or security software likely comes with a pre-installed firewall, but make sure you turn on these features.
Protect Yourself with these STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Tips:
Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats.
Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Along with computers, smartphones, gaming systems and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.
Plug & scan: USBs and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them.
Protect your $$: When banking and shopping, check to be sure the sites is security enabled. Look for web addresses with ―https://‖ or ―shttp://,‖ which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. ―Http://‖ is not secure.
Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely.
For more tips on cyber security for home and business, visit: www.staysafeonline.org.
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Upon agreement of the Board of Directors for The Credit Union for Robertson County, the
following changes have been made, effective 8-1-16, to the schedule of fees:
Additional or Replacement ATM/Debit card ................................ $8.00
Notice of New Card Product—Effective July 1, 2016 Upon agreement of the Board of Directors for The Credit Union for Robertson County, the
following new product will be available beginning July 1, 2016:
EMV VISA TravelMoney Card .................................................... $8.00
Notice of Fee Changes—Effective August 1, 2016
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Summer is a great time to take advantage of the fresh produce found in abundance at your local farmer’s markets (if you, like me, don’t have a green thumb or don’t have time or space to grow your own!) Fresh fruits and veggies can be canned for use in the fall and winter when they are far more expensive to purchase—if they are available at all.
Canned tomatoes are not difficult to “put up” (the term we use here in the south for pre-serving foods) and can be a great addition to your fall and winter soups, stews and sauces. When at the farmers’ market, look for VERY ripe tomatoes or ask if they have any “canning” to-matoes. These are usually tomatoes that are on the verge of being too ripe to use for slicing, and can sometimes be purchased for less than the table-ready ones. It’s OK to haggle a little over price. After all, better to sell them than to have to throw them out.
Keep in mind that tomatoes will need to be canned right away to prevent them from spoil-ing; so don’t buy a box of canning tomatoes if you cannot complete the process within a day or two at most. Step by step instructions on can-ning tomatoes using jars (recommended method) can be found easily by doing a quick Google search on the internet.
Fruits like blackberries, blueberries, and straw-berries can be frozen with very little effort and used later for ice cream toppings or in cakes. Of course, they are available for purchase in stores in the frozen food section, but you will pay more for them than if you do this yourself.
Wash the berries and let them dry or remove the moisture with paper towels or CLEAN kitchen towels as best you can. Place berries in a single layer on wax paper on a cookie sheet. Make sure the berries don’t touch each other. Place the cookie sheet in your freezer for a cou-ple of hours. Once frozen solid, you can put the berries in plastic zip-lock type bags for storage in your freezer for up to six months. The freezing process will change the texture of the berries when thawed, so they will not be as firm as when they are fresh, but the flavor is still won-derful.
Veggies like green beans and squash can be stored in freezer bags. Wash the squash and cut off the ends first and slice away any blemishes. Cut the squash into 3/4 inch slices or into chunks. With green beans, choose ones that are bright green and firm. Avoid beans with blem-ishes or that are limp or shriveled. Some varie-ties have a stringy fiber that runs the length of the bean. If your beans have this, remove it. Cut both ends off. You may leave them whole or cut into 1 to 2- inch pieces. Next, blanch the veggies (dunk for a couple of minutes in boiling water). This does not “cook” the veggie, but will prevent it from becoming mushy after it’s frozen and then thawed and removes the enzymes and bacteria that, over time, remove the nutrients and flavor from the veggies. The texture will stay reasonably firm. Once blanched, transfer the hot veggies to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. You can put the veggies in a freezer bag right away, or you can use the same freeze-twice method as with the berries: After blanching, drain the veggies well. Place on wax paper in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen solid, transfer them to the freezer bags. This will prevent you from having a frozen block of veggies that you must use all at once; you can just take out the amount that you need. (Note: I have added diced or chopped onion to the process on both the squash and the beans and it works very well!)
You may be tempted to add some salt to the water when blanching for a little flavor, but this can cause the veggies to be mushy when they are thawed. It works better to add your salt when you are preparing your dish rather than at the freezing stage.
This article merely touches on a couple of ways you can save money by easily preserving fresh, in-season produce. There are many valuable online sites with a quick Google search that can provide variations in preserving methods and canning recipes for just about any type of fruit or vegetable you can use in the winter months.
Happy preserving! Happy SAVING!
You CAN Save Money “putting up” Your Own Produce