Free Seminar: 9 Mistakes to Avoid for a Successful Retirement.

Posted by Chris Sievers on Mar 12th, 2010 | View Comments

Join SIU CU Investment Services‘ CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Jeff Rose as he discusses the key to a financially successful retirement.The free seminar is 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24 at 395 N. Giant City Road, Carbondale. Lunch will be provided and seating is limited. To RSVP, contact Lisa at 618-549-8621.

Visit our new Investment Services webpage to learn what  Jeff Rose CFP®, can do for you. Click here to visit the new web page.

Certified Financial Planner™ Now Available at SIU Credit Union

Posted by Chris Sievers on Jan 19th, 2010 | View Comments

Jeff Rose, Certified Financial Planner™ for SIU Credit Union

SIU Credit Union members now have access to a Certified Financial Planner™ to help them navigate their financial future with the creation of SIU CU Investment Services department.

Jeff Rose, a Certified Financial Planner™ with Alliance Planning Investment Group in Carbondale, will offer financial planning and investment services to credit union members. He will hold office hours on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or by appointment at the SIU Credit Union Giant City Road location.

“We are thrilled to be working with someone of Jeff’s caliber,” said Dennis Schaefer, President and CEO of SIU Credit Union. “By adding this service, our members will have access to one of only a handful of Certified Financial Planners™ in Southern Illinois. We are continuously looking for ways to improve the financial lives of our members and we believe adding a financial planner achieves that.

Rose can help members create a financial road map to retirement.

 “I’m very excited about the opportunity,” Rose said. “Now more than ever, people need to be prepared for their financial future.”

 Rose will assist members with investment choices, stocks and bond purchases and help with retirement planning. Rose can also help with asset management, college savings plans, life insurance and small business retirement plans.

 To schedule an appointment with Rose, call 618-549-8632 or e-mail him at jeff.rose@siucu.org For more information on Jeff Rose, visit http://www.allianceinvestmentplanning.com/meet-our-team/jeff-rose.html, http://www.goodfinancialcents.com/.

 SIU Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution. With over 25,000 members and thousands of free ATM locations worldwide, SIU Credit Union is the largest credit union in Southern Illinois. Membership is open to anyone living or working in 11 Southern Illinois counties. For more information, or to find a location, visit www.siucu.org.

 Securities and life insurance offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC The LPL Financial registered representative associated with this site only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of the following states: AZ,CA,CO,IL,IN,FL,KY,MO,NJ,NM,NV,PA,WA,WI,WV,VA.

Reduce Your Monthly Auto Loan Payment

Posted by Chris Sievers on Jan 5th, 2010 | View Comments

These days, any extra money can come in handy. If you’re trying to cut costs wherever possible, refinancing your car loan can free up some cash. For a limited time, you can refinance your car from another financial institution and save hunders or even thousands of dollars over the life of the car loan.  With rates as low as 3.99% APR, you can quickly put extra cash in your pocket with lower monthly payments. To see how much you can save, visit one of our member service represenatives. They can quickly tell you if it’s in your best interest to refinance your auto loan.

Keep us posted on your financial health

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Dec 30th, 2009 | View Comments

Financial Trouble?

Unemployed? Spend too much over the holidays?  Just having trouble making it this month? 

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, I would urge you to call your creditors.

It is so much easier to work with someone having financial problems if they call in when they first realize that it’s going to be tough to make their payments.  If you wait until the collector has sent out several notices, made numerous phone calls and you have ruined your credit, it may be too late to help you.  If you call or visit your collector early on in your financial low, he or she usually has more options available to help you overcome your financial problems.

 Here at SIU Credit Union, we want to help you.  We want you to call us and keep us informed of your financial situations and we want to work with you to overcome your problems.

Give us a call today at 618-457-3595 to discuss your financial situation.

 -Lisa Winthrop

Going on Your Next Employment Interview

Posted by Tracy Frischkorn on Nov 4th, 2009 | View Comments

Job interviews can be challenging and stressful.  Planning ahead and being prepared for hard questions will give you an edge. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth interview.

Tips:

1. Practice interviewing ahead of time so you are comfortable with the process.
2. Make sure your qualifications are appropriate for the position at hand.  Be ready to demonstrate your proficiency in the tasks associated with the job.
3. Be prepared. Learn all you can about the company ahead of time.  Have an understanding of the business and the services provided.
4. Dress appropriately. Project an image of workplace professionalism.  Understanding the environment of the business is critical.
5. Speak slowly and with confidence.  Be prepared to sell yourself without being overbearing.   If you don’t know the answer, be honest.  Eye contact is essential and body language should convey a positive attitude.
6. Don’t lie!  Exaggerations about previous jobs or experiences can, and will, come back to haunt you.  Employers do background checks, including previous positions and duties.   Be honest about what skills you have.
7. Don’t interrupt the interviewer to interject your opinions or responses.
8. Don’t bad mouth your old company or supervisors during the interview.
9. Ask questions when given the opportunity.  For example, show interest in the position by asking specific questions about the tasks or ask questions about where the company sees itself in 5 years.

Send a follow up “thank you” letter to the interviewer showing your appreciation while conveying your continued interest in the position.

-Tracy Frischkorn, HR Director

SIU Credit Union Can Put You in Business

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 27th, 2009 | View Comments

SIU Credit Union is here to help small-to-medium size business. Credit unions have established a relationship with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to expedite loans to credit-worthy small businesses. The SBA’s finance programs enhance the ability of credit unions to provide long- and short-term loans to small businesses that might not qualify through other lending channels.

SBA loans can only be used to finance the start-up, operation, or expansion of a business. You can’t use the funds to repay other debts, reinvest in financial instruments, or speculate in real estate, financial, commodity, or other markets.

To obtain an SBA loan, you must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan from the cash flow and profits of the business and meet other eligibility criteria.

The credit union makes all necessary arrangements to secure a loan with the SBA. Both fixed and variable interest rates are available for an SBA loan.

Borrowers should be prepared to pay closing costs on SBA loans, including all recording and packaging fees, title company and environmental reports, appraisals, and attorney fees. Total closing costs average between 3% and 5% of the loan amount.

SIU Credit Union may be able to help you with your business; visit our business services representative, Angela Williams-Barke today to see how SIU Credit Union Business Services products can help you. Call 618-457-3595 to schedule an appointment.