CNNMoney.com, Fox Business Tout CUs

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Jun 25th, 2010 | no comments

MADISON, Wis. (6/25/10 CUNA)–CNNMoney.com and Fox Business both advised consumers to join a credit union to take advantage of better rates and fees.

Fox noted that consumers should “strongly” consider getting a credit union credit card because credit unions charge a lower late fee–a median of about $20–compared with $39 at banks. Large banks tend to charge higher fees, Fox said. The segment discussed how the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosures Act will affect consumers and what they need to know about the act, which was enacted in May.

CNNMoney mentioned that credit unions offer better interest rates and rates on share certificates, savings accounts and money market accounts. The article, saying that credit unions offer a “popular alternative to large banks,” also noted the Credit Union National Association’s credit union locator–creditunion.coop.

Why Do People Choose a Credit Union?

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Feb 12th, 2010 | one comment

Why do people choose a credit union over a bank? It isn’t just a matter of one’s profession or union encouraging the choice – though that certainly plays a role. People like credit unions for other compelling reasons.

A fundamental (and philosophical) difference. Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations owned by their members; retail and business banks are for-profit private enterprises. A bank seeks to maximize earnings as it serves its customers. The more income it can derive from you, the better for its future. Banks have to answer to shareholders. Credit unions must ultimately answer to members.

Credit unions commonly use profits to fund reserves. Excess earnings may be indirectly returned to members – they can translate into reduced loan rates, higher interest rates on savings accounts (which are called share accounts), and lower fees. Some CUs have even sent members bonus checks.

A chance to potentially save money over time.

Money which banks might charge you, that is. Checking accounts are free at most credit unions. In most cases, a checking account at a CU requires no minimum balance, and there are no per-check fees or overdraft fees. Historically, most credit unions haven’t returned cancelled checks to their members – mostly because of the expense. However, many CUs provide them at request.

What about ATMs? Well, there are more than you might think. Many credit unions belong to the CO-OP Network, a credit-union only ATM network with more than 28,000 ATMs in America. Credit Union 24, a member-owned, full-service ATM cooperative, helps CUs offer their members more than 100,000 ATMs and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs.^1,2

If you need to get a loan to buy a car or some other major item, the person on the other side of the desk may quickly ask you if you belong to a credit union. There’s a reason for that: loan rates at CUs are often better than those at banks.

Are your assets federally insured at a credit union?

Yes, in almost all cases. Just as almost all banks are FDIC-insured, about 98% of credit unions are federally insured through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, administered by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). No member of a federally insured credit union has lost a cent of their insured credit union savings in the NCUA’s history.³

A share account at a federally insured credit union is insured up to $250,000 through the end of 2013 as a result of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the same level of insurance that the FDIC affords bank accounts.³

Credit unions may not be as numerous as banks, but these are some of the reasons why their members prefer them. If you have eligibility to join a credit union, it is worth seeing what that credit union can do for you and comparing the potential long-term savings of a credit union relationship against a bank relationship.

Jeff Rose is a Representative with SIU CU Investment Services which is a DBA under LPL Financial. He may be reached at Good Financial Cents, 618-549-8632 or jeff.rose@siucu.org.

This material was prepared by Peter Montoya, Inc. not the named Representative nor Broker/Dealer, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named Representative nor Broker/Dealer gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If other expert assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information.

Jeff Rose is a Registered Representative with, and securities and insurance products are offered through LPL Financial and its affiliates,

Member FINRA/SIPC. SIU CU Investment Services is not a Registered Broker/Dealer and is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Citations.
1 co-opfs.org/public/locators/atmlocator/index.cfm [12/23/09]
2 cu24.com/mapcoverage.asp [12/23/09]
3 ncua.gov/Resources/ShareInsuranceToolKit.aspx [12/23/09]

In Protest of Big Banks, The “Move Your Money” Campaign Picks Up Steam

Posted by Joshua English on Jan 8th, 2010 | no comments

“Move Your Money” is a budding movement that has the capacity to cause a major power shift in the financial industry.  It’s main purpose is to convince people to take their money out of the “too big to fail” banks and move it into the more community-oriented banks and credit unions.

A financial institution’s foundation relies on the core deposits (checking & savings accounts) of businesses and everyday people.  What they want, in essence, is a run on big banks.  A bank run occurs when a large number of people withdraw their deposits.  When this happens the likelihood of default increases, which then encourages even more withdrawals.  This can put a bank in dire circumstances and in extreme cases, bankruptcy.

Because this movement has just begun (late December 2009), it’s to early to tell whether or not people are actually going to move their money.  After all, changing banks can be tedious (which is why SIU Credit Union has a Switch Kit).  But even with this, “Move Your Money” success stories are already being documented.

There is also a tool on the Move Your Money website that lets people search for credit unions and small community banks in their area.  About a week ago, Arianna Huffington went on CNN to promote the “Move Your Money” campaign and in the following 48 hours, 80,000 people used the feature to find a local bank.  Since then this search tool has gotten around 45,000 page views a day.  There is also an edgy YouTube video that in one week, has amassed over 300,000 views:

MoveYourMoney.info uses an IRA database to help people find banks in their area.  Credit Unions don’t disclose financial information in the same ways banks do, therefore SIU Credit Union won’t be found using this search feature.  If you are interested in moving your money, visit us at www.siucu.org for more information, or just stop by one of our four branches and apply to become a member.

My Credit Union Story

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Nov 6th, 2009 | no comments

For the past couple of days, a good friend and co-worker has been continually reminding me that I have yet to turn in an article for our blog.  Since I finally realized his persistence is both shameless and tireless, I decided I better get started.  “This won’t be hard,” I thought to myself.  After all, I oversee compliance for the credit union, so I could just choose one of the hundreds of regulatory changes currently affecting the financial sector, write a short blurb, and be done with it.  However, let’s face it…there are only a few of us nerds out there who actually enjoy reading the minute details of upcoming lending mandates or interchange legislation.  So I thought I would start off with telling my story about what I have learned first-hand about credit unions.

When I interviewed for this position just one year ago, CEO Dennis Schaefer asked me if I knew the difference between credit unions and banks.  I confessed that I did not (somehow I was still hired).  I soon learned that one of the main surface-level differences is that where banks are for profit, credit unions are not for profit, member-owned cooperative networks.  The underlying premise upon formation for all credit unions includes a desire to promote thrift and to provide credit to individuals who may otherwise be unable to obtain it.  When I learned this, I thought to myself, “that is a great story, and I’m sure that was the idea a hundred years ago, but in today’s society, that kind of desire and commitment to help your neighbor just doesn’t exist.”  I was immediately proven wrong.

Throughout this past year I have been amazed at not only SIU Credit Union’s desire and commitment to serve and help its members, but at the entire industry’s dedication to service.  I have attended several conferences and meetings with officers and executives from credit unions nationwide, and everywhere I go, the overall atmosphere can be summed up into one simple theme:  help your neighbor; serve the underserved.  This is evident on a daily basis from here at SIU Credit Union in Southern Illinois, to Washington, D.C. where credit union lobbyists are continually fighting for the best interest of the entire credit union movement.  As cliché as it may sound, I feel like I have become a part of a family here at SIU Credit Union.  I find it very refreshing to be a part of something that, in spite of these tough economic times, still manages to put people first and to go the extra mile.

Tell us your credit union story. We’d love to hear it.

– Amy Ragan, Internal Auditor and Compliance Officer

Going on Your Next Employment Interview

Posted by Tracy Frischkorn on Nov 4th, 2009 | no 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

Why Credit Unions Aren’t Banks

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 28th, 2009 | no comments

When we are out and about in the community, we often hear two things. What’s a credit union? and I didn’t know I could join. To be clear, if you are living in Southern Illinois you are more than likely eligible to join SIU Credit Union. And no, you don’t have to been connected to Southern Illinois University to join the credit union.

But when you explain what a credit union is, it’s almost guarneteed to be followed with … so you’re a bank. Um, no. Here’s the difference.

Banks and credit unions may offer similar products and services. But the similarities stop there. Crucial differences exist–in ownership, in cost of borrowing money, and in use of services.

* You own your credit union. Credit unions are member-owned nonprofit financial cooperatives dedicated to improving members’ lives. More than 90 million members own 7,905 U.S. credit unions with combined assets of $869 billion. Stockholders own banks. Banks make money for stockholders, not for customers.

Credit unions are the only democratically controlled financial institutions in the United States. You and other members elect a volunteer board of directors to oversee the credit union. The manager or reports to this board. Bank directors, however, are paid and legally bound to make decisions that benefit stockholders, not customers.

* Credit unions have the best rates. Credit unions price loans, pay interest on funds you’ve deposited, and charge fees to provide you with high-quality, low-cost services. Banks price products and services to make a profit.

Credit union loan rates also are better. Money market, savings, and interest checking accounts carry higher rates–giving back more to members. Interest rates on credit cards and auto loans average one to one-half percentage points lower than bank rates. Credit unions make consumer loans and some member business loans. Banks offer consumer loans, but really emphasize business loans.

Because you’re an owner of SIU Credit Union you have a say in how we do business. Let us know how you think we’re doing, and what services you want at your credit union.