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Pending Legislation on Overdraft Protection

Dear Member:

You are one of our best members, and we thank you for the trust you have placed in our financial institution. 

When you have used our overdraft program, it has enabled us to cover your unexpected expense or help you avoid embarrassment due to an error in your recordkeeping.  This meant you were able to pay for something at the grocery store, fill up your gas tank or unexpectedly purchase a prescription for a sick family member.  These are the reasons you used this safety net – and the reasons it should remain available to you and your family. 

As you know, there is a cost for not having overdraft services. 

• The returned check charge from the grocery store (averaging $38.50 in our city)
• The damage to your credit from bouncing a check.
• The embarrassment of having your purchase declined with your neighbors watching from the back of the line.
• The inconvenience of having to return to the merchant to ‘pick up your bad check’ and pay a ransom for it in CASH!

Unfortunately, Washington thinks you need their help to manage your checking account.

We believe that you should know how decisions being made in Congress could affect your financial freedom . 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) has proposed the "FAIR Overdraft Coverage Act of 2009" that will dramatically restrict overdraft services on your account.  Instead of your local branch giving you the benefit of our relationship, Senator Dodd wants us to return your checks.  All but six of them a year!  Six overdrafts a year may be fine for the Senator’s household – but what about yours?

 Washington doesn’t understand how important this is to you.  They need to hear from you!

 Tell them about your personal use of our overdraft program and what it will mean to you if they take away this option.  We want to help so we have prepared a simple form for you to complete.  If you will complete it, mail or drop it back to us, we will deliver it to Congress for you!

Or, if you come into the branch, we have copies there you can complete.  At that time, we would be happy to answer any questions you have, but we want your voice to be heard! 

 Washington is moving quickly.  The time for your action is NOW!

Sincerely,
Dennis Schaefer President/CEO SIU Credit Union  

SIU CU - Security During Uncertain Times

You may be wondering about the security of SIU Credit Union as you see so many stories about financial institutions faltering these days.  Because SIU Credit Union practices safety and soundness, here's why you do not need to worry:  
*  We follow careful lending policies with the oversight of a credit committee.  
*  We have internal sources of funding available for our loans, so we are not facing the credit crunch some other financial institutions are currently experiencing.  
*  We have not offered the unsound and high risk loan products which are the underlying cause of failures in the mortgage industry.  
*  We stick to conservative investments.  
* We remain well capitalized with strong performance indicators.  

We are focused on serving our members and are not driven by Wall Street investors.  

We maintain high ranking scores on our examinations by regulators.  We have you, our member-owners, covered.  Your savings are federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.  Learn more about insurance coverage and estimate your protection.  

SIU Credit Union has been serving the communities of Southern Illinois for nearly 70 years, operating with core values of honesty, integrity, respect, and trust.  During these times of change and uncertainty, you can take comfort in knowing your money is as safe and secure as it has always been.  

Sincerely,  
Dennis Schaefer
President/CEO

Transfer balances to your SIU Credit Union Visa
Transfer balances from:

• Major credit cards
• Specialty cards (department stores, gas companies, etc.)
• Small loans (school loans, auto loans, home improvement loans)
• Household utility accounts with a balance (electric, medical, phone, gas)

Visa ScoreCard Rewards Platinum
SIU Credit Union has added to its suite of Visa credit cards. Members with qualifying credit can now apply for the Visa ScoreCard Rewards Platinum card. The ScoreCard program rewards members with one point for every one dollar purchased using their Visa ScoreCard Rewards Platinum card. Members are then able to redeem their points for air travel, trips, and brandname merchandise.

Phishing Alert: Dont take the bait
If you get an e-mail that looks like it's from SIU Credit Union or from another financial institution and it asks for any type of personal financial information, don't take the bait. It's not legitimate it's phishing, and it's fraud. Report it, then delete it.

Learn how to protect yourself against Identity Theft

NOTICE: E-mail Phishing Warning
Recently, members have been receiving phishing emails designed to obtain personal and confidential information about their accounts.  The emails have a professional and official look and appear to have been sent by NAFCU (National Association of Federal Credit Unions) and CUNA (Credit Union National Association).  However, these emails are fraudulent!  SIU Credit Union, NAFCU, and CUNA do not solicit personal/private information via e-mail.  If you are ever contacted by email and asked to respond with personal information, immediately contact SIU Credit Union.

2010 HOLIDAY CLOSURES
January 1 -- New Year’s Day
January 18 -- Martin Luther King Day
February 15 -- President's Day
May 31 -- Memorial Day
July 5 -- Independence Day
September 6 -- Labor Day
October 11 -- Columbus Day
November 11 -- Veterans' Day
November 25 -- Thanksgiving Day
December 25 -- Christmas Day

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