WASHINGTON (8/1/08)--This Sunday, H&FF Radio guest Tracy Ashfield outlines the key steps necessary for accomplishing down-payment goals, while other guests explore the pros and cons of index funds, no-interest deals at retail stores, and an unconventional yet high-tech way to find surcharge-free ATMs.
Home & Family Finance airs Sundays at 3 p.m. EDT on the Radio America Network. The one-hour program devoted to consumer finance issues is brought to you by America's credit unions and their 90 million members, and is presented by CO-OP Network.
The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and Radio America are podcasting Home & Family Finance through iTunes, Podcast Alley, Odeo, and other popular podcast library sites, as well as on Radio America and CUNA's Web sites.
Sunday's show, which you also can hear later via the Internet, features Paul Berry, Washington, D.C., journalist and broadcaster, discussing these topics with special guests:
"Use Text Messaging to Find a Surcharge-Free ATM," with Eric Porter, CO-Op Network, Ontario, Calif.;
"Index Funds," with Tom Ruggie; president, Ruggie Wealth Management, Tavares, Fla.;
"Devise a Down-Payment Plan," with Tracy Ashfield, executive vice president, Strategic Mortgage Solutions, Madison, Wis.;
"No-Interest Deals at Stores," with Gail Hillebrand, staff attorney, Consumers Union, San Francisco; and
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions.
Home & Family Finance is a resource center for personal finance information at CUNA. The radio show is sponsored by CO-OP Network, the national credit union ATM network; Cabot Creamery Cooperative, maker of award-winning cheddar; Visa; and Western Corporate FCU and its member credit unions.
courtesy of cuna.org
Monday, August 4, 2008
Missouri CUs offer incentives for staff to go green
JEFFERSON CITY and ST. LOUIS, Mo. (8/1/08)--Some Missouri credit unions are offering incentives for employees to make more eco-friendly decisions, according to the Missouri Credit Union Association.
Staff at Conservation Employees CU, Jefferson City, have accepted a challenge to conserve and "gain some green." The $57 million asset credit union offers employees incentives for walking or riding a bike to work, car pooling, and not driving to lunch each day. Employees can earn $25 or $50 incentives for making these conservation efforts at least 15 days a month (Courier Net July 30).
The challenge began July 1, and it is estimated that about 80% of the staff will qualify for the full incentive, said Louie Delk, Conservation president.
"Employees are saving money at the pump, spending less eating out and earning an incentive," Delk said. "In these challenging economic times, it is hard to beat that combination."
Vantage CU, St. Louis, a $99 million asset credit union, also is helping employees cope with high gas prices. Through a summer incentive program, all full-time and part-time employees received a Quik Trip gas card in June and July, and can expect one in August.
"We're seeing employees change their behavior in response to the rising gas prices, said Hubert Hoosman, Vantage CEO. "We hope the gas cards will help ease some of the burden they are facing at the pump."
courtesy of cuna.org
Staff at Conservation Employees CU, Jefferson City, have accepted a challenge to conserve and "gain some green." The $57 million asset credit union offers employees incentives for walking or riding a bike to work, car pooling, and not driving to lunch each day. Employees can earn $25 or $50 incentives for making these conservation efforts at least 15 days a month (Courier Net July 30).
The challenge began July 1, and it is estimated that about 80% of the staff will qualify for the full incentive, said Louie Delk, Conservation president.
"Employees are saving money at the pump, spending less eating out and earning an incentive," Delk said. "In these challenging economic times, it is hard to beat that combination."
Vantage CU, St. Louis, a $99 million asset credit union, also is helping employees cope with high gas prices. Through a summer incentive program, all full-time and part-time employees received a Quik Trip gas card in June and July, and can expect one in August.
"We're seeing employees change their behavior in response to the rising gas prices, said Hubert Hoosman, Vantage CEO. "We hope the gas cards will help ease some of the burden they are facing at the pump."
courtesy of cuna.org
Magazine in Ohio profiles Shared Branching
COLUMBUS, Ohio (8/1/08)--The August issue of Columbus CEO magazine profiled Shared Branching, noting its modest start-up costs, cooperative spirit and status as the third largest branch network in the nation, according to the Ohio Credit Union League.
The three-page feature profiled Shared Branching's conveniences for members, including access to more than 200 locations in Ohio and 3,000 nationally. The article also noted that Shared Branching can help members who are relocating or going away to college (eLumination Newsletter July 30).
The article also featured Ohio credit union leaders from:
BMI FCU, Dublin;
CME FCU, Columbus;
Credit Union of Ohio, Hilliard;
Members First CU, Columbus;
MidState Educators CU, Columbus; and
Western CU, Columbus.
courtesy of cuna.org
The three-page feature profiled Shared Branching's conveniences for members, including access to more than 200 locations in Ohio and 3,000 nationally. The article also noted that Shared Branching can help members who are relocating or going away to college (eLumination Newsletter July 30).
The article also featured Ohio credit union leaders from:
BMI FCU, Dublin;
CME FCU, Columbus;
Credit Union of Ohio, Hilliard;
Members First CU, Columbus;
MidState Educators CU, Columbus; and
Western CU, Columbus.
courtesy of cuna.org
Suspects used Web to gather info for robbery attempt
SAVANNAH, Ga. (7/31/08)--Two Savannah, Ga., men were convicted last week in a U.S. District Court of conspiring to rob a credit union after surfing Internet websites of credit unions and banks located in the Savannah area.
Donald Floyd Brown and Charon Garray Fields, both 31, were arrested just outside the front doors of Memorial Health CU in Savannah on Sept. 25, 2007, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI's) Atlanta office (US Fed News July 23).
Police SWAT team members found a loaded pistol in Fields' waistband and several shotgun shells and a camouflage mask in his pocket. Brown had a matching mask in his pocket. Their van had two loaded shotguns, one of them sawed off.
A forensics examination of a computer from Fields' home revealed numerous visits on the morning of the attempted robbery to Internet websites of banks and credit unions in the areas, the FBI said.
The visits included Web pages that displayed photographs and biographies of the financial institutions' employees--from the president to the tellers.
In addition to the conspiracy charges, the two men were convicted of attempting to rob the credit union and possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. Brown also was convicted of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon.
The two men face a maximum of 35 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Sentencing has not been scheduled yet.
courtesy of cuna.org
Donald Floyd Brown and Charon Garray Fields, both 31, were arrested just outside the front doors of Memorial Health CU in Savannah on Sept. 25, 2007, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI's) Atlanta office (US Fed News July 23).
Police SWAT team members found a loaded pistol in Fields' waistband and several shotgun shells and a camouflage mask in his pocket. Brown had a matching mask in his pocket. Their van had two loaded shotguns, one of them sawed off.
A forensics examination of a computer from Fields' home revealed numerous visits on the morning of the attempted robbery to Internet websites of banks and credit unions in the areas, the FBI said.
The visits included Web pages that displayed photographs and biographies of the financial institutions' employees--from the president to the tellers.
In addition to the conspiracy charges, the two men were convicted of attempting to rob the credit union and possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. Brown also was convicted of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon.
The two men face a maximum of 35 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Sentencing has not been scheduled yet.
courtesy of cuna.org
Seattle Metropolitan CU rolls out green loans
SEATTLE (7/31/08)--Seattle Metropolitan CU (SMCU) announced the launch of its Green Loans program, which offers discounts on auto loans for fuel-efficient vehicles, home loans for certified green homes and equity loans for energy efficiency upgrades.
The $480.2 million-asset, Seattle-based SMCU's program is the most recent chapter of its ongoing "Seven [Rochedale] Principles" [the foundation upon which all modern cooperatives are based] initiative.
"Green Loans, like our new Feel Good checking account, are part of the Seven Principles that guide our business and are the foundation of all co-ops," said Bob Harvey, SMCU president/CEO. "The seventh cooperative principle states that you must give back to the community in which you do business.
"Showing concern for our environment and partnering with other nonprofits in our area are just two ways that we and our members are doing our part," he added.
The three new SMCU loan products include:
Green Auto Loans--which provide rate discounts for hybrid-electric, gas or diesel-powered automobiles that average 25 city miles per gallon or greater;
Green Home Equity Loan--which discounts rates on loans for qualifying home improvements; and
Green Home financing--which discounts closing costs for certified built green homes.
The credit union, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, commemorated the rollout of its new eco-friendly loan products through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees where they are needed most.
As part of the commemoration, SMCU also introduced: a green-themed website design, a 35-foot tall colorful Green Loans banner made from recyclable materials displayed at its headquarters, and a free shopping bag giveaway for all members who adopt paper-free electronic statements--"eStatements."
"Seattle is not alone in its commitment to take concrete actions to reduce waste and protect the environment," Harvey said. "We are proud to serve a community that embraces these eco-friendly initiatives, as we are encouraged to see green practices as part of a growing trend that is spreading around the world."
courtesy of cuna.org
The $480.2 million-asset, Seattle-based SMCU's program is the most recent chapter of its ongoing "Seven [Rochedale] Principles" [the foundation upon which all modern cooperatives are based] initiative.
"Green Loans, like our new Feel Good checking account, are part of the Seven Principles that guide our business and are the foundation of all co-ops," said Bob Harvey, SMCU president/CEO. "The seventh cooperative principle states that you must give back to the community in which you do business.
"Showing concern for our environment and partnering with other nonprofits in our area are just two ways that we and our members are doing our part," he added.
The three new SMCU loan products include:
Green Auto Loans--which provide rate discounts for hybrid-electric, gas or diesel-powered automobiles that average 25 city miles per gallon or greater;
Green Home Equity Loan--which discounts rates on loans for qualifying home improvements; and
Green Home financing--which discounts closing costs for certified built green homes.
The credit union, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, commemorated the rollout of its new eco-friendly loan products through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees where they are needed most.
As part of the commemoration, SMCU also introduced: a green-themed website design, a 35-foot tall colorful Green Loans banner made from recyclable materials displayed at its headquarters, and a free shopping bag giveaway for all members who adopt paper-free electronic statements--"eStatements."
"Seattle is not alone in its commitment to take concrete actions to reduce waste and protect the environment," Harvey said. "We are proud to serve a community that embraces these eco-friendly initiatives, as we are encouraged to see green practices as part of a growing trend that is spreading around the world."
courtesy of cuna.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG){kind=small}