Time Flies When You’re Having Fun: Thanks for 38 Years, Bill!

Our beloved CEO, Bill Winter was recently honored by the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation as a Credit Union Builder.  The Foundation created the Credit Union Builder Award in 2008 to allow credit unions and organizations to make contributions in honor of or in memory of a significant individual who has been instrumental in their success – of course Bill was a natural fit.

 

When Bill was hired in 1975, St. Cloud Federal Credit Union had only 1,600 Members, three Employees, and $1 million in assets.  By the time Bill retires as CEO later this year, after 38 years of service, SCFCU will have grown to almost 15,000 Members, 57 Employees, and over $100 million in assets.

His tireless efforts made significant and far-reaching contributions to the credit union movement.  Bill served on the boards of the Minnesota Item Processing Corporation, Minnesota League of Credit Unions, Minnesota Credit Union Network, Minnesota Corporate Federal Credit Union, and Network Service Corporation.  He was a long-standing member of MnCUN’s Political Involvement Committee, and he lobbied at both the state and federal levels for issues that affect the credit union industry.

In February of 2013, Bill was inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in Washington, D.C., in recognition of his dedication and leadership.  Bill was also active in the St. Cloud community on the Rotary Club and as a board member, chair and government affairs committee contributor for the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.  In addition, Bill led countless SCFCU staff and volunteers who will ensure that his passion for Members and his philosophy to “do the right thing” will be his legacy for many years to come.

We can’t thank Bill enough for all he’s done.  He is a great leader and a true inspiration to all of us at SCFCU.  38 years, wow – time flies when you’re having fun! Thanks, Bill.




Our mission is to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.

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Deter, Detect, Defend: Enroll in Free Credit Monitoring!

There is no absolute 100% guaranteed way to prevent fraud, but we believe the best way to protect yourself and your assets is to monitor your credit activity.  We offer Credit Monitoring as a benefit with all personal checking accounts at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union.

While this service is automatically included with all our personal checking accounts, you must enroll to activate your Credit Monitoring. 

 

Once enrolled, you will automatically receive alerts by email (or text if you choose) when changes are made to your credit. Our daily monitoring service will notify Members of any new inquires, certain derogatory information, accounts, public records, or change of address that have been added to their credit reports by any of the three major credit reporting agencies. 

Credit Monitoring is a service provided in the form of 3-Bureau Credit Alerts from Merchants Information Solutions.  Through this service, your credit history at all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) is monitored 24/7 for any changes made to your personal records.

Monitoring your Credit is a great step toward becoming more Financially Fit, and we’re here to help in any way we can.  To learn more about our Credit Monitoring services or enroll, stop by or contact us as 320-252-2634.

Our mission is to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.


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Summer Fun - For Less! {Part 1}

Uh-oh, it’s the 3^rd day of Summer break and you've already heard the dreaded words: “I’m bored.” During Summer, it can be easy to slip into lazy habits, and redundant routines.  But don't worry- having fun and doing activities doesn't always have to cost money!  Because of our Financial Fitness goals, we've compiled a list of 10 things you can do this Summer without ruining your budget - below are the first 5...

1. Head to the Beach

There’s nothing like sand, sun, and waves to make for a great summer afternoon!  Find a nearby lake or pond, and go for a dip! Make a day of it and pack a picnic – the sun and water will be a refreshing way to enjoy the summer atmosphere.

2. Wash the Car

Unwind the hose, grab some sponges, and have fun!  Washing the car is another way for kids to cool off on a sunny day and still help out with chores – plus, your car will look great!

3. Check out Neighborhood Parks

The great thing about summer is being able to spend time outside.  You can play, relax, and maybe even get in on some fun events held at parks near you. Check  your local calendar for details!

4. Have a Lemonade Stand

When you come across a good deal on lemonade at the grocery store (or maybe the nearby dollar store), pick some up and make a lemonade stand! A lemonade stand can be a great way for kids to spend the afternoon, and learn about money too!

5. Visit Town Festivals

During the summer months, many small town communities host their own home-town festivals and offer local (and often live) music, food, art, and festivities!  Put on your walking shoes and see what all the excitement is about.

As you can see, having a good time doesn't always mean spending a lot of money!  Having fun and seeing new things can be low-cost, and even free.  Stay tuned for 5 more Summer activities that will keep you Financially Fit in Part 2!



Our mission is to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.


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Credit Reports: Get Yours FOR FREE!

Part of working toward Financial Fitness is keeping your Credit Score on your radar.  When was the last time you've seen your Credit Report? ......Still thinking? Then it’s probably been too long.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act enables you to obtain a free copy of your Credit Report once a year from each of the three major Credit Bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).  Obtaining this free copy of your Credit Report is easy, and can help you work toward Financial Fitness!

You can access your free Credit Report by logging on to www.annualcreditreport.com, or by calling (877) 322-8228.  If you’d like assistance looking up your Credit Report, stop in – we’d be happy to help you out.

Remember, there is no single Credit Report.  Each of the three major Credit Bureaus (listed above) operate nationwide and have a report on you.  The information may be slightly different in each report, which is why we advise you to get your report from each Bureau.  Keep in mind, you can get one free copy from each Bureau every year… if you look up one report every four months you'll be able to track your Credit throughout the entire year!

If you ever have any questions or concerns about the items on your Credit Report, please feel free to give our Loan Department a call at 320-258-2190, or stop by! 

Our mission is to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.



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Meet Karen!

Have you ever been chased around by a wild donkey in the middle of South Dakota? We didn't think so.  However, one of our very own employees has!

Karen O'Hara has been with us as St. Cloud Federal Credit Union for over 7 years and is one of our prized Member Service Representatives.  Karen’s smiling face is recognizable by many of our Members when they visit us at the Credit Union.  Karen says her favorite part about being an SCFCU employee is ‘all the fun people’ she gets to work alongside; we couldn't be happier to have her.

When Karen isn't assisting our Members, you can often find her diving into a romance novel, watching a new movie, or surfing all that Pinterest has to offer.  If Karen flips on the TV, it’s usually to watch Smash, Vampire Diaries, and How I Met Your Mother.  Karen’s favorite subject in school was English and her favorite color is pink.  If she could travel anywhere in the world, Karen would choose to go to Ireland; her last name would be recognizable there, no doubt!

With her contagious laugh and positive attitude, Karen brightens everyone’s day.  She is always willing to help with projects and we know we’re very lucky to call her one of our own.  Thank you for all you do, Karen – we’re so happy you’re part of our SCFCU Family!


 We are People Helping People.

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Bill the IV

For the fourth time, there will be a newly designed $100 dollar bill.  The Federal Reserve estimates that this new $100 dollar bill will make its debut on October 8^th, 2013.  The fancy and ‘high-tech’ bill will be one-of-a-kind and has several security features.

This bill has over a decade’s worth of research put into it, including its safety and designs aspects.  The new $100 bill aims to eliminate counterfeits by having a 3-D security ribbon, blue in color, down the front of the bill.  The blue ribbon also ‘moves’ when you tilt your cash from side to side.  This bright feature is not just printed on to the bill, but is actually woven into its fibers.  This security ribbon is not the only thing that transforms, the bell and ‘100’ on the front of the bill also switche from a copper color to a green color when the bill is tilted back and forth.  The shift from gold to green can make this security bell seem as though it disappears into the bill.

When you hold your new $100 bill under light, you’ll also notice a second image of Benjamin Franklin.  This faint face appears to the right of the main portrait and can be seen from either side of the bill.  While you’re ‘looking into the light’, you’ll also see a thread that is embedded vertically to the left of Benjamin’s face.  This additional security thread has both the number ‘100’ and the letters ‘USA’ in an alternating pattern.  Like Benjamin’s second portrait, this can be seen from either side of the bill, and when lit by a UV light, glows a bright pink color.

One of the most notable visual changes on the new $100 bill is the gold ‘100’ running along the back side of the bill.  This helps set the new style apart from the old.  When your rub your fingers over the bill, you’ll feel that aspects of Benjamin’s portraits are embossed, or raised from the rest.  This feature on his left shoulder is another major distinguishing factor in U.S. currency.

As mentioned, this is the fourth time that our Benjamin Franklin featured bill has been revamped and redesigned.  The three prior changes were all made in the last 20 years alone.  These changes and updates are continually working to improve security technology and reduce the ability to counterfeit.  For even more features of the new $100 bill, visit http://www.newmoney.gov/uscurrency/redesigned100.htm!  

Going Green = More Green

As many of you know, April 22^nd is Earth Day!  In effort to create a better understanding of ways we can all contribute to ‘greener’ living, we've been focusing many of our posts around environmental practices and awareness.  Living with Mother Earth in mind is not only good for our conscience, but it can make our wallets feel a little better too! How? Below is a list of ways going green, can help you have more ‘green’… 

1. Aluminum = CHA-CHING

Collecting pop cans is one of the most common forms of recycling.  Did you know you can turn in those aluminum cans for change? In Central MN you can get anywhere from 60-70 cents per pound, which is about 35 cans.  Toss ‘em in a bin and bring ‘em in!

2. Ditch the Plastic

Each year a household can spend up to $700 dollars on buying bottled water.  Choosing to purchase a reasonably priced filter or tap system will not only save you a lot of money in water purchases, but can also help alleviate the amount of plastic thrown away each year (which can be up to 22 billion bottles!).

3. Bags, Bags, Bags

Each year over 380 billion bags are used in the U.S.; that’s over 1,200 bags per person.  Of that 380 billion, only 1-2% gets recycled.  Many residents and shoppers are not aware they can recycle plastic bag, but you can just as you would a pop-can, soup-can, or milk jug.  Another great alternative to plastic bags is bringing your own bag.  Many stores give up to 5 cents for each reusable bag, so you’re doing the environment and your wallet a favor.

4. Better Bulbs

Using an energy efficient light bulb uses around 10 times less energy to create the same amount of light.  Not only are they better for the environment, but they’ll also save you money on your electric bill.

While we’re all for saving money and being more financially fit, we’re always invested in the well-being of our Members and community, and that includes the environment we all live in.  Recycling benefits all of us and our future posterity! Spread the love, go green!

We are People Helping People.


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Help Your Credit Score Soar!

We recently posted a blog breaking down the basics of what a Credit Score is for better understanding.  As promised, below is a list we've compiled of ways you can boost your Credit Score and make it soar!

-Pay Your Bills on Time:
Late (aka: ‘delinquent’) payments have a huge negative impact on your overall score.  The more you’re on time with bills, the better your score will get.

-Don’t Open More Cards than Necessary:
Multiple new accounts can start to lower your account ‘age’ and in turn, drop your score as well.

-Be a Responsible Manager:
Having Credit Cards is good, as long as you are good about keeping track of them (limits, payments, etc.).  Having no cards at all can be a higher risk, so be on top of the ones you do have.

-Maintain a Low Balance:
A higher ‘outstanding debt’ can really affect your overall score – it can be lowered over 50 points just by maxing out a card!

-Keep an Eye on your Credit Report:
From time to time, outdated or inaccurate details can show up on your Credit Report – this too can really damage your Credit Score.  Check your Report often, and if/when you see an error file a claim to get it fixed.

-Be Active:
Just having a credit card isn't going to increase your Credit Score – you have to use the card to really establish a strong credit.  Even if it’s a card you only use on groceries, get it – and use it wisely!

Last, but certainly not least --
-Be Persistent:
Improving your Credit Score can take years of diligent spending and dedication to watching your finances – it may not be easy, but we can promise that it will be worth it.  Commit yourself to practicing Financial Fitness today!

Good Credit can be essential to living without financial stress.  If you’d like to talk with one of us, or get help pulling your free Credit Report, call or stop in – we’re here for you!  Our Member’s financial being is always our priority.  We are People Helping People.

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Presenting, Erica!

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome aboard!  If you’ll please take your seat, close all overhead compartments, fasten your seat belt, and turn your attention to the front of the … just kidding!  We are dedicating this blog to our lovely Member Services Representative, Erica, who before her time at SCFCU, dreamt of being a flight attendant.

We've been lucky enough to claim Erica as one of our own for almost 10 years! Erica was an employee with us for about 5 years in our St. Cloud office prior to leaving to do daycare and spend time with her children.  She came back in 2007, and we couldn't be happier to have her! Now you can find Erica’s smiling face at our Sartell location.  Erica says her favorite thing about working at St. Cloud Federal CreditUnion is her fun co-workers – we think she’s pretty fun to have around too!

When she’s not helping our Members, Erica likes to go camping and spend time with her family and friends.  If she could spend her vacation time anywhere, she’d take off to Hawaii – and we’re betting it’s because of the warm weather; Erica’s favorite season is spring because it means winter is over!  Math was Erica’s favorite subject in school, and if she could spend time learning any language she’d choose Spanish.  Her favorite color is red, Christmas is her favorite holiday, and when it aired, Friends was her favorite TV show.

What you might not know about Erica is that she can do the splits. Its true folks, we've seen her do it – don’t believe us? Click here to see for yourself!

Erica’s bubbly, positive personality is always a joy to have around and our Members are always glad to see her in the Sartell lobby or drive-up.  We’re so happy you’re part of our team, Erica – thanks for all your work!

Spring Cleaning = Spring Saving

In the spirit of today being the first day of Spring (we know, it hardly feels like it) – we thought we’d blog accordingly!  Below is a list of 7 places to check for Spring savings when Spring cleaning …

1. Light bulbs
When you’re cleaning and dusting off those light fixtures, why not dust the light bulbs too?  A clean light bulb will give off more light, giving you more ‘bang for your buck’.  If you have to replace any bulbs, consider doing so with energy efficient ones. 

2. Fridge
When you’re throwing out moldy, stinky, rotten food and scrubbing the grime off the shelves, take a look at your temperature dial; is it set colder than it needs to be? Is something blocking it from getting an accurate read?  If you see fit, adjust the temperature so the fridge is kept at suitable setting.  Also, take the extra time to pull the fridge away from the wall and dust off the back coils – this helps the fridge run more efficiently and with less energy (which = less money spent).

3. Filters
Although it is hard for many of us Minnesotans to imagine turning on the Air Conditioner, during your spring cleaning, check out the AC filter.  If necessary, toss the old one and install a new one – an old, beat up, unclean filter makes your AC do more work than necessary, and a new one can save you anywhere from 5% to 15% on yourbill. A good rule of thumb is to change your air filter 2-4 times a year.

4. Dishwasher
For many of us, the Spring Cleaning list doesn't include our dishwasher, but we suggest adding it! Bottom line: a clean dishwasher uses less water.  How? During rinse and wash cycles, many dishwashers will overcompensate for the dirty area surrounding your dirty dishes.  First, clean your dishwasher (door, shelves, racks, etc.) with warm vinegar water and then run a wash cycle with lemonade powder as the soap.   Last, clean the seal around the door – this way your dishwasher won’t pump out extra heat due to leaks. Voila! 

5. Dryer
The dryer is pretty basic, and keeping lint filters clean seems like common sense, we know.  This Spring, also remember to have your dryer ducts clean and like the fridge, clean behind your dryer to keep things running efficiently.  If you’re really looking to save – boycott the dryer all together on warm, sunny days and use a clothesline!

6. Roof
When you’re cleaning all the leaves out of your gutters, take a second to check at the ventilation in your attic.  Clean ventilation can help reduce the build up of heat (which means less cost on running the AC) and is also better for the life of your shingles.

7. Sliding Doors
Hopefully we’ll be using these soon to step on the back patio, but in the mean time - keep the sliding track clean.  Dust and dirt can build up over the winter months and loosen the seal – clearing that out can assure you that your air conditioner isn't doing more work than it has to. 

We know that Spring Cleaning is hardly exciting for most of us, but our financial fitness goals seem to be applicable to all areas of life: the good, the bad, the clean, and the dirty. Happy Spring and Happy Cleaning!


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Six Tricks to Play it Safe

At St. Cloud Federal Credit Union the safety of our Members and our community is extremely important to us.  When online, always take extra caution, especially when providing vulnerable information, like card numbers, full names, addresses etc. (most often needed for online shopping).  Here are six tricks to play it safe online …

1. If it doesn’t look ‘legit’, it’s not -

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a particular website is legitimate or not, but if you’re questioning it – it’s better to err on the side of caution.  If you’re not sure, look for some ‘red flags’ like automatic pop-up windows, a strange address, or amateur design and layout.  If any of these occur – do yourself and your computer a favor, and exit the site!

2. Look for the ‘S’ -

Credit.com and Identity Theft 911 founder, Adam Levin, recommends you look for the ‘S’ in the “https” portion of the web address.  Not that all http addresses are bad news, but the ‘S’ stands for “secure”; better safe than sorry! 

3. Keep it Current -

Always update your anti-virus software when necessary! This is an extra shield for when you’re scouting out good deals and perusing the web. This also applies to your cell phone lock codes and passwords. 
Public Wi-Fi is great, but you never know who else is
 using it, and for not-so-good reasons.

4. Passwords are Key –

Don’t be afraid to change your passwords regularly (as long as you’ve got a method of remembering them) so that your accounts aren't easily accessible to outside sources.  Don’t stick to simple passwords or use any sort of private information within them.  Some methods we suggest are using both uppercase and lowercase letters, adding numbers and symbols, and avoid using full or popular words.

5. Use ID Theft Protection –

There are many services offered with various accounts (some for free!) that can help you protect your money and your identity.  Many experts suggest using a credit card or pay card because it tends to be easier to see and trace ‘erroneous charges’.  Keep an eye on your statements and don’t overlook anything that’s questionable.

6. Be Social Media Safe –

Just like cycling through passwords can keep accounts fresh and safe, so can avoiding questionable contacts.  If a Facebook post or Tweet looks fishy and out of the ordinary for a friend or business – avoid it.  We’re not saying you have to ‘unfriend’ or ‘unfollow’ that person or brand, but be aware that hackers can send things attempting to look as legitimate as possible. “BitDefender recommends treating messages from strangers as spam – just ignore them” (MSN Money).  Be as social as you want, but be safe while doing it!

Because we know time spent ‘surfing the web’ is always increasing, we always encourage awareness and safety on the internet. We are #PeopleHelpingPeople.


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Meet Jessi

If you've been in the Lobby or Drive-Up of our St. Cloud location in the last 8+ years, chances are you've done a transaction or two with our very own Jessi. Isn't she great?  We wanted to take a moment (or in this case, a blog post) to allow you to get to know Jessi beyond her big smile and warm personality at the teller line.

Jessi has been an employee of St. Cloud Federal Credit Union for 8 ½ years and is happily working as a Senior Teller.  Her favorite part about working at SCFCU is getting to know our Members, whom she is committed to assuring are pleased with their visit.  Before life at the Credit Union, Jessi’s dream job was being the Head of Security for a Las Vegas Casino… we agree, she’s far too nice for that!

In her free time, you’ll often find Jessi at the gym, reading (whatever she can get her hands on), or browsing Pinterest.  Her favorite color is red, and she listens to almost any sort of music, but country, rock, and pop in particular.  Jessi’s favorite subject in school was History & Geography.  Being a history buff, it’s no wonder that Jessi’s favorite Holiday is the 4^th of July!  If she could travel anywhere for a week, she’d hop a plane to Italy, and probably in the summer months – since that is her favorite season.

If you haven’t seen Jessi running a local marathon, we’ll let you in on a secret- she’s a fitness guru!  If given the chance to spend time with any celebrity for a day, she'd choose Bob Harper, a trainer on reality TV show The Biggest Loser – talk about a workout!  If she could, Jessi would also like to be on game show The Amazing Race; we think she’d be perfect.

Jessi is a wonderful, bright, friendly employee here at SCFCU and we know we’re so lucky to have her.  Thanks for all you do for us and our Members, Jessi!

   

Bill Who? Bill What? BILL PAYER!

With St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, you have the opportunity to use our Bill Payer service, free of charge.  What is Bill Payer, you may ask?

Bill Payer is a safe and secure way to pay your bills online through your checking account at SCFCU.  It’s a great alternative to writing checks or logging onto several individual websites to pay your bills.

Bill Payer is easily accessible through our Online Banking section of our website.  Bill Payer allows you to designate several different ‘payees’; anything from heating and electric, to cable, to your daycare provider.  Most ‘common’ payees (which is about 85% of all payments) will be sent electronically, the other roughly 15% are sent out by check.  Depending on how your payment is sent, Bill Payer only needs a 3 to 6 day lead period to guarantee your payments arrive on time – which can help you avoid late fees!

When you use Bill Payer, your payment history is stored for approximately 18 months, allowing you to review your payments as needed.  Bill Payer also has a built-in security feature that sends you an email alert any time a new payee is created, when a payment is added, or when a payment is deleted – so you’re in the loop of everything that’s going on in your Bill Payer.

Member’s who have tried Bill Payer tell us all the time how much they love it, and that they can’t imagine going back and paying their bills any other way.

If you’re already using Bill Payer, check out our March promotion by clicking here. If you’d like to learn more about using Bill Payer or want to sign up – call or stop by, we’re happy to walk you through it and help get you started! Get #FinanciallyFit and take the stress out of paying bills!

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Reward Yourself!

Are you tired of driving around, wasting all that gas looking for just the right ATM so you don’t get charged those pesky fees? Sorry, we don’t know the feeling.  Why?  Reward Checking, of course!

When you use SCFCU Reward Checking, we reimburse your national ATM fees (up to $25) each month.  By enrolling in Reward Checking, not only will you get those darn fees back monthly, you will also automatically have our 24/7 Fraud Detection benefit with Triple-Bureau Credit Monitoring, as well as Fraud & I.D. Theft Recovery.

If you are interested in Reward Checking, call or stop by! We’re always here to help in any way we can.  For a full list of rewards and details,  click here.  Work toward Financial Fitness today... Reward yourself!

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America Saves Week: Money is like Cake ...

Money is like a cake. When you get that delicious dessert, it can be tempting to eat it all at once. But if you do, you’ll end up with a stomachache, that sugarcoated feeling on your teeth, and perhaps most importantly – no cake for later.  Similarly, if you spend all of your money, you’ll probably end up regretting your splurges – and wishing you had some funds sitting in the bank.

Often, savings strategies are obvious – you set a big piece of cake aside, and it’s there waiting for you. But sometimes, it’s the little things that make that cake disappear.  The following list features both kinds of savings strategies – big ones that work all at once, and little ones that add up over time. All of them can be put into action during America Saves Week, and every single one ensures that you can have your cake and eat it too.

1. Track Your Spending, and Make a Budget
Understanding where your money is going is the best way to start saving, which is why your first step is to make a budget. It might be that, once you make your budget and realize how much you’re spending in certain categories, you can immediately save $100 by making little trims here and there.

2. Negotiate Your Bills
Checking for over-servicing isn’t the only way to lower your regular bills. If you’re not paying a promotional rate for services like cable and Internet, you’re paying too much. Call your service provider, and ask if there is any way you can lower your bill. If they don’t automatically say yes, suggest that you’re going to find another provider. Be patient, nice, and firm, and you can get a better rate.

3. Vow to Reuse, Repair, and Repurpose Instead of Buying New
Every time you think about buying something new, ask yourself – do you really need it, or can you make do with something you already have or that you can borrow from a friend?

4. Get to Know Your Credit Card
Visit your credit card company’s website and read the fine print. Many credit cards offer free benefits that are not well publicized. These benefits may include extended warranties, free tickets, price drop protection, extra discounts, concierge services, and cash giveaways. Of course, you should not use a credit card at all if you carry a balance every month. If you can’t control your spending, consider switching over to a cash-only system.

5. Clean Out Your Pantry
Empty your cupboards, see what you have, and plan meals around the ingredients you want to use up. You’ll slash your next grocery bill, and you’ll help ensure that food doesn’t go stale.

6. Create a “Cheap Fun Club” With Friends
If you’re trying to save money, it can be disheartening when friends invite you to things that you don’t want to spend money on. Instead, be proactive, and invite your friends to share in frugal activities with you, such as potlucks, watching movies at home, and board game nights.

7. Sell Your Stuff
Taking the time to declutter your house and sell your extra stuff has multiple benefits. Not only can you make money getting rid of your old items, but you might also discover other useful things you had forgotten about.


How are you planning to save money for America Saves Week? For more information, visit http://www.americasaves.org/

#PeopleHelpingPeople