Stress Less on Holiday Expenses

Headphones, clothing, spiffy shoes, video games… a Christmas list can go on and on!  While it’s true that this season is one of the most wonderful times of the year, it can also be one of the most stressful.  Many of us feel the pressure to find the perfect gift – which may come with a hefty price tag.

How do you pay for all the gadgets, gizmos, and gifts? Do you pull out the plastic and throw caution to the wayside, ignoring the guilt and financial pressure? Well, we’re here to tell you there’s a way to spend this Holiday season without the buyer’s remorse!

Did you know the national average of interest rates on credit cards is a whopping 14.95%? YIKES. This is just one of the reasons we are excited to be offering our annual Holiday Loan with a low 1.99% annual percentage rate!

A few key details about the SCFCU Holiday Loan:
- Available now until December 31st, 2013
- Minimum loan is $500
- Maximum loan is $4,000
- 12 month term
- 1.99% APR (WOW!!!)
- Offer available to qualified borrowers on approved credit
- New money only
- No collateral required

We offer this special financing so you can buy gifts for the Holidays at a lower cost than credit cards or other loans. The term (AKA the loan payback period) may seem short, but this helps us encourage and remind our Members that part of being Financially Fit means not over-extending your debt.  In other words, we don’t want you to still be paying for the Holidays during next year’s Holiday season; after all, next Christmas rolls around just 12 months later!

If you’re looking for a way to stick to your budget, stay Financially Fit, and truly enjoy the Holidays, contact one of our Lenders at (320) 258-2190 today – you’ll be glad you did!

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Happy Holidays from all of us at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, where our Mission is to educate, support and encourage our Members to be Financially Fit.

'Call Me Fronk!'

Hi Everyone, Phoebe here! I wanted to introduce you all to my good friend, Frank… or as he says ‘Call me Fronk!’

I first met Frank a few years back when he moved to the United States from Germany – it has been fun to get to know him, and I always love teasing him about his accent… “vat accent?!”, as he would say. Frank and I have stayed in touch over the years and he is a super fun guy... not to mention he has pretty cool hair!

Since moving here, Frank has (admittedly) been captivated by fancy ‘gadgets’ and other luxurious items he didn't have back home, or didn't notice as a younger adult. Now that he has his own place and a job – he is very eager to spend, but spends big.  I've told Frank a lot about my new ‘gig’ at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union – helping Members and the Community learn more about becoming Financially Fit – and we joke that some might call him Not-So-Financially-Fit-Frank.  He cracks me up!

Frank means well, but really does get excited when he sees something new and shiny – which isn't always great for his Credit Cards.  He’s recently asked me to help him work toward becoming more Financially Fit, and I’m so excited!  I know it won’t happen over night, but the fact that Frank knows he’s a spender, and wants help managing expenses is a giant first step. 

I’ll be sure to keep you updated on my and Frank’s Financial Fitness adventures, and might even be asking for your help and advice.  I know that with the help of my friends at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, we can support each other and make our financial dreams come true!

Here we go!

~Phoebe

The Face (and Voice) of Financial Fitness!

Hi! I’m Financially Fit Phoebe - (my friends call me Phoebs). You might recognize my name from our fun and upbeat radio ads, and now you can put a face to the name and voice! I work with the folks at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.

I wanted to take a minute (in this case, a blog) to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about me!  As I said, my name is Phoebe, and I’ve been on the team at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union for just a couple months now, and I absolutely love it!  The people here are always so friendly and truly do have a passion for helping their Members.  I grew up in Minnesota and just graduated from college a few years back. 

When I first finished college, I wasn't so great at budgeting my money and saving for my future.  When I realized that by getting my finances in shape, my overall well-being would benefit too – I've had Financial Fitness on the brain!  I got myself into shape, and have never been happier.  I have a monthly budget set up, I contribute to my savings regularly, and I’m working on paying off all my loans to be debt-free.  From experience, I know it’s easier said than done – but with the support, patience, and help the folks at SCFCU give – you can become more Financially Fit too!

I’ll be posting blogs from time to time, so be sure to look for my signature.  I’m really excited to hang around at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union and help not just the Members, but the Employees too!  I know that together we can take the steps toward Financial Fitness, and make your financial dreams a reality!

xo,

~Phoebe

ID Theft: It Can Happen to Anyone!

Safety of our Members and our Community is always a priority at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union.  In the past, we’ve posted blog about how to stay safe online, and what we can do to help should any sort of identity theft occur. 

Over the past months, we’ve been focusing on the Financial Fitness of our Youth Members, in addition to our adult Members.  ID Theft criminals are using children’s social security numbers more frequently for anything from employment, apartment applications, open credit, checking, or phone accounts, and even access government benefits.  Mark Pribish, Merchant’s Info Group Vice President, and ID Theft Practice Leader covers a plethora of ID Theft safety tips for children on the internet, and even their personal information in schools.  We’ve highlighted a few of these below…

Online:

- Discuss the differences between a safe and secure website, and one that is not.

- Consider creating a list of which sites are OK to visit and which ones are definitely not.

- Talk with your children about letting you know when they come across a website they feel is suspicious. 

- Keep virus and malware software up to date and running properly.

- Remind youth of some basic online safety practice like: never give a phone number or address, don’t use full first and last names, don’t post photos without permission, and don’t download or open unknown files or programs.

At School:

 - Ask schools how your child’s information is collected, used, stored, and thrown away each school year.

- Make sure you know how school and extra curricular programs use your child’s date of birth, address, telephone number, and photo.

- If you feel as though information is requested that is not necessary, inquire why such details are needed.

- Thoroughly read privacy policies and make sure you are aware of how information is used and shared.

Some other basic safety tips are to always keep confidential documents (social security cards, passports, birth certificates, etc.) in a safe or locked file, and never give more information that you feel comfortable with.  Go with your gut feeling, and your child will thank you!

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


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Our New Look!

We've recently changed the look of our St. Cloud Federal Credit Union website; a makeover of sorts, if you will.  There are a couple of reasons for changing the look of our SCFCU site.

In a quickly digitizing world, we wanted to accommodate all our Members and website visitors who access our site from a mobile device, whether it be a smart phone or tablet.  With this remodel, our website will format to various screens and be much easier to navigate.  Another reason we decided it was time for our site to be re-vamped was to prepare for any future expansion. 

One main feature you’ll notice when you visit our new website is that you can access the Online Banking sign-on directly from our home page!  All our other online services can be found under the ‘E-Branch’ column on the right, or the 'Online Services' tab on the home page.

We are very excited to have a more updated and ‘modern’ site, and hope you like it as much as we do!  A special ‘thanks!’ goes out to our friends at Gaslight Creative in St. Cloud, for their beautiful and crafty work – we certainly couldn't have done the remodel without their help and expertise.

Happy browsing!

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


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Service Upgrade: New & Improved Bill Payer

As a Member of St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, you have the opportunity to use our Bill Payer service, free of charge.  For those of you who don’t know, Bill Payer is a safe and secure way to pay your bills online through your checking account at SCFCU.  It’s a convenient alternative to writing out checks each month, or logging onto individual business websites.  An exciting upgrade is coming soon for Bill Payer service.

Effective August 14^th, we are converting to a new Bill Payer provider.  No worries, current users -  all of your Payees, Payment History, and Scheduled Payments will automatically convert to the new provider.  However, there are a few things we’d like to make you aware of.

• Payments that you set up prior to the upgrade, that had a process date after August 13^th, will now have a different ‘Send Date’.  The term ‘Process Date’ will now be used within Bill Payer instead of ‘Send Date’.  It is extremely important that you log in to your Bill Payer account after August 14^th and review your ‘Process Dates’ (The ‘Process Date’ is the date the funds are deducted from your checking account.) to assure things transferred over.
  
  

• All of your Payees will default to ‘Check Payment’ status at the time of the upgrade.  However, those Payees may convert to ‘Electronic Payment’ status when the first payment is processed with our new provider.
  
  

• The most exciting change is that Bill Payer will be available for your mobile device by the end of the first quarter in 2014.

If you have any questions or concerns about our Bill Payer upgrade, please feel free to contact Barb at (320)258-2150, or Karen at (320)258-2169.

To learn more about accessing Bill Payer, click here.  If you’d like help walking through setting up Bill Payer, check out this video.  Happy Bill Paying!

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

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Summer Safety

Summer is here and in full swing! Safety and care for our Members and Community are always a priority for us at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union.  Below is a list of 7 Summer Safety tips ...

1. Monitor Swimming Time

An adult should actively watch children swimming at all times.  Even if you’re in a shallow area, accidents can happen and it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.  For toddlers and smaller youngsters, it’s a good idea for an adult to be in the water within arms reach.  Keep track of how long children have been in the water so that you know when they might be getting tired, or if they need a break.

2. Keep Campfires to a Manageable Size

A fire is a fun way to spend a nice summer evening, but make sure you take necessary safety precautions.  Clear the area of any dry grass or branches so nothing will accidentally become ignited.  It’s also a good idea to check the weather before you begin your fire, so you’ll know if any wind is expected.  To be clear about where the campfire is, set a perimeter around the fire – blocks, bricks, or rocks work.  Make sure to keep your fire to a size that is manageable by an adult; bigger isn’t always better!

3. Apply Sunscreen and Reapply Often

We know there is a lot of praise for that summertime glow, but your skin is worth protecting.  The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying sunscreen with at least 30 SPF 15-30 minutes before you step outside.  Remember, it is also important to apply sunscreen even on a cloudy day!

4. Store food and snacks at proper temperatures

With rising temperatures, it can be hard to keep snacks, picnics, and camp food at proper temperatures.  Plan out treats and meals wisely so that you don’t have to question whether or not what you’ve packed is safe to eat.  Make sure you’ve packed any raw meat separate from ready-to-eat food and snacks so nothing is cross-contaminated.  A good tip is to use an adequate sized cooler for your food; a fuller cooler stays cold longer than a half-full cooler.  Oh, and remember to bring a meat thermometer for grilling!

5. Use Seat Belts, Helmets, and Life Jackets

We know this seems like a ‘no-brainer’, but it is always a good reminder.  Especially with children, always encourage and demonstrate safety.  Wear your seat belts in any vehicle where they’re present, have a helmet handy when you bike or skate, and always put a life jacket on when you’re out on open water.  They may seem uncomfortable or a nuisance, but if something happens (which we hope never does!) you’ll be glad to have them.

6. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water can help reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and can keep you properly hydrated. Keep water or sports drinks (for the electrolytes) handy, and remember to take a break for a drink. If you’re starting to feel thirsty, that’s an early sign of mild dehydration!  A helpful rule of thumb when you and the kids are active is to stop for a drink break every 20-30 minutes.

7. Know Your Surroundings

Whether you’re hiking, camping, or just playing in the backyard or nearby park, make sure you know your surroundings.  Summer is prime weather for ticks, mosquitoes, bees, and dangerous plants like poison ivy.  If you’re familiar with the environment you and your kiddos are in, you can dress appropriately and use proper preventative measures with sprays, as well as clean up when you’re finished.

Have a fun, happy, safe Summer, from all of us at SCFCU!



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


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We're in Your Corner!

Have you ever lost your checkbook, debit or credit card, or your purse or wallet? Has anyone ever charged something in your name?  We sure hope not!  We work hard to protect our Member’s identity and assets, which is why we offer Fraud and I.D. Theft Recovery as a benefit to our Reward Checking accounts.

St. Cloud Federal Credit Union has partnered with an experienced and trusted company – Merchants Information Solutions to offer this protective service.  With this  benefit, you have a professional Identity Theft Recovery Advocate who is assigned to you, and will work on your behalf to take all the necessary steps to recover your good name – no matter how long it takes.  

You can use this service for any situation where you think your personal information may be at risk or has been compromised – even if something happens to an account you have at another financial institution. 

While some companies offer a service (that you can purchase) which provides you with a packet of forms and phone assistance, you still do all the work.  There is no necessary registration for our Fraud and ID Theft Recovery service – it is automatically in place with your checking account at SCFCU.

To learn more about how to protect your identity, click here!  We’re in your corner and truly care about your well-being.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we’re here for you!

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


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Life in the Spotlight: Meet Bryce!

Have you seen the Sartell Chamber of Commerce’s April photo caption contest?  If so, you’ve seen the friendly smile of one of SCFCU’s prized employees, Bryce!  We wanted to allow you all to get to know the man behind the photo just a little bit better… who knows, maybe it’ll inspire some ideas for your own caption entry!

Bryce has been a Member Services Representative at our Sartell location for 3 years now.  His favorite part about working at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union are his co-workers (thanks Bryce, we like having you around too)!  Before the life of spotlighted photographs and helping our Members, Bryce dreamed of being a State Trooper in Alaska, which is where he would go if he could vacation anywhere.

While you’ll find Bryce’s smiling face whenever you stop in our lobby, it may fade now and then around this time of year. Why? Well, St. Patrick’s Day (Bryce’s favorite holiday) has passed, Winter (as a true Minnesotan, his favorite season) is coming to an end, and snakes and spiders (the 2 pets Bryce would never have) start to creep and crawl around.  Luckily, Bryce has The Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy (his favorite TV shows) along with his two sisters to cheer him up!  Bryce’s favorite color is green, he listens to Country and Rap music, and if he could hang out with any celebrity for a day, he’d choose Sheldon Cooper; bazinga!

Bryce is a friendly, cheerful, fun employee to have here at SCFCU and we couldn’t be happier that he is a part of our team.  Thanks for all you do Bryce, we’re lucky to have you!


 We are People Helping People.

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Meet the 2013 Board!

We are both pleased and excited to officially announce our Volunteer Board and Supervisory Committee Members for 2013.

As a result of our recent Membership election, Melissa J. was newly elected to our Board of Directors, and Barry K. was re-elected to the board. 

Our 2013 Board of Directors board includes:   Andrew Johannes, chairperson (elected by the Board); Rick Wurst, first vice chairperson; Jackie Schoenfelder, second vice chairperson; Paula Erdmann; Larry Keenan; Barry Kirchoff; and Melissa Johnson. The 2013 Board-appointed Supervisory committee members include Rod Heiser; Gary Gillitzer; Jill Hoffmann; Luke Seifert; and Jon Grahek. 

Thanks to these Members above for volunteering their time and talent to ensure we are successful as a cooperative financial institution.  We would also like to recognize Tony S. for his past 6 years of service on our board.  Thank you Tony, we appreciate your support and commitment to SCFCU.

An additional 'THANK YOU' goes out to all of you, our valued Members and owners of St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, for participating in our election process.  We're looking forward to another great year! 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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Credit Scores? Just Smile and Nod…

We often hear about the importance of a strong, well-kept Credit Score; but do you really understand what a Credit Score is?  Although the details are far from simple, we did our best to break it down and cover some main points to help you become more informed, so next time you’re asked about a Credit Score, you don’t have to just smile and nod…

What Exactly is It?
A Credit Score is a 3 digit number generated by mathematical algorithms taken from various pieces of information within your Credit Report.  Basically, this calculated number aims to predict your risk as an individual and analyze the chances of you becoming a “delinquent” on different credit obligations. 

Who Uses It?
Your Credit Score is often used by financial institutions and credit card companies to evaluate your eligibility for lending money.  Your score can help determine if you qualify for a loan, what your limits are, and the interest rate.  However, Credit Scores are not only for financial institutions.  A variety of organizations (cell phone companies, insurance companies, landlords, etc.) can use your Credit Score information for the same techniques.  Your Credit Score can be the difference between a low or high interest rate, qualification for an apartment rental, and much more.

Are they All the Same?
While there are all kinds of existing Credit Score models, the most common is the FICO.  According to myFICO.com, “90 percent of all financial institutions in the U.S. use FICO scores” when making decisions.  Your FICO score can be anywhere in the 300 – 850 range; a higher FICO score number indicates lower risk.  There are three different Credit Bureaus that gather your score: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – this means each consumer has three FICO scores.  Your FICO score is made up from your Credit Report’s data that is sorted into 5 main categories (see below).  Within this model, some factors are weighed more heavily – like debt and payment history.

What Makes up the Score?
On the right, you’ll see a model of what goes into your Credit Score.  Your Payment History (35%) includes account payment information, including delinquencies and public records.  Your Amounts Owed (30%) is how much you owe on each of your accounts.  The Length of Credit History (15%) is the amount of time between activity on accounts and how long they've been open.  Types of Credit Used (10%) is the variety of accounts you have (installment and revolving).  Lastly, New Credit (10%) includes credit inquiries you've made, recently opened accounts, and your pursuing of new credit.  It is important to note that personal and demographic information (age, marital status, race, income, address, employment, etc.) do not affect your score.

With a better understanding of your Credit Score you can practice better control of your score.  Stay tuned for future blogs about how to build good scores, what can hurt your score, and becoming financially fit. If you have any questions, call or stop by today! 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!

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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