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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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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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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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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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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Your Voice is Heard

At St.Cloud Federal Credit Union, we value the voice of our Members and ensure they are empowered.  As a cooperative financial institution, all Members of our credit union are also owners.  When a person joins our credit union, they become one of the owners and shareholders of our institution.

As mentioned in a previous blog, one thing that differentiates credit unions is that we are “not-for-profit” – there is no private ownership.  We are member-owned and all our profits stay in the credit union, our local community, and aid in the benefit of our valued Members.   The democratic nature of our credit union allows all our Members to have an equal voice in the operation of the organization, regardless of the amount each person has in their account.  Credit union Members participate by voting in mail-in elections for the credit union's Board.

Our credit union is governed by our local, volunteer Board of Directors.  Now is the perfect time for all our Members to exercise their ownership and have a say in how their credit union is run!  Ballots for the candidates for our Board of Directors were recently mailed out.  Please take time to look them over, fill them out, and get them back to us by March 16, 2013.  Please join us on Thursday, March 21^st for our Annual Meeting at our St. Cloud office at 3030 First Street South, in the lower level Community Room – cookies will be served, and election results will be announced!   The Business Meeting starts at 5:30 pm.

Our mission is to engage in a relentless effort to provide superior service to our Members.  We aim to educate, support, and encourage our members to be financially fit.
We are People Helping People.

   

Help Make Miracles

At St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, we are always looking for ways to contribute to others and strengthen our sense of community.  Since January 10^th, we have been participating in the Chain of Hearts fundraiser for Gillette Children’s Hospital of St. Paul, MN.  There’s still time for you to join the cause!  Until February 28^th, you can purchase a paper link ($1) or paper heart ($2) at either of our Sartell or St. Cloud locations. 

All proceeds raised will benefit the children at Gillette’s and their clinics across the state, helping to relieve the financial burdens of children with disabilities and chronic conditions.  Since 1897, Gillette Children’s Hospitals have been on the forefront of medical treatment, education, and research for children with a variety of disabilities.  Gillette’s mission is to help patients realize the greatest possible independence, well-being, and enjoyment in life.

In 2012, Minnesota credit unions partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network were able to raise over $41,000 for Gillette Children’s Hospitals.  Each personalized heart or link purchased are displayed in our lobbies, a first hand example of our People Helping People mission. 

We strongly encourage all our members, community residents, and area businesses to contribute in any way they can.  Please show your love for Minnesota’s kids by stopping in, writing your name on a heart, and donating what you can to support Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.

For more information about Credit Unions 4 Kids, visit http://www.cu4kids.org/

More than Meets the Eye: The Difference Between Banks and Credit Unions

At their most basic aspects, banks and credit unions appear to be very similar.  At both institutions you can cash a check, drive up to a window and speak with a Teller, and inquire about things like loans or mortgages. Credit unions and banks both provide financial services.   However, when you look beneath the surface you’ll find that banks and credit unions are quite different.

First and foremost, banks are for-profit businesses.  At St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, we offer banking services, but are a not-for-profit financial cooperative.

Any profit generated by the credit union is returned to its members.  This can help keep fees and loan rates lower, and savings rates higher.  Our emphasis is, and always has been, on superior Member Service.  A bank’s profit goes back to its investors, not customers.  At a bank, you’re a customer, at a credit union you’re part owner, and a Member of our institution.

Banks are owned by private or public investors. To these investors, a bank is a way to make a return on their investment.  St. Cloud Federal Credit Union (like other Credit Unions) is owned by its Members.  We are a “financial cooperative” that consists of individuals with a common affiliation.  In our case, that affiliation is geographic.

Banks are run by officers and directors (chosen by bank owners), who are legally bound to make decisions in the interest of the stockholders.  Many of these officers and directors are located out-of-state and customarily receive director fees, per diem, stock options, and other perks.  Similar to the banking industry, credit unions are governed by a board of directors.  This board consists of oversight committees and volunteers who are Members elected by other Members.  Because our board of directors are not stockholders, they receive no compensation for their commitment and service.  Because we don’t have stockholders, our mission and goal is to satisfy and keep Members happy.

When choosing a financial institution, the most important aspect to consider is your individual needs.  If being part of a cooperative effort appeals to you, joining a credit union may be what you’re looking for; not just for the exceptional Member service and rates, but for the community aspect – We are People Helping People.