BREWER FCU Quarterly News
SURF Surcharge-Free ATM Network is Just for You! When you’re a member of Brewer FCU, you have access to one of the largest surcharge-free ATM networks in Maine! That’s right—you won’t have to pay additional fees to access your own money when you use the SURF ATM Network. But that’s not all, finding a SURF ATM is easy with over 230 locations in Maine and a convenient mobile app to help you locate them all. From north to south, you’re bound to catch a glimpse of SURF Dude, the mascot of Maine credit unions’ SURF ATM Network. When you see SURF Dude, you know that your ATM experience will be fee-free! For a complete listing of the SURF ATM locations in Maine where you can find SURF Dude, visit mainecreditunions.org and click on “SURF ATM Locator.”
WINTER 2016
President’s Corner Greetings Members, 2015 was definitely a great year for Brewer Federal Credit Union! We enjoyed taking on major sponsorships like the Maine Principals’ Association, Bangor’s Downtown Countdown, American Folk Festival and more! We also were very busy this year with a new website makeover, our 55th Annual Meeting, Annual Yard Sale, Disc Golf Tournament for Ending Hunger, and the 5k Race for Little Heroes! You will be able to read all about our fall events this January when we release our 2016 digital magazine, which you can find on our website’s homepage titled e-Magazine. We also braved the Maine weather once again to help assist in the Free the Z Turkey Drive that started on November 17, 2015 and reached an outstanding total of 3,569 turkeys for Manna! “We crushed our record high by 553! Thank you to everyone who donated and helped out!” said Sabrina from Free the Z. Brewer FCU also donated 30 turkeys and participated in a food drive at each branch office for CHEFS Food Pantry. And continuing with our charitable contributions, we are on our 4th year now, participating in the Hands for Hope, Smile for a Child program, which is always one of our biggest charity sensations. A majority of our staff participated this year, which truly makes our business truly proud of its employees. And how could we forget to mention the launch of our new Perfect 10 Rewards Checking Program! Members now have a few options on how to use their Rewards, Cash Back Rewards, Giving Rewards to the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, or by earning interest with our Diamond Interest Rewards Program! That’s right, stop by one of our branch offices to speak to a Member Service Representative to get started, or transfer to your Rewards Checking account today! We hope 2016 brings just as much joy and happiness to the Credit Union world and our members as 2015 did! Be sure to continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for some great updates and special promotions! We love to hear feedback from our members! Sincerely,
Rick Kaul President/CEO Scan for instant access to brewerfcu.org!
Employee Anniversaries
Bridget.......................................16 years Lee.............................................13 years Will...........................................11 years Sean ............................................6 years Mary............................................. 1 year
Upcoming Events School Supply Drive January
Maine HS Basketball Tournament February School Vacation Cross Insurance Center
Perfect 10 Rewards Checking Program Can you imagine being rewarded just for using your Brewer FCU debit card? Well now you can— plus you won’t be restricted to just a cash-back option! We also offer our Giving Rewards account, aimed to members who wish to reward others! Instead of receiving cash back for using your debit card, now you can donate your money to the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. If that isn’t enough, you could open your Diamond Interest Rewards account and start earning interest! So many options, so many reasons to choose Brewer FCU! Visit www.brewerfcu/perfect10 to learn more on our Rewards program and start earning the rewards YOU deserve!
Date TDB
Brewer FCU will be at the tournament as a sponsor and vendor handing out brochures and educating our community about our new Rewards Checking program!
Free the Z Turkey Drive
School Supply Drive
What started off slow for Kid and Sabrina soon turned out to be one of their best years yet. They were able to crush their contributions from last year by 553, reaching a grand total of 3,569! As always, Brewer FCU was there to help them that first night, collecting money, turkeys, handing out a cash prize drawing, and engaging with the community as the night went on. We always look forward to this time of year, knowing that we can be a part of a great long standing tradition in Brewer.
Please check our website for collection dates for our School Supply Drive this January. In years past, this has been a successful event in which we have been able to bring supplies to 6 schools within our membership area. Please help us make this another successful year!
Brewer FCU assisted Townsquare Media and Z107.3 with their annual turkey drive, gobble gobble, where they had a live turkey on site. Many selfies were taken!
Sponsoring Sports We are entering our second year partnered with the Maine Principals’ Association, who is the governing body for sports competitions among all public and some private high schools in the state of Maine. It is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations. We have been very grateful to be a part of such an amazing tradition in Penobscot County, and this year, we intend to be even more involved. Be sure to look for our booth at the Cross Center or Augusta Civic Center handing out brochures and flyers that will help you and your family be financially sound, especially for the seniors graduating and heading off to college in the fall.
Digital Magazine
Holiday Closings Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 18
Presidents Day
Monday, February 15
Have you ever heard of Issuu Magazine? We hadn’t either, until 2014, and we decided to take advantage of it. We hope to continue to capture and convey Penobscot County’s great and untold stories, bringing happiness to all that read it. There are a lot of heroes and fascinating people out there that don’t get the recognition they deserve, but with our magazine, they will. You will be able to read it via computer, iPad, and/or mobile device. Be sure to check for the link at the end of your January statement, as well as our homepage titled e-Magazine! If you have an untold story you’d like to share, be sure to contact us to be interviewed and featured in Brewer FCU’s Member Highlights!
Don’t Let Snow Stop You Whether you’re venturing out on your snowmobile, heading to your son/ daughter’s special event, or just taking a ride through the wonderful snowy backwoods of Maine, remember that Brewer FCU is right there with you. With options like our Mobile App and Shared Branching, credit union members can travel all over New England and across the nation without missing a beat. There is no better way to experience the striking scenery of winter in Maine then taking a drive on one of New England’s scenic byways, a drive through Millinocket taking in the great Mount Katahdin on a snowy afternoon or admiring the snow seascape of the coast. So if you want to take a drive but need cash fast, download our mobile app for free. Simply download Brewer FCU’s App in the iTunes Store or Google Play Store (iPhone/Android) to start monitoring your account and accessing your funds right from your digital device. Accessing your money and making deposits couldn’t be easier with Shared Branching. Shared Branching means you can walk into another credit union, make transactions, and use it as if it were your local branch. With over 5,000 Shared Branch locations across the nation, you can chase the snow-scape all over the country and have access to your credit union account.
Fee Schedule Effective December 1, 2015
Account Fees Membership Fee Reconciliation/Research Excess Share Withdrawals
$5.00 One-time fee $20.00 Per hour $0.50 Per withdrawal in excess of 3 per month
Check Fees Corporate Share Draft Money Order Temporary Check
$5.00 Per item $1.00 Per item $0.50 Per item
Debit Card Fees Replacement Card Express Issue
$5.00 Per card $50.00 Per card
Overdraft Fees Automatic Transfer
$3.00 Per transfer
Ending Hunger in Maine Staff of Brewer FCU got together with representatives of the Maine Credit Union League on Friday, December 18, to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Maine’s first Food Mobile, at the food bank’s Brewer Distribution Center. The campaign made a contribution of $7,500, a portion of the record-setting $552,257 raised in the 2014 campaign. As a whole, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger contribution of $7,500 will provide over 300,000 holiday meals to Maine families in addition to supporting the Food Mobile to ensure Maine families who are in need will continue to have access to food. The Food Mobile is specifically designed to transport food across great distances at safe temperatures delivering a mix of frozen refrigerated, and dry grocery goods.
(from Share Account to Share Draft Account)
Return-Fee (NSF) Member Privilege
$25.00 Per item $25.00 Per item
Stop Payment Fees Regular Share Draft, $25.00 Per item Corporate Share Draft, Money Order, ACH (One-Time) Wire Fees Domestic Wire-Outgoing $15.00 Per transfer Foreign Wire-Outgoing $30.00 Per transfer Wire-Incoming No Charge The fees appearing in this fee schedule are accurate as of the effective date indicated. Please note that fees are subject to change. For additional information please call, visit our website, or visit one of our branch offices.
Box Tops for Education Do you clip those Box Tops or Labels for Education from the items that you use, but never seem to make it to the school to donate them? Here at Brewer FCU, we have the perfect solution. Bring your Box Tops or Labels for Education to one of our branches and let us donate them to one of the area schools for you.
Office Hours and Locations
New Year, Renewed Beneficiaries
Mailing Address
This year, resolve to review and update your beneficiary designations. There is one resolution you can keep this year and every year that will not only improve your own well-being and state of mind, but help ensure the financial well-being of your loved ones well into the future, too.
77 North Main Street · Brewer 229 Dirigo Drive · Brewer
PO Box 189 · Brewer, ME 04412
Lobby & Drive-Through
A Great Way to Start the Year, Every Year A lot can happen in 12 months. Remember that every life event— births, adoptions, disability, deaths, marriages, divorces, even moving— should trigger a review and update of your estate documents. That’s why it is important to review your beneficiary Email Address designations at least once a year to ensure your assets are properly passed down. memberservices@brewerfcu.org Phone & Fax Numbers You’ll never regret reviewing your estate plan, and around New Year’s is a great time to do it. Your financial advisor can help you coordinate with a qualified estate planning Phone (207) 989-7240 professional. 77 No. Main Street · Fax: 989-3440 Mon.–Wed. 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m Thur.–Fri. 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
229 Dirigo Drive · Fax: 989-5985
iTalk Audio Response System
Phone 1-855-835-5281 or 207-989-4947 or 207-385-2734
Our Services ACH Originations Bill Payer Business Loans Club Accounts Consumer Loans Corporate Drafts Direct Deposit (ACH) E-Statements and E-Alerts free4ME Checking GAP Coverage Gift Cards Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Instant Issue Visa® Check Cards Member Privilege Merchant Card Processing Mobile Banking Mobile BillPay Money Markets Money Orders Mortgage Loans Night Deposit Online Banking Payroll Deduction Person-to-Person (P2P) Remote Capture Extended Service Contracts Roth IRA SBA Loans Share (Savings) Accounts Share Certificates Share Draft (Checking) Accounts Shared Branching Stop Payments Sweep Accounts Traveler’s Cards U.S. Savings Bonds – Redeem only Visa® Check Card (Debit) Visa® Credit Cards Wire Transfers Youth Accounts For rates on our Shares, Money Manager, Share Certificates and IRA Share Certificates, please give us a call or go to our website www.brewerfcu.org.
Federally Insured by NCUA
Know Before You Bestow Too often, issues arise during the transfer of assets simply due to lack of knowledge of estate laws. Learn and understand the laws that govern transfer of property in your chosen state, and be aware that beneficiary rules can vary from asset to asset. For instance, retirement and insurance accounts generally default to a spouse. If you want your children to inherit your retirement savings, you must name them on the appropriate documents and have your current spouse sign a waiver. Spousal laws vary by state so be sure to consult Maine’s specific legislation.
Avoid Uncertainties, Be Specific Life events such as divorce and remarriage (especially if you have children from both marriages) may muddy the waters for your heirs. Without explicit instructions and properly documented beneficiaries, your family could end up in court to settle your estate. Asset titling is especially important when you and your partner are not married. Legally, your partner may not have the same rights a spouse would. Back up Your Beneficiaries Beyond primary beneficiaries, you should also name one or more secondary ones. These are called contingency beneficiaries, and they are a good safeguard to have in place, should something happen to you and your primary beneficiary at the same time. Make the Transfer While retirement, insurance annuity and trust accounts require beneficiary designations, some, like a traditional brokerage account, do not. That’s why you should consider placing a Transfer on Death (TOD) registration on your brokerage account. A TOD registration is a powerful tool that allows you to designate beneficiaries for your brokerage accounts, and it supersedes a will or trust. If you’re married, a joint registration would allow the surviving spouse to receive the assets. Should both account holders pass away, the TOD would take effect, passing your assets down to your designated beneficiaries, often without a fee. New home, new estate laws, moving? Make sure to review your new state’s requirements when you relocate and update your estate plan accordingly. Thomas Duff Joel M. West Branch Manager, Duff & Associates Financial Advisor, Duff & Associates Duff & Associates, an independent firm, 470 N Main St, Brewer, ME 207-989-6082. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/dealer, and are not insured by credit union insurance, the NCUA or any other government agency, are not deposits or obligations of the credit union, are not guaranteed by the credit union, and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of principal.
Brewer FCU’s privacy notice is available on our website at www.brewerfcu.org/ privacy-notice. There have been no changes. A notice will be mailed to any member who requests it by calling our toll-free number at 1-888-238-6976.