CEO Spot Looking Back and Jumping Forward
FCFCU had a great 2014. We were able to continue our growth in membership, assets, and loans. Our great member service and improving our products and services has helped us grow. Last year we concentrated on adding or improving our electronic and on-line products. We had a major revamp of our website, implemented account aggregation services, remote deposit, and have an easier on line loan and membership application process. Our loan volume continued to grow in 2014 and was amongst the highest in our peer group. FCFCU has maintained steady growth over the past 5 years (in fact we have grown 41% in assets, more than doubled our membership, and grew loans by an amazing 120%) and look forward to continuing that positive trend. Our goal is not to be all things to all people, but to be the best at what we offer. We have grown at the pace we believe is right for our Credit Union’s long term health. By having a very friendly and knowledgeable staff that can help with all member needs and a Board of Directors that stays involved in all actions of the Credit Union, we anticipate another banner year in 2015. I would like to thank all of our members who continue to use, promote and support our Credit Union. The more members we have using our products and services, the better it will be for you the members, and the Credit Union itself. As we move forward into 2015, we are anticipating some continued economic fluctuations, a possible interest rate hike, and sustained low oil prices...all of which can affect our community positively or negatively. Be assured that whatever happens we will continue to do our very best to serve you, and give you the products and services you desire and need. Thank you all for a great 2014 and I look forward to even more exciting things in 2015!
FCFCU Spotlight Erica O’Brien - Lending Manager Celebrating her 6 year anniversary \
I have sincerely appreciated my 6 years here at First Castle. I have learned so much from Danny Trahan; his knowledge relating to the automobile financing industry has been invaluable . I strive for efficiency; completing tasks correctly is of the utmost importance to me. The details are so critical with processing auto loans and mortgage loans. I have been in the mortgage business for approximately 25 years and have seen so many changes in regulations and policies. It provides a challenge to me to keep up with the ever changing industry. I really enjoy being able to help someone who is a first time homebuyer, seeking a better life for their family. I still believe it’s the “American Dream” to have your own home. I love the comfortable atmosphere here at First Castle and I believe it makes a difference when working with our members. I appreciate the members of our lending team so much. They really are like family to me. I’ve said it before, but they are the best people I’ve ever worked with! Personally, I have a very fulfilling life and I consider myself blessed. I am married and have one 15 year old son. We enjoy camping, boating, fishing, mostly everything outdoors and the guys enjoy hunting.
Pauline L. Edgerton- Financial Services Officer Celebrating her 6 year anniversary “The thing I like best of my job is helping people, believing in them and giving them a chance. It is very fulfilling to have the ability to give our members options and letting them choose what is best for their family. For the last 6 years my feet have hit the floor running! I love coming to work! It is my sincere hope that I am making a difference in someone’s
life.” Pauline is a proud mother of a son and even prouder grandmother of one granddaughter, Sarah. She serves as Finance Officer at her church, Covenant Church in Mandeville and is very involved in the ministry.
Christmas is over and beyond the warm memories you might only be feeling the holiday season spending hangover. Credit card bills are most likely rolling in and as you vow to never spend so much on Christmas again, here are some ways to pay off that debt. Stop spending frivolously. While it may sound simple, that sale you can’t just pass up or treating yourself to a spa day will have to wait. Put yourself on a financial diet until you catch up on any extra debt you incurred during the holidays. Using coupons and comparison shopping for essential items and cutting extra expenses, can really make a big a difference in your monthly budget. Get honest about your overall financial situation. Examine your entire financial situation…like everything! It is easy to forget about student loan payments or a doctor bill that is hanging over you. This will help you be more realistic about how fast you can pay things off. Use tax returns and bonuses wisely. Bonuses and tax returns are two larger lump sums of money that can be used to make a real difference in debt. Don’t look at these things as free money to spend – rather, use them to pay down debt and boost your credit score to help meet your goals. Start a Christmas Savings Account. It’s never too early to start saving for next year. Start a Christmas Savings Account with us to set aside money specifically dedicated to the holidays. If you put away $50 each month, before you know it, you’ll have $500 to put toward holiday gifts and travel. The more you can pay in cash, the less you’ll have to worry about paying back this time next year! Select a payment strategy that works for you. Why pay 3 different companies interest? Consider consolidating your credit cards. We have rates as low as 7.85% (depending on your credit score). If possible, pay more than the minimum payments, but most importantly – always pay on time. If you need additional help managing your debt, remember we are here to help you!
Going Green is Not Just for Tree Huggers Anymore Did you know that we are harvesting 24 million metric tons of trees for paper production each year? To give you an idea of how much that is a million dollars (in 1 dollar bills) weighs roughly 1 metric ton. Electronic statements are more convenient for members and less costly for a financial institutions to produce. Some members are hesitant to switch. Here’s a look at why it is so important to switch and some tips to help the transition go smoothly. First, it’s a safer alternative for our members. A statement delivered through online banking is far more secure than one sitting in an unlocked mailbox. Today, members need to be aware of where their personal information may be at risk of exposure to identity thieves. Second, electronic statements save FCFCU money. Every month FCFCU spends nearly $4,000 sending statements. Normally saving your financial institution a few bucks might not be top on your list. But this is a credit union, where any interest, fees and savings we receive is immediately passed back to our members! Less money spent in administrative costs means more money in your pocket. Another reason to switch is to reduce clutter. At home, you may have plastic containers, drawers and filing cabinets that are filled with old statements. What could you do with some extra room? Members have easy access to statements and it sure beats digging around for hours looking for a statement. After you sign up for e-statements it will start your year cycle. Statements will be available for that 12 months until the next year starts. Also, members can save the statements to their own electronic files. A simple PDF will stay with you forever and when needed, printing will be as simple as clicking a button. To make sure the switch goes smoothly consider the following: • Easy to ignore an email - One reason members are hesitant to switch is a paper bill can serve as a reminder to pay it. Sometimes a routine email notifications can be easy to ignore, particularly if you get a high volume of emails.
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Automatic Payments - Switching to electronic bills can make some feel they are out of control of their money and others slipping into cruise control. You don't want to get in the habit of deleting notifications about scheduled payments without clicking on the link to scan the bill. This could keep you from catching incorrect or suspicious charges until much later. Know how to get older statements - Online archives are likely to be at least as extensive as the paper records you keep at home. But it's still a good idea to know exactly what you're signing up for. Claim rewards for switching - Not just FCFCU but all companies save big when customers go paperless. Not only do they save on postage and mailing costs, but they also increase the odds that customers pay bills on time and lower marketing expenses since materials can be sent online.
To sign up, go to www.firstcastlefcu.org and click Home Banking. If you don’t already have an account in Home Banking, you will have to create one. Once logged in you can either click the smiling tree icon that says “Save a Tree” or click “Self Service”. There you will see under “Additional Services” an option to choose e-statements.
Protect Yourself and the Environment: Eliminate Paper Clutter - You can organize your account statements electronically. View E-Statements Immediately - No more waiting for your statement in the mail. Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft - Secure sign in and no paper to shred.
Castle Connect: The Chore of Managing Your Money is Easier than Ever!
Can you imagine what it was like to clean your house before the vacuum cleaner came along? Neither can we and we hope you will feel the same way about the new money management tools now available in online banking. With Castle Connect, a new set of money management tools inside online banking, makes it easy to track spending, set financials goals and monitor all of your accounts to save time and money. Some of our favorite Castle Connect features include: Adding Accounts – Complete your financial picture by bringing in outside account information- like investment accounts and credit cards, into Castle Connect. Even your investment account information can be imported! Create and Track Spending Targets – Castle Connect helps you see how you are spending your money, and it is easy to set and track spending targets with the budget feature. Set a Goal in Castle Connect – It’s easy to set a financial goal (like paying off a credit card, or saving for a vacation) and see it through. Castle Connect doesn’t stop there. There are plenty of other features worth exploring that will help you take control of your finances and save money. Log into Home Banking to try it! Any questions, call 985-867-8867.
Shop With UChoose Rewards® you can shop like you normally would and watch the rewards add up. Plus, shop with participating UChoose Rewards® retailers and earn even more points!
Earn Points Simply use your Check Card Rewards anywhere and you will earn points per dollar spent when you shop for everyday needs and more. But that’s not all - earn even MORE points when you use your Rewards Card at the participating retailers listed on this website. It’s that easy!
Enjoy Your Rewards Watch your rewards add up! Then, redeem them for exciting options like the latest electronics, trendy clothing, airline tickets – and more!
Let us be so much more than a checking account As a First Castle FCU member, you’re eligible to apply for any of the low-rate, no-annual-fee credit cards that we offer. Compare their features below to choose the right card for you.
The VISA Platinum Rewards • Earn 1 point towards merchandise and travel rewards with every dollar spent in net retail purchases • No annual fee • Credit limits up to $20,000 • 25-day grace period on purchases • Low cash advance fee • Accepted at millions of locations worldwide • No balance transfer fees • Optional Credit Life and Disability Insurance available
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The VISA Platinum No annual fee Credit limits up to $20,000 25-day grace period on purchases No cash advance fee if the cash advance is taken at any FCFCU ATM, CALL-24, or SAFE’s Online Banking Accepted at millions of locations worldwide No balance transfer fee Optional Credit Life and Disability Insurance available
Apply Online www.firstcastlefcu.org
Experience the Credit Union Difference
Free Checking Kids Account Money Market Accounts IRA’s Direct Deposit Mobile Banking Check Capture Rewards Program Competitive Loan Rates