Making the most of your dollars & cents... Cents Abilities The South Jersey Federal Credit Union Quarterly Update Spring 2014 1 CENTS●ABILITIES Volume 8.2 - Spring 2014 I n s i d e 3 May 29 - College Savings Day 4 Free Checking 6 Boat, RV and Motorcycle Loans 8 Coming in June - ePay & Popmoney 9 Spring Has Sprung Visa Gift Cards 11 SJFCU’s Platinum Visa 12 Welcome To The Family 13 Phising Alert Annual Meeting Reminder 15 First Quarter Dividends Calendar Welcome! After one of the most brutal winters in memory, we’ve finally turned the corner to a spring season that couldn’t come soon enough. Here at SJFCU, we’re welcoming the new season with a significant change to our online Billpayer system, with new features and new applications, all designed to make your monthly (and yearly) management of bills and other financial obligations easier. We’re targeting the second week in June for the roll-out of this dynamic new product, which will include the ability for you to make expedited payments, to transfer funds from one financial institution to another, and even a feature called “Popmoney” which lets you do person-to-person money transfers. Stay tuned in the coming months for more details about this exciting new product. We’re also highlighting another date this spring: we’re calling May 29 SJFCU’s College Savings Day. All this spring, in the days leading up to that date, we’re emphasizing the importance for families to set up a 529 Plan, a tax-advantaged college savings plan. We urge you to consider a 529 Plan for your own children and grandchildren. As the weather warms up, we urge you to get outside to enjoy it, and to stop by or call SJFCU to learn more about these new programs as we “spring” into a new season for you. Sincerely yours, Benjamin T. Griffith President/CEO Cents●Abilities Keep this Date in Mind Join us in making May 29 SJFCU’s College Savings Day -- Your children and grandchildren will thank you for it! We’ve earmarked that date because a 529 plan is a “taxadvantaged” college savings plan, designed to encourage savings for future costs of post-secondary education. • The College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) reported (March 2014) that in 2013, total investment by American families in 529 plans reached more than $227 billion, a record level. • The average individual 529 Plan account size reached an all-time high of $19,584 as of December 31, 2013, a 14% increase from the previous year. Why the increased popularity of 529 Plans? Here are four major benefits: • Tax free savings – You pay no federal income tax on your earnings in the 529 account while it is invested, and earnings are also tax free when used for qualified educational expenses. • Very high contribution limits • Control by the owner – You control the account, even when the child reaches legal age. You retain this control over withdrawals for the life of the account. • Can be used for your estate planning purposes Although a 529 plan is called a “college savings plan” the funds you set aside for post-secondary educational costs can be used at any qualified post-secondary educational institution! Whether it’s education at a community college or a four-year public or private college, or at a business school, or a technical institute, you can make your future brighter. LPL financial advisor, David Graham, is happy to meet with members interested in learning more about the 529 program, and/or setting up a 529 savings plan account. Set up an appointment with David now, by going to www.southjerseyfn.com to request an appointment online or call 800-582-7640. Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Non-qualified withdrawals may result in federal income tax and a 10% federal tax penalty on earnings. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing. Securities and Financial Planning offered through LPL Financial, Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. SJFCU is not a broker/dealer and not affiliated with LPL Financial. NOT NCUA INSURED NO CREDIT UNION GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE 3 South Jersey Federal Credit Union Checking: Still Free at SJFCU! As the big financial institutions continue to add fees – and more and more requirements – to their consumer checking accounts, our checking account at SJFCU continues to be free – plain and simple! Many major media outlets – and plenty of regular folks - have noted recently that free checking is flourishing at credit unions, and have brought this consumer-friendly advantage to the public’s attention. SJFCU is proud to say that we continue to offer free checking to our members! In March 2014, Bankrate.com published the results of its 2014 Credit Union Checking Survey. The results showed that “72% of the nation’s largest credit unions offer a free checking account.” These accounts, it noted, are totally free, and have no strings attached. Those “strings,” often found at big banks, include things like a monthly service charge if a required minimum account balance isn’t maintained, or a requirement that funds added to the account must be direct deposited. On the other hand, what about the percentage of free checking accounts offered by banks? According to the Bankrate.com survey, a mere 38% of banks still offered total free checking. Having such a high percentage of credit unions offer free checking “is good,” said Greg McBride, Bankrate.com’s senior financial analyst. “It means free checking accounts remain a staple of the product lineup at many credit unions, and they aren’t going away.” Jim Burson, a senior director of Cornerstone Advisors, a financial industry consulting firm, says that credit unions’ orientation as not-for-profit cooperatives beholden to their members, rather than to shareholders, is a big reason why so many have maintained free checking. “It’s really a service orientation for members, versus the sales orientation of banks,” Burson added. It’s certainly true that service for our members defines South Jersey Federal Credit Union. That’s why we continue to offer you free checking – with no strings attached! Are you still keeping some or most (or all) of your daily expense funds in an expensive checking account at another financial institution? Why tie up your funds in some other institution’s minimum deposit requirement? Switch and open an SJFCU checking account today! Call us or stop by a branch to make that switch and find the freedom –and the extra flexibility - that comes with truly free checking! 4 Cents●Abilities From April 1 - 30, we’ll appraise your vehicle using Kelley Blue Book® Trade-In Value and add $500.1 Upon used vehicle purchase from Enterprise Car Sales. • 12-MONTH/12,000 MILE LIMITED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.* • VEHICLE CERTIFICATION. • 12-MONTH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.** • FREE CARFAX® REPORTS. • 7-DAY REPURCHASE AGREEMENT.* And, you’ll never have to haggle about prices. Call 856-232-9000 or visit southjerseyfcu.com to get pre-approved by South Jersey Federal Credit Union today. cuautodeals.com Visit us at Enterprise Car Sales Conshohocken, PA 1207 W. Ridge Pike 610 825-8184 Philadelphia Int’l Airport, PA 501 S. Governor Printz Blvd. 610 521-3501 Newark, DE 155 E. Cleveland Ave. 302 737-8096 Pennsauken, NJ Philadelphia, PA 3011 Admiral Wilson Blvd. 856 910-7920 2001-19 Byberry Rd. 215 673-6565 Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Values used by Enterprise are obtained from © 2014 Kelley Blue Book Co.’s website KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Value is based on accurate condition rating and mileage of vehicle. Accurately appraising the condition of the vehicle is an important aspect of determining its Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Value. Kelley Blue Book valuation adjustments for vehicle mileage disproportionate to the age of the vehicle may be capped by Enterprise Car Sales at 20% of the vehicle’s base value. If a Kelley Blue Book Trade-In value is not available for customer’s vehicle Enterprise will provide a fair and competitive value for customer’s vehicle. Additional trade-in value of $500 is available only on passenger vehicles and light duty trucks, with a Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Value and when a vehicle is purchased from Enterprise. Customer is responsible to any extent vehicle pay-off exceeds Enterprise offer. Customer must provide required proof of ownership/registration and all other necessary paperwork to transfer title. Offer only valid on one trade-in for each Enterprise vehicle purchase. Restrictions apply. For details, see an Enterprise Car Sales Manager. Offer void where prohibited including AK, HI, KY, LA, MD, NE, NM, OK, OR, SC, TX, VA and Washington, D.C. Offer valid from 4/1/14 – 4/3014. No cash advances. Cannot be combined with any other offers. 2Vehicle must be financed using standard financing terms through South Jersey Federal Credit Union to qualify for payment offer. South Jersey Federal Credit Union will make the first payment on the payment due date up to $500 on member’s behalf after vehicle is financed through South Jersey Federal Credit Union. Offer void when 7-day Repurchase Agreement is activated. Offer valid 4/1/14 – 4/3014. No cash advances. Offer not valid for previous Enterprise purchases or with any other offer. Used vehicles previously part of Enterprise short-term rental and lease fleet or purchased by Enterprise from other sources including auto auctions, with previous use possibly short-term rental, lease or other. *Restrictions apply. For details, see an Enterprise Car Sales Manager. **Enterprise 12-Month Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Package is provided by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and its affiliated clubs in the United States and Canada. The “e” logo, Enterprise, “The Perfect Used Car Package” and “Haggle-free buying. Worry-free ownership.” are trademarks of Enterprise Holdings, Inc. All 1 5 South Jersey Federal Credit Union Time to Explore with RVs, Boats and Motorcycles After the brutal winter we’ve come through, most everyone is thinking about getting back on the road – and onto the water – now that warmer weather has finally arrived. In your household, this could mean some serious thinking about getting that boat you’ve always dreamed of, or purchasing a RV for vacation trips and camping – or even exploring the roadways with a new motorcycle! Here at SJFCU, our great low rates on boats, RVs and motorcycles make the first step to owning your dream vehicle an easier and more manageable one. Those rates can’t be beat! For RVs and boats, the rates are the same, both as low as: 4.24% APR* for up to five years for a new boat or RV 4.99% APR** for up to five years for a used boat or RV If an RV purchase is what you’re seeking, note that SJFCU now has relationships with four regional RV dealerships: • Hitch RV in Turnersville • Dylans RV Center in Sewell • White Horse RV in Williamstown • Classic RV in Monroeville These professional relationships translate to a great inventory from which to choose your RV. It also means an even smoother process when it comes to buying and financing your RV at SJFCU. Motorcycle loan rates are just as competitive: 4.9% APR*** for a new motorcycle 6.5% APR **** for a used motorcycle It won’t be long before you’ll want to spend your spare weekends “down the shore” in your new boat or driving through the countryside in your new RV or motorcycle. Now is the time to look into these great rates, to “catch” your best deal! Stop by any branch or call us at 800-582-7640 for more details. * Rates quoted are for Premier Plus category, and include ½ % reduction in rate for payroll deduction or direct deposit. Premier Plus category requires a minimum FICO score of 700. RV and Boat loans are for up to 100 % financing of agreed purchase price, not to exceed MSRP in RV or New Boat Guide. All promotional rates are for new loans only. SJFCU refinances not included. ** Used RV rate is for maximum age of 10 model years, up to 100 % financing of agreed purchase price or NADA value, whichever is less. Used boat rate is for maximum age of 15 model years, up to 100 % financing of agreed purchase price or NADA value, whichever is less. *** / **** Rates quoted are for Premier Plus category, and include ½% reduction in rate for payroll deduction or direct deposit. New Motorcycle loans are for up to 100% financing of agreed purchase price; Used Motorcycle loans are for up to 100% financing of agreed purchase price or NADA Retail Value, whichever is less. Other rates and terms available to qualified borrowers. Rates and terms subject to change at any time at the discretion of the credit union. 6 Cents●Abilities NEW AUTO 1.99% USED** AUTO APR / Up to 6 Years 2.99% * * APR / Up to 6 Years Spring on over to your favorite car dealer and hop into a new car! SJFCU’s low rates and convenient ZOOM! Auto Loan make it easy. When you’re approved for a ZOOM! Auto Loan, you’ll receive a ZOOM! check up to your approval limit to take shopping at any franchised dealer. You don’t need to know the exact price of the car you are buying or where you’ll buy it! Just pick out your dream car, negotiate your best deal and ZOOM! away! Fast Approval GAP Insurance Flexible Rates & Terms Easy Payments *Auto loan rates quoted are for Premier Plus category, up to 6 years and includes one-half percent (0.5%) reduction in rate for payroll deduction or direct deposit. Auto loan promotional rates are for new loans only. SJFCU refinances not included. Premier Plus category requires a minimum FICO score of 700.**Used car rate applies to model years 2011 and 2012 and 2013/2014 models with over 15,000 miles. Other rates and terms available to qualified borrowers. Zoom! Loan available for Classic category and above. Rates and terms subject to change at any time at the discretion of the credit union. 7 South Jersey Federal Credit Union Watch for upgrades to the way you pay your bills - online and mobile! Coming In June Mark your calendars for the second week in June – that’s the target date for the launch of ePay -- our new Online Bill Pay system that will include many new features! If you already use SJFCU’s Billpayer, every one of your regular monthly bill payments that you have listed will automatically be transferred to the new system. If you’ve never used our Billpayer system, why not start in June – when so many great features and options for your ease of use will be at your fingertips? And, ePay is still FREE when you use it to pay bills regularly. ePay will feature expedited payments. You will be able to either overnight a check (for next day payment) or a same-day expedited payment. Example: Did you forget that your mortgage payment is due tomorrow? A small fee for this new service is a minimal one, compared to the headache you’d face with a late mortgage payment! Popmoney is a great new feature that lets you do “person- to-person” fund transfers. All you need is the recipient’s cell number or email address. Pay your share of last night’s dinner to your friend, or send some birthday funds to a favorite niece or grandchild. eBanking will now feature account-to-account transfers, which will allow you to transfer money from one financial institution to another. Want to add a deposit from that other place to your SJFCU savings account? This is the easy way to do it! Mobile Check Capture is also coming soom to give you the ability to scan a check for easy depositing in your SJFCU account. You can do it on the go with just a few screen touches! 8 Cents●Abilities Spring Has Sprung! • Baby birds must learn how to sing! They are born with singing ability, but must learn the specific songs of their species. They acquire these songs between 10 to 60 days of age, and begin to sing them the following spring when they have matured. • Spring fever is real. It occurs when a sudden warm spell follows a long cold period. When the temperature rises, there’s a dilation or expansion of the blood vessels so that blood can be carried to the body’s surface where heat can be lost quickly. Some persons experience an energetic feeling to this reaction. • Although tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are common harbingers of spring, the first bloom of the season is usually – the dandelion! They originated in Asia, and now call the entire world home (and a bane to gardeners everywhere). On the positive side, they can be used both as a food and as a medicine. Everyone Loves Visa Gift Cards! Everyone loves Visa Gift Cards for all those touchstone spring events: graduations, weddings, anniversaries – and of course, Mother’s Day in May and Father’s Day in June. Truly, any time of year is the right time for a SJFCU Visa gift card! Think of them as your “go-to” gift for birthdays, welcome home parties, bon voyage presents and hostess gifts as well! Our SJFCU gift cards are invariably the right size, the right color (they are available in an array of designs) and always within your budget! Our SJFCU Visa gift cards are available in denominations that range from $10 up to $500. Gift cards are easy to purchase and priced right for every budget. Gift cards can be purchased (only $2.95 plus the amount of the gift card) at all six SJFCU branches. Stop in your local branch and get a gift that will be used and appreciated! Cards issued by MetaBank pursuant to a license form Visa U.S.A., Inc. Purchase fee of $2.95. Monthly inactivity fee of $2.95 after 12 consecutive months of inactivity. Lost/stolen replacement card fee of $5.00. 9 South Jersey Federal Credit Union Your Home May Be Worth More Than You Think! We now offer 95% Loan-To-Value Home Equity Loans It’s been a long, hard winter and chances are you’ll need to make some home repairs. If you’re considering a Home Equity loan but are worried that you don’t have enough equity, we have good news! SJFCU has increased its home equity loan-to-value amount, which means you can now borrow up to 95% of the equity in your home, up to a maximum of $25,000. In addition to low rates, SJFCU’s home equity loans have no closing costs and are tax deductible**! at least 25 Home Equity Loans Up to 85% LTV 2 99%* apr Up to 5 years Up to 95% LTV 3 99%* apr Up to 5 years *Home Equity loan rates apply to new and refinanced loans in Premier Plus category with automatic payment such as payroll deduction. The APR without automatic payment is one-half percent (0.5%) higher. Premier Plus category requires a minimum FICO score of 700. Premium Plus and Classic Plus categories require $25,000 or more of new money on refinanced loans and $10,000 or more on new loans. All other Premiere and Classic categories require $15,000 or more of new money on refinanced loans. This product is a fixed rate, closed-end loan secured by your primary residence. Closing costs included in rate. Title insurance required for loan amounts over $100,000. Other home equity loan rates and terms available to qualified borrowers are based on credit approval. All rates and terms subject to change at any time at the discretion of the credit union. **Consult with a tax professional. NMLS#771963. 10 Cents●Abilities Say ‘Yes’ to More Benefits with an SJFCU Platinum Visa Card! Frustrated with credit cards that make handling your finances harder rather than easier? Make this spring the time you make the switch to a Platinum Visa Card from South Jersey Federal Credit Union, and learn how stress-free – and secure – your credit card usage can be! The SJFCU Platinum Visa Card is accepted at more than 20 million retail locations worldwide as well as at more than half a million ATMs. You’ll always be assured that “what you see is what you get” with the SJFCU Platinum Visa Card! More has: benefits – sure! We’ve got them for you, as the SJFCU Platinum Visa • no annual fee • a low 9.9% APR non-variable interest rate • FREE balance transfers • CURewards® – allowing you to redeem points earned with your purchases for merchandise and travel options In addition to all the great benefits listed above, you can also take advantage of SJFCU’s Member’s Choice™ Borrower Security, a debt-protection program that gives you long-term peace of mind. Member’s Choice™ Borrower Security is a payment protection product that can cancel or reduce repayment of principal and interest in the event of disability, loss of life and even involuntary unemployment. This product is available for your SJFCU Platinum Visa Card! Just call us at 800-582-7640, or stop by any branch, or visit our website (click on Platinum Visa) to apply for a Platinum Visa Card here at SJFCU – and transfer (for free) the balances from those high-interest- rate credit cards to our low-interest-rate card! 11 South Jersey Federal Credit Union e m o c l e W to the Family JFCU ups with S yer Gro New Emplo Education Information & Resource Center (EIRC), Mullica Hill The Education Information & Resource Center (EIRC) is a public agency which specializes in education-related programs and services for parents, schools, communities, nonprofits and privately held businesses throughout New Jersey. Established 45 years ago, EIRC offers special education and gifted/talented student services, nationally known programs in science, math and geography and antibullying resources. Educators can also take advantage of technology training, grant writing services, and other professional development offerings. Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, Inc., Hammonton Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, Inc. (SJFMC) is a non-profit primary health care organization. They have offices in Hammonton, Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Pemberton, Burlington City and the City of Salem. SJFMC. was established in 1977. They offer pediatric and well-baby care, adult and internal medicine, women’s health care and family planning, dental services, foot care, health education, patient transportation and translation services. More than 51,000 patients are served by SJFMC, generating about 139,000 patient visits annually. Kelly Survey, Shamong Established in 1975, Kelly Survey is in the business of land surveying and planning, with services offered for residential, commercial and industrial projects. The firm’s largest projects include surveys for Terminal Doppler Weather Radar towers for eight of the largest airports on the East Coast. Kelly Survey has also done major and minor subdivisions for private land developers, while maintaining a base of small-to-medium clients in real estate, title insurance, and mortgage loans. 12 Cents●Abilities Phishing Alert for Members As happens with increasing frequency these days, we learned recently of another widespread telephone “phishing” scam. Cardholders of ATM and/or Debit cards receive what appear to be automated phone calls or texts, informing them that their ATM/Debit cards are “locked.” The automated message requests recipients to first enter their 16-digit card number, and then provide their card’s PIN (Personal Identification Number). Don’t respond to these requests! Such attempts should be seen right away for what they are – an obvious attempt by scammers to access your account information for fraudulent purposes! • Know that SJFCU never solicits sensitive member information via telephone or by texting. • Should you receive such a phone message (or text) asking for your card number and PIN number, do not reply. • Do not, under any circumstances, divulge your private financial information! Instead, notify SJFCU of the attempt, and call us at 800-582-7640. Cyber criminals tend to prey on those who are most vulnerable to these fraud attempts, such as senior citizens or young adults. Both groups may not be as aware of the technical aspects of the scamming threats. Make sure you alert friends and family to these types of threats. Mark Your Calendar: Annual Meeting on May 21 21 May We listen to our members, and assist our members, every day at SJFCU. On one day each year, our members have the opportunity to become even more involved in the credit union, by attending our annual meeting. Attendance at SJFCU’s annual meeting is another privilege of credit union membership, one you won’t find at commercial financial institutions. Our 2014 SJFCU Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the lobby of our Deptford branch. Our members’ input and participation is something we value very highly here at SJFCU – and your presence at the annual meeting matters. The feedback we receive from our membership each year continues to be an important force behind many of the products and services we make available to you. 13 South Jersey Federal Credit Union Vacation Club 2014 The easiest way to save for your dream vacation! Deposit money with each paycheck or as often as you want. Even if you only save $10 a week, that’s $520 plus interest you’ll have for your next vacation. FREE GIFT WITH ENROLLMENT! *While supplies last, receive a free gift when you enroll in the SJFCU Vacation Club. Restrictions apply, see below. Start my club in: April 2014 (Funds avail. 4/1/15) July 2014 (Funds avail. 7/1/15) October 2014 (Funds avail.10/1/15) Name____________________________________ Acct#________________ Address________________________________________________________ City____________________________ State__________ Zip______________ Phone: Home (____)_________________ Work (____)___________________ I need to change the amount of my payroll deduction. The SJFCU Vacation Club funds will automatically transfer to Statement Savings or Checking on 1st day of the month, 12 months after the start date. Withdrawals prior to maturity will be subject to a 10% penalty, with a minimum withdrawal of $250. Please bring your completed Vacation Club application to the credit union branch nearest you to receive your free gift. One free gift per member please (while supplies last). I agree to have $5.00 deducted from my club account as payment for the free gift if I fail to complete my club with a minimum of $250. Signature______________________________________ OFFICE USE ONLY Payment method: Frequency: $___________ P/D Weekly Mail Bi-Weekly Monthly 10 Month School Plan Payroll #__________ Initials_______ Gift Received Y/N 14 Cents●Abilities First Quarter Dividends Rate APY* Statement Savings $100 - $4,999 $5,000 - $24,999 $25,000 and Above 0.10% 0.10% 0.20% 0.10% - 0.18% 0.25% 0.18% - 0.25% Teachers Club $100 - $4,999 $5,000 and Above 0.10% 0.20% 0.10% 0.10% - 0.20% Vacation & Christmas Clubs Money Market Super Money Market Mega Money Market 0.20% 0.18% 0.25% 0.45% 0.20% 0.18% 0.25% 0.45% 0.40% 0.55% 0.90% 0.40% 0.40% - 0.49% 0.49% - 0.90% 1.25% 1.26% IRA - Traditional/Roth/Coverdell $0 - $19,999 $20,000 - $49,999 $50,000 and Above Special Offer 18 Month Share Certificate or 18 Month IRA Share Certificate Rates subject to change without notice. *Annual Percentage Yield. Calendar May 2014 21 - Annual Meeting - Deptford Branch 26 - Memorial Day - Offices Closed July 2014 4 - Independence Day - Offices Closed 15
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