1. finance
2. personal finance
3. lending
4. credit cards

INSIDE: Protect against data breaches p.2 | Win an Apple Tech Bundle p.6 | FREE Real Estate Seminars p.7
TowerLine
Tower Federal Credit Union • February 2015
Looking for a New Home?
From finding to financing, Tower can help
Whether you’re in the market for a new home or just looking for home buying tips,
start your home search with Tower’s FREE HomeAdvantage™ program. HomeAdvantage, in partnership with CU Realty Services, is an online real estate hub that provides
the resources you need to find the perfect home.
Search for, buy or sell a home, find a realtor, save
money at settlement and more­—all from one place
online. No need to jump around to multiple sites.
Search for homes online using the most current
MLS home listings.
Save your favorite searches and get updates
when new properties become available.
Compare neighborhoods and schools, demographics and crime rates.
Compare recent home sales in your preferred
one four nine zero one neighborhoods.
View area maps, points-of-interest and landmarks.
Find an experienced, local Realtor® from
Tower’s network of approved agents.
Earn a 20 percent cash rebate* off your agent’s
commission. The average rebate for Tower members is $1,500!
Not just for buyers
If you’re looking to sell a home, you can use HomeAdvantage to find the value of your home, learn what
home improvements give you the best return and get tips on preparing your house for sale. You can also
connect with a Realtor to list your home and share with you a free Comparative Market Analysis, a close
look at the list prices of similar homes on the market.
i
WE MAKE HOME SHOPPING EASY
To register with HomeAdvantage, visit towerfcu.org and
go to Home Loans. Or call 301-497-7000 or 800787-8328, select Mortgage Loans, option 6 and speak
with a Tower loan advisor.
*See program/rebate details at tower.mycuhomeadvantage.com
Come to Tower for your home loan
When you find your perfect home, come to Tower
for your mortgage loan and save with our low loan
rates and affordable mortgage options. Tower even
offers up to 100 percent financing in some states—a
no money-down option especially for first-time home
buyers. Talk with a Tower loan advisor to find out
what home loan options work best for you.
Finance Corner
Protect Yourself from Data Breaches and Identity Theft
others to guess. One suggestion is
to come up with a phrase and use
the first letter of each word as your
password. Even better is to substitute numbers or characters for
some of the letters. For example, “I
love to ride my bike” could become
“1Lv2rMb!”.
Data breaches are on the rise
and have become almost commonplace. In fact, according to CBS
News, as of July 2014 there were
over 360 data breaches, a 19
percent increase over the same
period in 2013. More than 10 million
personal records were exposed.
Identity theft consistently tops
the Federal Trade Commission’s
list of consumer complaints and
over 30 million Americans have
experienced some type of it.
Keeping your personal information secure off line
Keeping your personal information secure online
While you can’t usually protect
yourself against data breaches,
you can take steps to protect your
personal information online.
Strong passwords
are still one of your
best defenses against
identity theft.
Don’t give out personal information online or via e-mail unless
you’ve initiated the contact. Don’t
click on e-mail links; instead, type
the company name into your Web
browser and go directly to their
Web site. Look for a padlock icon and “https” Web address to ensure information is going to a secure site.
And don’t share too much on social media—crooks
can use the information to answer “challenge” questions or guess passwords.
Strong passwords are still one of your best defenses
against identity theft. Pick a password that makes
sense to you, and is easy to remember but difficult for
When you go out, limit what you
carry to only your identification
and the credit or debit card you
need. Don’t carry your Social Security card with you. Lock your
financial documents and records
in a safe place at home, and lock
your wallet or purse in a safe place
at work. Keep your information secure from roommates or workers
who come into your home.
Mail tampering nine two one zero
three is one of the top methods
crooks use to steal personal and
financial information. Unless you
have a secure mailbox with a lock, don’t have checks
mailed to your home. Take outgoing mail to the post
office and don’t leave incoming mail in your mailbox
for an extended time. If you are away, put a hold on
your mail until you return. If available from your employer, sign up for direct deposit so paper paychecks
are not mailed to your home.
Sources: CBS News, Federal Trade Commission
Tower Keeps Your Information Safe and Secure
Tower takes the protection of our members’ personal and financial information very seriously. We continually invest in
new technologies to keep your information safe. Despite the increasing number of data breaches at major retailers,
rest assured Tower is prepared to protect our members’ information. When these breaches of the retailers’ data files
occur, we do our best to respond quickly to notify members, cancel cards that may be compromised and issue new
ones as soon as possible. And you can be sure that banking online using Tower’s Home Banking is safe and secure.
We use the latest encryption methods available, combined with SafeLog multifactor authentication login security. Tower
also offers a secure way for members to communicate with us via e-mail using E-Mail Manager inside Home Banking.
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TOWERLINE | FEBRUARY 2015 |
towerfcu.org
A Comfortable Retirement Starts with a Savings Plan
The key to living the life you want in retirement is
to save regularly and consistently. Putting off saving
toward your financial future may make a difference
in how comfortable and financially secure your nonworking years will be.
The savings you put in an IRA
may be tax deductible.
A recent survey states that workers over the age
of 50 are growing more concerned about their retirement prospects. Roughly 60 percent of those surveyed said that they may delay retirement altogether
or expect to work at least part-time during their
retirement years; while 44 percent of those surveyed
expect to reduce their standard of living to avoid
outliving their retirement savings.
A simple and easy way to begin saving for your
retirement is with an Individual Retirement Account
(IRA). Since IRAs were established to be long-term
retirement planning accounts, it’s important to start
early and save as much as you can—especially if
time is on your side.
Tower Financial Services can help
For more information about IRAs and other investment options, speak to the experienced professionals at Tower Financial Services. You’ll get unbiased
advice from a salaried, non-commissioned Financial
Consultant who works exclusively with Tower members. Your consultant will work with you to create a
customized retirement plan to help you pursue your
long-term financial goals.
The benefit of saving in an IRA
The savings you put in an IRA may be tax deductible. Depending on the type of IRA you choose, you
can take advantage of tax-deferred or tax-free savings. Check with a tax advisor. The maximum IRA
contribution you can make for the 2014 and 2015
tax years is $5,500. If you’re 50 and older, you can
contribute even more—up to $6,500. The last day
to make your contribution for the 2014 tax year is
April 15, 2015.
i
START SAVING TODAY
To schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation, call
Tower Financial Services at 301-497-7062 or 800787-8328, ext. 7062. For more information, visit
towerfcu.org and select Planning & Investing.
Securities and financial planning offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. Tower Federal Credit Union and Tower Financial
Services are not registered broker dealers nor affiliated with LPL Financial.
Not NCUA Insured No Credit Union Guarantee May Lose Value
save
$50
Smart power strips for energy savings
Most appliances continue to use energy after they are turned off. A good idea is
to plug them into a smart power strip to stop energy drain. Smart power strips
recognize when equipment is turned off and respond by shutting down all power
to it. One strip saves you about $50 a year in energy costs.
Source: Consumer Reports Money Advisor
towerfcu.org
| FEBRUARY 2015 | TOWERLINE
3
Announcement of Board Candidates
The following four members are candidates for
three positions on Tower’s Board of Directors. The
winners of the 2015 election will be announced at
Tower’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
Tower members are encouraged to attend the meeting to meet and talk with your volunteer Board of
Directors.
David J. Hanko*
James F. Kalkbrenner*
Tammy Lumsden
Harley Parkes
*incumbents
Any member wishing to place his or her name on
the ballot may do so by submitting a petition to the
Secretary of the Board of Directors. Only members
who hold a valid security clearance from Tower’s
original sponsoring organization at the time the
petition is submitted are eligible to be placed on the
ballot. A notarized letter signed by the petitioner,
which includes a statement that he or she currently
holds the required security clearance and the latest
indoctrination date thereof, must accompany each
petition.
The petition must be signed by at least 500 Tower
members who are not prohibited by law from
participating in the conduct of the affairs of Tower
and must include all of the following information
for each member signing the petition: (i) his or her
printed name as shown in Tower’s account records;
(ii) his or her address as shown in Tower’s account
records; and (iii) his or her phone number as shown
in Tower’s account records. A signature on the
petition will be valid only if it matches the signature in Tower’s possession for purposes of account
transactions. A member may sign the petition once.
Petitions must be postmarked by March 1, 2015, and
sent by certified mail to:
Tower Federal Credit Union
Secretary, Board of Directors
P.O. Box 123
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0123
Two Ways to Vote
There will be two convenient and secure ways to vote for
Tower’s 2015 Board of Directors. You can cast your vote
online or you can request a paper ballot be mailed to
you. Voting will be held April 1-April 30.
Look for details in next month’s TowerLine.
Transfer High-Rate Balances to a Tower MasterCard®
Start the new year with less debt and lower credit
card interest rates. Transfer your high-rate credit
card four one nine six three balances to a Tower
MasterCard. It’s the best way to save on interest
and pay off your balances sooner.
Better deal than the rest
Tower’s balance transfer offer is a better deal than
many other offers out there. Tower’s special introductory balance transfer rate is just 4.99% APR, good
for 12 months from the date of your transfer. After
that, Tower’s everyday low 10.9% APR applies. Some
other companies may offer a lower balance transfer
rate, but then charge a much higher interest rate
once the offer period ends.
Plus, with a Tower MasterCard, there’s no balance transfer fee. Most other credit card companies
charge 3 percent to 5 percent of the amount transferred. If you transfer $3,000, you could pay $150
just in transfer fees!
Easy to make payments, easy to track
You can pay your MasterCard account fast and easy
with online transfers in Home Banking. Make a onetime transfer or set up recurring transfers so your
payments are automatic if you’re away. You can also
set up alerts so you don’t have to worry about late
or missed payments. Your monthly credit card statements are available in Home Banking for 24 months,
so you can easily track your balances, transactions
and available credit.
Transfer your balances and save
To transfer balances to your Tower MasterCard,
login to Home Banking at towerfcu.org and go to Additional Services. To apply for a new Tower MasterCard, go to Apply for a Loan, Credit Card, in Home
Banking. For your convenience, you can also submit
your balance transfer request on the same application. If you are not a Home Banking user, go to the
Online Application Center to apply for a MasterCard.
Balance transfer offer effective through May 31, 2015. Transfers from a Tower MasterCard are not eligible. Tower’s MasterCard ATM cash advance fee is $0.75
and the fee for late payments is up to $20. Tower’s foreign transaction fee is 1.10% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
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TOWERLINE | FEBRUARY 2015 |
towerfcu.org
Tower Car Buying Service
Add a Car to Your Cart
Members see an average guaranteed savings of $3,221* off MSRP
GREAT LOW RATES
for Tower
Car Buying Service Shoppers!
Start shopping at towerfcu.org.
Refinancing not available for existing Tower loans. Loans subject to credit approval. Actual rate received is based on your credit qualifications. Lowest rate qualification requires automatic monthly loan payments.
*Between 4/1/14 and 6/30/14, the average estimated savings off MSRP presented by TrueCar Certified Dealers to users of TrueCar powered websites, based
on users who configured virtual vehicles and subsequently purchased a new vehicle of the same make and model listed on the certificate from Certified Dealers,
was $3,221, including applicable vehicle specific manufacturer incentives. Your actual savings may vary based on multiple factors including the vehicle you select, region, dealer, and applicable vehicle specific manufacturer incentives which are subject to change. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”) is
determined by the manufacturer, and may not reflect the price at which vehicles are generally sold in the dealer’s trade area as not all vehicles are sold at MSRP.
Each dealer sets its own pricing. TrueCar does not sell or lease motor vehicles.
Guaranteed savings currently not available in all states. In these states, a “Target Price” is presented, which reflects a market-based example of what you can
reasonably expect to pay for a vehicle configured with your desired options.
eSer vices
Take control of your financial accounts
Win an Apple Tech Bundle
With today’s hectic pace, it’s often difficult to stay on
top of your spending and expenses. If you’re looking
for an easier way to organize your finances, try FREE
FinanceWorks™, available in secure Home Banking.
Deposit checks remotely using Mobile Deposit this
month and you could win one of three Apple Tech
Bundles. FREE Mobile Deposit, a feature of Tower’s
FREE Mobile App, is the three zero two five three one
fast and easy way to deposit checks anytime, anywhere using your mobile device.* It’s as easy as taking
a picture. Using Tower’s Mobile App is secure—your
password and account information are not stored on
your mobile device.
FinanceWorks pulls together all of your financial
accounts—at one site and
with one login in Home
Banking. There’s no need to login to different accounts
or keep track of multiple usernames and passwords. It
also helps you set up a budget and track spending.
WIN!
To get started, login to Home Banking at towerfcu.org.
Spotlight On:
My Profile in Home Banking
If you’ve moved recently or changed your e-mail
address or phone number, Tower makes it easy to
update your personal information in Home Banking.
You can update your contact information and e-mail
address, and also change your Home Banking
username and password, if you wish.
While you’re there, you can set up e-mail alerts and
notifications. You can opt to receive an e-mail from
Tower when your account balance drops below a
certain point, when a payment or check clears, or
if your share certificate is approaching its maturity
date.
You can also modify your security options. For
example, if you login to Home Banking from a
computer or device not recognized by Tower,
you can choose for us to confirm your identity by
phone, text or e-mail. To make changes to your personal information, login to Home Banking and go
to My Profile.
Each Tech Bundle includes one 16 GB iPad Mini 3, an
Apple TV and a $50 iTunes gift card. To enter, make at
least one successful deposit using Mobile Deposit in
Tower’s Mobile App now through February 28, 2015. To
sign up for Mobile Deposit, download Tower’s Mobile
App and go to Deposits.
Tower’s Mobile App is available for iPhone®, iPod
Touch®, iPad®, Android™ and Amazon devices.† Download Tower’s Mobile App in Apple’s App StoreSM, Google
Play and the Amazon Appstore.
Online car buying for the best deal
Start your next car search—for a new or used vehicle—with the Tower Car Buying Service, powered by
TRUECar®. Tower’s online service makes car buying
easier and friendlier, a no-hassle buying experience
that guarantees you savings on your vehicle purchase
price so you don’t overpay. Members receive thousands of dollars off manufacturer’s suggested retail
price. Get preapproved for a Tower car loan before you
visit the dealer so you can lock in a great low auto
loan rate. Start shopping at towerfcu.org.
* Your carrier’s message and data rates may apply.
† Mobile Deposit not available for Kindle Fire. App Store, iPhone and iPod touch are service marks of Apple, Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
6
TOWERLINE | FEBRUARY 2015 |
towerfcu.org
FREE Investing Seminar
If you are interested in investing for the
future but are concerned about fluctuations in the stock market, join us for a
FREE seminar, Five Tips for Surviving
Market Volatility, presented by Tower
Financial Services, Tower’s in-house
financial planning and investment management group.
Hear time-tested market principles that
may help you survive market ups and
downs. Learn about factors that cause
fluctuations in the market. Discuss
the importance of a diversified investment strategy and taking a long-term
approach.
The seminar will take place on Thursday, February 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. at Tower’s Arundel Mills branch.
Refreshments will be served. Space is
limited. To reserve a seat, call Tower
Financial Services at 301-497-7062
or 800-787-8328, ext. 7062. Or register online at towerfcu.org, Planning
& Investing, FREE Financial Seminars.
Securities and Financial Planning offered
through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance
products offered through LPL Financial or its
licensed affiliates. Tower Federal Credit Union
and Tower Financial Services are not registered
broker dealers nor affiliated with LPL Financial.
No strategy assures success or protects
against loss.
Not NCUA Insured No Credit Union Guarantee May Lose Value
FREE Real Estate Seminars
The seminar series continues for firsttime home buyers. Two seminars will
take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
at Tower’s Arundel Mills branch.
Strategic House Hunting – Feb. 3
ear insights on the current real estate
H
market. Receive tips on working with
a Realtor ®. Learn how Tower’s Home
Advantage™ program can assist you
from finding to financing a new home.
Home Loans Made Easy – Feb. 24
earn the steps of the loan process.
L
Hear about Tower’s low down payment loans. Find out how to get cash
back through Tower’s HomeAdvantage program.
a loved one on a colorful paper heart.
Or call the Member Service Center to
make a donation. All donations help
critically ill children receiving treatment at the Children’s Center and their
families.
Additionally, join us for a FREE real
estate seminar for all home sellers.
elling a Home in Today’s Market
S
Planning on selling a home and want to
know more about the current market?
Learn how to prepare your home to
sell, get tips on determining a price,
hear about the home buyer and offer process, and learn about Tower’s
HomeAdvantage program. The seminar will take place on Tuesday, February 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at
Tower Headquarters in Laurel.
At every seminar, attendees can win
prizes and enjoy light refreshments. All
attendees will receive one certificate
for $100 off closing costs of a Tower
mortgage loan. To reserve a seat, call
301-497-7000 or 800-787-8328, ext.
7218. Or register at towerfcu.org, Home
Loans, Additional Services, FREE Real
Estate Seminars.
Real Estate Q&A Days
A Real Estate Lending professional
will be on site at Tower branches in
February and early March to answer
your questions about buying or selling
a home. For dates and locations, see the
Calendar of Events on the back page or
visit towerfcu.org.
Win $25 !
Do you see your account number hidden
in this issue of TowerLine? If so,
contact us and we’ll deposit $25 to your
Prime Share account. Good luck!
$124,520
Total amount of Debit
Rewards earned by
members since July 2012
53,622
Number of Debit Reward
offers redeemed by
members
Have A Heart
Throughout February, Tower is holding
its annual “Have A Heart” campaign to
benefit the Johns Hopkins Children’s
Center in Baltimore, Md. Stop by any
branch and, for a donation of $1 or
more, write your name or the name of
towerfcu.org
60,922
Members who have a
Tower debit card
| FEBRUARY 2015 | TOWERLINE
7
Calendar of Events
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FEB
6
FEB
13
FEB
16
FEB
17
FEB
20
FEB
24
FEB
26
FEB
27
MAR
6
FREE Seminar
Strategic House Hunting
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Arundel Mills Branch
Real Estate Q&A
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Arundel Mills Branch
Real Estate Q&A
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
National Business Park Branch
Holiday Closing
Presidents Day
FREE Seminar
Selling Your Home in Today’s Market
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tower Headquarters
Real Estate Q&A
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Pasadena Branch – Ritchie Hwy.
FREE Seminar
Home Loans Made Easy
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Arundel Mills Branch
FREE Financial Seminar
Five Tips for Surviving Market Volatility
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Arundel Mills Branch
Real Estate Q&A
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Millersville Branch
Real Estate Q&A
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Columbia Branch
Did You Know ?
Contact Information
7901 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD 20707-3589
301-497-7000 | 800-787-8328
Tower Talk 24 301-498-TT24 | 800-787-TT24
towerfcu.org
Community Branches
Annapolis
2525 Riva Rd., Annapolis
Arundel Mills
7065 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover
Clarksville
6030 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville
Columbia
9021 Snowden Square Dr., Columbia
Curtis Bay
2415 Hawkins Point Rd., Baltimore
Ellicott City
9150-12 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
Gambrills
1077 Route 3 North, Gambrills
Laurel (Tower Headquarters)
7901 Sandy Spring Rd., Laurel
Millersville
699 Old Mill Rd., Millersville
National Business Park (NBP)
300 Sentinel Dr., Annapolis Junction
Owings Mills
9207 Lakeside Blvd., Owings Mills
Pasadena
8146 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena
8585 Fort Smallwood Rd., Pasadena
Over 48,000 Surcharge-Free ATMs
Look for these logos
Find ATM locations and driving directions at towerfcu.org
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quarter has 119 grooves around the edge
and a dime has 118.
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are coins make up a $5 billion per year
industry.
FPO
#07TCU096191 (02/15)
FEB