Perspectives - Altra Federal Credit Union

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Perspectives
Altra Federal Credit Union Member Newsletter • Summer 2013
A message from our President
For 82 years, Altra has been serving our members
and our communities with competitively priced
products and services as well as contributions of
money and time to local not-for-profit organizations.
I want to tell you about a potential threat that could
impact you and your credit union. Congress is
working on tax reform and some congressional
members are considering imposing a tax on your credit union—a tax we’ve
never paid before.
Credit unions were formed in the 1930s by congress as not-for-profit memberowned financial cooperatives. That means we’re exempt from federal and state
income tax. Our tax exemption comes with tight regulations. We’re limited in
the types of risks we can take, who qualifies as a member and even what
percentage of our assets we can lend to small businesses. While we don’t pay
federal income taxes, we do pay local real estate and personal property taxes
and all payroll-related taxes.
Altra offers many of the same financial services and products as a bank,
however, we are different. Unlike a bank, we’re not-for-profit and we’re owned
by you—our members—instead of shareholders. We’re a financial cooperative
that operates with your interests as our top priority. Our primary motivation
isn’t profit—it’s helping you improve your financial well-being.
“Don’t Tax My Credit Union”
is a national campaign
dedicated to ensuring Congress
doesn’t raise taxes that impact
96 million credit union members
nationwide and preserves
financial choice for
American consumers.
Please visit www.altra.org
for more information.
Because we are not beholden to stockholders or Wall Street, we can look beyond
the bottom line and invest time and resources in financial products and services
that are genuinely beneficial to members. In 2012, Altra was ranked in the top
4 percent for Return to the Member by independent industry analyst
Callahan and Associates; this measures the “give back” to savers and
borrowers. In addition to the direct benefits to members, Altra gave $300,000+
to community organizations.
If credit unions are required to pay federal and state income taxes, our
members would shoulder the burden of those new taxes. We would be forced
to make up the difference by charging higher rates on loans, paying less on
savings, and implementing new fees. Even non-members would suffer,
because banks would face less competitive pressure from credit unions to keep
prices and fees low. And despite all these negative consequences, the amount
of tax revenue generated would not solve the nation’s fiscal challenges because
credit unions are a small industry compared to very large for-profit banks.
We’re in this together.
Sincerely,
Jack Peplinski
President/CEO
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Announcing
Altra Secure ID!
Altra Secure ID offers Free Identity Protection for members with checking accounts or credit cards for you and
your family. This is a free identity management service powered by ID Theft 911.
Have you ever been a victim of identity theft or discovered your wallet has been lost or stolen? Altra’s call center can connect you to an advocate that
can help you through this ID Theft solution. Your advocate will work with you through the entire process, from the first call you make until the crisis is
solved. ID Theft 911 will notify the appropriate agencies, businesses, and institutions, all while creating a comprehensive case file for insurance companies
and police. They will follow through on all aspects of the case until your identity has been restored.
ID Theft 911 offers new preventative services, including social media and email compromise assistance. Use this service to help protect yourself from
email hacking, managing your identity and your privacy in online communications. Get smart about managing standings on social media networks. Call
or visit our website for more information today.
Visa International
Prepaid Card
Business or pleasure, when traveling or living overseas make sure to pack our globally accepted
Visa International Prepaid Card.
The International Prepaid Card is a reloadable prepaid Visa debit card, which means you can spend up to the value placed on the card anywhere
Visa debit cards are accepted. You can shop in stores, online, over the phone, and by mail order. You can get cash at Visa ATMs worldwide. Each time
you make a purchase, the amount of that purchase is automatically deducted from the card. When used in international markets where merchants
authorize with the Chip & PIN on the front of the card instead of the magnetic stripe on the back of the card, the International Prepaid Card avoids
unnecessary declines.
For more information about the International Prepaid Visa Debit Card, visit www.altra.org.
CardLock® is a new and innovative fraud prevention service that enables
cardholders to block and unblock purchase authorizations on their credit
union-issued credit and debit card accounts
You Hold the Key
to Fraud Protection
For more information and to register your cards,
visit https://www.cucardlock.com/. You can also access CardLock®
services using the toll-free number 877-CULOCK1.
It is the only fraud prevention service of its kind that gives cardholders
this level of control to proactively lock and unlock their accounts. It works
as an additional layer of protection against fraud to supplement the fraud
prevention measures already in place for the credit union.
CardLock® protects payment card accounts in the same manner that locks
protect homes and cars or any other valuable assets. When you’re not using
your car, you lock it. When you’re away from your home, you lock it. Now,
when you’re not using your payment card, you can lock it too.
t
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e
Currmos
Pro
Refinance
your home!
10-YEAR FIXED RATE MORTGAGE
LOW OR NO CLOSING COSTS*
3.19%
APR*
FAST ~ FLEXIBLE ~ FRIENDLY
*Limited time offer. Rate is based on personal credit history. Loans available to qualified borrowers refinancing a first mortgage on a primary residence; maximum 80% LTV (Loan-to-Value) includes optional cash out. Available in
all states except Texas on owner-occupied and vacation homes; available only on homestead property in Texas. **Member must have checking, direct deposit and eStatements to qualify for Closing Cost Credit of $150. This is
a fixed-rate mortgage; Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and monthly payments remain fixed for 10 years. At 3.19%, repayment requires 120 monthly payments of $9.74 per $1000 borrowed. Amortizations over 10 years require
10 year balloon. Amortizations up to 15 years available for an additional .25%; up to 20 years available for an additional .50%. Extended amortization and balloons not available in Texas. Weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or
monthly payments available EXCEPT in Texas (monthly only).
A smart way to save.
16-month
certificate
1.00%
APY*
WITH CHECKING & DIRECT DEPOSIT
Visit Altra.org to learn how you can maximize your savings with our
16-month certificate and A+ Checking.
*APY­-Annual Percentage Yield-based on checking with direct deposit. Penalty may be imposed for withdrawals made before certificate maturity. Prospective yield Altra anticipates paying for applicable
dividend period; subject to change. Contact Altra for details.
At Altra, Free Checking includes:
We’ll help you manage your
checking balance with
Overdraft Protection and
optional Overdraft Privilege.
Open your
FREE CHECKING
account today!
• No minimum balance
• No monthly fees
• Free Online Banking and Bill Pay
• Free eStatements and online Check Images
• Free Mobile App and Text banking
• Free Anytime Deposit with a smart phone
• Free Altra Secure ID powered by Identity Theft 911
• Free checks for members age 60+
• Free “Welcome Pack” of checks for Students
• Special loan and certificate rates
AND MUCH MORE...
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A light
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The BEST coverage
for the BEST value!
Share your opinion
and Rate our
products & services
Like many of our members, you may have found reviews of our products and services useful in
making your choices. We invite you to add your voice to the mix. You’ll find the button on the
upper right corner of a page. Click on the Rate Product button to leave a comment about that
product or to read comments from others. To rate a product, you can just click on the stars.
Visit www.altra.org and tell us what you think!
866-309-4996 www.altra.org
© 2013 Southwest Business Corporation (SWBC). All rights reserved.
Insurance products and services are offered through SWBC. Not NCUA
insured, and rate quotes are not guaranteed. Each insurance quote is
based on individual circumstances. Altra Insurance Services is not
affiliated with SWBC. Not all carriers are available in all states.
GET IN THE CAR YOU LOVE...FASTER
Altra Federal Credit Union is giving you the information you need to
make smart choices and get into the car you love. Make DriveAltra.org
your first stop to compare vehicles, see how much you can afford, and a
whole lot more. Find everything you need to know, start to finish. This
site has all the tools and information you need to make smart choices.
AnytimeDeposit
DEPOSIT A CHECK
Anywhere | Anytime
24 HOURS A DAY | 7 DAYS A WEEK!
From the comfort of your own home or anywhere else you choose!
855-256-0183 • www.drivealtra.org
Visit www.altra.org for complete details and eligibility requirements.
ROAMpay
powered by Sage Mobile Payments
the altra
difference
Don’t settle for less when you choose your lending
partner. Altra has the perfect combination of experience
and local, personalized service.
We can help you get into a home that is right for you!
Visit our online mortgage page at www.altra.org for
current rates, mortgage calculators, a glossary of
mortgage terms, resources and much more. You can
even speed the loan process up by applying for your loan
online. Your mortgage will be serviced by people you
know and trust right here at Altra.
ROAMpay converts your cell phone
into a secure Point of Sale terminal.
With ROAMpay, merchants can now quickly and
securely process electronic transactions on their
mobile phone, regardless of location.
BENEFITS
• INCREASED SALES
• ANYTIME, ANYWHERE TRANSACTIONS
• SECURE & PCI-COMPLIANT DEVICE
• FAST PROCESSING
• MINIMAL COST
IDEAL FOR YOUR
Local Service
Experienced Lenders
SMALL BUSINESS
To learn more, visit: www.altra.org
Use Altra Business Banking
for all your financial needs!
Martha Meador
Loan Originator
mmeader@altra.org
Being a preferred SBA lender
represents our dedication to
serving the small business
community. This expertise gives
us the tools to better serve all
our member’s needs.
Donnie Miliara
Loan Originator
dmiliara@altra.org
Visit our mobile site!
Check rates
Apply Online
It’s Fast & Easy!
*Membership eligibility required. Mortgage loans available to qualified borrowers.
Contact Altra for more information.
Dustin Jones
Business Development Officer
P: 903-581-2208
djones@altra.org
• FRIENDLY
• MEMBER-FOCUSED
• FULL SERVICE
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TO GIVE YOU
THE BEST SERVICE YOU DESERVE!
Welcome Brad Farr, Office Manager
Altra Federal Credit Union is pleased to welcome Brad Farr as Office Manager for their Tyler, Texas
location. Farr offers over nine year of office manager experience. He was recently Assistant Branch
Manager at Southside Bank in Tyler.
“We are happy to have Brad Farr as our new Office Manager,” said Gary Nelson, Vice President of
National Retail Operations for Altra Federal Credit Union. “His extensive experience and strong roots
in the community will be beneficial to our members in Tyler.”
Farr’s experience includes Assistant Manager of Albertson’s for over eleven years, Merchandiser for
Kraft General Food and Sales Associate for The Gap. He is very active volunteering for his son’s
soccer and football teams.
Farr resides with his wife, Tami and their two children Braden and Aubrey, in Whitehouse.
5523 Troup Hwy.
3829 Hwy. 64 W • Tyler, TX
903-581-6091 • 800-755-0055
www.altra.org
Federally insured by NCUA to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Equal Housing Lender.
1700 Oak Forest Dr.
Onalaska, WI 54650
www.altra.org
PERMIT #588
LA CROSSE, WI
PAID
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE