liberty savings federal credit union
Transcription
liberty savings federal credit union
AMBASSADOR HORIZONS Issue No. 10 February 2007 ★ LIBERTY SAVINGS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION ★ LSFCU HOLDS AMBASSADOR CELEBRATION On January 11, LSFCU hosted an Ambassador celebration. The Ambassadors were treated to door prize raffles, a light dinner, and were able to meet and talk with some of LSFCU’s many service providers. Representatives from PFP Insurance, Sterling Financial Services, Park Financial Group, Enterprise Car Sales, and Key Credit Union Programs were available to provide information on a wide range of services and to answer our Ambassadors’ questions. The Ambassador celebration was a big success. Here is a sampling of what some attendees had to say: "Liberty really showed us that they appreciate the work that the Ambassadors do. Tonight’s event was very informative and helped me to realize that the credit union offers more than just savings accounts." "I had a great time! I never realized that all of these different services were available at the credit union." "Wow. I’m very impressed. The program was enlightening and I’m very happy I came. I’m already looking forward to the next Ambassador event." LSFCU is more than just a place to keep your money! It is a complete and total financial resource for its members and their families. Much like how union representatives are the link between trade unions and their members, the Ambassadors are the links between the LSFCU services and its members. Contact our Partnership Development Department at 201-239-7038 for more information on our services. ★ A Monthly Newsletter for all LSFCU Ambassadors IT PAYS TO BE AN AMBASSADOR At LSFCU, we appreciate the effort our Ambassadors show in communicating the many benefits our credit union offers to your fellow employees. In 2007, we are showing that appreciation with some tangible benefits. At our recent Ambassador Celebration, Carey Weiss, President of CJ Weiss Enterprises highlighted the new Ambassadors incentive program that rewards Ambassadors for helping us grow. How it Works Program "points" will be earned by Ambassadors for activities such as recruiting new members, arranging on-site visits, distributing marketing materials, and many others. A detailed information pack will be sent to all Ambassadors in the near future. The program is very similar to the popular frequent flyer programs offered by the airlines. The more you do – the more points you earn. These points can be redeemed towards prizes and gifts. ★ IRA’S NEED TO BE FILED BY APRIL 15TH DISCOVER A UNIQUE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION With so many choices of financial institutions, what is the best option for your employees and their families? When all things are considered, it’s pretty clear that LSFCU stands head and shoulders above all others. First off, what employee fringe benefit costs the employer nothing? While employees view credit union membership as a benefit of employment, the truth is credit unions are self supporting. They operate independently, so there is no financial risk to the organization. Most members understand that LSFCU is the preferred institution for savings and investment accounts. These include primary savings accounts, money market accounts, Holiday and Vacation Clubs, IRAs, Trust accounts and share certificates. But, we should also be your source for: Loans LSFCU offers extremely competitive rates on loans of all types. What’s more, our staff is trained to help first time borrowers understand all the finer points and obligations of borrowing. Lending instruments include first mortgages, refinancing, home equity, auto, vehicle and boat. The credit union also offers secured loans, unsecured signature loans and Visa credit cards. Checking LSFCU is famous for its no monthly fee checking account. But we also offer ATM/Debit cards (fee free), direct deposit, Liberty Link Internet access and Courtesy pay overdraft protection. Financial and Insurance Planning Through our partners, LSFCU offers investment and retirement planning from certified financial planners, insurance services including home and property, auto, vehicle and boat and life insurance. Additional Service & Friendliness Because the credit union is comprised of members, service is far more encompassing and friendly than a commercial bank. Credit counseling is always available. Our Member Service Reps are natives of Latin American, European and Asian nations. They are not only bi-lingual, but they know the culture of their native lands. They can help your employees understand the differences between the US financial system and the system they may be accustomed to. Please tell your members that the deadline for IRA deposits is fast approaching. Any tax deductible deposits to Individual Retirement Accounts must be made before 2006 tax returns are filed. Individuals can deposit as much as $4,000 into their accounts each year. These deposit amounts may be deductible from the taxable income on 2006 returns. For individuals over 50, the deposit amount is $5,000. Please consult a tax professional to determine your eligibility for this deduction. The enclosed poster explains the IRA in a little more detail. Please hang a copy in your break room. ★ Member Benefits In summary, LSFCU provides low cost financial services with extremely competitive rates and terms. Loans can be easier to obtain because the member is not a total stranger to the lending institution. Programs encourage members to save regularly. Financial planning is offered for all members, and employees no longer need to request cash advances and check cashing services. If you have any further questions regarding what LSFCU can do for your employees, call Partner Development Officer Sean McDonald at 201-239-7038 or smcdonald@lsfcu.org. ★ LOANS A LOOK AT ALL LSFCU HAS TO OFFER… FREE CHECKING By Jim Miller, Sr., President & CEO 2006 marked the biggest growth spurt in the 50 year plus history of Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union! This brought in our largest influx of new Ambassadors ever. Coupled with the standard turnover of Ambassadors due to retirement or job reassignments, we realized that many of our company representatives may not know all that we offer to our almost 16,000 members! To correct this, we just completed our first Ambassador reception of the year. We used this opportunity to explain to our attendees all that we offer. We also introduced them to some of our partners that can help members with financial planning, insurance and even used cars. It also gave us a chance to introduce our internal staff and Partner Development Officers. (Not to mention an opportunity to break bread with some of our most important members—the Ambassadors). FREE ATMs Higher Interest Rates Our next step is to "take our show on the road." We’re visiting as many SEGs as will have us. Based on our January schedule it looks like we’ll be covering every inch of Hudson County in the coming months. If you would like your business or organization to be on our "Winter Tour," contact one of our Partnership Development Officers. Finally, check out the article "Discover A Unique Financial Institution." This gives a brief rundown of what we have to offer our members. You can also order copies of a brochure by the same name that goes into a little more detail on our benefits. Give us a call at the main branch. We’ll be happy to get you some copies for you and your fellow members. We’re glad to have you as part of our credit union and look forward to serving you further in the future. ★ James J. Miller, Sr., President/CEO and get Meet with us T! A FREE GIF OUR SHOW IS ON THE ROAD Liberty Savings is taking our show on the road in 2007 and we’d like your company to be one of our first stops! We’re making a concerted effort to visit all our Select Employee Groups this year. We want to explain the benefits of joining the credit union, the lower interest rates on loans, the higher interest rates on savings, financial seminars, free checking, free ATMS and so much more. History has shown us that once we explain to potential members what LSFCU is all about, potential members become full-fledged and enthusiastic members. Now the best way to reach our new members is through their workplace—but we don’t want to interfere with their workday. We'd love to make a visit to your company to speak at a staff meeting, set up an information table in your break room, or do whatever is most convenient for you. We will provide coffee and donuts for your staff if the LSFCU Ambassador (that’s YOU!) schedules an on-site visit between Feb. 15 and March 15. Give us the opportunity to explain to your workforce the valuable benefit of credit union membership that you are providing. But hurry to get your spot scheduled. Prime times are being snatched up. Use the attached request form with your preferred dates. P.S. (Any new credit union members that sign up at these events will count toward your Ambassador Reward Points). ★ Return this form completely filled out and we will offer you a choice of a FREE GIFT, compliments of Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union. LSFCU certainly appreciates your willingness to serve as our liason to your workforce. We value your membership and want you to value our services as well. While this newsletter is one means of communication, we also know that nothing beats a little "face time.” Toward that end, we’d like to take you out to show our gratitude and to find out what else we can do for you. So please, take a moment to fill out and return the attached form, letting us know what works best for you. We’ll tally the results, and based on majority rules, plan an event or events in the near future. Name Financial Seminars ❏ ❏ I would prefer the following (Please check one) An informal luncheon with members of my staff at our facility. Please set up at our company or organization in an area designated by us with refreshments and LSFCU information. Other Email Address Company Phone Number Please return or mail this to our office attention Sean McDonald. Or email your request to: smcdonald@lsfcu.org Your savings account is insured to $100,000 NCUA National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency 666 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306 LIBERTY SAVINGS ★Federal Credit Union★ Phone: 201-659-3900 Fax: 201-659-7627 www.lsfcu.org EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER YOU CAN’T BEAT FREE! (UNLESS IT’S FREE AND CONVENIENT ATMS!) RETIREMENT PLANNING AND INVESTMENT SEMINAR If your employees are using any ATM card other than an LSFCU card they may be paying dearly for it. A new study released by Bankrate.com revealed that ATM surcharges have reached a new high (Bankrate.com Oct. 30). But use an LSFCU card at any of the Co-op and Allpoint ATMs and it’s FEE-FREE. These organizations are two of the largest ATM networks in the country. Collectively they have more than 70,000 ATMs. This gives our members an incredibly convenient way to withdraw cash or do their banking. Saturday, March 10 In the first of many community seminars, LSFCU has announced that it will be hosting a two hour retirement planning and investment seminar on Saturday, March 10 from 10AM-Noon. The seminar will be held at the Blue Ribbon Restaurant, 510 Summit Avenue in Jersey City. The seminar is jointly sponsored by LSFCU and Park Financial Group, Lyndhurst. Park Financial is a full service investment firm that is also a member of the credit union. We chose these networks because their machines are all over the metro area including many 7-11s and McDonalds. Check cashing fees should be a thing of the past for many members. With automated payroll deposit, online banking and free ATMs, LSFCU members have FEE-FREE access to their money. We hope you’ll pass this valuable information along to your employees by placing the enclosed poster in a visible place for all. We believe it’s an important benefit of LSFCU membership. If you need additional posters, or would like electronic copies or payroll stuffers, please contact Sean McDonald, Partner Development Officer at 201-239-7038 or smcdonald@lsfcu.org. ★ Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call Sean McDonald at 201-239-7038 or email him at smcdonald@lsfcu.org. ★ PAPER OR EMAIL We now have the ability to send you this newsletter via email. We’re doing our best to collect as many Ambassador (and related) emails as possible, so we can keep you informed of any late breaking news and to give you a convenient way to receive your information. If you haven’t already done so, simply email Sean McDonald at smcdonald@lsfcu.org and give him your electronic contact information. ★ Serving The Community For Over 55 Years Your savings account is insured to $100,000 NCUA National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency 666 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306 LIBERTY SAVINGS ★Federal Credit Union★ Phone: 201-659-3900 Fax: 201-659-7627 www.lsfcu.org EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER