Our Mission Celebrate International Credit Union Day on October 18

Fall 2012
Celebrate International Credit Union Day
on October 18
On Thursday, October 18, credit unions worldwide will come together to
celebrate International Credit Union Day (ICUD) and the role that financial
cooperatives play in improving the communities they serve and the lives of their
members. This year’s theme, “Members Matter Most” signifies the important
economic and social contributions credit unions make to their communities.
Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually on
the third Thursday of October. Each year, the international event affords the
opportunity to remember credit unions’ proud history and promote awareness of
and support for the credit union difference.
Credit unions are unique because they are not-for-profit, democratically
controlled, member-owned cooperatives. Credit unions pool their members’
assets to provide low-cost loans and other financial services in the best interest
of the members, not to earn shareholder profits. The credit union movement’s
cooperative spirit is embraced by 196 million members in 100 countries
worldwide, working together to achieve economic progress. They exist to serve
their members, providing a safe place to save money and access affordable loans.
Celebrate ICUD
With WESTconsin
Credit Union!
On October 18 join us for:
• Pumpkin bars and beverages
• Door prize drawings
• Mini-pumpkin decorating for
the kids
• Money saving tip sheets, and
more!
We’re proud of our heritage as
a cooperative financial services
provider; we hope our members
are too!
Our Mission
We are committed to helping our members achieve financial success.
Amery ............... (715) 268-8127
Hudson ............. (715) 386-2300
Prescott ............ (715) 262-4600
Menomonie High School
Baldwin ............ (715) 684-3333
Barron................(715) 537-5661
Menomonie–Downtown, East & North ........................(715) 235-3403
River Falls ........ (715) 425-8113
Spring Valley ..(715) 778-5644
River Falls High School
Hudson High School
Eau Claire............. (715) 833-8035
New Richmond . (715) 246-2068
US Toll-Free......... (800) 924-0022
New Richmond High School
90 Day Notes is a quarterly newsletter published by WESTconsin Credit Union to inform and educate its member-owners about the credit union and other financial matters.
Current Personal
Loan Rates
WESTconsin Credit Union is Proud
to Support Our Communities
All rates stated are the lowest possible
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and
are subject to change. Your actual
loan rate will be based on your credit
history for secured and unsecured
loans, and collateral age for secured
loans. WESTconsin Credit Union offers
discounts on our already low personal
loan rates including a .25% or .50%
discount that is determined by your
Membership Value Pricing® (MVP)
program status.
Halloween Hollow
Secured and Collateral age 2009 and newer
Fall Shred Events
We are pleased to sponsor this new, Halloweenthemed attraction that’s taking place near Eau
Claire from September 28–October 28. There’ll
ay
be plenty of excitement for all ages. Visit our display
booth to register for a firepit and be sure to look
for Wes T. Consin! Discount coupons for $3 off
admission tickets are available at all WESTconsin
offices. Visit halloweenholloweauclaire.com for
more information.
Up to 48 months ..................................... 3.24–9.44%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $22.25–$25.10
Up to 60 months ...................................3.49–11.49%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $18.19–$32.24
Up to 72 months ...................................3.74–12.04%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $15.53–$22.01
Up to 84 months* ................................... 4.99–6.19%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $14.14–$16.48
Dispose of sensitive documents right in front of
your eyes with free shredding services by Shred
Away! There is no charge for up to two (2) cubic
foot-sized boxes/bags. Additional shredding is
available for $5 per box/bag.
Friday, October 12
Barron Office | 3-5 p.m.
Saturday, October 13
Eau Claire Office | 9-11 a.m.
Menomonie-North Office | Noon-2 p.m.
Secured and Collateral age 2002–2008
Up to 48 months ...................................3.49–14.74%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $22.36–$27.71
Up to 60 months ...................................4.74–15.99%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $18.76–$34.43
Up to 72 months* ................................... 6.24–8.24%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $16.69–$20.13
Lowest Secured and Unsecured rates above assume A+ credit
score and Gold MVP level.
*Term is subject to creditworthiness.
Secured and Collateral age 2001 and older
Up to 48 months ...................................5.49–14.74%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $23.26–$27.71
Up to 60 months ...................................6.99–16.24%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $19.81–$34.55
Unsecured Consumer Loans
Up to 48 months ...................................9.00–17.00%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $24.89–$28.86
Up to 60 months* .............................. 10.50–18.50%
Payment per $1,000 borrowed ....... $21.51–$35.69
Once you've set up an Express Loan plan,
it's convenient and easy to
request an advance. You
can call, visit, or log on to
our website and make your
request. We'll update your information and get
funds to you quickly. Express Loan is also a great
way to refinance your more expensive loans at
other institutions. Contact us today to set up your
Express Loan plan. For Home Equity Lines of Credit
(HELOC) and credit card rates, visit our website.
Holiday Hours
Offices and Service Center will be CLOSED on:
Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 22
Christmas Eve | Monday, December 24
Close at 1 p.m.
Christmas Day | Tuesday, December 25
New Year’s Day | Tuesday, January 1, 2013
westconsincu.org
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Fundraiser
WESTconsin offices will be selling candy bars during
the month of October with all proceeds going to CMN.
Candy bars are $1 each and 100% of the money raised
stays at Gillette Children’s for CMN. Funds are used for
research and providing assistance to families as needed
for meals and lodging while their child is being treated.
Learn more about how Gillette Children’s is changing
the way kids with disabilities see the world and how the
world sees them by visiting curepity.org.
The Mitten Tree
From November 19–December 15, WESTconsin Credit
Union offices will again be decorating trees in their lobbies
with donated mittens, gloves, hats and scarfs as part of
The Mitten Tree campaign. Items must be new and will be
distributed locally to those in need prior to the holidays.
Food Pantry Drives
Non-perishable food and paper products will be
collected December 10–21. Items can be dropped
off at any WESTconsin office. All proceeds will be
delivered to local food pantries for distribution.
Monetary donations will also be accepted. For every
$1 donated, local food pantries can collect and
distribute approximately seven pounds of food.
Eau Claire Office Grand Opening!
Eau Claire—welcome to your very own WESTconsin office!
We are very pleased to be serving members from our
newest location at 1111 W. Clairemont Avenue. Features
include dialogue banking and drive up services, mortgage
and business lending services, WESTconsin Realty and
WESTconsin Investment Advisors offices, resource center,
community room and 24-hour ATM.
Stop by during the week of October 15 for our grand
opening celebrations, including:
• Drawing for two (2) tickets to Lambeau Field for the
October 28 game with WESTconsin’s Travel Club
• Treats and refreshments
• Exhibiting at the Eau Claire Business Expo on Tuesday,
October 16
• Free SafeAssured childhood safety identification program
on Wednesday, October 17, 1–4 p.m.
• International Credit Union Day recognition and activities
on Thursday, October 18
• Visit Eau Claire Fun Patrol activities on Friday, October 19
WESTconsin Credit Union Board Member Nominations
Are you, or perhaps someone you know, interested in
serving as a member of the WESTconsin Credit Union Board
of Directors? The WESTconsin Nomination Committee will
meet in early January 2013 to select candidates. Elections will
be held during the Annual Membership Meeting in March.
Director candidates must be credit union members in good
standing and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. You
must have at least $5 in a Membership Savings Account in
your name individually or be the first named person on a
joint account. Directors meet about 15 times each year, at
least once each month. They also represent WESTconsin at
community and credit union functions.
If you know someone who you think would make an
excellent candidate, please ask for their permission to
send in a letter of recommendation to the committee; or
refer them to personally submit one. If you would like to
be considered, please send a letter by December 31, 2012,
stating your interest and highlighting your qualifications, to:
Nominating Committee, WESTconsin Credit Union, PO
Box 160, Menomonie, WI 54751.
Continue to protect your personal information by choosing eStatements, and
view your statement safely online whenever and wherever you’d like. Just login to
WESTconsin Online and click on the eStatements tab to get started!
Introducing WESTconsin Title Services, LLC
WESTconsin Credit Union has begun offering title insurance services through a newly established division of the credit
union, WESTconsin Title Services. Services offered are available to WESTconsin Credit
Union members as well as others in the communities served by WESTconsin.
Joining WESTconsin Title Services are Tony Schrader, Casey Mensing, Holly Baross and
Marlo Stevens. All employees possess extensive knowledge and experience within the
titling services industry and most recently worked at Schrader Title Services, located in Menomonie. The division is located
at WESTconsin’s Menomonie–Downtown office. Those interested in contacting WESTconsin Title Services, LLC should call
(715) 235-3403 ext. 7249 or visit westconsintitle.com.
Position Announcements
We’re pleased to recognize the following WESTconsin
Credit Union employees who have recently accepted
new positions within the company:
Tony Schrader — WESTconsin Title
Services Vice President
Please Welcome Our Newest
WESTconsin Investment Advisor!
A Message from WESTconsin Investment Advisors
Marie Gremore—New Richmond
Office Vice President
MARK BRUE
Member Notices
2012–13 Scholarships Available Online
WESTconsin Credit Union is offering
eleven, $1,000 scholarships to graduating
high school seniors from the class of 2013.
Students must have been a WESTconsin
member since April 30, 2012 to be eligible
for this year’s scholarship program. Visit
the Student Savers tab at westconsincu.org for access
to the online application. For more information, contact
Melissa Schutz at mschutz@westconsincu.org or call
(715) 235-3403, ext. 7772.
Thank You School Supply Drives!
WESTconsin Credit Union sincerely appreciates the high
level of giving that was extended during our recent
School Supply Drives.
This past July and
August, WESTconsin
offices served as a
local collection sites
for donations that
amounted to 3,200
items plus $242 cash. All
d
supplies were distributed
locally through
designated community
partners.
WESTconsin Online Changess
Coming in November—an
improved authentication process
for internet banking for added
security and ease. Updates
available soon on the website.
Since 1994, WESTconsin Credit Union has
been making a financial management
service available to you, our members,
through WESTconsin Investment Advisors,
located at WESTconsin Credit Union. In
keeping with that service, we are pleased
to introduce Mark Brue as our newest
full-time WESTconsin Investment Advisor
serving our members at WESTconsin
Credit Union offices located in Prescott,
River Falls, Hudson, New Richmond and
Amery.
Tim Carlson, WESTconsin Investment
Advisor Vice President* and Investment
Advisor will continue serving our
TIM CARLSON
members in the Eau Claire, Menomonie,
Baldwin and Barron WESTconsin Credit
Union offices. In addition, he will maintain a servicing
relationship with a small group of members from other
office locations that Mark serves.
WESTconsin Investment Advisors is a personalized financial
management service designed to help you identify your
major goals and objectives, analyze your current financial
situation, and recommend alternative methods to help you
achieve financial security. WESTconsin Investment Advisors
can provide the tools necessary to manage your finances in
the face of inflation, taxation* and other uncertainties of life.
If you would like to meet with either Mark or Tim, please call
their administrative assistants, Kim Lehmann (Tim’s asst.) at
(800) 924-0022 ext. 7218, or Alyssa Schultz (Mark’s asst.) at
ext. 7237. As always, there is no cost or obligation for the
service, only a great opportunity to help you.
*Representative is not a tax advisor. For information regarding your
specific tax situation, please consult a tax professional.
*The title of Vice President is a WESTconsin Credit Union title and not a title with
CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. Representatives are registered, securities are sold,
and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc.
(CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC , a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor,
WESTconsin Investment Advisors, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free
800-369-2862. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally
insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or
guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial
institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to
members. FR081206-DCF6
Mary Bolin
WESTconsin Realty, LLC—Prescott Office
1400 North Acres Road, Prescott, WI 54021
mbolin@westconsinrealty.com
(715) 262-4600 ext. 7281
Why Hire a Real Estate Agent?
Many people wonder, and rightfully so, if they can buy or
sell a home, without representation by a real estate agent.
There is an abundance of information readily available
on the internet and with research, shouldn’t anyone be
able to wade through the process on their own? If this is a
question you have pondered, here are some reasons why
you should consider hiring a real estate professional.
Just as you are educated and trained in your chosen career,
real estate agents are educated and more experienced in
the process of buying and selling real estate than you are.
It is not necessary for you to know everything if you hire a
real estate agent who does. Enlisting an agent saves you
from using your valuable time. Henry Ford said that when
you hire people who are smarter than you are, it proves
you are smarter than they are.
An agent either knows neighborhood information, or
has it readily accessible, regarding competing properties
and sold properties, and can analyze these properties,
comparing them to yours. The agent can provide you with
this information to help guide you to make decisions on
price, whether you are buying or selling. An agent can also
direct you to where you can find more information on your
specific questions on schools, crime or demographics.
An agent networks with other professionals, sharing
information on listings and other services to provide more
exposure and information for you. Negotiation skills are an
important part of the service you are being provided with,
as agents are trained to negotiate on your behalf. They
can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the
transaction while keeping your information confidential.
It is the job of the agent to work as a buffer for sellers,
filtering phone calls, some of which may lead nowhere, and
also working hard to help a serious buyers and sellers work
through the process. My experience as a real estate agent
began many years ago, when the purchase contract was
one page. The residential purchase contract in Wisconsin is
now nine pages, and often contains additional addendums
and/or amendments, not including federal or state required
disclosures. It is a real estate agent’s job to handle these
volumes of paperwork for you and to do it correctly.
After a transaction closes, there can be questions.
Contacting your agent can help. The agent may not know
the answers, but should be able to direct you to where you
need to go to find them.
A real estate agent’s goal is to make the client’s move
easier and satisfactory and for them to be happy with
the service provided them. It is important that clients
look back on a good real estate experience and be glad
they have used an agent’s professional services. An agent
wants to be remembered as the real estate professional
who they want to enlist to help them again when they
move, and want to refer to their friends and family. The
greatest compliment an agent can receive is a referral
from a satisfied client. That is one of the reasons an agent
puts forth their all for each client for which she/he has the
opportunity to work.
WESTconsin Realty Welcomes Andraya Albrecht
Andraya Albrecht has recently joined WESTconsin Realty, LLC and is working from
WESTconsin Credit Union’s Eau Claire office. She has been assisting clients as a real estate
professional since 1999, and for many of those years as an appraiser. During this time frame,
Albrecht owned and operated an appraisal firm in Eau Claire for eight years, and has also
worked as a real estate agent since 2008 with First Realty, LLC.
A lifelong resident of the Chippewa Valley, Albrecht knows the values and economics of the
area. “With my past experience in appraisal, valuing homes is my expertise and a valuable
asset when assisting clients,” she states. “I am truly excited to be part of a wonderful team of
real estate professionals, with such commitment and service to their clients.” Albrecht can be
reached at (715) 456-0320, or aalbrecht@westconsinrealty.com.
Smart phones are great—
How about a smart account
for your money?
WESTconsin’s Membership Value
Pricing® (MVP) program is a great
way to get the best rates and
best deals possible. Make sure
your money works smart with
Membership Value Pricing!
Your MVP status means:
• lower rates on new personal loans
• higher rates on share certificates
• fee-free or discounted checking
• reduced real estate closing costs
• and a lot more!
Amery | Baldwin | Barron | Eau Claire
Hudson | Menomonie | New Richmond
Prescott | River Falls | Spring Valley
Federally insured by NCUA
Membership eligibility required. Subject to credit approval.
(800) 924-0022 | westconsincu.org