Make Winter Memorable - Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union

4th Quarter
A Publication of the
upcoming
holiday
closures
Friday, November 11
Veterans Day
Thursday, November 24
Thanksgiving Day
Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve
All offices will close at 1:00 pm
Monday, December 26
Christmas Holiday, Observed
Monday, January 2
New Year’s Day, Observed
Winter is just around the corner and that
means soon the ground will be covered
in blankets of fluffy, pristine powder, just
waiting for you to make your mark. If you’re
dreaming about carving up snow-covered
hillsides on your own sled or skiing out to
a cozy cabin in the backcountry, come see
MVFCU for the rates and service you want.
In October we’ll be offering special rates on
snowmachines and ATVs in our ‘Snowsoon’
loan promotion. Instead of spending the
winter inside, zoned out on the couch,
get out and make your winter a wild one
in the great outdoor playgrounds of the
Mat-Su Valley! Check out page three for
Wisdom from
your General
Manager/CEO
› Page 2
November 8, 2011
AT&T Sports Center
Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union
Make Winter Memorable
events
October 20
International Credit Union Day
“Credit Unions Build a Better World”
2011
Get Real Financial
Reality Fair
› Page 4
Letter from
Your Board
› Page 4
more information, then stop by any of our
community offices or call us to learn more.
When you’ve got your heart set on your
own piece of the Alaska wilderness, give
our Real Estate department a call at 907745-9165. MVFCU understands the unique
needs of our membership and we offer one
of the most flexible programs around. Be
it land in Skwentna, a cabin on the Kenai,
or that ‘impossible’ financing situation no
one will consider - talk to us. We’ve been
helping our members purchase recreational
land and recreational cabins since 1948.
Let us help you stake your claim in the
Alaskan outdoors!
Credit Unions Build a Better World
Credit unions continually demonstrate their ability
to improve the lives of individuals, families,
communities and countries around the world,
and have done so for generations. As we celebrate
International Credit Union Day this October and
prepare for the United Nations’ International Year
of Cooperatives in 2012, we celebrate, with more
than 186 million people worldwide, that we’re all
part of building a better world.
Your membership helps to build a better community
in the Mat-Su Valley each day! Learn more about
how co-ops make communities
strong on page two.
gm expressions
Building Community
This year’s International Credit Union Day theme, “Credit Unions
Build a Better World,” celebrates the important economic and social
contributions credit unions make to their communities worldwide.
Building community is what MVFCU is all about! Since our beginning
in 1948 in the shadows of the old water tower in downtown Palmer, the
Credit Union has been growing with the Valley. We don’t have branches
- we have community offices serving places like Sunshine, Willow,
Big Lake, Meadow Lakes, Knik-Goose Bay, Wasilla, Seward Meridian,
Palmer and Eagle River. Nearly 34,000 strong, our members pool their
resources, creating both an economic engine and a social network for
the betterment of our community.
I started working for MVFCU right out of college in 1975; boy am I
getting old! I really didn’t know what a credit union was; I assumed it
was some type of bank. We were very small in those days, with only
three of us and one part-time employee. We rented a small office in
Palmer. This was before CU checking (share draft accounts), before
ATMs and personal computers. Although our services were limited in
those days, I quickly learned the credit union difference. Credit unions
are about serving people and building community.
We believe in building a solid foundation as we grow and develop,
always striving for relationships based on trust and respect. We look for
caring, knowledgeable and competent people to serve our members.
We practice and embrace our founding cooperative principles. We
encourage creative thinking and innovation with a singular focus on
member needs. Providing knowledge and services, we are helping
members achieve their financial goals by honoring our core values.
I am convinced there is not a better place on earth to live, work and
raise your family than here in Alaska. As we celebrate International
Credit Union Day, let us continue to work together in cooperation to
build our credit union and community.
- Al Strawn, General Manager/CEO
page 2
* Offer subject to credit approval. Rates may be higher depending on credit qualifiers. APR means Annual Percentage Rate.
In the Market for a Commercial Loan?
Did you know? MVFCU’s Commercial Lending Program offers:
No Prepayment Penalties • 15-year fixed rate term • Competitive Rates
We finance businesses, commercial equipment, aircraft, boats, lines of credit and more!
Call our Commercial Lending Department at 907-745-9165 for more information.
page 3
JUNIORS • SENIORS • COLLEGE FRESHMEN
FINANCIAL REALITY FAIR
November 8, 2011 • AT&T Sports Center
3:00-5:00pm • Free Admission!
CONTACT MVFCU
on the web:
Want to get a taste of the future? What financial
decisions can you make now so that you’re
living the life YOU want to live after college?
Knowledge is Power - Get Some!
Space is limited - visit mvfcu.coop to sign up!
Letter from Your Board
Don Shiesl, Board Chair
www.mvfcu.coop
Main Switchboard &
Contact Center:
745-4891 • 694-4891
Easy Access:
746-3279 • 694-7702
24/7 consumer loan
by phone:
1-800-976-5198
Real Estate &
Commercial Lending:
745-9165
694-4891 x.165
Lost or stolen visa
check card:
(after Business hours)
1-800-682-6075
MVFCU Fax Numbers:
Main Admin: 745-9131
Palmer: 745-9115
Wasilla: 373-6877
Seward Meridian: 761-4610
Eagle River: 694-7701
Meadow Lakes: 357-3965
Big Lake: 892-4892
Willow: 495-6272
Sunshine: 733-4892
Palmer Carrs: 745-8124
Knik-Goose Bay: 357-8104
The credit union family lost a beloved and valued member with the passing
of Norma Benson last winter. She was on the Matanuska Valley Federal
Credit Union Board of Directors for over forty years and its chairman for
thirty years. Norma had her heart in the credit union philosophy and it
is impossible to measure her influence on making our credit union as
successful as it is.
In May, the membership elected John Duffy to the Board. John is retired
from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough where he was the manager of all
general government operations. He brings a long history of managerial and
planning experience to the board. The membership also re-elected Gabe
Layman, Diedre Berberich and me to the Board.
Although the national economy is still in the doldrums, Alaska is still
relatively healthy and your credit union is reflective of this. Its financial
health is exemplary, and it has expanded by opening two retail community
offices - one in the new Carrs grocery store in Palmer and another in the new
Three Bears Store on Knik-Goose Bay near Vine.
By focusing on safety and soundness, the Board’s major emphasis has been
and will continue to be protecting assets you have placed in the Matanuska
Valley Federal Credit Union while continuing to make it more convenient
to use its services.
In the future, I would like to address issues that are of interest to you, the
members. The Board members are your representatives and we believe it is
vital to our success to respond to your concerns. Please contact the credit
union offices by telephone or e-mail or contact any of your board members
directly.
Hatcher Pass. Photo courtesy Toni Jacobson
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States Government. National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.