Summer 2003

Member Advantages Benefits Package • Important Notice • Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft • New ATM Available! • President's Letter • Tell Us What You Think • Summer Loan Savings Continue • New "Verified by VISA" Security Protection • Take Us With You Wherever You Travel This Summer • FYI • Spread The Word

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Member Advantages Benefits Package
"Good Things Come To Those Who Participate”

Are you taking full advantage of all your credit union has to offer? If you're not, here's a great incentive. Our Member Advantages Benefits Package is designed to reward those members that contribute to the cooperative spirit of credit union membership by providing additional rewards or benefits. The more you participate with the credit union, the more people can benefit from low cost services.

You'll find that you can design your financial future based on your participation. If you have your financial services spread among several financial institutions, bring them home to your credit union and make us your primary financial institution. We want to provide you with a lifetime of financial rewards. We have three levels of Member Advantages Benefits Packages:

Associate Membership – Just keep a monthly balance of $25 in savings or a loan balance. You'll receive a limited amount of FREE transactions each month.

Investor Membership – Rewards you for bringing more of your financial business home to your credit union. Maintain a $1,500 combined savings balance OR maintain a $15,000 loan balance and receive FREE limited ATM uses and more.

Partner Membership – Enjoy the most rewards with a minimum deposit balance of $10,000 or $25,000 loan balance. You'll receive no monthly fee on checking, FREE ATM use, FREE overdraft transfers, a .10% bonus on share certificates, a .25% discount on auto loan rates, and most fees are waived.

Start Enjoying Member Advantages Today!
Call, or stop by the credit union for more information. You can also find in depth information on the program at www.midwestcommunity.org.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Important Notice For Members!

In an effort to serve you better, we have changed check providers from Liberty Check Printers to Harland Check Printers. The only difference you will notice or see is a savings cost when re-ordering checks. This change does not effect the checks you currently have. Simply use them, and when you need to re-order new checks the process will be just as convenient and simple as it is now. Please contact us with any questions.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation. Effecting as many as 750,000 new victims each year and costing consumers, merchants and the financial industry billions of dollars. Identity Theft occurs when someone steals personal information such as a Social Security number or driver's license number and uses it to establish credit by applying for loans or credit cards to buy merchandise and services.

Some Prevention Tips

• Before revealing personal identifying information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared. Ask if you have a choice about the use of your information.
  
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if bills do not arrive on time.
  
• Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.
  
• Minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry to what you actually need.
  
• Destroy unused financial solicitations and documents before throwing them away.
  
• Order a copy of your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies every year. Make sure it's accurate and includes only those activities you've authorized.

Identity Theft occurs when bad things happen to your good name. If you would like further information here are some websites that are helpful: www.consumer.gov/idtheft, www.identitytheft.org and www.fraud.org.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New ATM Available!

We are pleased to announce another convenient ATM location. There is now an ATM on the south side of Defiance. It is conveniently located next to Subway.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
President's Letter

The first half of the year has gone quickly, filled with many wonderful and memorable events. Our new name and logo were unveiled to the community and the staff here at Midwest Community was completely re-structured to provide members with even more personal service. We also opened our new office with a very exuberating grand-opening ceremony. The changes have not been without stress and tension. But along the way our members, Board of Directors, managers and staff have shared some good times and laughs, grown to understand our operations and each other better, and increased our respect for one another.

More personal service for you, our members, is the goal we are striving towards at Midwest Community. We hope you have had the opportunity to visit with one of our new Financial Service Representatives (FSR's) or Member Service Representatives (MSR's). We aim to meet all your financial needs in one visit with either an MSR or FSR. The staffs' personal mission is to reflect the credit union philosophy of helping members to help themselves to a better financial future. I am extremely proud of their exceptional, caring personalities, and top-rate skills and experience. With such a great group of people to serve our members, MCFCU is the right choice for your lifetime banking partner!

On a final note, some of our members have voiced concern that our main office is no longer open on Sundays for drive-up service. A popular misconception is that the credit union's Deerwood office was always open on Saturdays and Sundays. However, until our Chief Festive Foods branch closed at the end of March, 2002, this was not the case. The Deerwood office hours were expanded to Saturdays and Sundays in April 2002 to accommodate our members until a new facility could be built on the north side.

The issue of office hours was not taken lightly when opening our new office on State Route 66. The Board of Directors and managers of Midwest Community FCU affirm our commitment of service to you, our members. At the same time we value and care about our employees and strongly believe in providing them with a positive, healthy, mental and physical work environment. Midwest Community employees have families, husbands, wives, and children outside of their daily credit union responsibilities. Our employees already commit to work long, hectic schedules from as early as 6:30 am to as late as 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday providing members with convenient service.

We live in a world where peoples' lives have become fast-paced and frenzied with "24/7" everything. We asked ourselves, "How open would our members be to only Saturday banking hours if they put themselves in the shoes of our staff?" We concluded most of us would understand the desire to stay home at least one day each weekend to spend quality time with our families. We felt strongly you would value the decision made. Life is too short and way too precious to waste running about frantically seven days a week. Maybe we all need to slow down and heed the advice of a wise individual who pegged Sunday as a day of rest.

Respectfully,
Sonja Hann, CEO

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tell Us What You Think!

We would like your input for next year's Annual Meeting. Please fill out this form and return it to the credit union, at Sonja's attention, along with any other ideas or suggestions you may have.

I would prefer the Annual Meeting to be:

c Saturday c Sunday

Time

Location

Other suggestions

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Summer Loan Savings Continue!
Hurry Offer Ends Soon!

New Vehicle Loans As Low As 5.75% APR*

Used Vehicle Loans As Low As 5.99% APR*

Personal Line Of Credit As Low As 9.00% APR*

Home Equity Line Of Credit As Low As 5.00% APR*

$50 Bonus Reward

Summer is here! Whether you want to purchase a new or used vehicle, consolidate debt, make home improvements, finance an education, or borrow money for those unexpected expenses, Midwest Community's summer loan savings make it all affordable.

Tap Your Home Equity
Take advantage of a variable rate Home Equity Line of Credit and borrow the money you need for up to 15 years. If you prefer a fixed rate, closed end Home Equity Loan, call for details. Even better, the interest is usually tax-deductible.* Consult your tax advisor.

Drive Home A Bargain
Get your New or Used Vehicle Loan pre-approved with 100% financing, great rates, and extended terms to keep your payments low.

Personal Line Of Credit
Conveniently borrow the money as you need it. Simply write a check up to your credit limit.

Refinance & Save!
Refinance loans and/or high interest credit card balances you have elsewhere and instantly save on interest and lower your monthly payments.

$50 Cash Bonus Reward
Get a $50 Cash Bonus Reward with any new loan or refinancing of $2,500 or more. But hurry, this offer ends soon!

Applying Is Fast & Easy!
Apply online at www.midwestcommunity.org, call today, or visit any of our four locations.

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rate shown is subject to credit approval for qualified applicants. Rates are subject to change. For current rates and terms contact the credit union. Tax-deductible interest eligibility depends on your tax situation and the amount you borrow – check with your tax advisor. Loan reward will be deposited in your credit union savings account on loan closing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New "Verified by VISA" Security Protection

Verified by VISA is a new security option for VISA cardholders that safeguards your account from unauthorized purchases online. You'll make online purchases the same way you always have, with one exception. A password and personal message will be used for confirmation each time you use your card online, exclusively with participating merchants. This new program is fast, easy and convenient. Plus, you'll be reassured knowing only you can use your VISA Card online. No new card is required – Verified by VISA protects the card or cards you already have.

For more information on the Verified by VISA protection, simply log on to www.midwestcommunity.org and click on the Verified by VISA logo.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Take Us With You Wherever You Travel This Summer

This summer you can travel anywhere you want, and your credit union with all of its conveniences will be there for you. From our website, to credit cards, to depositing your paychecks, we have many ways to help make your summer vacation worry-free!

Just take a look:

VISA® Check Card/ATM Card – Use it wherever your travels take you this summer. It's accepted at millions of locations – everywhere you see the VISA symbol. You can withdraw cash, make deposits, verify balances, and transfer funds between accounts at ATMs worldwide.

Home Banking/Bill Pay – Conduct almost any transaction you would at the credit union, conveniently online. Make sure your bills are automatically paid, too!

MAX Automated Telephone System – Manage your accounts using any touch tone phone. All you need is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and easy to use transaction codes.

Direct Deposit/Payroll Deduction – This combination is the best way to deposit your paycheck, make loan payments, or contribute to your regular savings plan.

www.midwestcommunity.org – Our website is your 24-hour link to credit union service and information.

Don't forget, these products and services aren't just for when you are away. When you're on the go, or too busy to get to the credit union, you'll appreciate the convenience of these options. Contact us for more information on all these great services.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FYI

Another Great Car Show Loan Offer Coming Soon!
Once again your credit union will be offering a Vehicle Loan special to coincide with the Annual Car Show at the Northtowne Mall. This year the show will be held September 13 & 14, 2003. Watch your mailbox for a great special offer from the credit union!

Discount Amusement Park Tickets Available
Each summer the credit union offers discount tickets for area attractions, and this year is no exception!

We have discount tickets for Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Six Flags. Contact the credit union for prices and more information.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Spread The Word, Share The Savings

If you have a family member, coworker, or neighbor that would like an alternative to the high fees, interest rates, and service charges at other financial institutions, invite them to join the credit union. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, or worships in any of our selected areas of Defiance, Henry, Paulding, Fulton, Williams Counties and the northern part of Putnam County. New members help us grow. With more members, we can serve you even better. Everyone benefits!

Use the coupon below to tell us to whom you would like us to send an information packet.

New Member Referral Form Please send the following family members and coworkers Membership Packets.

Your Name

Member #

Name

Address

City State Zip

Daytime Phone #

Name

Address

City State Zip

Daytime Phone #

Bring to the credit union or mail to: Midwest Community FCU • 08770 State Route 66 • Defiance, OH 43512