Fall 2003
Make Your Home Work
For You!
Take advantage of our incredibly low rate Home Equity Loans
and start those
home improvements before the cold winter months ahead.
Federal Credit Union Choose either our Fixed Rate Home Equity
Loan or our Variable Rate Home Equity Line of Credit and borrow
up to 85% of your home's equity (minus your first mortgage)
with repayment terms up to 15 years. Even better, the interest
is usually tax-deductible. Check with your tax advisor for
eligibility. It's the next best thing to a no interest loan.
Federal Credit Union
Remodeling your home, purchasing a new or used vehicle, consolidating
bills or any other financial goal just got more affordable
with our Home Equity Loans. We offer you the low rates and
extended terms to fit your budget.
Apply Today!
Call or stop by any of our branch offices! Don't miss this
opportunity.
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Celebrate At
Your Credit Union
Thursday, October 16th will be a day of celebration at the
Deerwood Drive Branch of your Credit Union. Join us in the
rededication of our new, more innovative Deerwood Drive Branch
as well as in celebrating International Credit Union Day.
WDFM 98.1 will be there with a live radio remote, and there
will be refreshments and giveaways. Thanks to your loyalty
and support, Midwest Community has a lot to celebrate this
year!
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Convenience
Services To
Fit Your Busy Lifestyle
You can access your credit union accounts at any time and
from anywhere. We offer several Convenience Services to fit
your busy lifestyle. When you don't have time to get to the
credit union, take advantage of Direct Deposit so your
paycheck, pension or social security check is automatically
deposited into your account. With Bill Pay, you can
arrange to have your bills paid on time every time without
having to pay for postage or run to the mailbox. With Payroll
Deduction, your bills and loans are automatically deducted
from your credit union account.
Manage your accounts on the phone or online. MAX,
our automated telephone system, allows you to check account
balances, transfer funds, verify cleared checks and paid dividends,
and so much more. Simply call our MAX Phone Line at 1-888-704-7143
or 784-4MAX (4629). If you would like to view your
accounts online and print out an E-Statement, log on
to our Home Banking feature, CU@Home.
You can access and manage your accounts and pay bills online
from the comfort and privacy of your home or office. Our website
is your 24-hour link to credit union service and information.
Would you like more? You got it. We offer the credit union
VISAŽ Check Card/ATM Card so you can access your accounts
and make cash withdrawals worldwide. Even better, we have
a bonus feature, No-Surcharge ATMs, through Alliance
One. Never pay a fee to withdraw your own money. To locate
our No Surcharge ATMs, go to our website for details.
Sign Up Today!
Our Convenience Services are designed to fit your busy lifestyle.
Call, stop by, or log on to our website for more information
and to sign up for any or all of these available services
offered to you, FREE!
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President's
Letter
A HISTORY OF 'PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE' Financial institutions
may be a "dime a dozen" today, but not many can look back
with pride at their humble beginnings when they were founded
and supported by the hard-working people of a single employer.
Midwest Community Federal Credit Union can say just that.
It was back in May of 1954 when Mr. Louis Westrick and his
friends at Central Foundry formed the credit union known today
as Midwest Community Federal Credit Union. Our beginnings
may have been humble, but we have grown into a first-rate,
top-quality provider of personal financial services here in
Northwest Ohio.
Midwest Community FCU has clearly grown and changed as the
years have passed. The credit union no longer operates out
of a satchel, instead providing financial services from its
new main office on S.R 66 North, its Deerwood office near
the General Motors plant, and two branch offices in Napoleon
Chief Supermarket, and Wauseon Chief Supermarket. Our future
plans call for establishing Branch Offices in Paulding, Putnam
and Williams Counties in the near future. Our goal is to provide
convenient financial services to our members in the surrounding
counties.
Midwest Community FCU's product and service menu has also
improved with age. Believe it or not, the credit union started
out as a cashless financial institution. In the early years
when a member made a withdrawal from their account they were
issued a check which they had to cash at another financial
institution! We now offer a full menu of financial products
and services to meet all our members' financial needs through
every stage of life.
Technology has played an important role in the credit union's
growth and development. Midwest Community FCU takes pride
in being on the cutting edge of technology. Members benefit
from the convenience of 24/7 services such as ATMs - including
the new south-side Subway ATM, online banking, online access
to check images, Max - their automated teller, debit cards
and more. The credit union's new office is proof of MCFCU's
dedication to member convenience through technology.
For all the growth and change MCFCU has seen over the past
50 years, the credit union is still dedicated to the philosophy
that started it all, "People Helping People." Our focus is
on helping our members meet their financial needs at every
step in their lives. We truly want to be their 'Lifetime Banking
Partner.'
The attitude of "People Helping People" does not stop with
MCFCU's membership. The credit union also strives to be active
in the communities of Northwest Ohio that it serves. Each
year Midwest Community FCU holds fundraisers to benefit the
Relay For Life, the United Way, The Childrens' Miracle Network,
the American Heart Walk, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and various
other organizations. All our employees are dedicated to these
valuable causes and we work hard as a group to raise funds
for these organizations, but we have fun doing it. The Ohio
Credit Union League was so impressed with MCFCU's community
involvement that in 2001 it awarded the credit union its Dora
Maxwell award for community involvement.
As in the past, the 2003 Board of Directors for Midwest Community
FCU is a group of nine men who serve without compensation
to further the idea of "People Helping People." The Chairman
of the Board, Richard English, has given his time and talent
for over twenty years to the credit union. Other Board members
committed to the credit union philosophy include: Kenneth
Cantrell; William Flanary; Robert Florence, Treasurer; Leon
Froelich; Norman Jones III; David Meyer, Vice President; Steven
Sonnenberg; and Ronald Wagner, Secretary. The credit union
commends every board member and credit union volunteer because
they give their time and talent unselfishly to build this
financial cooperative and promote the credit union philosophy
of "People Helping People."
From the beginning fifty years ago to the present, Midwest
Community FCU continues to prove that small, community financial
institutions are not just "a dime a dozen." Their commitment
to personal, quality service and the credit union philosophy
helps them stand apart and provide a positive benefit to the
Northwest Ohio communities that they serve. By focusing on
future generations we hope to carry forward our financial
services standards for years to come.
Respectfully,
Sonja Hann, CEO
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Privilege Pay
Comes
To You In November!
What Is Privilege Pay?
Privilege Pay is a new service that adds a measure of protection
to your personal checking account. Privilege Pay may cover
your insufficient funds, up to your approved limit, for one
low fee per covered overdraft transaction. That means, instead
of returning a check to the merchant because of insufficient
funds, the credit union may pay your check, saving you additional
charges from the merchant collection companies, in addition
to the credit union's insufficient fund fee. It also helps
protect your credit rating.
How Does Privilege Pay Work?
Overdrafts on your checking account will be paid up to a limit
of $500.00 per 30 days. The limit of $500.00 will include
the amount of overdrawn item(s) and the Privilege Pay fee(s)
by Midwest Community FCU. A $25.00 fee will be assessed for
each item that draws your account negative. You then have
up to 30 days to bring the account current, either through
a direct deposit, transfer of funds, or a deposit at one of
our branch offices.
What If I Already Have Overdraft Protection?
If you already have our traditional overdraft service established,
the funds will be transferred from your designated account(s).
If the funds are not available, Privilege Pay may pay your
overdraft.
Do I Have To Apply For This Service?
No. We require no applications or additional signatures. As
long as you are a member in good standing which includes a
$25.00 minimum balance in your primary savings account, you
make regular deposits to that account, bring your account
back to a positive balance regularly, and there are no legal
orders against the account, your Privilege Pay remains activated.
Privilege Pay is a way for us to provide a higher level of
service to our members by helping protect your account and
reputation when an inadvertent overdraft occurs.
Call Us For More Information
We are happy to review Privilege Pay and its features with
you, along with giving you other options to add convenience
and ease to your account. Please call us at 419-783-6500.
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New $20 Bill To Thwart
Counterfeiters
Keep an eye out for the new $20 bill. It's the first currency
in American history that will embody more distinctions and
colors, making it more difficult for criminals to counterfeit.
The most obvious change will be the variety of colors in the
background. A watermark, security thread, microprinting, serial
numbers, and color-shifting ink are just a few of the new
features gracing your next $20 bill. The essence of the currency
will still retain an American look but with more security
features to deter counterfeiters. The complexity of the new
money is set to increase and change its look every seven to
10 years. Nearly all your greens, except the $1 and $2 bills,
will be effected with a new look, color and intricate distinctions
in 2004 and 2005.
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Holiday Club Accounts
Need a little extra cash for those last minute Christmas
gifts for family, co-workers, the babysitter and friends?
Get started on your Christmas Club Account today! Open your
account and save for those special gifts and seasonal events.
Even better, there's no minimum balance required so start
your planning early. The money for this year's Christmas
Club Accounts will be transferred on October 20, 2003,
to participating members' Checking Accounts. Draw from your
account by December 24, 2003, at no penalty. Stop by or call
(419) 783-6500 to sign up!
Win A $500 Shopping Spree!
From October 1 to December 15 - Open a new account, start
payroll deduction or increase payroll deduction by $5.00 and
get a chance to win a $500 shopping spree.
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Shift Gears And
Go!
Get in the driver's seat with our low rate Vehicle Loans.
We've got the flexible terms and added features to help you
get the car of your dreams. We'll even pre-approve your loan
with 100% financing for more cash-in-hand bargaining power
to purchase that new or pre-owned vehicle. With our low rates
and extended terms, you can get the vehicle you want with
payments you can afford.
Refinance & Save!
Like your current ride, but not the high-interest rate? Bring
that Vehicle Loan home to us and refinance it! Our low rates
and flexible terms could lower your monthly payments and save
you money!
Applying Is Fast & Easy
Call (419) 783-6500 or stop by any of our branch offices,
or apply
online.
*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rate determined
by credit rating of applicant. Rates subject to change. Contact
credit union loan department for complete details.
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Notice Of Annual
Meeting
& Election Process
It's election time again. The 49th Annual Meeting will be
held on Saturday, March 27, 2004, at the K of C Hall in Defiance.
Members interested in candidacy for the Board of Directors
or Credit Committee are encouraged to seek more information
about the positions by contacting the Credit Union CEO, Sonja
Hann.
A Nominating Committee was appointed on September 1, 2003.
Members interested in candidacy for the Board of Directors
or Credit Committee must submit a nomination application by
December 1, 2003.
After that date, members must petition to be placed on the
final ballot. Candidates wishing to run for the Board of Directors
or Credit Committee must complete a petition application.
The application and the petition signed by not less than one
percent of the membership must be returned to the Nominating
Committee and filed with the Board Secretary by January 30,
2004. Petition applications may be obtained at the Credit
Union office. One percent of the membership will be determined
at the end of the third quarter. If a member chooses to run
for the Board of Directors and the Credit Committee, he/she
must complete a separate application for each position.
No nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting
unless sufficient nominations have not been received to fill
vacant positions. Nominations made by the Nominating Committee
and by petition shall be posted at the Credit Union office
on February 7, 2004.
Printed ballots will be mailed to eligible voting members
by February 23, 2004. Ballots must be returned to the tellers
of election no later than midnight March 22, 2004. Results
will be announced at the Annual Meeting on March 27, 2004.
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Fees Are Getting
An Increase!
Please be advised of the increase in fees for these services,
effective November 15, 2003: Non-Sufficient Funds Fee - $25;
Loan Extension Fee - $10; Stop Payment Fee - $25
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Refer A New Member
|
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
|
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