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ny our toes A Quarterly Publication of COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION ee 5.99 APR* tw San % e db for 12 months Longer terms at special rates, also available. is a va cat ion l oan a way. Time to Switch! Move Your Accounts to Community Credit Union Credit unions across the country offer a better deal to consumers than most banks do. The benefits of credit union membership take many forms, including lower rates on loans, higher rates on deposits, fewer and lower fees, and innovative and convenient ways to access your accounts.* We are dedicated to the credit union motto: Not for profit, not for charity, but for service. IN THIS ISSUE • SUMMER 2012 That’s quite a contrast to banks, which often look for ways to pick money out of your pocket so they can use it to line the pockets of their shareholders. Common complaints from bank customers include: • Fees that pop up unexpectedly. • Getting the runaround when they need help. • Rules that favor the bank’s profits rather than the customer’s financial well-being. • High minimum balances and other onerous requirements to avoid fees. You Deserve Better If you’re fed up, it’s time to switch! Consolidating all your accounts at 2 Generation Y: Poised to Change the Future 6 Tips for Traveling with Friends 3 Community Credit Union can make managing your finances more convenient and less costly. You’re a member here, and an owner, too. That means we’re always looking for ways to help you succeed as you work toward your financial goals. Call 1-800-757-7302 or 256-543-7302 or visit us online at www.netccu.com for more information. HOLIDAY CLOSINGS Independence Day Wednesday, July 4 * Source: Credit Union National Association, www.cuna.org. Think You Can’t Get Away? Think Again Expansion Plans? Look to CCU for Funding Labor Day Monday, Sept. 3 4 Women Business Owners: Tips for Getting Ahead and Staying on Top Generation Y Poised to Change the Future Generation Y, also known as Millennials, are young adults born between 1981 and 1999. There are 77 million Gen Yers who now work, play and vote within the workplaces and marketplaces of the U.S. How do these young adults stack up to previous generations? 1. Millennials are fluent in technology. They have not known a world without Internet, cell phones and computers. Many believe technology helps to enhance their lives by making work easier while allowing them to stay in touch with family and friends. 2. They bring a lot to the workplace. Potential employers have many educated candidates to choose from. More than one in five Americans 18 to 34 years old has a bachelor’s degree, and 14% of those 25 to 34 years old has or is working toward a graduate degree.* 6 3. They know when to be frugal. Because technology can help consumers find the best purchase price, Millennials often spend less on the purchases they make. They also base many of their purchases on peer reviews and recommendations, rather than advertising. 4. Millennials are optimistic. As a group, they are generally optimistic about their future and excited to take on new projects and challenges. They are oftentimes adaptable and receptive to change, great traits to have in this ever-evolving world. Put Technology to Work for You At Community Credit Union, we offer many services to make your life easier. Check out our online banking and CU e-Branch to streamline your on-the-go finances. Call 1-800-757-7302 or 256-543-7302 or visit www.netccu.com for more information. * Source: U.S. Census Bureau, www.census.gov. 6 Tips for Traveling with Friends If you remember the popular 1950s sitcom, “I Love Lucy,” you may recall that best friends and neighbors, Lucy and Desi Arnaz and Ethel and Fred Mertz, loved doing everything together. A group vacation, however, nearly ruined their friendship. Lots of friends decide that taking a vacation together could be more enjoyable than traveling alone. With these common sense tips you can help ensure that you remain friends following the trip, too. 1) Share the planning. Selecting a destination and what activities you’ll be doing can be great fun when it’s a group decision. Perhaps you share a common interest or hobby, such as touring museums or playing golf. Consider planning your trip around what you have in common. 2) Make advance arrangements. Booking travel, accommodations and some activity reservations ahead of time can reduce decision making and stress during the trip itself. 3) Respect each other’s budgets. If one friend has a stricter travel budget than the 2 others, consider making choices that stay within monetary guidelines for all parties. 4) Look out for each other. A major benefit of traveling in a group is greater safety. You can also help each other if anyone needs assistance. 5) Be willing to compromise. Unplanned opportunities may pop up during your travels. Don’t be afraid to stray from your itinerary to stroll through a street bazaar or stop for photo opportunities. Try to be flexible so that everyone gets to do something that interests them. 6) Remember you are friends. Most trips come with minor setbacks. Going with the flow and respecting each other’s feelings goes a long way toward remaining friends once back home. Your Financial Travel Companion Your Community Credit Union debit card or credit card makes managing vacation finances convenient and secure. Your card makes it easy to book flights and accommodations in advance and pay for purchases during your travels. A Quarterly Publication of COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION Coming Soon to Community Credit Union The name of the Credit Union’s discretionary overdraft program will soon change from Courtesy Pay to Privilege Plus Protection. Additionally, the way in which the daily overdraft limits are determined will be converted to a dynamic format and may change from time to time. Continue to check your upcoming statements and other Credit Union publications for further information and effective dates. Think You Can’t Get Away? Think Again The idea of taking a summer vacation worries many small business owners so much that they decide against taking a break. Yet taking a vacation is valuable and can even help your business in the long run. Consider these benefits: You come back refreshed, with new energy and enthusiasm to lead your business. A vacation allows you to do the kind of long-term, big-picture thinking that the busyness of daily operations does not. Also, taking a vacation can uncover problems with processes and procedures you’ve set up. Fixing them leads to a better, stronger business. Try these tips for getting away for a vacation: • Begin planning far in advance, and delegate responsibilities to people you can trust. • Determine when the slowest times are for your business, and schedule your vacation then. • Clear your schedule for a day or two following your return so you can catch up. • Give your contact information to one person in case an emergency arises. Bon voyage! Expansion Plans? Look to CCU for Funding There are plenty of ways a small business can grow, such as expanding product and service lines or entering new markets. But sometimes just duplicating a successful operation by opening another location is the simplest approach. If you’re thinking of adding one or more locations, be sure to do your homework before making a move. Finding answers to these questions can help you determine if this will be a positive step for your company. Key Questions • If yours is a business-to-business firm, do you have existing clients in the area where you’re considering opening a new space? • If you sell to consumers, is there a demand for your products or services in the area you’re thinking of expanding to? Consider the area’s demographics, economy, competitors and costs to do business, including hiring local employees. • Have you assessed the policies and procedures that make your business a 2012 Annual Meeting — A Great Success! Thank you to all of the 700+ members who showed up in record numbers to celebrate the life of Community Credit Union! Great food, giveaways, the tornado of money, a flash mob and Sister Act were some of the highlights of this incredible event! It was a night to remember. Next year, don’t miss out … you never know what is going to happen at CCU! We love our members! success? In order to replicate them at a new location, they’ll need to be clearly expressed. • Will you be able to adequately monitor the performance of employees at all locations and ensure that they all understand and implement the company’s values? • How will you finance the new location? A business specialist at Community Credit Union may be able to help you answer this question. We have money to lend, and we’ll take the time to understand your business’s needs so we can find a solution that works for you. Call 1-800-757-7302 or 256-543-7302 to schedule an appointment with a business specialist today! Relay for Life … HUGE SUCCESS! Thank you to all of our members and employees for helping us raise over $5,300 for Relay for Life! It was an amazing display of team work and compassion as hundreds of people came together to raise money for the Cure for Cancer! 3 TOLL FREE 1-800-757-7302 256-543-7302 Main Office Women Business Owners Tips for Getting Ahead and Staying on Top BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ronald Patrick Chairman Gary Kennedy Vice Chairman Hersey Taylor Secretary Greg Gregerson Treasurer Don Smith Charles Atchley Kenneth Simmons SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE Sandy Battles Chairperson Robert Davis Alice Haley Join Our Friends and “Like” Community Credit Union! In 1968, television commercials told women, “You’ve come a long way, baby.” Today, women have come even further; to the point of owning 40% of the nation’s businesses. These companies employ more than 13 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in sales, according to the National Association for Women Business Owners, making it the fastest growing segment in the economy. Approximately half of all femaleowned companies focus on repair and maintenance; personal and laundry services; health care and social assistance; and professional, scientific and tech services. Income generated by many of these businesses is below $1 million – a threshold some experts believe is self-imposed by women who prefer not to give up their personal lives for the break-neck pace that is required to jockey a thriving business to the top. But, your business can still be successful without giving up anything. Business as Usual These best practices can help you grow your business at a reasonable pace. • Make dollars and sense a priority. Financial knowledge is key to growth. Know what to do with a balance sheet, how to crunch the numbers and understand cash flow. If that’s not your strength, seek help from a mentor, business partner or accountant. • Be aware of the human element. Women tend to make staffing decisions as though they were dealing with family. Being able to see what’s good for the business and how the staff fits into that scenario takes communication. Listen to your staff’s perspective, but don’t lose sight of business best practices. •S eek advice. No one works well in a vacuum. Form an advisory board with other business owners. Board members can exchange tips on marketing and business management strategies as well as new ideas and critical analysis of your tactics. • Consider temporary employees. Expanding a business doesn’t necessarily mean hiring permanent employees. The recent bad economy has many talented people seeking jobs through temp agencies. Hiring contract workers can be a wise tactical move. You’ll have skilled workers without the high cost of benefits. •K eep on the tech track. Stay in touch with technological tools that can advance your business such as electronic transfer, money-management software and social media. Let Us Help Your Business When it comes to your business, business specialists at Community Credit Union have a thorough knowledge of the latest technology and software to keep your business growing. Our representatives can also help you manage your cash flow and balance sheets. To learn more, call 1-800-757-7302 or 256-543-7302 or visit www.netccu.com. Community Credit Union Wins 2012 Gadsden Times Readers Choice Awards 2012 Best Credit Union • 2012 Best Home Mortgage Lender Amber Garmany and Debbie Daniel, Best of the Best Teller Award Follow us on Twitter! CCUCommunity 2012 Best of the Best Marshall County Readers Choice Awards Best Credit Union • Best Finance Company • Becky Myrick, Best Financial Consultant A Quarterly Publication of COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 110 South 26th Street Gadsden, AL 35904 M, T, Th, F - 8:00 - 4:30 Lobby Closed - 12:45 - 2:00 for lunch W - 8:00 - 12:00 S Closed City Branch 320 Albert Rains Blvd. Gadsden, AL 35901 M, T, Th - 8:00 - 4:30 W - 8:30 - 12:30 F - 8:00 - 5:00 S - 8:30 - 12:00 (Drive-thru only) Rainbow City Branch 199 Independent Drive Rainbow City, AL 35906 M, T, Th, F - 9:00 - 5:30 W - 8:30 - 12:30 S - 8:30 - 12:30 Ft. Payne Branch 101 Drinkard Drive NW Ft. Payne, AL 35967 M, T - 8:00 - 4:00 W - 8:00 - 1:00 Th, F - 8:00 - 4:30 S - Closed Rainsville Branch 67 Roy Sanderson Avenue Rainsville, AL 35986 M, T - 8:00 - 4:00 W - 8:00 - 1:00 Th, F - 8:00 - 4:30 S - Closed Scottsboro Branch 1446 Goosepond Drive Scottsboro, AL 35769 M, T, Th, F - 8:00 - 4:00 W - 8:00 - 12:00 S - Closed Marshall County Branch 3512 US Highway 431 Albertville, AL 35951 M, T, Th, F - 8:00 - 4:30 W - 8:00 - 12:00 S - Closed Oneonta Branch 201 Third Street South Oneonta, AL 35121 M, T, Th, F - 8:00 - 4:30 W - 8:00 - 12:00 S - Closed Collinsville Branch 5674 Alabama Highway 68 Collinsville, AL 35961 M, T, Th, F - 8:00 - 4:30 W - 8:00 - 12:00 S - Closed www.netccu.com All rates quoted as Annual Percentage Rate or Annual Percentage Yield are subject to change without notice. For complete account disclosures, ask for a copy of our Membership & Account Agreement and Rate & Fee Schedule. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. This publication does not constitute legal, accounting or other professional advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2012 BlueSpire Strategic Marketing I bluespiremarketing.com