CEO Spot
Looking Back and Jumping Forward
FCFCU had a great 2014. We were able to
continue our growth in membership, assets, and loans.
Our great member service and improving our products and services
has helped us grow. Last year we concentrated on adding or improving
our electronic and on-line products. We had a major revamp of our
website, implemented account aggregation services, remote deposit,
and have an easier on line loan and membership application process.
Our loan volume continued to grow in 2014 and was
amongst the highest in our peer group. FCFCU has maintained steady
growth over the past 5 years (in fact we have grown 41% in assets,
more than doubled our membership, and grew loans by an amazing
120%) and look forward to continuing that positive trend.
Our goal is not to be all things to all people, but to be the
best at what we offer. We have grown at the pace we believe is right
for our Credit Union’s long term health. By having a very friendly and
knowledgeable staff that can help with all member needs and a Board
of Directors that stays involved in all actions of the Credit Union, we
anticipate another banner year in 2015.
I would like to thank all of our members who continue to
use, promote and support our Credit Union. The more members we
have using our products and services, the better it will be for you the
members, and the Credit Union itself.
As we move forward into 2015, we are anticipating some
continued economic fluctuations, a possible interest rate hike, and
sustained low oil prices...all of which can affect our community
positively or negatively. Be assured that whatever happens we will
continue to do our very best to serve you, and give you the products
and services you desire and need.
Thank you all for a great 2014 and I look forward to even
more exciting things in 2015!
FCFCU Spotlight
Erica O’Brien - Lending Manager
Celebrating her 6 year anniversary
\
I have sincerely appreciated my 6 years here at First Castle. I have learned
so much from Danny Trahan; his knowledge relating to the automobile
financing industry has been invaluable . I strive for efficiency; completing
tasks correctly is of the utmost importance to me. The details are so
critical with processing auto loans and mortgage loans. I have been in the
mortgage business for approximately 25 years and have seen so many changes in regulations
and policies. It provides a challenge to me to keep up with the ever changing industry. I really
enjoy being able to help someone who is a first time homebuyer, seeking a better life for their
family. I still believe it’s the “American Dream” to have your own home.
I love the comfortable atmosphere here at First Castle and I believe it makes a difference when
working with our members. I appreciate the members of our lending team so much. They
really are like family to me. I’ve said it before, but they are the best people I’ve ever worked
with!
Personally, I have a very fulfilling life and I consider myself blessed. I am married and have one
15 year old son. We enjoy camping, boating, fishing, mostly everything outdoors and the guys
enjoy hunting.
Pauline L. Edgerton- Financial Services Officer
Celebrating her 6 year anniversary
“The thing I like best of my job is helping people, believing in them and
giving them a chance. It is very fulfilling to have the ability to give our
members options and letting them choose what is best for their family.
For the last 6 years my feet have hit the floor running! I love coming to
work! It is my sincere hope that I am making a difference in someone’s
life.”
Pauline is a proud mother of a son and even prouder grandmother of one granddaughter,
Sarah.
She serves as Finance Officer at her church, Covenant Church in Mandeville and is very
involved in the ministry.
Christmas is over and beyond the warm
memories you might only be feeling the
holiday season spending hangover. Credit card bills are most likely rolling in
and as you vow to never spend so much on Christmas again, here are some
ways to pay off that debt.
Stop spending frivolously.
While it may sound simple, that sale you can’t just pass up or treating
yourself to a spa day will have to wait. Put yourself on a financial diet until
you catch up on any extra debt you incurred during the holidays. Using
coupons and comparison shopping for essential items and cutting extra
expenses, can really make a big a difference in your monthly budget.
Get honest about your overall financial situation.
Examine your entire financial situation…like everything! It is easy to forget
about student loan payments or a doctor bill that is hanging over you. This
will help you be more realistic about how fast you can pay things off.
Use tax returns and bonuses wisely.
Bonuses and tax returns are two larger lump sums of money that can be
used to make a real difference in debt. Don’t look at these things as free
money to spend – rather, use them to pay down debt and boost your credit
score to help meet your goals.
Start a Christmas Savings Account.
It’s never too early to start saving for next year. Start a Christmas Savings
Account with us to set aside money specifically dedicated to the holidays. If
you put away $50 each month, before you know it, you’ll have $500 to put
toward holiday gifts and travel. The more you can pay in cash, the less you’ll
have to worry about paying back this time next year!
Select a payment strategy that works for you.
Why pay 3 different companies interest? Consider consolidating your credit
cards. We have rates as low as 7.85% (depending on your credit score). If
possible, pay more than the minimum payments, but most importantly –
always pay on time.
If you need additional help managing your debt, remember we are here
to help you!
Going Green is Not Just
for Tree Huggers Anymore
Did you know that we are harvesting 24 million metric tons of trees for paper
production each year? To give you an idea of how much that is a million dollars (in 1
dollar bills) weighs roughly 1 metric ton.
Electronic statements are more convenient for members and less costly for a financial
institutions to produce. Some members are hesitant to switch. Here’s a look at why it is
so important to switch and some tips to help the transition go smoothly.
First, it’s a safer alternative for our members. A statement delivered through online
banking is far more secure than one sitting in an unlocked mailbox. Today, members
need to be aware of where their personal information may be at risk of exposure to
identity thieves.
Second, electronic statements save FCFCU money. Every month FCFCU spends nearly
$4,000 sending statements. Normally saving your financial institution a few bucks might
not be top on your list. But this is a credit union, where any interest, fees and savings
we receive is immediately passed back to our members! Less money spent in
administrative costs means more money in your pocket.
Another reason to switch is to reduce clutter. At home, you may have plastic containers,
drawers and filing cabinets that are filled with old statements. What could you do with
some extra room? Members have easy access to statements and it sure beats digging
around for hours looking for a statement.
After you sign up for e-statements it will start your year cycle. Statements will be
available for that 12 months until the next year starts. Also, members can save the
statements to their own electronic files. A simple PDF will stay with you forever and
when needed, printing will be as simple as clicking a button.
To make sure the switch goes smoothly consider the following:
• Easy to ignore an email - One reason members are hesitant to switch is a paper bill
can serve as a reminder to pay it. Sometimes a routine email notifications can be
easy to ignore, particularly if you get a high volume of emails.
•
•
•
Automatic Payments - Switching to electronic bills can make some feel they are
out of control of their money and others slipping into cruise control. You don't
want to get in the habit of deleting notifications about scheduled payments
without clicking on the link to scan the bill. This could keep you from catching
incorrect or suspicious charges until much later.
Know how to get older statements - Online archives are likely to be at least as
extensive as the paper records you keep at home. But it's still a good idea to
know exactly what you're signing up for.
Claim rewards for switching - Not just FCFCU but all companies save big when
customers go paperless. Not only do they save on postage and mailing costs,
but they also increase the odds that customers pay bills on time and lower
marketing expenses since materials can be sent online.
To sign up, go to www.firstcastlefcu.org and click Home Banking. If you don’t already
have an account in Home Banking, you will have to create one. Once logged in you
can either click the smiling tree icon that says “Save a Tree” or click “Self Service”.
There you will see under “Additional Services” an option to choose e-statements.
Protect Yourself and the Environment:
Eliminate Paper Clutter - You can organize your account
statements electronically.
View E-Statements Immediately - No more waiting for your
statement in the mail.
Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft - Secure sign in and no
paper to shred.
Castle Connect: The Chore of
Managing Your Money is
Easier than Ever!
Can you imagine what it was like to clean your house before the vacuum cleaner
came along? Neither can we and we hope you will feel the same way about the
new money management tools now available in online banking.
With Castle Connect, a new set of money management tools inside online banking,
makes it easy to track spending, set financials goals and monitor all of your
accounts to save time and money.
Some of our favorite Castle Connect features include:
Adding Accounts – Complete your financial picture by bringing in outside account
information- like investment accounts and credit cards, into Castle Connect. Even
your investment account information can be imported!
Create and Track Spending Targets – Castle Connect helps you see how you are
spending your money, and it is easy to set and track spending targets with the
budget feature.
Set a Goal in Castle Connect – It’s easy to set a financial goal (like paying off a
credit card, or saving for a vacation) and see it through.
Castle Connect doesn’t stop there. There are plenty of other features worth
exploring that will help you take control of your finances and save money.
Log into Home Banking to try it! Any questions, call 985-867-8867.
Shop
With UChoose Rewards® you can shop like you normally
would and watch the rewards add up. Plus, shop with
participating UChoose Rewards® retailers and earn even
more points!
Earn Points
Simply use your Check Card Rewards anywhere and you
will earn points per dollar spent when you shop for
everyday needs and more. But that’s not all - earn even
MORE points when you use your Rewards Card at the
participating retailers listed on this website. It’s that easy!
Enjoy Your Rewards
Watch your rewards add up! Then, redeem them for
exciting options like the latest electronics, trendy clothing,
airline tickets – and more!
Let us be so much more than
a checking account
As a First Castle FCU member, you’re eligible to apply for any of
the low-rate, no-annual-fee credit cards that we offer. Compare
their features below to choose the right card for you.
The VISA Platinum Rewards
• Earn 1 point towards
merchandise and travel
rewards with every dollar
spent in net retail purchases
• No annual fee
• Credit limits up to $20,000
• 25-day grace period on
purchases
• Low cash advance fee
• Accepted at millions of
locations worldwide
• No balance transfer fees
• Optional Credit Life and
Disability Insurance
available
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The VISA Platinum
No annual fee
Credit limits up to $20,000
25-day grace period on
purchases
No cash advance fee if the
cash advance is taken at
any FCFCU ATM, CALL-24,
or SAFE’s Online Banking
Accepted at millions of
locations worldwide
No balance transfer fee
Optional Credit Life and
Disability Insurance
available
Apply Online
www.firstcastlefcu.org
Experience the Credit Union Difference









Free Checking
Kids Account
Money Market Accounts
IRA’s
Direct Deposit
Mobile Banking
Check Capture
Rewards Program
Competitive Loan Rates