the SCOOP
Summer 2016
Tune in with Tom
Summer is here…finally.
Tom Kane
President/CEO
Every winter I promise to never complain
about the heat and humidity we enjoy
here in Kentucky and Tennessee, so I
won’t.
As we celebrate the 4th of July holiday, it
is hard to believe another year is half over. The older I get, the
faster time seems to pass by. So, I want to stop and reflect on
the happenings at YOUR credit union – FORTERA – for the
first six months of the year and what we have to look forward
to in the next six months.
Many of you may have noticed that we are working on our new
phone system, working out the kinks and introducing some
new technology for our staff to better serve you. Our wait
times and service levels are not where we need them to be
and we recognize that it can be frustrating for our members
trying to contact us. You should see steady progress in the
second half of the year as we add staff and better utilize the
new technologies available to us.
The name change and rebranding efforts are almost at an
end; we still have some minor in-branch branding updates
that have to be completed, but for the most part our
transition is complete. We appreciate your patience with us
and understanding as we updated our look and refocused
the staff on our new and improved core values. The good
news is that our new-member numbers are up over the same
period last year! The message that we can serve anyone
in our five-county market is being heard and acted upon.
Mission accomplished!
And finally, as summer vacations and family activities ramp
up, don’t forget that Fortera can be your wingman as you
plan for summer expenses. A Fortera home equity loan can
help fix up the house after the hard winter, get the pool
ready for summer, or prepare for back-to-school expenses.
A signature loan or a low-rate credit card can help with your
vacation needs and great loan rates for that new car, boat,
or motorcycle.
Also, don’t forget about our 2% loan auto loan refinance
program. If you have a vehicle loan financed somewhere
else, we can usually lower your interest rate if you refinance it
with Fortera. Great deals are everywhere at Fortera, so give
us a call or stop by any of our 10 convenient branch locations.
We’d love to help!
As someone that grew up in Wisconsin, tough winters are no
fun and they seem to last forever. The only good thing about
Winter is that it ends with Spring which leads to Summer. And
Summer in Tennessee and Kentucky is a beautiful thing. Enjoy
it and let us know if we can help make any of your Summer
projects and purchases and little easier.
Thank you for your support and patronage.
– Tom Kane
Welcome 2016
Board of Directors
back row: Edward “Happy” Higgins, Director; Rick Hackwell, Director; Owen Schroeder, Director; James
Embry, Director. front row: David Jones, Director; Larry Carter, Treasurer; J Thomas H. Denney, Chairman;
Cleveland “Mario” Richardson, Director; Nellynn Henson, Secretary.
At this year’s Annual Meeting
on May 19, 2016, Fortera Credit
Union inducted four members to
the Volunteer Board of Directors.
Nellynn Henson, Edward Higgins,
and James Embry were re-elected
to a three-year term and Rick
Hackwell was elected for a threeyear term. Congratulations and
thank you for your volunteer service
to the Credit Union!
If it’s important to you...it’s important to us!
CURewards adds a Points-to-Cash Option
The Fortera Platinum Rewards VISA® Credit Card
continues to add features and benefits that make
having a Fortera VISA the right choice for members.
The CURewards program has added a new feature that
will make having a Fortera VISA® even more valuable.
With the new Points-to-Cash Option, cardholders can redeem CURewards
points for cash or payment to their Fortera VISA® Credit Card.
CURewards Points-to-Cash may be redeemed in increments of $50.00
per 5,000 points. Members may process Points-to-Cash redemptions by
accessing their Fortera VISA® Credit Card in Online Banking and clicking on
CURewards.
View Your FICO® Score for Free
We have great news about a new feature that is available to our members
with the Fortera Platinum Rewards VISA® Credit Card. As a valued Fortera
Credit Card holder, you can now view your FICO® Score for free.
Fortera’s VISA
®
Platinum Rewards
Credit Card just
keeps getting better!
This new feature enables you to:
• Have free online access to your FICO® Score
• See the key factors that affected your FICO® Score
• Read educational content on FICO® Scores, financial health, and more
Fortera Credit Union will update your FICO® Score quarterly, but remember
that viewing your FICO® Score will not impact it – so visit the site as often as
you want.
Log in to Online Banking and follow the Credit Card tab to
access your FICO® Score.
FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Local Students Awarded $2,000 Scholarships from Fortera Credit Union
Fortera Credit Union cares about the education of our
young members and has awarded six $2,000 scholarships
in 2016. The Fortera Credit Union Scholarship Program
was established to help student members pursue a
post-secondary education toward an undergraduate or
associates degree or trade certification. Fortera Credit Union
is extremely proud of this year’s scholarship winners. These
graduating high school seniors had to meet certain criteria
to be considered for this scholarship. The criteria included
a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4-point scale,
being the primary Credit Union account holder of an account
that is in good standing, and becoming full-time students
at an accredited college, university, community college,
or technical school. Every applicant also had to submit an
essay on the topic, “Two ideas on ways to promote financial
services to your generation”. These winners worked hard to
win this scholarship, and Fortera Credit Union is happy to be
a part of their very bright future.
Award recipients are as follows (from left to right): Christopher Bland of West Creek High School attending Cornell University; Breanna Cundiff
of West Creek High School attending Oakland City University; Sydni Anderson of Stewart County High School attending Murray State University;
Duncan Smith of Hopkinsville High School attending Hopkinsville Community College; Paige Morris of Christian County High School attending
Murray State University; Carolyn Grace DiMatties of Heritage Christian Academy attending Murray State University.
COMING SOON!
Online Payments from Non-Fortera Accounts
We are excited to announce the new online Fortera Payment Center that will be available
on our website soon. Paying your Fortera Credit Union loan payment from a non-Fortera
checking or savings account anytime, anywhere will be quicker and easier than ever. Best
of all, online loan payments through this new service will be absolutely free! Stay tuned to
www.ForteraCU.com for more information.
Big
Ideas.
Smaller Rates.
Making your life better
is what we’re all about.
Our Home Equity Line of Credit gives you the
financing you need to take on your goals with
the flexibility to make it happen.
Tap into the equity in your home and use it for
home improvements, a family vacation, tuition
costs, medical expenses, and so much more.
• No closing costs
EVENTS &
HOLIDAYS
NEW! Extended Branch Hours
We have made it even easier for you
to take care of your banking with
our extended hours at select branch
locations.
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
• 2050 Lowe’s Drive
Clarksville, TN
• 145 Dover Crossing Road
Clarksville, TN
• 2193 Madison Street
Clarksville, TN
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• 208 Segler Drive
Oak Grove, KY
• No application fee
• No annual fee
Opening Late
• No appraisal2
All branches and the Contact Center
will delay opening until 10:00 a.m. on
Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Thank you
for your understanding as we provide
staff the opportunity to meet and
train as a group.
• Interest may be tax-deductible3
Put your home’s equity to work.
Home Equity Loan Rates
as
low
as
2.99 %
Apply online or in person today.
Holiday Reminders
APR*
for up to 60 months
— Plus —
No Payments for 90 days1
Wherever life takes you.
931.431.6800 | 800.821.5891 | ForteraCU.com
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates and terms based on approved credit. Owner-occupied properties only. Sample
monthly payment for principal and interest based on $20,000 balance with a 60-month, fixed rate of 2.99% APR would be
$359.28 for 60 payments. Loan payment example does not include taxes or insurance premiums. Automatic payments
are not required for loan approval. 1Interest will still accrue with the ‘No Payments for 90 Days’ offer. 2If a member wants
an appraisal to support a higher value, any appraisal cost will be paid by the member, who is responsible for the fee
whether or not the loan closes. 3Consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility. To receive advertised product
you must become a member of Fortera by opening a share (savings) account. Loan approval is subject to credit
approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Property
insurance is required. Rates effective as of June 15, 2016. Rates may change without notice.
The Walmart Supercenter Branch
located at 300 Clinic Drive,
Hopkinsville, KY will be open from
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the holidays listed
below. All other Fortera Credit Union
offices and branch locations will be
closed.
Labor Day
Monday, September 5, 2016
INVESTMENT EDUCATION
Retirement Income Workshop
What will your retirement look like?
As you approach or enter retirement, your mind-set needs to begin to move from
accumulation to distribution. That’s what retirement income planning is all about
– understanding how much annual income you’ll need during your retirement
years to support the lifestyle that you want and positioning your assets to provide
that income.
This workshop is designed to help you answer these questions and help you
develop some up-front planning. Reserve your spot today!
Please join us!
September 27, 2016
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Place: Dover Crossing Branch
145 Dover Crossing Road
Clarksville, TN 37042
RSVP: email:
[email protected]
call : 931.431.2274
Place: Griffin Bell Branch
130 Griffin Bell Drive
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
RSVP: email:
[email protected]
call : 931.431.2238
*Non-deposit investment products and services
are offered through CUSO Financial Services,
L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member
FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment
Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not
NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured,
are not guarantees or obligations of the
credit union, and may involve investment risk
including possible loss of principal. Investment
Representatives are registered through CFS.
Fortera Credit Union has contracted with CFS
to make non-deposit investment products and
services available to credit union members.
Love your savings.
Everyone is looking for ways to save money, and that’s just what Love My Credit Union Rewards is all about.
Fortera Credit Union is excited to offer you exclusive discounts and benefits on products and services you use every
day. Credit Union members have already saved over $1.6 billion with Love My Credit Union Rewards discounts. So,
along with lower loan rates and fewer fees, here’s another way you can save even more.
❤ Receive a 10% discount (business members a 15% discount) on select regularly priced Sprint monthly data
service. Valid in conjunction with other credit union and most Sprint National handset offers and promotions.
❤ Get safety and security of roadside assistance and more for less than $1 per week* with CU Road Pal.
❤ Save up to $15 on TurboTax Federal tax products
❤ Save on services for your home from ADT, DIRECTV, Allied, and more
❤ Earn cash back when you shop at over 1,500 online retailers with Love to Shop
The more offers you take advantage of, the more you save. Start saving today at LoveMyCreditUnion.org.
*Based on individual roadside assistance plan
Wherever life takes you.
931.431.6800 | 800.821.5891 | ForteraCU.com
Fortera Credit Union is a not-for-profit community
chartered credit union with membership available
to anyone in Montgomery and Stewart counties in
Tennessee, as well as Christian, Trigg, and Todd
counties in Kentucky.
Federally Insured by NCUA