Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an...

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Wow…once again summer went by way too fast, and we’re at Halloween and falling leaves already! A lot has been happening with our new administration center located along the Connecticut River at 333 East River Drive. The new property name of this multi-tenant building is American Eagle Financial Center. For those in the area, we recently installed our new signs and we continue to work on the construction that will be complete by year end. We all look forward to the new location where our support operations will consolidate and at a comparable expense to what we currently spend on two separate facilities. This building will house a new community room named in honor of veterans. We appreciate the many sacrifices they and their military families make to protect and maintain our many freedoms. We will continue to operate the branch office for members at 417 Main Street, East Hartford. We just celebrated our 5 th year at our location on Buckland Road in South Windsor and we thank you for your great support in making this location the success that it is. During the summer I wrote you about our new Member Sales & Service Center phone technology that will vastly improve your access to the information you need, whether you retrieve this yourself or you need to speak with one of our representatives. We are on track to implement in December and you may hear different options and instructions as we achieve faster response times, more ways for you to reach out to us, and, overall, a smoother, more affirming experience when you need to contact us. We also will make it easier and provide additional support to buy or add another product or service when you need to do so. Within this newsletter, you will see many articles about our Visa ® credit cards and special offers available to you as well as ways to make your cards more secure and flexible in how you pay for things. Having an American Eagle FCU credit card is a great benefit when you combine the security tools, the payment options – including mobile wallets – and the many choices when it comes to redeeming points based on your card use. Put the plastic to work and gain control of how and when you pay for things. Your participation in our financial cooperative is paramount to our success. We strive to make a difference in your financial lives by making it easier, less stressful, and more noteworthy to do business with us. Whether it’s the loan you need to buy your next car, or deposit your money in a safe and secure savings account, an investment vehicle, or to insure your home or property, look to American Eagle to provide cost-effective solutions. Your recommendation of our products and services to your family and friends will continue to fuel our growth and prosperity into the future. All the best to you and your families and all the best for an enjoyable fall season! President’s Message Growing and investing in you, our member… Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 -1- “We will continue to operate the branch office for members at 417 Main Street, East Hartford.”

Transcript of Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an...

Page 1: Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone. Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency

Wow…once again summer went by way too fast, and we’re at Halloween and falling leaves already! A lot has been happening with our new administration center located along the Connecticut River at 333 East River Drive. The new property name of this multi-tenant building is American Eagle Financial Center. For those in the area, we recently installed our new signs and we continue to work on the construction that will be complete by year end. We all look forward to the new location where our support operations will consolidate and at a comparable expense to what we currently spend on two separate facilities. This building will house a new community room named in honor of veterans. We appreciate the many sacrifices they and their military families make to protect and maintain our many freedoms.We will continue to operate the branch office for members at 417 Main Street, East Hartford.We just celebrated our 5th year at our location on Buckland Road in South Windsor and we thank you for your great support in making this location the success that it is. During the summer I wrote you about our new Member Sales & Service Center phone technology that will vastly improve your access to the information you need, whether you retrieve this yourself or you need to speak with one of our representatives. We are on track to implement in December and you may hear different options and instructions as we achieve faster response times, more ways for you to reach out to

us, and, overall, a smoother, more affirming experience when you need to contact us. We also will make it easier and provide additional support to buy or add another product or service when you need to do so. Within this newsletter, you will see many articles about our Visa® credit cards and special offers available to you as well as ways to make your cards more secure and flexible in how

you pay for things. Having an American Eagle FCU credit card is a great benefit when you combine the security tools, the payment options – including mobile wallets – and the many choices when it comes to redeeming points based on your card use. Put the plastic to work and gain control of how and when you pay for things.Your participation in our financial cooperative is paramount to our success. We strive to make a difference in your financial lives by making it easier, less stressful, and more noteworthy to do business with us. Whether it’s the loan you need to buy your next car, or deposit your money in a safe and secure savings account, an investment vehicle, or to insure your home or property, look to American Eagle to provide cost-effective solutions. Your recommendation of our products and services to your family and friends will continue to fuel our growth and prosperity into the future. All the best to you and your families and all the best for an enjoyable fall season!

President’s MessageGrowing and investing in you, our member…

Member Newsletter, Fall 2018

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“We will continue to operate the branch office for members

at 417 Main Street, East Hartford.”

Page 2: Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone. Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency

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Visa NFL Sweepstakes Promotion

9/1/18 – 11/15/18

Use Your ScoreCard Rewards Card and Win Big!

Using Your AEFCU Visa Credit Card Could Land You a Trip to the Next Super Bowl.

Every time you use your Visa® card to make a purchase from 9/1/18 through 11/15/18, you will be entered for a chance to win in the Visa 2018 NFL Sweepstakes.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, an on-field Coin Toss Experience, a private shopping spree with an NFL player, autographed Visa Super Bowl merchandise, and a $250 Visa prepaid product. The national promotion winner will be selected and announced at the end of December 2018. You must be a legal resident of the United States and 18 years of age or older as of 9/1/18 to be eligible.

American Eagle Financial Credit Union is participating in the nationwide ScoreCard Rewards ScoreBIG Sweepstakes from August 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018. Visa Signature and Platinum Rewards cardholders will automatically receive one entry for each month of the promotion. Cardholders also earn one additional entry for each eligible purchase transaction during the promotional period.Fifteen prizes will be awarded in the form of ScoreCard Rewards points:

Prize drawings will occur in November 2018. Winners may use their points for any merchandise or travel on the ScoreCard Rewards website.

One (1) Grand Prize: 1 million pointsOne (1) First Place Prize: 350,000 pointsOne (1) Second Place Prize: 150,000 points

Five (5) Third Place Prizes: 65,000 pointsSeven (7) Fourth Place Prizes: 25,000 points

Official Rules

Official Rules

Page 3: Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone. Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency

Mini-golf Event Raises $18,350

for Charity

Rain showers didn’t stop us from hosting our 9th Annual Putt-Putt for Charity event at Putter’s Paradise in Berlin on August 11th. Mini-golfers who braved the elements were treated to a free round of mini-golf and refreshments. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we raised $18,350 for the American Eagle FCU Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. We truly appreciate the support of the sponsors and everyone who came out and made the most of the wet conditions!

Thanks to our event sponsors:

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Hole SponsorsAccuBranch Andrew AssociatesCathedral CorporationControlled Air, Inc.Cummings & Lanza, LLCCyberChrome, Inc.Forms for Business, Inc.

Kenneth Barber & Associates, LLCManchester HondaNew England College of Business OrriantPapa’s DodgeSchaller Auto WorldTransportation, Inc.

Door Prize SponsorsBottomline TechnologiesConnecticut Science CenterSchneider Sales ManagementStrategic Information Resources, Inc.

Eagle Sponsors

Birdie Sponsors

Par Sponsors

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Visa Balance Transfer Promotion

8/1/2018 - 10/31/2018

Get a 0% Promotional APR* for 12 months on balance transfers made to your American Eagle FCU Visa Credit Card from August 1, 2018, through October 31, 2018. The standard variable APR applicable to your account will apply to remaining balances after the promotional period. A balance transfer fee of 4% of the transaction amount will apply ($10 minimum up to a $120 maximum).

Go to www.americaneagle.org/balancetransfer to transfer other credit card or installment loan balances to your AEFCU Visa Credit Card. Call the Loan Phone Center at 800.842.0145 with any questions and to request a credit line increase.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Promotional APR is available for American Eagle Financial Credit Union Visa Signature, Visa Platinum, and Visa Platinum with Rewards, and Visa Secured cards. Excludes Visa Business Credit Card accounts. Promotional rates are valid on balance transfers processed from August 1, 2018, through Octpber 31, 2018. The promotional rate will remain in effect for 12 months. After 12 months, you will be charged the Standard APR on your remaining balance. The account must remain in good standing throughout the promotional period to continue the promotional rate. A balance transfer fee of 4% will apply ($10 minimum up to a $120 maximum). Any balance transfer requested for an amount above your available credit limit may be declined. To the extent your payments exceed the minimum payment due each billing period, payments will be applied first to any balance with higher APRs prior to balances with lower APRs. To avoid paying interest on new purchases, you must pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) each month by the due date. You may not pay off any AEFCU loans or credit card balances with this balance transfer option. This offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice. For further information regarding your account terms, please refer to your Cardholder Agreement and any subsequent change in terms.

APR*

Get Your Account Balances “Fast” in Mobile BankingMobile Banking users, we have a faster way of viewing your account balances and recent history without logging into your account.With “Fast Balances,” you control which accounts to display and you can disable/enable this feature at any time. Your balances are displayed without names or account numbers for added privacy and security. You can also view your last five transactions on deposit accounts and some loans (excludes Visa and Mortgage).How to Enable Fast Balances

1. Sign into the mobile banking app with your username and password.2. From the main menu, select: Profile & Settings > User Profile

> Manage Fast Balances.3. Enter a device name.4. Click the Enable Fast Balances button.5. Select accounts to view.6. Click the Submit button.7. Log out of the mobile app, then log back into the mobile app.8. Select the green horizontal line at top of screen to display account balances.

MEMBER12345

Transfer Balance

Mobile App (Apple)Mobile App (Android)

Page 5: Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone. Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency

AEFCU Recognized for Support of the

Salvation Army Holiday Store

The Salvation Army recognized the Credit Union for its continued financial and volunteer support of the Annual Salvation Army and WTIC News/Talk 1080 Holiday Store. Major Roger Duperree, Divisional Secretary of The Salvation Army, Southern New England Division (left), presented a plaque of appreciation to Dean Marchessault, President & CEO, American Eagle Financial Credit Union (right). The Credit Union will again be a sponsor this December and provide employee volunteers at the 2018 Holiday Store in Glastonbury.

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Upcoming Holiday ClosingsThe Credit Union will be closed on the following holidays:

· Monday, October 8, Columbus Day· Monday, November 12, Veterans Day· Thursday, November 22, Thanksgiving Day· Tuesday, December 25, Christmas Day

Access to your AEFCU accounts is available 24/7 with online banking and mobile banking and at thousands of Allpoint and SUM ATMs across the United States. Take the Credit Union with you wherever you go. We’re never more than a call or click away.

AEFCU Employees Stuff Backpacks for Back-to-School RallyThe East Hartford Main Street office of American Eagle Financial Credit Union was a designated drop-off location for donated school supplies to support the 3rd Annual Back-to-School Rally held on August 18th on the East Hartford Town Green. AEFCU employees volunteered prior to the event

by organizing and stuffing backpacks with school supplies with the East Hartford Office of Family and Community Partnerships. Thanks to everyone’s generosity and efforts, many deserving children received a backpack and supplies to get the school year off to a good start.

Page 6: Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone. Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency

Asked to Pay by Gift Card? It’s a Scam!

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According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), many people are being targeted by scammers asking for payment in the form of gift cards. These scammers may call people claiming to be with the IRS, or tech support, or a so-called family member in need. If you’ve gotten a call like this, you know that the caller will then demand the gift card number and PIN.And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone.

Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency and lots of people have made the trip to Walmart, Target, or CVS to buy gift cards to send to the callers. And scammers love gift cards – it’s one of their favorite ways to get your money. These cards are like giving cash and nearly untraceable, unless you act almost immediately.

Here’s the most important thing for you to know: anyone who demands payment by a gift card is always a scammer!

Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. If you’ve bought a gift card and lost money to someone who might be a scammer, notify the company that issued the card. (The contact info might be on the card, but might require some research.) Tell them their card was used in a scam. If you act quickly enough, they might be able to get your money back. But, either way, it’s important that they know what happened to you. You should also notify the FTC about your fraud loss by visiting www.ftc.gov/complaint.* Your report helps the FTC try to shut the scammers down.Source: consumer.ftc.gov

Mobile Banking App with Apple Touch ID or Face IDManage your money “on-the-go” quickly and securely with the American Eagle FCU Mobile Banking app. It’s even better for iPhone users when you activate Touch ID or Face ID. A fast one-time setup allows you to log in to your account in seconds with just your fingerprint or facial recognition. Download the free American Eagle FCU Mobile App (5.0.1) from the link provided. Touch ID requires iPhone 5s or newer. Facial ID requires iPhoneX.How to Enable Touch ID or Face ID

1. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > enter your passcode if needed.2. Enable Touch ID or Face ID.

3. Sign into the mobile banking app with your username and password.4. From the main menu, select: Member Services > User Profile > Manage Touch ID.5. Enter a device name, User ID, and password to activate Touch ID.

Mobile App (Apple)Mobile App (Android)

Page 7: Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone. Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency

Thinking of Early Retirement? Make Sure

You Are Prepared.

Continued on page 8

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According to a recent Gallup poll, the average American retires at age 61.1 That’s at least five years away from collecting full Social Security retirement benefits, not to mention pensions, which typically begin at age 65, when available. What’s more, Medicare coverage does not begin until age 65, leaving early retirees with potentially hefty health insurance premiums until Medicare kicks in. Anyone contemplating an early retirement will want to plan carefully and ask several important questions. When Should You Begin Collecting Social Security?

You can begin collecting Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. But you will face a significant reduction if you start before your normal retirement age: from 66 to 67, depending upon when you were born. Those choosing to collect before that age face a reduction in monthly payments by as much as 30%. Also, there is a stiff penalty for anyone who collects early and earns wages in excess of an annual earnings limit ($17,040 in 2018). What age is best for you will ultimately depend upon your financial situation as well as your anticipated life expectancy. For most people, waiting until normal retirement age is worth the wait. But you may want to consider taking your benefits earlier if: You are in poor health. You are no longer working and need the benefit to help make ends meet. You earn less than your spouse and your spouse has decided to continue working to help earn a better benefit.How Will You Fund Health Care Costs?

A big obstacle to early retirement is health insurance. If you are working for a company that pays all or most of your health insurance, you could face hundreds of dollars in added monthly expenses if you retire before age 65. Plus, most companies no longer offer retiree health benefits, and if they do, the premiums can be high or the coverage low. In addition to health insurance premiums, there are also co-pays, annual out-of-pocket deductibles, uncovered procedures, and out-of-network costs to consider – not to mention dental and vision care costs. On the positive side, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohib its insurance companies from discriminating because of preexisting illnesses and limits how much they can charge based on age. For those with lower incomes, government subsidies may be available. People earning less than 400% of the federal poverty level – $48,560 for a single person or $100,400 for a family of four – may be eligible for a tax credit as long as they do not have access to affordable and comprehensive coverage through their employer and do not participate in government health programs like Medicaid.

What Will Early Retirement Mean for Your Investing and Withdrawal Strategies?

Perhaps the most significant concern for early retirees – and one that is often overlooked – is 1Source: Gallup, Snapshot: Average American Predicts Retirement Age of 66, May 10, 2018

Page 8: Member Newsletter, Fall 2018 President’s Message · 2018-09-20 · And, poof, in an instant…your money is gone. Scammers are exceptionally good at convincing you there is an emergency

Thinking of Early Retirement? Make Sure You Are Prepared.(continued from page 7)

Not NCUA Insured No Credit Union Guarantee May Lose Value

Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. The investment products sold through LPL are not insured American Eagle Financial Credit Union deposits and are not NCUA insured. These products are not obligations of the American Eagle Financial Credit Union and are not endorsed, recommended, or guaranteed by American Eagle Financial Credit Union or any government agency. The value of the investment may fluctuate, the return on the investment is not guaranteed, and loss of principal is possible.

American Eagle Financial Credit Union and American Eagle Financial Services are not registered broker/dealers and are not affiliated with LPL Financial.

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how retiring early will impact their investing and withdrawal strategies. Retiring early means taking larger distributions from your retirement savings in the early years until Social Security and pension payments begin. This can have a significant impact on how long your savings last, much more so than if larger distributions are taken later in retirement. Consider the following: Delay withdrawals from tax-favored retirement accounts, such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or 401(k) plans. The longer you wait to withdraw this money, the more you can potentially benefit from tax-deferred or tax-free (for Roth accounts) compounding. Instead, tap into taxable accounts first. Adjust your withdrawal rate to help ensure that your savings will last throughout a lengthened retirement. Financial planners typically recommend a 4%-5% annual withdrawal rate at retirement, but you may want to lower this since you will need your savings to last longer. Structure your investments to include a significant growth element. Since your money will have to last longer, you will want to consider including stocks or other assets that carry high growth potential. Stocks are typically more volatile than bonds or other fixed-income investments but have a better long-term record of outpacing inflation. The first place to start early retirement planning is with a detailed plan that includes estimated income and expenses. Work with your financial advisor to put in place a plan that factors in all of the necessary elements you will want to consider.

For more information, or to discuss your retirement plans, call Diane Brett, Financial Consultant, American Eagle Financial Services, 800.842.0145, ext. 5381,

or e-mail [email protected]

Bloomfield Cromwell East Hartford Enfield Farmington Glastonbury Manchester

Newington Plainville South Windsor Southington Vernon West Hartford

Established in 1935, American Eagle Financial Credit Union is a full-service CT credit union offering Savings accounts, Checking accounts, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, business accounts, and much more. Bank online, through our mobile app, or visit one of our convenient branches.

Membership is open to everyone in Hartford, Middlesex, Tolland, and New Haven counties in Connecticut.

Federally insured by NCUA.

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E-mail info@americaneagle .org