Winter 2013

In This Issue■ Kiss That Holiday

Debt Goodbye

■ You Can Still Make IRA Contributions For 2012!

■ Warm Your Home And Save Money

A Quarterly Publication For Members Of VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

Our Full-Featured Checking Account Offers Convenience And More

A VAntage Trust FCU Share Draft/Checking Account has all of the

attributes and convenience you need for everyday transactions with no minimum balance requirements or monthly service charge. Add a debit card and you get 24-Hour access to your account at almost any ATM machine. Check out our website for fee-free in-network locations.

Opt In For Overdraft PrivilegeWith Overdraft Privilege, use your checking account and debit card with confidence knowing you’ll be covered up to $500 for most transactions if you inadvertently overdraw your account. Accounts in good standing will qualify, but we need your help.

You must opt in for Overdraft Privileges. You may either download the Opt-In form from our website or stop by any branch. Please complete the form and mail it to us at 881 Mundy Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. You may also bring it to one of our convenient branch locations. Call for info regarding types of transactions and any fees.

VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

Make Balancing Your Budget A Priority In 2013

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get a better handle on your finances,

one of your first items on the agenda should be getting rid of high interest credit card payments. We can help with a Debt Consolidation Loan!

By combining your high interest credit card balances into one single monthly payment, you may find that your monthly bills are lower and easier to pay. Let our staff help you get back into good financial shape with this and other products that can save you money. Then keep those New Year’s promises and have a more prosperous 2013!

Debt Consolidation

LoanAs Low As

6.99%January 15 – February 28, 2013

Terms Up To 60 Months

APR*

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Special rate applies to new money only. Minimum loan $1,500.00. Contact the credit union for complete disclosure details.

Page 2

President’s Message

H appy New Year to all of our credit union family! As we look

back on 2012 and see the many positive changes made to our services and products, we are more convinced than ever that we are on the right track in providing what our members need and want from their credit union. We are looking forward to serving you with the same dedication going into 2013.

As the holiday celebrations die down and the winter doldrums set in, this is the perfect time to concentrate on how to achieve financial goals for yourself and family. First and foremost is to sit down and find where the money goes! If you see a large portion of your monthly payments being spent on expensive credit card interest and other unsecured loan balances, consider a consolidation or home equity loan from VAntage Trust. Our rates and terms can save you a lot of money over time, leaving you with more funds for the future. Ask any of our Member Service Representatives for assistance and we’ll be glad to show you just how much you’ll save with a lower interest rate.

As you glance through this edition of Your Credit Union News, please take the time to read the articles about our new website, lending specials, ways to save money, and other topics we hope you’ll find helpful. We’d like all of our Members to prosper and continue to travel the path towards financial security in the upcoming year. Let us show you how!

Regards,

Robert M. Burton

President/CEO

Kiss That Holiday Debt Goodbye!How To Pay Down Debt Faster

The New Year brings resolutions, a fresh start…and sometimes, a mound of debt left over from the holidays.

You can give that debt the boot faster by giving these money-saving ideas a try. It’s a fresh start for a better, more balanced checkbook!

1. Give your debt an honest look. Even though it may be painful, you have to know how much debt you truly have before you can come up with a realistic and appropriate payoff plan. Tally it up and assess the damage before going any further.

2. Consider a balance transfer to a lower interest rate loan or credit card. Consolidating your high interest rate debt by paying it off with a less expensive card or loan is a great way to lower monthly payments and the overall cost of the amount you’ve borrowed. Your credit union offers valuable borrowing options that can save you hundreds on interest charges, depending on how much you owe.

3. Stop using your credit cards until you have your debt paid off. This step may seem obvious, but it’s so easy to talk yourself into buying things you don’t truly need…especially if you have a special interest rate offer or rewards program from a credit card.

4. Make that bonus check work harder for you. If your employer grants you a holiday bonus, or you know you’ll accumulate an extra stash of cash in the near future, dedicate most (if not all) of those bonus funds to paying off your loan and credit card debts. Getting closer to being debt-free is the most freeing feeling of all!

It may be 2013, but you can still open or contribute to your

2012 VAntage Trust IRA until Monday, April 15, 2013. Just let us know if you are making a contribution for the previous year. We have both Traditional and Roth IRAs, as well as the Coverdell Education IRA, to help make planning for a more secure future easier.

Secure A Better FutureEnjoy peace of mind knowing that your VAntage Trust IRA is federally insured and your funds are protected up to $250,000 by the NCUA, an agency of the federal government.

Call (800) 749-5290 to learn more or to start investing today.

Not sure which account is best for you? Come in to the credit union and let’s discuss these options:• Traditional IRAs: These IRAs are the

original, offering many advantages, including earnings that are not taxed until they are disbursed. Plus, the contribution limits have increased to $5,000 annually and $6,000 for contributors age 55 and older.

• Roth IRAs: Contribution limits for Roth IRAs are the same as Traditional IRAs, but there is an important difference. With a Roth IRA, your earnings grow tax-free if certain qualifications are met. Contributions are non-deductible, but a tax-free withdrawal of earnings at retirement might make this the right solution for you.

• Coverdell Education IRAs: Save up to $2,000 per year for a child’s college education and enjoy tax benefits (ask your tax advisor for details). Tax on earnings is deferred until the funds are withdrawn, and if used for qualified education purposes, the entire withdrawal can be tax-free.

You Can Still Make IRA Contributions For 2012!

BULLETIN BOARD

Holiday ClosingsMartin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 21, 2013

Presidents’ Day Monday, February 18, 2013

Page 3

Warm Your Home And Save Money

We are all looking forward to spring, but unfortunately the birds haven’t flown back North yet. The following tips will help you conserve energy and spend

less money heating your home while waiting for the warmer months to arrive.

Invest in a programmable thermostat. Research has found that for every degree you set your thermostat back over eight hours, you’ll save about one percent on your heating bill each year. The easiest way to roll back your thermometer is to use a programmable thermostat, so your heat automatically turns lower at night and when you are away from home and don’t need it. These devices can replace existing thermostats and are available at a variety of home improvement stores.

Use a space heater. Do you tend to use one or two rooms more often than the others in your home? A space heater can help make those areas toasty warm, which means you can keep the rest of the house cooler and save some serious cash in the process. To decide which type of heater works best for your room size and to familiarize yourself with safety precautions, check out articles available through National Fire Protection Association’s website at www.nfpa.org.

Consider converting to gas. If you have electric or oil-powered heat in your home, and you plan to live in your house for more than four years, you may want to convert your system to gas. According to The Wall Street Journal, converting your home heating system from oil-powered to gas-powered can cost a few thousand dollars (for a single-family home) and is also a multistep process – but many consumers believe the savings they reap on heating their homes is worth it in the long run.

Block drafts and hang drapes. Simple fixes can help lock heat in drafty doors and windows. Take a look around your home – do you feel cool air coming in under

doors and windowsills? If so, find a way to block heat loss, which is an easy way to save money on heating costs.

It’s Time To Open A 2013 Holiday Club Account

Opening a Holiday Club Account at VAntage Trust FCU and making regular deposits means you will have a nice balance

waiting for you at just the right time each year. Whether for gifts, travel, sprucing up the house, or any reason, we make it easy to save through Direct Deposit, traditional deposit, or payroll deduction. Call (570) 819-3337 for more information or stop by any branch to open your account today.

New Website Open For Business!

It’s like a grand opening celebration – without the

ribbon cutting ceremony! For a while now, our website has been undergoing a behind-the-scenes makeover to allow for better navigation and easier use by our Members. If you haven’t done so, check out the new look and user-friendly features that makes accessing your account information and performing transactions faster than ever. Visit www.VAntagetrustfcu.org and click around. Questions? Call (570) 819-3337 or (800) 749-5290.

E-statements Do It All

VAntage Trust FCU now offers free e-statement delivery

of your monthly and quarterly account statements. It’s a safe, convenient option that allows you to view, download and print your account statement from our secure website.

With e-statements, you’ll also be helping the credit union save printing and postages costs, which in turn, keeps our expenses – and fees! – lower.

Just remember to keep your e-mail address current in your internet banking user options. You may sign up for e-statements at any time by contacting our Member Service Representatives at (570) 819-3337.

Conserve energy and spend less

money heating your home!

00886 12/12 Marketing Partners (888) 641-1215

Current Rates Dividend Rate APYShare (Savings) Account 0.100% 0.100%Share Draft (Checking) Account 0.000% 0.000%Holiday Club 0.100% 0.100%Vacation Club 0.100% 0.100%STEP Account 0.350% 0.350%

Certificate Rates Can Change Weekly, Stop In Or Call For Current Rates On 6 Month, 1, 2 And 3 Year Terms.

Money Market AccountsTier I $50.00-$1,000.00 0.150% 0.150%Tier II $1,000.01-$10,000.00 0.150% 0.150% Tier III $10,000.01-$75,000.00 0.200% 0.200% Tier IV $75,000.01 And Up 0.250% 0.250%

IRA Accounts Traditional, Roth And Educational 0.500% 0.500%

Loan Rates APRNew Vehicle Loans36 Months Zero Down Payment 2.750%-7.250%48 Months Zero Down Payment 2.750%-7.500%60 Months Zero Down Payment 3.250%-8.500%72 Months Zero Down Payment 3.750%-9.000%

Used Vehicle Loans36 Months 2004-2005 2.750%-7.250%48 Months 2006-2007 3.000%-7.750%60 Months 2008-Newer 3.500%-8.750%

New And Used Camper Loans (Secured By Title)STOP IN OR CALL FOR CURRENT RATES AND TERMS

Share Secured Loan 4.000%

Unsecured Loans1-2-3 Years 7.990%-12.490%4 Years 8.990%-13.740%5 Years 9.990%-15.240%

Fixed Home Equity84 Months 4.500%120 Months 5.500%180 Months 6.000%

Variable Rate Home Equity 3.750%First Mortgages Current Market RateMasterCard 12.000%Gold MasterCard 9.900%Platinum MasterCard 7.990%

(Rates effective 11/01/2012) Rates are subject to change.

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDLehigh Valley, PA

Permit #550

VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

881 Mundy StreetWilkes-Barre, PA 18702

www.VAntagetrustfcu.org

Main Office881 Mundy Street

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702Phone: (570) 819-3337

Toll-free: (800) 749-5290Fax: (570) 819-3366

Office HoursMonday – Friday – 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Drive Thru open Fridays until 5:30 p.m.

Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Nanticoke Office158 South Market Street

Nanticoke, PA 18634Phone: (570) 258-3200 Fax: (570) 258-3203

Office HoursMonday – Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hughestown/Pittston Branch405 Laurel Street

Pittston, PA 18640Phone: (570) 602-3650 Fax: (570) 602-3654

Office HoursMonday – Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

VA Medical Center Branch2nd Floor • VA Medical Center

Wilkes-Barre, PAPhone: (570) 824-5546 Fax: (570) 820-7715

Office HoursMonday, Wednesday & Friday

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Winter 2013

A Quarterly Publication For Members Of VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

VAntage Trust Federal Credit Unionwww.VAntagetrustfcu.org

Skip A Monthly Loan Payment Helps To Handle Holiday Bills

Having flexibility to postpone a loan payment can be handy when those

holiday bills start coming in.

From now until January 31, 2013, our Skip-A-Monthly-Loan-Payment plan allows you to take a month off from your loan payment(s) and use the extra money for anything you wish. If your credit union loans are in good standing, you can skip one monthly payment. The interest on your loan will continue to accrue and there is a low $35.00 processing fee per loan skipped. NOTE: 1st Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Student Loans, and Credit Card payments are not eligible.

To take advantage of this offer, stop by the credit union or call (570) 819-3337 for more information.