DECEMBER 2008 A MONTHLY UPDATE OF MEMBERSHIP ADVANTAGES
UPDATE
Take 2 % Off Your HELOC
Rates as low as
Smart Ways to Save This Holiday Season
While the holidays are a wonderful time to get together with family and friends, they can also be a burden on our budget. Most people will need to take extra care that their spending doesn’t get out of control this winter. Here are some tips to help you be more efficient with your money this holiday season. 1. Create a budget, and stick to it! Build a list of people to buy for, set predetermined spending amounts, and stay within that budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend before you start shopping, 2. Save money on gas by planning ahead. Know where you are going and how you are going to navigate your day ahead of time to dodge traffic (and long lines at stores). 3. Shop online to avoid crowds and fuel costs completely. Comparison shopping online is a great way to find the lowest prices, but be sure to check the shipping charges carefully. 4. Say no to high interest department store credit cards, and if something needs to be purchased on plastic make sure you can pay off the full amount within 30 days. 5. Avoid impulse buying. Shop around; the chances are you will find the same product cheaper elsewhere. High tech products especially may be much cheaper to purchase after the holidays. Waiting to make those larger purchases could mean big savings. 6. Consider alternatives, such as making your own gifts or using online auctions. Giving homemade cookies or fudge is a delicious, thoughtful way to convey a “Thank you” or let someone know how special they are to you. You can also save a lot of money by purchasing nearly-new items or asking several relatives to “go in on” a special gift with you. Finally, relax and pace yourself. Being rushed can lead to poor purchasing choices that can cost you in the long run. Give yourself time to catch holiday sales, and find the best deals.
A Friendlier Way to Borrow
4.99%
APR*
A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) offers lower interest rates than credit cards, making it a smart choice for spending needs this holiday season. Use your HELOC for debt consolidation, home improvements, and more. And for a limited time, when you refinance your HELOC from another lender with 1st USCU, we’ll take up to 2% off your current rate!
We Make it Simple
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Lower your monthly payments 12 month fixed introductory rate Payments as low as interest-only Fast and easy 5 minute online application
For more information, call us at 800-649-0193, or visit us online at 1stuscu.org.
* APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Your rate will be based on rate paid at other financial institution less 2%, subject to a floor rate of 4.99%. Offer not valid to refinance existing 1st USCU home equity loans. Rate valid up to 80% financing and requires FICO score of 680 or greater. 90% financing options available as well. Rate may increase by up to 3.75% depending on your credit qualifications. Variable rate is based on the Prime rate plus or minus a margin. Minimum loan amount and initial draw is $10,000. Home Equity Line of Credit rate is fixed for 12 months as low as 4.99% APR, then reverts to the Prime rate plus or minus a margin, subject to applicable floor rates. After introductory period, rate can change monthly based on changes in the Prime rate. All loans subject to credit approval and rates are subject to change without notice.
Refinance Your Auto Loan
Rates as low as Gas prices may have come down a little, but you could save a lot by refinancing your vehicle with 1st USCU. This is a great time to get a friendlier loan with:
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5.59
%
Refinance and Save
We have three ways to make your application process even simpler, faster, and friendlier: 1. Apply online or call 800-364-0296 2.Fax us your registration and payoff information to 800-364-4875 3. Tell us if you’d like the documents you’ll need to sign delivered to your local branch, sent through secure email, or by fax
APR*
No payments for 90 days! Rates as low as 5.59% APR*
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Offer not valid to refinance existing 1st USCU vehicle loans. Rates and terms subject to change without notice and all loans subject to credit approval. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. No payment for 90 days is available on approved refinances.
S i m p l e r .
F a s t e r .
F r i e n d l i e r .
Holiday Food Drive
Take 1 % Off Your Mortgage
Refinance rates as low as
1st USCU has teamed up with the Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) to help fight hunger and reach its goal of collecting 750,000 pounds of nutritious, non-perishable food for families in need during the holiday season. To make your contribution, visit any of these nine 1st USCU locations: Alameda n Oakland - Jack London n Berkeley Pleasanton n Castro Valley n San Leandro Fremont n Union City n Hayward The most needed foods are canned vegetables and fruit, canned meats and fish, pasta and tomato sauce, beans, rice, peanut butter, cereal/ oatmeal, powdered milk, and nutritional beverages. Simply drop your food donations in the red food drive barrels located at these 1st USCU location.
4.99% (5.001% )
APR*
We Have All Your Real Estate Needs Covered
Are you in the market to purchase a home? Maybe you’re looking to help relieve some financial stress by reducing your mortgage payments. Either way, we can help.
Purchase
You can trust 1st USCU. We offer safe, secure mortgages with a 30 year fixed rate as low as 6.125% (6.172% APR).
Additional Benefits Include:
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No points on refinances
Refinance
For a limited time, when you refinance with 1st USCU, we’ll take up to 1% off your current mortgage rate from another lender. Refinance with a 30 year fixed rate as low as 5.99% (6.001% APR). We also offer 3/1 or 5/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM), with rates as low as 4.99% (5.001% APR), and a variety of other loan options.
No prepayment penalties No early closure fees 95% financing available Loan amounts up to $ 650,000
Now You Can Donate Online!
If you’d prefer to make your donation online, please visit 1st USCU’s Virtual Food Drive. Visit 1stuscu.org for details. Thank you for your support this holiday season!
Your Mortgage Solution
Whether you want to purchase a home or reduce your mortgage payments, we can help. Call our Real Estate Loan Department at 800-649-0193 or visit 1stuscu.org. You could save thousands!
You Could Win $500!
We’re giving 19 lucky members $50 and
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. 1st USCU will refinance your current mortgage from an institution other than 1st USCU, and reduce your rate by up to 1%, subject to the listed floor rates. APR for purchases includes 0.50% point origination fee. APR on ARM incorporates the floor rate. All APRs based on $500,000 loan amount. Rates valid up to 80% financing and requires FICO score of 680 or greater. Offer is subject to credit approval. Owner-occupied single family residences, town homes, and condominiums only. Payment example: $536.22 per month for each $100,000 financed at 4.99%; $598.91 for each $100,000 financed at 5.99%. Actual rate may vary. Offer subject to change.
7.77 %
We Have the Perfect Gift
APY*
one grand prize winner $500. If you spend $2,000 using your 1st USCU Visa® Card between November 1 and December 31, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win.* We’ll choose a winner every business day in January 2009 - good luck!
*No purchase necessary. See website for full details.
12 months / $100 minimum / ages under 18
expires December 31.
Share Certificate Special Hurry! Offer
New Branch Hours
This winter season, all branches will close at 5 p.m. Please see 1stuscu.org for details.
Don’t Miss Out on This Special Savings Offer
You’ll need to act fast to take advantage of this special high rate 7 .77% APY* Share Certificate. It’s exclusively for our younger members, and is available for both new and existing 1st USCU youth certificates that mature before December 31, 2008. Plus, your child is automatically entered to win an iPod Shuffle when the account is opened. Winners will be chosen every month through December 2008. Congratulations to Caleb, age 3, of the Pleasanton branch, who won our iPod giveaway in October! Come into any branch and your kids can win other fun prizes too.** Learn more about this offer and other products and services for kids and teens at 1stuscu.org. Open an account at any branch or call 800-649-0193, and ask for a custom printed certificate with your child’s name on it.
*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rates are effective as of 9/15/08 and are subject to change without notice. To be eligible for certificate or gift, 1st USCU membership is required, and the primary member must be under 18 years of age. $100 minimum, $1,000 maximum. Limit one per member. Offer ends December 31, 2008 ** No purchase necessary to win. Visit 1stuscu.org for details.
Holidays
Our branches will be closed in observance of the following holidays: Christmas Day Thursday, December 25 New Years Day Thursday, January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, January 19