F I R S T
F I N A N C I A L
C R E D I T
U N I O N
Your Financial Partner for Life!
Money Market Accounts Checking Accounts Supervisory Committee Dividend Update
06
ON THE BACK
Mark Your Calendars
All First Financial branch facilities and administrative offices will be closed in observation of the following: Columbus Day Monday, October 9, 2006 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 23, 2006 Christmas Day Monday, December 25, 2006 New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2007
Points of Interest
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All-in-One Auto Loan Headquarters! Shop. Buy. Save.
f you need to shop and buy a new car, you don’t have to go far — it’s ALL right at your local First Financial branch. You’ll save with member-only auto loan rates — as low as 5.99% APR — that drive away the competition (see the chart below)! Plus, with First Financial, you’ll save on the hassle of shopping with our FREE autobuying service! Your experienced “Lending Partner for Life” ensures a carefree auto-buying experience. Our experts will negotiate the best price, and drive the best deal. Plus, we offer up to 100% financing on new and pre-owned cars including tax, license, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) and GAP. That’s something we challenge the big banks to try and match! Financial Institution First Financial Bank of the West Wells Fargo New Car Rate* 5.99% 7.99% 8.25% Upfront Fees** 0 $50.00 $50.00 Refinance your current loan and $$$ave. If you have a high-rate auto loan from another financial institution or dealership, come to First Financial to “switch & save” with a lower monthly payment. Save time, money & headaches with our FREE Auto-Buying Service! Think of us as your “car concierge.” Whether you want to visit an auto dealer in person, or prefer us to do the legwork, our member-only Auto-Buying Service is FREE and easy! • Hassle-free buying — let our auto professionals know the make and model you want and they will do the rest • Guaranteed price — get low fleet pricing on new or pre-owned vehicles • FREE delivery — right to your nearest FFCU branch! Exceptional deals on pre-owned wheels! In partnership with Dick Martin Sales & Leasing (DML), First Financial brings you member-only pricing on a wide selection of vehicles that were previously leased by fellow credit union members. To view a complete inventory listing, go to www.fffcu.org and click Auto Buying (on the left-hand column). Call us to get Pre-Approved for an Auto Loan before you start shopping for a new car! For more information, please call our lending experts at (800) 537-8491, click www.fffcu.org or visit your nearest branch.
Two new branches opening soon! Riverside
11150 Magnolia Avenue, Suite B
Pasadena
250 South Lake Avenue
Source: an independent third-party was used for rate and fee comparisons. Rate comparisons based on lowest 60-month rate listed in September 2006 “Auto Loans” report. Additional fees at other institutions may increase the APR shown above. APR=Annual Percentage Rate. *5.99% APR is for loans up to 60 months on new autos. Rate may vary based on credit history, term of loan, and other criteria. Representative example: A $20,000 new auto loan at a fixed rate of 5.99% for 60 months would require 60 monthly payments of $386.57. All loans are subject to credit approval and all FFCU policies and procedures. Loan rates are based on credit history, collateral criteria, and term of loan, and are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. **Defined in third-party comparison as “application/documentation fees.” Call the financial institution for complete rate/financing information. FFCU Auto Loan rate as of 10/1/06. Auto-Buying Service provided by a third-party provider.
Platinum Visa Credit Cards coming soon!
A First Financial Platinum Visa Credit Card will give you purchasing power and convenience without the high interest rates charged by other financial institutions! And FFCU will offer two Platinum Visa Credit Cards — Platinum and Platinum Rewards. Watch for more exciting Visa details soon!
Notice to Members
First Financial Credit Union Member Account Verification
The Supervisory Committee has engaged Clifton Gunderson, LLP Certified Public Accountants, to complete the annual audit of First Financial Credit Union. In conjunction with the audit, the auditors will select a sample of members’ share and loan accounts to verify the account balances directly with account owner by letter. This mailing will take place during 4th Quarter 2006. If your account is selected as a part of the auditing process, you will receive a letter from Clifton Gunderson, LLP requesting information on a designated account.
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Investors, this market is guaranteed!
Does this sound too good to be true? Well, you can be in charge of your money, earn high-yield dividends, all without sacrificing liquidity. With a FFCU Money Market Savings Account, there is absolutely no risk and your money is safe. That’s a better deal than the up-and-down stock market! A Money Market account responds quickly to market rates with the added benefit of immediate accessibility to funds. We offer tiered rates so that higher balances earn higher yields and there’s no risk to your principal investment. We compare our rates, why don’t you, too? You could earn FOUR TIMES more with FFCU! Money Market Savings First Financial Bank of America Washington Mutual Wells Fargo $2,500 2.26% APY* 0.50% APY 0.20% APY 0.75% APY $10,000 2.51% APY 0.55% APY 1.30% APY 1.55% APY $25,000 3.13% APY 0.55% APY 1.80% APY 1.55% APY $100,000 3.23% APY 0.55% APY 2.00% APY 1.55% APY
To open your high-yield Money Market Savings account today, please call (800) 537-8491 or visit your nearest branch.
*Source: an independent research firm was used for yield comparisons. Comparison date September 15, 2006. First Financial rates change weekly. A minimum balance of $2,500 must be maintained to earn stated Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and to avoid a fee. Yields as of 9/18/06.
FREE Checking, FREE Extras, and the ultimate FREEdom!
Unlike other financial institutions, our Free Checking Account is just that, completely free. There are no minimum balance or direct deposit requirements and no per check fees. Plus, you’ll enjoy unlimited check writing! Our FREE Checking Account also gives you: • FREE Online Banking, Bill Payment and eStatements • FREE Visa Check Card • FREE access to over 25,000 no surcharge ATMs nationwide (see shaded box below) • FREE access to over 2,200 Credit Union Service Center (CUSC) locations nationwide (see shaded box below) FREE yourself of the hidden charges and costly surprises of other checking accounts. To open your FREE Checking Account today, please call (800) 537-8491, visit your nearest branch or click www.fffcu.org. Candidates for the vacant position must fulfill the following requirements: 1. Must be a First Financial member in good standing for the past two (2) years; 2. Must have the ability to work effectively as a member of a close-knit management team; 3. Should have experience or attributes that will contribute to the Supervisory Committee’s effectiveness. Members interested in serving on the Supervisory Committee can obtain more information by clicking www.fffcu.org or call (800) 537-8491.
Rate APY* Super Savers Account: $500 and above..........0.49% .......0.50% Super Savers & 1 eligible elective ..................1.00% .......1.00% Super Savers & 2 eligible electives ................1.49% .......1.50% Super Savers & 3 eligible electives ................1.99% .......2.00% Super Savers & 4 eligible electives ................2.48% .......2.50% Super Savers & 5 eligible electives** ............2.97% .......3.00%
Supervisory Committee seeks volunteer
The Supervisory Committee of First Financial Credit Union seeks candidates for appointment to Position #1 on the Committee. This position is currently vacant and will come up for re-election at the April 2007 Annual Meeting. The Supervisory Committee is charged with the responsibility to safeguard the assets of First Financial Credit Union, ensuring that First Financial is being operated in accordance with the state’s requirements and adheres to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors.
Dividend update
The Board of Directors declared the following dividends for the period of July 1 to September 30, 2006. These dividends were posted to your account on October 1, 2006. Regular Share Account: $100 and above................ 0.50% APY* Student Savings Account: $1 and above.................. 0.65% APY* IRA Savings Account: $5 and above............................. 0.75% APY* Association Savings Account: $100 and above.......... 0.70% APY*
*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Regulations prohibit paying dividends in excess of available earnings. All rates are correct at time of publication. Rates are subject to change without notice. A minimum opening deposit is required. **Based on use of all additional qualifying electives. Please see Truth-in-Savings Agreement for details.
CORPORATE OFFICE P.O. Box 90 West Covina, CA 91793-0090 (800) 537-8491 WEB SITE ADDRESS www.fffcu.org MEMBER CONTACT CENTER (800) 537-8491 Mon-Fri: 7-7; Sat: 9-1:30 CALL-24 (888) 722-5524
AUTO-BUYING SERVICES (800) 537-8491, ext. 3653 Mon-Fri: 8-6 SPECIAL MEMBER SERVICES Entertainment (800) 537-8491 Mon-Fri: 7-7; Sat: 9-1:30 Travel (800) 570-7877 Mon-Fri: 9-5
BRANCH OFFICES Corona-Norco 1030 Hamner Ave. Fountain Valley 10175 Slater Ave. Granada Hills (closed Saturdays) 18127 Chatsworth St. Lakewood 4050 Hardwick St. Los Angeles 3301 Wilshire Blvd. Montclair 8750 Central Ave.
Redlands (closed Saturdays) 101 E. Redlands Blvd., #144 Redondo Beach 2629 Manhattan Beach Blvd. San Bernardino 1906 S. Commercenter East, Ste. 107 San Diego (closed Saturdays) 7510 Hazard Center Dr., Ste. 417 Temecula (inside Ralphs) 40355 Winchester Rd. Tustin 504 E. First St.
West Covina 1700 West Covina Parkway Access over 2,200 CUSC Branches (888) CU-SWIRL
Access over 25,000 no-surcharge ATMs (888) SITE-COOP
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