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Community Connection - Spring 2008
Going Green Can Save You Some Green
We read so much these days about "going green" that it seems
like it's just another politically correct phrase-of-the-day. But
unfortunately, the threats to our environment and the long-term
viability of our planet are real, so our response should also be
meaningful and substantial.
Our credit union offices look for every opportunity to help the environment,
from using energy efficient light bulbs, to recycling and using recycled paper
products, to keeping lights off in unused offices.
We also offer products to our members that help the environment by
cutting down on paper and ultimately keeping the planet cleaner
by reducing the fuel expended for delivery.
Here are some ways to save time, money and make your life a
little easier - all while doing your part to "go green":
- Ask for Direct Deposit instead of a mailed paycheck.
- Opt for e-Statements, which you can access securely online
instead of waiting for a paper statement in the mail. Sign up today.
- Use free, online Bill Payment instead of mailing checks.
You'll save time, paper and stamps.
- Set up direct payment of utilities through your utility
companies instead of mailing or delivering your payments (you'll
conserve paper and gas!).
- Use your ATM or VISA® Check Card for payment instead of
paper money. And, when available, choose the "no receipt"
option to reduce paper usage and litter. Your transactions
are always recorded on your credit union statements.
Let us know how we can make you green! Contact us today.
Have You Had "The Talk" With Your Children?
A recent study has revealed that less than one in four
parents has had "the talk" about financial responsibility
with their children. A majority of Ohioans also rated their
family's financial health negatively, and 46% reported
decreasing savings, while 36% reported growing debt levels.
The better educated our youth are, the less likely it is that we
will see rising bankruptcy rates, excessive loan debts and
high home foreclosure rates.
 Greater Warren Credit Union has teamed up with the
Ohio Credit Union League (OCUL) to promote financial
literacy to children and teens with a new initiative called
"MoneyAndStuff." The goal of "MoneyAndStuff" is to teach
children ages nine and up about making smart financial
decisions. The new program will also help children
differentiate between "wants" and "needs" and provide
advice to help them avoid future debt.
How To Find "MoneyAndStuff"
Parents and children can log on to the "MoneyAndStuff"
website at www.MoneyAndStuff.info to learn all about
the new program. The site contains links to lesson
plans, activities and fun topics to help parents  initiate
"the talk" about financial literacy with their children.
Kids can also log on to the site and play educational
video games, practice money skills with fun online
activities, print coloring pages and much more.
At Greater Warren Credit Union, we are proud to be working
with other Valley credit unions to help students begin building
a strong financial foundation. We urge our members to take
advantage of this free education
resource and have "the talk"
with your kids today.
Struggling With Loan Payments?
Greater Warren Can Help.
Many homeowners with Adjustable Rate Mortgages are dealing with interest rate resets and, subsequently, higher Mortgage
payments. Do you have a high interest rate Mortgage with another financial institution? You may be able to refinance it at our
lower rates, thereby saving on interest and lowering your monthly payments.
Greater Warren Credit Union also offers refinancing for other types of loans - not just Mortgages. For instance, if you refinance
your Vehicle Loan from another financial institution at Greater Warren, we may be able to lower your monthly car payments
and save you some cash. Learn about all the different types of loans we offer and to view our current rates.
Refinance Today - It's Easy!
Call (330) 847-7251 or stop by the credit union for more information or to apply. We'll help
you find the Mortgage or other type of loan that fits your budget and lifestyle.
Don't Be Fooled: Fake Check Scams
If someone you don't know wants to pay you by check and asks you to wire some of the money
back, beware! It's a scam that could cost you thousands of dollars.
There are many variations of the fake check scam. Someone may offer to buy something you've
advertised, pay you to do work at home, or give you an "advance" on a sweepstakes you've
supposedly won. It may sound believable, but ask yourself: "Who is this person? Is this too good
to be true?"
Fake check scammers hunt for victims. By scanning a newspaper or searching online, a
scammer can find people listing items for sale or seeking employment through online job-posting
sites. Scammers also place their own ads, and they call or send e-mails or faxes to people
randomly, knowing that someone will take the bait.
Scammers may tell you to wire money to them after you've deposited their checks. For instance,
if you're selling something, the scammer may say the check will be written for more than the sale
price; you are told to deposit the check, keep what you're owed and wire the rest to the scammer.
The checks are fake, but they may look real. In fact, they may look so real that even tellers are
fooled. Some are phony cashier's checks, others look like they're tied to legitimate business
accounts. Verify that the check is real before cashing it.
The bottom line: Please remember that ultimately, you are responsible for the checks that you
cash. Even if you are unaware that a check is bogus, you can still be held accountable.
Unintentionally cashing a bogus check can result in monetary loss, loss of your credit union
membership or possibly even charges filed.
To avoid this, if a stranger wants to pay you for something, insist on a cashier's check for the
exact amount,  preferably from a
local financial institution or
a financial
institution that
has a branch in
your area.
Report it! Report fake
check scams to the
NCL's Fraud Center
at www.fraud.org.
The information will be
transmitted to the appropriate
law enforcement agencies.
Source: www.fraud.org
Funds Availability Notice
The Federal Reserve recently consolidated districts, which resulted in the reclassification of local
and nonlocal routing numbers. A check's routing number is an important factor in determining
how long a financial institution can hold funds before making them available.
If the first four digits of the routing number are 0220, 0223, 0410, 0412, 0430, 0432, 0433, 0434,
0440, 0441, 0720, 0724, 2220, 2223, 2410, 2412, 2430, 2432, 2433, 2434, 2440, 2441, 2720 or 2724, then
the check is a local check. Otherwise, the check is a nonlocal check. Some checks are marked
"payable through" and have a four- or nine-digit number nearby. For these checks, use the
four-digit number (or the first four digits of the nine-digit number), not the routing number on the
bottom of the check, to determine if these checks are local or nonlocal.
Full Disclosure
Holiday Closings
The credit union will be closed to observe the following holidays:
Independence Day
Friday, July 4, 2008
Labor Day
Monday, September 1, 2008
Columbus Day
Monday, October 13, 2008
Try Our Online Calculators
It's easy to calculate your loan
and Mortgage payments, savings
goals, spending habits, Roth IRA
contributions and investment
earnings with the calculators
available at our website. Give the calculators a try today.
Avoid These Fees
Be sure to notify the credit union
when you have a change of
address (notification by mail
requires a notarized signature).
Accounts with statements returned
for incorrect addresses are
charged $5.00 per statement.
In addition, contact the credit union
if you are 18 or older and haven't
used your account in the past 12
months. Dormant accounts with
balances of under $100.00 are
assessed a $7.50 monthly fee after
12 months of inactivity.
Get Your Copy Of brass
Pick up the latest copy of brass in the credit union lobby. brass is tailored to young adults and
features articles on music,
current events, politics, money
management and much more. It's
written for young adults, by young adults! Stop by for your
copy today.
Greater Warren Credit Union's
Brian McCue Named President
 Brian M. McCue, CSE, CCE, has been
named President of Greater Warren
Credit Union. Employed by the credit
union since 1991, McCue has held
several positions, including Executive
Vice President, Vice President of
Finance, and Controller. McCue is also
a Certified Senior Executive and serves
as Treasurer of the Mahoning Valley
Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League.
According to McCue, "I have been fortunate to work in many
areas of the credit union. My new position as President
gives me the ability to play a greater role in the credit union's
operations, as well as its strategic planning. I want to intensify
our focus to educate and assist credit union consumers in these
challenging financial times."
McCue is a graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor of
Business Administration degree in Finance. He is a member of
Champion Knights of Columbus and St. William's Church. McCue
resides in Warren with his wife, Tina, and their five children.
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