BREWER FCU Quarterly News
FALL 2015
President’s Corner Well Hello There Everyone, To say goodbye to another summer is not something we like to do, but we are not disappointed, for we have lots of fun events and activities planned for Fall 2015!
Get Lost in Fall Foliage without Losing Touch Don’t miss the peak season filled with brilliant oranges, yellows and reds this autumn. There is no better way to catch a glimpse of the changing leaves than taking a scenic drive and exploring a new place. While you are out, the last thing you need to worry about is accessing your accounts. With Shared Branching, credit union members can travel across New England and the nation without missing a beat. Shared Branching allows credit union members to make transactions at other credit union branches. There are over 5,000 Shared Branch locations across the nation, so you can chase the fall foliage all over the country and have access to your credit union account.
Do you like to take part in 5k races for charity? What about getting free food and giveaways just for being a member of a credit union? And that’s just the beginning! We here at Brewer FCU hope to help you ease into the snowy season by enjoying the last bit of the warm weather we have here in Maine. Remember to join us on Thursday, October 15 for International Credit Union Day. We will be serving apples and cider in our lobbies. Also, join us for lunch the following day Friday, October 16. It’s Member Appreciation Day and we will be grilling hot dogs and providing soft drinks and various giveaways. Member Appreciation Day is simply our way of saying thank you to our members for their support! Look for us in your community during this holiday season! Brewer FCU employees will be helping at the “Free the Z” turkey drive. We will also be collecting food for local food pantries. Stop into one of our branches to drop off food donations. We will then distribute the food items to pantries within our membership area. 2015 will be our fourth year teamed up with Hands of Hope for the Smile for a Child Christmas program. At each of our branches you will find a tree covered in tags. Each tag will hold the name of a child in our community as well as a gift they would like to receive this holiday season. Purchased items may be returned unwrapped to any Smile for a Child tree location. As always, please contact us with any questions, or if there is a product or service you would like to see us offer. Brewer FCU is your credit union! Sincerely,
Rick Kaul President/CEO
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Employee Anniversaries
Brooke........................................ 2 years Tammy........................................4 years Christine.....................................4 years Jason............................................5 years Gail.............................................9 years Rick.............................................9 years Charlene...................................10 years Shannon....................................10 years Judy...........................................10 years Dave D...................................... 12 years
Upcoming Events International Credit Union Day Thursday, October 15
Member Appreciation Day Friday, October 16
Our First Ever 5K Race!
Brewer FCU Race for Little Heroes Sunday, October 18, 2015 Registration 8:00–9:45 a.m. Race begins at 10:00 a.m. The race course will be in Brewer, starting and ending at the Lafayette Cancer Center. Registration forms can be found at www.brewerfcu.org- Click the Community tab/ Race for Little Heroes and download the form.
OF MAINE
Thanksgiving Food Drive Monday, October 26– Friday, November 20
Don’t Let ATM Fees Take Advantage of You This Fall Autumn is here and you know what that means— pumpkin flavored everything. Here at Brewer Federal Credit Union, we don’t want you to lose your pumpkin spice latte funds to ATM fees. That is why we are part of the SURF ATM network, the largest surcharge-free ATM network in Maine. Travel across the state using one of over 230 SURF ATMs and save your money for better things—like pumpkin pie. To find a SURF ATM near you visit mainecreditunions.org.
Holiday Closings Columbus Day
Monday, October 12
Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 26
Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24 Drive-up service only 8:00 a.m.– Noon
Christmas Day
Friday, December 25
Raising Funds, Awareness and Spirits to End Hunger The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger set another record in 2014 by raising $552,257.43, nearly $40,000 more than last year’s record! Through buying power, the funds will enable food pantries and hunger organizations throughout the state to purchase over $7 million worth of food to help Maine’s hungry. Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised $5.9 million to help end hunger in Maine. Look out for Brewer Federal Credit Union’s upcoming fall fundraisers and events to support the cause!
New Year’s Day Friday, January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Young & Free Maine
Please note: We will be open
If you are 18 to 25 years old, open a free4ME Checking Account and become part of the Young & Free Maine movement. It’s a great way for you and your friends to start on your financial success.
Monday, January 18
for drive-up service ONLY on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, from 8:00 a.m.– Noon.
Protecting Your Information Unfortunately, we hear more and more about credit and debit card breaches. Please be advised that Brewer FCU has been following the current debit and credit card data breach closely and is taking appropriate measures to protect member accounts. Protecting members’ personal information is our top priority, and we have multiple fraud detection services in place and real-time monitoring of credit and debit card purchases. In order to help fight fraud, it is recommended members monitor accounts through Online Banking or review statements promptly and immediately report to Brewer FCU any suspicious transactions. We would like to thank our members for their understanding and patience. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Holiday Food Events As an ongoing tradition here at Brewer FCU, we will be participating in the Z107.3FM Free the Z Turkey Drive, date to be determined, as well as taking food donations to benefit local food cupboards around the holidays. Our food drive will take place October 26 through November 20. Donations can be dropped off at 77 North Main Street or 229 Dirigo Drive.
Credit Union Week Celebrates 67 Years International Credit Union (ICU) Day celebrates credit unions across the globe and gives a chance for both members and employees to reflect on the history of credit unions and all of their accomplishments. ICU Day has a long history and has been celebrated since 1948 on the third Thursday of October. This year, credit unions will join in celebration on Thursday, October 15 to promote the products and services financial cooperatives provide to their members such as lower rates on loans, little to no fees, online banking and convenient local and global access. Brewer FCU is just a part of this worldwide celebration of 208 million credit union members in 103 countries.
Ending Hunger Yard Sale Thank you to everyone who made donations for our Ending Hunger yard sale! Another great year on the books. With everyone’s help we were able to raise over $1,000 at this year’s event! Thank you again to everyone involved!
School Supply Drive With the generous donations of our members and staff, we were able to donate to six schools for the sixth year in a row. We are proud that we are able to give back to the community in such a way that many young lives are touched. On behalf of the staff, we would like to thank everyone who continuously helps make a difference.
Box Tops Do you clip those Box Tops or Labels for Education from the items that you use, but never seem to make it to the school to donate them? Here at Brewer FCU, we have your solution. Bring your Box Tops or Labels for Education to one of our branches and let us give them to one of the schools in our area.
International Credit Union Day and Member Appreciation Day This year’s celebration of International Credit Union Day will take place on Thursday, October 15. Please stop in either branch for local apples and warm cider. MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16. Our staff will be grilling hot dogs at both branches. We hope that these events will help to show our appreciation to our members and their ongoing generosity. After all, members matter most. There will be give-aways for those members who have a chance to stop into one of the branches to help us celebrate.
Office Hours and Locations 77 North Main Street · Brewer 229 Dirigo Drive · Brewer
Mailing Address
PO Box 189 · Brewer, ME 04412
Lobby & Drive-Through
Mon.–Wed. 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m Thur.–Fri. 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
Global Growth Concerns Rattle Markets Concerns over a slowing Chinese economy, along with devaluations in the Chinese Yuan have recently rattled markets that were already nervous about a possible rate hike in the Federal Funds rate, possibly in the fall. Those aspects in addition to concerns about a lackluster United States GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate in the first part of the year have recently led to increased volatility in domestic stock markets, understandably making investors nervous.
In reality, the selloff that started in August, was the first 10% correction (including intraday statistics) that we’ve experienced since early 2012, so in our view, we were Email Address due. On a historical basis, the selloff in August was significant from the perspective info@brewerfcu.org the markets became more “oversold” than they were on “Black Monday” October, Phone & Fax Numbers 19, 1987, a day that continues to live in stock market infamy. Phone (207) 989-7240 This level of selling we refer to as “capitulation.” Capitulation selling is the 77 No. Main Street · Fax: 989-3440 concept that investors have given up and sell everything in a panic move to get out 229 Dirigo Drive · Fax: 989-5985 of the market. Interestingly, this is often a sign that markets have achieved at least Member Audio Response System a short-term bottom. However, stock market “bottoms” are a function of price and Phone 1-855-835-5281 or 207-989-4947 time, and its simply too early to tell on a short term basis whether the lows from Our Services August 24, 2015 are “it.” ACH Originations Bill Payer Business Loans Club Accounts Consumer Loans CO-OP Shared Branch Copy of Share Draft Corporate Drafts Direct Deposit (ACH) E-Statements and E-Alerts free4ME Checking GAP Coverage Gift Cards Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Instant Issue Member Privilege Merchant Card Processing Mobile Banking Mobile BillPay Money Markets Money Orders Mortgage Loans Night Deposit Online Banking Payroll Deduction Person-to-Person (P2P) Remote Capture Route 66 Extended Warranty Roth IRA SBA Loans Share (Savings) Accounts Share Certificates Share Draft (Checking) Accounts Shared Branching Statement Copy Stop Payments Sweep Accounts Traveler’s Cards U.S. Savings Bonds – Redeem only Visa® Check Card (Debit) Visa® Credit Cards Wire Transfers Youth Accounts
For rates on our Shares, Money Manager, Share Certificates and IRA Share Certificates, please give us a call or go to our website www.brewerfcu.org.
Federally Insured by NCUA
Viewed from a historical context, the recent sell off was overdue, and while providing some extreme selling, likely presented some good opportunities for investors with the right risk tolerance and timeline. Viewed from an even longer historical perspective the recent sell off appears to be quite normal and healthy in the larger context. Perhaps the most important thing is to not let short term market volatility disrupt your plan. As a member of the credit union, you are eligible for an initial complimentary consultation where you can meet with us to make sure the plan you have is still right for you. Take advantage of that opportunity and call to schedule an appointment with us to discuss if your investment plan is working for you. Thomas Duff Joel M. West Branch Manager, Duff & Associates Financial Advisor, Duff & Associates Duff & Associates, an independent firm, 470 N Main St, Brewer Me.207-989-6082 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/dealer, and are not insured by credit union insurance, the NCUA or any other government agency, are not deposits or obligations of the credit union, are not guaranteed by the credit union, and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of principal. The information contained herein does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Joel West and not necessarily those of RJFs or Raymond James.
Brewer FCU Wins Second Place Dora Maxwell Award The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award is given to a credit union for its social responsibility projects in the community. Brewer FCU was honored to win a secondplace award for our asset size in Maine for our fundraising efforts at the Stearns vs. Schenck Alumni Game.