October 2012 First View Newsletter

4

281.856.5300 FCCU.org

ItemsofInterest Branch Locations

Alief Office 3200 S. Dairy Ashford (at Richmond) Champions Office 10300 Louetta Rd., Ste. 100 (at Cutten Rd.) Cinco Ranch Office 23120 Cinco Ranch Blvd.

Copperfield Office - (Corporate Location) 15260 FM 529 (east of Hwy 6) Spring Branch Office 9100 Westview (at Campbell) Sugar Land Office 3400 Hwy 6 South (south of Williams Trace) Tomball Office 28850 Tomball Pkwy (north of FM 2920) Barker Cypress Office (inside HEB) 24224 Northwest Fwy (at Barker Cypress) Fry Road Office (inside Kroger) 1705 Fry Rd. (at I-10) Grand Parkway Office (inside HEB) 6711 S. Fry Rd. (at Grand Parkway) Jones North Office (inside Kroger) 12222 Jones Rd. (at Cypress N Houston) Katy Market Office (inside HEB) 25675 Nelson Way (at Pin Oak) Sam Houston Office (inside Kroger) 9125 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. (at West Rd.) Sienna Plantation Office (inside HEB) 8900 Hwy. 6 (at Sienna Parkway) Spring Market Office (inside HEB) 2121 FM 2920 (at Spring Cypress)

Member Seminar - Home Buying 101 Thursday, October 18, 2012 • Copperfield Office • 6:00pm The housing market has changed over the last few years.

Whether you are looking to buy your first home or upgrade to something larger, our on staff experts, Steven O’Brien and Heather Manuel-Palomo can answer your questions. Please RSVP at FCCU.org so we can prepare for materials and refreshments.

October

2012

Picture This!

Picture carrying your favorite person, pet or memory with you wherever you go! Soon you can with picture this! – an online custom card program that allows you to design your one-of-a-kind debit card.

Watch for more details coming soon.

Shred Days!

Spring Branch – October 20, 2012 Sugar Land – November 17, 2012 All shred days are held from 9am – 1pm. The shred truck will be there so you can get rid of all the papers you no longer need. Sort through your documents and get ready to shred them at one of these locations. See you there! *Limit 5 banker boxes per person.

FIRST VIEW FirstGlance

Credit Corner

Save the Date – Light the Night Walk Mark November 10th on your calendar and come experience a night of hope and inspiration at the Light the Night Walk in Discovery Green Park Downtown.

2

Look for this sign for over 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs around the country.

Look for this sign for over 90 FREE ATM locations in and around Houston.

www.allpointnetwork.com

www.cufriendly.net

For a list of our hours and free ATM locations, visit our website at FCCU.org or download our app.

24-Hour Phone Services P.A.T. 281.856.4PAT • 800.234.PAT1 Phone-A-Loan Center 281.856.LOAN MasterCard®/Visa® Account Information Lost or Stolen Card Credit Card Fraud First Investment and Retirement Planning Center

281.856.5300 800.456.FCCU 800.600.5249 281.856.5625

Holiday Hours Please make note of our holiday hours: – Columbus Day, Monday, October 8, 2012 – Veterans’ Day, Monday November 12, 2012: Traditional Branches: Closed In Store Branches: Open from 9am – 5pm

Stay in touch!

Get ready for the Deal of the Season!

The 3-3-3 Deal at FCCU! Say no to high rate credit cards and . . .

2 BULL PEN

3 Simple Estate Planning for Everyone

ItemsofInterest

4

Say YES to our FCCU Platinum Credit Card to enjoy a low Holiday Rate of 3% APR*!

3% APR* on all purchases and balance transfers 3 months to enjoy this low rate – November 2012 – January 2013 3 additional months to pay off at 3% APR*! - through May payment* If you love a great deal, don’t pass this one by!

Happy Shopping! Happy Holidays!

P.S. If you don’t have our Visa or MasterCard Platinum Federally insured by NCUA

Free Halloween Bags for your kids!

Available October 17th - October 31st while supplies last!

Te X AN S

Shopping season will soon be upon us and that means lots of credit card offers will be coming your way. But that doesn’t mean you should say yes to them!

3 www.cuservicecenter.com

Official Credit Union of the H OU S TON

Business Lending

TeX AN S

International Credit Union Day October 18, 2012 Come enjoy some refreshments with branch employees while we celebrate the value of credit unions.

A Publication of First Community Credit Union

card apply now @ FCCU.org and enjoy a low introductory rate of 2.99% APR for one year!

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Monthly minimum payments must be received by the due date in order to continue to receive the special holiday rate. Promotional period is based on your specific cycle dates. Members’ credit cards in their introductory period of 2.99%apr will continue to receive that rate as outlined in the disclosure received when the account was opened. Minimum payment is $18 or 3%, whichever is greater.

Making a First-Rate financial difference in our members’ lives!

281.856.5300 • FCCU.org

2 CREDIT CORNER

TeX AN S

BULL PEN!

How to Lower Your Monthly Student Loan Payments Imagine having over six figures in student loan debt, making less than $30,000 a year and supporting a spouse who is also in school. The monthly payments alone could be well over $1,000 a month. Before you stop making payments on your student loans and severely damage your credit score, consider applying for the Income Based Repayment (IBR) program.

What is Income Repayment?

3

A Message from First Investment and Retirement Planning Center

Based

Income Based Repayment is a way for you to manage your federal student loans by lowering the amount you pay each month.

In short, the IBR program extends your federal student loan from the typical 10-year repayment term to a 25-year repayment term How Does IBR Work?

For most eligible borrowers, the IBR loan payments will be less than 10% of your income. For instance, a family of four making $60,000 would only have to pay 6.4% of their income towards their federal student loans.

Applying for Income Based Repayment To apply for the Federal Income Based Repayment program, contact your Federal loan provider.

If you’re not sure who that is, use the National Student Loan Data System website to locate your student loan provider.

New Orleans, LA: Home of the Big Game in 2013!

Business Lending

Open your account by November 3rd and you could WIN a trip to the BIG GAME in New Orleans*!

Grow your business!

Elgin Weaver - VP of Business Services Nikol Pavon - AVP of Business Services

At First Community, we can help you do just that. In fact, we have helped numerous businesses over the years to grow into even more successful companies.

us, we helped her determine the best loan option for her. With our low rates and easy repayment terms, she is well on her way to being even more successful!

Recently, we helped Dr. Nguyen at Everyone’s Foot Specialist, a full service orthopedic clinic in Katy, Texas, construct her building.

Everyone’s Foot Specialist provides orthopedic care, with state-of-the-art technology for all patients, from Pediatrics to Geriatrics.

When Dr. Nguyen came to

Borrow from $5,000 to over $1 Million with terms up to 15 years. Let us help you just like we helped Dr. Nguyen. Be sure to visit Everyone’s Foot Specialist at 19121 W. Little York Rd, Suite A! Contact our Business Services Department for all your business needs at 281.856.5300!

One lucky winner will WIN a trip for two to New Orleans. The trip includes hotel accommodations and two tickets to the game.

If you don’t already have Texans Checking, you don’t want to miss your chance to watch the BIG GAME LIVE in New Orleans! You could be cheering on the Houston Texans!

Upcoming Games: October 8, 2012 Houston Texans @ New York Houston Texans vs. Green Bay

Buying a new car can be a scary process and searching for financing can be a nightmare!

FCCU makes it easy and affordable with rates as low as

1.99% APR*!

By financing through FCCU, you can enjoy: - No payments for up to 90 days* - 100% Financing* - Skip-A-Payment up to 2x per year* and Much more!

Apply at FCCU.org, visit your local branch, or call us at 281.856.5300 and say “Boo” to high rate auto loans! *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Certain credit criteria applies for lowest rate quoted and up to 90 days no payments. Lowest rate quoted includes all applicable discounts. Other rates/terms available. Rates subject to change. Payment example: 1.99% APR for 60 months = $18.64 for every $1,000 borrowed.

7:20pm @ Reliant

October 21, 2012 Houston Texans vs. Baltimore

Noon @ Reliant

October 28, 2012 Bye Week November 4, 2012 Houston Texans vs. Buffalo

Spooked by your Auto Rate?

7:30pm on ESPN

October 14, 2012

Noon @ Reliant

Look for FCCU in Budweiser Plaza to pick up your FAN for the game. Then, during the second quarter wave your FAN around for the new FAN Cam presented by FCCU! Plus, enter to win autographed merchandise. If you win – we’ll bring it to your seat!

Show you are the ULTIMATE FANatic with an Exclusive Texans Checking account and Debit Card.

You could be on your way to the BIG GAME in 2013!

*Certain credit criteria applies. Minimum deposit to open checking account is $25. Account is free for first 90 days. Direct Deposit must begin within 90 days. As long as a total of at least $500 is received each month through one or more Direct Deposit(s), fee will be waived.

Without Direct Deposit, monthly fee of $4.95 will be assessed. Account holders will be entered to win Texans trips and Texans merchandise, as well as, tickets to home games with a parking pass. The Big Game includes tickets and hotel only, airfare is an additional cost to the winner. For all trips no purchase is necessary. See texanschecking.com for details. Any prize won and accepted with a value of $600 or more will be subject to 1099-MISC reporting.

Simple Estate Planning for Everyone!

Sergio Garza Financial Advisor

While most of us need an estate plan, few of us actually take time to put one together. Good news: It might not be as difficult as you think.

Start with a Will A will provides for distribution of your assets, names a guardian for your minor children, and appoints an executor or personal representative to see that your wishes are carried out. If you die without a will, a court will make these decisions for you.

Establish Powers of Attorney Think through who you want to make important medical, legal and financial decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself. Work with an attorney to draw up all of the necessary powers of attorney to designate the right person to make those decisions for you.

Minimize Estate-Tax Consequences Work with both an estate planning attorney and a financial advisor that specializes in estate planning to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses both your needs while you’re alive and passes your remaining assets most efficiently after your death.

Leave a Paper Trail Make a list of your assets along with information to identify and locate the accounts. Make a second list of your liabilities, including loans, mortgages, and credit card obligations. Tell someone where this information is kept. If you put these documents in your safety deposit box, designate someone to have authority to open the box without your presence or consent.

Start Today A financial advisor can help you get started and recommend strategies to help you achieve your personal estate planning objectives.

Sergio Garza is a Financial Advisor with First Investment and Retirement Planning Center located at First Community Credit Union. If you have any questions, or would like to provide feedback, regarding the information presented in this article, you may contact Sergio Garza at 281.856.5625 Representative is not a tax advisor or legal expert. For information regarding specific tax situations, please contact a tax professional. For legal advice, consult an attorney. Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free (866) 512-6109. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. FR040818-AD0F

Planning • Investing Insurance

Pennie Lowther

Lila Vu

Registered Representative

Registered Representative

281.856.5625 Copperfield Office

281.856.5522 Barker Cypress @ HEB

2 CREDIT CORNER

TeX AN S

BULL PEN!

How to Lower Your Monthly Student Loan Payments Imagine having over six figures in student loan debt, making less than $30,000 a year and supporting a spouse who is also in school. The monthly payments alone could be well over $1,000 a month. Before you stop making payments on your student loans and severely damage your credit score, consider applying for the Income Based Repayment (IBR) program.

What is Income Repayment?

3

A Message from First Investment and Retirement Planning Center

Based

Income Based Repayment is a way for you to manage your federal student loans by lowering the amount you pay each month.

In short, the IBR program extends your federal student loan from the typical 10-year repayment term to a 25-year repayment term How Does IBR Work?

For most eligible borrowers, the IBR loan payments will be less than 10% of your income. For instance, a family of four making $60,000 would only have to pay 6.4% of their income towards their federal student loans.

Applying for Income Based Repayment To apply for the Federal Income Based Repayment program, contact your Federal loan provider.

If you’re not sure who that is, use the National Student Loan Data System website to locate your student loan provider.

New Orleans, LA: Home of the Big Game in 2013!

Business Lending

Open your account by November 3rd and you could WIN a trip to the BIG GAME in New Orleans*!

Grow your business!

Elgin Weaver - VP of Business Services Nikol Pavon - AVP of Business Services

At First Community, we can help you do just that. In fact, we have helped numerous businesses over the years to grow into even more successful companies.

us, we helped her determine the best loan option for her. With our low rates and easy repayment terms, she is well on her way to being even more successful!

Recently, we helped Dr. Nguyen at Everyone’s Foot Specialist, a full service orthopedic clinic in Katy, Texas, construct her building.

Everyone’s Foot Specialist provides orthopedic care, with state-of-the-art technology for all patients, from Pediatrics to Geriatrics.

When Dr. Nguyen came to

Borrow from $5,000 to over $1 Million with terms up to 15 years. Let us help you just like we helped Dr. Nguyen. Be sure to visit Everyone’s Foot Specialist at 19121 W. Little York Rd, Suite A! Contact our Business Services Department for all your business needs at 281.856.5300!

One lucky winner will WIN a trip for two to New Orleans. The trip includes hotel accommodations and two tickets to the game.

If you don’t already have Texans Checking, you don’t want to miss your chance to watch the BIG GAME LIVE in New Orleans! You could be cheering on the Houston Texans!

Upcoming Games: October 8, 2012 Houston Texans @ New York Houston Texans vs. Green Bay

Buying a new car can be a scary process and searching for financing can be a nightmare!

FCCU makes it easy and affordable with rates as low as

1.99% APR*!

By financing through FCCU, you can enjoy: - No payments for up to 90 days* - 100% Financing* - Skip-A-Payment up to 2x per year* and Much more!

Apply at FCCU.org, visit your local branch, or call us at 281.856.5300 and say “Boo” to high rate auto loans! *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Certain credit criteria applies for lowest rate quoted and up to 90 days no payments. Lowest rate quoted includes all applicable discounts. Other rates/terms available. Rates subject to change. Payment example: 1.99% APR for 60 months = $18.64 for every $1,000 borrowed.

7:20pm @ Reliant

October 21, 2012 Houston Texans vs. Baltimore

Noon @ Reliant

October 28, 2012 Bye Week November 4, 2012 Houston Texans vs. Buffalo

Spooked by your Auto Rate?

7:30pm on ESPN

October 14, 2012

Noon @ Reliant

Look for FCCU in Budweiser Plaza to pick up your FAN for the game. Then, during the second quarter wave your FAN around for the new FAN Cam presented by FCCU! Plus, enter to win autographed merchandise. If you win – we’ll bring it to your seat!

Show you are the ULTIMATE FANatic with an Exclusive Texans Checking account and Debit Card.

You could be on your way to the BIG GAME in 2013!

*Certain credit criteria applies. Minimum deposit to open checking account is $25. Account is free for first 90 days. Direct Deposit must begin within 90 days. As long as a total of at least $500 is received each month through one or more Direct Deposit(s), fee will be waived.

Without Direct Deposit, monthly fee of $4.95 will be assessed. Account holders will be entered to win Texans trips and Texans merchandise, as well as, tickets to home games with a parking pass. The Big Game includes tickets and hotel only, airfare is an additional cost to the winner. For all trips no purchase is necessary. See texanschecking.com for details. Any prize won and accepted with a value of $600 or more will be subject to 1099-MISC reporting.

Simple Estate Planning for Everyone!

Sergio Garza Financial Advisor

While most of us need an estate plan, few of us actually take time to put one together. Good news: It might not be as difficult as you think.

Start with a Will A will provides for distribution of your assets, names a guardian for your minor children, and appoints an executor or personal representative to see that your wishes are carried out. If you die without a will, a court will make these decisions for you.

Establish Powers of Attorney Think through who you want to make important medical, legal and financial decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself. Work with an attorney to draw up all of the necessary powers of attorney to designate the right person to make those decisions for you.

Minimize Estate-Tax Consequences Work with both an estate planning attorney and a financial advisor that specializes in estate planning to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses both your needs while you’re alive and passes your remaining assets most efficiently after your death.

Leave a Paper Trail Make a list of your assets along with information to identify and locate the accounts. Make a second list of your liabilities, including loans, mortgages, and credit card obligations. Tell someone where this information is kept. If you put these documents in your safety deposit box, designate someone to have authority to open the box without your presence or consent.

Start Today A financial advisor can help you get started and recommend strategies to help you achieve your personal estate planning objectives.

Sergio Garza is a Financial Advisor with First Investment and Retirement Planning Center located at First Community Credit Union. If you have any questions, or would like to provide feedback, regarding the information presented in this article, you may contact Sergio Garza at 281.856.5625 Representative is not a tax advisor or legal expert. For information regarding specific tax situations, please contact a tax professional. For legal advice, consult an attorney. Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free (866) 512-6109. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. FR040818-AD0F

Planning • Investing Insurance

Pennie Lowther

Lila Vu

Registered Representative

Registered Representative

281.856.5625 Copperfield Office

281.856.5522 Barker Cypress @ HEB

4

281.856.5300 FCCU.org

ItemsofInterest Branch Locations

Alief Office 3200 S. Dairy Ashford (at Richmond) Champions Office 10300 Louetta Rd., Ste. 100 (at Cutten Rd.) Cinco Ranch Office 23120 Cinco Ranch Blvd.

Copperfield Office - (Corporate Location) 15260 FM 529 (east of Hwy 6) Spring Branch Office 9100 Westview (at Campbell) Sugar Land Office 3400 Hwy 6 South (south of Williams Trace) Tomball Office 28850 Tomball Pkwy (north of FM 2920) Barker Cypress Office (inside HEB) 24224 Northwest Fwy (at Barker Cypress) Fry Road Office (inside Kroger) 1705 Fry Rd. (at I-10) Grand Parkway Office (inside HEB) 6711 S. Fry Rd. (at Grand Parkway) Jones North Office (inside Kroger) 12222 Jones Rd. (at Cypress N Houston) Katy Market Office (inside HEB) 25675 Nelson Way (at Pin Oak) Sam Houston Office (inside Kroger) 9125 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. (at West Rd.) Sienna Plantation Office (inside HEB) 8900 Hwy. 6 (at Sienna Parkway) Spring Market Office (inside HEB) 2121 FM 2920 (at Spring Cypress)

Member Seminar - Home Buying 101 Thursday, October 18, 2012 • Copperfield Office • 6:00pm The housing market has changed over the last few years.

Whether you are looking to buy your first home or upgrade to something larger, our on staff experts, Steven O’Brien and Heather Manuel-Palomo can answer your questions. Please RSVP at FCCU.org so we can prepare for materials and refreshments.

October

2012

Picture This!

Picture carrying your favorite person, pet or memory with you wherever you go! Soon you can with picture this! – an online custom card program that allows you to design your one-of-a-kind debit card.

Watch for more details coming soon.

Shred Days!

Spring Branch – October 20, 2012 Sugar Land – November 17, 2012 All shred days are held from 9am – 1pm. The shred truck will be there so you can get rid of all the papers you no longer need. Sort through your documents and get ready to shred them at one of these locations. See you there! *Limit 5 banker boxes per person.

FIRST VIEW FirstGlance

Credit Corner

Save the Date – Light the Night Walk Mark November 10th on your calendar and come experience a night of hope and inspiration at the Light the Night Walk in Discovery Green Park Downtown.

2

Look for this sign for over 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs around the country.

Look for this sign for over 90 FREE ATM locations in and around Houston.

www.allpointnetwork.com

www.cufriendly.net

For a list of our hours and free ATM locations, visit our website at FCCU.org or download our app.

24-Hour Phone Services P.A.T. 281.856.4PAT • 800.234.PAT1 Phone-A-Loan Center 281.856.LOAN MasterCard®/Visa® Account Information Lost or Stolen Card Credit Card Fraud First Investment and Retirement Planning Center

281.856.5300 800.456.FCCU 800.600.5249 281.856.5625

Holiday Hours Please make note of our holiday hours: – Columbus Day, Monday, October 8, 2012 – Veterans’ Day, Monday November 12, 2012: Traditional Branches: Closed In Store Branches: Open from 9am – 5pm

Stay in touch!

Get ready for the Deal of the Season!

The 3-3-3 Deal at FCCU! Say no to high rate credit cards and . . .

2 BULL PEN

3 Simple Estate Planning for Everyone

ItemsofInterest

4

Say YES to our FCCU Platinum Credit Card to enjoy a low Holiday Rate of 3% APR*!

3% APR* on all purchases and balance transfers 3 months to enjoy this low rate – November 2012 – January 2013 3 additional months to pay off at 3% APR*! - through May payment* If you love a great deal, don’t pass this one by!

Happy Shopping! Happy Holidays!

P.S. If you don’t have our Visa or MasterCard Platinum Federally insured by NCUA

Free Halloween Bags for your kids!

Available October 17th - October 31st while supplies last!

Te X AN S

Shopping season will soon be upon us and that means lots of credit card offers will be coming your way. But that doesn’t mean you should say yes to them!

3 www.cuservicecenter.com

Official Credit Union of the H OU S TON

Business Lending

TeX AN S

International Credit Union Day October 18, 2012 Come enjoy some refreshments with branch employees while we celebrate the value of credit unions.

A Publication of First Community Credit Union

card apply now @ FCCU.org and enjoy a low introductory rate of 2.99% APR for one year!

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Monthly minimum payments must be received by the due date in order to continue to receive the special holiday rate. Promotional period is based on your specific cycle dates. Members’ credit cards in their introductory period of 2.99%apr will continue to receive that rate as outlined in the disclosure received when the account was opened. Minimum payment is $18 or 3%, whichever is greater.

Making a First-Rate financial difference in our members’ lives!

281.856.5300 • FCCU.org