Third Quarter 2024 Bright Horizons by General Electric Credit Union

Your money, keeping up with you this summer

Rollercoaster rides, ice cream outings, concerts, and more. There�s so much fun to be had this summer, and your GECU checking account will ensure your financial needs are met while you�re out enjoying the season. Below are a few great perks to take advantage of, if you�re not already.

Convenient access to cash

Grab cash for the farmer�s market or a neighborhood festival with ease thanks to our network of 100,000 free ATMs—6x the number of Starbucks nationwide.1,2 You can find one at any GECU location or at popular retailers like Target, Kroger, and Speedway.

Free mobile app

With our top-rated mobile app, account access goes where you go!3 Check your balance, deposit checks, pay bills, and so much more all at your fingertips.

A debit card that rewards you up to $350 a year

Build savings with Round-Up.4 We�ll round up GECU debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and automatically deposit the funds into your savings account. Plus, we�ll provide a 5% match on rounded-up savings—up to $350 a year. With Round-Up, we reward your summer fun with free money!

Zelle®

Zelle®, available in the GECU mobile app, is a fast, safe, and easy way to send and receive money to and from friends, family, and other people you know, wherever they bank.5

Make it a summer to remember

Scan the QR code to discover more checking features that keep your summer moving. Or, visit: gecreditunion.org/checking

A message from our President and CEO

It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through 2024. It’s been a productive and rewarding year as we’ve worked to expand our products and services and deepen relationships throughout the community. This year also represents an important milestone for the Credit Union as we commemorate our 70th anniversary. As we reflect on how far we’ve come as a premier financial institution and look ahead to an even brighter future, I want to thank you for making GECU what it is today and for trusting us to serve you.

With your everyday banking needs always at the forefront, we’ve continued strengthening our products and services over the last several months to bring you greater value. In April, we implemented a system enhancement to streamline the Online Banking and mobile app enrollment process, making it easier for new users to gain access to their accounts. Another enhancement in development is enabling contactless chip technology within our GECU debit cards, similar to our credit cards. This “tap to pay” option offers a secure, convenient, and touch-free checkout experience.

Timothy D. Ballinger

It�s been a productive and rewarding year as we�ve worked to expand our products and services and deepen relationships throughout the community.

In addition, I’m pleased to note that construction crews are hard at work on our upcoming branch in Dent. Located next to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, this will be our first full-service branch on the West Side of Cincinnati, and we are excited to serve new and familiar faces when we open doors later this year. In the meantime, we have included a construction photo of the Dent branch in this newsletter so you can see it begin to take shape.

Giving back to the communities we serve remains a central priority of our organization. In honor of our 70th anniversary on June 21st, we committed to providing 170 hours of community service during the month of June. This included volunteer opportunities with the WAVE Foundation, Meals on Wheels, NEST Community Learning Center, and Hope’s Closet. We recognize and celebrate this same passion for volunteerism through our Robert A. Cunningham Memorial scholarship program.

Mark your calendar

WEBINARS

HOLIDAY CLOSURES

Independence Day | Thursday, July 4th

Labor Day | Monday, September 2nd

From financial planning to artificial intelligence, our free webinars feature local and Credit Union experts covering the topics you care about. Visit: gecreditunion.org/events or scan the QR code to register for one this summer!

This year, we selected seven college-bound high school students with a one-time scholarship of $2,000 as they pursue higher education. You can learn more about these recipients by visiting the scholarships page on our website.

We will continue sharing further developments with you throughout the remainder of the year. Until then, I hope you have a fantastic summer – and as always, thank you for your continued trust, support, and loyalty as a GECU member.

GECU is proud to be voted Cincinnati’s Best Credit Union for the seventh year by CityBeat readers! Thank you for your continued confidence in us as your trusted financial partner.

CityBeat ’s:

New West Side location coming this fall

Summer saving for holiday spending

It may feel like the long summer days will last forever, but the holidays will be here before you know it! A proactive approach to saving, which includes selecting the best accounts to align with your goals, will help you prepare for seasonal shopping.

Certificates

A certificate is a hands-off approach to saving that ensures summertime fun won�t derail your holiday budget. With the festive season less than six months away, this savings solution removes the temptation of dipping into the funds you have set aside for gift giving. GECU has certificate term lengths from as short as 3 or 6 months. Simply set aside some money for a set period and watch your balance grow!

Thrive Money Market

Perhaps you’re someone who likes maintaining access to your funds. If so, our Thrive Money Market account is for you. Your money will earn a great rate and you can access it anytime. Bundle your Thrive account with a GECU checking account to further your savings strategy and take advantage of our Round-Up program!1 Learn more at: gecreditunion.org/round-up

Scan to lock in your rate or visit: gecreditunion.org/certificates

Start saving today! Scan the QR code or visit: gecreditunion.org/thrive

Save with confidence leading up to the holiday season with a certificate or Thrive Money Market account. Or consider diversifying your strategy by embracing both options! Rename your accounts within Online Banking or the mobile app to help you create saving buckets for your goals. This can help further inspire your efforts as you watch your balance grow for “Santa�s workshop!”

1Round-Up: Round-Up is available with a General Electric Credit Union (GECU) Simply Free, Choice, or Amplified High-Yield Checking account and GECU savings or money market account. Upon enrollment in Round-Up and when using your GECU debit card (provided with your GECU checking account), we’ll round up each purchase to the nearest dollar and transfer the difference from your checking account to your GECU savings account of choice daily. The 5% savings boost match will be paid on the sum of rounded up transfers at month end with an annual match limit up to $350; match is reportable on IRS Form 1099. We may cancel or modify the Round-Up service at any time without prior notice. Round-Up is not available for business debit cards.

Protect your accounts with these simple solutions

Don�t let unauthorized purchases or fraud spoil your summer plans. These simple solutions add a layer of protection to your accounts, wherever the season takes you!

Don�t wait if fraud strikes. Our top-rated mobile app1 allows you to monitor your accounts anytime, anywhere. Call us or send a Secure Chat if you spot a transaction you don�t recognize. Discover more at: gecreditunion.org/mobile

Boost your debit card security with Card Controls. Automatically turn your card on and off. Plus, get real-time alerts for card activity, making it easy to catch suspicious activity while you�re on the go. Learn more at: gecreditunion.org/card-controls

Digital wallets2 securely store your payment methods on your smartphone for convenient, card-free shopping. These apps encrypt information to enhance your account security whether you�re home or away. Explore the options at: gecreditunion.org/digital-wallets

Enjoy relaxing summer days at home or well-deserved time away with confidence knowing multiple safeguards are in place to protect your money.

Scan to visit our Money Minutes blog and learn more about protecting yourself from scams and fraud.

Hats off to our 2024 scholarship winners!

This year, we selected seven college-bound high school students who demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism for our Robert A. Cunningham Memorial scholarship programs.

$261,500 awarded to 141 students since 1998

Turn back-to-school shopping into so much more

From everyday purchases like gas and groceries to annual expenses like back-to-school shopping, get rewarded at the register with a GECU Platinum card! You’ll earn unlimited points1 that can be redeemed for: cash back, travel, merchandise, charitable giving, and more. at gas stations 2x on all other purchases 1x at wholesale clubs and supermarkets – where you often purchase school supplies 3x

 Watch for additional bonus point specials this summer!

Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points2 with our special introductory offer for new cardholders. Simply spend $1,000 in the first 90 days to get points with a cash value of $125 you can put toward paying down your credit card balance.