Milestone Magazine 2023.4

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Meadville

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868 Park Ave Meadville, PA 16335

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Saegertown

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280 North St. Saegertown, PA 16433

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Conneaut Lake 10998 State Highway 18 Conneaut Lake, PA 16316

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Cochranton 180 N. Franklin St. Cochranton, PA 16314

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IN THIS ISSUE: 2 Letter From The President 3 ICU Day: What is it & Why Do We Celebrate?

5 Networking In Our Neighborhood 7 In The News 8 Community Events 9 Kindness 365 11 Business Spotlight 13 Credit Health: Monitoring Your Credit 14 Expand Expo 15 Member Protection: Ways to Avoid Holiday Shopping Scams 17 Financial Wellness: Sticking to Your Holiday Budget 19 Financial Insights 20 Branch Check-In

Insured by NCUA

Why ONE Gives Back First, there’s the anticipation. Then comes the heart flutter. And finally, the magical endorphin rush! No, I’m not talking about your last first date. These are all symptoms of something far more philanthropic and enjoyable: Giving back. Whatever your favorite cause, it just feels good to give. Like savoring a chocolate brownie and a glass of wine while enjoying a post-workout-high good. According to science, giving also makes you happier.

So, why does ONE give so much back?

Because helping others is the right thing to do. We share our success with our members, our team, and our community because we believe that the more successful you are, the more you should give back.

Community Support Author Maya Angelou said, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” If you’re doing well, use the money or time you have to do some good for others. As a credit union, the more support we get from our members and our community, the more we can give back.

It Helps Our Members As part of a credit union, you’re a member and part-owner (not a customer) who benefits from the credit union model of reinvesting revenue back into the institution. (ONE calls this sharing success!) This means we can offer more affordable products and rewards for members and invest in the community.

One reward of being a member is knowing your banking helps the community and others with their financial needs and goals! The credit union difference is that your membership is truly meaningful.

It Helps Communities Throughout Crawford and Mercer Counties Giving back isn’t a straight line that starts with us and dead-ends at a local nonprofit. It’s a circle drawn by a generous spirit that keeps going round and round. As a financial not-for-profit cooperative, we redistribute our profits into helping organizations and people in need through donations and volunteering. Support for local partners helps create thriving communities and a stronger local economy, which makes where we live a better and more positive place to call home. ONE also invests in financial literacy programs and scholarships to help students with their educational pursuits.

It Helps Our Team At ONE, members and the community aren’t the only ones who benefit. It's giving back and "helpingothers philosophy" benefits our organization’s team, too. At ONE, we are committed to maintaining a positive and team-centric culture. We also provide our team with an array of benefits, including vacation/sick time sellback, bonus/incentives, fun employee contests and challenges, and our Educational Invest program offering tuition help in related fields of study.

It Helps Our Organization Giving back helps our credit union and our team experience a sense of purpose. The ONE team works hard, whether it’s their job or volunteering or both because we know it’s making lives better. This passion to help translates into creating exceptional financial experiences, providing personalized services, and spreading kindness throughout our communities. Being able to share success with you is our success.

If you want to help give back— and get more back — then joining a credit union is a good move to make! You play a role in changing lives and you get some great benefits not offered by banks. Plus, you partner with a financial institution devoted to giving back to its members with its Kindness 365 Program.

So, what’s the REAL reason why ONE gives back? ONE gives back because its purpose (more than a bottom line) is to make a difference in the lives of others. ONE helps members manage personal finances and reach life goals, as well as supports community efforts and charities.

Why at ONE, we are Banking... but, Better!

Heather Clancy-Young CEO/President

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CELEBRATING

YEARS

INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY! THURSDAY, OCT. 19

ICU DAY: WHAT

IS IT & WHY DO WE CELEBRATE? October 19th, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of International Credit Union Day. A date that underscores the unwavering resilience, dedication, and mutual support that has defined the credit union movement. As we pause to celebrate our shared achievements, we are reminded of the unshakeable bond between credit unions and their members, which has been the cornerstone of our success.

International Credit Union Day feels a bit more special this year as we too approach our 75th anniversary. Our growth narrative is marked by numerous milestones, but the essence remains: an unwavering commitment to serving our members, businesses, and communities. Our 2016 rebrand, transitioning from Meadville Area Federal Credit Union to The ONE Federal Credit Union, was more than just a name change. It was a reaffirmation of our pledge to each and every individual and organization who is a part of our membership. For nearly 75 years, we’ve championed our members' financial aspirations, and this journey of empowerment continues with the introduction of innovative tools and services.

Often, we are asked, “How are you different from a bank?” Our response brims with pride. Credit unions are a tapestry woven by community threads. While banks operate with a profit-first approach, credit unions stand tall as not-for-profit entities. This ensures that investments in credit unions are redirected back to their members through financial benefits like minimal fees, competitive loan rates, superior deposit rates, and community engagements. Our roots in the community define our ethos.

From volunteering to making donations, every endeavor resonates with our passion to make a tangible difference in the lives of our members and the wider community. And, as members of the community ourselves, the ways in which we give back matter to us. Our team maintains a strong passion for the volunteer work and donations we contribute, and the members we service. Whether we’re able to send a card to a member to brighten their day, or help them achieve a financial goal, our team is always happy to make a difference in their neighborhoods and communities.

For those familiar with our Facebook page or regulars of the 'Milestone' magazine, our community-centric activities aren't a novelty. Beyond community service, we're fervently improving our financial services. The previous launch of our revamped mobile app streamlines online banking, offering members an enhanced user experience. Moreover, our efforts to refine our debit card system ensure seamless card transitions, and the introduction of our financial wellness program has improved the financial habits of dozens of members. We look forward to introducing more innovative solutions in 2024 as well.

Financials are our forte, but our vision transcends numbers. We aspire to forge lasting relationships with our members, striving to enhance their everyday lives. Whether you dream of owning a home, bolstering your credit, or merely seeking a financial partner that truly understands you, The ONE Federal Credit Union is your destination.

At ONE, we’re banking but…better!

“And, as members of the community ourselves, the ways in which we give back matter to us.”

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Community Events

OCT. 14

CONNEAUT LAKE PUMPKIN FEST Keep an eye out for ONE Federal Credit Union at the Pumpkin Fest parade and we’ll toss you some goodies!

OCT. 19

INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY Without you, our members, we wouldn’t be the credit union we are today! Help us celebrate International Credit Union day at your local branch!

OCT. 21

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY All hands are on deck for Make a Difference Day in Meadville!

We’re excited to participate in this community-wide volunteer event with United Way!

OCT. 28

MEADVILLE HALLOWEEN PARADE Make sure to catch us at Meadville’s Halloween Parade this year!

NOV. 18

SAEGERTOWN TRACTOR PARADE We’re helping light up Saegertown in the Tractor Parade this year! Planning to attend? Make sure to bundle up!

NOV. 22

THANKSGIVING BAKE SALE Back by popular demand, our bake sale is making a comeback, but this time, for Thanksgiving!

DEC. 2

LINESVILLE TRACTOR PARADE We’re wrapping up parade season with the fantastic Linesville Tractor Parade. We’ll see you there!

DEC. 13

SANTA DAY Santa will be making his annual trip to ONE Federal Credit Union on Park Ave this year and you won’t want to miss it! You can expect all your favorite holiday characters, plus snacks and activities for all!

HOLIDAY CLOSURES October 9 Columbus Day November 23-24 Thanksgiving, Black Friday December 25 Christmas

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Thanksgiving NOV. 22 Bake Sale 868 PARK AVE MEADVILLE

10AM - 4PM

Spread some good when you buy baked goods! From cakes to pumpkin rolls, cookies, and more, this Thanksgiving, we’re selling baked goods to raise funds for meal boxes which will be distributed to families in need during the holiday season. Although we’ve hosted our bake sales in multiple locations in the past, this year’s will be at our Park Avenue location ONLY. More information will be released closer to date!

NETWORKING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

MEADVILLE ONE SENIOR LEGION Meadville ONE Senior Legion took to the field this summer loaded with talent, dominating their opponents with a final season record of 11-2-1.

Known by their fans as the “Green Machines,” these young men added elements of thrill and excitement for their followers every game. During regular season, Meadville ONE went unbeaten playing to its strengths of high powered offense, deep pitching and scored seven or more runs in seven of its 11 games. ONE was again proud to sponsor the local legion team. That included 11 members of our credit union. The Green Machines will be back next year looking to sweep the region.

Congratulations to Meadville ONE on amazing play.

07/15

S A E G E R T O W N G A R A G E S A L E D AY

Our Saegertown team wanted to support the community’s Garage Sale Day this summer with some much-needed refreshments. Taking turns manning the grill and making conversation with yardsalers, we served so many people! Maribeth, a ONE volunteer, put it best. “I loved helping with the Saegertown Garage Sale event because I’m still pretty new to the community, and it was awesome to see the whole town involved! We got to chat with our members, but we actually met even MORE people who weren’t members at all that just wanted to stop by.

Interacting with people is one of my favorite things, and the garage sale was just the perfect opportunity to do so!”

08/30

CHAMBER GOLF OUTING

Despite the wind, rain, and cloudy weather, we had a great time going out to support the Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing for another year. Not only were we able to sponsor the Putt for Booze fundraiser and work the event, our ONE team took second place! We’re looking forward to helping out again next year!

09/09

T H E C H A M B E R W I N E & B R E W WA L K

September marks the end of summer, but there’s still plenty to do, like the Chamber Wine & Brew Walk! We partnered with Wilcox Winery to provide a "Wine Goes Better With Chocolate" chocolate dipping station and refreshments at our Park Ave location. We were also accompanied

by Ashleigh Bennett who provided live entertainment for the walkers.

Needless to say, the chocolate dipping station was a great hit! Who doesn't love chocolate and wine?

IN THE NEWS

IN THE NEWS Team Achievements unstuffed: A build-a-bear story

You may know Maribeth as the bubbly woman answering your phone calls at ONE, but did you know she's a lover of all things Build-A-Bear?

Maribeth, her twin sister Ellen, and her Build-A-Bear friend, Colby, are telling their story in the newly released documentary, Unstuffed: A Build-A-Bear Story! You can check out these local favorites sharing their Build-A-Bear story on DVD, YouTube, and Vudu!

Crawford county fair QUEEN pageant Congratulations to fellow team member, Savanna, for her first runner up placement in the 2023 Crawford County Fair Queen Pageant! Savanna worked hard to balance her work and pageant duties, and we couldn't be more proud of her!

When asked about her experience, Savanna said this, While getting ready to compete, I discovered there was far more to the position than the title. I learned what I would have to do and my commitments to represent the fair, but I was ready for all of it. I met three other girls, spent lots of time practicing for the interview with my amazing mentor, studied past pageants, and more! I learned new things about the fair, my community, and myself. I'm so grateful for the support I received, and I will always cherish this experience."

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

07/03

M E M B E R A P P R E C I AT I O N D AY : J U LY 4T H C O O K O U T

Our teams, adorned in red white and blue, took their turns to man the grill at this year's July 4th Cookout! Serving hot dogs, chips, cookies and more, we were able to offer a free lunch to every member who visited each ONE FCU location. Although some members weren't quite ready for lunch, we made sure everyone got a bag of chips to go, just to let you know that "You're All That and a Bag of Chips!"

If you missed out this year, that's okay! Our July 4th Cookout is an annual event. Just catch us next year!

07/27

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

The 74th Annual Meeting of the Membership was held on Wednesday, July 27th. This year's meeting was conducted both in person and virtual for the convenience of all members. During this year's meeting, discussion was held relating to the growth and future projections of our Credit Union. The milestone of reaching assets of over $100 million and serving approximately 12,000 members of both Crawford and Mercer Counties was acknowledged. There were 35 members in attendance at this years meeting. Election of Board of Director Officers was conducted. There were two incumbents to serve 2 year terms. Those incumbents were Dan Crandall and Mark Weindorf, both re-elected to serve. Comments pertaining to the upcoming 75th Anniversary of the Credit Union establishment were made with much anticipation. - We hope you will all join us in the year to come in celebrating our years of success.

08/09

C O C H R A N T O N FA I R P A R A D E

Our team had such a fun time at the annual Cochranton Fair Parade this year. Handing out chips and waters. candy, giftboxes to the adults, and back-to-school baskets to the kids made this year feel extra special. One team member shared, "We participate in parades all over the county, but the Cochranton Fair Parade is my absolute favorite... Cochranton is my favorite! You'll meet some of the friendliest, home-grown people here."

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JUNE - CLEANUP DAY Our Woodcock Cleanup initiative was supposed to take place Saturday, July 22nd. Unfortunately, we had to take a rain check for Saturday, July 24th. But, we didn’t let that dampen our spirits!

Volunteers Picking Up Trash at Woodcock

With over twenty volunteers, many of which came from Girl Scout Troop #10168 West End & Neason Hill (thank you girls!), we set out to clean the Colonel Crawford County Park area! A special thanks to Joe Arnett from the Army Corps of Engineers for giving us a safety brief and helping us prepare this event! We equipped each volunteer with a free t-shirt, water, and snacks. From there, our team of volunteers weeded flowerbeds, cleaned around the boat launch, picked up trash along the beach and more! We had such a nice time speaking with other community-minded volunteers at this event. We finished out the day by letting the youth volunteers play on the playground.

Youth Volunteers Playing on the Newly Cleaned Playground

JULY - SHOP SMALL

Cochranton’s Shop Small Winner

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Summer is arguably the nicest time to shop the local stores. The weather is beautiful, the community is more alive than ever, and the small businesses are super active! Members who dropped off their receipts from a small business during July were entered into a drawing for $100 worth of local business gift cards. Our four winners have been drawn and gifted! Thank you to everyone who participated in showing appreciation to local shops!

AUGUST - BACK TO SCHOOL Back to school season can be both an exciting and difficult time for parents, students, and teachers. One of the biggest ways we knew we could help was by meeting the supply needs of teachers and students.

We invited our membership to participate by either dropping off supplies or making a monetary donation, and you did not disappoint! We collected a total of $1,408.11, plus numerous school supplies!

Conneaut Lake Branch’s School Supply Donation Table

BACK TO SCHOOL BONUS! In addition to collecting school supplies to be distributed at random, we created a drawing for teachers to win a back-to-school shopping spree with a value of $500! We were able to treat 7 teachers in schools across the county, meet their students, and learn about their innovative ideas for the school year. To learn the details of each teacher's shopping spree, see our Facebook!

Mr. Dutchcot, K-6 Teacher at Cambridge Springs Elementary

AUGUST BONUS: KINDNESS AT THE CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR

ONE Crawford County Fair Vouchers

When we sat down to talk about what we could do to participate in this year’s fair, we settled on an idea that would benefit both fair attendees and local vendors!

From Sunday, August 20th through Wednesday, August 23rd, we randomly passed out $2,500 worth of ONE Tokens to fair attendees to be redeemed at participating vendor stands. Over the course of a few days, we were able to share kindness with fair-goers and support local businesses, making this project one of our favorites this year!

SEPTEMBER - SELF CARE Over the past 8 months, we’ve asked you to spread kindness with us for many different causes. In September, we wanted to switch things up and focus on how you can show kindness to yourself! Between back-to-school season and the coming holidays, it’s important to make sure you don’t forget about your own wellness. So, we handed out kindness reminders and checked in on our members to see how they’ve been doing.

Cochranton Branch Showcasing Their Self-Care Reminders

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Business Spotlight CAMBRIDGE TAXIDERMY Cambridge Taxidermy, located in Cambridge Springs, aims to bring a new standard of taxidermy to the Crawford County area. Founded in 2021, Cambridge Taxidermy is embarking it’s third year as a full-time business. Owner and artist, Andy Saksa learned the art of taxidermy in the Winter of 2020 at Western Pennsylvania School of Taxidermy.

Since obtaining his license to practice, Andy has acquired multiple awards at the annual Pennsylvania State Taxidermy Association competition. Cambridge Taxidermy accepts a large array of animals, but specializes in whitetail deer, turkey, and waterfowl. With an extreme attention to detail, Cambridge Taxidermy continues to grow, one happy client at a time.

“Choosing One Federal Credit Union for my business banking needs was a no brainer! I already have several personal accounts with them.

Then, Dan “The Man” Webster sealed the deal. He explained, in detail, all that would go along with my business accounts and answered every question I had. Dan and the rest of the crew I’ve met at One Federal make banking there an easy choice. They’re personable, intelligent, and timely. I highly recommend One Federal Credit Union to anyone looking for a dependable financial institution." @cambridgetaxidermy

LAKESIDE TRANQUILITY MASSAGE & SPA Debra Yoder is a licensed massage therapist and the proud owner of Lakeside Tranquility Massage & Spa, located in beautiful Conneaut Lake, PA. She specializes in providing relief from chronic pain, migraines, and symptoms of depressionand anxiety. As someone who has personally experienced the debilitating effects of severe depression and anxiety, it’s her mission to use massage therapy as a tool, not only to provide physical relief from chronic pain, but support mentally and emotionally those who are just beginning or are well on their way to finding healing & hope.

“I knew when I started my business that I wanted to work with ONE FCU. They were highly recommended to me by other business owners and they have lived up to every positive review! The staff are always friendly and welcoming, and quick to respond when I have any concerns or questions. Their mobile app makes it so easy and convenient for me to take care of financial tasks while I’m out and about and with my hectic schedule, that has been a lifesaver more than once! I highly recommend working with them!” @lakesidetranquilitymassagespa @lakesidetranquilitymassageandspa

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www.tranquilitymassagellc.com

VOODOO BREWING CO. Voodoo Brewing Company, with its production headquarters and original brewpub both located in Meadville, PA, has seen explosive growth since its inception in 2005. What began as a small brewery has now expanded to multiple taprooms across the country, including Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Nevada. In working with local organizations such as the Economic Progress Alliance, Meadville Redevelopment Authority, and One Federal Credit Union, we were able to purchase and recently expand upon our now 30,000 square foot production facility. This “forever home” has allowed for expansion of our award-winning beer inventory, with continued focus on product consistency and innovation. This, coupled with our American-take on a gastropub food program, has earned us accolades from all over the world, making Voodoo Brewing Co. a go-to destination for craft beer enthusiasts.

“When it was apparent that we needed more space at our production brewery just a little over a year ago, we were looking into options to finance our 10,000 square foot addition. That search stopped after speaking with Heather at ONE Federal Credit Union. We have found a long-term partner in working with them and are excited to be even more intertwined with our community through our like-minded banking partner.” @voodoobrewery

www.voodoobrewery.com

@voodoobrewery

@voodoobrewery

We Want to Feature Your

Local Business!

We value the impact local business has on our community and we want to share your stories with our members. Reach out to our marketing department to learn how you can be featured in Milestone Magazine’s next issue! marketingdept@onefcu.com 12

CREDIT HEALTH

Monitoring Your Credit

BY MARISSA WEBSTER, OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR

Hello, again! Now that we’ve learned about credit bureaus, scores, and what that means to you, let’s get into how to monitor your credit. By proactively monitoring your credit, you could potentially help save yourself from a headache in the future. Even if you have a perfect credit score and make all your payments on time, you could still be a victim of fraud without knowing until it’s too late.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website authorized by the federal government to issue free, annual credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies. This secure website allows consumers to request their bureaus once each year to monitor their credit. While you won’t see a credit score on these reports, you will find a listing of current and past debts, derogatory and collection accounts. By verifying the accuracy of this information, you can help protect yourself from personal and financial fraud.

If you suspect that either your personal or financial information has been compromised, it’s important to contact the three credit reporting agencies to have a freeze placed on your bureaus. Placing a freeze will restrict access to your bureaus, which also restricts fraudsters from opening new loan accounts in your name. Different institutions may not only use one specific bureau for lending review, which is why you’ll want to make sure to remember to place a freeze on all three bureaus.

A few common warning signs of identity theft also include unexpected credit cards or account statements, charges on your financial statements that you don’t recognize, and incorrect information on your credit reports.

There are applications available which will allow you to monitor your credit score, but remember that the ranges of scores vary across each main

bureau – Equifax, Experian, and Transunion – so don’t expect to see the same score on different applications. Many credit card companies offer free credit scores with your online account. Another credit monitoring application that anyone can sign up for is Credit Karma. Not only does Credit Karma® offer credit monitoring at no cost, but they also provide numerous free articles on credit and the benefits of credit monitoring, too.

Now that we’ve covered our last topic, you should feel at ease knowing where to go, what to look for on your bureaus, and how to spot potential personal or financial fraud. Your credit matters and we at ONE want nothing more than to see you succeed in all of your financial goals. And don’t forget, we are always more than happy to sit down with our members to discuss your credit and ways to improve it!

recommended resources Credit Reports & Scores, Repairing Credit Scores, Protecting Against Credit Fraud & ID Theft Federal Trade Commission Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Compromised Personal Information IdentityTheft.gov To Place a Freeze on Your Credit Bureau(s) Equifax.com Experian.com TransUnion.com Credit Monitoring Creditkarma.com

Leadership Team in Attendance at EXPAND EXPO

EXPAND EXPO CONFERENCE A full day of workshops, training, and discussion with credit union professionals across the nation.

What do you think of when you think of Hershey, Pennsylvania? Some would think of the Hershey PA amusement park, some would think of the Hershey Gardens, most would think of chocolate. However, if you were to ask the five ONE employees who spent a week there in September what comes to mind, they’d tell you EXPAND EXPO... and maybe a little bit of chocolate.

On September 17th, five members of ONE Federal Credit Union's leadership team embarked on a journey to further their education by attending the 2023 Horizon Expand Expo. Each attendee began the week with their own set of goals. Some went to further their education of the credit union industry with hopes of bringing back knowledge to better our members’ financial futures. They attended classes that covered such topics as lending strategies, exceptional relationship building, and business

Leadership Team With Speaker Kelli Vrla

development. Others sought to improve their leadership skills by attending classes such as Servant Leadership, So You’re a Manager, Now What, and What to Do When It Went Wrong. Although the classes may have been different, all of the ONE Federal Credit Union attendees left with a feeling of rejuvenation, excited to bring what they had learned.

“The expand Expo was an amazing experience. Not only did I learn how to improve my leadership for my team but how to be better for our members”, said Sam Hays, manager of ONE's Cochranton location.

Tristyn Mattern, manager of ONE's Saegertown location, described the conference as “an awesome resource to pull great ideas from some of the greatest leaders in our world”. Daniel Webster, Jr. Executive of Relationship Management at The ONE Federal Credit Union believes this conference was beneficial on multiple fronts for him and his team. “The opportunity to network and learn from some of the best minds in our industry is like a jolt of electricity for our team. We are all very excited to share what we have learned with our teams and members alike.”

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MEMBER PROTECTION

Ways To Avoid

Holiday Shopping Scams As our membership embraces the holidays and begins their seasonal shopping, some members contact our team due to potential fraud on their account. It makes sense that when people shop more, potential fraud increases, too. So, while you’re checking off your Christmas lists, keep in mind these few things to protect yourself from scams.

Research the Retailer Feeling suspicious of an offer, but not completely sure about it? Do some research on the retailer! What do people have to say about them in customer reviews?

Is there a known history of scamming? Is there any public information on the company outside of its website?

It’s Too Good to Be True While stores and businesses are pushing their products with great holiday deals, it can be difficult to distinguish the real deal vs. scam advertisements.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid offers that seem too good to be true. In the long run it’s safer to ignore these offers completely, no matter how tempting they may sound.

Refund & Return Policy Companies that neglect to detail their return & refund policy, or don’t allow them, are more likely going to give you issues. This indicates that they’re aware their products are returned often due to poor customer satisfaction, or they’re set up to scam people. In that case, there’s no need for a refund/return. It’s recommended to avoid these sellers as they’re normally more trouble than they’re worth.

Unsecure Payment Options If you get to the payment section of your transaction and there’s no option to use a credit card or secured payment service like PayPal, do not continue! Never make an online purchase with unsecure funds. Many scammers will try to coerce you to send them money via money orders, pre-loaded money cards, or wire transfers.

A “New Store” If you come across a new store advertised on social media platforms, but can’t find any information about it, you’ve likely found a scammer. These “stores” are created to make a few sales, then disappear. You may or may not receive anything. And if you do get something, it won’t be as advertised.

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Secure v. Unsecure Websites Stick to websites that are indicated as “secure” with a closed padlock symbol and HTTPS in the beginning of the URL. This verifies that the site is legitimate. If you get an offer from a trusted merchant, but are directed to an unsecure website with an open padlock symbol, this is a clear indication that you’ve been redirected to a scam website.

If you have any questions or concerns about fraud, feel free to call into our offices for some guidance! We wish you safe and happy shopping!

Sticking To your

Holiday Budget 5 Tips and Tricks For Your Holiday Budget If you love giving gifts to your family and friends, it can be hard to not overspend during the holiday season. Even those who are good about staying on budget all year end up splurging a little too much when it comes to gift giving. But sticking to your holiday budget doesn’t have to be hard. It’s all about planning ahead. Here are five quick tips for sticking to your holiday shopping budget this year.

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FINANCIAL WELLNESS

1.

Make a list for everything

2.

Only spend cash

Lists are an important part of keeping your finances organized any time of year, but especially during the holidays. Make separate lists for holiday food, decorations, and gift costs. Keeping a list of all your potential expenses will help you to prioritize your holiday expenses. Purchase the items high on your list, then check them off, and see how much money you have left to spend on the remaining items.

If you tend to purchase your gifts in a store rather than online, try using only cash to do your holiday shopping. It is much easier to overspend when you’re using a credit card. Using cash to make your holiday purchases helps you to clearly see exactly how much you’ve spent and how much is left in your budget.

3.

Take time to find deals

4.

Cut back your giving

5.

Set expectations ahead of time

Start comparison shopping before the holidays even start. If you don’t know how much a product normally costs, how will you know if you’re getting a good deal on for Black Friday? It’s important to take time to find deals. Don’t be afraid to return an item to the store if a better discount for the same item comes along.

Although the holidays are the time for giving, you shouldn’t put yourself in financial hardship over them. Keep your gift-giving list short. If your budget is tight, you may have to skip the office gift exchange or skip mailing greeting cards. It may not be what you want to do but come January your finances will thank you.

If you tell your family and friends about your holiday budget, they will likely understand; they are probably all on a budget too. Working together you may even be able to save each other money by going in on gifts together or by agreeing to not purchase each other gifts.

Need some guidance budgeting day-to-day? Our free Financial Wellness Program can help you achieve your financial goals. From spending habits, to savings goals and credit building, you’re in good hands. Ask a team member how you can get started!

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CHECKING IN WITH

Your Branch Managers Casey Carlson, Meadville We've had a fantastic summer in Meadville helping our community. We brought smiles to so many faces at the Crawford County Fair where we passed out ONE vouchers, and even sharing our Kindness 365 missions in the office. We are very excited to be participating in The ARC of Meadville's Trunk or Treat this year on October 25th. We can't wait to see all the costumes and pass out some sweet treats!

Hoping to catch you there!

Tristyn Mattern, Saegertown Hey everyone! We're looking forward to seeing you at the local trunk or treat at the elementary school, so be sure to stop by to say hi! We also will be front and center for the Saegertown Tractor Parade on November 18th. We hope to see you there, as well! And, as it’s getting closer to that time time to break out the snow blowers and snowmobiles, be sure to ask for our rates on all your winter needs! We'll be stocked up on hot cocoa and coffee this fall & winter season, so consider stopping in for a cup & to chat! Thank you from the Saegertown Branch!

Melinda Danko, Conneaut Lake Summer here at the Lake is always a blast! It's sad to see it end. However, fall is also a exciting time here in Conneaut Lake as we have a variety of events to look forward to including Trunk or Treat at Lakeview Ford, as well as the Pumpkin Fest Parade and the Pumpkin Festival in the park.

Be sure to stop out and visit us this fall and enjoy some of the fun! We are still offering some great rates on Share CD’s and High Yield savings accounts, too! Let us help you earn more bang for your buck!

Samantha Hays, Cochranton 'Autumn, the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful'. Wanting to change things up a bit? Need a new car or home improvements to make your home more efficient for the colder months? Stop at our local branch to see how we can help you make life simpler!

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