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Events and Happenings
Credit Union News • ICCU Events • Hours and Locations • Rebates on Auto's for Members
Love my Credit Union.org - savings and discounts • Seminar Highlights • Members' Scholarship
Vehicles for Sale at ICCU • Opt In
Community Events
The following community events are proudly supported with financial and in-kind donations by your credit union:
9/11 - Move On Alzheimer's Walk 
Come join the nation's largest even to raise awarness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. 50% of your donation stays in Isabella County to help families with Alzheimer's. If you would like more information about how you can get involved and/or donate please contact Debra Recker at
989-572-8495 or Monica Bissett at 989-779-5560.
Registration: 10 a.m.
Walk: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Island Park
9/11 -- Live United Ride United
On Septembert 11th United Way will be celebrating our perseverance by uniting as a community to bring focus to our neighbors in need. A three mile family ride will take place from Island Park through Mt. Pleasant trails. Cost: $5 per individual or $20 per family. OR, a 100 mile ride will occur from Kentwood MI to Island Park in Mt. Pleasant, MI. $30 registration. For more information, contact the United Way of Isabella County at 989-773-9863, or click here for the Ride United website.
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ICCU's Members' Scholarship: In April 2009, officials at Isabella Community Credit Union (ICCU) created a scholarship to provide assistance to a soon-t0-be high school graduates that live or work within ICCU's field of membership (service area) that wish to continue their education through an accredited college, univeristy or trade school. To learn more, click here.
First-Ever Recipient: The first ICCU Members' Scholarship winner is Mariah Earley of Wheeler, MI. Mariah will be attending Delta College in the fall of 2010 for graphic arts. She was "grateful to ICCU for the $500 scholarship. She is involved in the Breckenridge  choir, the yearbook committe, drama club and martial arts. In her words, she said, "Going to college has not always been a goal that seemed achieveable. In my freshman year at Breckenridge High School I was diagnosed with epilepsy that seemed to come from nowhere. The electrical misfires in my brain effected by concentration -- I had up to 20 seizures a day. By the end of my sophmore year, my mother (Jennifer -right) home schooled me, and I worked hard to raise my grades to their usual A/B standard. In my junior year, the seizures had ceased, and I was once again able to climb to the top. The scholarship is a blessing, because my father's carpentry buisness is our only source of income for a family of six, which includes my grandmother. "
Congratulations to Mariah, and to all of the 2010 scholarship recipients! To learn more about the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation and available scholarships click here. CEO Jay Anders asks that "If you are able, please consider donating to the ICCU Members' Scholarship Fund, so that future graduate may pursuit their goals and dreams." -- MPACF: For good. For ever."
Anna's Bakesale: 12 year old Fancher elementary student Anna is in need of a liver transplant.  ICCU employeees, Mary and Tami -- also known at ICCU as "Anna's Angels," coordinated a bakesale/fundraiser in May.
ICCU members, staff and the community helped to raise $1,510 for Anna in just two days. One member gave $100, telling us he wanted to "pay it forward!"
Special thanks to all who contributed, bought baked goods, brought in sweet treats, and helped this worthy cause. The money was given to Anna and her parents - shown here "Angels" Tami (left) and Mary (right).
To learn more, visit Anna's Caring Bridge.
2009 Annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale: ICCU raised $1,730.35!
Thanks to your donations and pie purchases, ICCU was able to donate $1,730.35 to the Isabella County Red Cross Food Pantry. Employees Sue Curtiss and Jessica Tice delivered a check to Executive Director Deb Birkam in late November. Food items were also donated thanks to members giving. Mark your calendar for the days just prior to Thanksgiving for the 2010 sale.
2009 "Into the Light" Cancer Awareness Walking Event - ICCU raised $1,569!
The 2009 walk was dedicated to Jack Curtiss who lost his battle with lung cancer. Special thanks to ICCU members and friends who donated to this worthy cause. ICCU West M-20 employee Mary Robinson was recognized for her support of the walk, and received the third quarter "Above and Beyond" recognition for this effort.
2009 Isabella County Youth & Farm Fair: ICCU is proud to support this and other local fairs -- and all the young people involved in 4-H events. ICCU was proud to purchase a "small farm" at the Small Animal Auction on August 12th, including:
 - A mini Rex Rabbit from Kolby Brown
- A Grand Champion Dairy Goat named Izzo from ICCU member Elyse Beutler (left -- right side)
- Three Grand Champion Broiler Chickens from Hunter Ullom
- Three Mille Fleur Bantom Chickens from Brandon Guthrie
Young people: If you plan to be involved in the 2010 Fair, send us a letter so we can bid on your animals!
Chamber of Commerce Link
City of Mt. Pleasant Link
Mt. Pleasant Convention and Visitors Bureau - Events
Credit Union News & Financial Press
Save Money - Use a Credit Union: Click on the "Love my credit union" icon (below) to learn more about saving money on a new auto loan; financial help for troubled homeowners and the Michigan Credit Union industry.
CU's Most Trusted: Feb. 2010 -- Gerri Willis, CNN personal finance editor reported on the best and worst financial institutions from the consumer's point of view; citing a new study from Forrester Research in which 70% of consumers surveyed said that "credit unions were the most trusted."
June 2009 -- AARP Article: "Seven Ways to Beat the Bank:
Item #7: Look Into Credit Unions -- "According to some credit union fans, the best way to beat the banks is not to use them. “When I hear my friends complaining about bank fees and service charges, I tell them to look into credit unions,” says Maureen Sherman of West Nyack, N.Y. “I don’t worry about what new fees my credit union is tacking on to my account because, as a member-owned, not-for-profit organization, I know they have my best interest at heart.”
For the most part, credit unions offer the same products and services that you’ll find at your local bank. Most offer an array of checking, savings, mortgage and consumer loans, online banking, bill pay, investment and insurance products—often with no or lower fees than other financial institutions. Because credit unions are owned by their members and not outside stockholders, members stand to benefit from a more service-oriented approach. Unlike banks, credit unions return all earnings to their members in the form of higher dividend rates on savings and investment accounts, lower interest rates on loans and reduced or no-fee products and services."
For the complete article, click here: http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/personalfinance/articles/seven_ways_to_beat_the_bank.html
Junior Achievement Job Shadow Day
5th Grade Students from Mary McGuire - February 23, 2010
In partnership with Junior Achievement (JA), ICCU proudly supports JA Job Shadow Day each year.
Students from Mrs. Walter's fifth grade class joined-in a 1/2 day of education and fun.
The pictures and quotes below were collected by the Marketing Job Shadow students Aaron, Caitlyn and Kaleb.
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CEO Jay Anders (center) welcomes the class, with JA Board Member and VP Of Operations, Jenny Hoyle (left).
Mr. Anders explained that, "credit unions are about people," and "it takes different skills and talents to
run the credit union."
"I want to be a teller, they have fun!"
Mrs. Walter's 5th grade class walking to
ICCU from Mary McGuire
"We learned about the five C's of credit: Character,
Capacity, Capitol, Collateral and Condition."
Learning about credit union accounts including savings and the Youth Treasure Hunt Club with
Mb. Service Rep., Tyrise.
"The credit union gives you interest,
and a sucker."
Tellers Angie and Katie (above) showed us how to "send out the drive-thru tube" and look thru the video camera."
"It's simple...members pay interest on loans and
the credit union earns money." |
"I am suprised how heavy the bag of
pennies are ... wow!"
"The boss has a VERY
the clean desk...and he's really nice!"
Shadowing Member Service Rep., Cristina
"This was so much fun!"
"A safe deposit box is a good place to
keep important stuff, like a birth certificate or candy."
"We learned how to write checks. I got one for $1,000!" "We also learned that you should NOT write a check if you don't have money in your account, so I can't cash it."
"We learned about helping people,
and that was cool!"
"It's important to be accurate.
If they deposited $100 and entered it as $10,it would be wrong -- they would be
off a zero."
"We learned that your credit report is like a report card."
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The Latest Credit Union
News & Information
ABC News: ABC's Elisabeth Leamy reports from Washington -- Nov. 12, 2009
"One good source of credit cards with lower interest rates and fees is a credit union. A Pew Charitable Trust study found that credit union interest rates are approximately 20% lower than commercial bank rates."
Wall Street Journal - Nov. 11, 2009
"Conservative Strength: Credit Unions Continue to Grow During Crisis by Kyle Stock
Playing it safe is paying off for credit unions. The small, risk-averse, not-for-profit depository insitutions have slowly added workers throughout the financial crisis. And, if consumer deposits are any indication, these organizaitons will be some of the bullish recruiters in the hope-for recovery.
Banking for the people and by the people is making a comeback on Main Street. Credit Unions, self-sufficent organizations often managed by their own members, have relativily tight restrictions on what products they can invest in and what percentage of assets that they can loan out. Such regulations and charters helped many credit unions avoid the brunt of the recent financial maelstrom.
Consider only 12 of the almost 8,000 U.S. credit unions have failed this year, according to the National Credit Union Administration, a federal regulator of credit unions. At the same time, 120 of the 8,100 or so traditional banks in the U.S. have been shuttered this year by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. While the number of credit unions is the U.S. has decreased overall in the past 10 years, consolidation and not failure is the reason. And, membership has steadily increased.
In the 12 months ending in June, 1.6 million American's joined a credit union, boosting the industry's assets by 8.2%, according to the Credit Union National Assocaition. |
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Money $mart Seminar Series
The series will start again in September 2010 and will run
through March of 2011. Topics to include retirement, home ownership,
budgeting, buying a quality used car...and more!
Location: ICCU's Main Office at 2400 S. Isabella Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - with Q&A time afterwards
Details: Free and open to the community. Door prizes and light refreshments served.
Call ICCU at 989-773-5927 ext. 241 to reserve a seat, or give your name to any ICCU employee at either office.
Employers: These an other seminars can be conducted (free) at your workplace.
Contact Heather in Community Development at the number above.
Comments from the "But What If I Live?" Seminar on 4/20/10
"Very informative session!"
"Comfortable welcoming setting, and individuals"
"Loved the cookies!"
Highlights from the Retirement Seminar on 2/11/10
"People who refuse to rest honorably on their laurels, when they reach retirement age, seem very admirable to me."
- Helen Hays, actor
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29% of current retiree's have returned back to work
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44% of current retiree's have a mortgage
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45% of parents contribute to their adult children's financial support
Social Security Administration (Green) Form -- You have just 3 years to go back and correct any errors in your income. Check the information sent to you VERY carefully, and promptly report errors. One participant said she had an error in her income, and got it corrected. But if you wait longer than three years, its too late!
Retirement Resources:
"Longevity Revolution" by Theordore Roszak
"Age Quake" by Paul Wallace
"How Not to Die Broke at 102" by Adriane Berg
www.AARP.org - American Association of Retired People
www.ssa.gov (Social Security Administration)
www.elderweb.com - Elder Web |
How to Opt In • Federal Reserve Board (Reg E) • ATM/Debit Information • Terminology
July 13, 2010 email and "ItsMe247" messages • Opt In Consent
Opt In -- Regulation E
Imagine after dining at a local eatery, you learn that your ICCU Debit Card has been "denied" because you made a simple subtraction error in your checking account.
Overdrafts Happen! What does not have to happen is an honest mistake that causes you embarrassment. Avoid the hassle by "opting-in" for overdraft services at your credit union today. (See below for easy options).
Gone are the days of "the float" when you could buy something with a Debit Card or write and check, and deposit the money into your account days or even hours later. With improvements in technology, it is not unusual to have the transaction clear your account IMMEDIATELY after swiping your card, or writing a check. The best practice is to make a deposit BEFORE you write a check or use your ATM/Debit Card, to avoid overdrafts.
Recently, Federal Regulations have changed regarding the way all financial institutions handle overdraft services for ATM and Debit Card transactions.
To continue to the same level of service you have received, you will need to contact any ICCU and tell any employee that you "wish to opt in" to have your ATM and Debit Card transactions protected.
- It's Easy to Opt In -
There are many ways to opt in, and it only takes a few seconds.
Once done, you will recieve a confirmation either by mail or in person to confirm your request.
Call: Contact ICCU at 989-773-5927 and talk to any employee.
E-mail: Tell us by e-mail that you wish to opt in (just don't include your account number
as e-mail is not a safe format for confidential information).
3. Tell any ICCU employee that you want to "opt in" when visiting an office.
4. Respond to the letter sent to you (if you have an ATM and/or Debit Card).
Opt In Consent Letter
Terminology:
Every day debit card transaction: purchases made with your debit card on a day-to-day basis. This excludes all checks and automatic bill payments.
Opt In: Giving your financial institution to include you an a particular service.
Opt Out: Declining a particular service offered by your financial institution.
Overdraft: An overdraft occurs write a check, withdrawal money via ATM, make a purchase with your Debit Card, make an automatic bill payment, or electronic payment for an amount GREATER than the balance in your account.
NSF: Non-sufficient funds (Also known as negative balance, overdraft).
July 13, 2010 Communication
7/14/10 -- In an effort to communicate with ICCU members regarding their overdraft options (Regulation E), a series of emails and messages on "It'sMe247" were delivered to members with an ICCU ATM or Debit card.
The communication was intended to encourage action regarding overdraft decisions by the August 14th implementation date. The email offered a POTENTIAL SCENERIO, describing a situation that COULD happen if funds were not available to cover an ATM or Debit card transaction, and the account holder did not "opt in" for overdraft protection.
ICCU would like to apologize if the email and/or "It'sMe247" was unclear, or lead to you to believe that there was an issue with your ATM or Debit card. There is no general issue or problem with your account or card. It is completely your option and/or decision to opt in or opt out of overdraft protection.
Although Regulation E may appear to be complicated, it is a LAST RESORT option, after ICCU has exhausted all other overdraft options that you have directed. If you are unsure of your overdraft protection options, please contact your credit union to review your coverage. It will only take a few mintues, and will give you peace of mind knowing that your transactions are covered in the event of an inadvertent overdraft.
Thank you for your understanding, your feedback and your continued use of YOUR credit union!
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Isabella Community Credit Union
Service Locations: 2400 S. Isabella Road
and 2100 E. Remus Road (West M-20)
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
48858
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 427, Mt. Pleasant MI 48804-0427
989.773.5927
Fax: 989.773.6469
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