LA Financial Green Accounts

Happy Valentines Day!!

2012-02-13T12:19:00.000-08:00

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Valentine's Day. We LOVE our members and are so grateful to have members like you.

VISA London 2012 Olympic Games Sweepstakes

2012-02-01T14:18:00.000-08:00

Why watch the London 2012 Olympic Games on TV when you have a chance to win a fabulous trip courtesy of Visa. Visa and LA Financial want you to experience the games LIVE. You could travel to London, England and attend the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Turn your everyday purchases into a chance to win.* Sign when you use your LA Financial CU Visa Debit or VISA Credit card between February 1, 2012 and April 30, 2012, and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win* a trip for two to the London 2012 Olympic Games!*

The winner will win the following:

• 4 day, 3 night trip for 2 to the London 2012 Olympic Games
• Roundtrip airfare and local transportation for 2
• Four-star hotel accommodations including daily breakfast
• Tickets to London 2012 Olympic sport events

The sweepstakes will run from February 1 through April 30, 2012. Cardholders will have a chance to win this trip by simply signing for a transaction during this time frame. PIN purchases do not qualify. For more information and complete rules, click here.

*NO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Non-Purchase Entries and Purchase Entries have an Equal Chance of Winning. Open to legal U.S. residents, 18 and older as of 2/1/12. For details on Non-Purchase Entries. click here for Official Rules and complete details. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends April 30, 2012.

anytimeMobile (Mobile Banking)

2012-01-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

LA Financial's anytimeMobile (Mobile Banking) is like having the convenience and security of anytimeBanking in the palm of your hand. As long as you're an active anytimeBanking user and have a Smartphone with Internet access, you can view your accounts and make transactions. You can also use the service through a handy App or your iphone or Android phone. It goes with you anyTime, anyPlace, anyWhere!

Here's what you can do with anytimeMobile:
• View Account Histories

• Make Balance Inquiries
• Pay Bills
• Make Fund Transfers within your account or out to other members
• Make Online Loan Payments
• Find ATM Locations
• Find Branch or Shared Branch Locations

Download the App

Download an App to start using LA Financial's Mobile Banking on your iPhone or Android phone. And for you Blackberry users, we've got a shortcut just for you!

• iPhone - Download "LA Financial" http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/la-financial-mobile-banking/id487390514?mt=8 from iPhone App Store.
• Android - Download "LA Financial" https://market.android.com/developer?pub=LA+Financial from the Android Market.
• Blackberry - Visit https://mobile.lafinancial.org

If you have questions about using Mobile Banking, just call us at (800) 894-1200 and we'll help you get started.

Celebrate Our 75th Anniversary with our $75-A-Day Giveaway Sweepstakes!!!

2012-01-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

Just use one of the following free services and be enrolled to win $75 Monday through Friday - all year long:

anytimeMobile
eStatement
anytimeBillPay

Winners will be notified by email. $75 will be deposited into the winner's accounts!!! No purchase necessary. Click here for more information. Click here for sweepstakes rules.

Introducing...anytimeMobile (Mobile Banking)!

2011-12-29T17:59:00.000-08:00

You'll love our new FREE app for your iPhone or Android. Check Balances, View Transactions, Transfer Funds, Pay Bills/Loans, Find ATM and Branch Locations and more!!! Search for LA Financial Credit Union at your App Store to get your FREE App Today!!

VISA London 2012 Olympic Games Sweepstakes

2011-12-16T08:22:00.001-08:00

LA Financial has enrolled in a Visa sweepstakes being offered by PSCU. Our Debit and Credit cardholders will have a chance to win a trip to the 2012 Olympic Games which will be held in London.

The winner will win the following:

• 4 day, 3 night trip for 2 to the London 2012 Olympic Games
• Roundtrip airfare and local transportation for 2
• Four-star hotel accommodations including daily breakfast
• Tickets to London 2012 Olympic sport events
The sweepstakes will run from February 1 through April 30, 2012. Cardholders will have a chance to win this trip by simply signing for a transaction during this time frame. PIN purchases do not qualify.

Get $123 + $75 for a total of $198... and Your New-Car Dreams Off The Ground

2011-11-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

With rates as low as 3.00% – on new or used autos, trucks and motorcycles, with terms up to 60 months, a $123 rebate + $75 in celebration of our upcoming 75th Anniversary for a total of $198,** and the option of pre-approval – you’re good to go!

Just how easy is it to get behind the wheel of a new or new-to-you car, truck, or motorcycle – and pocket an extra $123 + $75 for a total of $198 while you’re at it? Three steps – count ‘em 123 – is all it takes:

Apply online or by phone to get pre-approved so you know how much you can afford
Pick out your vehicle and bring us a purchase order from a dealer or private party.
Get a $123 + $75 for a total of $198 REBATE when your loan is funded!

Not ready for a new car? No Worries!! You can get the same low rate and $123 + $75 for a total of $198 rebate when you refinance your existing car that is currently with another lender and bring the financing to us**

So dream big. Or mid-sized. Or compact. And count on LA Financial to make it real.

APPLY NOW!

* APR= Annual Percentage Rate ** To qualify for 1-2-3 promotion, member must be pre-approved before visiting any dealership and loan must be funded directly with LA Financial Credit Union. Cannot be used to refinance existing LA Financial/HCCU loans. If loan is repaid prior to six months, the $198 rebate will be reversed. Limited time offer. Subject to change without notice.

**123 promotion is not available when you refinance a car already financed by LA Financial or Havasu Community Credit Union

Based on 100% of purchase price plus tax and license on dealer purchase. Private party purchase requires DMV paperwork and 100% retail Kelley Blue Book price. Available on approved credit. Must qualify for loan under LA Financial CU guidelines, including age and value of auto. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may vary according to length of term, age of vehicle and your credit worthiness. As low as 3.00% APRfor 60 months on new or used autos, light trucks, and motorcycles includes 0.25% reduction for automatic payment and 0.25% reduction for Direct Deposit/Payroll Deduction. Based on 100% of purchase price for new cars; 100% of Kelley Blue Book retail price for used cars. Private party purchase requires DMV paperwork and 100% of Kelley Blue Book price. Representative monthly payment for each $1,000 borrowed at 3.00% for 60 months = $17.97 APR. LA Financial Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Lender.

Thinking of breaking up with your big bank? You're not alone.

2011-10-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

By E. Scott Reckard, Los Angeles Times

October 30, 2011

Thinking of breaking up with your big bank? You're not alone.

Bank of America's recent move to slap customers with a $5 monthly fee to use their debit cards has unleashed a torrent of ill will against the nation's financial giants. Fed up with enriching executives and shareholders, some account holders are vowing to shift their business to smaller banks or neighborhood credit unions.

But before you march down to your branch to close your account, take a deep breath. Switching in haste could cost you if you skip the fine print or don't understand your own financial habits. Friendly teller service doesn't matter if what you really need is a nationwide ATM network. Free checking is fabulous, but not if it comes with a lot of strings.

Breaking up is easy. Finding a financial partnership that's more satisfying could prove trickier. Like any relationship, deciding whether to stay or to go requires some careful thinking.

"You have to do homework. You have to ask questions. It's going to take some time," said Norma Garcia, a senior attorney for Consumers Union. "But it's time worth spending if you wind up with a bank that treats you like you want to be treated."

Know what you've got

It may sound obvious, but first check out your own bank statement or head to your bank's website. A lot of consumers have no idea what they're paying for, according to Rob Kaplan-Sherman, president of the services division at Research Intelligence Group, a Fort Washington, Penn., market research firm.

Pew Charitable Trusts analyzed 265 different checking programs offered by the 10 biggest U.S. banks and found 49 types of fees in all. Those included overdraft-protection charges that averaged $35 per transaction, as well as bounced-check penalties, ATM charges, copying fees and charges to deposit large amounts of coins. At least one bank said it would deduct fees to cover the cost of its expenses in legal disputes — regardless of the outcome.

Most consumers have to worry about only a handful of those. But it's worth printing them out so you can shop around. The most likely things to consider are: monthly account fees, fees for using ATMs, fees for using debit cards and fees for overdraft protection or for covering overdrafts from a linked savings account.

Of course, fees are only part of a banking relationship. Many customers have multiple bank accounts, direct deposit, automatic bill payments and a mortgage or other loans with their institutions.

Multiple services tend to bind consumers to their banks — a term known as "stickiness" — especially if they have set up automatic payments or deposits. It will take some work to undo them at one bank and set them up at another. So be prepared for some hassle.

Consider other things you might need. Maybe it's an auto loan — something that a lot of business-oriented community banks don't provide. Or maybe it's the huge ATM networks available from the major banks. If the latter is important to you, be sure to find out whether the small bank or credit union you're considering belongs to a cooperative ATM network, which could give you access to thousands of fee-free ATMs.

Small institutions pride themselves on personal service. But maybe you do all your banking online, which makes you a candidate for Internet banks.

You'll also want to ask whether the bank plans to start charging for use of its debit cards, which have overtaken checks as the preferred method of accessing money in bank accounts. Following the outcry over BofA's new fee, which kicks in next year, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc. and some other big banks have said they'll steer clear of that charge for now. But many large institutions haven't made that pledge, so it's worth being vigilant.

"Consumers are tightening their belts," Kaplan-Sherman said. "When they hear that a free tool they have become very dependent on is going to start generating a charge, it raises a question: Should they change their behavior at the bank they have, or change banks?"

Love the one you're with?

Unwinding a banking relationship can be complicated.

Assuming you're not already hopelessly estranged, you might find it easier to stick with your bank and still avoid fees by changing your behavior, Consumers Union's Garcia said.

For example, you might be miffed about Bank of America's upcoming debit-card charge. But you can avoid paying it by not making any debit purchases (use of the bank's ATMs remains free).

BofA is also phasing in an $8.95 monthly charge for basic checking that once was free with direct deposit of paychecks. But you can avoid the fee by depositing $2,000 a month, maintaining a balance totaling $5,000 in linked accounts, or using a linked Bank of America credit card at least once a month. Or, if you're comfortable with making all your deposits and withdrawals over the Internet, via mobile banking or at an ATM, you can opt for BofA's online-only free checking.

Another important consideration is overdraft protection.

Under revised regulations, banks need customers' permission to cover debit and ATM overdrafts at up to $35 a pop. Many customers have opted in, but most advocates say it's better not to. Instead, ask about cheaper alternatives such as having a linked savings account or credit line to cover balance-busting debits.

Here's another basic rule: The more products and services you use, the more valuable you are as a customer — and the more likely it is the bank has an interest in making you happy.

Chase, for example, charges $10 a month for basic checking. But it lets you off the hook for that fee if you directly deposit $500 a month, maintain a minimum daily checking balance of $1,500 or have a total of $5,000 in linked accounts.

Choosing a new partner

If you've simply had enough of your big bank, it's time to consider other options: Internet banks, smaller community and regional banks, and not-for-profit credit unions.

Internet banks like ING Direct, Ally Bank and State Farm Bank may be a no-brainer for those already accustomed to doing much of their research and shopping online.

These banks have lower costs because they don't have physical branches. Their free accounts even may include perks like covering ATM fees for customers with direct deposit.

But if you want to talk face to face with someone about a home loan or investments, or when you're confused about a service or a charge, they're not the place for you.

Credit unions, by contrast, are set up for such hands-on service at a low cost. Owned by members who are linked by jobs or geography, their core focus is on consumer accounts, although some these days are doing more small-business lending.

The broadening of criteria for membership has made credit unions available to nearly anyone. Southern California's largest include SchoolsFirst Federal of Santa Ana, open to all school and college workers; and Pasadena's Wescom, which is available to anyone who lives or works in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego or Santa Barbara counties.
To get around the limited number of branches and ATMs at credit unions, check whether they belong to the Co-op Network, which entitles members to withdraw funds without charge at more than 28,000 ATMs in the U.S. and Canada. Smartphone apps and text-message programs have made it far easier to find these ATMs than in the past, in case you find yourself needing cash in an unfamiliar place.

You can find a credit union near you at http://www.asmarterchoice.org.

Community banks can be a little trickier, since many of them are focused on small businesses and not consumers. You can try online screening services like http://www.findabetterbank.com, but it may be better to check the websites of candidates in your area: The first thing you see on Fullerton Community Bank's site, for example, are promotions for "totally free checking."

Or just walk in and talk to the bankers — something community banks say they make it easy to do. If they say they have free checking, make sure to ask whether there's a minimum balance you must maintain.

And these days, just keep your eyes and ears open: Plenty of small banks and credit unions are angling for your attention. LA Financial Credit Union, which is open to any L.A. County resident, says its new member applications jumped tenfold after it began advertising no-minimum free checking and debit cards, along with a "break up with my bank" website. The credit union has advertised the campaign heavily in recent weeks (including in the Los Angeles Times).

San Diego County's PacTrust Bank, which has promoted free checking and fee-free debit cards, plans to stay open late Saturday, Nov. 5, which is what a national Internet campaign has targeted as Bank Transfer Day. The community bank says it will pay $60 — the annual amount Bank of America plans to charge debit-card users — to people who open certain accounts on that day.

Making the switch

Once you've picked a new institution, don't immediately sever your ties with your old bank. You'll need a transition period to make sure direct deposit, automatic bill payment and other services transfer smoothly. Be aware that some banks charge you to close accounts, especially those that have been open only a short time.
Consumers Union offers a host of tips on the website DefendYourDollars.org. Here's a condensed version.

• Open your new checking account with a small deposit.
• List all automatic payments and deposits at your old checking account.
• Ask your employer to reroute any direct-deposited paychecks to your new account.
• Once you know when your direct deposits will transfer, reschedule each automatic payment or debit to come out of your new account.
• Leave some cash in your old account for at least a month to ensure payment should you happen to forget something.
• When you're certain all automatic payments and deposits are switched over, electronically transfer the final funds from your old account to the new one. Your new bank or credit union can help you with this.
• Once the transfer clears, follow the procedures for closing an account at your old financial institution. And make sure to obtain written confirmation that your old bank indeed has closed out that account.
That will help send a farewell message as you depart, says Garcia of Consumers Union: "We're not just a bank account number. We're real people who respond to how we're treated."

scott.reckard@latimes.com

GS Central: Money-Earning Guidelines

2011-10-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

GS Central: Money-Earning Guidelines

Kudos to the Girl Scouts for offering a financial literacy patch.

New Bank Fees Push More Los Angeles County residents to Break Up With Their Bank.

2011-10-07T13:12:00.001-07:00

Since Bank of America’s announcement of their $5 debit card fee, LA Financial Credit Union has seen requests for membership double from 66 to 122. We’ve also seen a huge increase in hits on our http://www.breakupwithmybank.com/ website which offers credit union information and an easy online account opening process,” said Renee Mackanin, Vice President Marketing. “We sent an email blast and letter to members reassuring them that we still offer free checking and will not institute debit card fees. The positive response has been overwhelming,” said Mackanin.

“We’re a community credit union so anyone living or working in LA County can join. However, we still face the challenge of overcoming potential member’s perception of convenience. Although we don’t have a branch on every corner, we do offer access to over 28,000 fee free ATMs and a shared branch network with over 6,700 locations. Technology also reduces the stigma of smallness. We have online account opening, online loan applications, home banking with free bill pay and plans to roll out our mobile banking product by year end,” said Mackanin.

Amidst the financial chaos on Wall Street in the last few years, and with the biggest names in retail consumer banking getting monthly, if not weekly, black eyes, credit unions have been steadily gaining ground. Since 2007, the credit union membership in the United States has increased from 86.8 million to more than 91 million, according to figures from National Credit Union Administration. Total assets have increased from $755 billion to more $942.5 billion at more than 7,290 credit union organizations.

President/CEO Message regarding Debit Card Usage

2011-10-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

From the Desk of Barbara Nall, President/CEO

If you've heard the news that several banks are beginning to charge Debit Card Fees or stop offering free checking we want to reassure you . . . LA FINANCIAL still has FREE Checking and will NOT be charging debit card fees.

Higher fees are the new reality in retail banking, where regulations adopted in the aftermath of the bank bailouts have reduced revenue from several controversial fees by billions of dollars. At the same time, banks have seen their lending income decline due to the sluggish economy and low interest rates causing many major banks to impose a variety of new customer fees, or require higher minimum balance requirements in order to avoid fees.

Facts about Credit Unions and Banks:

Credit unions are member owned. Each account holder owns a share in the CU and has a say in how it is run. Banks are owned by stockholders, not account holders.
Credit Unions are not-for-profit. All profit is returned to the members in the form of higher yields and lower interest rates. Banks are for profit. Banks often charge higher fees and pay lower yields than credit unions.

Credit Unions are governed by an unpaid board of directors that is elected by their fellow members. Banks are governed by stockholders and paid officials.

At Credit Unions all deposits are federally insured up to $250,000 by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), an agency of the US government. At banks, all deposits are federally insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.), an agency of the US government

Credit Unions and Banks both offer full ranges of services including IRA, savings, checking, loans, mortgages, online banking, VISA, bill pay etc.
We survey members regularly and they tell us that one of the reasons that they maintain accounts at other institutions is because of convenience. However, did you know…

We Have over 28,000 Surcharge FREE ATMs through our CO-OP ATM Network – that’s more ATMs than Bank of America! So you have free, complete and nationwide access to your money, 24/7.

LA Financial Members Have Access to over 1,800 Branches Nationwide, including 53 in Los Angeles County! Through the CU Service Center Branch Network, we have extended the number of locations where you can access your LA Financial Accounts. Plus, many have Saturday hours!

Our Service Is Outstanding. Members rate us very high on friendliness, courtesy and personal service. And, we have been in business for over 74 years now – so we must be doing something right.

We’re a community Credit Union so anyone who lives or works in L.A.County, CA is eligible to join. So, tell your friends and family about us, too!!

With all the upcoming changes with the big banks, now may be a great time to Break Up With Your Bank and move all of your banking business to LA Financial. Visit http://www.breakupwithmybank.com/ or http://www.lafinancial.org/ to join or open a checking account! Give us a call at 800.894.1200 or visit our webpage at http://www.lafinancial.org/ for additional information about all of our products and services.

We thank you for your membership in LA Financial Credit Union, and look forward to serving you for years to come. Once again, thank you for your loyalty as a member/owner of LA Financial.

Bank of America to Charge $5/month for Debit Dards!!

2011-09-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) -- Bank of America plans to start charging customers a $5 monthly debit card fee.
     The fee will be rolled out starting early next year. A Bank of America Corp. spokeswoman says customers will only be charged the fee if they use their debit cards for purchases in any given month. Customers won't be charged if they only use their cards at an ATM.
     Chase and Wells Fargo have been testing $3 monthly debit card fees in select markets. Neither bank has said when it will make a final decision on whether to make the fee permanent.
     Customers have been seeing higher banking fees and fewer rewards in the past year or so. The changes come as banks adjust to new regulations that will limit traditional revenue sources.

Not only does LA Financial Credit Union not charge for debit cards, all of our VISA Debit and Credit cards offer the following insurance services FREE of charge.

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

• Emergency Evacuation and Transportation Coverage

• Lost Luggage Reimbursement

• Travel Accident Insurance - $500,000

• Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption

• Trip Delay Reimbursement

• Warranty Manager Service

Visa Golf Giveaway - Debit & Credit

2011-09-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Members using LA Financial Credit Union's VISA Debit and VISA Credit cards will have a chance to win a golfer’s dream at Pebble Beach Resorts courtesy of Visa.® Simply sign for purchases with your Visa Debit or VISA Credit Card between October 1 and November 30, 2011 and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win.* Note: PIN based VISA transactions do not qualify for an entry. The more you swipe and sign your Visa card, the more chances you have to win:

•4 day, 3 night trip for 2 at The Lodge at Pebble Beach
•Roundtrip airfare and local transportation for 2

•1 round of golf for 2 at Pebble Beach Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course

•$600 Resort Credit (good anywhere on the resort e.g. restaurants, spas, retail)

Be sure to sign for each purchase—PIN purchases do not qualify.

*NO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN
Non-Purchase Entries and Purchase Entries have an Equal Chance of Winning. Click here to see Official Rules for details on non purchase entries. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 11/30/2011.
Pebble Beach®, Pebble Beach Resorts®, Pebble Beach Golf Links®, The Lodge at Pebble BeachTM, Spyglass Hill® Golf Course, The Lone CypressTM, The Heritage Logo, and their underlying distinctive images are trademarks, service marks and trade dress of Pebble Beach Company. Used by permission.

The 1930’s Great Depression

2011-09-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

What caused the Great Depression, the worst economic depression in US history? It was not just one factor, but instead a combination of domestic and worldwide conditions that led to the Great Depression.

Though the great depression has been long since gone did you know that LA Financial Credit Union began in the late 1930’s and so did many other credit unions? It was six men and one woman whose vision that gave inspiration to the “Los Angeles County Court Employees Federal Credit Union” in 1937. Then on January 1, 2003 our name was changed to LA Financial Federal Credit Union.

LA Financial CU has been in business for almost 75 years and has branch locations in: Los Angeles, Norwalk, Pasadena and Lake Havasu.

We continue to service LA County Employees as well as servicing the general public who live, work, worship, volunteer or attend school in LA County, California.

LA Financial Credit Union is a one stop shop servicing you in areas of certificate of deposits, savings and checking accounts as well as personal loans and mortgage loans. Providing good loan rates and low or no fees.

Our Vision Statement is Excellence in Member Service…Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere.

Police stand guard outside the entrance to New York's closed World Exchange Bank, March 20, 1931. Not only did bank failures wipe out people's savings, they also undermined the ideology of thrift.

Submitted by Cynthia L., New Accounts/Pasadena Branch

Your Travel Benefits Begin Here...

2011-09-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

Exclusive Benefits simply for being a member of the CUonVacation Travel Benefits Program!

Discover just how easy it is for you and your family to save on ALL your travel needs!

Click Here

"Break Up With Your Bank," CU Tells Members

2011-09-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

The following article was printed in the Credit Union Magazine, September 2010

LA Financial Federal Credit Union in Los Angeles made an interesting request of its young adult members when promoting its Green Accounts: Break up with your bank.

And now it’s asking these same members to “break up with their loan.”
It’s the $340 million asset credit union’s way of asking young adults to spurn higher-priced banks, refinance higher-rate loans, and embrace LA Financial Federal’s services, says Renee Mackanin, vice president of marketing.
The credit union introduced Green Accounts and rolled out “breakupwithmybank.com” in 2009 after an analysis of its membership revealed an increasingly aging demographic.
The accounts, geared to members ages 13 to 18 and those 18 to 27, offer checking accounts with a debit card, share certificates, auto and personal loans, savings-secured loans, individual retirement accounts, and “additional stuff”—a special Web page, blog, annual birthday card, money tips, and drawings for free music downloads and iPods.
“The campaign definitely appeals to a younger demographic,” Mackanin says.
LA Financial Federal advertises breakupwithmybank.com and Green Accounts on bus backs, in train stations, on television, and with a fleet of cars wrapped with creative from the promotion—but not the credit union’s logo.

“The campaign has its own brand to get people thinking, ‘What’s that all about?’ and to go to the website,” Mackanin explains. “As a small credit union in a big market, people don’t know who LA Financial is. So I thought the best way to compete was to use something that would catch people’s attention.”

Mission accomplished: The credit union opened 645 Green Accounts in 2009 and 482 in 2010, and it currently opens 45 accounts per month, on average. It also has booked 640 loans for more than $7 million among all Green Account members.

LA Financial Federal introduced “breakupwithmyloan.com” in July, targeting the loan refinance market. As a result, loan application volume grew 18.6% and loan approvals increased 44% from the previous month.

The biggest challenge in reaching young adult members is determining which products and services they need most, Mackanin says. The credit union did so by conducting focus groups.

“We wanted to package products and services that appeal to this group and to include education about credit unions, smart use of credit, and so on,” she says. “We want to have special things for them, and not treat them like everyone else.

“We’re trying to get the message out,” Mackanin continues. “I wish credit unions could band together to create a campaign for credit union awareness. If we all got the word out, it would help us all.”

Lower Your Grocery Costs - Free Mobile Coupons App for your iPhone

2011-09-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

Coupon Sherpa, has added grocery coupons to its line-up of mobile coupons for hundreds of retailers, restaurants and services. The app now has coupons for 28 grocery chains, including Kroger, Lowes Foods, Ralphs and Safeway. You can enter your zip code to locate participating stores near you and see what coupons are available in your area. Then you can check the coupons you want and save them directly to your store loyalty card (by entering the card number). The coupons will be applied automatically when you swipe your card at the checkout. It's that simple. For more information or to download, go to http://www.couponsherpa.com/mobile-coupons/

“Words Payeth No Debts” - Shakespeare – Troilus and Cressida Act 3 Scene 2

2011-09-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

While Shakespeare’s words may be true, bills do not get paid by just talking about them, he fails to acknowledge an important piece of information; in the absence of a payment, communication is the next best thing.

Keeping your financial institution in the loop regarding your financial situation is imperative to maintaining a positive and honest business relationship with them. The more we know about our members’ lives and their daily successes and struggles, the better equipped we are to offer products or solutions that best fit their needs. A simple conversation can go a long way in better understanding what member may be experiencing at that time. While we may not always be able to address every need or honor every request, every member contact helps to strengthen the relationship between the credit union and the membership.

A business relationship is built out of trust, patience, and compromise; but by no means is it anyone’s responsibility but your own to resolve your financial obligations. Shakespeare is correct in that words cannot be used as currency, so while you work to remain in contact with your financial institution, you must also take the initiative to plan and prepare to avoid financial pitfalls.

Submitted by the LA Financial Collections Department

Overdraft Coverage - Avoid Being Declined

2011-08-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

A New Option: Debit Card Overdraft Coverage

Let’s face it—life happens. We’re all busy and the unexpected may make balancing your checking account a challenge. That’s why we offer overdraft coverage for checks and automated transactions, as well as scheduled (recurring) debit card payments that occasionally cause insufficient funds in checking accounts. However, currently we only approve everyday debit card transactions if the funds are available at the time of purchase.

Another option is now available

Whether you forgot to make a deposit or subtract a purchase, or you simply made a little miscalculation...overdrawing your account can be costly and embarrassing. And having your VISA® Debit Card declined at the check-out counter can be extremely inconvenient!

But you don’t have to worry about that with Courtesy Pay at your Credit Union. There is no charge to set up or maintain this protection. In fact, if you OPT IN for Courtesy Pay, we will allow transactions up to negative $10 before any overdraft fee is charged. In either event, your payment will be honored and you will avoid a fee or penalty from the merchant, as well. But you must OPT IN for this service.You can opt-in now for debit card overdraft coverage in the event you miscalculate your balance and still need to make an everyday debit card purchase.

Easy to get started

Log in to anytimeBanking and click the "Options" link and then" Courtesy Pay ATM/VISA Debit"
Print and sign the OPT IN form

Is there a cost to sign up?
Signing up is free. You only incur the $28 fee if you make an everyday debit card purchase that takes your account negative and we pay it. If we deny the transaction, you will never be charged a fee. If you sign up now and change your mind later, you can cancel the service anytime. Remember, if you OPT IN for Courtesy Pay, we will allow transactions up to negative $10 before any overdraft fee is charged.

What happens if I don’t sign up?

If we do not hear from you, we will continue to decline everyday debit card purchases if you have insufficient funds and will not charge you an overdraft fee. Remember, if you OPT IN for Courtesy Pay, we will allow transactions up to negative $10 before any overdraft fee is charged.To learn more about overdraft services and other money management tools, please call us at (800) 894-1200 or stop by a branch office.
View Form/Disclosure

We've Added More ATMs for Your Convenience!!

2011-08-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

New ATMs and shared branches are being added across the country. Find one near you today!

Click Here

College Prep

2011-08-23T15:27:00.000-07:00

As many of you are sending your kids off to college, there are that many more of you with small children still @ home. Want to know how much it will be to send your children to college? Use this simple calculator and start saving TODAY! College "move-in" day will be here before you know it!

College Calculator

$123... Get $123 and Your New-Car Dreams Off The Ground

2011-08-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

With rates as low as 3.00% – on new or used autos, trucks and motorcycles, with terms up to 60 months, a $123 rebate,** and the option of pre-approval – you’re good to go!

Just how easy is it to get behind the wheel of a new or new-to-you car, truck, or motorcycle – and pocket an extra $123 while you’re at it? Three steps – count ‘em 123– is all it takes:
Apply online or by phone to get pre-approved so you know how much you can afford

Pick out your vehicle and bring us a purchase order from a dealer or private party.
Get a $123 REBATE when your loan is funded!

Not ready for a new car? No Worries!! You can get the same low rate and $123 rebate when you refinance your existing car that is currently with another lender and bring the financing to us*

So dream big. Or mid-sized. Or compact. And count on LA Financial to make it real.

APPLY NOW!

* APR= Annual Percentage Rate ** To qualify for 1-2-3 promotion, member must be pre-approved before visiting any dealership and loan must be funded directly with LA Financial Credit Union. Cannot be used to refinance existing LA Financial/HCCU loans. If loan is repaid prior to six months, the $123 rebate will be reversed. Limited time offer. Subject to change without notice.

**123 promotion is not available when you refinance a car already financed by LA Financial or Havasu Community Credit Union

Back to School Savings

2011-08-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

LA Financial wants to help you demonstrate your higher intelligence this back to school season when you get exclusive credit union member discounts and cash back with over 1,200 of your favorite online retailers at Shop America. You can save on school supplies, clothes, shoes and computers - everything you need for back to school.
For a limited time, back to school shoppers at Shop America can double their cash back at these online stores*:

• Dell
• Barnes and Noble
• Wal-Mart
• Target
• Office Depot
• Footlocker.com
• HP Home Store
• Kohl’s
• JCPenney

Keep on saving when you shop using LA Financial's credit or debit card – thanks to our great rates and low fees. Simply access Shop America through the Love My Credit Union website, log in or create your account and start shopping.

See? You’re smarter already!

Get the details at LoveMyCreditUnion.org or speak to a LA Financial Credit Union member representative.

*Purchases must be made on-line and accessed through Shop America.

Wells Fargo to charge $3/month for debit cards.

2011-08-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

In yesterday’s news, Wells Fargo has announced plans to test a $3 monthly fee for customers using debit cards. This is the latest initiative to come from the banking industry as a means to recoup losses from shrinking deposit fees. Whether it will prove acceptable to customers is another matter.

According to a report in yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle, Wells Fargo will starting testing the monthly $3 debit card fee this fall. The fee will be applied to debit cards tied to all checking accounts opened in test states starting in October. This new fee would be in addition to the monthly service fees Wells Fargo already imposes on its checking accounts. Wells Fargo also announced that it is doing away with its debit rewards program.
Wells Fargo is the latest bank to jump on this larger trend of scaling back customer perks and imposing new revenue-generating fees. Some analysts say that this latest announcement is partly in response to the new limit on how much banks can collect from merchants for debit card fees.

LA Financial will not charge for debit cards. We will also continue to offer FREE checking and FREE billpay.

Get onLine...Not inLine!!

2011-08-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Get onLine...Not inLine!! We now offer monthly Get "onLine" Not "inLine" one-on-one training… we’ll offer solutions and information about anytimeBanking, BillPay, online transfers and alerts. No appointment necessary. Bring in your bills and we will help you to set them up for our free BillPay service. A representative will be in the following branches from 9 am - 4 pm on the following dates...

Pasadena Branch - 1st Wednesday of each month
LA Branch - 2nd Wednesday of each month
Norwalk Branch - 3rd Wednesday of each month

Please stop in for one-on-one assistance with anytimeBanking or BillPay. If you can't make it into the office, you can view the online demo by clicking here (please note that you can fast-forward directly to the billpay section).

Email etiquette (netiquette)

2011-07-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Email as a medium of communication has become an almost indispensable tool for business, educational, social and personal purposes. There are no 'official' rules governing electronic communication. So beware people telling you there is one right way, they are assuming too much. As a general rule though, netiquette involves the same principles as plain old etiquette -- basic courtesy, respect and ethics.

By following the principles outlined below, the recipient of your email will be more likely to read and act, if not be favourably impressed by your message:

Subject line to summarise the message. Make the Subject line summarise the body of the e-mail. Ask yourself, 'will the recipient(s) know what this e-mail is about'. For example, Instead of Subject: Exam, say Subject: Location of 1508INT Exam, 23 July 05.
Keep it concise. Keep messages brief and to the point, but not so brief that it causes the problem outlined in the previous point. This includes deleting any irrelevant text when an email has been back and forth several times. No-one wants to scroll down through pages of text in order to reach the message they want to read. If the sense of the email will be lost by deleting that text, however, leave it in.
Reply within 24 hours. Try to reply within 24 hours, less if possible. In fact, get in the habit of replying immediately -- it is the polite thing to do, and the recipient will appreciate a prompt reply. It also makes you look efficient. The longer you leave it to reply, the more likely you will forget or have too big a log-jam of unanswered email.
Allow time for a reply. E-mail messages are not usually required to be answered immediately, though it is good practice if you do. Before sending a reminder, allow some time for a response, some times even a few days. Not everyone is online 24 hours a day.
Use the BCC field when sending bulk email. If you're sending email to a whole list of people, put their email addresses in the BCC field. That way, the privacy of the recipient is respected, and spammers cannot harvest the email addresses for their dastardly purposes.
Don't shout at people or threaten them. Don't use all capital letters, (UPPERCASE), or oversized fonts. The reader will likely feel they are being shouted at, or even threatened. If you must use UPPERCASE, use it very sparingly and only to emphasise a particularly important point. Ask yourself, 'if I was talking to the recipient face to face, would I be raising my voice to them?' One way to add emphasis is to enclose the word/phrase with an asterisk, for example "It is *important* not to shout at people by using UPPERCASE". Large sized fonts (greater than 12) are useful for people with visual impairment, but are not appropriate for general use.
Avoid angry outbursts.. Don't send or reply to email when you are angry. Wait until you have calmed down, then compose the email. Once written and sent, it can't be recalled. Angry or intemperate email has a way of rebounding on the sender. As a guide, ask yourself, 'would I say this to the person's face?'
Correct punctuate and grammar. Use punctuation in a normal manner. One exclamation point is just as effective as five !!!!! Use correct grammar as with any written message.
Keep the thread. When replying to an e-mail, use the reply option on the sidebar in your mail. This will keep the message in the "thread", and make it easier for the recipient to follow.
Spelling. Check your spelling! If you don't know how to spell something, look it up.
Don't Reply to All unless necessary. Think twice about sending a reply to everyone. Perhaps only selected people need to see this email. Sending it to everyone may simply be contributing to an already cluttered In-Tray.
Email is not confidential. It is almost laughably easy for the contents of your email to be read by others without your knowledge. So its wise to avoid saying anything you wouldn't write on the back of a postcard. Also, if you work within an organisation, rather than directly connected to an ISP (internet service provider) its becoming more likely that every email you send and receive is scanned for certain words that are 'deemed unacceptable'. Email with 'unacceptable' content is quarantined, and record is kept. People can be disciplined or fired if they send or receive too much such email. The organisation has every user sign an 'acceptable use' contract as a condition of their having an email account. That way, the employee can be deemed to have broken the contract, justifying disciplining him or her.
Correct priority. Avoid marking an email 'high priority' when it is really 'normal' priority.

If all this seems too prescriptive, feel free to ignore any or all of it. It makes no guarantees; it is simply a guide to writing email that if applied sensibly will enable you to have constructive relations with people via the medium of email. Good luck!

breakupwithmyloan.com

2011-07-19T14:16:00.000-07:00

You'll ♥ Our Loans

You have a loan but I’ll bet you’re not totally satisfied with it – the rate may be too high, the payment may be too high, the term may be too long – so why not “Break-Up with Your Loan” and start a new relationship with us. We think that you’ll love the fact that we can probably get you a better rate, term, payment or all of the above! Plus, it’s so quick and easy, you’ll wonder why you waited so long!
Check out BreakupWithMyLoan.com to refinance your current loan from another financial lender and save! Mortgage Rates are at an all time low and our vehicle rates as low as 3% APR, you're going to LOVE the savings. Compare your current rate and monthly payment but using our free online loan calculator – enjoy the benefits of streamlined online applications and quick approvals.

LA Financial Receives 4-Star Rating

2011-07-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

LA Financial has been rated "Excellent, 4-Star," by Bauer Financial Inc, the nation's leading independent bank rating firm. This unbiased rating is based on financial data provided to federal regulators. For more information, please visit http://www.bauerfinancial.com/.

You Can Count on LA Financial Federal Credit Union

2011-07-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

As a LA Financial Credit Union member, you can be assured that your deposits are safe here. The credit union maintains 8.20% in capital reserves—which protects the institution in times of economic downturns—and is a measurement of strength that few banks or credit unions can match, nationwide. The credit union's strength is backed by federal insurance—the full faith and credit of the United States government. LA Financial's deposits are federally insured up to $250,000 per member by the National Credit Union Administration (plus another $250,000 on your IRA).
Your combined balances in your LA Financial savings, checking, money market, and certificate accounts are insured up to $250,000. However, your accounts can be structured for additional coverage. Please visit the NCUA's Share Insurance Estimator for more information. A summary brochure, provided by the NCUA, is available by clicking here.

Notice of Changes in Temporary NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) Insurance Coverage for Transaction (Checking) Accounts
All funds in a "noninterest-bearing transaction account" are insured in full by the NCUA through December 31, 2012. This temporary unlimited coverage is in addition to, and separate from, the coverage of at least $250,000 available to members under the NCUA's general share insurance rules.

The Short and Simple Story of the Credit Crisis

2011-07-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Crisisofcredit.com
The goal of giving form to a complex situation like the credit crisis is to quickly supply the essence of the situation to those unfamiliar and uninitiated. This project was completed as part of my thesis work in the Media Design Program, a graduate studio at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

For more on my broader thesis work exploring the use of new media to make sense of a increasingly complex world, visit jonathanjarvis.com.
Support the project and buy a T-Shirt! cafepress.com/crisisofcredit
© Copyright 2009 Jonathan Jarvis

One Small, Surprising Way to Ensure Your Kid Gets to College

2011-05-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

According to a new report by the College Savings Initiative, kids with a savings account in their own name are six times more likely to attend college than those without an account. Yep, you read that right: six times more likely.

This research examined what happens when kids have ownership, so they're the ones who can make deposits and withdrawals at a bank. (It's not looking at what happens when their parents open a 529 or Roth IRA for them with their education expenses in mind.) The amount in the kids' account doesn't matter. It's the fact of having it that does.
William Elliott III, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Kansas and a faculty associate with the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, explains that the study looked at high school students who said that they expected to go to college sometime in the future. "We controlled for a number of factors, including academic achievement, family income, wealth, and the children's savings," he says. "And we found they were six times more likely to attend college shortly after graduating high school if they had a savings account at a younger age. So if they had a savings account between ages 12 and 15, it was predictive of them attending college later in life."

The balances in those accounts, Elliott says, were low -- on average, somewhere around $400. Not anywhere near enough to pay for college, or even a few textbooks.

But Elliott theorizes that ownership of an account gives youngsters a sense of control. "It's helping them to be thinking of college, to have it on their mind in a more concrete way than simply saying, 'I expect to go to college,'" he explains. "They've taken some actions, they've got a savings account, they're saving some money. Positive expectations aren't quite enough."

To me, what's encouraging about this research is that it's a relatively easy step to take with a child -- open the account in their name. And it can give all of us, not just the kiddos, a small sense of power in an uncertain world. I usually look away when I see the projections on what college will cost when my daughter and son will be ready to go. Going to the local bank? That's something I can handle. The payoff can be enormous, even if the balance isn't. Elliott agrees. "That's what makes it exciting," he says. "It's not a huge step. It's doable. It's possible."

http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/112756/surprising-way-kid-gets-to-college-moneywatch?mod=edu-collegeprep

www.connectforthecause.org

2011-05-18T19:19:00.001-07:00

http://www.connectforthecause.org/

Please sign up for "Connect for the Cause" advocacy network . As a credit union supporter, you are aware of the need for grassroots action and mobilization efforts to inform our elected officials about credit union issues. Please take action today, and voice your opinion for your credit union! http://www.connectforthecause.org/

Vote LA Financial Credit Union as your favorite Bank or Credit Union!! www.votebestof.com

2011-05-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Vote LA Financial Credit Union as your favorite Bank or Credit Union!! www.votebestof.com

Another Happy Member... Thanks Auto Expert!!

2011-05-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

Becky F. our very happy member is shown as she took delivery of her brand new Audi A4! Becky purchased a 2011 Audi A4 through the Credit Union’s auto buying service, Auto Expert and financed it with LA Financial too. Not only did she save time, money and frustration, she also pocketed $123 with our 123 promotion and saved an additional half percent off her already low loan rate – 0.25% reduction for automatic payment and 0.25% reduction for Direct Deposit/Payroll Deduction!

Here are Becky's own words about her experience:

I didn't have the time to look for a car. Working a full-time job, it was nearly impossible so I asked Aaron from LA Financial's Auto Expert service to find my car. I was very particular in the color and options that I was looking for and Aaron could not locate my car anywhere. I was disappointed until Aaron told me that he could special order my car from the factory with the exact options that I was looking for... and at a great price and perfect color. I literally jumped for joy when he delivered my new car. I couldn't believe my eyes! The whole process was so quick. This experience was so amazing.

If you’d like to jump for joy over your next car buying experience, use Auto Expert – free for all LA Financial CU members.

Another AutoExpert Success Story!!!

2011-04-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

Reyna C. is another happy member thanks to LA Financial's AutoExpert Service.

"I gave Aaron from AutoExpert my car specs (2011 Toyota Highlander V6 , Magnetic Gray Metallic color ) and he was able to locate my car in one day. Aaron made this purchase a smooth transaction from beginning to the end. I love it!! I would recommend AutoExpert to everyone, " said Reyna.

If you are in the market for a new or used car, get pre-approved with a great rate from LA Financial. Then check out LA Financial's AutoExpert service by calling Aaron at 714-783-8848.

Important Information Regarding your ATM/Debit Card

2011-03-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Important Information Regarding your ATM/Debit Card
Due to our recent ATM/Debit card upgrade, some of you may experience a decline when using your card with a PIN. This will most likely happen if in the past you came into one of our branches and chose a personal PIN. This does not apply to all cards.

We have a solution to that problem and, going forward if you would like to change your PIN for any reason, you may do so by calling 866-985-2273 see below for detailed instructions.
Our conversion to our new card processor has given us a new feature called PIN NOW. This feature gives you the opportunity to call on the phone and personalize your PIN after validating some personal information. You no longer have to come into our branch to obtain a personalized PIN.

Please call 866-985-2273. You will be prompted to enter your card number. If you are calling from home or work and, we have your current telephone number on file, you will then be prompted to enter the last 4 digits of your social security number. If everything matches, then you will then enter your new PIN, and you are ready to use your card.

If you are not calling from home or work, say you are on your cell phone, enter your card number. You will have then have the option to enter either your home or work telephone number. Remember, these numbers must be the ones you have given the Credit Union. You will then be prompted for the last 4 digits of your social security number. As long as all of the information verifies, then you will then enter your new PIN and you will be ready to use your card.

Avoiding ATM Fees Using the Grocery Store Trick!!

2011-03-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

There are over 28,000 surcharge free Co-Op ATMs but... sometimes, I just can't find one.

So...when I can’t find a surcharge free ATM, I just go into the nearest grocery store, and buy something small and pay for with my debit card and ask for cashback. In urban areas I look for a drugstores or grocery stores. I’ve never had a surcharge, and it’s a ‘purchase’ so you won’t get a foreign ATM fee either.

Shoot For Loot Contest!

2011-03-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Clipper Nation, LA Financial wants to give you a chance to win big at a Clippers home game! Enter below for your chance to win an opportunity to participate in the LA FINANCIAL SHOOT FOR LOOT contest on the court during a time-out on March 26, 2011. LA Financial, THE credit union for Clipper Nation!

Another Happy Member!!

2011-03-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

Our member, Sharon K., took delivery on March 9th of a 2011 Mini Cooper through our AutoExpert auto buying program. She told our AutoExpert representative what exactly she wanted...we found it within one day & she took possession the very next day - at an excellent price.

In her own words, “I was surprised at how quick and easy the whole process was. I got the car of my dreams at a price better than I could have negotiated myself. They even took my old car as a trade in and I received more money than I had expected. I am very happy with the entire experience."

10 Easy Ways to save $100 (or more!)

2011-03-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

Bring your lunch instead of going out to restaurants.
Drink tap water instead of bottled.
Borrow books from the library instead of buying.
Drive slower - sudden stops and starts burn a lot of gas.
Lay off the lattes.
Cancel your landline.
Use your credit union's ATM or a CO-OP machine instead of paying foreign ATM fees.
Consolidate your credit cards into a card with a fixed low rate like LA Financial. A 3% discount on a $4,000 balance can mean $120 a year.
Go without premium TV chanels.
Buy non-perishible items in bulk.

Raising Money Smart Kids

2011-03-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Every year, American children receive more than $15 billion in allowance, gifts and wages - reason enough to start teaching children money management and consumer skills at a young age. The following tips can make the difference between a child who grows up to be financially secure – and one who doesn't.

Teach by example... The best way to instill good financial habits is by "walking the talk." For instance, when you go shopping, include your kids in the process – planning, budgeting, and comparing prices and quality. If they urge you to buy something that is over budget, explain that spending more on the item you're purchasing today is not as important as saving up for something else you need or want in the future.

Live within your means... Children who learn to prioritize their spending learn the most valuable money management lesson – to live within their means. Reinforce the message by not jumping for the credit cards or giving extra money just because your children ask. When kids want an expensive "status" item, like hundred-dollar athletic shoes, consider having them pay the portion of the price that exceeds what you think is reasonable. They'll appreciate the item more and may think twice about paying that much when they outgrow this pair in six months. If you choose, go ahead and lend money, but treat it like a real loan. Charge reasonable interest and set a time frame for repayment – it will teach them how loans and credit in the real world truly work.

Encourage savings... For your sake and theirs, encourage your children to make saving a fixed category in their spending plan. Discuss goals and calculate how much should be put away each month. Break down savings into long-term, for college or a car, and short-term, for a new bike or a senior trip to Europe. If you see your children about to make a mistake in spending their allowance, let them. Better to learn on a small scale now, than lose money with big mistakes later.

It's never too early (or too late) to develop healthy financial habits... The rewards of wise money management are the same for adults and children alike – a greater appreciation of what you have, a sense of empowerment when you reach your goals, and long-term financial security.

Check out PiggyBanc ...
PiggyBanc® is an exciting, safe and fresh approach to getting children on the right financial track early. Through our website, you can fund a child’s savings account with just a few simple keystrokes. Friends, family, and relatives can contribute to their account any time of the day. Best of all, the PiggyBanc membership will teach your children about the importance of a savings program and strategy. All funds are transferred to and can be tracked at LA Financial.

Why Throw Away Money? CU Members Save with Sprint!

2010-12-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

Savings Just Got Social

2010-11-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

Introducing PiggyBank - A Fun Way to Help Kids Save Online! Learn More at PiggyBanc.

How Much Do Americans Spend on Thanksgiving?

2010-11-24T10:29:00.000-08:00

Canned Food Drive

2010-11-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

We have partnered with the Norwalk Rotary Club to collect cans and household goods to support the Norwalk Social Services Center. Collection containers will be available in all L.A. County branches now through December 20th. Thank you for your support.

International Credit Union - October 21

2010-10-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Join us in celebrating International Credit Union Day - October 21

Given the resiliancy that credit unions have shown throughout this economic recession, this year's international credit union day theme "Local. Tructed. Serving You." focuses on credit union's community-focused approach to member service.

The Gran' Scam of Things

2010-10-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

LA Financial is the Executive Producer of the new film, "The Gran' Scam of Things." The film, written and directed by Leor Baum, follows Gladys Weiss an elderly woman who goes on an unusual journey as she receives her first e-mail. The film draws attention to elder financial abuse, internet scams and check fraud. The film is currently in post-production but here is a teaser.

Volunteer in L.A. County

2010-08-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.--Lily Tomlin

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. -- Booker T. Washington

In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it. -- Marianne Williamson

“It’s better to give than to receive,” is a wise old adage that really applies to the American spirit of Volunteerism. Some of the benefits of volunteering are:

Helping to solve a problem you care deeply about;

Improving your environment;

Learning new skills;

Meeting new people who share your interests;

And getting a warm feeling of knowing you are making a difference!

My first experience with being a volunteer occurred during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and because it was so positive, I continue to volunteer. I served as a Hospitality Volunteer where I was able to mingle with foreign and domestic dignitaries, athletes, and judges. I learned the art of diplomacy, and had an amazing experience while helping people from all over the world.

I love to volunteer because I know I am improving my community and I am able to see the direct result of my efforts. I have been reflecting on the amazing spirit of Volunteerism in America as I remember the responses to need that occurred after the September 11th attacks nine years ago, and Hurricane Katrina (August 29, 2005). People came together to help each other in a dramatic way that really sped the healing and recovery of the people involved in those events.

A few years ago, I had the honor of helping to restore City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 1,300 acre park, which had always been a place for recreation and relaxation had been horribly damaged by Hurricane Katrina. This was very sad because the people of New Orleans needed their park as a place of respite to escape the daily stress of recovering in the city. It was a great feeling to know I was taking part in returning this beautiful area to a useful place of refuge.

If you have an urge to make a difference, there is good news for you right here in L.A. County! The need for your talent is great - All it takes is a passion, and some time and effort. First, consider what you are concerned about (the homeless, the environment, animals, a cure for a disease, etc.), then inquire about existing organizations who might need your help. There are some amazing online resources that will help to connect you to those organizations such as:

Volunteer Los Angeles http://www.volunteerlosangeles.com/

Volunteer Center of Los Angeles http://www.vcla.net/

L.A. Works http://www.laworks.com/

211 L.A. County http://www.211lacounty.org/disaster/updates/VOLUNTEER%
20OPPORTUNITIES.pdf

American Towns http://www.americantowns.com/ca/losangeles-make-a-difference

You can also do an internet search on a particular non-profit organization or cause. If you can’t find the right organization, think about starting your own!Think about how you would like to contribute and how much time you have to devote to your cause. Make a time commitment that is realistic (one hour a week if you are really busy, full time if you don’t have any other commitments or anything in between); then schedule it. Every kind of skill is needed, and sometimes, the most important “skill” is the ability to just show up and be there! So get going. Before you know it, you will start to make a difference in the quality of life right in your own backyard!

Sea World Discount Tickets

2010-07-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

Looking for something to do this summer. We're offering discount tickets to Sea World. Click here for more information or to order tickets.

Have you seen our new commercials?

2010-07-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

Here is BreakUpWithMyBank.com Dr. Bill Fees.

Have you seen our new commercials?

2010-07-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

If you have not already seen our commercials, here is BreakUpWithMyBank.com Dr. Bill Issues.

Are You a 1 Marshmallow or 2 Marshmallow Person?

2010-06-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, your answer to that question can tell you a lot about how successful you will be when it comes to your finances and education!

Stanford University psychology professor Michael Mischel conducted a study during the 1960’s that focused on the behavior of 4 year olds regarding delayed gratification and impulse control. He placed a marshmallow in front of each child; then he offered to give another marshmallow to anyone who still had the marshmallow in front of them when he returned after leaving for approximately 20 minutes. Some children ate the marshmallow right away, some tried to distract themselves to avoid eating the marshmallow when he returned, and some were able to wait.

Fourteen years later, Professor Mischel followed up with the group of children to see if there were any measurable differences with the children. The children who had waited for the second marshmallow had scored an average of 210 points higher on their SAT’s, were self motivated and were able to delay gratification in order to meet longer term goals. The 1 marshmallow children were more troubled—they were less successful in school, less self confident and mistrustful of others.

So why does it matter?

Poor impulse control usually leads to rash decision-making, which can create havoc in your personal and professional life. But learning to wait for the better payoff pays of exponentially.

There is an old adage—“Good things come to those who wait…” If you can control your impulses and delay the payoff, you will be more successful in meeting long term goals. The odds are with you that you will finish more schooling, leading to greater success in a career path, which leads to far greater earnings over a lifetime; you will tend to save more money, and earn a greater rate of return; and you will delay making big financial purchases until you are capable of handling them.

There is another saying—“Never give up what you really want for what you want right now.” It is important to set goals, and then make a plan to get there. It is even more helpful to keep visual reminders of the goals you have set, since that will keep you focused on the payoff.

Can you teach someone to become a 2 Marshmallow person? Of course! The first step is to spend some time visualizing what you really want. Is it your first brand new car? A college education? A big wedding? A trip to France? Once you have focused on your heart’s desire, then it’s important to research the costs of what you want, and break it down into manageable parts. How long will it take you? How much will you need to put aside? What are you willing to sacrifice now to reach your goal in time? Then it really is important to manage your feelings regarding your delayed gratification.

If you know you’ve been a 1 Marshmallow person for a long time, you might want to set a short-term goal so you can “practice” telling yourself “NO” when something temporarily tempting comes up. Try putting off a small discretionary purchase. Put a dollar or two aside every day, and celebrate by purchasing it at the end of the month!

Things I Learned by Watching Daytime Courtroom TV

2010-05-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

I admit it…I’m addicted to afternoon Judge shows. There is something fascinating about watching ordinary people work out their differences in front of millions of people. Fortunately, all those hours of couch surfing I’ve logged while watching these tales of woe has actually helped me in my daily life. I’ve developed some financial street smarts that I’d like to pass on to you.

The biggest rule of all is – GET IT IN WRITING. Contracts are written down to protect all parties involved in a transaction. They spell out the benefits and responsibilities on both sides, so there is little chance for a misunderstanding to develop. Though oral contracts are usually binding, do you know what they call people who enter into them? LITIGANTS.

If you enter into a contract, read it BEFORE you sign it. You will be held to the terms you agreed upon, and everyone, including a judge, will assume you’ve read and understood what you signed. If you don’t agree on a term, or you don’t understand what you are signing, STOP. Get clarification before you move forward.

Get a receipt. Don’t let money pass from one until the other hand has a receipt in it! Something funny happens in a courtroom. Cash transactions made without a receipt can cause “catastrophic temporary memory loss,” which could lead to you paying double just because you can’t prove you’ve already paid.

If you lend money to someone you care about, you would be wise to treat it as a gift, unless you’re ready, willing and able to lose the relationship. That also means it is unwise to lend money you can’t afford to get back in a timely manner. You don’t want to feel uncomfortable when Cousin Larry comes to the family barbeque this summer!

Don’t co-sign for someone who can’t get credit on their own, unless you are willing to pay for the whole thing. Odds are, the person asking for your help is either a bad risk, or has not proven that they are a good risk yet. Your credit score is on the line, and you are agreeing to be fully responsible for the agreement. This mistake can cost you thousands of dollars over many years, and a bad credit score is a difficult thing to repair.

Look before you leap! Take a used car to a mechanic, have a potential home inspected, and take dated pictures of valuable things when you lend, lease, or buy them.

Pick roommates carefully. It is not enough to like a person. Keep in mind that you are entering into a business relationship with them, and both parties should be fully prepared to act accordingly.

Good fences make good neighbors—especially when you own a dog! If your dog gets out and injures someone, you could have to pay for their medical bills, and there could be bad feelings between you and your neighbors.

Accidents happen, so keep your insurance current. Schedule periodic checkups with your insurance agent to make sure you are properly covered.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do your homework before you invest your money or respond to internet pitches.

Finally, if you must go to court, bring proof of what you are going to tell the judge with you. “Proof” includes signed contracts, receipts, pictures, police reports and witnesses.

A wise person learns from other people’s mistakes. Care enough about your financial well being by following these common sense practices, and you won’t have to learn through your own tale of woe.

How to Find a Summer Job

2010-04-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

If your savings and checking accounts are feeling a little underfunded, don’t worry! Summer is quickly approaching, and it's a great time to find a job. If this is your plan, now is the time to begin preparing for your job search!

Start the process by having a conversation with your parent or guardian about your summer plans. Get their buy-in first. They may have a vacation or an educational opportunity planned that could impact the amount of time you have available to work.
Brainstorm about where you might work. Ask yourself where and what you would like to spend your summer doing, what skills you have or want to develop, and what opportunities are nearby.
Prepare to hear a lot of “No’s” before you hear the right “Yes!” Remember, it’s just a part of the process, so you should not take it personally. Be mature and polite with everyone you meet, and leave your contact information in the form of a resume or application. Even if the initial answer is no, a position may open later, and you want the manager to remember you well enough to call you!
Whether you are filling out an application or turning in a resume, keep in mind that neatness and accuracy count! You’ll need to list the names and addresses of schools and former employers, including the dates of when you attended, references (can be neighbors or teachers), and what days and hours you are willing to work.
Dress appropriately and be well groomed. A potential supervisor will be looking for someone who is eager to work and who cares about making a good impression. When you head out the door to drop off applications, does it look like you are going to the beach or are you sending a clear message that you are ready, willing and able to work?
Be prepared for an on-the-spot interview. Speak confidently about why you want to work for this employer, about your skills, and your eagerness to be a great employee! Now is not the time to be shy…make eye contact and show what you know! Before you leave, try to get the manager’s business card.
Remember to follow up in person or write a professional thank you note (that’s why you need that business card)!
If you are offered a job, you will need to get a work permit (these are usually obtained through the school you attend), and bring all necessary documents your new employer requests. Now is a great time to set up Automatic Deposit of your paycheck into your Green Account. It’s a quick and convenient way to cash your paycheck, and it gives you ready access to your funds. Contact LA Financial if you need help with this process!
Be on time, and be ready to work. That means arriving to your new job with a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn.
Finally, set up some financial goals when you start your job. Of course, you want to earn some spending money, but it is wise to put a portion of your earnings towards a longer term goal like senior year activities (class ring, prom, Senior Pictures), buying your first car, or college expenses. You’ll feel great at the end of the summer when you have a healthy savings account balance which proves how hard you’ve worked, and you’ll be closer to meeting your long term financial goals.

Credit Union shared branching locator app now available on iTunes

2010-04-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc., the nation's largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branch Network, announced the launch of the new credit union Shared Branch locator app on iTunes. The free application is available to download and offers over 6,400 locations to perform Shared Branching transactions.

This makes it even easier for you to access your LA Financial CU accounts. Whether you are trying to locate a branch or a 7-eleven location near home or school, this free app will give you a list of the most convenient locations. It is perfect for anytime you are on the go, or even while you are traveling. Wherever you are, the free app will provide you with the closest locations, their addresses, contact information, hour of operation, and even driving directions.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/credit-union-shared-branching/id358196777?mt=8

Teach Your Children Well...

2010-03-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

2010-03-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

LA Financial Credit Union was featured on a Fox News LA story about people who are dumping their banks for credit unions or small community banks. Check it out...
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/money/dumping-your-bank-20100304

New year, new things to talk about...

2010-01-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Its a new year and I think its time we had some new topics for discussion around here. There have to be financial questions you are all pondering in your money savvy heads out there, and we want to answer them. Or maybe you have an inspiring story to tell about applying for college, a cautionary tale about buying your first car, questions about how you can get a credit card... The possibilities are endless.

Ask a financial services related question or tell us about an experience (it can be about saving, debit cards, loans, credit, the list goes on and on...) either on the blog or on facebook and we'll send the first 50 people a green-accounts tote bag!

To get the tote, you will need to email your mailing address to green@lafinancial.org. We will either mail it to you or arrange for you to pick it up at one of our branches. Supplies are limited and LA Financial Credit Union will choose the 50 tote-bag recipients in the order that their questions/comments are posted.

Look out 2010!

2009-12-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

December is just about over and its time to start thinking about my new year's resolution, that is aside from my constant resolution to start putting away my laundry... For 2009, I wanted to keep my credit card in check, using it only for emergencies and when I really needed it. While I won't start 2010 without a balance, I have a new plan. For 2010, I'm going to create (and stick to!) a budget. I've made up a spreadsheet for myself so I can track my expenses every month in regards to how much I will put into savings, how much I will need for bills/rent/utilities/gas, estimated budget for food, and miscellaneous expenses. I already have a separate savings account for the weddings I will be in/attending this year and I will probably open one for this year's big vacation too (Greece maybe?...). I've got big plans for you, 2010! With my trusty budget in hand, this will be the best year yet.

Anyone else have good intentions for the new year?

Christmas Gifts Tip 2

2009-12-09T11:07:00.000-08:00

Buying gifts for everyone you know can be a huge expense, not to mention stressful! My second gifting tip for this season may help with the expense part. Instead of buying gifts, maybe make some gifts. It's not as hard as it sounds. You can make photo albums (scrapbooks) of things you have done throughout the year for grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles. What they really want to see is you and you can add your own special touches to personalize it. Remember to keep it simple though, I've heard people can get a little crazy at the scrapbooking section of Michaels and all those little items add up quick. If you knit or crochet, you can make scarves, hats, mittens, or anything that fits into your skill level. Trust me, a home-made toasty scarf is always appreciated. These are just 3 suggestions, but if you have different talents and ideas, go for it! And if you make it a theme gift for a lot of people, you can buy the materials in bulk and significantly lower your cost for a very thoughtful gift.

Christmas shopping!

2009-11-30T08:36:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over and I'll bet some of you have already started decorating for Christmas. Have you started your shopping? Remember to make that list, it saves you money on last minute decisions and you can compare prices! And that is my first holiday shopping tip: Compare prices. Already I almost paid more than I needed to on a cookbook from Williams Sonoma that I'm pretty sure one of my friends will love. I had clicked it into my shopping cart and had my credit card at the ready when a voice in my ear reminded me to check Amazon first. Thank you voice, I saved $5 on this gift and I get free shipping! Together that's a savings of over $10. If I can save like that on all of my purchases, maybe I'll be able to save enough money for a little ski weekend...

Don't Scare Your Wallet this Halloween!

2009-10-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is Halloween! This year I have it easy since I only have to wear a masquerade mask to a theme party. Easy costume! If you don't have your costume all picked out yet, not to worry you dont have to go shopping and spead lots of money if you are creative! Take a look in your closet to see what you have that would only need a few themed accessories to complete your look (like a pirate's patch or a witch's hat). Making your own costume with things you have around the house can be really fun and easier than you think! Google "homemade Halloween costumes" and see what comes up. Or, you can trade with your friends. It changes things up and the costume is new to you.

Happy Halloween!

I know it's early but...

2009-10-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

the time has come to talk about holiday shopping. Wait! Don't stop reading! I know we're all disgusted by the Christmas decorations set out in stores way before we even have our Halloween costumes picked yet, but hear me out. If you don't plan ahead, you won't be able to afford all the presents you want to buy, you'll find yourself bargain-shopping at the mall on Christmas eve instead of enjoying yourself, and/or (probably yes) you'll have a massive amount of credit card debt waiting for you in January. So be proactive and get a game plan going now if you don't already have one. Here are some great ways to save money so you can enjoy yourself more and get your credit card to stop smoking.

Start cutting back on small unnecessary expenses and put them into a Secondary Savings account. You can open one with just $5. Then you add to it ($5 deposit instead of Starbucks, watch a streaming movie on Netflix, deposit $15, etc) and when you're ready, just take the money out and pay for your purchases in cash.

I have a big extended family. So to save money and some stress in trying to find the perfect gift for everyone, we have a gift exchange every year. Everyone buys one gift (and yes there's a price limit) and then we put all the wrapped presents in a pile and everyone gets one. It's more fun to shop and more fun to open.

With friends, sometimes it can be hard to give presents to everyone. With some of my closest friends we have a "date" instead of giving presents. Last year my best friend and I went to see Wicked together. We "gave" it to each other as a gift, but it didn't necessarily have to be bought until a few weeks later.

And my last piece of advice is to start buying your presents early! Spread them out a little bit, that way it won't hurt as much to buy them all at once. Make a list and buy one present every paycheck and you'll get a bunch done before the holiday season gets into full swing!

Breaking Up with Banks All Over the Place...

2009-08-19T14:46:00.001-07:00

Since we've started our Break Up With My Bank campaign ,I have heard some very interesting stories about why people who are breaking up with their banks and joining credit unions. One story I heard was from a friend who was traveling abroad and was not informed about extra fees she would incur by using international ATMs. Because her bank did not inform her of the fees it caused her to overdraw her account! She was venting her frustration to someone else when they pointed out that she doesn't shop at large chain stores, she supports local merchants, and buys local organic food. Why would she put all of her money into one of the largest banks in the country? So, that’s when she decided she was going to break up with her bank and join her local credit union because… it's local, community oriented, and cooperatively owned.
I love that she applied her life style to her relationship with her financial institution. Another great reason to join a credit union!
What have been some of your reasons for breaking up with your bank and joining a credit union?

Overdraft Fees = Unnecessary

2009-07-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Have any of you ever written a check? Like a real one where you use a pen and write in the amount and who you are paying it to? I probably write one check per month...my rent check. And if I could do it online I would. With all the electronic bill payments, Automatic payments, Debit Cards and Credit Cards, I never actually write anything down. But your check book comes with a very useful tool, a check register. In this handy little booklet you write the balance in your account and then subtract every transaction from the balance and add every deposit. This way, you always know how much is in your account at any given time.

"Why is this important?"

When you use your debit card, the funds do not immediately leave your account. Let's say you have $100 in your account. Tuesday, you go to the movies and spend $25, then go to In-n-Out and spend $20, then you need to put gas in your car so you put $35 in there. On Thursday, you need to get some cash out of the ATM, so you check your balance and it says $45. Cool, you figure you get paid on Saturday and take out $40. What you haven't figured in is that the $25 from the movie theater hasn't cleared your account yet. And on Friday when it comes in it overdraws your account to bring your balance to -$20. And your bank charges you a $27 Overdraft Fee. So, now you are -$47.

These fees add up. And you can get charged for every transaction that you don't have the money to cover. A $5 cup of coffee could potentially cost you $32!

Keep track of the money you spend, how much is in your account, and when transactions clear from your account to avoid paying these fees. Check your account online by using online banking and you can see when the money leaves your account.

Just a friendly tip from your Credit Union!

Check out breakupwithmybank.com

2009-07-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

We just launched a new website with information about LA Financial and reasons why people should "break up with their bank" and start a new relationship with LA Financial. Check it out!

May iPod winners!

2009-06-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our iPod winners for the month of May:

Jacqueline and Luis

We randomly draw 2 lucky winners a month. It's not too late to be entered into June's random drawing for an iPod shuffle! Ways you can enter:

Become a Fan on Facebook
Comment on our Facebook page
Comment on any Go Green blog entry (be sure to email green@lafinancial.org so we can contact you)
Take our Vitamin G quiz
Or you can write a blog entry by emailing it to green@lafinancial.org.

Earth Day

2009-04-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
Earth Day is just 2 days away and I'm sure we could all be more environmentally friendly. But sometimes it seems like we have to spend more money to be greener. (buying expensive hybrid cars, installing expensive solar panels, or replacing all our appliances.) Well, here are a few easy to do things we can do to help the environment and save money.

Take reusable shopping bags to the grocery store (They're easier to carry, plus you can enter a drawing for a $25 gift card at Trader Joe's!)
Use reusable containers instead of plastic baggies (Saves you money too!)
Use a reusable water bottle with tap water instead of buying it. (Los Angeles won a gold medal in a tap water taste testing in 2008.)
Get electronic statements and bills. (Less postage and less paper! Think of all the time saved not shredding documents!)

Happy Earth Day everyone! And remember these easy little tips to help save the environment and save you money!

Grand Opening

2009-04-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

April 6th- April 10th LA Financial is celebrating the Grand Opening of our Operation HOPE La Brea Branch in Los Angeles. This new branch will offer traditional banking services PLUS financial literacy & home-buying programs, credit counseling and case management services (thru Operaiton HOPE.)

Stop by during the celebration to get one free spin on our "Wheel of Prizes"*.

Prizes include: Clipper tickets, umbreallas, rally monkeys, reuable grocery bags, gift bags and more! AND, receive a FREE gift bag for opening a new product.

*Must be 18 years of older to participate. Limit one free gift bag per member.

Don't miss a surpirse guest appearance by Zach Randolph, LA Clipper player - Thursday, April 9th from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Location:
Los Angeles (La Brea Branch)
Hope Banking Center
3717 S La Brea Ave, Suite 104
Los Angeles CA 90016

Save Some Cash and Save Some Trees.

2009-03-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

How many paper statements do you receive in the mail each month? How many bills do you pay by sending in a check? There are fewer and fewer reasons to do either of these things. Receiving estatements and paying your bills electronically is easier, faster, cheaper and safer. Green Accounts offer Free billpay, which saves you money on stamps, envelopes, gas in your car, and time that could be spent on more exciting endeavors! Plus, you don't have to worry about sneaky dumpster divers or mail thieves trying to steal your identity.

But this isn't only about saving some extra change! The same benefits that save you money are also good for the environment. By not using stamps, envelopes, gas in your car, etc, you are also eliminating that waste. Saving yourself some cash saves trees from destruction, extra garbage in landfills, and pollution in the air.

Check out the video and see for yourself. Remember both eStatements and Online BillPay is free. It's good for you and good for the planet.

All You Need is Love this Valentine's Day...

2009-02-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming up on Saturday, have you made plans for your honey? Or maybe you're just going to hang out with your friends and have a good time. Either way, there is no reason to empty your wallets to show how much you care. I've put together a little list of cheap or even FREE things to do around L.A. this Valentine's Day.

Take a picnic to a local beach or park. An oldie, but a goodie. Have a sweet picnic out in the open. Or if you want to go at night, you can find a baech that has fire pits (like Huntington Beach) and roast marshmallows by the fire!
Hiking in the local mountains. There are some lovely hiking trails around L.A. to explore. What could be more romantic than natural scenery? Visit localhikes.com for ideas.
Make Dinner at home and rent a movie. You don't even have to rent the movie, check out your local library. And dinner doesn't have to mean expensive ingredients, remember it's about the thought and the presentation.
Day at the Getty Museum. Admission to the Getty is free all day and there's a free tram from the parking lot. Parking is $10, but you can also take the Metro Rapid Line 761 and it stops right there on Sepulveda.
Griffith Park Observatory. There is free admission to the observatory and the grounds. You can ride bikes, hike, or take a shuttle up there. There is an LADOT route ($0.25) that connects the observatory to the Red Line. And if you want to see one of the shows, it's only $7.00 for ages 13+ or $5.00 with your student ID.
Aquarium of the Pacific. The aquarium in Long Beach is right next to Shore Line village and the Queen Mary. On February 14th, the aquarium is extending it's hours to 9:00pm and after 5:00pm everyone gets in for kid's price ($11.95). You can also take the Metro Blue Line out there and walk the 0.8 mile to entrance.
Hollywood Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Go down to Hollywood and check out the stars. You can go down during the day and grab lunch or just sight-see and be tourists. If you don't want to drive, you can take the Red Line.

Hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day with whomever you spend it with!

Did you say, FREE Checking?...

2009-01-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

It has come to my attention that I actually know people who pay for their checking accounts. I'm not talking about fancy-dancy checking accounts that earn interest and give you rewards. I'm talking about basic, everyday, deposit-money-and-magically-your-Debit-card-works-when-pay-for-your-Chipotle-burrito Checking accounts.
I'm here to tell you that basic checking accounts are supposed to be free. Yes, FREE. If you are paying $5.95 a month for basic checking services, then you are selling yourself short. If you are paying these outrageous fees, I suggest you do some research. Most of the time, these fees can be waived if you have direct deposit, you have some sort of electronic transfer each month, or you maintain a specified balance.
Look at your statement and see if you're paying a monthly fee. Yes, those letters you get in the mail at the beginning of every month? Open them. Read them. If you see a monthly service charge, call and see if you can change that. (This information is obviously for your non-Green Account friends, because we all know that a Free Checking account from LA Financial has no monthly fee. Ever. That's why we rock.)

$5.95 doesn't sound like much, but that turns into $71.40 per year. I could ski at Big Bear for the day and still have money for lunch. What could you use it for?

Thoughts on my Credit Card...

2009-01-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

So many things came up in 2008 that made me realize how much I value my credit card:

Car Emergency - My car broke down thankfully in a town where I was able to get it fixed.
Wisdom Teeth Removed - Ouch to my teeth and Ouch to my credit card!
Season Pass to a Ski Resort - Yes, I didn't need it, but I hope to save money in the long run.
So many good sales, so many new clothes!
New laptop computer - I bought it refurbished, so I saved quite a bit of money.
A few more car repairs.
And of course, holiday shopping!

So, you can see that I do not want to cancel my credit card, I have needed it on more than one occasion. But now I have started 2009 with a balance, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one. So, in the spirit of the new year I have some new rules for my credit card:

Pay more than the minimum amount due on each bill. This way I can pay off my credit card faster. I plan to pay a set amount every time I get paid so that I don't really miss it out of my paycheck.
Stop using my credit card for every day purchases. My credit card should only be used for emergency and big ticket items that I don't want to pay in cash. No more spur of the moment shopping with plastic money!
Save for the big ticket items! I'm more of a spur of the moment shopper, so I opened a Secondary Savings account specifically for large purchases that might come up. (Like a laptop, or a ski pass, or holiday shopping...)
Continue to carry my credit card for emergencies. When my car broke down, I was in a small town and was about 2 1/2 hours from home. It's nice to know that if I need the money, I have access to it.

My credit card is a valuable tool, but like anything I just need to use it more responsibly. If I stick to my plan, maybe I'll start 2010 without a balance on my credit card.

Happy New Year!!

Its that time!

2008-12-19T15:18:00.001-08:00

Wishing everyone a very safe and happy holiday!

Just remember the holidays are not all about trying to find the perfect gift or buying the most presents but a time to be with family and friends and to remember those who may not be as fortunate as you.

Be A Smart Shopper!

2008-11-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I went Christmas shopping with a friend of mine. (Yes, I know it's early for that, but I prefer to get all of my shopping done before Thanksgiving.) As we were shopping, she found a pair of jeans that she liked that were a pretty good deal. Once we got to the register, the salesperson mentions that if my friend bought another item it would be 1/2 off, which sends my friend into a frenzy searching for something else she might want. In the end, she just bought the jeans because whether or not the extra item is 50% off, its still 50% that you are spending that you hadn't planned on before.
So the purpose of this story is to prepare everyone for the temptations of holiday shopping. There are a huge amount of sales right now with more popping up every day. Here is a list of shopping tips to help you avoid going overboard:

1. Make a list of things you need to buy before you go.
2. Stick to the list.
3. If you are about to buy something that is a "really good deal" ask yourself if you really need this right now.
4. Compare prices. There are great deals out there, make sure you get them!
5. Keep track of your expenses, what you think you "need" might not be so necessary once you realize how much you've already spent.
6. Don't be pressured by salespeople! If you need to be talked into it, you probably don't need it.
7. Keep your receipts, just in case you change your mind later.

The last thing you need is a smoothie maker with the awesome automatic pour spout that you bought on sale that still has the tags on it that could have been more money saved up for your much more awesome ski trip to Colorado. (See, I speak from experience.)

Happy (Smart) Shopping!

A New Bank VS Credit Union Video - "Money to Blow".

2008-10-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Check out this funny Banks vs Credit Unions video called "I Love You"!

2008-09-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Would you like to win an iPod?

2008-09-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to all of our friends who have been adding blog and face book comments. Don't forget... we are giving away two iPods each month.

To become eligible you need to:

be our "fan" on facebook

comment on our go green blog or facebook blog

takes our Vitamin G quiz

We start each month off with a clean slate so you need to enter every month.

So.... get some Vitamin Green. You may just learn something about money management - and - you may just win an iPod!! Green!!

Be A Fan. Visit LA Financial on Facebook!

2008-08-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Now you can visit us on Facebook. Check us out and don't forget to be our fan!!!

Text to Find an ATM!

2008-08-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

As financially savvy LA Financial members, everyone already knows that you can go to any ATM with the CO-OP logo and withdraw cash from your LA Financial account fee-free, right? Why is this cool? Because there are over 25,000 CO-OP ATMs nationwide where you can get cash! I'm not sure if you think this a lot, but check the big banks, and they don't even come close to having that many.

So how do you find all of these fee-free ATMs? You can check the CO-OP website , call 888-SITE-CO-OP, or you can text your location to MYCOOP (692667) and in 30 seconds you'll have the nearest CO-OP ATM location texted to you. Obviously standard texting rates from your phone service provider apply.

I personally love it that I can text from my phone to find an ATM because usually if I need cash it is unexpected. I use my debit card for everything.

So, I'm just sharing the tip! Don't pay at a foreign ATM when you can text to find one for free.

Sharing Knowledge

2008-08-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from some of the financial education classes I taught =) .

I have come to realize that after explaining all the free features that LA Financial offers, people, my friends, and even family are still using Pay Day lenders to cash their paychecks. WHY??? WHY would anyone pay for something when they can just as easily get it for free????

It is SO SO SO important to realize that even though you may only be spending $3.00 to cash your pay check, that is $3.00 more then you would ever have to pay if you belonged to a financial institution. Do people realize that if you did that every time you received a pay check you would've spent $72 in a year just to get YOUR money. That is $72 that should be in your pocket!!! Belonging to a credit union is FREE why would you pay for something you can get for FREE!

Also, it's important to build a relationship with a financial institution. You can't go through your whole life cashing checks at Pay Day lenders and expect to be able to buy all the things you want or even save for the things you want. You will need to establish credit and you will need loans! You can only get loans if you have established credit.

I know that it is incredibly intimidating to walk into a financial institution and feel like you don't know what your doing. This is why we have people there to answer your questions. They want to help you because they want you to become a member. You have the power... so even if you feel like you don't know anything that is completely OK... You can call, write or go online to find almost any question you have.

So... go out and become a member!!! Save yourself some money!!!

What did you do today to "Save Some Green"?

2008-08-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

LA Financial Credit Union is YOUR eco-conscious credit union. We believe environmentally-friendly business practices are extremely important, and this is another way your local credit union is doing everything possible to support your community.

We offer green accounts
We encourage the use of e-statements
We use email for marketing promotions - we send at least one email blast per month with new and exciting offers
We encourage the use of free bill-pay
We offer debit and credit cards
We offer payroll deduction and direct deposit
We print most of our marketing materials on recycled paper with soy or corn-based inks
We reward employees who take alternative transportation methods to work

So... What did you do today to "Save Some Green?

Interesting Facts

2008-07-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

Some interesting facts according to Ag Center Research and Extension.

College Students:
• Undergraduate students carry an average of three credit cards each and have an average credit card debt of $2,327 in 2002—a 15 percent decrease from the 2000 average! (Nellie Mae,2002)
• The average college freshman has 2.5 credit cards; by graduation they have almost tripled the number of cards they hold. (Nellie Mae ,2002)
• Graduating students have an average of $20,402 in combined education loan and credit card balances. (Nellie Mae, 2002)
• Graduate students have an average credit card debt of $4,776 and hold an average of four cards each. (Nellie Mae,,2000)
• Twenty-eight percent of students with a credit card roll over debt each month. (Nellie Mae, 2000)
• University administrators state that they lose more students to credit card debt, than to academic failure. (Utah Mentor, 2003; The Voice Digital News, 2003)

Bankruptcies:
• We have recently seen an over $50% increase in bankruptcies among people under age 25.
• 1.4 million families filed for personal bankruptcy in 2001 (American Bankruptcy Institute, 2003)

It's scary the amount of debt young people are getting into. I am no exception and have had to learn the hard way that paying money back is much much harder then NOT spending it the first place. It is so important to understand financial literacy.

How Safe Is Your Money?

2008-07-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

With all the news about failed banks, many people are asking…. "How safe is my money? Members of LA Financial Federal Credit Union need not worry.

LA Financial’s mortgage portfolio is only a small portion of total assets.
LA Financial practices very conservative mortgage underwriting standards.
Best of all, deposits at LA Financial are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), an arm of National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
Not one penny of insured savings has ever been lost by a member of a federally insured credit union.

Your share insurance is similar to the deposit insurance protection offered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The NCUSIF is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Most properly established savings accounts in federally insured credit unions are insured up to the Standard Maximum Share Insurance Amount (SMSIA), which is $100,000. The insurance coverage on certain retirement accounts, such as IRAs and Keoghs is up to $250,000. Generally, if a credit union member has more than one account in the same credit union, those accounts are added together and insured in the aggregate. There are exceptions, though. You may obtain additional separate coverage on multiple accounts, but only if you have different ownership interests or rights in different types of accounts and you properly complete account forms and applications.

For more information, view the NCUA Share Insurance Estimator (an educational resource about share insurance) for a detailed explanation of insurance coverage.

Do you know about EFT?

2008-07-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

You've seen other people do it for years, they swipe a card or click a mouse and a purchase is made. But what is really happening is EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). Whenever we swipe our cards and transfer money online, use an ATM, make an online purchase, inter-account transfer, direct deposit or online bill pay, we are using EFT.

EFT can be good for the environment. As many as 2.3 million tons of wood (about 16.5 million trees) would be saved every year if all U.S. households viewed and paid bills online instead of getting paper statements. The bad news, instead of someone stealing cash from your wallet, there’s the risk of identity theft. That’s why there are common safety features associated with EFT that help to authenticate the card and card holder:

Signature verification
Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Magnetic strip information (on credit and debit cards)
CVV code - printed into the signature panel on the back of your card
Password protection (for online account access)

PIN and signature-based debit card use has topped $800 billion annually in recent years. Instead of carrying cash, we're using EFT by swiping our cards and clicking online, saving time and money.

To start using EFT, simply apply for a savings, checking, or credit card account. Soon you'll be able to access your funds quickly and efficiently. You should regularly monitor your scheduled bill withdrawals, direct deposits and online purchases to make sure that all transactions are legitimate.

Manage Your Green

2008-07-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

You may be young, but with each passing moment, the opportunity to make more money is slipping away. By not effectively managing your money, you may be missing out on some serious long-term rewards.

So where do you turn for financial guidance? We suggest the MoneyMix™: Launch Your Life. Designed for adults 18-30, MoneyMix is loaded with articles, blogs and videos on money management. The topics cover the big decisions people your age make every day, and show you how to make the right financial call.

The site also provides insight on budgeting and saving for future goals. It’s a golden opportunity to learn how to manage your green, and it’s waiting for you by clicking here.
For younger members, we also have a link to Googolplex® The Credit Union Guide for Student Moneymakers.

Googolplex® is an online magazine written by youth for youth, and deals with money matters and life issues through colorful stories and interactive games. Googolplex reaches youth of all ages- C-Note for high schoolers, AJ’s for middle schoolers, and the Five-Spot for elementary schoolers.

How do you decide where to bank?

2008-07-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

I was wondering how many people think that APY's are important? I mean most people know what they are but financial institutions try all sorts of promotions offering great APY's. Do those incentives really make people move their money from one financial institution to another. Or do you just bank with the financial institution your parents bank at?

Never Pay ATM Fees Again

2008-07-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

I have two twenty something children who always run short on money before payday. When I look at their checking accounts, I see a lot of small ATM withdrawals and a lot of BIG ATM fees. Although the Credit Union belongs to the Co-Op Network with over 25,000 surcharge free ATMs, they can never seem to find one when they need one. So, they end up paying $2 - $3 to the bank owning the ATM and $1.50 to the Credit Union.

But... I have a solution. If they were to go to any grocery store and buy something (bottled water, gum, etc.) with their Debit card and get cash back ($10, $100, whatever), the $3.50+ in fees would be eliminated. So, be smart and avoid fees - if a Co-Op machine is not handy, I'm sure that you can easily find a grocery store.

Did you know, we now offer checking accounts and debit cards for members starting at age 13? So, get a checking account & debit card but use it wisely. Don't pay unnecessary foreign ATM fees.

Find a surcharge-free ATM – even when you’re on the go! Simply text an address (with city, state), a zip code or an intersection to 692667 (MYCOOP). In less than 30 seconds, you’ll receive a reply with an ATM near you. For additional ATMs, simply reply “More.” The service is free, standard text messaging rates apply.

Welcome to the Green Blog

2008-07-02T08:27:00.001-07:00

It’s our job to supply you with sustenance. To feed you financial info and money tips you can use. But sometimes it helps to discuss money with your peers. That’s why we put the Go Green Blog together; so we can update you on important financial news and tips, and give you an interactive forum for discussing your financial life.

Check back often to see what we’re talking about on the Go Green Blog, brought to you by LA Financial Credit Union and Havasu Community Credit Union.

Green Accounts

2008-07-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Being successful with money has everything to do with how well you manage it. To help you better understand how to do that, we've put together specific financial products for young adults age 13 - 17 and a webpage filled with helpful tips and information. It's a great way to get in-touch with your greener self. And don't forget, if there's ever a thing you have a question about, just give us a call at 800-894-1200. We're here to help you master money. Green Accounts.

What we're talking about

2008-07-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

Over the years, we have explored numerous ways to communicate with our members. We still use the mail, of course, but not nearly as much as we used to (just like everyone else we get frustrated with all the piles of mail we get too.) We have also used the typical advertising options (television, radio, newspaper) and while they are great for getting a quick message out to a lot of people, there are times when we want to share more detailed information.