The Boardcast

New Phishing Scam

Shari Seney, UFirst Office Manager, sent an email today alerting UFirst members about a new phishing scam. Shari warned the following:

Please be advised that there is a new Phishing Scam that has been detected requesting information from our members. This scam looks as if it were sent from CUNA and is regarding Irregular Check Card Activity. The email states that irregular activity has been detected and provides a telephone number for you to call. Do not call this number. UFirst Federal Credit Union and any affiliates would never request personal information from you via email.

Shari can be contacted by phone at 518-324-5700 or email at sharis@ufirstfcu.net if members have any questions.

UFirst FCU Joins the Fun at Trick or Treat on Safety St.

UFirst Account Representative Meghan McGee-Pelkey, Director of Marketing Jody Carpenter and Jody's daughter, Ashley greeted thousands of area children on Friday evening at Trick or Treat on Safety Street. City of Plattsburgh Recreation Department Director Randy Lozier estimated that around 8000 children enjoyed visiting the booths decorated and staffed by area organizations and businesses.

The Boardcast's Blog of the Week

You probably know by now that I am a "blog junkie". Don't get me wrong - I still read books and newspapers but I now rely on blogs and podcasts for much of my news and entertainment. What I like most about blogs is that they allow me to focus on the information that's most relevant in my life today. Blogs also uncover topics and issues that may not have come to light in other media.  Trent Hamm of The Simple Dollar provides information that is helpful to those of us who are trying to economize and save. He does this in an organizational style that helps me focus on what interests me and skip the rest.

The Simple Dollar has been online for a little over a year. The purpose of the blog, viewable from the home page, states that:

The Simple Dollar is for those of us who need both cents and sense: people fighting debt and bad spending habits while building a financially secure future and still affording a latte or two.

Scrolling down the page users just have to look at the sidebar to the right and they're given a summary of recent articles and categories. The blog includes detailed book reviews as well as Trent's reflections on any topic you can think of related to saving, spending and financial life skills. If you like your information via email, this blog has a way to order articles from The Simple Dollar and have them delivered to your email address.

Bookmark this blog and take a look at your leisure. You may find a tip that could mean money in your pocket.

EverythingCU CEO Visits UFirst

UFirst welcomed Morriss Partee, CEO of EverythingCU , who visited our Rugar St. operations center on Wednesday, 10/25. Morriss has worked for more than 10 years as a branding, marketing and design consultant for credit unions. His company designed the "Switch Kit" product UFirst uses to facilitate and streamline the process of switching to UFirst from other financial institutions. Ginny Brady, board vice chair, met Morriss at the Washington Credit Union League Convention in Spokane, WA. We were happy to learn that Morriss is our "east coast neighbor". His office is in Holyoke, MA. Our visit included a discussion on improving and updating The Boardcast as well as a conversation with Linda Bourgeois, UFirst CEO and Jody Carpenter, UFirst Director of Marketing, on marketing, technology and "everything cu".

Thank you Morriss for taking the time out of your busy schedule to visit us at UFirst.

Board of Directors Meeting - 10/23/2007

The board met at our operations center on Rugar St. on Tuesday evening. The board complimented Director of Marketing, Jody Carpenter on the cooperative educational program we have launched with Plattsburgh High School and the Plattsburgh Teacher's Credit Union. Linda circulated a copy of the article that appeared in Saturday's Press Republican featuring the program highlighting our efforts to improve financial literacy. CEO Linda Bourgeois shared her experience attending the CEO Roundtable sponsored by the New York State Credit Union League. Linda found the content and the opportunity for networking very valuable. The board learned about the "Free in Five" Home Equity Special. The credit union will be covering the closing costs for members participating in this program designed to help them be free of debt in five years. Visits to our branch at the College Bookstore have increased again this month. CEO Bourgeois announced that September was UFirst's second highest month for new loans.

Members who would like to propose items for board discussion are welcome to contact Linda Bourgeois, a member of the Board of Directors or email The Boardcast.

Save for Retirement Week - Oct. 21 - Oct. 27

Normally, I'm skeptical about any days (or weeks) that have a special designation. It isn't often, though, that a week is set aside to remind us that it's crucial not to delay saving for retirement. This week The National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators, Inc. (NAGDCA) announced a Resolution introduced into the Senate by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) to declare a National Save for Retirement Week. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) introduced a companion Resolution at the House level to declare a National Save for Retirement Week, which passed as well.

National Save for Retirement Week is the first congressionally endorsed, national event formally calling on employers to promote the benefits of saving for retirement, and encouraging their employees to take full advantage of employer-sponsored plans. It's shocking to note that approximately 41% of workers between the ages of 45 and 54 report having saved only about $25,000 for retirement. If you haven't already begun saving for a better future, why not use this week to begin "paying yourself first".

• Visit your human resource office to get information about your employer's retirement savings program.
• Begin a payroll deduction to fund your contribution to this plan.
• Talk with an Account Representative at UFirst to discuss IRA options available through the credit union.

It's not to late. Celebrate National Save for Retirement Week by investing in your future.

International Credit Union Day at UFirst FCU

UFirst FCU Celebrated International Credit Union Day with autumn treats for those visiting the credit union on October 18th. Pictured are members Yvonne and Mary-Anne sharing in the apples, donuts and apple cider served to members and visitors. UFirst also sponsored a coloring contest. Pictured are entries from Kyle and Bridget. Our credit union artists' names were placed in a drawing with a Crayola backpack as the prize.

 

Plattsburgh High School Students Join UFirst FCU

Karen Rock brought students from her Career and Financial Management Class to Ufirst today to learn about credit unions and become members by opening share accounts. Jody Carpenter, UFirst Director of Marketing in cooperation with Anna Sherman, Manager of the Plattsburgh City School District Credit Union have joined Mrs. Rock in her efforts to encourage the students in her class to develop sound fiscal habits that will become a part of their adult lives. Students in Mrs. Rock's class are using the NEFE youth literacy program as part of their classroom instruction.  Many of the students are also participating in internships with local institutions, agencies and businesses who are sponsoring their savings accounts through matching savings amounts up to $100.  Some of the participating groups include: Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital; Bright Beginnings; Clinton County Nursing Home; JCEO Headstart; TJ Maxx; North End Repair; Petsmart; and Tractor Supply.

The Ufirst Board of Directors authorized the credit union to provide the $5 deposit required to open share accounts for each participating student.  In the name of board and the membership, CEO Linda Bourgeois, Director of Marketing Jody Carpenter, Head Teller Eric Arlt and Board Member Ginny Brady welcomed the students as new members of the credit union and encouraged them to use the services of the credit union to begin a habit of saving which will be the foundation of their financial security.

A short slideshow of the event can be found on the sidebar to the right.

Milestone for The Boardcast

Congratulations to us!

The Boardcast has had over 3000 visits since it's launching on January 1, 2007.

National Association of Federal Credit Unions Speaks Out in the NY Times

Fred Becker, President of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions, has written an opinion piece featured in today's New York Times. The letter to the editor entitled Credit Unions and Students highlights the role credit unions are playing in efforts to add to financial literacy on campuses throughout the country. Mr. Becker comments on the ongoing efforts made in Congress to counteract the exploitation of college students by credit card companies using predatory marketing practices.