PRESS KIT PRESS KIT MEDIA CONTACT. Jerri Schmidt, EVP Marketing D TF E jerris@option1cu.org

Transcription

1 PRESS KIT MEDIA CONTACT Jerri Schmidt, EVP Marketing D TF E jerris@option1cu.org

2 INTRODUCTION What it means to be a credit union. People helping people WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CREDIT UNION There are approximately 13,500 member-owned cooperative financial institutions, known as credit unions, in the U.S. Their roots go back to 1849 when the first credit union was established in Western Europe. A credit union is usually formed around a common bond, generally employment. Its main purpose is to give member-owners a place to save and borrow. Members put their money into a variety of savings and investment accounts. This money is then loaned to members who pay interest. After operating expenses and reserve requirements are met, the remaining income is returned to the members as dividends and other financial services. Member-owned credit unions are not for profit; they exist only to serve their membership. As a result, credit unions are able to pay high dividends on savings and charge low interest rates on loans.

3 FACT SHEET A really fast overview of who we are. Fast Fact Sheet INTERESTING FACTS Established: 1936 Operational outreach: 6 counties in West and Mid Michigan Members serviced in a Day: 30,000+ THE MISSION To provide exceptional and personal service. To inspire optimism. To empower people to become financially independent. OUR COMMITMENT TO HUMANITY Last year we raised $22,648 for local charities. Our team volunteered over 489 hours HIGHLIGHTS Members saved over $196,566 using our Spare Change Debit Savings Program. 33 Option 1 team members earned a service rating of 100%. UNIQUE TO OPTION 1 Spare Change Debit Card Savings Program Save to Win Budget Counseling Members Financial Services

4 OUR MISSION WISDOM Since our inception in 1936, Option 1 Credit Union has been helping people acquire the things that make their lives complete and prosperous. We have experienced the ups and downs, challenges and changes, surprises and disasters throughout our nation s history right along with you. From this, we have learned how to overcome obstacles, develop relevant financial products and services, and stay the course with sensible lending practices. At Option 1, we know that wisdom comes from experience and we ve got that experience. Collectively our employees have over 764 years of experience in serving our members. We are an institution that sees wisdom in learning from the past to successfully travel into the future. Be part of a credit union that knows wisdom makes the difference.

5 OUR MISSION VALUE Value is subjective to how people perceive the implications it has on their life and in their circumstances. Some people see value in the monetary return they receive while also seeing value in personal service and recognition. At Option 1, we value individual personal service and monetary return for our members. We know our members use various avenues to access their accounts and each person has expectations we continually strive to exceed. We remember birthdays, we remember stories, we remember favorites, and we remember faces. We are a financial institution that is in the business of people. Be part of a credit union that values people.

6 OUR MISSION INNOVATION Invention is the embodiment of something new. Invention and innovation carry similarities, yet innovation also carries an undertone of profitability and market performance expectations. The goal of innovation is positive change, to make something better, leading to increased wealth in an economy. Our world is everchanging, versatile, and adaptive. At Option 1, we assess, develop, and enhance our products and services to reflect the unique needs of our members as their lifestyles change and evolve. We work to make money management easy and efficient because life is busy. Be part of a credit union that places innovation as a key tool for your financial lifestyle needs and success.

7 PRESS Press Kit KIT BRAND STANDARDS avenir Rights and Usability You have the ability to download images of Option 1 and logo s via our website under the About Option 1 section. All logo variations and images are optimized for websites. USAGE RIGHTS: These photos are for editorial use only in newspapers, news magazines, trade publications and broadcast media. All images remain the property of Option 1 Credit Union. Under no circumstances can these images be used for any personal or commercial purpose. READ THIS NOTE: The logo may not be altered in any way, as it is an corporate image. DO NOT change the color, change proportions, distort, add dimension, or in any other way modify these symbols other than sizing. DO NOT crop, tilt, use a partial image, bend, wave, emboss, add shadowing, apply texture, replace wording, reverse or in any other way change the symbol. PRINTING: The logo should be no smaller than 2cm wide. Clear space of 1/4 of the logo width top and sides and 1/8 width at bottom is required around the logo. SINGLE COLOR: The black and white images below may be reproduced in one-color format, generally black or dark blue. FULL COLOR: Colors are Pantone Process Blue and Pantone Process Black.

8 INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS & SERVICES Unique to Option 1 SPARE CHANGE DEBIT savings Spare Change works with an Option 1 debit card and checking account. When Spare Change has been activated on your account, we will round up all of your debit card purchases to the next whole dollar and transfer your spare change to a special high-yield savings account. Before you know it, your spare change will become a healthy savings balance. Ask us about this easy new way to save. SAVE TO WIN It s a very different Certificate of Deposit account now available at eight Michigan credit unions, including Option 1. It is designed to making saving fun, allowing you to start with as little as $25 and then awarding you with chances to win cash prizes as your CD balance increases. You can deposit to your Save to Win CD as often as you want during the 12-month term. Each $25 increase in your Save to Win balance will give you a chance to win - up to 10 chances every month. Each time you enter you have a chance at winning the grand prize of $100,000. Above and Beyond Discount insurance Members can save significantly on policies that include: AAA and Liberty Mutual Group Auto Family Group Life GAP Insurance for your vehicles Credit Life and Disability VISA RELOADABLE TRAVEL CARDS e Statements View and print your account statements online. Free services Free notary public service Free signature guarantee service Free BudgetSmart budgeting software

9 PRODUCTS & SERVICES Personal Accounts SAVINGS option 1 money market account Earn daily interest (paid monthly) that increases as your balance increases. $5,000 minimum balance. health savings accounts Set aside tax-free dollars to use for medical expenses. Balances carry over from year to year. HSA checking accounts with debit card access are also available. FOR THE KIDS Dollar Dog Kids Club accounts use prizes and other incentives to teach kids ages 3 12 how to save. CU Succeed teen financial education is a free information resource that teaches financial skills to teen members. CHECKING With five personal checking account options, there s something for everyone! Looking for truly free checking? We ve got it. Even better, we have Option Plus Checking and Option 55 Checking accounts that offer bonus services and pay interest on daily balances over $2,000. High school and college students can sign up for Student Checking to learn how to responsibly use a checking account. And because everyone deserves a second chance, we offer Back on Track Checking for members who might not normally qualify for a checking account. 24 HOUR ACCESS PC Branch OnLINE banking Secure, free Internet-based banking lets you check your balance, make transfers, view 120 days of account activity, and more. Free online bill payment Pay all of your bills quickly and easily online at no charge. 28,000+No surcharge ATMs Use any ATM in our Co-Op ATM Network at no charge. You ll find a complete list of ATM locations at Click on No-surcharge ATMs. No fee debit cards If you like quick and easy cashless payment options, you ll love the Option 1 MasterCard Debit Card. You ll never pay a maintenance or transaction fee.

10 PRODUCTS & SERVICES Low-interest Loans Unique one time loan application Complete just one Option 1 loan application, and you ll never have to fill out another. Only brief updates are required for future loans. Loans for every need New and used cars (no money down) Home improvement Construction and land loans Boats, motorcycles and RVs First mortgages FHA and VA loans Option 1 can help you choose the best option for your situation Low down payments as little as 3% No origination fee, low closing costs, no points Construction loans available Second homes and investment properties Free Pre-approvals and counseling Home equity loans Fixed-rate 80% equity loan Open-end equity line of credit Interest-only payments available contact a loan specialist for details VISA Platinum cards Earn travel & gift rewards with all VISA purchases Platinum Plus card also offers cash-back option. Excellent rates no annual fee 25-day interest-free grace period on purchases

11 PRODUCTS & SERVICES Investment Services Individual Retirement Accounts Competitive IRAs require no minimum balance. IRA Certificates of Deposit are available. Certificates of Deposit CDs with 6 to 60-month maturities offer competitive interest rates, paid monthly or quarterly. $500 minimum balance. Members Financial Services* Take advantage of expert, one-to-one financial management at no cost or obligation. Investment and insurance products are available. Business Services now available - business checking options Choose from our basic Business account or our Business Plus account. Get the personal attention and fast service that your small business deserves. Contact Option 1 for account details. Business loans Come to Option 1 for lines of credit and term loans to meet your business needs, including rental real estate.