January 2015 Number 1 Volume 53 SAFE presents new IRA Certificate special Now at SAFE, you can take advantage of 1.76% APY 1 on a 60-month Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Certificate. Lock in this remarkable rate to beef up your investment portfolio. Get started with just $500. Whether you re gearing up to start a new job or you re about to retire, smart money management can help you maximize your savings. Peace of mind comes from knowing you have enough savings to enjoy your retirement years. To open your IRA Certificate, visit any SAFE branch, use online Live Help, or call us at (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. 1 Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 1/1/15, and subject to change. Dividends paid monthly. Certificate penalties for early withdrawal may apply. Certificate will roll over at non-promotional dividend rate in effect at time of maturity based on term and renewal balance. Not eligible for relationship rate premium. 2 Consult your tax advisor regarding eligibility requirements, tax deductibility, and to determine which IRA plan is best for you. With a SAFE IRA Certificate, you can save for specific retirement goals such as buying a sporty new convertible, while benefitting from long-term, tax-advantaged savings. 2 A great dividend rate is guaranteed through maturity with a totally fee-free SAFE IRA Certificate. Maximize your retirement contributions before tax time. Open a special 60-month IRA Certificate today to increase your earning potential. Establish the account by making a normal contribution or transferring funds from an IRA at another financial institution.
Keep your financial resolutions with FinanceWorks New Year s resolutions are tough to maintain, but SAFE can help. You can set and meet your financial goals this year by using FinanceWorks, a comprehensive money management tool powered by Quicken. Offered free in SAFE Online Banking, FinanceWorks is easy to use. Best of all, you can see your overall financial situation now, plus create a budget and savings plan to improve your future. With access to more than 19,000 financial institutions, FinanceWorks allows you to view checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments all in one place. Check balances, pay bills, set budget limits, and track expenses all from within SAFE Online Banking. After tracking your expenses for housing, food, auto, entertainment, and household bills, you can quickly build a budget and set monthly goals for each category. Seeing where you spend your money helps you decide in what categories you can cut back to save more. FinanceWorks allows you to check your progress daily to see how much you ve spent and how much you have left in each category. Plus, if you set alerts for budget goals, FinanceWorks will let you know if you re getting close to your limit. Creating a comprehensive financial picture and planning ahead for monthly expenses makes it easier to pay bills on time and build your credit score. Tend to forget bills? FinanceWorks will remind you when your cell phone and gas bills are due and allow you to pay them easily online. Let us help you improve your financial well-being. Visit safecu.org to take a tour of FinanceWorks today. Try TurboTax in SAFE Online Banking and enter to win! Use TurboTax in Online Banking from Jan. 16 through Feb. 26, 2015 to get your taxes done and be automatically entered to win $25,000. The TurboTax $25K Giveaway 1 is simple to enter. Just log in to SAFE Online Banking and file your federal taxes using TurboTax. It s free to prepare, print, and e-file simple federal tax returns with TurboTax Federal Free Edition. Not enrolled in Online Banking? Click here to get started, or speak to a SAFE representative by calling (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. 1 Click here to view official rules. TurboTax will be available in SAFE Online Banking to file taxes through April 15, 2015, but the sweepstakes ends Feb. 26, 2015.
Buy a green vehicle in 2015 and save Looking to reduce your carbon footprint? SAFE has you covered. If you ve been looking at a Toyota Prius or a Nissan Leaf, check out SAFE s hybrid discounts. * You can get an additional.25% off SAFE s low auto loan rates if you purchase an electric, natural gas, or hybrid vehicle. You may also apply for an auto loan at your neighborhood branch. Or, call a helpful SAFE representative at (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. * Some restrictions apply. See SAFE for details. Research all the green vehicles, read reviews, and even check our dealer inventory at AutoSMART on safecu.org. When you ve found the vehicle that s right for you, contact one of our preferred dealers, apply for an auto loan, or get pre-approved at safecu.org. SAFE offers scholarships to outstanding students If there s an exceptional college-bound student in your household, he or she may qualify to receive a $1,000 scholarship from SAFE Credit Union. SAFE Scholarship applications are now available for college-bound students who attend a high school located in one of the following counties: Sacramento, Contra Costa, Placer, Nevada, Yolo, Amador, Solano, San Joaquin, Sutter, Butte, El Dorado, or Yuba. SAFE has rewarded many exceptional college-bound students for their outstanding achievements and commitment to community service. This year, the tradition continues with 10 $1,000 scholarships. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and finalists will be chosen based on the following criteria: academic achievement, financial need, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and community involvement. Scholarship applications are available online at safecu.org, at all SAFE branches, or by calling SAFE at (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. Applications must be postmarked no later than Monday, March 2, 2015 and addressed to: SAFE Credit Union Attn: Marketing 2295 Iron Point Road, Suite 100 Folsom, CA 95630-8765
Grow your cash flow with a SAFE Business Line of Credit A thriving business needs cash flow, more at certain times, less at others. With a SAFE Express Line of Credit you can stock seasonal inventory, hire extra employees when you need them, buy new equipment, and purchase software upgrades to make your business more efficient. Accessible working capital for every season gives business owners peace of mind. Best of all, a SAFE Express Line of Credit keeps your personal funds at home and the business assets at work. Borrow up to $50,000 with flexible funding and no collateral required. With easy access to funds, you can purchase what you need when you need it to keep your business humming year round. A SAFE Express Line of Credit offers these benefits: Easy access to funds No annual fee No prepayment penalty Flexible monthly payments New businesses (one year or more) may apply With SAFE, you get common sense local decisionmaking and expert help from a preferred local lender. For more information or to apply, contact your local SAFE Business Banking Officer by calling (916) 971-6430 or (800) SEE-SAFE, extension 6430. Re-evaluate your insurance needs annually In January, millions of people make resolutions about how they intend to make their lives a little better in the coming year. When it comes to making sure you have the right homeowners or auto insurance, it s the perfect time to evaluate whether the policies you re currently holding are the best for you and your family. To learn more about what auto and homeowners insurance policies are available, or to receive a free review and quote, call (800) 810-5577 or visit www.apolloinsuranceservices.com/safecu. Insurance products offered through Apollo Insurance Services, Inc., California Insurance License # 0394033 are: 1) not NCUSIF insured; 2) not obligations of, or guaranteed by, the credit union or any affiliated entities; insurance products not available in all states. Most likely, your life has gone through some changes over the past year. You may have obtained additional property or completed renovations to your home that would require a shift in your homeowners insurance policy. Or, perhaps you ve added a new driver or discontinued one on your auto insurance policy, which might mean the rules and rates will be changed. Apollo Insurance Services specializes in helping members find the best insurance coverage for their individual needs. They work with top-rated insurance companies and can compare several rates and different levels of coverage for you. Plus, they never charge a broker s fee and may also offer discounts available only to credit union members!
Buying your first home may be more affordable than you imagined Still paying rent to your landlord? SAFE offers programs to make it easier and more affordable for first-time buyers to purchase a home. Rather than paying rent, invest your hard-earned money in your own house. For example, according to Zillow.com, rent in the Greater Sacramento area can average anywhere from $800 to $2,000 a month depending upon the location and size of your apartment or house. Compare that to a monthly payment of $491.94 on a $100,000 loan at 4.385% APR for 360 months or 30 years.* Depending upon the amount you borrow, and the cost of the home you finance, a home loan payment could be lower than the cost of your monthly rent. The following are just a few of SAFE s home loan options: SAFE FHA Home Loans Make the move sooner with flexible FHA qualifying: Flexible financing and the security of a low, fixed rate A down payment as low as 3.5% to get you moving sooner Monthly payments that may be less than your current lease Common-sense local processing and underwriting SAFE97 Home Loans Go from renter to owner with 97% financing: A low, fixed rate and flexible financing Flexible qualifying designed to help first-time buyers A low down payment of only 3% Funds for down payment can come from a wide range of sources For single-family units and planned unit developments Our professional experts will provide you with exceptional service and help you choose the right home loan to fit your financial needs. To schedule a free consultation, contact a SAFE Mortgage Officer by visiting safecu.org or calling (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. * APR accurate as of 12/24/2014. Payment does not include taxes and insurance premiums. Actual payment obligation will be greater. Financing up to 97%. Rates may vary and are based on credit history, term, and amount financed. All loans subject to credit approval and membership eligibility. Click here for loan options, rates, and disclosures. Rates, terms, and conditions subject to change. Sign up for free Online Banking training Sign up today to improve your SAFE Online Banking skills by visiting safecu.org or calling (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. These free, informative classes can help you manage your money online so you can save time, save money, and bank at your convenience. Join us for the next Online Banking Skills Class session! Location: Citrus Heights Branch, 7475 Madison Ave. Date: Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015 Time: 2 p.m. 5 p.m. Learn more about the benefits of Online Banking today. Space is limited, so sign up soon!
One-Rollover-Per-Year IRA Rule Change Considering an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) rollover this year? You ll want to take note of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule change that impacts IRA rollovers. Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, taxpayers are limited to only one IRA rollover per 12-month period regardless of the number of IRAs they own. The limit will apply by aggregating all of an individual s IRAs, including Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE, effectively treating them as one IRA for purposes of the limit. Under the previous IRS rule, individuals were allowed to roll over one IRA distribution per 12-month period for each IRA they own. This change does not affect your ability to transfer funds from one IRA trustee directly to another. Direct transfers remain unlimited and the best option for moving funds from one institution to another. For more information regarding this change or its impact on 2014 rollovers, visit www.irs.gov/ Retirement-Plans/IRA-One-Rollover-Per-Year-Rule. If you are considering rolling over IRA assets, consult your tax advisor to determine how this change may impact you. For questions regarding your SAFE IRA, please contact a helpful SAFE representative at (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. Free tax assistance for families SAFE Credit Union is partnering with Sacramento Coalition for Working Families to offer free tax assistance around the greater Sacramento area. As part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), these free events help working families in our community save money by providing free tax assistance for low- to moderate-income families (households earning less than $53,000 per year). To schedule a tax appointment, visit www.sacworkingfamilies.com (after Jan. 5) or call 2-1-1 (after Jan. 20). Volunteer tax preparers will be available to assist tax filers in completing and submitting their tax returns. The following is a list of dates and locations for 2015. Saturday, Jan. 31 Grant Union High School 1400 Grand Ave. Sacramento, CA 95838 Saturday, Feb. 7 Hiram Johnson High School 6879 14th Ave. Sacramento, CA 95820 Saturday, Feb. 21 Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3308 Third Ave. Sacramento, CA 95817 Saturday, Feb. 28 Grant Union High School 1400 Grand Ave. Sacramento, CA 95838 Saturday, March 7 National University 10901 Gold Center Drive Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Saturday, March 14 Hiram Johnson High School 6879 14th Ave. Sacramento, CA 95820 Saturday, March 28 Samuel Pannell Meadowview Community Center 2450 Meadowview Road Sacramento, CA 95832 Saturday, April 11 and April 12 Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3308 Third Ave. Sacramento, CA 95817 Items to bring: Photo identification (for you and your spouse, if filing jointly) Social Security Card or ITIN for each family member W-2 forms for all jobs held in 2014 All 1099 or 1098 forms Child care provider information Landlord s name, address, and phone number for the California Renter s Credit To learn more about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, visit the Sacramento Coalition for Working Families website at www.sacworkingfamilies.com.
Take Note! Please note that SAFE s branches, Corporate Office, and Call Center will be closed in observance of the following holidays: New Year s Day is Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 Presidents Day (observed) is Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 While our offices will be closed, you may access your accounts at your convenience through Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Text Banking, or SAFE s smartphone app. You may also access CALL-24 Phone Banking by calling (916) 488-5744 or (800) 3CALL-24. SAFE Member Guide SAFE Member Service: Call Center, CALL-24, SAFE Financial Services:...(916) 979-7233 Toll Free:...(800) SEE-SAFE Call Center Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (M-F) 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Sat.) SAFE Online: www.safecu.org SAFE Branch/ATM Locations: To find a SAFE Branch or ATM near you, go to safecu.org and click on Locate a Branch/ATM in the middle of the page, or call (916) 979-7233 or (800) SEE-SAFE. Branch Business Hours: ATM Networks: CO-OP, Visa, PLUS Point-of-Sale Networks: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (M-F) 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Sat.) Visa, Interlink, and NYCE SAFE Products and Services: SAFE wants you to keep more of what you earn! That s why we offer a variety of affordable products and services to meet all your financial needs. Checking Free Checking Early Paydays with Direct Deposit * SAFE Visa Debit Card Overdraft Protection Savings Savings Money Market Certificates IRAs Account Access Online Banking Text Message Banking Mobile Banking SAFE iphone, ipad, and Android Apps CALL-24 Phone Banking 30,000 surcharge-free CO-OP ATM locations Online Services Online Account Opening Free Bill Pay for active users Free estatements Free online images of cleared checks Free FinanceWorks Business Services Savings & Checking Commercial Real Estate Equipment Financing Lines of Credit Visa Credit Cards Merchant Card Servies Loans 1 st Mortgages Home Equity Loans Home Equity Lines of Credit Auto Loans Visa Credit Cards To learn more about any of the above SAFE products or services, call SAFE or visit SAFE online. Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency..Your IRA funds are insured separately up to $250,000 by the NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity NMLS#466072 *Subject to receipt from originator and other terms and conditions. Note: This newsletter is designed to provide informative material to members with the understanding that the contents do not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice. If expert information is needed in these areas, assistance should be sought from the professionals in those fields. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change. All loan requests are subject to credit approval.