In This Issue Get a Great Low Rate on Balance Transfers Through March 2015 Page 2 2014 Volunteer Elections Page 3 SMCU Announces Expanded Hours Page 4 Winter Holiday Closures Page 4 SMCU Events Page 5 Join Us For Shred Day Make Plans to Attend the 2014 Annual Meeting Visit SMCU at the Spring Seattle Home Show Page 5-6 Get $50 When You Refer a New Member Page 6 Win One of Ten Marino Scholarships. Apply By March 31, 2014 Page 7 Everything You Love About SMCU - In a Mortgage Page 8 Follow SMCU
1.99% APR* Balance Transfers Through March 2015 - Ends 3/31/2014. Are you waking up to the New Year suspecting that you may have overspent this season? Maybe you maxed out a credit card or two during a marathon shopping session or used in-house financing for a big-screen TV and sound system. Perhaps it was a plane trip for the family to visit parents, grandparents, cousins, nieces, and nephews that got you a bit overextended. If you financed your holiday spending, you may just now be realizing that the cherished memories you created during the gift and banquet season can come with a hefty interest bill, a bill that can throw a wrench into your monthly budget. Fortunately, relief can be as close as your computer. If you are an SMCU VISA cardholder, you can transfer your other balances onto your SMCU VISA and pay just 1.99% APR* through March 2015. To transfer balances, log into SMCU s Online Banking and select Secure Forms, then VISA Consolidation Form. Enter all the bills you want to move to your VISA and submit. We ll send payments to the lenders you select, up to your available credit limit, and you ll pay just 1.99% APR until March 2015. To make it an even better deal, SMCU doesn t charge a balance transfer fee. If you don t have an SMCU VISA, apply online, by calling our loan experts at (855) 575-9352, or by visiting any branch. SMCU s low transfer rate can help you save big on your holiday bills, but act fast. This offer is only available through March 31, 2014. Learn more at smcu.com. * DETAILS AND DISCLOSURES: TRANSFERRING BALANCES: Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union does not charge a balance transfer fee. Please allow 30 days to process your balance transfer. Continue to make your payment on these accounts until the payment for the transferred amount appears on your other issuer s statement. Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union is not responsible for late payments on your other issuer s account. We are not able to close your other accounts even if you transfer the entire balance. If you want to close the account, you will need to contact the issuer directly. Balances can be transferred up to your established limit. RIGHT TO DECLINE: Under certain circumstances (as described in the Cardholder Agreement), we may decline to process your transaction, in which case you will be notified. OFFER END DATE: Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union will offer an introductory rate of 1.99% APR* for balances transferred to an SMCU VISA between 1/1/14 and 3/31/14. The promotional rate applies only to the balance transfer portion of the VISA balance and will last through 3/31/15. Equity Platinum VISA cards are not eligible. RATE: *APR is Annual Percentage Rate. The introductory rate of 1.99% lasts through 3/31/15. After that, standard rates apply (6.99% - 17.99%). APR reflects any prepaid finance charges and is subject to change without notice. Rates/financing are offered based on applicant s credit qualifications and other underwriting criteria. CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT: For further details about terms and conditions on your account, please refer to your Cardholder Agreement. 2
It s time again to exercise your rights as a member by electing members to represent you on SMCU s Board of Directors. As a member in good standing, you are entitled to vote in SMCU s 81st Annual Volunteer Board and Supervisory Committee Elections, taking place between Monday, February 24, and Friday, March 21. SMCU is a reflection of our members and the things they find important. It s one of the primary benefits of being a member-owner of SMCU as a member you have a voice in how the credit union is run. Keep an eye on your inbox or mailbox for your voting credentials and information about the candidates for each of the open Board and Supervisory Committee positions. More information regarding the volunteer election procedures can be found on smcu.com. What Are the Board s Responsibilities? 100% democratically elected by the membership, the Board is made up of nine members, each holding a three-year term. Board members meet each month to review and evaluate all aspects of the credit union including: Setting the vision for the credit union, Building a strategic plan, Approving the annual operating budget, and Overseeing the credit union s financial soundness and service levels. Additional responsibilities include serving on special SMCU Committees, such as the Corporate Citizenship Committee, the Finance and Budget Committee, and the Technology Committee. Board members also represent the credit union at community events. What is the Supervisory Committee? The Supervisory Committee ensures adherence to state, federal and internal policies and procedures; supervises the completion of an annual audit as well as supplemental audits; and, reports the findings to the Board, management, members and/or regulatory agencies as required. Each of the five positions on the Supervisory Committee carries a staggered three-year term. Let Your Voice Be Heard To cast your vote in this year s Annual Elections, mail your ballot or vote online between Monday, February 24, and Friday, March 21. More information about our Board and Supervisory Committee Members can be found at smcu.com. To be eligible to vote you must have been a member in good standing at least 18 years of age as of 12/31/2013 and be a natural person (no trusts, organizations or businesses). Individuals who hold a joint status on any account without their own membership share account are not eligible to vote. If you are a joint account holder who opened an individual account before 12/31/2013, you are eligible to vote. 3
SMCU Announces Expanded Hours SMCU is pleased to announce that all branches now open at 9am Monday through Friday. The new branch hours are: Downtown Monday through Wednesday: 9am to 5pm Thursday and Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday: Closed Georgetown Monday through Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday: Closed All Other Branches Monday through Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday: 10am to 2pm If it s easier for you to reach SMCU by phone, the Contact Center is available between 8am and 6pm, Monday through Friday, and between 10am and 2pm on Saturday. You can reach them at (206) 398-5500 or toll free at (800) 334-2489. Of course, smcu.com is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit the locations page of smcu.com to see information about specific branches, including address, hours, and directions. Winter Holiday Closures Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 20 Presidents Day: Monday, February 17 SMCU will no longer close the Saturday prior to a Monday holiday. This means that you ll have more Saturdays to stop by a branch to make a deposit, apply for a loan, or just sit down with a helpful SMCU Branch Rep to ask questions. For a complete list of closures, visit smcu.com/about. 4
SMCU Events Join us for Shred Day, Saturday, April 19 Mark your calendar for one of our most popular events of the year. Shred Day returns on Saturday, April 19. You know you should be cautious when disposing of your personal financial records. Simply throwing them into the garbage or recycle bin makes it far too easy for crooks to get everything they need to steal your identity. To help you get rid of your old tax returns, credit card bills, and other private papers, SMCU invites you to bring them to our Georgetown, Lynnwood, and Southcenter branches on Saturday, April 19, between 10am and 2pm. We ll have document-disposal specialists, Shred-It, onsite to securely and professionally shred and recycle those things you want to keep private. Bring up to two file boxes of records and have them shredded absolutely free. Plus enjoy free coffee and refreshments while you wait. Protecting your personal information from would-be identity thieves is an important part of being financially responsible. SMCU is excited to be able to provide this service to our members as part of our ongoing commitment to enhance their financial well-being. Make Plans to Attend the 2014 Annual Meeting Do you want to know what s going on with SMCU? Do you have suggestions you d like to make to SMCU s Board of Directors? If so, then come to the 2014 Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 12. The Annual Meeting is your chance to hear how SMCU has been doing in the last year and to get an idea of things which may be coming up in the future. We ll have more details forthcoming, so be sure to check back at smcu.com Visit SMCU at the Spring Seattle Home Show Is a bathroom remodel on your list of things to do this summer? How about a new deck or hot tub? Are you a sucker for the next big kitchen appliance? If so, head down to the Century Link Field Event Center for the Spring Seattle Home Show between February 15 and 23. Hundreds of vendors will be onsite to show you the latest and greatest in home and lifestyle improvements. While you are checking out all that s new for your home, stop by SMCU s Home Show booth to chat with our loan experts about how you might be able to use a home equity loan or line of credit to transform your house into the dream home you ve always wanted. Win A Grill Throw your name in the hat for a chance to win a new gas grill. Details are at the SMCU homeshow booth. continued on the next page 5
Visit SMCU at the Spring Seattle Home Show (cont.) 2 for 1 e-tickets and Discounted Parking If you need a bit of an incentive, SMCU is offering 2 for 1 e-tickets when you purchase your tickets from seattlehomeshow.com. Just use promo code SHS14SEAMET, and you ll get a special ticket for you and a guest for just $12. Plus, your discount e-ticket lets you buy $1 parking at either the Century Link Event Center or Safeco Field garage. Special Home-Show Loan Rates Even if you don t make it to the home show, you can take advantage of special home-show pricing on SMCU equity loans. In honor of the Spring Seattle Home Show, SMCU is offering a 0.5% discount on all home equity loans with rates as low as 2.99% APR*. It s a great way to get your spring projects started early, so you can enjoy them all summer long. Apply online, at any branch, or by calling (800) 575-9532 to take advantage of this special pricing. *APR is Annual Percentage Ratend, reflects any prepaid finance charges, and is subject to change without notice. Example rate based on maximum term of 60 months and maximum loan-to-value of 70%. Discount applies only to fixed-term home equity loans. All applications are subject to SMCU lending guidelines. Get $50 When You Refer a New Member Has SMCU made a difference in your life? Were you able to get a loan from SMCU when no other lender would give you the credit you deserved? Did you abandon the high fees and multiple hoops of other institutions checking accounts in favor of SMCU s Feel Good Checking? Do you know someone who is frustrated with their bank, someone who is looking for a change but doesn t know where to go? Tell them about Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union, and when they join, you could get $50*. It s a win-win. As the referring member, you get $50. As the new member, they get a great credit union and a chance to make money by referring others. To get credit for your referral, make sure your friend or family member brings a completed referral coupon with them when they open their membership. If you want to keep a supply of coupons to hand out when the opportunity presents itself, you can pick some up at any branch or print them out at smcu.com/refer. If they want to apply for membership online, make sure they use the promo code REFER. Once their membership application is received, an SMCU representative will contact them to make sure you get credit. When you help grow your credit union, everyone benefits. As a financial cooperative, we return profits to our members in the form of better rates and services. That means that when more people join SMCU and use the products and services we offer, our members reap the rewards. *New member must either open a checking account or apply for and be approved for an SMCU loan (excluding Share-Secured loans) at the time they open their new membership. Referring member must have an active checking account, open SMCU loan (excluding Share-Secured loans), or an SMCU mortgage or home-equity loan. Complete rules and disclosures are available at smcu.com/refer. SMCU is Federally Insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. 6
Starting February 1, we will be accepting applications for the A.G. Tony Marino Scholarship Program. SMCU will award ten $2,000 scholarships to qualified students for the 2014-2015 academic school year. The application deadline is March 31, 2014. We will announce scholarship recipients in early May. About the Scholarships This scholarship program honors Mr. Marino, SMCU s founder, and his many contributions to the credit union. All SMCU members or dependent children of members are eligible for the scholarship program with the exception of Board Directors, children of either Board Directors or Scholarship Committee Members, and previous scholarship winners. Scholarships are awarded based on academic standing, financial need, and extracurricular activities and/or employment. How to Apply Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2014. To be considered, each applicant must include all required documents with the scholarship application, which includes the following: 1. School transcript or equivalent 2. A minimum of 2 current letters of recommendation 3. Responses to all 3 essay questions on the application (max of 2 sheets of paper) Applications lacking any of the required documents will be disqualified. Download the application at smcu.com, or you can pick one up at any of our branches. Please submit completed applications to any SMCU branch location or mail to: Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 780 Seattle, WA 98111-0780 7
If you are looking to purchase a new home or refinance your existing mortgage, you ll want to talk to the mortgage pros in SMCU s Mortgage Center. Our mortgage experts have decades of experience helping members like you find exactly the right mortgage. Whether you need a conventional 30-year fixed rate mortgage or something a little different, like a Jumbo Loan, ARM, or even a floating-home loan, SMCU has the mortgage for you. You ll get great advice no matter if you re buying your first home or you ve been through the process before. Our dedicated mortgage representatives will take the time to answer all of your questions, so you end up with a loan you ll love. Ask them about our fast pre-approvals (so you can make the first offer) or our 21-day Closing Guarantee 1 for purchase loans -- we ll reduce your closing costs by $500 if you don t close in 21 days. If you are looking to pay your home off faster, have them tell you about our 12-year No-Fee Refinance option 2. Even if you don t have equity in your home, you may be able to refinance and cut your payment. Our experts know about special programs that can help you stay in your home. Call (206) 398-5333 today for a no-obligation mortgage consultation or go to smcu.com to get the application process started. 1 SMCU will close your home-purchase transaction within 21 days or we will reduce your closing costs by $500. The 21-day closing guarantee is only available on purchase money transactions subject to the following terms and conditions: Available on conventional loan programs only (FHA, VA, USDA, construction, land, and Floating Homes excluded). All loans subject to credit approval. The 21-day period begins on the first business day after SMCU receives your complete mortgage loan application and you comply with all application requirements. SMCU, in its sole discretion, will determine whether an application is complete based on the satisfactory completion of the application form and information requested by SMCU to process your application. You must be eligible for membership and have or open an account within 48 hours of application. All supporting documentation requested by SMCU and the $500 application deposit must be received within 48 hours of request. Your loan program must be selected and interest rate must be locked 10 business days prior to closing. Underwriting conditions of approval, including homeowner s insurance information must be received at least 10 business days prior to closing date. Appraisal appointment must be scheduled within 48 hours of initial contact by appraiser. Property must appraise in as-is condition and at or above the purchase price. Delays outside of SMCU s control such as inclement weather, inspection/appraisal issues, and re-negotiations or other delays initiated by either the buyer or seller disqualify the transaction from the 21-day guarantee. Your closing agent must schedule a signing appointment within 24 hours from the time they receive the closing documents from SMCU. If SMCU does not close your loan within 21 days, and all of the above requirements have been met, your closing costs will be reduced by $500. Terms and conditions subject to change without notice. 2 Available for mortgages less than $200,000. SMCU is an Equal Opportunity Lender. SEATTLE METROPOLITAN CREDIT UNION PO BOX 780 SEATTLE, WA 98111-0780 (206) 398-5500 8