0 JST COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

Fall 2021 Newsletter

Introducing Our New Logo! We're excited to roll out our new and improved logo! The update to our logo and branding is one of the many enhancements we are 0working on for our members. Along with the revised logo, we are introducing our new "icon," a round symbol with "1st" in the center. You will start to notice the new icon being used in some of our future marketing materials and our online, mobile and social platforms.

It will take some time to update all of our marketing to the newly revised logo, but it's something we'll be working on throughout 2022!

Here's Something Else to Look Forward to in 2022!

Enhancements to your mobile app and on line banking are coming next year! 1st CCU teams are working behind the scenes to finalize the development of an ALL-NEW online banking platform and a NEW mobile app.

When the new platforms are launched in spring of 2022, you'll find all of the account management tools you have come to appreciate in our current on line and mobile banking, plus some new and exciting features to improve your banking experience. As the system that currently hosts our on line banking is being phased out and will no longer offer new services and enhancements, we are taking this opportunity to partner with a new system that offers a chance to add more enhancements in the future. We are excited about the opportunities this new platform will allow us to explore and customize.

We will be sending letters and emails to online and mobile app users as we get closer to launching the new platforms. You can also watch our website and upcoming 2022 quarterly eNewsletters to learn more!

Thank You, Veterans From everyone at 1st CCU, we would like to say "Thank You" to all veterans and their families! We appreciate your service to our country, and we are humbled by the sacrifices you have made so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom . 1st Community Credit Union's branch offices will be open to serve your financial needs on Thursday, November 11th.

'Tis the Season to Spread Some Joy! 1st CCU is selling World's Finest Chocolate candy ~............,jl "

bars at all three branches. Each candy bar is $1, ~~~ ~ and all proceeds benefit the Children's Miracle :::.;:; Credit Onions Network. The funds raised help families in need •~~ 1.~.~~ with transportation and food while their child is -.._._._.,_,..,_,_,_ "~'""' • being treated . Candy bars will be sold until they are gone. They make a nice Christmas stocking stuffer, and the money goes to a great cause! Choose from Caramel, Almond, W.F. Crisp, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate or Wafer bars.

Christmas for Kids Giving Tree Our lobbies will be decorated with Christmas trees a little early this year. We're participating in a local program to provide gifts to children in need. Members and employees who wish to contribute to a worthy cause are urged to select an ornament from the tree and purchase a gift for the child from the wish list. Then return the ornament and the unwrapped gift(s) to the credit union by December 6, 2021 . The program we are working with will gather the gifts and distribute them to the children just in time for Christmas. Suggested spending limit per child is approximately $35. We'd like to fulfill the wishes of all the children featured on the ornaments, so if you'd like to participate, stop by your local 1st CCU branch later in November to pick up an ornament. Let's spread the joy this season!

Speaking of Christmas and Kids... Santa has set up his special North Pole mailboxes in each 1st CCU office. Children may drop off their letter to Santa during business hours between November 22nd and December 13th. Remember to print the child's full name and mailing address on the letter so the post office knows where to deliver Santa's reply!

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Plan for Your Holidays The holidays can put a financial burden even on the best shoppers and savers. Taking time to plan can help you avoid the stress that comes with overspending.

1. ta budget Add up all your typical expenses so you don't come up short on bills or rent. Next, think about what else you may be spending on in the coming months. Are you hosting a party at your home, or traveling to visit family or friends? Estimate what those things will cost you. Once you've subtracted any expenses from your usual budget, you can think about how much you have to spend on gifts.

2. Make a lis With all the excitement of the holidays, it can be easy to get carried away. Make a list of the gifts you need and cross them off as you go - and don't buy anything not on the list!

3. Decide how you're goin to pay Are you going to use cash or credit cards to pay for gifts? A helpful budgeting rule to set for yourself is to only bring the amount of cash you plan to spend. Otherwise, using a credit card can give you more consumer rights. And, some credit cards have rewards programs that may help you pay for travel or merchandise you need in the future - just don't spend more than you can pay back.

Just like you wrote down your lists to keep track of what you need to buy, you could also keep track of what you've spent. Periodically check to see if you are on track and sticking to your budget.

Holiday Loan Need a little extra cash? Take advantage of our annual Holiday Loan Special, effective from November 15 - December 31, 2021 . Watch our website for full details beginning November 15th and stop by or apply online to put a little extra "Ho, Ho, Dough" in your holidays!

tAll loans subject to credit approval. Your rate may vary based on creditworthiness and term. Some renrictionsJST COMMUNITY apply. Minimum loan amount $1,000. Membershipeligibilit'y'CREDIT UNION 6,.required.ExpiresDecember31,2021.

Sparta • West Salem • Tomah See aloan officer for full details. l.:.J Federally insured by NCUA. ~'r,';R~

A1ST CCU PrnSONAL LOAN GIV[S YOU ACnss TO rnsT CASI-I rnR Tl-l[ 1-lOLIDAYS. G[T YOURS TODAY - APPLY ONLIN[ AT lSTCCU.COM!

We have some new faces at 1st CCU! Please give a warm Staff News welcome to these new employees:

Top L-R: Rhonda Anderson -MSR Lead, Tomah; Kathy Grefsheim - MSR II, Tomah; Janie Lamb - MSR I, Sparta. Bottom L-R: Morgan Quackenbush - Student MSR, West Salem; Madisyn Hyatt - Student MSR, Tomah; Yolie Del Rio - MSR II, West Salem; Chris Gumienny -MSR II, Sparta; Not Pictured, Angela Champlin - Credit Resolution Specialist.

Join Us in Congratulating Liza Schlintz!

1st CCU is pleased to present Liza Schlintz with the 2020 Outstanding Service award for her exceptional levels of service to our members. Liza has a General Management & Technology degree from UW-La Crosse and came to 1st CCU two years ago, starting out as a Mortgage Loan Officer assisting members with home loans. With her diverse background and experience, she was recently promoted to Member Business Loan Officer and now assists members with Commercial and Agricultural loans and services.

The Outstanding Service award is presented annually to an employee who goes above and beyond for the members of 1st CCU. Liza truly stands behind our promise to "put member service first and make affordable solutions easy."

Staff Appreciation

On Thursday, August 26th, 1st CCU's Sunshine Committee (a group of volunteer employees) arranged a special Staff Appreciation lunch by bringing in a food truck at each of our three branch locations. This was a way to celebrate 1st CCU employees while supporting a local business. A big "thank you" goes out to our tasty lunch partners -Badger Vending LLC at our West Salem branch, Mr. Burger at our Sparta branch and BP Smokehouse at our Tomah branch.

Community Involvement: When You Join 1st CCU, You're Making a Difference in Your Local Community! Chris Krueger, West Salem Branch Manager, recently donated 378 washable/reusable masks to the West Salem Elementary School! Pictured is Chris (left) and Guidance Counselor Gayle Lassen (right) at the elementary school.

Thanks to everyone who helped show support for Sparta High School by attending our September 17th Homecoming Tailgate Party, and to the SHS Marching Band for providing entertainment by playing for us. A huge shout-out goes to Hansen's IGA in Sparta for donating all the hot dog buns for this event and to Foss Fine Meats in Sparta for helping provide the hot dogs! Proceeds from the freewill offering for the hot dog meals were donated to Sparta High School to benefit co-curricular activities. Our staff enjoyed getting into the homecoming spirit by handing out foam fingers, and the weather even cooperated! Pictured on right is Tyler Duerwachter, Sparta Branch Manager, presenting a $404 check to John Blaha, SHS Activities Director.

We had a blast at this year's Bangor Fun Daze parade! A beautiful weekend to get out and walk in the community.

Food Pantry Donations Collected for Shredding Service

On Saturday, October 16th, the mobile shredding truck from Confidential Records, Inc. spent three hours securely shredding approximately 3,300 pounds of outdated sensitive documents for members of 1st CCU and the community. The credit union was also accepting non-perishable food donations in exchange for the free shredding service, and we collected a wagon load of food plus $90 in cash donations! The food and cash have been donated to the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Sparta. Thank you to the community for your generosity!

1st CCU Donates $360 to Tomah Rotary Club 1st Community Credit Union hosted a "Business After 5" event at our Tomah branch. We were proud to give tours of our new branch office. Assisting with hosting duties was The Carlton Restaurant and Lounge, which prepared $10 Burrito Meal Deals. For each meal purchased, 1st Community Credit Union donated $10 to the Tomah Rotary Club. A good time was had by all.

Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Holiday Hours:

Thursday, November 25: Closed

Friday, December 24: Open until 12:30 pm

Saturday, December 25: Closed

Friday, December 31: Open until 12:30 pm

Saturday, January 1: Closed