© C

UA

dvan

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.com

• 87

7.79

9.07

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w w w . c o n n e c t s f c u . o r g A P R I L 2 0 1 5

Memberconne c t i o n

Services Available■ Community Membership

■ Savings Accounts

■ Checking Accounts

■ VISA Check/ATM Card

■ Money Management Account($2,500 minimum balance, limited access, earns higher dividend)

■ Vacation Club and Christmas Club

■ Youth Account

■ Prestige Account(Seniors Discount Account)

■ Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

■ Share Certificates of Deposit

■ Direct Deposit/Payroll Deduction

■ Money Orders

■ Teller Checks

■ Platinum VISA Credit Card

■ Low Interest Loans and Lines-of-Credit

■ First and Second Mortgages

■ Student Loans

■ Automated Teller (TAPS)

■ LoanLink – 24/7 Lending Call Center

■ My Connection – Online Branch

■ PayConnection – Bill Ptay

■ Low Cost Insurance

■ Guarantee Signature/Notary

■ Accel Financial Counseling

■ Financial Planning

■ VISA Gift Cards

■ eStatements

■ Mobile Banking

■ Reloadable VISA

■ GAP Insurance

■ Mechanical Warranty

Follow Us on

Twitter!

(804) 756-5000 | 1 (800) 833-5200FAX (804) 756-5005

HenricoMAIN OFFICE7700 Shrader Rd.

Richmond, VA 23228(Located at the corner of Wistar & Shrader)

LOBBY HOURSMon, Tues, Thurs, 9am - 5pm

Wed, 10am - 5pm; Fri, 9am - 6pm

DRIVE-THRU HOURSMon - Fri, 8am - 6pm

Sat, 9am - 12pm

ChesterfieldMIDLOTHIAN

9960 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23235

LOBBY HOURSMon - Fri, 9am - 5pm

Sat, 9am - 12pm

DRIVE-THRU HOURSMon - Thurs, 9am - 5pm

Fri, 9am - 6pm Sat, 9am - 12pm

HanoverPATRIOTS CORNER

9280 Chamberlayne Rd., Ste 100 Mechanicsville, VA 23116(across from the Rutlands)

LOBBY HOURSMon - Fri, 9am - 5pm

Sat, 9am - 12pm

DRIVE-THRU HOURSMon - Thurs, 9am - 5pm

Fri, 9am - 6pm Sat, 9am - 12pm

w w w . c o n n e c t s f c u . o r g

East EndHIGHLAND SPRINGS 109 East Nine Mile Road

(804) 737-3760

SERVICE CENTER HOURSMon - Fri, 9am - 7pm

Sat, 9am - 5pm

For Service Center Outlet Locations visit connectsfcu.org and

click “Connect with Us” or call 804.756.5000

Federally Insured by NCUA

CAR SHOPPING?What to Know Before You Go…

Our NEW WEBSITE is Coming Soon!ConnectsFCU.org is in the process of getting a makeover.

We’re confident the new site will improve your online experience while helping you more easily navigate through

our products and services.

Hop ONTHE

HousingMarket!

If you’re in the market to purchase a home, don’t wait to make your move! Rates are still low, but they won’t be for long, so head in to the Credit Union to apply for one of our low-rate home loans today. We offer:

FirstMortgagesSecondMortgages

First-TimeHomebuyerPrograms

With competitive rates, flexible loan terms, and friendly, personal service, Connects FCU makes financing your dream home simple, affordable and even enjoyable. Visit us online at connectsfcu.org or connect with our Loan Department at 804.756.5040 to learn more today.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

The CBS6 Healthy Lifestyle ExpoWe had a great time at the CBS6 Healthy Lifestyle Expo on Saturday, January 31. We met so many people interested in financial health. We helped people get connected to information, services and products available at Connects. In addition, we had a great time with the prize wheel and enjoyed all of the demonstrations and exhibits.

Come see us at the Celebration of the Vine in Chesterfield County!

Saturday, April 1111 am — 6 pm

The Millworks13872 Coalfield Pkwy, Midlothian

We will have a fun prize wheel and lots of information about Connects.

Be sure to walk, run or volunteer at the 4 Miler on Thursday, June 4th at 7 pm.Contact Danielle to volunteer or visit sportsbackers.org to walk or run.

Holiday ClosingsMemorial Day Monday, May 25Independence Day Friday, July 3 closing at 1pm Saturday, July 4

When it comes to buying a car, the first step should always be a pre-approval. Why? Getting pre-approved for an auto loan before you shop, will help you:

> Know your limit and drive home with a monthly payment that’s sure to fit within your budget.

> Avoid high pressure situations by giving you the advantage of knowing what you qualify for and how much car you can truly afford.

> Gain the power to negotiate without the stress of not knowing whether or not your financing will be approved.

> Avoid hastily accepting whatever rates the dealer offers by shopping for and choosing your loan terms beforehand.

Getting pre-approved for an auto loan from Connects Federal Credit Union is easy. Just stop by the Credit Union or visit connectsfcu.org to get started today.

Here’s a great no hassle shopping experience event:ENTERPRISE CAR SALES ONSITE CAR SALE EVENT

At Connects – Midlothian Branch | 9960 Midlothian Turnpike

Lots of late-models, low mileage certified used vehicles!Reduced Rates foR all buyeRs when financing with connects!

As low as 1.49% APR*

Get Pre-Approved for easy onsite shopping with Connects and Enterprise Car Sales! Contact ANY branch or visit connectsfcu.org to discover the benefits of buying from Enterprise. Apply anytime by calling 804-756-5000 or visit the Loans section at connectsfcu.org.

*Rates are based on credit history. Your rate may be higher. All applicants must meet certain credit criteria for approval. Discount rates offered May 8, 2015 through May 9, 2015. Rate dis-counts are only offered for model years 2011 through 2015 for vehicles purchased from Enter-prise Car Sales. Payment example: $14.53 for each $1000.00 borrowed for 72 months at 1.49% apr. Rates and terms are subject to change with notice. Rates are offered on new loans only.

FRIDAY, MAY 8TH 10 am until 5 pm

SATURDAY, MAY 9TH 9 am until 1 pm

LeadershipDan VanDervort

Chairman of the Board

Robert D. Robertson Chairman of the Supervisory Committee

Evelyn Gragnani Dowdy President & CEO

Karen Griscom Vice President of Accounting

Renee Perkins Vice President of Operations & Lending

Danielle McLaughlin Vice President of Marketing &

Business Development

E-MAIL ADDRESSES:Memberservices@connectsfcu.org and loandept@connectsfcu.org

StatisticsAs of February 28, 2015Members: 10,403Shares: $71,563,675.77Loans: $27,007,991.40Assets: $77,960,993.15

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and tax implications associated with any security before investing. Additional information about municipal fund securities is available in the issuer’s official statements. The official statement should be read carefully before investing. Certain investments are accompanied by prospectus or other offering documents. These should also be read carefully before investing. This does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any security. Brokerage services provided by Price Perkins through Prospera Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC and not by Connects Federal Credit Union. The customer will be dealing solely with Price Perkins through Prospera Financial Services with respect to brokerage services. Accounts carried by First Clearing, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Securities are not NCUSIF Insured/Not NCUA or Credit Union Guaranteed/May Lose Value.

Make A Difference...VOLUNTEER!

The Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and other committees are made up of volunteers from the membership. The philosophy of “Member Owned and Operated” thrives through the work of our dedicated volunteers. If you have an interest in volunteering in the operation of your Credit Union, please call 756-5035.

Thursday, June 4 • 7pm at the Innsbrook Office Park

TakeYourR E T I R E M E N T S A V I N G S totheNextLevelA regular savings account is a great way to set money aside for short-term goals, but did you know there’s a better way to maximize your savings for retirement? With an Individual Retirement Account from Connects Federal Credit Union, you can start taking advantage of better rates and even possible tax advantages. We offer Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and Educational IRAs, so we’re sure to have a retirement account that’s just right for you. Stop by to learn more today.

I R A R E M I N D E R S• The annual contribution limit for Traditional and

Roth Accounts is $5,500 for 2014.• Taxpayers over the age of 50 can contribute

an additional $1,000.• You can contribute to your 2014 IRA until April

15, 2015—please be sure to specify you are making a 2014 contribution.

• If you have any questions about your IRAs or would like to discuss converting to an IRA, give us a call. We will be happy to help.

The Annual Corporate 4 Miler is just around the corner! We are now building our team of runners, walkers and most important—VOLUNTEERS! We need you to join our team! Volunteers will receive two different t-shirts, Connects gear and good food & refreshments after the event. Call Danielle at 756-5030 or dmclaughlin@connectsfcu.org to get in on the good time!

Come join us at Richmond’s Biggest Office Party with fun, live music, golden beverages and live social networking with participants from over 300 RVA businesses and groups. More information and how to get signed up can be found at connectsfcu.org or sportsbackers.org.

It’s Time To Pull Your Credit Report – If you haven’t checked your credit report lately, the Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia and credit unions across the Commonwealth, including Connects, want you to make this a priority.

For more than a decade identity theft has been at the top of the Federal Trade Commission’s list of complaints, and according to Javelin Strategy & Research, in 2013 over 13 million people were victims of identity fraud. Reviewing your credit report can help you discover accounts you didn’t open or debts you didn’t incur that were initiated by an identity thief.

Additionally, a 2013 Federal Trade Commission study found about 40 million consumers have errors on their credit reports, some of which could have an impact on credit scores.

That’s why Connects wants to remind you to order and review your credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to obtain one free copy annually from each of the major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

It’s easy; just visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com where you can order one or all three reports at the same time. You may want to consider staggering your requests throughout the year to help monitor for identify theft on an ongoing basis. For example, order a free report from Experian in January, then order from Equifax in May, and then in September from TransUnion. The following year, start over with a free report from Experian.

Or if you have a Connects Value Checking Account, you can obtain all three reports every 90 days for convenient, continuous monitoring. In addition, Value Checking provides for email alerts if there is a change on your credit reports to ensure you can act quickly.

Your credit report is an important tool; order your copy today so you can:

� Spot warning signs of identity theft � Find reporting errors � Understand how to improve your credit

Additionally, we’re happy to sit down one-on-one with you to review your credit report to help you understand its content, find ways to improve your credit, and save you money. To schedule an appointment, please call (804) 756-5040.

Come celebrate the end of tax season & the start of spring-cleaning!While in the midst of tax season and with spring cleaning right around the corner, you likely have a number of old documents you need to get rid of. As a courtesy to Connects members, we will have an open house at our office to drop off your documents to be shred for free.

Simply bring anything you would like to have shredded to our office at

10146 W. Broad Street, Suite B, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Thursday, April 16th, anytime between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.

We only ask that you remove all paperclips in advance. While preventing identify theft & cleaning out your house you can enjoy a visit to our office & some refreshments. As always, Price Perkins is committed to protecting your privacy and providing you with helpful and convenient service!

Questions? Please contact Shannon Melton at 804.592.2378 or Shannon@priceperkins.com

SPRING!

Connects Members are Saving with HH&B Insurance

By partnering with HH&B, Connects Federal Credit Union is able to provide you with a wide variety of options to save on your insurance needs. We can help get you connected to the right plan at the right price.

CHOOSE FROM: ! Auto, Boat, RV & Motorcycle Insurance ! Homeowners Insurance ! Renters Insurance ! Life Insurance ! Disability Insurance ! Supplemental Medical Insurance ! Health Insurance

To request a free no-obligation quote, visit www.iainow.com or call 804-344-8411 to talk to Don Hastings our preferred independent agent.

Learn why!Welcome

IT’S THE 6th Annual

LeadershipDan VanDervort

Chairman of the Board

Robert D. Robertson Chairman of the Supervisory Committee

Evelyn Gragnani Dowdy President & CEO

Karen Griscom Vice President of Accounting

Renee Perkins Vice President of Operations & Lending

Danielle McLaughlin Vice President of Marketing &

Business Development

E-MAIL ADDRESSES:Memberservices@connectsfcu.org and loandept@connectsfcu.org

StatisticsAs of February 28, 2015Members: 10,403Shares: $71,563,675.77Loans: $27,007,991.40Assets: $77,960,993.15

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and tax implications associated with any security before investing. Additional information about municipal fund securities is available in the issuer’s official statements. The official statement should be read carefully before investing. Certain investments are accompanied by prospectus or other offering documents. These should also be read carefully before investing. This does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any security. Brokerage services provided by Price Perkins through Prospera Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC and not by Connects Federal Credit Union. The customer will be dealing solely with Price Perkins through Prospera Financial Services with respect to brokerage services. Accounts carried by First Clearing, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Securities are not NCUSIF Insured/Not NCUA or Credit Union Guaranteed/May Lose Value.

Make A Difference...VOLUNTEER!

The Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and other committees are made up of volunteers from the membership. The philosophy of “Member Owned and Operated” thrives through the work of our dedicated volunteers. If you have an interest in volunteering in the operation of your Credit Union, please call 756-5035.

Thursday, June 4 • 7pm at the Innsbrook Office Park

TakeYourR E T I R E M E N T S A V I N G S totheNextLevelA regular savings account is a great way to set money aside for short-term goals, but did you know there’s a better way to maximize your savings for retirement? With an Individual Retirement Account from Connects Federal Credit Union, you can start taking advantage of better rates and even possible tax advantages. We offer Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and Educational IRAs, so we’re sure to have a retirement account that’s just right for you. Stop by to learn more today.

I R A R E M I N D E R S• The annual contribution limit for Traditional and

Roth Accounts is $5,500 for 2014.• Taxpayers over the age of 50 can contribute

an additional $1,000.• You can contribute to your 2014 IRA until April

15, 2015—please be sure to specify you are making a 2014 contribution.

• If you have any questions about your IRAs or would like to discuss converting to an IRA, give us a call. We will be happy to help.

The Annual Corporate 4 Miler is just around the corner! We are now building our team of runners, walkers and most important—VOLUNTEERS! We need you to join our team! Volunteers will receive two different t-shirts, Connects gear and good food & refreshments after the event. Call Danielle at 756-5030 or dmclaughlin@connectsfcu.org to get in on the good time!

Come join us at Richmond’s Biggest Office Party with fun, live music, golden beverages and live social networking with participants from over 300 RVA businesses and groups. More information and how to get signed up can be found at connectsfcu.org or sportsbackers.org.

It’s Time To Pull Your Credit Report – If you haven’t checked your credit report lately, the Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia and credit unions across the Commonwealth, including Connects, want you to make this a priority.

For more than a decade identity theft has been at the top of the Federal Trade Commission’s list of complaints, and according to Javelin Strategy & Research, in 2013 over 13 million people were victims of identity fraud. Reviewing your credit report can help you discover accounts you didn’t open or debts you didn’t incur that were initiated by an identity thief.

Additionally, a 2013 Federal Trade Commission study found about 40 million consumers have errors on their credit reports, some of which could have an impact on credit scores.

That’s why Connects wants to remind you to order and review your credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to obtain one free copy annually from each of the major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

It’s easy; just visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com where you can order one or all three reports at the same time. You may want to consider staggering your requests throughout the year to help monitor for identify theft on an ongoing basis. For example, order a free report from Experian in January, then order from Equifax in May, and then in September from TransUnion. The following year, start over with a free report from Experian.

Or if you have a Connects Value Checking Account, you can obtain all three reports every 90 days for convenient, continuous monitoring. In addition, Value Checking provides for email alerts if there is a change on your credit reports to ensure you can act quickly.

Your credit report is an important tool; order your copy today so you can:

� Spot warning signs of identity theft � Find reporting errors � Understand how to improve your credit

Additionally, we’re happy to sit down one-on-one with you to review your credit report to help you understand its content, find ways to improve your credit, and save you money. To schedule an appointment, please call (804) 756-5040.

Come celebrate the end of tax season & the start of spring-cleaning!While in the midst of tax season and with spring cleaning right around the corner, you likely have a number of old documents you need to get rid of. As a courtesy to Connects members, we will have an open house at our office to drop off your documents to be shred for free.

Simply bring anything you would like to have shredded to our office at

10146 W. Broad Street, Suite B, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Thursday, April 16th, anytime between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.

We only ask that you remove all paperclips in advance. While preventing identify theft & cleaning out your house you can enjoy a visit to our office & some refreshments. As always, Price Perkins is committed to protecting your privacy and providing you with helpful and convenient service!

Questions? Please contact Shannon Melton at 804.592.2378 or Shannon@priceperkins.com

SPRING!

Connects Members are Saving with HH&B Insurance

By partnering with HH&B, Connects Federal Credit Union is able to provide you with a wide variety of options to save on your insurance needs. We can help get you connected to the right plan at the right price.

CHOOSE FROM: ! Auto, Boat, RV & Motorcycle Insurance ! Homeowners Insurance ! Renters Insurance ! Life Insurance ! Disability Insurance ! Supplemental Medical Insurance ! Health Insurance

To request a free no-obligation quote, visit www.iainow.com or call 804-344-8411 to talk to Don Hastings our preferred independent agent.

Learn why!Welcome

IT’S THE 6th Annual

© C

UA

dvan

tage

.com

• 87

7.79

9.07

84

w w w . c o n n e c t s f c u . o r g A P R I L 2 0 1 5

Memberconne c t i o n

Services Available■ Community Membership

■ Savings Accounts

■ Checking Accounts

■ VISA Check/ATM Card

■ Money Management Account($2,500 minimum balance, limited access, earns higher dividend)

■ Vacation Club and Christmas Club

■ Youth Account

■ Prestige Account(Seniors Discount Account)

■ Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

■ Share Certificates of Deposit

■ Direct Deposit/Payroll Deduction

■ Money Orders

■ Teller Checks

■ Platinum VISA Credit Card

■ Low Interest Loans and Lines-of-Credit

■ First and Second Mortgages

■ Student Loans

■ Automated Teller (TAPS)

■ LoanLink – 24/7 Lending Call Center

■ My Connection – Online Branch

■ PayConnection – Bill Ptay

■ Low Cost Insurance

■ Guarantee Signature/Notary

■ Accel Financial Counseling

■ Financial Planning

■ VISA Gift Cards

■ eStatements

■ Mobile Banking

■ Reloadable VISA

■ GAP Insurance

■ Mechanical Warranty

Follow Us on

Twitter!

(804) 756-5000 | 1 (800) 833-5200FAX (804) 756-5005

HenricoMAIN OFFICE7700 Shrader Rd.

Richmond, VA 23228(Located at the corner of Wistar & Shrader)

LOBBY HOURSMon, Tues, Thurs, 9am - 5pm

Wed, 10am - 5pm; Fri, 9am - 6pm

DRIVE-THRU HOURSMon - Fri, 8am - 6pm

Sat, 9am - 12pm

ChesterfieldMIDLOTHIAN

9960 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23235

LOBBY HOURSMon - Fri, 9am - 5pm

Sat, 9am - 12pm

DRIVE-THRU HOURSMon - Thurs, 9am - 5pm

Fri, 9am - 6pm Sat, 9am - 12pm

HanoverPATRIOTS CORNER

9280 Chamberlayne Rd., Ste 100 Mechanicsville, VA 23116(across from the Rutlands)

LOBBY HOURSMon - Fri, 9am - 5pm

Sat, 9am - 12pm

DRIVE-THRU HOURSMon - Thurs, 9am - 5pm

Fri, 9am - 6pm Sat, 9am - 12pm

w w w . c o n n e c t s f c u . o r g

East EndHIGHLAND SPRINGS 109 East Nine Mile Road

(804) 737-3760

SERVICE CENTER HOURSMon - Fri, 9am - 7pm

Sat, 9am - 5pm

For Service Center Outlet Locations visit connectsfcu.org and

click “Connect with Us” or call 804.756.5000

Federally Insured by NCUA

CAR SHOPPING?What to Know Before You Go…

Our NEW WEBSITE is Coming Soon!ConnectsFCU.org is in the process of getting a makeover.

We’re confident the new site will improve your online experience while helping you more easily navigate through

our products and services.

Hop ONTHE

HousingMarket!

If you’re in the market to purchase a home, don’t wait to make your move! Rates are still low, but they won’t be for long, so head in to the Credit Union to apply for one of our low-rate home loans today. We offer:

FirstMortgagesSecondMortgages

First-TimeHomebuyerPrograms

With competitive rates, flexible loan terms, and friendly, personal service, Connects FCU makes financing your dream home simple, affordable and even enjoyable. Visit us online at connectsfcu.org or connect with our Loan Department at 804.756.5040 to learn more today.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

The CBS6 Healthy Lifestyle ExpoWe had a great time at the CBS6 Healthy Lifestyle Expo on Saturday, January 31. We met so many people interested in financial health. We helped people get connected to information, services and products available at Connects. In addition, we had a great time with the prize wheel and enjoyed all of the demonstrations and exhibits.

Come see us at the Celebration of the Vine in Chesterfield County!

Saturday, April 1111 am — 6 pm

The Millworks13872 Coalfield Pkwy, Midlothian

We will have a fun prize wheel and lots of information about Connects.

Be sure to walk, run or volunteer at the 4 Miler on Thursday, June 4th at 7 pm.Contact Danielle to volunteer or visit sportsbackers.org to walk or run.

Holiday ClosingsMemorial Day Monday, May 25Independence Day Friday, July 3 closing at 1pm Saturday, July 4

When it comes to buying a car, the first step should always be a pre-approval. Why? Getting pre-approved for an auto loan before you shop, will help you:

> Know your limit and drive home with a monthly payment that’s sure to fit within your budget.

> Avoid high pressure situations by giving you the advantage of knowing what you qualify for and how much car you can truly afford.

> Gain the power to negotiate without the stress of not knowing whether or not your financing will be approved.

> Avoid hastily accepting whatever rates the dealer offers by shopping for and choosing your loan terms beforehand.

Getting pre-approved for an auto loan from Connects Federal Credit Union is easy. Just stop by the Credit Union or visit connectsfcu.org to get started today.

Here’s a great no hassle shopping experience event:ENTERPRISE CAR SALES ONSITE CAR SALE EVENT

At Connects – Midlothian Branch | 9960 Midlothian Turnpike

Lots of late-models, low mileage certified used vehicles!Reduced Rates foR all buyeRs when financing with connects!

As low as 1.49% APR*

Get Pre-Approved for easy onsite shopping with Connects and Enterprise Car Sales! Contact ANY branch or visit connectsfcu.org to discover the benefits of buying from Enterprise. Apply anytime by calling 804-756-5000 or visit the Loans section at connectsfcu.org.

*Rates are based on credit history. Your rate may be higher. All applicants must meet certain credit criteria for approval. Discount rates offered May 8, 2015 through May 9, 2015. Rate dis-counts are only offered for model years 2011 through 2015 for vehicles purchased from Enter-prise Car Sales. Payment example: $14.53 for each $1000.00 borrowed for 72 months at 1.49% apr. Rates and terms are subject to change with notice. Rates are offered on new loans only.

FRIDAY, MAY 8TH 10 am until 5 pm

SATURDAY, MAY 9TH 9 am until 1 pm