memberCONNECTIONS

Facebook 30thAnniversary Trivia Contest

We are so excited about our 30th Anniversary, and we’re asking our Facebook fans to help us celebrate by joining in our “30 Facts About 30 Years of BCU” Trivia Contest! From now through the end of October, we’re asking our fans 30 questions about BCU (all the answers can be found on our Web site) and we will randomly select one correct winner for each question to receive a 30th Anniversary edition prize pack! So invite your friends to “Like” BCU on Facebook and start playing today!

TEXT BANKINGComing November 2011!

Account information is now just a text away with Text Banking. Interact with and manage your accounts in real-time using text messages sent from your mobile phone. This free1 service is a quick and easy way to perform common banking functions when you’re on the go.

With Text Banking, you can:

• Check your balance• Transfer funds• Review transaction history• And more!

For account information, text the following commands to 20228:

• BAL – Get your balance • HIST – Get your transaction history • TRAN – Transfer funds • NEXT – Go to next transaction from history • HOURS – Get branch hours • CONTACT – Get the Credit Union’s

toll-free number • HELP – Get command list • STOP – Deactivate Text Banking

You may find it convenient to save 20228 into the contact list in your mobile phone.

As a helpful tip, commands are not case sensitive. Also, text messages are usually sent and received in a matter of seconds, but sometimes your mobile carrier could delay the delivery of messages.

To get started:

• Log into Online Banking• Select Text Banking under My Accounts• Validate your mobile phone number• Text a command to 20228 at any time for information

about your account

1 You may be charged for text messages by your mobile carrier. Check with your carrier for details on specific fees and charges.

F a l l 1 1 | 8 0 0 - 3 8 8 - 7 0 0 0 | w w w. B C U . o r g

Dear Members,

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Mike ValentinePresident/CEO

2

One of the most significant things we can do as a Credit Union is to fully understand our member’s needs. And most important, make enhancements to our products, services and processes that better meet the expectations of our members – based on their feedback.

In fact, your feedback as a Credit Union member is so important that we have created several ways for your voice to be heard. After all, as a member, you are part owner of the Credit Union and your individual opinions matter to us. We exist to serve you and your financial services needs. So without the collective feedback from our members, the financial services we provide would become less relevant. We regularly ask for feedback through a member survey in which members have the opportunity to rate our products and services. We also ask members what changes or improvements could be made to make their experiences even better with the Credit Union.

We’ve received various comments that the Credit Union should have more convenient branch locations. Members may not realize that we are part of a national Shared Branching Network. This unique program gives our members the ability to perform many of the same transactions within our Shared Branching locations as they would within our own Service Centers. By partnering with other credit unions across the nation, we can provide our members access to over 6,000 locations within the network, while membership and accounts remain with BCU. To find the Shared Branching location nearest you, use our online locator guide.

Members also have access to over 70,000 surcharge-free network ATMs nationwide and in Puerto Rico. To learn more or to locate a surcharge-free ATM, follow the “Free ATMs & Branches” link on our Web site or the “Locations” link through Mobile Banking.

And of course, all of our members have free and secure access to their accounts online 24/7 with Online Banking. We continue to focus on the expansion of delivery options and convenience – examples of recent enhancements include:

• Deposit Anywhere – Conveniently make secure deposits anytime using either your desktop computer and scanner, or your iPhone® or AndroidTM powered phone.

• Account Alerts – Set up automatic account notifications to be sent to you via email or text.

And in November, we will be introducing Text Banking – A quick and easy way to access your account information using your mobile device.

No matter where you are, you’re surrounded by many different ways to access your account information, conduct transactions and more. Providing our members with the ability to bank with the Credit Union whenever they want, wherever they are, is just one more way, “We’ve Got Your Back.”

Best Regards,

Mike ValentinePresident/CEO

EXCITING NEW FALL SWEEPSTAKES FOR VISA® CARDHOLDERS

Sign for your purchases from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 using your Credit Union Visa Debit or Credit Card, and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win* a golfer’s dream vacation. Every signature purchase will give you a chance to win the grand prize or one of the other exciting prizes. PIN purchases do not qualify.

Prizes include:

Grand Prize:• Four-day, three-night trip for two at The Lodge at Pebble Beach• Roundtrip airfare and local transportation for two• One round of golf for two at Pebble Beach Links• One round of golf for two at Spyglass Hill Golf Course• $600 resort credit (good anywhere on the resort, e.g., restaurants, spa and retail)

Other prizes include HD FlipTM cameras and $100 Visa Gift Cards. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

* For more details, visit www.pscufs.com/visagolfgiveaway.

iPhone® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.Android™ is a registered trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions

3

PUT YOUR HOME EQUITY TO WORK FOR YOU!They say home is where the heart is – it may be where the smart borrowing is, too! If you’ve lived in your home for many years, you may have equity built up that can help you finance large purchases or ongoing expenses, or consolidate debt.

You can access your equity however it works best for you:

• A home equity loan provides a lump sum amount at a low, competitive fixed rate.

• A home equity line of credit (HELOC) gives you the ability to borrow funds when you need them at a low, competitive variable rate.

Many UsesA home equity loan or HELOC is a popular choice for home remodeling projects, but there are many other circumstances when using your equity is a smart choice, too. Do you have high-interest-rate debt? Consolidating it using your home’s equity could lower your monthly payments and potentially save you a bundle on interest. Since your home serves as collateral,

home equity interest rates tend to be lower than most other consumer loan rates. And your overall cost may be further reduced because the interest you pay may be tax-deductible.*

Your home’s equity can also help make college tuition more affordable, or even put you behind the wheel of a new car. A home loan professional at the Credit Union will work with you to determine a loan limit that is appropriate for your needs and budget. Stop by, call or visit our Web site to learn more or to open a home equity loan or HELOC today.

* See your tax advisor for deductibility in your situation.

GET REWARDED, NOT PENALIZEDUnlike a lot of financial institutions, we don’t penalize our members with a monthly checking fee because we just don’t feel it is the right thing to do.

Instead, we reward our members with highly competitive checking rates and Rewards when you use your free Visa® ATM/Debit Card with Rewards. That’s right, while other financial institutions are adding more fees and taking away rewards, we continue to reward our members – because we value your membership. Plus, your Credit Union ATM/debit card is more secure than writing a check, and you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, which is pretty much everywhere.

With your Visa ATM/Debit Card, you will also enjoy:

• No fees – some banks are now adding fees just to use a debit card.

• Earning CURewards Points on signature-based purchases¹ made using your Visa ATM/Debit Card – 1 point for every $2 spent – to redeem for valuable travel and merchandise awards.

• The ability to combine your debit card CURewards points with your credit card CURewards points.

• Viewing your CURewards points total on your monthly account statement or online.

• Access to over 70,000 surcharge-free network ATMs nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

• Zero Liability.

• Guaranteed approval for the debit card.

• Points don’t expire on active cards.

This is just one of the many ways we show that We’ve Got Your Back. If you don’t have a Credit Union checking account, open one today.

To learn more about our no-monthly-fee checking accounts visit our Web site or call.

1 Signature-based purchases or transactions occur when you sign your name, rather than enter youtPIN. Choose “credit” at the checkout and the amount will be deducted from your checking account as usual.

4

This publication does not constitute legal, accounting or other professional advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2011 BCU.

Live Big, Think Small

ENRICHING YOUR LIFE – RATHER THAN YOUR LIFESTYLE

Being tight with one’s money used to carry negative connotations. Cheap Charlie. Frugal Fanny. Stingy Stu.

Now it’s much more mainstream to meet economic challenges head-on. Cost-conscious Cathy. Economical Ellie. Thrifty Ted.

Practical Living on LessTaking control of your finances to improve your life is different than concentrating on lifestyle enhancements. It may even make your family happier in the long run. Research shows that spending time on experiences with loved ones rather than focusing on possessions often boosts positive feelings.

Here are some ideas for your family.

• Start with time, not things. Spending time together doesn’t need to cost anything. Plan game or movie nights at home, organize family sporting activities in your yard or local park, attend your children’s school events. Children will remember the things you did together rather than the things you bought them.

• Downsize your home. Can your family live without some rooms? Moving to a smaller home or renting an apartment can save significant dollars up front, plus lower monthly expenses on an ongoing basis. You may even make some money selling excess furniture and belongings you don’t need.

• Change your spending priorities. Budget for the things your family needs first and consider shopping at consignment shops rather than buying new. Staying away from shopping malls will help avoid expensive spending patterns.

RETIRE WITH FINANCIAL FREEDOMExperienced Financial Advisors* at BCU Investment Advisors have a wealth of knowledge and resources to help you navigate from saving for retirement to living in retirement.

Our disciplined approach to retirement planning can help you:

• Build and manage your wealth• Protect your retirement assets• Create a retirement income stream• Plan your legacy

Why consider a retirement conversation with one of our Financial Advisors? As a member and owner of the Credit Union, these valuable financial services are always available to you. Our Financial Advisors are experienced with an average tenure of 20 years and our personalized level of service rivals any of the largest banking and investment firms that you may know.

Call us today at 800.388.7000, ext. 8244, with any questions you may have, or to schedule an appointment with us.

* Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) SEC and Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the Credit Union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. BCU has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to Credit Union members. BCU Investment Advisors is a trade name for the investment services available at BCU.

• Focus on saving. Setting aside money for future needs, such as college tuition for your children and your own retirement, should remain a priority.

Let Us HelpAt the Credit Union, we want to help you get the most value for your hard-earned money. We offer surcharge-free ATMs, BALANCESM (a financial education and counseling program) and online banking to help you manage your money. We also offer a variety of savings products for your family’s future. Visit our Web site or stop by a Service Center for more information.