SECU&You ® January 2017 newsletter

SECU's Own Your Money Finance Fair

How many times have you found yourself saying, “If only I knew then what I know now”? Unfortunately, too many times that phrase applies to financial matters. Why didn’t I save more? Why didn’t I budget better? What could I have done differently to ensure I met my financial goals?

It was precisely that idea that led SECU to create its latest financial education initiative, an interactive, experiential learning exercise for high school students that simulates a month in the life of a working adult. In December, more than 50 students from the Academy of Finance programs at Lansdowne, Randallstown, and Overlea High Schools in Baltimore County participated in SECU’s first Own Your Money Finance Fair. The event was held at the SECU Arena at Townson Univer-sity with 35 volunteers from SECU on hand to support.

The goal of the Finance Fair was to help teach basic money management skills that are key to financial and money management success. Students were assigned one of 14 possible careers, based on their individual interests, along with a monthly salary. They then had to figure out how to live within their means while pay-ing for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing and food.

Students visited booths to determine their budget for housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials. As in the real world, the students had to make the same kinds of decisions they would have to make in their everyday lives – Where do I want to live (and how much will it cost)? Can I afford a car or do I have to find some other means of transportation? What kinds of food should I buy each week? There were also opportu-nities for additional spending on entertainment, pets, gym memberships and other non-essentials. They also had to spin the “wheel of life” that replicated those unforseen expenses that would impact their budgets. After visiting the various stations, and based on their decisions, which were recorded on a customized budget sheet, the students balanced their budget, and then sat down with a financial counselor for review.

Through the Own Your Money Finance Fair, these students received a unique perspective on life after graduation that will hopefully help them in learning how to live on a budget and within their means.

The Financial Reality Fair Simulated a “Month in the Life” for 50 Baltimore County High School Students

SECU&You January 2017

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2017 Annual Meeting Members are welcome to join SECU’s President/CEO Rod Staatz and Board of Directors at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at 4:00pm, at the BWI Hilton Hotel, 1739 W. Nursery Rd, Linthicum, MD 21090. SECU members in good standing, with accounts opened under their own SSNs or business EINs, may attend to learn about our achievements in 2016 and plans for 2017.

The following three incumbent Board members will be nominated to serve an additional term on the Board of Directors: Sharonne Bonardi, Tim La Valle, and Donald Tynes, Sr. In the event there is more than one nominee for each Directorship, a printed ballot will be mailed to each member eligible to vote by April 7, 2017. Election results will be announced at SECU’s Annual Meeting.

Sharonne BonardiSharonne Bonardi joined SECU's Board of Direc-tors in 2011 and currently serves as Secretary. In October, 2015, Sharonne was appointed Deputy Comptroller of Maryland. She has over 25 years of Maryland State Service, including serving in numer-ous positions within the Compliance Division. She has also served as an administrative law judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Sharonne received her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, and her M.B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University’s Carey School of Busi-ness. She was recently named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record.

In addition to the SECU Board, Sharonne serves on the board of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Baltimore County (MD) Chapter. She is also active in numerous other civic organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated.

Tim La ValleTim La Valle joined SECU’s Board of Directors in 2003. He has previously served as Board Secretary and currently serves as Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Tim has over 25 years of experience in public service. He currently serves as the Director, Office of General Services at the Maryland Department of Commerce in Baltimore. His experience also in-cludes service in the Naval Sea Systems Command and volunteer service with the Peace Corps. Tim graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in

Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and with a Master of Science degree in Public Manage-ment and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Tim also successfully completed the Harvard Business School's Advanced Leadership Institute program and received his Certified Credit Union Director (CCD) accreditation from the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES).

Donald Tynes, Sr. Donald Tynes, Sr. joined SECU’s Board of Directors in 1975. He has held several Board positions, includ-ing Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary, and has chaired various Committees. Donald also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Credit Union Foundation of MD & DC, 2007-2016.

Prior to his retirement in 2002, Donald was the system wide Director of Human Resources for the University System of Maryland. During his many years of public service, he also served as Deputy Secretary of Personnel for the State of Maryland.

Donald earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Morgan State University and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from Loyola College in Mary-land. In addition to the SECU Board, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Bible Society. He is also active in other civic organizations including Gamma Boulet and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities.

Tell a friend why you SECU

You know SECU is the best choice for Marylanders com-pared to large, corporate Mega Banks. And, as a member, you know you’re getting some of the lowest fees and best rates around. But are you telling your friends and family members about why “You SECU?”

Be sure to tell them how you save hundreds on an auto refinance, or thousands on refinancing your mortgage. Or just how you enjoy true customer service rather than being treated like a number.

From savings, checking, lending products, including a full suite of credit cards that meet your specific needs, SECU has our members’ best interests in mind.

So don’t keep SECU’s great offerings to yourself. Be sure to tell your friends and family “to SECU” by checking out DoYouSECU.com for more information.

DO YOU

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secumd.org 410-487-7328 | 800-879-7328

Activate Your CardYour New Debit Card with EMV

SECU has reissued Visa Debit Cards with EMV-chip technology. If you have received a new card, please activate it immediately. Your EMV card has enhanced security features specifically developed to combat data theft. Get the scoop at secumd.org/emv.

If you have not received a new debit card, please call 800-879-7328 or visit your closest branch to get your new card.

Mobile Banking UpdatesWe are excited to announce a new update coming to our Mobile App! With a completely refreshed look and feel and a more intuitive experience, you’ll continue to access your accounts conveniently on-the-go. Be on the lookout for a notification to update your app.

With Mobile Banking, you enjoy easy deposit capability with Remote Check Deposit and convenient access to your accounts anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Don’t have Mobile Banking yet? Get started today at secumd.org/gomobile.

Find your ATMNo matter where you are, you have access to your SECU accounts. We provide access to more free ATMs than the Big Banks, and we don’t charge you to use them.

Look for these logos to find a free ATM near you or visit secumd.org/atms. On the go? Use our mobile app to find the ATM closest to you.

SECU Spotlight:Your Visa Card5.99% Fixed Rate Balance Transfer: No fees. No terms. No gimmicks. Transfer that balance from any non-SECU account over to a SECU Visa® credit card through March 31 and get a fixed rate of 5.99% for the life of the balance. Take as much time as you need to pay off the transferred balance, and the interest rate on that balance will never change.

Take as much time as you need to pay off your balance, always at 5.99%. Learn more at secumd.org/balancetransfer.

Spend and Get: Open a new SECU Signature Visa® credit card or Rewards credit card and earn extra points just for using it. Signature Cardholders: Earn 25,000 extra bonus points when you spend $2,000 in your first 90 days of opening your card. For more information, visit secumd.org/signature.Reward Cardholders: Earn 15,000 extra points when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your card. Visit secumd.org/rewards for more information.

3X the points Get 3X the points when using your SECU Rewards or Aspire Visa through March 31 at restaurants and movie theaters and on any of those monthly recurring payments like wireless bills, gym mem-berships, utility bills, and/or Netflix. Learn more at secumd.org/visapromos.

Get $0.50 off per gallon at the pump! Get $0.50 off per gallon with 2,000 points at any BP gas station. Simply insert your SECU credit card at the pump for real-time fuel price rollback. Learn more at secumd.org/visapromos.

ScoreCard Rewards Redemption Ready to redeem? Head over to the newly improved ScoreCard Rewards website to set up your account, monitor your reward balance, and see the selection of brand name merchandise and travel options, cash back, and more. Signature, Rewards, and Aspire Cardholders: visit ScoreCardRewards.com to redeem your points.

Cash Back Cardholders: redeem your cash back at ScoreCardCashBackRewards.com.

Information published in this newsletter does not constitute legal, financial, or other professional advice, nor does it imply an endorsement by SECU of any other websites. Consult a professional financial advisor about your personal tax and finan-cial situation. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the credit union nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. ©2013 State Employees Credit Union of Maryland, Inc.

PO Box 23896 • Baltimore, Maryland 21298-8925

secumd.org | facebook.com/secumd

For our Expressline bank-by-phone service, call 410-487-7930 or 888-643-9777 anytime. Contact SECU at 410-487-7328 or 800-879-7328. To reach our Contact Center, select option 5, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Board of DirectorsOfficers: Donald Tynes, Sr., Chairman Mark A. Reger, Vice ChairmanGayle M. Seward, TreasurerSharonne Bonardi, Secretary

Directors: Janet Q. Bacon, Juancho Baino, Ellen C. Gardner, John D. Kenney, Timothy G. La Valle

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Your Tomorrow Starts Here

We're Maryland's credit union. Working at SECU means more than knowing about our products and services. It's about empowering our employees to create memorable experiences for our members–and each other.

Join Team SECU for an opportunity to be creative, get involved in our community, and build your career. Visit secumd.org/careers or our LinkedIn page to view our job opportunities and see how you can make an impact at SECU and throughout Maryland.

Your tomorrow starts here. Are you ready?

2017 ScholarshipsWe are very happy to announce that we will once again be offering the State Employee Scholarship program. This is the ninth year we’re offering this schol-arship program to Maryland state employees and their family members who will attend college, graduate school or trade school in the fall of 2017.

Scholarship amounts will vary and will be based on a graded essay or video submission. Eligibility will be verified. Applications are now being accepted. Deadline for submission is March 31, 2017.

For this year’s essay topic, an application form and submission guidelines, visit secumd.org/scholarship.

SECU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.