Shared Interests SUMMER 2018

Help Secure Your Home with HVFCU and NestWhen you finance your mortgage with HVFCU, we will provide you with the added security of a camera bundle from Nest. With a Nest Cam Outdoor and Nest Cam Indoor, you can be sure your house is secure both inside and out, no matter where you are. Access your Nest Cams from your smartphone even when you are not home! Visit nest.com for more details.

Receive a Nest Cam bundle when you finance your home with HVFCU.

Apply by 7/21/18 – Close by 10/15/18

*Primary occupancy residential purchase mortgages only. Full mortgage application must be received between 5/11/18 and 7/21/18, and the mortgage must close by 10/15/18 to be eligible. Your Nest Cam bundle will be provided within 30 days of closing. As an alternative you may receive the equivalent to the market value of the gift as a credit to the mortgage loan at closing. All other loan types, including mortgage refinances, home equity products or commercial mortgages, are not eligible for the Nest Cam bundle offer. Member pays for all other costs at closing. Offer may not be combined with any other offers or discounts unless otherwise noted. May be subject to IRS reporting. This offer is not guaranteed if your account is not in good standing and if you do not meet our credit criteria. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. This offer is not from Nest, but solely from HVFCU. Nest Cam video streaming, video recording, and mobile notifications require working internet and Wi-Fi. Visit hvfcu.org for current rates.

Move In Ready MortgagesIf you are looking to buy a home, the best choice to secure mortgage financing is HVFCU. As a trusted local institution for more than 50 years, we offer low rates, affordable down payment options and flexible financing – so you can feel safe knowing you’ve found the best mortgage around.

Apply Today – visit hvfcu.org, where you can complete an application in as little as fifteen minutes!

“ The mortgage process was seamless and our mortgage specialist was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and timely. ”

- HVFCU Member for 41 years

In this issueFinancing Your Growing Business ..........................2

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save ..............................3

New Personal Financial Management Tools .......4

Share the Value of HVFCU .........................................5

FICO® Score Available for Checking Members........6

More Families are Filing FAFSAs ..............................7

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Financing for Your Growing BusinessOne of the ways we serve the business community is by partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide government guaranteed loans. HVFCU and the SBA have worked together to distribute millions of dollars to local businesses throughout the Hudson Valley region. SBA Loans are a great way to purchase, improve or renovate a building, improve land, and refinance debt, with benefits that include:

• Up to 90% financing

• Low fixed rate

• Longer loan amortizations

• No balloon payments

• Savings that can result in improved cash flow

Contact an SBA Loan expert at HVFCU today. Call 845.463.3011 or email commerciallending@hvfcu.org.

“ Credit unions arethe way to go.”

- HVFCU business member for one year

Make Our Signature Yours.

Make a purchase – and a statement – with the HVFCU Visa® Signature card and receive 25,000* bonus points and 2x the points on every purchase.

Make our best rewards card yours. Apply for your new Visa® Signature card now.

Visa Signature Benefitsfor TravelersAccording to Forbes Magazine, “if you’re contemplating paying for a travel purchase with either a Visa Signature credit card or a non-Visa card like Mastercard or American Express, you should review the built-in travel benefits that Visa offers when the purchase rewards are a wash.” Whether you have a travel emergency, or need some extra services during your travels, Visa Signature is your better choice.

Concierge Services

Visa Signature cardholders also enjoy concierge services like complimentary 24-hour assistance booking travel, finding event tickets, making dinner reservations, and more! Your concierge service can help:

• Provide recommendations on the finest hotels, resorts, and cruises.

• Coordinate airfare, arrange tours and transportation, and reserve tables at top restaurants.

• Purchase theater tickets, find a gift for that special occasion, or even help book those hard-to-get reservations.

continued on page 3

Make Our Signature Yours.

Visa Signature Benefits for TravelersContinued from page 2

The HVFCU Signature credit card comes with all these

standard Visa features:

• Credit line of up to $30,000 to qualified borrowers

• 24/7 customer support

• Continuous fraud monitoring

• One variable rate for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances

• $1,000,000 in travel accident insurance

Plus, it’s a great rewards card too!

Visa Signature from HVFCU has more perks, more points, and more peace of mind. Earn two rewards points for each dollar spent on qualifying purchases through our HVFCU Rewards! program and watch your rewards stack up. Points can be redeemed online for travel, cash back credit, gift cards, merchandise, or charitable donations.

Enjoy more than just your purchase with our new Visa Signature card.

Make our best reward yours. Apply for your Visa Signature now.

* You will receive 25,000 bonus points if you make $5,000 or more in purchases within three months of opening an HVFCU Visa® Signature Credit Card. “Purchases” do not include balance transfers or cash advances. All other HVFCU credit cards are excluded from this offer. After qualifying, please allow 4-6 weeks for bonus points to post to your account. Credit card account must be open and in good standing to be eligible. Limit one bonus point offer per credit line.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save

Flex Certificate Account APY PerformanceApril 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018

Apr. 1, 2017 – Jun. 30, 2017

1.04%

Oct. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017

1.32%

Apr. 1, 2018 – Jun. 30, 2018

2.04%

Our 12-Month Flex Certificate is a certificate like no other. With a variable APY1 and a low minimum opening balance of just $750, you can’t go wrong.

“ Best bank I’ve ever dealt with and I’ve lived all over the US.”

- HVFCU member for 13 years

This account is unique because it combines the power of market

investing with the safety of a certificate account. In a rising

interest rate environment, you can expect to watch your savings grow. Moreover, if the market dips, your initial investment will remain

secure.

The variable Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on a Flex

Certificate is tied to the 3-month Treasury Bill1, with an additional .25% to

make your earnings even higher. You can even diversify your retirement portfolio with an IRA Flex Certificate.

Get the rate and the account that stays competitive. Open a 12-month Flex Certificate today!

• Complete our streamlined application through Internet or Mobile Banking

• Use our online form if you are not an Internet or Mobile Banking user

• Stop into any branch

• Call us at 845.463.3011

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continued on page 3

1APY=Annual Percentage Yield. At left is the variable APY for Flex Certificate Accounts and IRA Flex Certificate Accounts. The variable Dividend Rate and APY are effective 4/1/18 through 6/30/18. The minimum to open a 12-month term Flex Certificate Account or IRA Flex Certificate Account and earn the stated APY is $750. The APY is determined by adding .25% to the 3-month Treasury Bill auction investment rate on the last Thursday of each quarter. The dividend rate is subsequently calculated based on the indexed APY. Rate is subject to change after account opening. Fees or other conditions could reduce earnings on the account. Substantial penalty imposed for early withdrawal. IRA and Jumbo Flex Certificate Accounts earn the same Dividend Rate and APY as regular Flex Certificate Accounts.

Noreen Hennessy Named Outstanding Volunteer

Noreen Hennessy

Chairman of the Board Noreen Hennessy has been named a 2018 Outstanding Volunteer by the New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA). Our state-wide trade group recognized Noreen for her “exemplary accomplishments and dedication to the credit union movement.” A member since 1971, Noreen began volunteering for HVFCU as an Associate Member of the

Supervisory Committee in 2002, eventually becoming a full Member in 2005. In 2007 Noreen was appointed to fill an unexpired Board term, and has since been re-elected four times, eventually becoming Chairman of the Board in April 2012.

As a dedicated volunteer, Noreen’s sole focus is to maintain our members’ best interest while keeping HVFCU a financially safe and sound cooperative. Her leadership inspires others to do their best. As our President Mary Madden noted in her nomination of Noreen, “she places her confidence in the professional staff and supports the Board’s strategic vision and plan 100%. She is one of the best cheerleaders we could ask for, often going out of her way to attend events in the community with our staff to keep her pulse on our members’ wants and needs.”

Congratulations to Noreen Hennessy on this special recognition for her exceptional service to HVFCU and our members.

2018 Board ElectionCongratulations to Steve Caswell, Nancy Kappler-Foster, and Takao Inouye who were each re-elected to serve a three-year term on our Board of Directors. Our full Board is listed on page eight. We appreciate all our volunteers and their willingness to serve our financial cooperative.

New Personal Financial Management ToolsWe’ve enhanced the personal financial management tools available within Internet Banking to bring you our free Money Management service. Money Management gives you a complete overview of your accounts – putting money management at your fingertips, and your financial goals within reach. Money Management helps you stay on top of your finances by giving you the resources to track your spending, create budgets, manage your bills, and measure your net worth.

Money Management Features

Money Management gives you the power to tackle your financeshead on:

• Centralize Your Account Management – Manage your HVFCU accounts and accounts from over thousands of other financial institutions all in one place.

• Monitor Spending – Categorize and track your spending habits to view trends and get an overall picture of where you are spending your money – and areas where you can save.

• Manage Your Debt – Create a plan for managing your debt, including a forecast of when that debt will be paid off.

• Project Your Cash Flow – See your income and expenses on a given day, including future predictions. Know ahead of time if you can afford a big purchase.

• Create Budgets – Create budgets and financial goals, and track your spending against them. See where you are falling short of your goals so you can adjust your spending accordingly.

• Calculate Your Net Worth – Add assets, such as your car and home, to view a complete picture of your net worth.

To get started, log into Internet Banking and access Money Management from the “Manage Money” menu.

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Share the Value of HVFCU with Your Friends and FamilyAt HVFCU, we put people before profits. We believe that money isn’t everything and what really matters are your needs for today and your goals for the future. Banking should be straightforward and your accounts should be accessible no matter your adventure. That’s why more than 280,000 individuals throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond bank at HVFCU.

Don’t just take our

word for it, listen to

what some of our

members have to say

about HVFCU:

“You guys are seriously the best financial institution in the universe.” - HVFCU member for 12 years

“I always have great service from getting a mortgage to a car loan to everyday banking.” - HVFCU Member for 34 years

“Been a member since 1981! Have had years to compare banks and credit unions. HVFCU is always #1” - HVFCU member for 37 years

“I LOVE the credit union!” - HVFCU Member for 34 years

Home Improvements to Increase Efficiency and EnjoymentSummer is moving fast, so now is the time to finish (or start) those much anticipated home improvement projects. If you have been thinking about a new kitchen or a bathroom remodel, or any other major upgrade, why wait any longer.

No makeovers in your future? No problem!

A home equity line of credit is a great way to:

• Consolidate high rate debt

• Pay tuition bills

• Be prepared for unexpected expenses

Apply online, call us at 845.463.3011, or stop by any branch.

Kids should have fun during their summer vacations, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to end. Check out our online financial literacy communities for young children and teens!

M3 Money Club takes 7 to 12 year olds to an exciting world where superheroes rule and learning about money is cool. Visit www.hvfcu.org/M3moneyclub for fun activities like coloring pages, word searches, and crossword puzzles, as well as comics, cartoons, and even podcasts – all designed to help young credit union members learn the value of their money.

Elements of Money helps teens 13 and older explore the world of personal finance, and experience valuable lessons on saving money. With a wide variety of financial topics that can help your teen navigate first jobs, graduation, or heading off to college, Elements of Money features blogs, podcasts, and videos along with a quarterly newsletter on timely topics. And throughout the year, teens can enter contests to help them earn valuable scholarship money. Check out www.hvfcu.org/Elements.

We’re now on Instagram. Check us out at instagram.com/hudsonvalleyfcu

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Stretch Your DollarThese days, $20 doesn’t get you very far. If you’re lucky, you can buy a few morning coffees or a half tank of gas.

Stretch your dollar.

For about the same amount each month – less than a dollar a day – Hudson Valley Credit Union Insurance Services can provide you with renters insurance, which protects your valuables in the event of a fire, theft, or destruction of property.

Do you really need renters insurance?

Well, if you live in an apartment or complex, the threat to your personal belongings – jewelry, electronics, clothing, etc. – is, in many cases, out of your control. Unfortunately, your landlord’s insurance will only cover the physical residence, not your stuff.

Why risk it?

Renters insurance is cost-effective as is, but when you bundle in an auto policy, you can protect your belongings for little to no cost!*

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call or email today – 845.463.5646 or insurance@hvfcu.org.

*The money saved when combining multiple policies may cover the cost of your monthly renters insurance policy. Essentially, it’s like protecting your belongings for little to no cost.

Insurance Products: Are not NCUA/NCUSIF Insured | Are not obligations of HVFCU | Are not guaranteed by HVFCU

FICO® Score Available for Checking MembersIf you have an HVFCU checking account, you can now view your FICO® Score for free within Internet Banking and Mobile Banking. Choose the “My FICO® Score” tab within Internet Banking or the “More” menu within Mobile Banking to view quarterly updates to your score along with the key factors that impacted your score. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the

United States and other countries.

What is FICO?

The FICO score, produced by Fair Isaac Corporation, is the credit scoring model most commonly used by creditors. Your credit score can have an impact on many aspects of your life – whether you can get a mortgage, loan, or credit card, the rate you receive, whether a landlord will rent to you, and even whether you get certain jobs.

Improve Your Score

When looking to improve your FICO score, you should regularly check your credit report, set up payment reminders, and work to reduce the total amount of debt you owe. Your payment history contributes 35% to a FICO Score calculation and this category can and will have one of the most significant impacts on how you can improve your FICO score.

Make Sure Your Reports are Accurate

The first step to improving your credit score is checking your credit reports. Everyone has three credit reports — one from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Credit reports can have mistakes on them, so get your free annual report from each to verify the contents.

Lower your Credit Card Balances

Paying down balances is something that is very important to improving your score. Since the minimum required payments are often set very low, try paying more than the minimum whenever you can.

Keep Your Finances in BALANCE

HVFCU offers the BALANCE Financial Fitness Program with a variety of FREE services to keep your finances as healthy as possible. Follow the link on our website at hvfcu.org to learn more.

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More Families are Filing FAFSAs Here’s why yours should too Eighty-six percent. That’s the proportion of families that filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) last year, according to How America pays for College, a 2017 study by Sallie Mae® and Ipsos. The number is at a 10-year high – and for good reason. FAFSA gives students access to $150 billion in grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans.

If you know students and families thinking of applying, these tips can help.

1. File your application early. FAFSA applications can be submitted starting October 1. Federal financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so try to complete your application early. Added bonus? An early application may mean you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) and Expected Family Contribution (EFC) earlier. You may also get your financial aid award packages earlier too, depending on the school.

2. Gather the right materials. You’ll need your family’s most recent tax return to file your FAFSA as well as the student’s Social Security and driver’s license number, parents’ Social Security Numbers and birth dates, W-2 forms, and bank statements.

3. A pply, even if you think you might not qualify. Think your family’s income is too high for aid? Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial assistance, regardless of income. So, apply!

4. Avoid scams. Remember, the “F” in FAFSA stands for free. The only site you should use to get an FSA ID and submit the FAFSA is FAFSA.gov.

Get more details about the FAFSA at salliemae.com/FAFSA. To apply for a student loan, visit studentloans.hvfcu.org

Take Us with YouWhether you’re going away to college or staying local, a checking account from HVFCU is a necessity. We won’t charge you monthly fees, and you never have to worry about a minimum account balance. No matter where you go, you can easily manage your accounts online.

Our mobile app helps you bank on the go – easily transfer money between accounts, deposit checks, and more with a few taps of your finger.

An HVFCU Visa® Debit card unlocks special benefits, includingaccess to over 82,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. You can even tap to pay where accepted!

New job on campus? Direct deposit saves you a trip to the branch. You can have your paycheck automatically deposited right into your checking account and get same-day access to the full amount – with no check hold.

Whatever your financing needs, HVFCU is here to help. Visit a branch today!

“ I use the mobile appall the time!”

- HVFCU member for 10+ years

Board of DirectorsNoreen Hennessy, ChairmanTakao Inouye, First Vice ChairmanJoseph E. Eppich, Second Vice ChairmanNancy Kappler-Foster, TreasurerKenneth J. Muckenhaupt, Assistant TreasurerWilliam L. Spearman, SecretaryStephen M. Caswell , DirectorMarianne Collins, DirectorMisty V. Decker, Director

Jan Mahar Sturdevant, Director Emeritus

Supervisory CommitteeKathleen Dispensa, ChairmanDaniel F. Thomas, SecretaryWilliam J. Mulvey, MemberTuknekah Noble, MemberMichael Young, MemberAlan Gallantar, Associate MemberElinor Speckman, Associate Member

845.463.6934 | 800.468.3011P.O. Box 1624, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601scmail@hvfcu.org

President & CEOMary D. Madden

BranchesMonday-Friday 8:30-7:00 and Saturday 9:00-5:00

4 Tucker Drive, Arlington324 Main Street, Beacon2 Terrace Drive, Carmel6 Schuyler Boulevard, Fishkill101 Tillson Avenue, Highland415 Route 376, Hopewell Junction4011 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park1639 Ulster Avenue, Kingston155 Stringham Road, LaGrange40 Lloyds Lane, Middletown30 Hawkins Drive, Montgomery 953 Route 300, Newburgh265 Windsor Highway, New Windsor12 North Avenue, Pleasant Valley2373 Route 9, Poughkeepsie6740 Route 9, Rhinebeck11 Marshall Road, Wappingers Falls

Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30 and Saturday 9:00-2:001620 Route 22, Brewster

HVFCU ATMsAll HVFCU Branches1 Civic Center Plaza, PoughkeepsieAdams Fairacre Farms, Route 44, PoughkeepsieBridgeview Plaza, Route 9W, HighlandEast Fishkill IBM Building 300*Gap/Old Navy Distribution Center, Fishkill*Nine Mall, 1810 South Road, Wappingers FallsPoughkeepsie IBM Building 705*Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie*Employee accessible only.

TDD (for hearing impaired)845.463.1709

Branch Closing Schedule Our offices will be closed Labor Day on Monday, September 3

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Federally insured by the NCUA