Win One Year of Interest Off A New Loan
Do you have the Luck of the Interest? Find out and you could win one year of interest off a new loan* when you apply for and close on a new or used vehicle or RV loan, a personal or fixed-rate home equity loan or if you refinance a loan from another financial institution. Apply and close on one of these Auburn Community FCU loans and you will be entered to win a rebate of one year's interest after you have been paying on your loan for one year - up to $5,000!

With a wee bit of luck and one of these great Auburn Community FCU loans, you could win! This special promotion will run from January 4, 2010 through March 12, 2010. The drawing for the one year of interest loan rebate will be on March 17, 2010 - St. Patty's Day!

*Only new/used vehicle, RV, personal and fixed-rate home equity loans are eligible. Contact Auburn Community FCU for details and restrictions. Existing loans with the credit union are not eligible. New money only.

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Improving your credit rating, or maintaining good credit, is one of the smartest things you can do for your future. Lenders, employers, landlords, and insurers all rely on the information in your credit report to help them make decisions about whether to loan you money, hire you, rent to you, or insure you. With the troubles in the economy, credit history is being scrutinized more now than in the recent past.

Also, with credit fraud on the rise, especially during these uncertain economic times, it's vital for you to review your reports at least yearly to verify that the information is accurate and to check for any activity that you didn't initiate.

Come into an Auburn Community FCU branch and talk to us about our FREE Credit Checkup offering. At your Checkup, an Auburn Community FCU staff expert will pull your credit report and review it with you free of charge.

You'll see what's in it and be able to verify if all of the information is accurate. We'll work with you to find ways you can save money, and review tips to improve your credit score and repair your overall financial health. This can mean easier credit approval, lower loan rates and lower payments.

I encourage you to stop in for your Free Credit Checkup where you can work with our staff to learn more about your credit and ways you can save. Plus, once you have your Checkup, you will receive a free gift.

We look forward to helping you save money this year and get on the path to a better credit history in 2010.

Sincerely,

Saverio "Sam" A. Scro

Manager/CEO

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Offering you a reward program with real value, the ScoreCard^® Rewards VISA^® gives you the flexibility to earn points redeemable for exciting awards. Unlike many other bonus programs out there, ScoreCard Rewards earn you bonus points for every qualifying net dollar you spend. Points add up quickly and then you are able to turn your purchases into prizes!

Once you create a profile, you can view your point balance, browse rewards merchandise, create wish lists, and more. With a ScoreCard Rewards VISA card, you have access to brand name gifts, vacation getaways, useful services and even once in a lifetime experiences! Get started by going to our website, www.auburnfcu.com, and click on the ScoreCard banner on the homepage. Have fun and earn rewards while you do so.

Don't have an Auburn Community FCU VISA card? Call us at (315) 253-2934 or stop by today.

Because... life should be rewarding!

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We know how busy your day is, how you are stretched in many directions and how there never seem to be enough hours in the day. You need to be able to manage your finances when your schedule permits. These services work for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you're already taking advantage of them, you know all about the benefits. If not, you owe it to yourself to get the details:

Online Banking - Manage your money from any web-connected computer or even your mobile device. View account balances, manage your accounts and even transfer funds on the go!

Bill Pay - Pay your bills online. No more writing checks or worrying about missed due dates. Set up payments and have your bills taken care of for you, giving you great peace of mind!

Direct Deposit/Payroll Deduction - With Direct Deposit, payday couldn't be any easier. Sign up and have your net pay deposited for you! Payroll Deduction is a great way to start a savings plan, make loan payments and more!

VISA Check Card - You've got the cash-back convenience of an ATM Card, combined with the purchasing power and worldwide access of VISA.

Share Draft/Checking Account - It's your alternative to high checking fees and service charges at other financial institutions. There are no monthly fees, no per check charges, and no minimum balance requirements. Plus, you have emergency overdraft protection!

Getting Started Is Easy!
Call (315) 253-2934, stop by the credit union or visit us online at www.auburnfcu.com for more information.

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With available tax credits for energy efficiency, it's so easy - and affordable - to be green. If you haven't done so yet, take advantage of these energy efficient home improvements. If you already have done so, don't forget to claim these tax credits when you file for 2009!

According to www.energystar.gov, the following tax credits are available for consumers. These credits are for existing homes and expire after 2010. (Review Energy Star's site for some credits on Solar, Geothermal, Wind Systems and more that are valid through 2016.)

Tax Credits Are Available At 30% Of The Cost, Up To $1,500, In 2009 & 2010 For:

• Windows and Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters (non-solar)
• Biomass Stoves

There Are Other Easy Ways To Go Green In Your Home - And Save Money, Too!

Most Of Them Simply Involve Breaking A Habit!

Turn It Off: For decades, parents around the world have been right. Turn off lights when you leave a room. You'll be saving energy and money - plus you'll make Dad proud.

Unplug It: Unplug items when not in use. It is one of the best things you can do for the planet - and your bank account. Many appliances, such as computers and televisions, eat up electricity even when they are in standby mode.

Change Your Light Bulbs: Change your bulbs to energy-efficient fluorescents. It's a smart choice because they are four to six times more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last much longer!

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Your credit union will be closed to observe the following holidays:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 18, 2010

Presidents' Day
Monday, February 15, 2010

Good Friday
Friday, April 2, 2010
Closing at 3:00 p.m.

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You are invited to attend this year's Annual Meeting on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sunset Restaurant, located at 87 North Division Street in Auburn. Dinner will be served following the meeting. Tickets for the dinner may be purchased for $5 per person at the credit union. Please contact the credit union no later than Friday, February 12, 2010 to purchase tickets. Seating is limited and tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. No tickets will be sold at the door. We look forward to seeing you!

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Job Scams
With current unemployment rates still at high percentages, many job seekers are using the Internet to search and apply for jobs. This is a convenient and a smart way to look for jobs; however, you need to beware that scams abound on these job boards - even the ones deemed reputable. Some of the scams might even be in the form of advertisements or suggestions on that job site or a pop-up ad. Especially because searching for jobs can leave you vulnerable enough already, you need to have your guard up when applying for positions and responding to inquiries.

How To Protect Yourself
Be on the look out. If you see any jobs that seem too good to be true, they probably are. $20,000 a month to seal envelopes from the comfort of your home sure would be nice, but chances are the employer on the other end is someone looking to take advantage of you - or, even worse, steal your identity. These individuals might offer you a job over the phone without even meeting you or asking any interview questions. Often they will ask for personal and private information and account routing numbers in an attempt to steal your identity and your money.

Do your research. Thankfully, the same tool they are using to try to scam you is also your best weapon. Search the company on the web. Often, information about previous scams can be found. Be aware, though, because these tricksters change company names about as often as you change your socks!

Bottom line, honest employers and real jobs are out there, but the scammers are, too. Do not give private information to an employer before you have done your research!

For more information on protecting yourself on the web, visit www.onguardonline.gov.

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Your Visa Debit Card is one of your most powerful financial tools, since it provides you with both the cash-back convenience of an ATM Card and the purchasing strength and worldwide access of VISA. When using your card, be sure you keep your PIN and identity safe. While making a purchase, choose a signature-based transaction ("Credit") instead of PIN-based transactions ("Debit").

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Tax filing season is almost upon us. There is something you need to be aware of. Getting your refund as quickly as possible is important, but your credit union urges you to avoid your tax preparer's "instant refund" feature. At the time of your tax preparation, the fees for this service may seem "reasonable;" however, these refunds are actually loans that carry very high interest rates if you consider the tax preparer gets his money back in a very short period of time - as little as two weeks in the majority of instances.

A fee of $50, for example, on a refund of $500 that the tax preparer gets back in two weeks works out to an annual interest rate of 240%. Think about it. Would you borrow money from anyone at that rate - for money that is yours to begin with? Of course not! Unfortunately, millions of people every year pay these kinds of fees for a little convenience.

With electronic filing (used by most major tax preparers), wait times have been dramatically reduced for tax refunds. Take our advice. Wait the short amount of time it takes to get all your money back.

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You can't start too early when teaching kids to be financially responsible. Especially with the bombardment of advertisements and social pressure for toys, video games, computers, cameras, and music devices - not to mention the enticement of cars and expensive clothing as your child gets older - kids understand the role material possessions play in our lives. Make sure they understand the value of earning, saving and investing, too.

The earlier kids understand how money works and the importance of saving for things, the more likely they'll be money-savvy in the future when they enter the "real world," where credit card debt and bankruptcy are real financial dangers.

Sign your child up for our age-appropriate Youth Clubs, and you will be helping them learn how to save and spend wisely for years to come.

Ages 12 & Under - Dollar Dog Kids Club^®

With a $5.00 initial deposit into a Dollar Dog Kids Club^® Account, your child will receive:

• Access To Dollar Dog's Online Clubhouse
• Educational Games & Quizzes
• Invitations To Special Events And Celebrations
• Dollar Dog Savings Bank
• And More!

Ages 13-17 - cha-ching!^SM

When your teen joins cha-ching! by depositing $5.00 or more into a Savings Account, your child will receive:

• Access To cha-ching! Online
• Special Teen Savings Accounts And Services
• Music And Cool Educational Videos
• Online Podcasts
• And More!

For more information about these programs and to learn how you can give your child the financial tools to get ahead, visit www.auburnfcu.com or call (315) 253-2934.

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Why wait for your refund check to arrive in the mail when the super fast and safe option of obtaining your refund via Direct Deposit is so easy? It's simple to have your tax refund deposited directly into your Auburn Community FCU account. When preparing your taxes this year, follow the steps below. You'll have the convenience of quick access to your refund and the chance to win a great prize!

You Could Win!
Plus, when you Direct Deposit your tax refund between January 15, 2010 and April 15, 2010, you will be entered into our drawing to win a $500 first prize cash bonus or one of five $100 second place prizes!*

For More Information, Call (315) 253-2934 Or Stop By The Credit Union Today!

It's Easy As 1, 2, 3

It's easy to have your federal tax refund direct deposited into your Auburn Community Federal Credit Union Share Draft or Regular Shares Savings Account. Simply use Form 1040, 1040A or 1040-EZ and complete the following three steps:

Step 1: Enter Auburn Community FCU's Routing & Transit Number: 221373451

Step 2: Check either Checking or Savings

Step 3: Enter your Auburn Community FCU Member Number. Please do not enter any spaces or dashes.

*Total Cash bonus is $1000 with one prize of $500 and five $100 prizes. Odds of winning Cash Bonus will vary according to the number of Direct Deposit 2009 federal tax refund orders received by the entry deadline, which is the end of business on April 15, 2010. The Grand Prize winner will be selected on April 18, 2010. No purchase necessary to win. Contact the credit union for complete details.

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