In this issue:
We're Making Home Loans
Are
you planning to purchase or refinance a home in the near future?
If so, you'll probably find that it's much harder to get a mortgage
than it once was. Many of the big traditional mortgage lenders
are making fewer loans, if they're making mortgage loans at all.
Fortunately, that's not the case at Columbus Metro. Our goal
is to make more mortgage loans
in 2008 than ever before. With that in mind, we've made two significant
improvements to our mortgage program:
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We have more loan options than ever, including government-secured
loans. This means that you're sure to find the right mortgage
for your budget, down payment and credit history.
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We've added an experienced specialist to our staff.
Keith Louderback has over 13 years of mortgage lending experience
and is committed to helping members find the right mortgage
loan. Because Keith is dedicated to mortgage lending, he can
give you personal attention from your very first phone call
until your loan is closed.
If you're thinking about purchasing or refinancing a home, think
Columbus Metro for your mortgage loan. For more information or current
rates, call Keith Louderback at 614.239.0210 or 800.986.3876, ext.
3026, or e-mail him at klouderback@columbusmetro.org.
Call For Nominations
Columbus Metro is now accepting nominations to fill three positions
on its board of directors. Our 2009 elections will be conducted
by mail and the results will be announced at our annual meeting
in March.
At minimum, you must be a credit union member in good standing
and willing to serve on a volunteer basis to be considered as
a candidate by the board's nominating committee. You should be
able to dedicate a few hours a month to board activities, including
a monthly business meeting during regular business hours.
To apply, send your resume or a brief summary of your qualifications
to: Nominating Committee, Columbus Metro FCU, P.O. Box 13240,
Columbus, OH 43213-0240.
Applications must be received by November 14, 2008, to be
considered.
Celebrate Your Credit Union Ownership!
Do you know who owns Columbus Metro? You do! And that is just one
of the many things that make credit unions unique and one of the
membership benefits we'll recognize on October 16, International
Credit Union Day.
Credit unions are not-for-profit, democratically controlled, member-owned
cooperatives. They exist to serve their members. Unlike most other
financial institutions, credit unions do not issue stock or pay
dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, earnings are returned
to members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits,
and lower fees.
At credit unions, every customer is both a member and an owner.
This year's International Credit Union Day theme It Belongs
To Me celebrates the economic democracy and equal ownership
rights of each credit union member, regardless of how much money
that member may have in savings. On October 16, we honor our most
valuable asset: our members. You are the reason Columbus Metro exists,
and we thank you for your continued support.
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since the program
began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women
age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.
To help prevent breast cancer, women should:
- Conduct monthly self-breast examinations starting at age 20.
- Get mammograms regularly, preferably once a year, starting at
age 40.
- Ask a doctor whether more frequent screenings are necessary
based on family history.
For more information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
visit www.nbcam.org.
For additional information, contact any of the following: American
Cancer Society, 800.227.2345 or www.cancer.org,
National Cancer Institute, 800.4CANCER or www.cancer.gov,
or Breast Cancer Network of Strength, 800.221.2141 or www.networkofstrength.org.
Be Alert For Fraud
Last month, Columbus Metro members were among those who received
fraudulent text messages indicating that their accounts had been
suspended for suspicious activity. Recipients who called the phone
number in the message were asked for their credit or debit card
number and other information. The message was a scam, designed to
obtain valid card numbers for fraudulent use.
We'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that we would
never send you an e-mail, text message or fax requesting financial
information, and you should never provide information in response
to such requests. If you wonder whether a request for information
is legitimate, please check with us first by calling 614.239.0210
or 800.986.3876. We've also created a new fraud alerts page on our
web site with information about the latest scams; visit www.columbusmetro.org/fraud_alerts.html
for more information.
May I See Your ID?
Please keep in mind that any time you visit one of our offices,
our staff may ask you for government-issued photo identification
before completing a transaction or providing account information
to you.
This is for your protection and ensures that we do not give cash,
account balances or other personal details to anyone other than
you and any joint owners on your account. This policy applies to
all members, including minors. Many schools now issue photo ID to
their students, and these are acceptable as identification. Of course,
we'll also accept driver's licenses and state ID cards for those
under 18.
Ohio residents, regardless of age, can apply for an Ohio Identification
Card at any Deputy Registrar's office. For more information or a
list of documents needed to obtain a card, visit www.bmv.ohio.gov
or call the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 614.752.7500.
Calling All Real Estate Agents
Are you, or is someone you know, a real estate agent?
If so, we'd like to help you meet the challenges of the current
real estate market. While other lenders are cutting back or eliminating
mortgage lending entirely, we're looking to make more loans than
ever!
Want to know more? Give our mortgage specialist, Keith Louderback,
a call. He'll be glad to tell you how Columbus Metro can help your
clients with their mortgage loan needs and reduce their closing
costs.
Contact Keith at 614.239.0210 or 800.986.3876, ext. 3026 or klouderback@columbusmetro.org.
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