Let the Money Makeover 2010 Contest Begin!
Cheer them on as they succeed. VyStar joins our TV partners CBS 47 and FOX 30 again this year for the Money Makeover 2010 TV Competition. Four VyStar Families have been selected as TV Finalists to compete to see who improves their financial situation the most. They will be learning valuable, practical money management lessons along the way and you can learn right along with them.
The reason for the Money Makeover Contest is to share real-life situations to help us all learn better ways to manage our money. Get regular video updates and blogs covering each TV familys progress toward a brighter financial future online at www.actionnewsjax.com.
MEET OUR TV FAMILIES
To give even more members an opportunity to participate during Money Makeover 2010 drive down debt and boost their savings to date, 19 VyStar branches have been assigned their own family contestants to compete among themselves for four Grand Prizes of $1,000. The prizes will go to the families who have improved their financial condition the most. Here are our Branch families:
Arlington Chynequa King
Beach & 9A Kevyn & Debra Wellmann
Downtown Dawn & Gary Daly
Eagle Harbor John & Nancy Zegarski
Green Cove Springs Glenda Snelgrove
Jax Beach Christine & Beau Skipper; Twalita McIntyre
Kernan Jammie & Christian Mack
Lake City Kathy Dix
Mandarin Adriana & Gary Brinkman; Annette Campbell
NAS Jax Theresa Beyrle
Normandy Larry & Haley Boyles; Ashton Livengood
OakLeaf Nicole & Rudolph Jackson
Orange Park John Provosi
Palatka Raulin & Giovanni Brown
Regency Commons Morgan & Bill Londong; Teresa Richard
Southside Thomas & Allyn Collins
St. Augustine Pierre & Drusilla Ward
103rd Street Cari Boyce
JOIN THEM
Anyone can participate in a Money Makeover. Get a free VyStar Money Coach of your own to help get your finances into better shape. Start with a copy of the new Money Makeover At Home Guide, an easy-to-use financial workbook and budgeting tool. This and other financial tools, helpful information and updates are available on our website at www.vystarcu.org or, ask for a copy when visiting any of our branches.
There is a good reason why VyStar has become the #2 Mortgage Lender in the VyStar area. Not all no closing costs offers are what they seem. Ask us about ours!
- At VyStar, our No Closing Costs Mortgage allows you to put more money where it belongs into your home.
- At VyStar, we offer competitive rates and you pay fewer fees.
- At VyStar, there is no intangible tax at closing. Based on a loan amount of $125,000 you could save $250.
- At VyStar, we respond to your individual mortgage needs while providing outstanding value.
- At VyStar, we offer a broad range of loan programs and services apply today!
- At VyStar, we have trained professionals to answer those tough questions and provide advice and assistance.
Certain restrictions and limitations apply. All loans are subject to credit approval. No Closing Costs offer available only when obtaining a VyStar Credit Union First Mortgage Loan and is not available on VA, FHA & Reverse Mortgages. Available for purchase or refinance. VyStar will pay borrower closing costs up to a maximum amount of $5,000 excluding origination fee, discount points, private mortgage insurance, prepaid interest or funds to establish the members escrow account. If the borrower pays off the mortgage within the first 36 months, they will be required to reimburse VyStar for a portion of the closing costs paid by VyStar. Offer available for a limited time and subject to change without notice.
VyChat (Call Center) hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are two ways to chat with us online both are secure and your information is protected, just like when you phone our Call Center.
Via our website at www.vystarcu.org: Click the VyChat button on our home page, type in your name and question, and then start your session with us.
Via Internet Banking: VyChat is available when you log in. Simply click VyChat from the menu at the top of your screen to begin your live session.
On April 29, 2010 VyStar celebrated its 58th anniversary. VyStar was formed in 1952 with a mission to help members have a safe place to save money, borrow money and improve the financial well being of themselves and their family members. Today, 58 years later that mission remains as strong as ever. What began as a credit union of 12 members and $60 has grown into a credit union serving over 360,000 members with assets of more than $4.1 billion. Locally headquartered, and a financial cooperative owned and operated by our members as we have been since the day we were founded, we remain focused on providing high quality service, sound advice and meeting the diverse needs of all our members while consistently maintaining financial soundness.
We want to thank all our members for helping VyStar be successful for our members and the communities we serve. We look forward to serving you in the future.
Our members have learned to rely on VyStar for service excellence and clear-cut advice. This is especially true now when so many have lost income and find themselves juggling bills (maybe for the first time) and trying to absorb unplanned costs. Wouldnt it be nice to simplify your finances so you do not have money spread out in all directions?
We encourage you to bring more of your business to your credit union, which you own. Not only would it benefit VyStar, but there is benefit in streamlining accounts with a single financial institution. A good way to organize your financial life is to have all your accounts located under one roof. VyStar is a full-service financial institution that can help you do just that.
Achieving #1 used car lender and #2 mortgage lender statuses in Northeast Florida means more people are coming to us for loans. We suggest you take a look at your existing commitments such as your car loans, credit cards and other lines of credit, even your existing mortgage, from other institutions. We may be able to move you into a VyStar loan with a lower rate, low-to-no fees and better terms that could make your payments more manageable and even make it possible to pay off your loan faster. We also recognize that in some situations, members might need to spread their payments over longer terms to help them deal with strains they are experiencing from the current challenging economy. Let us see how we might help you, especially during these tough times.
Our members enjoy a convenient loan application process there are a variety of ways to apply. You can also get information from us to help you compare programs anytime you consider a loan, want to consolidate your debt, or refinance loans from other creditors with VyStar. We continue to lend money when others have not and keep our fees (if there are any) to a minimum.
Moving your checking and savings to us will also help your credit union grow over the long term, even when rates are low. Most deposit rates everywhere in the nation were lowered during the last several months and VyStar is no exception. Why do rates continue to fall? First, given the current economic situation, both the Federal Government and the Federal Reserve System have dropped market interest rates substantially (close to 0%) in an effort to revive the economy. Low interest rates help stimulate business activity which should help more people become employed again. Hopefully, lower rates will in fact speed the economic recovery.
The second reason savings rates continue to be reduced at VyStar is members are saving more and borrowing less. Our borrowing members have become more cautious about borrowing because of the uncertain economy. Members are repaying loans at a higher level as we all await the news of a better economy. We think this approach to borrowing money is wise and prudent. However, there is a time when it is in a persons best interest to borrow money. The lowering of interest rates applies not only to deposits loan rates are the lowest they have been in decades. So perhaps it is a good time to borrow. The interest our members pay on loans is the primary source of revenue the credit union uses to pay favorable rates on deposits. It all fits together to provide the best products for our members.
At VyStar we are big supporters of online services. By moving your banking online you can cut clutter. Thousands of members use our website at www.vystarcu.org and Internet Banking every day to help keep their finances in order. Monitor all your accounts in one place receive and pay bills, monitor and perform account transactions, apply for a loan or check card, scan your checks from home to make electronic deposits into your VyStar account, view checks cleared, change your physical or email address, and so much more.
While you are in Internet Banking, click on FinanceWorks. FinanceWorks is another free money management tool that will give you a snapshot of your cash flow so you know if you are living within your means and where your money is going to help identify ways to save. It is also unique in that it helps you manage your finances both at VyStar and with other financial institutions all in one place.
If you are getting paper statements in the mail and already use Internet Banking, or if you are new to Internet Banking and have plans to enroll, we recommend you take a quick minute to sign up for electronic statements. VyStars secure e-Statements give you quicker access to your statements each month so you can reconcile your accounts and have as much as 12 months of history available. E-Statements are another way to clear the clutter because they are maintained in the same place you access your other VyStar accounts and conduct your financial business online.
We encourage you to explore the full potential of Internet Banking from your personal computer, and Mobile (Internet) Banking from your web-enabled cell phone or other mobile device. If you have questions while you are logged-in, VyStar Representatives are standing by to help in a live, VyChat online session during Call Center hours.
VyStars automated services are also a big help in putting your financial life in order. Automatic Funds Transfer Service (AFTS) not only allows you to schedule electronic payments on your VyStar loans at a time when it is most convenient, but by using this method could also qualify you for an optional rate discount on most of our consumer loans. It is also a useful tool to consistently move money to other accounts such as Savings or Money Market.
We continue to place importance on ATM service for its convenience and value. Members use their VyStar cards at any of our 154 ATMs free of surcharge fees. Free Direct Deposit is another popular and practical automated service to ensure your pay, social security and other retirement checks are safely and securely deposited into your VyStar account.
Spring is an ideal time to clean up your finances why not make it an annual event. At VyStar, we encourage all our members to join in. After all, your success means even greater success for VyStar, your financial cooperative. We hope you will take a few minutes with us for a financial assessment, and also take time on your own to explore the numerous possibilities of Internet Banking and our other convenience services. With a little help, you can be well on your way to getting your financial house in order. Getting control of your money, ensuring you get the most out of every dollar, using credit wisely, and taking full advantage of all the programs and services your credit union provides could be, by far, one of the best decisions you ever make.
Thank you for being a valued member of VyStar we never forget that its your money.
Terry R. West,
President/CEO
VyStar Credit Union
VyStars Reloadable Student Visa Program
Enjoy flexibility with VyStars RSVP Card. Whether surfing the net or out shopping the latest trends, use our RSVP Card for purchases at millions of locations where Visa or Interlink debit cards are accepted.
The VyStar RSVP Card offers students the many benefits of a Visa card while promoting financial responsibility. It is a lot safer than carrying cash and can help students better manage their money and track their spending. To get an RSVP card, no credit check is required.*
RSVP is a great alternative for students and parents.
- Check the balance, view transaction history, and reload your card anytime you like by phone or online from VyStars website at www.vystarcu.org. With your cards pre-loaded balance you can make purchases, pay bills, plan a trip, buy gas at the pump and much more. The money will be there when you need it.
- More secure. Theres no need to carry large amounts of cash with you. Plus, 24-hour support is ready to assist you should your card be lost or stolen. You also have protection for unauthorized purchases with Visas Zero Liability policy.
- No loading or transaction fees when you reload your RSVP card with funds from a VyStar credit card, check card, savings or checking account.
- Never have a negative balance. When the funds run out, the card will simply decline your transaction until you load more money onto it.
- 24-hour ATM access for quick cash make a withdrawal and select checking, savings or credit cards.
- Better money management. Spend only what is loaded onto the card - it is the perfect budgeting tool and teaches fiscal responsibility.
- Track spending online log in to gain access to the RSVP account.
Simply go to VyStars website at www.vystarcu.org, select Student Center/RSVP Card and click ORDER. This will take you to the RSVP site to sign up. Once you have your card, it can be reloaded at this same location (or by phone) in amounts between $10 and $1,000.
*RSVP Card for 13 years of age and older - subject to terms and conditions.
Effective June 1, 2010
In compliance with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) and implementing regulations (Regulation GG) issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the United States Department of Treasury, certain transactions are prohibited within a commercial account. VyStar Credit Union is required to notify our commercial members of this prohibition.
Restricted transactions as defined by Regulation GG are prohibited from being processed through a commercial account. Restricted transactions generally include, but are not limited to, those in which credit, electronic funds transfers, checks or drafts are knowingly accepted by gambling businesses in connection with the participation by others in unlawful Internet gambling.
VyStar Credit Union will not open accounts for members engaged in any Internet Gambling Business, including legal Internet gambling businesses. In the event VyStar receives actual knowledge that a commercial member is engaged in an Internet Gambling Business, we will close the commercial members account.
Start getting your credit card statements online via Internet Banking at www.vystarcu.org.
Next time you login, click on your Credit Card Account Name. At the top of your credit card information screen, select "Online Services" and enroll in e-Statements. It only takes a minute of your time and offers a world of convenience and savings.
All VyStar offices will be closed on: MEMORIAL DAY MAY 31st
Using VyStars electronic and automated services will be a big help when you are on the go. You can have access to your accounts anytime, day or night. Set up these services today!
Internet/Mobile Banking (account information, funds transfers, free Bill Payer, e-Statements)
Text Message Banking from your cell phone
Free Magic*Touch voice response service (funds transfers, monitor transactions and balance)
ATM Service with your ATM or Check Card
Free Direct Deposit of pay and retirement checks
Free Easy-Pay automatic credit card payment service
2010 VyStar Credit Union