Your Insider's Guide To DCU

DCU Member News  /   DCU In Your Community

DCU has now opened our newest branch in Manchester, New Hampshire to better serve our members' needs in the greater Manchester area. The branch located at 369 South Willow Street and features many of the amenities you’ve come to expect while banking at one of our branches.

DCU members now have the option to deposit checks from anywhere using their iPhone or Android phone with DCU's Mobile PC Deposit - just one of the many EASY ways to do banking remotely with DCU. Mobile PC Deposit allows you to take a picture of your check using your phone's camera.

The new school year for many college students is fast approaching and DCU is ready to help prepare them financially by offering them a solution to their educational funding needs. Since 2008, we've funded over $37 million in loans. Check out a recent article in the Lowell Sun that features DCU and our participation in the CU Student Loan program. DCU's private student lending solution was truly designed with your best interest in mind and offers lower loan rates, zero origination fees, more flexible repayment options, and a convenient line-of-credit that can be used over multiple years.

• Lower loan rates.
• Zero origination fees.
• More flexible repayment options.
• A convenient line-of-credit that can be used over multiple years
• Plus, new for 2010... The Credit Union Student Choice private loan solution is available for Graduate Students enrolled, or enrolling in, a Business program at an approved Business School.

DCU’s free 24-hour service that allows you to manage your account by phone just got even better. These upgrades have several new options for you to choose from to help you better manage your account when you call DCU. Easy Touch Telephone Teller now includes the following:

• Change Member - This option allows you to change the membership number you are accessing without having to disconnect the call.
• Detailed Account History - You now have the ability to choose from categories such as recent activity, recent debits, recent credits, recent checks or cleared checks by check number.
• Enhanced Menu Options - You’re now able to get year to date and prior year interest on your loan accounts as well as loan pay off amounts.

We are pleased to announce the release of FinanceWorks 2.1. This release features enhancements based on insights from observing and listening to member feedback. Just a few of the many new features and benefits include:

• Personalized, contextual Spending Banner in Internet Banking to see where your money is going.
• A more compelling Home page layout, with greater visibility for the popular Spending Pie Chart.
• Split categorization feature, allowing you to assign a transaction to multiple categories.
• Improved Trends page, including a new estimated savings feature to make it easy for you to see the impact of potential spending reductions.
• Aggregation improvements, allowing end users to access over 8,500 financial institutions with an improved setup process.

DCU is committed to staying on top of the latest trends in technology, and as such, we are actively investigating an iPhone application as well as other enhanced mobile banking options.

We initially planned to roll out a new version of Mobile PC Branch at the beginning of March. Unforeseen last-minute challenges caused us to step back and rethink our approach. In the process we discovered new technology capable of delivering an even better solution. When we’re finished, Mobile PC Branch will run on the industry’s leading mobile banking technology platform. It will offer iPhone and Android apps as well as service on Blackberries and other smart phones with web access.

Also to compliment PC Branch, we’ll be debuting full-featured SMS text-banking. This promises to reach even more members since far more people use text than the wireless web. While these services will be available this year, we’re not yet prepared to be specific on exact dates that these enhancements will be rolled out. We do promise the better technology will be worth the wait.

We will be announcing specific rollout dates after rigorous testing has been completed.

2010 ENHANCEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS

Continuing to provide you with superior service is our goal. A number of additional enhancements and new products to allow you to experience Banking - The DCU Way are planned for 2010. Some of these services include:

• The ability to have text notifications sent to you when your Visa credit card is used for a transaction.
• Enhancements to mortgage account information including real-time mortgage balance changes as soon as online transactions are made.
• PC Branch for businesses with applications and services to help with cash management.
• More detailed online mortgage escrow information will be consistent with paper and electronic statements.
• DCU's StreetWise Consumer Education Online Program is being updated and will have a whole new look with interactive videos and much more.

PAST ENHANCEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS

• 3/10 – DCU's Free FICO^® Credit Score Service
  Would you like to know your credit score and be able to keep tabs on it throughout the year? You can by signing up to receive your FREE credit score in PC Branch.
• 1/10 – DCU Offers Free Discount Prescription Card
  DCU is proud to offer all its members access to a FREE Discount Prescription Card. Use it and you could see an average savings of 30% off usual and customary pricing with savings as high as 75% on some prescription medications at most major pharmacy chains.
• 12/09 – Instant Issuance of Visa^® Credit and Debit Cards Now Available At 11 Branches
  This new service allows DCU to issue new or replacement card in less than five minutes at select Massachusetts and New Hampshire Branches - with more to follow. All cards issued at a Branch are activated as part of the process and are ready for immediate use. Massachusetts Branches that offer this service include: Burlington, Framingham, Leominster, Marlborough - Solomon Pond, Waltham, Tyngsborough, Westborough, and Worcester (Shrewsbury Street and Gold Star Boulevard). New Hampshire Branches that offer this service include Nashua and Hudson.
• 12/09 – DCU's Kid's Club Has A New Name And Look ... Introducing Barnyard Cents
  Every DCU member is special and of course our littlest ones deserve to be recognized in a special way that allow them to learn about savings accounts, the importance of saving, and what a credit union is. We've introduced a revamped Kid's Club with new and exciting benefits to further engage and entertain children.
• 11/09 – DCU Members Receive 20% Off Flowers And Gifts From FTD
  FTD is providing DCU members with a 20% discount on flowers and gifts! With FTD's unique "Good as Gold" 7-Day Satisfaction Guarantee your flower arrangements will last at least 7 days - guaranteed. Choose from gorgeous red roses, Vera Wang exclusive floral designs, spa sets, chocolates, wine baskets and so much more.
• 10/09 – Invest in America Program Now Includes Discounts On RV's
  The Invest in America program continues to provide DCU members, with valuable incentives for buying products and services from U.S. based companies. In addition to offers by GM, Chrysler, and Sprint; members now can save money on RV purchases while helping our national economy.
• 9/09 – Opening A CD In PC Branch Is Now Quicker Than Ever
  Members can now instantly open a CD through PC Branch. This means that, provided the funds are available in the account you are transferring funds from at the time of the transaction, you will no longer need to wait the 24-48 hours that it would have taken for the account to be manually opened by our Account Services Department.
• 8/09 – Protecting You No Matter Where You Bank Online
  DCU introduces Enhanced Login Security with Multi Factor Authentication features to PC Branch to further protect your identity and financial information on whatever computer you're using, whether you're at home, at the office, or on the go.
• 8/09 – Pay It Green - Mortgage Statements Now Available In PC Branch
Members who are active PC Branch users now can receive their monthly mortgage statement online. You can download and save a copy of your mortgage eStatement to your own computer for quick and easy access.
• 7/09 – Live Wirelessly Ever After And Save Up To 15% With Sprint
  The Invest in America program continues to provide credit union members, with valuable incentives for buying products and services from U.S.-based companies. In addition to offers by GM and Chrysler, DCU members can now save up to 15% on Sprint mobile services, equipment, and accessories.
• 6/09 – DCU Joins 200+ Million Users Worldwide on Facebook
  We're excited to offer members a look at what we're doing in the communities we're proud to be a part of, financial and cost savings tips, and the ability to socialize with DCU in a unique online setting. Become a Fan of DCU on Facebook and let us know what you think
• 4/09 – Wharton Business School selects DCU as lender for their International Business Students
  DCU announces the launch of a custom loan program with The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania that will provide needed assistance to international MBA students.

As a credit union, one of our core philosophies is that all members achieve their financial goals and it’s our feeling that a continuing education is important in achieving that goal. Since 1996, DCU has recognized and awarded members on an annual basis who are graduating high school and demonstrate a desire to excel in scholastics, become involved in their community, and portray strong leadership skills, character and integrity with a scholarship to assist with a college education. Meet this year’s recipients.

Congratulations to Meghan Stone of Leominster, MA who was selected to win a 40" Samsung LCD HD TV in DCU’s Checking with Direct Deposit Member Referral Promotion. New or existing members who opened a new DCU Checking Account with Direct Deposit or added Direct Deposit to an existing DCU Checking Account were qualified to win a 40" Samsung LCD HD TV or the cash value of TV ($1000.00). Plus during the promotion, existing members earned $10.00 for every member they referred who opened a DCU Checking with Direct Deposit!

DCU for Kids 2011 Volvo XC60 Car Raffle Sells Out In 18 Days!

The DCU for Kids Car Raffle is now sold out! Thanks to all members who purchased a raffle ticket to win the 2011 Volvo XC60 or $30,000.00 in cash. A valid winning entry to be selected by an independent CPA firm is scheduled to validate all qualified entries in the near future. As soon as a winner is selected for this raffle, we will post the information on dcu.org and www.dcuforkids.org. Keep an eye out for our next raffle opportunity!

By participating in these raffles, you are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children across the country. DCU for Kids supports deserving causes and charities benefiting children and families. Recent recipients of DCU for Kids support include: Special Olympics of Massachusetts, Marguerite’s Place in Nashua, Why Me Inc. in Worcester, the Boys and Girls Club of Metrowest & Assabet Valley, the Horace Mann Educational Association, and many more organizations.

Here's just a few of the recent comments shared by satisfied DCU members about depositing checks from the comfort of their home or office by using PC Deposit. We'd love to hear what you have to say about the benefits of being a DCU member, as well as what products and services help you achieve your financial goals. Please let us know by completing our Questionnaire or by sending us an email.

As a socially responsible organization, DCU is committed to partnering with other organizations that make a difference in the communities we serve.  Our primary charitable initiative is directed towards supporting programs that provide a health, welfare, or social service for children; or provide educational programs or services that primarily benefit children. Some of the organizations that have recently benefitted from DCU’s support include the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, MA and the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society.

On Monday, April 19th, for the 11th consecutive year, DCU and DCU for Kids once again be joined more than 40 other credit unions in supporting the Credit Union’s Kids at Heart Program, by participating in the 114th Boston Marathon to raise funds to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital. 100% of funds raised go directly to support Boston Children’s Hospital.

When the starting-shot was fired, Scott Auen from DCU’s Mortgage Department braved the streets of Boston in his 4th Boston Marathon on behalf of his patient partner from Boston Children’s Hospital, Liam Knyff. Scott and the 6 other sponsor runners trained rigorously all winter long to prepare for the 26.2 mile run. A very emotional and popular ritual continued this year when our team runners met their patient partners near the finish line and cross it together!

To date, through the generous contributions of staff, members, family and friends the Kids at Heart Program has raised more than $3 million for Children’s Hospital and the money has been used to fund numerous Hospital projects including a world-renowned fetal cardiac research program.

For more information on Children's Hospital, please visit their web site.

Each time a Worcester area member reaches out to DCU, we make every effort mean to make a meaningful difference in their financial well-being... be it at our Shrewsbury Street or Gold Star Boulevard branches, over the phone, or online. For the 4th consecutive year, DCU has been named “Best Credit Union” in Worcester and Central Massachusetts by readers of the weekly publication Worcester Magazine. With a record-number of 4,000 qualified ballots being cast, we thank all those members who took the time to vote for DCU and help us achieve this honor.

DCU for Kids, the non-profit charitable foundation of DCU held its 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at the Mt. Pleasant Country Club in Boylston. For the 6th consecutive year, proceeds benefitted the Boomer Esiason Foundation, as well as other local deserving causes and charities benefitting
children and families. Through the efforts of DCU for Kids and tournament sponsors – over $275,000 was raised of which $200,000 will be donated to the Boomer Esiason Foundation. With this year’s donation, DCU for Kids has raised over $1.2 million dollars for the Foundation.

Boomer, a veteran NFL quarterback of 14 years with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals as well as a nationally recognized television and radio commentator, vowed to eliminate cystic fibrosis after his son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with the disease in 1993 at the age of 2. Now at 19, Gunnar has just completed his freshman year at Boston College. Boomer and his wife, Cheryl, are even more committed to supporting critical research to discover the cure for cystic
fibrosis.

In March, students from Pennichuck Middle School in Nashua, NH learning about finances had the chance to apply their in-class studies in a real world setting while visiting DCU’s Nashua Branch. In the past, students who have been studying Economics have taken a fieldtrip to Exchange City in Portsmouth, NH to find out what it what it’s like to have a job, get a paycheck, and manage their finances , but due to budget cuts this part of the program had been suspended.

Looking for something to replace that, school officials contacted businesses at the Somerset Plaza (where DCU’s branch is located) to see if they would allow students come in and learn about how much things cost and what it takes to budget their finances properly. Ten stores in the plaza, including our Nashua branch, enthusiastically agreed to be part of the program! At DCU, the students heard from branch manager Bonnie McLean about checking, savings accounts, and the important financial decisions they’ll need to make as they get older.

To read about the students experience check out the feature article in the Nashua Telegraph.

This page explains our guideline process and charitable organizations that we support in a meaningful way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this month's edition of
Your Insider's Guide To DCU and most importantly...
Thanks for Banking the DCU Way!

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