Your Insider's Guide To DCU

DCU Member News  /   DCU In Your Community

Are you looking for a safe and secure way to dispose of sensitive information for free? We have some great news for you! DCU has partnered with Iron Mountain to offer FREE personal paper shredding at our Franklin MA Branch located at 500 West Central Street on Saturday, November 21st, 9am to 12pm. No sign up necessary. Simply show up with your documents to be shredded and the Iron Mountain mobile shredding unit will take care of the rest.

In addition to offering secure document shredding services, we will also provide educational literature regarding prevention, detection, and defense against ID theft; demonstrations on PC Deposit, the credit union’s innovative service that allows members to deposit checks from the comfort of their home or office using their computer and scanner. Plus, while attendees are having their documents shredded, they can enter-to-win prizes including: a personal scanner, sporting event tickets, gift certificates, and gift cards.

Spread the word… this event is open to members and non-members and will take place rain or shine. Paper only - no binders (staples, paperclips and rubber bands are acceptable).

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 be introducing a revamped Kid's Club with new and exciting benefits to further engage and entertain children.

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.

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.

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.

This upcoming service will allow you to verify that there are sufficient funds available before you deposit a personal or cashier's check.

2009/2010 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 2009 and 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 applcations and services to help with cash management.
• More detailed online mortgage escrow information will be consistent with paper and electronic statements.
• The addition of prior year mortgage interest paid and interest paid year to date in PC Branch.
• DCU's StreetWise Consumer Education Online Program is being updated and will have a whole new look with interactive videos and much more.
• DCU will be opening a branch location (our 20th nationwide) in Manchester, New Hampshire to better serve our members' needs in the greater Manchester area.

PAST ENHANCEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS

• 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.
• 4/09 –Saving Just Got Greener - Find Out How Much You Can Save By Using DCU's PC Deposit Impact Calculator
  Find out how much your use of PC Deposit saves you money, time, and impact on the environment by scanning checks straight into your account from your home or office.
• 4/09 – DCU Conducts First-Ever Online Webinar
  Members from all over the country took part in our first-ever StreetWise Auto Buying and Privacy Webinar. The free 90-minute interactive Webinar offered members a variety of car-buying tips as well as what they can do to protect their identity. Feedback was overwhelming positive and as such, DCU plans on offering future webinars on relevant financial topics.
• 4/09 – Government's "Making Home Affordable Plan" Now Available At DCU
  Making Home Affordable is part of President Obama's comprehensive strategy to get the housing market back on track. Through the Making Home Affordable Program, up to 9 million American families may be eligible to refinance or modify their loans to a payment that is affordable now and into the future.
• 3/09 – Save Money on a Vehicle and Invest in America
  DCU is now participating in the Invest in America program providing members discounts on eligible new GM and Chrysler vehicle purchases.
• 1/09 – PC Deposit Improvements
  Based on your feedback, PC Deposit has been enhanced with additional help links and is compatible with Firefox, Safari, and Macintosh.
• 12/08 – FinanceWorks™ - Manage Your Money Quicker, Easier, and Smarter
  Check out DCU’s new online account management tool designed to help you get a complete snapshot of your finances.
• 11/08 – Expanded Certificate Dividend Rate Information
  Dividend information is now appearing in PC Branch alongside any Certificates you have.

We're always excited to welcome new members to the DCU family and it's due largely in part that existing members are recommending friends, family and co-workers to the benefits of DCU. With members in all 50 states, our field of membership now stands at 384,580 members.

Our members often choose us for the value and convenience they see in our products and services. They stay and refer their friends and family for a deeper reason. Beginning October1st, we want you to share the DCU experience with others, and get rewarded for doing so.

You’ll get $10.00 and one chance for every person you refer who joins DCU and opens a DCU Checking Account with Direct Deposit. Refer 5, get $50.00 and 5 chances. Plus, the referred member also gets $10.00 and a chance to win the TV. There’s no limit to the number of referrals… the more referrals… the more you get rewarded!

Among the many organizations that have recently joined our field of membership and will now be able to “Bank The DCU Way” and enjoy many of the benefits DCU has to offer include AstraZeneca in Waltham, MA and Funari Trucking in Bellingham, MA. DCU has more than 800 participating employers and organizations. Visit the Bringing DCU to Your Employees page for more information.

Thanks to all members who purchased raffle tickets for a chance to win an Audi A4. Congratulations to Nagoor Haja from Naperville, IL who was recently chosen as the winner! Proceeds from the raffle will make a difference in the lives of children by benefiting DCU for Kids - A Non-Profit Charitable Foundation.

And now for the question, we're sure you'd love to answer... what would you do with $20,000? Well, DCU for Kids is now giving you the chance to answer that with our brand new $20,000 Cash Raffle. Only 5,000 tickets will be sold at $20 each. Visit the new form by clicking on the Message Center link inside of PC Branch, then on the "DCU for Kids Cash Raffle" message to purchase your tickets. All net proceeds from this Raffle will directly benefit deserving causes and charities benefiting children and families.

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 Adopt-A-Classroom program and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

On October 25, Chris Stern from DCU’s Remittance Processing Department took part in the Walk4Hearing walk in Boston to benefit the Hearing Loss Association of America. Chris surpassed his goal of raising $3,000.00 and through his fundraising efforts as well as by donations from friends, family, and fellow DCU team members, was able to raise $3,582.00!

In 2005, Chris experienced a considerable loss of hearing and after undergoing multiple successful surgeries decided to give back to the hearing loss community by participating in the walk. The mission of the walk effort is to increase awareness about the causes and consequences of hearing loss and to raise funds to provide information and support for people with hearing loss. Chris, who is an avid and passionate photographer, also organized and donated one of his photos to Walk4Hearing Silent Print Auction which raised $889.00.

For additional information on what you can do to support individuals with hearing loss, please visit the Hearing Loss Association of America web site or the Walk4 Hearing web site.

On September 1st, DCU kicked off the month by hosting the DCU for Kid’s Charity Dunk Tank Fundraiser – or as DCU employees called it – DCU for Kid’s “Cash for Dunkers” Fundraiser. Sixteen staff members stood up (or in their case sat down) to the challenge and faced their fellow employees all in an effort to stay dry and raise money for children’s charities. In just four hours, over $1,100 was raised for local children’s charities as over 100 employees lined up to take their best shot.

DCU for Kids is the credit union’s non-profit charitable foundation for children and families. Although the economy is steadily showing some signs of improvement, many more charities are reaching out to DCU for Kids for the financial support that is necessary to keep them operating. We are pleased that we’ve been able to offer that support through traditional and non-traditional fundraising efforts.

In June, DCU held its 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. For the fifth consecutive year, proceeds benefited the Boomer Esiason Foundation, as well as other local causes and charities. Through the efforts of DCU for Kids and tournament sponsors, $280,000 was raised of which $200,000 was donated to the Boomer Esiason Foundation. With this year’s donation, DCU has raised over $1 million for the Foundation.

Thus far in 2009 in addition to the donation to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, DCU for Kids has made charitable contributions totaling an additional $171,000 to at least 18 charitable organizations. That brings the year-to-date total to $371,000 In addition to the Golf Tournament, funds are raised in a number of ways that our members wholeheartedly embrace and support, including Cash Raffles , Car Raffles, events that DCU employees can participate in such as Book Fairs, Flower & Garden Plant Sales, merchandise sales, and the September 1st Dunk Tank Fundraiser.

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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