Spotlight on TruWest’s Debit Rewards Plus Package Have you checked out TruWest’s new Choice Checking account? In addition to it being a great free account that includes all the basics such as one NSF/Overdraft fee forgiveness per year, Online Banking and access to more than 28,000 ATMs nationwide, Choice Checking has value‐added packages that you can add to your account – each for a mere $2 a month – that can help save you time and money. One of the most popular packages to add is Debit Rewards Plus. There are other financial institutions that offer debit rewards programs, but they aren’t as comprehensive as the program that we have created for TruWest members. Here’s a breakdown of what you have access to with the Debit Rewards Plus package: Cash Back You will receive 10¢ cash back on all signature (non‐PIN) transactions. All you have to do to get your cash back reward is sign for your debit card transactions instead of entering your PIN. • When a merchant asks you “credit” or “debit”, you should answer “credit” (even though you are using your TruWest debit card). • Many merchants automatically display the PIN screen when a debit card is run through. No problem! In most cases, you just have to hit the Cancel button on the screen and choose the Credit option. • A signature isn’t always required to earn cash back on debit card purchases. A great example is at the gas pump. You will typically have the option to run your card as a debit or credit. If you run it as a credit, you just have to enter your zip code and you’ll earn your cash back. It’s that easy, and there’s no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn! Passport® Unlimited Not only do you earn cash with the Debit Rewards package, there’s a “Plus” part to it, as well! To make our debit rewards program stand out, TruWest has partnered with Passport Unlimited. When you sign up for Choice Checking and add the Debit Rewards Plus package, you’ll receive a debit card that has a Passport logo printed on it. This logo is your ticket to all kinds of savings, including buy‐one‐get‐one‐free entrees at popular restaurants. All you have to do is pay with your TruWest debit card at one of the participating locations and the discount is automatically applied to your bill! But that’s not all. The Passport program also includes printable coupons and online discounts listed on the the custom TruWest Passport Web site. If you’d like more information about making the switch to Choice Checking, visit LoveMyChecking.org , call or visit any TruWest branch !* (AZ) 480.441.5900 | (TX) 512.996.4000 | Toll‐free 1.800.528.1441 *Must be a TruWest member to qualify. A $25 deposit is required to become a member.
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Spotlight on TruWest’s Debit Rewards Plus Package Have you checked out TruWest’s new Choice Checking account? In addition to it being a great free account that includes all the basics such as one NSF/Overdraft fee forgiveness per year, Online Banking and access to more than 28,000 ATMs nationwide, Choice Checking has value‐added packages that you can add to your account – each for a mere $2 a month – that can help save you time and money. One of the most popular packages to add is Debit Rewards Plus. There are other financial institutions that offer debit rewards programs, but they aren’t as comprehensive as the program that we have created for TruWest members. Here’s a breakdown of what you have access to with the Debit Rewards Plus package: Cash Back You will receive 10¢ cash back on all signature (non‐PIN) transactions. All you have to do to get your cash back reward is sign for your debit card transactions instead of entering your PIN.
• When a merchant asks you “credit” or “debit”, you should answer “credit” (even though you are using your TruWest debit card).
• Many merchants automatically display the PIN screen when a debit card is run through. No problem! In most cases, you just have to hit the Cancel button on the screen and choose the Credit option.
• A signature isn’t always required to earn cash back on debit card purchases. A great example is at the gas pump. You will typically have the option to run your card as a debit or credit. If you run it as a credit, you just have to enter your zip code and you’ll earn your cash back.
It’s that easy, and there’s no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn! Passport® Unlimited
Not only do you earn cash with the Debit Rewards package, there’s a “Plus” part to it, as well! To make our debit rewards program stand out, TruWest has partnered with Passport Unlimited. When you sign up for Choice Checking and add the Debit Rewards Plus package, you’ll receive a debit card that has a Passport logo printed on it. This logo is your ticket to all kinds of savings, including buy‐one‐get‐one‐free entrees at popular restaurants. All you have to do is pay
with your TruWest debit card at one of the participating locations and the discount is automatically applied to your bill!
But that’s not all. The Passport program also includes printable coupons and online discounts listed on the the custom TruWest Passport Web site. If you’d like more information about making the switch to Choice Checking, visit LoveMyChecking.org, call or visit any TruWest branch!* (AZ) 480.441.5900 | (TX) 512.996.4000 | Toll‐free 1.800.528.1441 *Must be a TruWest member to qualify. A $25 deposit is required to become a member.
TruWest Launches New Services to Help You Manage Your Money Time and convenience are two key factors that help drive TruWest to offer more efficient money management tools to our members. We understand that schedules can often get hectic and you need a way to manage your finances on the go. We also understand that having one place to manage all your finances would make it that much easier for you. That’s why we’re introducing not one; not two, but three new convenience services that will help you keep track of your finances. And best of all, they are FREE* to TruWest members.
Take control over your finances with this all‐in‐one financial management tool. • Free for TruWest members who are signed up for Online Banking • See all of your accounts in one place – even non‐TruWest accounts • Track what you are spending and where • View upcoming bills • Set spending goals and budgets • Keep track of tax deductible expenses • And more!
Text Message Banking This is an easy and secure way to check your TruWest finances on the go.
• View account balances and review transactions • Works on any phone with text messaging capabilities • No data plan required
Mobile Web Banking If you have a phone with internet access, this convenient service allows you to check your TruWest account information directly from your phone.
• Pay bills • Transfer funds between TruWest accounts • View account balances and transaction history
For more information or to enroll for any of these services, login to your TruWest Online Banking account or call (AZ) 480.441.5900, (TX) 512.996.4000 or toll‐free 1.800.528.1441.
*Message and data rates may apply from your mobile carrier.
Switch to Online and Help Make an Impact If 1 in 5 households switch to electronic bills, statements and payments, every year the collective impact would:
• Save 150,939,615 pounds of paper • Save 1,811,275 trees • Avoid producing 1,960,402 tons of greenhouse gas emissions • Avoid creating 1,439,601,370 gallons of wastewater • Avoid filling 6,141 garbage trucks with trash • Avoid using 102,945,600 gallons of gasoline to mail payments
Login to your Online Banking account to make the switch or call 1.800.528.1441. Source: PayItGreen.org
What is Shared Branching? As a member of TruWest, you may have heard the term “shared branching” but weren’t quite sure what it meant. It’s a great program that hundreds of credit unions nationwide participate in to benefit you. Shared branching allows you to access your TruWest account at any of the 4,800 participating credit union branches across the nation. CU Service Centers’ National Shared Branch Network links participating credit unions electronically, allowing members to do “branch banking” even if it’s not a TruWest branch. This is a huge benefit to TruWest members who travel, whose workplaces aren’t near one of our locations, or who simply enjoy the convenience of expanded access. Shared branching is yet another example of credit union membership offering the best of both worlds – individualized attention and nationwide availability. The cooperative spirit of credit unions allows us to work with each other in ways that competing banks typically do not. Just look for the “CU Swirl” logo on the door of any credit union branch and you can: • Make deposits and withdrawals • Make loan payments • Receive loan advances • And more! Many shared branches also offer transfers, statement histories, money orders, traveler’s checks and notary services. Because services vary from one location to another, check with individual branches before your visit for a complete list of available services. Access to shared branching is also a complement to CO‐OP Network’s 28,000 conveniently located, surcharge‐free ATMs. To find a CU Service Centers location or CO‐OP Network ATM near you, visit truwest.org to use our handy locator tools.
McCormick Branch Drive‐thru Almost Complete! The drive‐thru that is being installed at TruWest’s McCormick branch, located on Hayden Road and McCormick Parkway, is nearly complete. Once the dust has settled, we invite you to stop by and check out our newest addition. You can also visit the Updates section on truwest.org to view pictures of the drive‐thru, hours of operation and more!
Help Your Teen Learn About Budgeting Does your teen know how to best use a checking account? By starting early and teaching your child about spending and saving, you are helping to create a more financially responsible adult in the long run.
It’s very common for teens to enter college without fully understanding how credit cards work or even what could happen if they don’t keep track of their spending. The next thing you know, your son or daughter has racked up a giant credit card bill or they keep losing their money to overdraft and non‐sufficient funds fees.
You can help your teen see the big picture by following a few simple steps to assist them with creating a budget that’s easy for them to follow: Itemize regular monthly expenses. This will help your teen understand how much they need to keep in their account each month.
Create a list of all income. Be sure to include scholarships, allowance, wages, etc.
Subtract the expenses from the income. By now, your teen should be getting a better picture of what their budget is and how important it is to make sure they have the proper income to cover their regular expenses.
If their expenses outweigh their income, you can work together to figure out what they are willing to cut back on (one or two meals less dining out each week, a movie once a month, etc.).
You may want to continue to review their budget together periodically to help your teen stay on course. And it’s always good to remember that a budget isn’t always set in stone, so if they have a trip they want to take over summer break or if there’s a show in town they really want to go to, it’s ok to veer from the budget temporarily by cutting back on other expenses to make up for the additional cost.
In addition to the budget you help your teen create, there are a few tools they can use to stay on track. A TruWest pre‐paid reloadable debit card may be a good way to help teach them about using a debit card and tracking their spending and to help avoid overdrawing their account. And because most teens are glued to their cell phones, signing up for Mobile Web Banking and/or Text Message banking can help them monitor their TruWest accounts anytime and anywhere. (For more details about these services, check out the article in this newsletter!) TruWest Credit Union is proud to partner with brass to provide our younger members with a fresh take on financial education. It’s free to subscribe, so click here to check out the latest issue and to sign up your teen to receive the magazine!
Did you know…? According to a 2008
survey by The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc., 55% of parents with children aged
16‐24 voiced concern over their children's ability to become
In the Community TruWest Sponsors Furry Friends Program TruWest’s TruDifference philosophy includes making an impact in the communities we serve. This commitment goes beyond our fellow two‐legged counterparts and spreads into the world of dogs, cats and other four‐legged friends. That’s why we’ve teamed up with the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA to support “Furry Friends”, a program that helps build awareness for their organization and for the animals up for adoption that are in need of forever‐homes. About The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA Founded in 1971, The AAWL & SPCA is Arizona’s oldest and largest no‐kill shelter. Their shelter facilities provide a temporary home for nearly 2,600 dogs and cats every year, offering medical and behavioral treatment for those in need. Click here for more information about the Furry Friends program. TruWest Gets Involved with the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride The Mamma Jamma Ride is a remarkable event that offers participants an opportunity to challenge themselves, make a difference in the community and experience some of the most beautiful countryside in Texas. About the Mamma Jamma Ride
The Texas Mamma Jamma Ride is a recreational bike ride to raise much needed funds for our central Texas neighbors coping with breast cancer. This festive event saves and improves lives by supporting 10 local nonprofit organizations providing diagnosis, counseling, medication and support for thousands of our neighbors coping with breast cancer. During their inaugural year, the Mamma Jamma Ride raised an astounding amount, over $550,000. This year they are out to change the odds by raising at least $600,000. Click here for more information.
Important Information for Members American Share Insurance (ASI), a private company who provides TruWest Credit Union members with excess share deposit insurance for Investment Certificates and IRA Savings, is no longer able to provide its services in the state of Arizona. Because TruWest is headquartered in Arizona, ASI’s restriction on providing insurance in Arizona applies to TruWest members located in all states. It’s important to remind you that as a member‐owner of TruWest, you can rest assured that your deposits with us are completely safe and secure. All funds on deposit with TruWest are federally insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. IRA Savings, IRA Certificates and trust accounts are also insured by the NCUA for an additional $250,000, so a simple restructuring of your accounts may increase the amount of federal deposit insurance available to you. This change in service with American Share Insurance is not a reflection on TruWest’s safety and soundness.
