Fraudulent Cashier's Checks Purportedly from Finance Center Federal Credit Union

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 by Michael Hostetler
Our Credit Union's name has recently been utilized for fraudulent purposes. If you have received a letter recently from Infiniti Research Group or Lightspeed Research Inc. indicating that you've been selected as a Customer Service Evaluator in your area, along with an accompanying cashier's check (purportedly from Finance Center Federal Credit Union) and a request to wire money through Western Union - do not attempt to cash or deposit this check or wire any money. We are currently working with the appropriate authorities on this situation. If you have encountered this fraud, please contact our Credit Union at 317.916.7700 or 800.473.2328 or by email at fraud@fcfcu.com.

What Our Members Say - Love Earning Interest on Checking

Thursday, August 19, 2010 by Member Testimonials
"To FCFCU, just wanted to let you know that your interest bearing share draft account is to die for. Imagine getting interest on money in your checking account. Totally better than any interest you get on a savings account anywhere. Thanks a million. One very satisfied customer. P.S. Great customer service and loads of places to do business with also!"

Randall Reed
Avon, IN

How does Online Bill Payment work?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 by Greg Schmeisser

In a recent survey released by Fiserv, one of the largest Bill Payment processors in the nation, one of the largest deterrents to online bill payment usage is “understanding how it works”. So, I’ll answer that concern for Finance Center FCU members.

Setting-up BillPayer involves just a few simple steps:

  • Entering a payee list
  • Scheduling payments
  • Maintaining payment schedules or amounts

First, a member adds payees to their Bill Payer list, by entering the details from the bill they receive (Payee Name, Address used to pay the bill, Payee Phone number, and Payee Account Number). These details are used to match the member’s bill with the most efficient means of payment for that payee. Payment means include: Same-Day payment, electronic payment, and Paper check payment.

Payment Scheduling can take multiple forms depending on how the member configures the payment schedules. Each form meets a variety of member needs.

  • One-time payments
  • Recurring payments
  • Biller directed payments (coming to Financial Center in September)

One Time Payments - In this form, members set the amount and date of the payment each time it needs to be made. This is necessary for bills where the amount varies with each bill, or when the member wants to control the date the bill is paid. This method provides the member with the most control, but also requires the member to interact with BillPayer the most.

Recurring Payments – This method is great for bills where the amount and due date only change once or twice a year. Utility bills with “budget” payments, insurance premiums, or other fixed payment bills fit well in this method. The member sets the amount of the bill and the due date. The system then pays the bill this amount by the due date with the frequency the member assigns (Monthly, Quarterly, Annually, etc.). This method requires occasional member interaction such as when the billing amount changes.

Bill Directed (coming to Financial Center in September) - This can be either One-time or Recurring. This is the next advancement in Bill Payment services. This service enhancement allows billers (payees) to present their bill through the Bill Payment service (e-Bills). The due date, amount due, and payment method are all part of the presentation of the bill. The member can review the bill and then direct the Bill Payment service to pay the bill. In some cases this Method will allow the BillPayer service to use the Biller presented information to manage the entire payment process. So, if the amount varies on the bill the amount paid would automatically vary without the member interacting with BillPayer at all. This method is great for reducing the amount of US Mail and for bills with variable amounts such as telephone or cell phone bills.

What is a Credit Union?

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 by Michael Hostetler
It's a question that comes up often when I tell people that I work at (and do my banking) at a credit union. The Huffington Post offered a great description of what credit unions are in a recent article.

"A credit union is a friendly, 'not-for-profit,' financial institution that is comprised of members only. Credit unions offer special deals to its members, unlike 'for profit,' big-name banks. Any profit made by the credit union is directed back to members via higher interest rates on savings/checking accounts and lower interest rates on credit cards and loans, unlike a commercial bank, which constantly thinks of new ways to increase its revenue for shareholders via methods such as customer fees."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Financial Center Pairs with Samaritan's Feet

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by Michael Hostetler
Help Financial Center support Samaritan's FeetIndianapolis credit union Financial Center has partnered with Samaritan's Feet; an international humanitarian organization focused on providing new athletic shoes to children in need. All Center locations will be collecting new children's athletic shoes and donations through July 17th.

Financial Center will donate a new pair of shoes for each checking account opened until July 17th. Shoes and monetary donations can be made in any Center location; in addition, monetary donations can be made through Secure Message within Financial Center Online.

To donate through Secure Message, type SHOES in the subject line of your message. In your message, indicate how much money you would like to donate and whether you would like it deducted from your savings or checking account.

You can also help by texting SHOES to 85944 to make a $5 donation to Samaritan's Feet.

All shoes and monetary donations will be used to support children in Central Indiana.

Help your local credit union help children in need. Donate today!

Is a Local Credit Union Better than a Bank?

Monday, June 7, 2010 by Michael Hostetler
The Wall Street Journal recently touted the advantages of joining a local credit union. Favorable rates on auto loans, credit cards, and mortgages are some of the reasons why consumers are making the switch.

An Indianapolis credit union such as Financial Center also offers better rates on deposits like our Reward Checking product which pays 3.01% APY if you meet the account requirements each month.

Are Credit Unions a better bet than banks? You decide.

Debit Card Problems

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 by Michael Hostetler
Due to recent fraud activity, Financial Center is blocking debit card transactions where the card is swiped and processed as a credit in the following states:
  • Minnesota
  • North Carolina
  • Texas
Members are advised to process their debit card transactions as a debit and use their PIN to successfully complete the transaction. If the card is swiped and processed as a credit, the transaction will be declined.

We apologize for this inconvenience. Please call Member Services at 317.916.7700 or 800.473.2328 if you have further questions.

Please continue to check our website and blog for more information.

UPDATE (6/18) - This problem has been corrected and members should not be experiencing any problems using their card in Minnesota, North Carolina, or Texas.

What Are Some of the HSA Benefits?

Friday, May 14, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

medical savings accountWhat are some of the HSA benefits? HSA health plans have a number of benefits when compared with the traditional health insurance plans. Here are some HSA benefits:

  • The funds that you contribute to your HSA bank accounts are completely yours.
  • Health care providers and plans can be changed as per your requirements with absolutely no penalty imposed on the change.
  • The funds deposited in the account are totally tax free.
  • Health care cost of individuals and families will come down substantially each year due to HSA health plans.

If you are unsure about what HSA health plans are and what benefits you will get out of it you can always refer to the health savings accounts FAQ, which will enable you to get a clear perspective.

If you want to learn more about a bank health savings account, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 

What Are The Benefits Of HSA?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

medical savings accountMore than likely, if you are looking into HSA savings then you already know a thing or two about them.  However, we thought we'd include a few additional benefits of such a health savings account plan:

  • The coverage of the HSA health plan is extensive and you can use it to cover a variety of medical expenses, which include dental costs, annual physicals, mental health cost, over the counter medications, maternity costs and alternative medication like homeopathy.
  • A very big advantage of an HSA is that you can continue with the health savings accounts, even when you lose a job or retire.
  • If you do not take money from the account, it will continue to grow and you get added benefits in the future.

If you want to learn more about a bank health savings account, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 


Great Money Literacy Tips

Monday, May 10, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

learning about moneyDuring the current recession, now more than ever it is important to really understand the importance of learning about money.

Here are some great money education tips:

  • Before making any investment and loan choices, you need to carefully analyze all the options available and choose a plan that best suits your needs.
  • Reduce your credit card usage and if you own more than three cards, try bringing it down to two.
  • Select credit cards with the lowest interest rates.
  • Use the Internet to get bargain and discount deals on things you wish to buy.
  • Do not make expensive purchases unless it is an emergency.
  • Consolidate all your debt to avoid paying different interest rates.

Our Financial Services Indianapolis will be able to guide you in making good financial plans, which will help you achieve financial success. Our Financial Education Indianapolis helps to provide financial literacy to the community, which will help everyone have a secure financial future.

If you're interested in learning about money, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 

Want To Know How to Manage Money?

Sunday, May 9, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

learning about moneyPersonal money management can be really tricky in these tough economic times. You will need to be financially savvy to avoid falling into a debt trap.

Here are some simple money education tips that will help you manage your finances better.

  • Analyze your finances; calculate your income, expenses and debt to arrive at a clear understanding of your financial health.
  • Prepare your budget, with specific allocations towards fixed and variable expenses.
  • Make a shopping list and strictly adhere to it. Do not make any unnecessary purchases.
  • Track every purchase to check whether your financial plan is fool proof.
  • Prioritize all your expenditures and try implementing your prudent financial plans.

If you're interested in learning about money, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 


Why Have A Medical Savings Account?

Sunday, May 9, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

learning about moneyA medical savings account Indianapolis will help you save money for medical expenses. You can open a medical savings account in the local credit union of Indianapolis.

The funds deposited in an HSA in Indianapolis are tax deductible and in certain cases the state may offer a higher tax deduction based on the tax structure prevalent in that state.

In order to qualify for a medical savings account you must have a high deductible health plan, which has nearly 20% to 50% lower premiums and this depends on the place of your residence.

All these reasons make opening a medical savings account with a local credit union a very good financial decision.

If you're interested in learning about medical savings accounts, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 


How Safe Is The Money In Your HSA?

Saturday, May 8, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

medical savings accountEven when you switch jobs, the money in your HSA is yours. The money that is contributed to the HSA account is as safe as putting it in your individual savings account. The money from the account can also be used for medical treatment anywhere in the country or in another country.

The money that you have in your HSA accounts can also be used to pay for health insurance premiums and may be tax deductible.

Individuals who are over the age of 65 will be able to withdraw money from the account, and it is only taxed as ordinary income. The funds in the account under all circumstances remain with the individual and will never belong to the insurance companies or to the employer, even if the individual changes his/her job.

If you want to learn more about a bank health savings account, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 

Why Worry about HSA Savings?

Friday, May 7, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

medical savings accountHSA accounts can be used to supplement you current health insurance coverage and allow you to make substantial savings on your health plan. There are a number of plans that are available and factors like age, previous medical history and area of residence that will determine the features of the plan.

You can choose the best HSA plan available depending on your individual needs and requirements. If an individual makes contributions on a yearly basis and does not use the funds saved, then the HSA savings will accumulate over the years. This money can be utilized to invest in stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

These funds can be used for qualified medical expenses like visits to the doctor, eye doctor and dental care as well as for buying prescription drugs and over the counter medications.

If you want to learn more about a bank health savings account, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in Reward Checking which earns dividends.

What Do HSA Plans Cover?

Thursday, May 6, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

medical savings accountHSA health plans cover costs that are normally not covered by traditional health insurance policies like dental expenses, mental therapy, physical therapy, alternative treatments (acupuncture, aromatherapy and homeopathy and ayurvedic treatments), transportation and lodging expenses related to health care and maternity expenses.

HSA benefits include saving money on insurance premiums and on your income tax. In fact, you can call it a double bonanza of sorts. Individuals who stay healthy get a lot of benefits as the un-utilized money is yours, even when not used for medical purposes.

HSA health plans encourage people, to stay healthy as they can get substantial savings if the money is not used and it is a powerful incentive, which encourages people to opt for the health plans.

If you want to learn more about a bank health savings account, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 

What are HSA Health Plans?

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

medical savings accountInsurance companies offer HSA health plans which are paired with high deductible health insurance plans and help reduce the premium rates as much as 30%. When you switch from a traditional health insurance plan to health savings accounts plan, you end up saving substantial amounts of money every month.

Our health savings account FAQ will provide you details about how much money, you can put in your health savings account and what the tax savings will be due to that. You can also get detailed information about the various HSA benefits, how much money you can contribute and how to withdraw money from your account.

Individuals can research the various HSA health plans online and choose the plan that best suits their needs. You can compare the premiums offered by most companies and decide what will be beneficial for you and your family.

If you want to learn more about HSA savings, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 

Earn Interest On Your HSA!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

medical savings accountThe funds in your HSA account can also earn interest and the earnings are tax free if the money is used for medical purposes. An individual account can also be assigned to the spouse through a power of attorney.

If you don’t withdraw the money from your bank health savings account the funds can grow from year to year and the entire amount of money is yours. There is no maximum limit to the amount of money that can be in the account.

If you want to learn more about HSA savings, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 

Thinking About a Bank Health Savings Account?

Sunday, May 2, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

A bank health savings account helps individuals and families get tax savings, earn interest, reduce insurance premiums and encourage long term savings.

HSA banks have the option of opening an account quite easily. An individual can either apply for the account online or visit the nearest bank that offers the account.

HSA information like eligibility forms and the income limits can all be accessed online. In order to qualify for a HSA, you must also be covered by a high deductible health plan. Individuals who are 18 years and above can opt for the health plan and there are no income limits to subscribe to it.

The contribution that an individual makes each year varies and for the year 2010 it is $3,050 for an eligible individual and $6,050 for family coverage. Contributions can also be made by your employer.

If you want to learn more about a medical savings account Indianapolis, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.

Need A Mortgage Account Indianapolis?

Thursday, April 29, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

hsa planHave you fallen in love with the home of your dreams?  Now, do you need a mortgage account Indianapolis?  Or do you need to refinance your home?
 
A credit union, like ours, offers its members the facility to bring their outstanding mortgages, home equity loans, and credit cards in order to save money and enable them to increase their savings.

You can use the Internet to access information regarding the various mortgage options that are available and choose the one that best suits your requirements. If you are looking for rates to refinance your mortgage, you will need to check with us to get the best possible deal.

If you want to learn more about a mortgage, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.
 

Manage Money With A Budget In Place

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by FCFCU Web Team

learning about moneyIn our current tough economic situation, it is very important that you know how to handle money. Learning about money is essential to manage your savings and expenditures.

Planning is very essential, when dealing with finances. A good plan will help in avoiding debt and you can save for all your future needs. It is not difficult to manage money if you have a budget in place. You must stick to the budget and avoid impulsive shopping.

Reduce non essential spending and when going out shopping always have a list of items to buy. This will help prevent frivolous shopping.

Another tip is to save regularly for your retirement. A financial plan will make your future secure and safe from any problems you may face.

If you're interested in learning about money, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Financial Center of Indianapolis.  You might also be interested in our Reward Checking which earns dividends.