If you can name the offensive line for the Indianapolis Colts, been stuck in traffic during rush hour on I-465, or if you've ever been downtown for the Circle of Lights celebration, you can probably become a member of Financial Center.

If you live, work, worship, attend school or volunteer in Indianapolis or the Marion County area, you're eligible to join our credit union. There are three ways that you can join.

1. Complete our online membership application. This is the quickest way to get started with the credit union.

2. Visit one of our Center locations in the Indianapolis area.

3. Give us a call at 317.916.7700.

If you have any questions about becoming a member, leave a comment below.

We've lowered our home equity loan rates once again. Now, you can get a home equity loan from Financial Center for as low as 3.50% APR*. These loans come with the following features:

• No closing costs
• No annual, maintenance, or transaction fees
• Up to 90% of equity

Plus, once you close on your loan and you make an initial advance of at least $2,500, we'll give you a $250 Home Depot gift card.

Apply online today at www.fcfcu.com.

 *APR - Annual Percentage Rate. The interest is based on the National Prime Rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal) (currently 4.00% as of October 2008) minus 50 basis points (currently 3.50% as of October 2008) for loan-to-value (LTV) less than or equal to 90% and line of credit over $50,000. Offer may be withdrawn if you do not meet criteria, available equity and property type. Your minimum monthly payment will equal any accrued finance charges, late charges and fees during the billing period. Monthly payment will not be less than $50 of loan balance. Finance charge calculated by determining Average Daily Balance and multiplying by the Monthly Periodic Rate. Could borrow $10,000 and pay only $50 a month for the first 10 years. Minimum APR is 3.50%. Maximum APR is 18%. This offer is nontransferable. Property insurance required. Primary residence must secure credit lines (investment properties are not eligible for this product). Interest may be tax deductible, consult your tax advisor. Rates adjusted to equity position. Some applicants will not qualify. Closing cost ($250-$500) will be repaid if loan is paid off within 24 months. Must close loan and make an initial advance of $2,500 to qualify for Home Depot $250 gift card. Promotion expires 11/30/08.

Our last member education seminar of the year will take place this Saturday at our Main Center location from 9 AM to Noon. The subject of the seminar will be Financial Fitness.

Understanding where our money goes is the first step in establishing a successful money management routine. Focusing on the establishment of a budget, expense control, and the wise use of credit will provide just the right amount of support to anyone looking to improve their overall financial fitness.

To sign up, call the marketing department at 317.916.6250 or send us an e-mail at dept.busdev@fcfcu.com.

Last week, Financial Center was featured in an article in the Indianapolis Business Journal. The article focused on credit unions' ability to continue to lend money to consumers during this economic crisis.

CEO Roger Youngs offered this quote, "We can argue from now until the cows come home with the bankers about what the differences are between credit unions and banks. We focus on the member, who serves the dual role of being our owner and who uses the services. We don't have to answer to anyone out of state."

Are you searching for a loan in the Indianapolis area? Financial Center can help. Visit our website at www.fcfcu.com and apply online for a loan today.

In October, Andre Arnold, a Business Development Officer with the credit union, was awarded the Mozel Sanders Foundation Individual Humanitarian Award during the foundation's annual tribute and banquet dinner. The Mozel Sanders Foundation continues the legacy of Reverend Doctor Mozel Sanders who worked diligently with the community to meet the needs of its citizens. He started the annual Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner which feeds thousands of Indianapolis residents every year.

Andre was elected treasurer for the Mozel Sanders Foundation this past summer and has helped the organization establish improved accounting techniques, increases in donations through merchant services, and he has introduced youth to the Center for Leadership Development.

FCFCU is a proud supporter of the Mozel Sanders Foundation. If you would like to learn more information and see how you can participate in this year's event, click here.

In response to this article from MSN Money...there has never been a better time to join a credit union!

If you live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in Indianapolis and the Marion County area, you're eligible to join Financial Center. Learn more on our website at www.fcfcu.com.

Here are some highlights from the article:

"Credit unions largely avoided offering risky mortgages, they are among the few success stories to emerge from the subprime mortgage mess."

"Because they have no stockholders to answer to, credit unions are not pressured to get involved in risky investments such as mortgage-backed securities."

"Credit unions can offer their members a better deal because any extra profits are returned to members in the form of dividends or lower fees after operating expenses and capital reserves are accounted for."

Now you can experience security and convenience with your choice of a VISA Platinum or VISA Platinum Rewards credit card from Financial Center. Both cards have these great features:

• Fixed rate
• Credit line up to $30,000
• No annual fee
• No cash advance fee
• Low cost life, disability, and involuntary unemployment insurance
• 25 day grace period on purchases
• 24/7 toll free member service
• Low 2% minimum payment requirement

Plus, our VISA Platinum Rewards credit card gives you an opportunity to earn points towards valuable merchandise and travel opportunities with every purchase.

To learn more information about these new credit cards, click here.

To apply online for your new VISA Platinum Credit Card, click here.

The RCA Dome in Indianapolis provided great memories to all those lucky enough to attend an event in the stadium. I was lucky enough to go to the 1997 NCAA Final Four, several state high school basketball finals, and numerous Colts games. It's been a part of Indianapolis for over 20 years.

In the Indianapolis Star today, an article noted that the RCA Dome will be imploded on December 20th. The dome's roof, which was deflated last month, will be used by Indy Parks and Recreation for pool umbrellas and park shelters. I thought this was a very resourceful idea.

What does this have to do with credit unions and Financial Center? Using the roof from the dome to improve the Indianapolis community with other projects is much like how our credit union operates. We return the profit that we make to our members to improve our service to them.  

We are a cooperative financial institution that is focused on improving the financial well being of our members. The profit that our credit union makes is returned back to our members in the form of higher dividend rates, lower loan rates, and improved products and services. 

While banks are concerned with keeping their shareholders happy and chasing profits, credit unions are concerned about the members they serve.

Financial Center is here to serve Indianapolis and Marion County.  Become a member today by clicking the link on the right side of this page or visit www.fcfcu.com.

If you're unable to get loan from your current bank due to the current economic situtation, Financial Center can help.

We are prepared to help you get your next auto loan, home equity line of credit, mortgage or credit card.

If you live, work, worship, attend school or volunteer in Indianapolis or Marion County, you can join Financial Center. We are a local credit union that is committed to your community that you can trust to keep your money safe.

Apply online today for your next loan at www.fcfcu.com.

REALTunes Checking, the latest product from Financial Center, will be introduced  next week to all of our credit union members. REALTunes Checking is a free checking account that awards you free downloads from the iTunes music store as well as up to $25 in refunds for ATM surcharges nationwide. To get these great rewards, you only have to do three things:

• Make at least 12 debit card transactions each month with your FCFCU debit card
• Receive your monthly statement electronically
• Access Financial Center Online (online banking) at least once per month

In anticipation of the launch of REALTunes Checking, I want to know what's on your playlist right now. What kind of music will you be downloading with the rewards from your REALTunes Checking account?

To get the ball rolling, here are some of my favorite artists:

• Ray Lamontagne
• Bob Dylan
• Dave Matthews Band
• Jack Johnson
• Ben Harper

Leave a comment below and let me know what you're listening to.

Roger Youngs, Financial Center President/CEO

By now, you have all read or heard about the financial crisis that is affecting financial institutions. What you need to understand is that the institutions that are in trouble have put themselves in harm's way. They loosened the credit criteria to an extreme degree and made loans they should not have. Those loans were then securitized and the resulting investments purchased by other institutions have brought those purchasers into the problem as well.

We have to maintain constant vigil in this marketplace. Jobs are still being lost and prices are rising on every commodity and service we purchase. That being said, I can tell you that Finance Center Federal Credit Union is in extremely solid condition. Here are some reasons why your money is safe with us:

• We have not been involved with the risky types of loans that are causing the problem
• We have approximately 13% capital, well above the industry average
• We have spread our investments over a number of sources, thereby mitigating risk
• We have multiple sources of liquidity if the need arises
• Credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, and no depositor has ever lost a cent due to a credit union failure
• Finance Center Federal Credit Union provides an extra $250,000 of insurance, making your deposits guaranteed up to $500,000 on most accounts

Our capital position is a source of strength for us. You will probably not find a bank in the country with our level of capital, and you will find very few credit unions with that level. We have been prudent in our guardianship of your funds. We were not greedy in seeking huge returns because we knew that the bubble would have to burst at some point and those returns (and likely more) would have to be written off.

I am so confident in our ability to handle the current marketplace that I would challenge each of you to talk with your neighbors and friends about their financial institutions. If their institution cannot make the statements that I have made above, convince them that they should become a member of our credit union. With continued growth, we can bring more and better products to the market for you.

In the final analysis, that is what it is all about - our members. We are proud to have the opportunity to serve you and we will continue to do so in a prudent manner.

Kimberly Palmer from U.S. News&World Report had an interesting article this week on the benefits of joining a credit union.

In the article, Palmer notes that 90 million Americans are members of a credit union, and that most Americans are eligible to join a credit union - even if they don't realize it. She also highlights that credit unions typically offer lower rates on loans and higher rates on savings accounts.

If you live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in Indianapolis or Marion County, you're eligible to join our credit union. And, we do our best to bring you the most competitive rates in Indianapolis on everything from checking accounts to auto loans.

Become a member today by clicking the link on the right hand side of this page, or visit our website at www.fcfcu.com.

This morning I was able to attend a training session on the credit union's latest product, REALTunes Checking.

REALTunes Checking is much like our Reward Checking product in that we will give you an incentive if you satisfy several qualifiers:

• Make at least 12 debit card transactions  each month with your FCFCU debit card
• Receive your monthly statement electronically
• Access Financial Center Online (online banking) at least once per month

The monthly reward for doing these three things is up to $4.95 in credit for the iTunes music store and up to $25 in refunds for ATM surcharges nationwide.

We'll be rolling out this product to the Indianapolis community in the first week of November. Keep reading the blog and check out our website at www.fcfcu.com for more details.

Today, credit unions and their members across the world are celebrating International Credit Union Day. This year's theme is My Credit Union: It Belongs to Me.

Financial Center, much like other credit unions, exists to provide solutions that fulfill our members' needs. Whether you want to buy a new car or home, build a savings account to send your child to college, or save money for retirement - we have a product and trusted representatives that will help you achieve your goal. Providing valued relationships and trusted solutions is at the core of our daily operations.

We'd like to remind all of our members today that our credit union does truly belong to you and that you have a voice in influencing the future of our institution. Without our members, we would not have been able to serve the Indianapolis community for the past 55 years. As you grow and your needs grow and change, we plan to be the place that you turn to achieve your financial goals.

This Saturday, the credit union will host a member education seminar. The topic will be Avoding Fraud and Identity theft. It will take place at our Main Center located at 7101 East 56th Street in Indianapolis from 9 AM to Noon.

Attendees will learn methods on how to avoid becoming a victim of financial fraud. Sign up today by calling 317.916.6250 or by sending an e-mail to dept.busdev@fcfcu.com.

On Monday, September 8th, blog reader Sarah commented that she had experienced some problems with our website loading properly. We have since corrected those problems and hope that this greatly improves the experience for all of our credit union members.

If you have any additional problems with the functionality of our website, please give us a call at 317.916.7700 or 800.473.2328.

With last week's Senate approval of an increase in the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, Financial Center can now insure your savings up to $500,000.

$250,000 of insurance is now provided by the NCUSIF and we also offer an additional $250,000 through Excess Share Insurance.

With the recent failures of several large banking institutions across the country, we want you to know that Financial Center is standing strong against the turmoil in our industry. We are securely capitalized and offer you insurance that few other institutions can match.

If you're not a Financial Center member, join today. Click on the link on the right hand side of this page and fill out our online membership application. We promise that you won't be disappointed in the great products and services that we offer.

Check out our website at www.fcfcu.com for more details.

USA Today reported today that annual deductibles for workers jumped an average of 29% this year. One of the main causes of the increase was a growth in the number of high deductible health plans. Financial Center can help.

If you are covered by a high deductible health plan, you can take advantage of our credit union's health savings accounts. With the money you save on premiums from your high deductible health plan, you can place that money in a health savings account.

The best part about our HSAs is that you own and control the money that you put into the account. Plus, we offer numerous HSA products so that you can choose which is best for you. Here is a list of the health savings accounts currently available:

• HSA Savings Account
• HSA Checking Account
• HSA Interest Checking Account
• HSA Money Market Account
• HSA Premium Money Market Account
• HSA Share Certificate

For more information, visit our website or call us today at 317.916.7700.

For a limited time, we're currently offering our Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) product with rates as low as 4.00% APR.* HELOCs are a great way to obtain funds to make home improvements, pay for tuition, or to take that special vacation that you've been dreaming of.

In addition to our great rate, we will not charge you any closing costs or any annual, maintenance, or transaction fees. Plus, we'll give you a $250 Home Depot gift card if you establish your HELOC with us.

Apply online at our website at www.fcfcu.com. 
 
*APR – Annual Percentage Rate. The interest is based on the National Prime Rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal) (currently 5.00% as of September 2008) minus 100 basis points (currently 4.00% as of September 2008) for loan-to-value (LTV) less than or equal to 90% and line of credit over $50,000. Offer may be withdrawn if you do not meet criteria, available equity, and property type. Your minimum monthly payment will equal any accrued finance charges, late charges and fees during the billing period. Monthly payment will not be less than $50 of loan balance. Finance charge calculated by determining Average Daily Balance and multiplying by the Monthly Periodic Rate.
Could borrow $10,000 and pay only $50 a month for the first 10 years. Maximum APR is 18%. This offer is nontransferable. Property insurance required. Primary residence must secure credit lines (investment properties are not eligible for this product). Interest may be tax deductible, consult your tax advisor. Rates adjusted to equity position. Some applicants will not qualify. Closing cost ($250 – $500) will be repaid if loan is paid off within 24 months. Must close loan and make an initial advance of $2,500 to qualify for Home Depot $250 gift card. Promotion expires 10/31/08.

Peter McDougall of TheStreet.com recently wrote an article about the strength of credit unions in this time of difficulty for larger banks.

McDougall writes, "Many banks are hiking fees to make up for billions of dollars in losses. Credit unions, having escaped the financial crisis, are chipping away at ther larger rivals' customer base. They offer what most consumers need: good rates, low risks and personal service."

At Financial Center, we pride ourselves on delivering superior service with competitive rates. We also have a large network of free ATMs that you can use around Indianapolis and across the country. With free online banking and bill pay, and numerous other free services, we can deliver the same offerings you would expect from a large bank...just with more personal member service.

Come in to one of our Center locations and experience the FCFCU difference for yourself.

To see the full text of McDougall's article, click here.