Build Your Financial Security on a Trusted Foundation
SunState Federal Credit Union
In today’s uncertain economy it’s hard to know how to handle your finances, or even who to trust. Lately, the media is full of reports about financial institutions “going under,” “cutting back” on services, practicing “predatory lending,” tacking on “surprise interest rates,” and their clients facing “foreclosures” and “identity theft.” So, who do you trust? Here at home it’s nice to know that SunState Federal Credit Union is a safe, secure financial foundation upon which you can build, trust and depend.
Working Smarter and Harder
Today, it’s anything but “business as usual” at SunState. Instead, it’s about internal change and working smarter and harder with innovative programs and improvements designed to better your financial health. As a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative, SunState is able to make decisions based on what’s best for members, who are also owners. Instead of paying out profits to stockholders, SunState reinvests its income in the form of increased member and community benefits. Whether it’s lower fees; higher dividends; lower, more flexible loan rates; credit counseling; or charitable community programs, SunState is always at work.
At SunState, it’s about giving you, the member, the best professional advice possible, keeping you grounded and on track, while helping you and your family achieve your personal goals and dreams.
No Surprises Here
As a SunState member and owner, you can utilize a wide and diverse range of financial services, including Express PC Home$Banking™, Money$Line™, exceptional Visa® and loan rates, and much more. Through its staff, special products and services, community education programs and web site, SunState provides the tools you need to control your personal and business finances.
Most importantly, with SunState you won’t find any “surprises” or “questionable” practices. A recent national news story cited consumer complaints about credit card companies raising individual interest rates overnight after one late payment, from single-digit to well over 20 percent Annual Percentage Rate (APR), without notice. Another reported some big banks maximizing returned check fees by honoring larger checks first (exhausting the account) and then bouncing smaller checks, thus significantly increasing insufficient fund fees. With overdraft protection and clearly stated payment options, SunState maintains strict, practical guidelines— approved by the members themselves through volunteer elected board members—as to how finances, including charges and interest, are handled. No surprises here.
Protecting Your Identity
Identity theft is one of America’s fastest growing crimes. It can happen when someone accesses and uses your personal information to commit fraud or theft without your knowledge. With a proven track record, nobody cares or does more to protect your personal information with innovative technology than SunState. In addition to the protection of the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), SunState has received many awards, including the Gold Shield Security Certification, for safeguarding member information and interests in-house and online. Help keep your identity as safe as possible and your finances healthy with “no surprises” by consolidating your business and personal information at SunState.
“We can help teach people how to recognize problems before they begin, or to fix them when needed. We want to see people succeed, acquire good credit, repair poor credit, and protect themselves from identity theft. We do just that every day,” said SunState Marketing Vice President, Robert Hart. “Our directors and staff all agree that if we can help members with education, products and services, and trusted advice, then we’re improving the quality of people’s lives. To us, being the community credit union for this area goes far beyond just saving members time and money with our free core services and low loan rates; it’s more about the people than it is about the money.”
Securing Your Future
If you’re looking for a loan, such as a first-time mortgage or home equity loan, SunState has flexible programs to fit your needs with a variety of term options— both long and short. As a member, and when you qualify, you can choose from low, fixed-rate or adjustable-rate first mortgages, with up to 100 percent financing. The type of loan option and length you choose, and ultimately qualify for, depends on factors such as your credit history, income, how long you plan to stay in your home, your down payment, etc. Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) are also a great option if you need extra money for anything from tuition to home improvement. It makes sense to invest in your family’s future and your home. After all, selling might not be a hot option right now, but the improvements you make to your home could make a big difference, particularly in savings from lower power bills or increased equity when it’s time to sell.
With so many considerations, wading through loan options can often be a daunting task. At SunState you won’t get the run around, find “hidden clauses,” or “too-good-to-be-true” scenarios. What you will find are highly competitive rates, flexible terms, easy payment options and friendly and knowledgeable representatives ready to help you evaluate your loan needs and give you trustworthy advice every step of the way.
“We don’t want to see our members get in over their heads,” said Kathy Anderson, SunState’s Real Estate Mortgage Underwriter, “If they can’t afford that out-ofreach ‘mansion on the hill,’ we’re certainly not going to give them the illusion that they can, or help them get into a bad, loselose situation. What we can do though is to show them how to improve or build their credit rating, save money wisely, and develop their financial portfolio, so that, maybe, one day, they can make it to the top of the hill.”
What if you have an existing mortgage with another bank or provider? “You can easily become a member and refinance your mortgage through SunState,” Anderson said. “Many members have said that by switching to SunState they were able to save money on their existing mortgages.”
Caring for Your Credit
If you’re looking to establish or repair credit or pay off high-rate cards, a low-rate SunState VISA® should be a part of your plan. Why should you choose SunState over the “big banks” when choosing a credit card company? Well, rates starting as low as 8.49 percent APR with no annual fee is a start. In addition, SunState lets you make payments to your SunState VISA® credit card anywhere and anytime with SunState’s Online VISA® Pay. Also, SunState provides programs and information to help you and your family protect your identity and good credit rating or help to improve your credit rating over time. You can check your statement any time online to monitor charges, and, in the case of fraud or identity theft, take steps right away to save your credit worthiness and name from damage. And, always, should you experience problems with your card, such as having it lost or stolen, it is comforting to know that you can “call home” and talk to a real employee. If financial success and security are your personal visions, consider joining SunState. As a member, you will Well, rates starting as low as 8.49 percent APR with no annual fee is a start. In addition, SunState lets you make payments to your SunState VISA® credit card anywhere and anytime with SunState’s Online VISA® Pay. Also, SunState provides programs and information to help you and your family protect your identity and good credit rating or help to improve your credit rating over time. You can check your statement any time online to monitor charges, and, in the case of fraud or identity theft, take steps right away to save your credit worthiness and name from damage. And, always, should you experience problems with your card, such as having it lost or stolen, it is comforting to know that you can “call home” and talk to a real employee.
If financial success and security are your personal visions, consider joining SunState. As a member, you will receive the same personal, friendly service SunState members have enjoyed for decades. SunState is your community, family credit union ready to save you time and money while providing you with outstanding personalized service. After you join and have been a member and shareholder for a while, you’ll wish you had joined years ago.
Reinvesting in Your Community
What’s more, you can feel good about being a member because Sun- State is an active and long-time supporter of many worthy charities and community programs. These range from free educational seminars, to charity golf tournaments and employee fundraising efforts, to the new 10 for Teacher$ program. The 10 for Teacher$ program is designed to reward schools and teachers when members establish loans. Rewards are put directly into teachers’ hands for goods and supplies to benefit their students. “We strive to maintain that balance of smart business, innovative programs, great people and services, high security and community involvement. This is what has made SunState so successful for fifty-plus years and will keep it going strong into the future for our members and our communities,” said Jim Woodward, SunState President/CEO.
You can find out more at www.SunStateFCU.org with information designed to make your life richer and safer. You’ll find everything from financial education tools for all ages to identity theft information and security alerts. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist or Levy Counties in Florida. Call SunState at 352-381-5200 for further information. If you’re in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by any SunState branch to talk to a knowledgeable, friendly membership representative, or visit www.SunStateFCU.org .
