Volunteering for a local Habitat for Humanity projectSartell Sabres High School Tailgating Event

the connection Fall and Winter 2019

A Publication by Central Minnesota Credit Union

CMCU in the CommunitiesEvery year, our employees show great enthusiasm for volunteering and giving back to the community, and 2019 has been no different!

At CMCU, we believe in promoting community engagement, so CMCU offers each staff member paid time off annually to volunteer. Staff members can use this time at their discretion to make a positive impact on our communities.

in this issue2020 Annual Meeting 2Message from the CEO 2Scholarships 22019 Awards 2You Deserve a CU That Works as Hard as You Do 3Holiday Hours 3Spend Smart This Holiday Season 4Adopt-a-Highway Crew

Mark Your Calendar: 2020 Annual MeetingTuesday, March 17, 2020, at 6 p.m. Melrose High School Auditorium Doors open at 5 p.m.

Nominations for Board elections may be made by a petition to the nominating committee signed by at least 5% of the total membership. The petition must be filed with the chair of the Board by no later than Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Scholarships CMCU is accepting applications for our 2020 Scholarship Program!

You may submit your application between Monday, November 4, 2019 – Sunday, February 2, 2020.

Applicants are asked to write an essay or create a video that answers the question “Why is it important to give back to your community?”

CMCU Recognized with 2019 AwardsWe are honored to be the Best Financial Institution of Central Minnesota for the third consecutive year as voted on by the St. Cloud Times readers. We thank all of our members for this honor.

In addition, for the fifth consecutive year, we have received the Star Tribune Top Workplace Award. We are proud to create a positive work environment for our employees!

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Message from the CEOAs CMCU’s new CEO, I wanted to take some time to introduce myself to our membership. I grew up near Breckenridge, Minnesota, on a grain and seed farm along the Otter Tail River. I attended college at Moorhead State University, where I earned my finance degree. After college, I spent approximately nine years as an examiner with the FDIC and an additional nine years as an executive officer at two publicly traded financial institutions. I live outside of Avon with my wife of 27 years and our four children. I have had the privilege of working for CMCU for the past 11 years in various executive positions, and I look forward to continuing to work with our team and doing the best for our membership.

I am proud that our 300-plus employees start their workdays with our brand promise of “Centered on You” in their thoughts. “Centered on You” is not a catchy phrase; it is the culture we constantly strive to deliver. It is the basis for how CMCU has sustained long-term growth, helped its members achieve financial security and become the most trusted financial partner for our membership.

We are focused on continually improving the member experience, enhancing our communities and remaining financially strong to meet the opportunities that the future holds.

Thank you all for your continued support and participation in the credit union! Chuck Friederichs

Chief Executive Officer

Holiday Hours CMCU will be closed on these holidays:

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28, 2019

Christmas Eve: Tuesday, December 24, 2019 (closing at 12 p.m.)

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2019

New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2020

Presidents Day: Monday, February 17, 2020

You Deserve a Credit Union That Works as Hard as You Do Running your business is no easy feat, but it helps when you’re in total control of your finances.

With three different business checking accounts to choose from, you’ll have all the tools you need to swiftly, easily and securely manage your business’ finances.

Combine that with our suite of Business Digital Services, and you’ll find yourself with more time to focus on what matters.

Our Business Digital Services allow you to conduct transactions with ease from the comfort of your office:

‧ Process payroll and pay bills with ACH (Automated Clearing House).‧ Safely and securely complete wire transfers.‧ Deposit checks remotely. ‧ Accept card payments from your customers.‧ Utilize Sweep accounts to transfer extra business funds from checking

to a line of credit. ‧ Get additional fraud protection with Positive Pay.

Access Digital Banking at any time via desktop, tablet and mobile devices, and link all your CMCU accounts to easily view your finances on our dashboard.

CMCU is open for your business.

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It’s easy to go overboard when shopping for holiday gifts, but the fallout from seasonal overspending can last all year. Follow this helpful advice to create a plan for holiday spending.

Create a budget and stick to it. Make a list of all the people you intend to buy gifts for and how much you’d like to spend on each person.

Draw names. If you’re part of a large family or circle of friends, suggest drawing names. This will cut down on the number of gifts you have to purchase, and you’ll know exactly how the purchase will fit into your holiday budget.

Start shopping early. If you create your holiday budget and shopping list early in the year, it’s easy to take advantage of sales and discounted pricing before the holiday rush.

Get creative! It’s the thought that counts, so why break the bank with expensive gifts? Thoughtful, homemade gifts mean more and are less expensive, too. Turn to your talents and interests when searching for creative gift ideas. You could crochet a blanket or knit a sweater; bake cookies; create a photo album full of special memories; or design coupons offering your time for tasks like house cleaning or babysitting.

Use credit wisely. If you plan to use your credit card for holiday purchases, only charge as much as you can pay off when the bill arrives. By paying your credit card balance in full each month, you won’t have to regret holiday overspending all year long. Central Minnesota Credit Union offers a number of low-rate credit cards to meet your needs – learn more on our website or contact us to talk through your options.

Bonus tip for next year: Open a My Goal Savings account. My Goal Savings accounts are a great way to save money for the holidays (or any occasion). You choose how much you want to save each pay period, and the money is automatically diverted to your My Goal Savings account. If you save as little as $25 each pay period for a whole year, you’ll have over $650 by the time December rolls around. To establish your My Goal Savings account, apply online through your Digital Banking account or on the mobile app. You can also contact us or visit a branch to set up an account.

Don’t spend the holidays stressed about overspending! Plan ahead, spend smart, and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy this special time of year.

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20 4th Ave SE | Melrose, MN 56352

888.330.8482 | mycmcu.org

Federally Insured by NCUA | Equal Opportunity Employer

Spend Smart This Holiday Season