Business Member Profile 2Chip Credit/Debit Cards 21,000+ Facebook Members 2

Golf Tournament Success 3Healthiest Credit Union 3RGCU Cares 3

President’s Letter 4San Pedro Service 4

FA L L

2015

US Treasury awards RGCU for community leadershipOn June 16, 2015, the US Department of theTreasury recognized the substantial community workRio Grande Credit Union performed in Albuquerqueand the South Valley by certifying RGCU as a CommunityDevelopment Financial Institution (CDFI). In particular, the certification came about because RGCU:

“…has a Primary Mission of promoting community development; predominantly serving and maintain Accountability toeligible Target Markets; being a FinancingEntity; providing Development Services;and being neither a government entity norcontrolled by a government entity.” – Letter to Chris Fitzgerald

from Christopher J. Stever, Associate Program Manager (US Department of Treasury)

This means that Rio Grande Credit Union can now apply for CDFI Fund grants to further community outreach, financial education, and local economic development efforts. These awards will allow RGCU to better serve low-income individuals and communities that lack adequate access to affordable financial products and services.In short, this allows RGCU to continue its organizationalmission with many more supporting resources.

To learn more about CDFI certification, please visit cdfifund.gov.

RGCU Business Member Profile Swan Kitchen

Get big protectionin a tiny chipGREAT NEWS! By now you should have received your newRio Grande Credit Union credit cards with the secure EMV chip.Beginning in October, you’ll receive new debit cards thatalso contain the EMV security enhancing chip.

Rio Grande Credit Union Visa® Debit Cards now feature anembedded chip that improves security when you makepurchases at a chip-activated terminal.

• Receive enhanced fraud protection. When you use your card at a chip-activated terminal, the embedded chip generates a one-time use code to help reduce in-store fraud.

• Enjoy global acceptance. More merchants are accepting chip transactions every day. Whether you check out using chip technology or swipe your card, you can pay with confidence – wherever Visa Debit Cards are accepted.

To pay, simply swipe your card like you do today. If a chip-activated terminal is available, insert the chipend of your card with the chip facing up. Leave your card in the terminal and follow the prompts on screen.Be sure to remove your card when your purchase is complete.

“I’m tired of seeing corporate profits leave New Mexico,” remarked Jessica Swan of Swan Kitchen. This was one of the many reasons that Jessica wanted to find a local financial partner that could provide her business account needs. As a New Mexico cooperative, Rio Grande Credit Union was the logical choice for her to administer her business accounts. “Not only does the money stay local, but Jan [Gassiot] and David [Hicks] always provide great service when I’m at the San Pedro Branch.”

Swan Kitchens discovered its mission when Jessica Swan started to take her kids to elementary school. “I realized the food we see served in elementary schools hadn’t changed in over 10 years.” Swan Kitchen now has a school lunch contract with Albuquerque Public Schools to provide over 1,000 kids every day with pesticide and chemically free, locally grown and prepared meals.

Swan Kitchen got an early boost by using the Mixing Bowl kitchens at the South Valley Economic Development Center (svedc.org). The SVEDC provides facilities, resources and training for new and expanding small businesses, with an eye to job creation and fostering the economic revitalization of the South Valley community. The SVEDC and Rio Grande Credit Union missions are so similar, it was only fitting that the SVEDC be a beneficiary of the 3rd Annual Rio Grande Credit Union Golf Classic that took place on September 14th.

It’s wonderful to see the synergy developed betweenthe three organizations help put healthy mealson the table for New Mexico’s kids.

HEALTHIEST CUIN ALBUQUERQUE!

On Friday, July 17, executives from Rio Grande Credit Union presented members from the American Lung Association in New Mexico a check for $3,000.00 to support LUNG FORCE. The $3000.00 came from sales of LUNG FORCE turquoise bracelets to Rio Grande Credit Union members. Together the American Lung Association in New Mexico and Rio Grande Credit Union are raising lung cancer awareness and funding research that will ultimately save lives. Money raised for LUNG FORCE helps the American Lung Association support the advancement of research, the development of new programs, advocacy on public policy and sharing of the most up-to-date information on the treatment and management of lung diseases. Most of all, the support of LUNG FORCE helps to save lives! Congratulations to theRio Bravo branch for selling the most LUNG FORCE bracelets.

On September 14th 59 golfers competed in the 3rd Annual Rio Grande Credit Union Golf Classic for the benefit of the South Valley Economic Development Center (SVEDC). Through donations and sponsorships, Rio Grande Credit Union was able to raise $2,000 for the SVEDC and Siete del Norte Community Development Corporation. The team from the Oberg family took first place and bragging rights until next year. Thank you to all of our players and 11 corporate sponsors who participated. RGCU President Chris Fitzgerald commented, “This is a great way for Rio Grande to continue giving back to the small business community.”

This summer, the RGCU Facebook page reached a milestone by generating over 1,000 followers. For perspective, if our page was an annual meeting, it would be a gathering five times larger than any meeting we’ve had before. If it were a city, it would be about the size of Cedar Crest.

The page itself allows members to find out what’s going on in the credit union, get insightful financial tips, and con-gratulate our employees who achieve their own milestones. Take a moment to visit us at facebook.com/RGCU.org.

JOIN OVER1,000 OF YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS

Only four New Mexico credit unionswere on DepositAccounts' second annuallist of the "Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unionsin America."

Albuquerque's Rio Grande Credit Union and Otero Federal Credit Union in Alamogordo were ranked in the top 100. Rio Grande Credit Union was ranked the healthiest CU in Albuquerque.

More than 6,000 federally-insured credit unions were evaluated based on financial health indicators such as the Texas Ratio, deposit growth and capitalization levels. The Texas ratio determines whether a financial institution is at risk for failure and to what extent, and has been in use since the 1980s.

On a national level, the financial health of banks and credit unions has improved since the Great Recession. The failure rate for both has dropped significantly since 2010 and only 1.5 percent nationally are considered at risk for failure.

For a full list of rankings, visit depositaccounts.com/banks/health.aspx.Rio Grande Credit Union thanks Albuquerque Business First for picking up this story in their July 9, 2015 publication.

Golf Tourney Raises $2,000

directoryB O A R D O F D I R E C T O R SLucy P. Sedillo, Board ChairDaniel J. Mayfield, First Vice ChairCynthia Borrego, Second Vice ChairIrene Serna, Secretary/TreasurerDianne M. Brown, DirectorMark Sanchez, DirectorRon B. Maestas, Director

S U P E R V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E ESusan H. Biernacki, ChairPatty French, MemberLisa Wilson, Member

S E N I O R M A N A G E M E N TChris Fitzgerald, President/CEOJanice Grieve, Chief Financial OfficerMike Athens, VP OperationsLily Currin, VP Human ResourcesChris Samborski, VP Sales and ServiceBill Daily, VP Marketing and Member Experience

locations & hoursR I O B R AV O B R A N C H301 Rio Bravo Blvd. SE

S A N P E D R O B R A N C H1401 San Pedro NE

D O W N T O W N B R A N C H1211 4th Street NW

W E S T S I D E B R A N C H485 Coors Blvd. NW

L O M A S B R A N C H10001 Lomas Blvd. NE

Lobby HoursMon-Thurs 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMFriday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PMSaturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Drive-Thru HoursMon-Thurs 8:30 AM - 5:30 PMFriday 8:30 AM - 6:00 PMSaturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

holiday closingsAll RGCU branches will be closed on the following holiday:

O C T O B E R 12 Columbus DayN O V E M B E R 11 Veterans DayN O V E M B E R 26 Thanksgiving DayD E C E M B E R 24 Christmas Eve (noon closing)D E C E M B E R 25 Christmas DayJ A N U A R Y 1 New Year's Day

contact informationMember Resource Center505.262.1401 | 877.761.5136

TellerPhone24-hour automated service505.265.4926

riograndecu.org

F E D E R A L LY I N S U R E D B Y N C U A

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear RGCU Members,

Greetings! I am happy to announce that your credit union has purchased property on the corner of Unser and Cabezon in Rio Rancho and is scheduled to build our newest branch there in 2016! Currently we are working with the architects and will soon begin a bidding process with general contractors. We are pleased and excited to be able to offer convenient services to all of you in northwest Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

You may have heard that Rio Grande Credit Union was awarded a prestigious honor by a national company called DepositAccounts.com. They analyzed all 6,655 credit unions within the United States and published a list of the top 200. I am proud to report that Rio Grande Credit Union came in at #81! We were the second highest ranked credit union in New Mexico and the highest ranked credit union in Albuquerque! This is a great honor and needs to be shared by the entire Rio Grande Credit Union family, because we cannot do it without your valued membership.

Soon, we will begin preparations to add new products and services that will continue to bring value to our membership in 2016. The main focus will be on our new Cabezon Branch, but you can expect to see new services implemented throughout the year. Our goal remains to ensure that Rio Grande Credit Union is your financial institution of choice.

Finally, I just want to say thank you for your trust. All of us know that our only job is to serve you, our member. Have a great fall and remember that we can assist you with allof your financial needs.

Sincerely,

Chris Fitzgerald, President/CEO

KEEPING SERVICE HIGHin the Mile-Hi District

With a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico, and a double major in Economics and Philosophy, David Hicks says the strong member loyalty to Rio Grande Credit Union is what makes his job fun and enjoyable.

“I've enjoyed a 21 year credit union and banking career so far,”he says. “Three of these years have been with Rio GrandeCredit Union, and are by far the best years of my career!”

One of Hicks' most memorable experiences at Rio Grande Credit Union was assisting a long-term member with a small signature loan to help him celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife. The member later told him that because of the loan, he was able to splurge at their favorite restaurant, Red Lobster.

Situated in the “Mile-Hi District” of Albuquerque, Hicks believes the San Pedro Branch exemplifies an earlier era of doing business with good old fashioned one-on-one personal service.

David HicksSan Pedro Branch Manager