America first federal credit union

THE FATHER OF THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT EDWARD A. FILENE WAS A PIONEER IN CREATING "Bests" that have shaped our commerce and community today. He invented discount retail shopping (Filene's). He was an ingenious businessman that began profit-sharing plans for his employees, established minimum wages for female workers, and advocated a five day, 40-hour work week--all in the early 20th century, well before these concepts were common. He was one of the founders of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Filene poured over a million dollars of his own money into the creation of the credit union move Pent. By 1925, 15 states had passed credit union laws; 419 credit unions were serving 108,000 members. Today, some 67.4 million Americans are credit union members. Filene obviously thought that people with good jobs, good access to financial services, and a strong local business culture led to a healthy economy in which his businesses would thrive.

The Spirit is Alive Today with CO-OP Network

Credit Unions live the cooperative spirit with each other as well as with their members, and nowhere is this more evident than with CO-OP Network--the national credit union ATM network. Owned by credit unions, COOP Network provides over 19,000 surcharge-free ATMs around the country for the members of its credit unions. That's a larger ATM network than even the largest bank. Pull your ATM or Debit Card out of your wallet, lf it has the COOP Network symbol on it, you too can take advantage of this network d convenience. If not, join a credit union today and realize a better way to bank! All the credit unions in this special section are COOP Network members, and any one of them will give you the hometown convenience with nation wide access that you want.

"Credit unions have been recognized by Wall Street journal, Bankrate.com, and hundreds of other news sources as not-for-profit banking alternatives that offer belier interest rates on loans and deposits than at many banks. COOP Network gives credit union members even more ATM convenience than the largest bank," says Robert Rose, CEO, CO-OP Network.

Fast Growth a Result of Service Focus

Credit Unions are growing so fast because consumers who discover the benefits tell their friends--and word of mouth is one of the biggest contributors to growth.

nuVision Financial Federal Credit Union in Southern California, for example, was recently named a "Champion of Industry" by Pat Summerall Productions and featured on a national news network. "Our focus is on placing staff on the front line who are fully trained and licensed to meet the entire range of consumers' financial needs," says Kerry Lewis, Vice President and Chief Planning and Development Officer for nuVision Financial. "This is the best way to provide a comprehensive educational and financial package to help members achieve their personal and financial goals."

nuVision Financial members are eligible for a complimentary consultation to review their entire financial picture and get their recommendations for a balanced, diversified and healthy financial future.

nuVision Financial is also a strong consumer advocate, affiliated with the American Consumer Council (ACC). Members of the ACC and nuVision Financial receive a quarterly newsletter: "The Aware Consumer," with content sup plied by consumer advocate David Horowitz, a multiple Emmy winner for "FightBack!" TV and radio shows. Membership is widely open to anyone.

Unique Services for Performers

AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit Union serves the substantial community of performers in Los Angeles. Their lending practices treat self-employed applicants no differently than those who collect a paycheck from one single employer. So all members can go through the loan application process with confidence. While they offer unique full-service products and services exclusively to their members, AFTRA-SAG FCU believes the proof is in their standard products such as credit cards: because they know members often need a bridge over cash flow dips, they charge the same incredibly low rates on cash advances as purchases.

First Class, Coast to Coast

>From the tower to the cockpit to the gate, FAA First Federal Credit Union is the premier financial institution serving the air transportation industry. FAA First specializes in electronic, remote account access, which serves this mobile industry better than traditional 9 to 5 branches. FAA First supplements its "First Class" online services with nearly 20,000 nationwide surcharge-free ATM and shared branching locations, available to flight crews wherever they land. "Above all else, we provide financial peace of mind to those who transport America safely through the skies," says Eileen Rivera, President/CEO.

HELOCs Up to $500,000

Southland Credit Union members always find a helpful representative, great rates and excellent products. This full service focus is evident in Southland's current Summertime Dreams promotion, which includes a no-fee or low-rate home equity line of credit with lines up to $500,000--and both come with a free Southland checking account. Southland's free checking account isn't your run of the mill free checking either. It comes with a full suite of eServices, begins earning a very attractive interest rate at only $750 average balance, comes with two free boxes of custom checks every calendar year and overdraft protection (subject to credit approval).

Zero Down Home Loans

Escalating home prices in Orange County have put the dream of home ownership out of reach for many first-time buyers. A 10% down payment and closing costs for an average-priced home in Orange County can now exceed $50,000. Serving all of Orange County, American First Credit Union recognizes this challenge and recently enhanced its Zero Down Home Loan program to allow buyers to borrow up to $600,000 with no down payment. As a direct lender, American First offers highly competitive rates and flexible underwriting, including stated income loans. The credit union has six convenient Orange County branches.

Secure Finances for Firemen

Since 1935, Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union has provided a secure financial environment for the brave men and women of California's Fire Departments. As one of the largest credit unions exclusively serving the financial needs of firefighters and their families, LAFCU has a proud tradition of service, reliability, and strength.

With a full-range of financial products and services, financial strength is evident in a tradition of returning a portion of the net profits back to members in the form of Extraordinary Dividend Bonuses and Interest Refunds. Unique in the financial industry, these additional payouts continue to set Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union apart as a member-owned financial institution where member/owners share financially in their Credit Union's success.

Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union's strategic goal remains steadfast--to improve the financial well-being of member/owners in an environment of integrity, safety, and soundness.

Membership is available to California firefighting professionals and their families. To learn more about Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union and to request a membership packet, visit www.lafirecu.org or call (800) 231-1626.

Business Services Provided

Telesis Community Credit Union, a full service, not-for-profit financial institution, serves residents and businesses in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties and the surrounding community. Telesis offers low or no fee products, services, accounts and loans for consumers and businesses. Services are designed to provide members with greater flexibility and financial value.

Telesis has nine branches: Chatsworth (main office), Camarillo, Westlake Village, Simi Valley (two branches), Van Nuys, Canyon Country and Valencia. Telesis also is a member of the CO-OP Network, giving members nationwide ATM access, and CU Service Centers, where credit union members can go to participating credit unions to conduct transactions on their Telesis account(s).

Members have turned to Telesis Community Credit Union for their personal financial needs. As some member-owners have started their own business, they have continued to turn to Telesis for help in meeting their business rending and deposit needs. Telesis has aided small business owners by offering low cost, financial services that are designed to help save money through competitive loan rates and lower fees for accounts and services. In addition to traditional business banking products, Telesis also offers ancillary services, Business Real Estate loans, and is now a Preferred SBA lender.