Mutual Matters- Fall 2016

Message From the CEO 

As we anxiously wait for cooler weather, schools are in session and football fans are now happy with their Saturday games. Summer may be over but we continue to finance your fun – your fall fun. Tailgating with RVs, boats for fishing or buying a new vehicle – your fun can be financed with Mutual Savings.

Mutual Savings Credit Union will be celebrating International Credit Union day on October 20th. This year’s theme revolves around how credit unions are authentically different from other financial institutions. Stay tuned for information concerning events that will be happening at our branches on that day and how you can celebrate with us.

With Christmas around the corner, Mutual Savings Credit Union has been working hard to aid our members in preparing for the season. We’ve amped up our security with the new Falcon coverage and EMV chip cards. We hope this helps our members feel safe while making purchases. Mutual members with Christmas club accounts will have their club account funds automatically roll over into their checking accounts to assist with holiday spending. And, MSCU staff are ready for additional requests for personal and auto loans to help make your holiday special.

We are very pleased with the results through the third quarter! Mutual Savings continues to grow and offer low interest rates to our members. We encourage you to come to MSCU first with your next loan purchase.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday season with Mutual Savings by your side. I look forward to what 2017 will bring for MSCU.

Sincerely,
Douglas L. Key
CEO/President

International Credit Union Day

Join us on October 20th to celebrate International Credit Union Day. On this day, more than 217 million members in 105 different countries will celebrate the “authentic difference” that credit unions make in the world. The purpose of International Credit Union Day is to promote the credit union movement, recognize the hard work of those working in the industry and most importantly, to appreciate our members.

At Mutual Savings Credit Union, we want to use this day to give back to our members while also sharing our dedication to the credit union movement. All day we will be providing refreshments, hosting giveaways and giving out crafts and coloring pages for the kids. Each branch will be hosting a $25 gift card drawing! We hope that throughout International Credit Union Day and every day, you, as a member feel the “authentic difference” that a credit union makes in the world.

If you take a picture at one of our celebrations, be sure to tag us on social media and use the hashtags #ICUDay and #CUdifference.

Mutual Savings Protects our Members

With the holiday season approaching, Mutual Savings Credit Union would like to remind you of the ways we are helping to protect you against fraud. Our hope is that your holiday season is stress free while you shop!

By now, most of you have received your new EMV chip card. These cards are designed to make it harder for thieves to copy your card number. EMV chip cards are safer than the traditional magnetic stripe cards because EMV chip cards have a computer chip embedded in them that creates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again. Along with the new chip cards, we have also implemented two new fraud prevention services.

Mutual Savings Credit Union has a fraud protection service that is automatic for every debit card holder. It’s called FALCON and here’s how it works. MSCU uses the latest technology that allows our network to learn cardholder spending habits and recognize fraud patterns. This is very beneficial to victims of fraud because you will receive member contact regarding the potential fraud via email, text messaging and telephone calls.

As an added layer of protection, Mutual Savings implemented another product, SMS Guardian. Much like the other, SMS Guardian is a free service designed to protect member’s debit cards and the accounts attached to them. However, this is an optional service. When members opt in, they will be responsible for any text messaging fees associated with their mobile service plans. To find out more about SMS Guardian and how to sign up, visit the MSCU Fraud Protection page at www.mutualsavings.org.

Should your debit card be denied for unknown reasons after hours, Mutual Savings Credit Union has a new, optional service called the Transaction Assistance Line (1-888-526-0404). It will provide you with assistance should a transaction problem occur. But remember… transactions can be denied for a number of reasons. The most common reasons for transaction denial are authorizations placed by the credit union and fraud auto blocks. Once you reach the Transaction Assistance Line, they will verify the identity of the cardholder. After identity has been confirmed, the hold will be taken off and the transaction can be run again. Keep in mind that insufficient funds are not an exception. Funds must be available to complete a transaction.

Mutual Savings Credit Union wishes you a pleasant and safe holiday season. We hope that you’ll utilize our products and services and contact us should you have any questions. Our staff is prepared to help you with anything from financing a new car to gift cards for loved ones. Now, how can MSCU work for you?