Matadors Community Credit Union is Safe and Sound

MCCU wants to reach out to the community to assure them that we are financially healthy, and safe and sound:

• MCCU deposits are federally insured by the NCUA for at least $250,000

•  MCCU is very well capitalized. Our net worth ratio as of February 29, 2012 is 10.31%. Regulators consider a credit union well capitalized at 7%. Being well-capitalized means your credit union has solid financial strength.

• MCCU has been in business since 1963.

• MCCU offers Shared Branching so members can go to another credit union that may be more convenient for them to do their banking.

• MCCU never did any risky business lending and are we are very conservative in our lending guidelines.

• $100 cash back for each car loan you fund with us
• Rates as low as 1.99% APR*
• 90 days no payments (interest will accrue)

For more information about MCCU, please contact us at 818.993.6328 or visit our website.

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates as of 1/01/12 and are subject to change at any time. Must meet credit and income criteria. Rate quoted is the preferred rate with a 24-month term. Subject to credit approval and membership eligibility. Other rates and terms available.  Sample Payment: $510.44 (based on 24 month new or used car loan, $12,000, 1.99% APR). Refinancing of existing MCCU Auto Loans not eligible. Restrictions may apply. Membership required.

According to the Wall Street Journal, they are now testing a $6-$25 monthly fee, depending on which type of checking account you have. This is for new customers only, and they are testing in Arizona, Georgia and Massachusetts. There are ways to avoid the fee, however, why would anyone pay a fee for checking accounts when they can go to a federally insured credit union and get Free Checking? It is unclear whether or not this fee will actually get implemented nationwide, but in this poor economy, who wants to give a “big bank” their hard-earned money each month?

Help us spread the word. You don’t have to pay a fee to have a checking account! Find a credit union in your area, or if you are in our area, join us!

Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate. Many of us think that this type of planning is only for the wealthy. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Estate planning applies to all of us, and we should all engage in some level of planning.  It is very important to have a plan to manage your health and financial decisions should you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to do so; and to be able to ultimately distribute your property to chosen heirs and beneficiaries in a manner YOU so wish quickly, privately and cost-effectively (by avoiding the probate process!).

What is a Living Trust?

 Trusts are legal mechanisms that allow you to put conditions on how and when your assets will be distributed upon your death. They also allow you to reduce your estate taxes and to distribute assets to your heirs without the cost (approximately 8% of the gross value of your estate), delay (9 months – 2 years) and publicity of probate court, which administers wills. Some also offer greater protection of your assets from creditors and lawsuits. A trust allows you to name a successor trustee, who not only manages your trust after you die, but is empowered to manage the trust assets if you become unable to do so.

 Protecting your Minor Children

 Parents with minor children face major estate planning decisions. Providing for your minor children if you pass away involves two distinct concerns:

• Who will raise the children if you are unable-that is, who will be each child’s guardian?
• How can you best provide financial support for your children? What money or property will be available? Who will handle and supervise it for the child’s benefit? And what legal method is best for managing it?

 It is important to design a plan that incorporates all of your wishes-before it is too late to do so.  If you don’t have an estate plan, your children’s guardians and the distribution of your assets will be determined through the courts.

If you are a MCCU member, please contact us for more information on how you can get a discounted Living Trust today! Call us at 818.993.6328 for more information.

A VIN is not merely a random set of 17 characters. Each digit signifies information about the vehicle. A VIN is a vehicles’ DNA; it is unique and unduplicated. For example, the first character identifies the country where the vehicle was made. Each country has a letter or number associated with it- the US is either 1 or 4. The second character identifies the manufacturer such as Toyota or Volkswagen. Each digit of the VIN provides more and more information on the vehicle.

VINs are also printed on several car parts to cut down on part theft. Car parts that are labeled with VINs include transmissions, front and rear bumpers, engines, hoods, right and left doors, sliding cargo doors, right and left quarter panels and side assemblies, pickup/cargo boxes, rear doors and hatchback/deck lid/tailgates.

VINs do not just assist the automotive industry in identifying their vehicles, but can help car buyers avoid fraud. A vehicle’s history is tracked by its VIN and can provide useful information to car buyers. Anyone can view a car’s history using the VIN. Simply enter the VIN into one of the many websites that offer this service (e.g. CARFAX, instaVIN, AutoCheck). Information that a VIN can disclose include:

• Vehicle registration
• Title information, including salvaged or junked titles
• Odometer readings
• Lemon history
• Total loss accident history
• Frame/structural damage
• Collision indicators, such as airbag deployments
• Service and repair information
• Vehicle usage (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)
• Recall information

Vehicle history reports not only help car buyers, but also assist dealers in their sales.  Sellers check the history of the vehicle they are trying to sell so they are prepared to answer any questions regarding the vehicle’s background. Dealers often buy vehicle history reports to provide to their customers to ensure the potential buyer that all information about the vehicle is being disclosed. Dealers also run vehicle history reports prior to acquiring vehicles at auctions to help ensure they are obtaining the vehicle at a fair market value.

What started off as just a tracking system, the VIN has become a useful tool in buying and selling cars. The next time you plan on purchasing a vehicle, remember the VIN is a valuable asset, so use it to look up the vehicle’s history and arm yourself with the tools to make a sound purchase.

For more information on VINs, vehicle history reports and the DMV, please visit www.DMV.ca.gov. Save Time. Go Online!

Need a new car or want to refinance the one you have? Check out MCCU’s low rates and apply today!

• Check balances and view account history and paid checks
• Transfer funds
• Make loan payments (consumer loans only)
• Make payments using Bill Pay
• Find a nearby branch or ATM  (including Co-Op ATM and Shared Branch locations)
• Check current rates

Access from any smartphone.

You can use MCCU’s Mobile Banking with any Internet-enabled smartphone and tablets including iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry devices.

Easy to use.

Simply go to www.matadors.org from your internet-enabled phone or tablet, and enter your current e-Branch Online Banking user name and password. That’s it! You can read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) here!

Not enrolled in our free e-Branch Online Banking? No problem! Visit www.matadors.org or call us at 818.993.6328 to get started today!

Enjoy banking with MCCU whenever you want, wherever you want with MCCU!

Did you know that in 2012, retail stores -including grocery stores- will no longer offer plastic bags? You’ll need to bring your own bags, or pay $0.10 per paper bag. If you have small children, did you know that unless they are at least 4’9″ or 8 years old, they still need to be in a booster seat or car seat? And have you ever quickly eaten your breakfast or put on make-up while driving to work? It’s not an official law, but you can get fined for that.

These are just a few examples of the new laws for Californians in 2012. Please check out this link for a more comprehensive list of all of the new laws for 2012 that may or may not apply to you. But you may know someone who may be affected, so I recommend you read it.

Remember to share this post with your friends and family so they are aware!

Bank Transfer Day encourages bank customers to move their accounts out of big banks and into smaller banks and credit unions instead. The movement is in response to aggressive fees financial institutions are implementing to recover profits lost from new financial regulations. Why would you give these banks your hard-earned money when you don’t have to? Make the switch!

November 5th is a Saturday – MCCU’s Chatsworth branch is open that day from 9am to 1pm! Come visit us and open an account! We have FREE Checking, FREE Debit Cards, FREE online banking and bill pay, and we are rolling out FREE mobile banking in January! Plus, we are part of the Shared Branch network and Co-Op ATM Network which means you can do your banking at other participating credit unions, fee-free!

MCCU is a $125 million credit union. We are not like a big bank, or credit union, for that matter. We will give you quality, low-cost products and services with exceptional and personable service. Your accounts are federally insured up to at least $250,000, just like the “big banks”. We’re small and strong!

So if you are banking at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Chase, or any other “big bank” that has high account fees, consider switching to a credit union! We’ve also got GREAT rates on Auto Loans, Home Equity Loans and more.

Join the movement, attend Bank Transfer Day and start saving money!

I won’t re-hash what I’ve already written, but I do want to reiterate that MCCU will not charge a fee for our members to use their debit cards. Add to that our already free checking account – such a deal! If you’re local, check us out. If not, find a credit union in your area that also has free checking and debit cards.

Don’t throw away your hard-earned money when you don’t have to.

 When first logging on to the new DMV website, customers will see bold and streamlined content that highlights the DMV’s expanded online services – including making an advance appointment.  The appointment feature is just another way the DMV is assisting customers to save time by skipping the lines at the DMV.  All features are conveniently placed at the top of the page, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Under the “How Do I…” drop down menu, toward the center of the homepage is a list of the most common DMV-related questions, such as  how to find information on auto insurance, teen driving, name changes and what to do as a new California resident.  If you have a question, the answer will most likely be in this guide.

Conveniently located at the bottom of the homepage, customers will find various ways to connect with the DMV.  For the latest updates and information, they can “like” the DMV on Facebook, follow the DMV on Twitter and subscribe to the DMV YouTube Channel.  The DMV has also developed an informative video – titled “Check Us Out!” – an action-packed 48 seconds that showcases everything that DMV has to offer.

A very important feature of the DMV’s new website is the ability to create an online account.   Registering online will allow customers to have the benefit of being a certified user on the DMV website. Certified users have greater access to DMV’s online services, including the ability to renew a driver license, order driving record history or change an address. Customers may also take advantage of having a personalized “Area of Interest” webpage through the DMV. Each “Area of Interest” webpage provides customers with information on their topics of choice that have been gathered and placed into one convenient location just for you. You must go through the registration process to become a certified user with DMV. To do this, follow the link located on the right hand side of the homepage under the header “Identity Management Portal.” Fill out the blank form with basic information and when certified, the DMV will validate your identity, ensuring your information is private and secure. After the form has been processed, customers will receive a confirmation email to begin using your new account.

The DMV is always striving to simplify the lives of its customers.  Utilizing cutting edge technology is just one more way it continues to work to achieve this goal. Be sure to visit the Department’s new website. Remember, skip the lines! Save time. Go online!