Merger Approved!

In August, our membership voted for the merger with MIDFLORIDA Credit Union with 84 percent of the votes cast being in favor of the merger. 

Beginning September 1, we officially became a part of MIDFLORIDA and began operating as a division of MIDFLORIDA.  However, the account conversion will not take place until either late 2012 or early 2013.  Until then, IRFCU members should   continue to bank at the Vero Beach and Sebastian offices.

Following account conversion, all IRFCU members will have access to MIDFLORIDA’s branch network and products and services. 

MIDFLORIDA is known for its high-tech, high-touch philosophy, its extended operating hours (7 am to 7 pm drive-thru hours and Saturday hours), low-rate loans and affordable products and services.  While we have a lot to look forward to, we’re already starting to see some positive changes:

  • Elimination of the 25 cent debit card transaction fee

  • New Car Loans (60-months) with rates as low as 1.99% APR*

  • Free & Clear Ten-Year Fixed Mortgages with rates as low as 2.99% APR*

As we progress towards account conversion, you will receive additional correspondence; however, the single most important detail to remember is that you won’t have to do anything to convert your account.  It’s MIDFLORIDA’s goal to make this a seamless experience for you! 

For updates on the merger or questions and answers about the conversion, you can click on the button located on http://www.irfcu.com/ or type this address into your browser:  www.midflorida.com/IndianRiver and go directly to the Q&A page. 

A little about MIDFLORIDA:

MIDFLORIDA currently exceeds $1.8 billion in assets, serving approximately 190,000 members with a branch network of 38 branches spanning coast to coast.  MIDFLORIDA Credit Union is open for membership to anyone who lives, works or attends school in 15 Central Florida Counties – now including Indian River County. 

So if you have a friend or relative, tell them they can join too! 

*Offer valid beginning August 27, 2012.  Credit approval required. Limited time offer which may be cancelled without notice.  Valid only to existing IRFCU members.  Offer does not apply to existing IRFCU loans.  Advertised Annual Percentage Rates (APR) may vary depending on credit and term.  Other rates and terms available.  The 1.99% APR is available for 60-month new vehicle (2011- 2012 untitled vehicles) loans.  A 60-month new vehicle loan of $20,000 at a rate of 1.79% would h ave payments of $348.72.  The 2.99% APR is available on a 10-year fixed- rate mortgage for loan amounts less than or equal to $417,000 and valid only in conjunction with receiving a MIDFLORIDA Visa Platinum credit card. Payment example: A 10-year mortgage for $127,500 with 15% down with an APR of 2.99% will have payments of $1,207.75. Offer   available for primary and secondary homes only. Indian River Federal Credit Union is a division of MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.

MIDFLORIDA is an equal housing lender.

Summer Reading Program to Have Kids Jumping!!!

Indian River Federal Credit Union’s annual Summer Reading Program promises to have local children jumpin’!  By reading books over the summer, students can earn FREE ADMISSION to My Crazy Frogs — Vero Beach’s premiere inflatable indoor playground!!!

The program is for students ages 5 thru 13, and will run June 4 thru August 30, 2012.

Here’s how this year’s program will work*:

1. Get a Reading Card at Indian River Federal Credit Union (Offices are located at 2800 20th St, Vero Beach, and 11638 US Hwy 1, Sebastian).

2. Have your child read 2 books.

3. Have a librarian STAMP the Reading Card.

4. Take the stamped Reading Card to My Crazy Frogs (next to Vero Bowl) Monday thru Thursday for ONE FREE ADMISSION*!!!

My Crazy Frogs is Vero Beach’s premiere inflatable indoor playground.  Located next to Vero Bowl, their new location features over 10,000 sq ft of wall-to-wall indoor fun!  Kids can play, climb, jump, slide, get excited and have LOTS of FUN!!!  For more information, visit http://www.mycrazyfrogs.com/!

IRFCU’s Summer Reading Program is co-sponsored by Treasure Coast Parenting magazine (http://www.tcparenting.com/).

Indian River Federal Credit Union is a Not-For-Profit Cooperative, helping its members save money on “banking” products and services since 1959.  Membership is open to those who live, work, worship or attend school in Indian River County.  To learn more, go to www.irfcu.com, call 772-770-5020, or visit your local IRFCU office.

* Books must be read by a child ages 5 to 13 to qualify.  Free admission valid Mon thru Thurs, June 4 thru Aug 30, 2012.  Limit of four free admissions per group per day.   For further information, contact Indian River Federal Credit Union or visit http://www.irfcu.com/.

Roth Elected at IRFCU’s Annual Meeting

Treasurer Allen: “I can’t remember loan rates being this low in my lifetime.”

Vero Beach — Joel F. Roth was added to the Board of Directors of Indian River Federal Credit Union at its Annual Meeting, held Tues Feb 14,2012.  As a local not-for-profit cooperative, all members were invited to participate.

Roth’s background includes engineering, bank marketing and real estate.  He has served on the board of various government commissions and has volunteered for numerous community organizations.  Currently he sits on Sebastian’s Planning and Zoning Commission and is the 1^st Vice-President of the Park Place Homeowners Association.  He also has over a year of experience as part of IRFCU’s Supervisory Committee.

“I look forward to joining the Board of Directors of Indian River Federal Credit Union,” said Roth.  “My experience on the Supervisory Committee is a real asset, and has proven that the current management team is very strong.  I welcome the opportunity and challenge, and will bring forward my prior experience in the financial industry to help continue the excellent track record Indian River Federal Credit Union has enjoyed.”

“The economic conditions are difficult today” Roth continued, “But Indian River Federal Credit Union is well positioned to continue providing a full range of quality services for our members, and that will not change.  We’ll also look for new services and products to make our members’ ‘banking’ experience even better.”

Retiring Board Member Haynes McDaniel was honored for his 31 years of service.  During his tenure McDaniel served in every board position, and was a vital part of IRFCU’s leadership team.  He praised his fellow board members, telling the audience, “You’re in good hands,” and called IRFCU members “the best in the world.”

Also honored were retiring Board Members Richard “Rick” Lamb (18 years of service) and Robert “Bob” Anderson (8 years of service).  Both were recognized for their many contributions, though they were not able to attend the meeting.

Board Treasurer Robert “Bobby” Allen encouraged members to take advantage of IRFCU’s loan rates, saying “I can’t remember loan rates being this low in my lifetime.”

Board Vice-Chair Christian “Chris” Hendricks echoed Allen’s thoughts, saying “I don’t want to encourage you to get a loan that you don’t need, but I do want to encourage you to tell people you know who need a loan – or a good financial institution – to come to your credit union.”

Also serving as IRFCU Board Members are:  H.T. “Sonny” Dean, Chair; Paul “Butch” Redstone, Secretary; Virginia Jackson, Director; and Ericson “Eric” Menger, Director.  IRFCU’s President/CEO is William H. Garrett, CCUE.

Indian River Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, owned and operated by its members. Membership is open to those who live, work, worship or attend school in Indian River County. This Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, administered by the National Credit Union Administration.

To learn more about Indian River Federal Credit Union, log on to http://www.irfcu.com/, call 770-5020, or visit your local office (2800 20^th St, Vero Beach, or 11638 US Hwy 1, Sebastian).

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Photos from the 2012 Rides Car Show & BBQ!!!

Whether you missed the 2012 ‘Rides’ Car Show & BBQ, or just want to reminisce, you’re definitely going to want to see the pictures we snapped of some of the coolest cars around! We got a few shots of motorcycles too, & one of a delicious rack of ribs coming right off the grill!

To check out the photos, go to the Rides page of our blog.  Enjoy!

Valencia’s View & IRFCU: Helping You Make the Most of Your Money!

Join Hostess Anna Valencia every Thirsty Thursday!

If you hear the words “financial segment” and “radio talk show” used in the same sentence and think “boring!” then you’ll want to tune in to the newest addition to the Valencia’s View radio show.

Making the Most of Your Money, sponsored by Indian River Federal Credit Union, offers timely, practical, money-saving tips in a brief, relaxed style.

“It’s informative yet entertaining” says hostess Anna Valencia “it’s the perfect recipe for balancing work and play the Vero way.”

“As a not-for-profit, part of our mission is to provide financial education in our community,” explains Marc Camelleri, Indian River Federal Credit Union’s Director of Marketing.  “Making the Most of Your Money is a perfect complement to the resources on our website, www.irfcu.com, and in our offices.  Plus it’s a great avenue to let our community know that we’re here to meet their “banking” needs.  It’s a win-win.”

Valencia’s View airs every Thirsty Thursday afternoon at 3:30 on 1370 AM/107.9 FM, and every Saturday at 10:30 pm on 94.7 FM.  You can also listen in via www.planetvero.com, and archived shows are available at www.valenciasview.com.   Tune in to be inspired, learn about Anna’s favorite local merchants and events, Wine of the Week, Featured Business of the Week, and of course, Making the Most of Your Money!

Making the Holidays Meaningful Without Busting Your Budget

It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the Holiday Season as we shop for gifts, entertain family and friends, and make memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a special time, an important part of a fulfilling life. But you don’t have to end up paying for it into springtime.

Here’s an idea to help make the Holidays meaningful, while also keeping your budget under control:

List the people for whom you wish to buy gifts, and behind each name write down one thing about them for which you are thankful.

You might be thankful that your dad is a strong person, that your mom is so kind, that your sister is supportive, and your son is so full of life. You get the picture.

With list in hand as you shop, select gifts that help express the quality in each person for which you are grateful.

Then, take some time to write a note for each person to accompany their gift. Express in it what you appreciate about them, and how the gift you’ve chosen reflects that. It doesn’t have to be an epic piece of poetry, just be sincere.

You’ll likely discover that this approach creates a much more meaningful celebration, while preventing the Holidays from being a budget-buster.

Happy Holidays!

Veterans Day & Your Budget

Tomorrow is Veterans Day, a day we set aside to honor the brave men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. It’s appropriate that Veterans Day kicks off the Holiday Season. If it were not for our vets, we wouldn’t have nearly so much to be thankful for when we gather around the Thanksgiving table. And whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or the festivities of a different religion – or even none at all – you can thank our veterans for our country’s freedom of religion.

So what does all this have to do with your budget? In a word: gratitude. Veterans Day – much like Thanksgiving – is a day we purpose to be grateful.

Years ago I knew a lady who loved to encourage people to be grateful. Sure, it becaming annoying to hear her use her catchphrase “an attitude of gratitude” several times every time you saw her, but she had a valuable point nonetheless.

One of the reasons so many people struggle with their budget is that they don’t have an “attitude of gratitude.” Instead of counting their many blessings, they focus on the things they wish they could have, which makes them vulnerable to the temptation of spending more than they should.

So as you take time to honor our nation’s veterans this weekend, allow the occassion to help you make a shift in your perspective. Let it plant the seed of “an attitude of gratitude.” Then be intentional about nurishing that tender sprout. As gratitude grows in your heart, you’ll begin to see it impact your finances, as well as many other areas of your life.

Happy Veterans Day!