Volume 61 | No. 4 | October 2015

MEMBERSHIPMATTERS P3 | Swipe Smart: Avoid Debit and Credit Scams P4 | Board Nominations P5 | Get to Know Our Stockwell Road Center P6 | What You Can Learn from Open Houses

www.bfcu.org | 800-647-2328

2 | www.bfcu.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE CEO Message.............................................3 eNFACT: We May Be Calling You.................3 Board Nominations......................................4 Directors’ Corner Get to Know Our Stockwell Road Center.....5 What You Can Learn from Open Houses.....6 Community News........................................7 Make Shopping Merry & Bright!...................8

Barksdale Federal Credit Union Financials July 2014 July 2015 ____________________________________________________________ Loans

$592,766,125 $601,500,491

Assets

$1,170,545,099 $1,230,209,830

Deposits

$1,050,001,833 $1,103,847,803

Reserves Members

$114,923,624 $120,269,112 113,207 117,386

All financials are rounded to the nearest dollar.

For more information, center locations and hours, visit www.bfcu.org, or call 318-549-8240 or 800-647-BFCU (2328). CUSCs can be found at www.cuservicecenters.com.

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Designed for credit un ion members

Call toll-free 1- 888-416-2166

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Your Financial Partner for Life | 3

Swipe Smart: Avoid Debit and Credit Scams

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hieves are always coming up with new ways to steal your personal identification number (PIN) or account information from debit and credit cards. But you can help protect your finances by following these simple steps: • Look for tampered ATMs or card readers. Don’t use a machine that has loose connections, or tape or wires showing. Thieves can install a device called a skimmer into an ATM or gas station pump. The skimmer copies information from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. • Be aware of people around you at the ATM. Scammers may try to look over your shoulder to see your PIN. • Watch your card as it is swiped at gas stations, hotels and restaurants to prevent unauthorized charges.

• C heck your bank and credit card statements regularly. If you see any errors, even small ones, report them to your financial institution immediately. • Order a copy of your credit report. You can request a free copy of your credit report once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com, or by calling 1-877-322-8228. Sincerely, Rod Taylor CEO of Barksdale Federal Credit Union

See how much more you could save with your Barksdale FCU member discount from GEICO.

Tell us you’re a member.

geico.com/cu/BarksdaleFCU 1-800-368-2734 | Local Office

eNFACT: We May Be Calling You Debit Card Users

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o protect your account, we monitor your debit card transactions for potentially fraudulent activity, which may include a sudden change in locale (such as when a U.S.-issued card is used unexpectedly overseas), a sudden string of costly purchases or any pattern associated with new fraud trends around the world. If we suspect fraudulent debit card use, we’ll be calling you to validate the legitimacy of your transactions. Your participation in

responding to our call is critical to prevent potential risk and avoid restrictions we may place on the use of your card. • Our automated call will ask you to verify recent transaction activity on your card • You’ll be able to respond via your touchtone keypad • You’ll also be provided a toll-free number to call should you have additional questions Our goal, quite simply, is to minimize your exposure to risk and the impact of any

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. See geico.com for more details. GEICO and Affiliates. Washington DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2013. © 2013 GEICO.

fraud. To ensure we can continue to reach you whenever potential fraud is detected, please keep us informed of your correct phone number and address at all times.

Falcon

Credit Card Users

I

f contact with the cardholder is needed, you may receive a phone call. The automated call system processes the call as follows:

• Identifies that the call is on behalf of Barksdale Federal’s Fraud Service Center • Confirms if the recipient is the cardholder (member’s name spoken) • If the cardholder is unavailable, a message is played

• If the cardholder is available, the system verifies their identity by prompting entry of the last four digits of their Social Security number. Neither Enfact nor Falcon will ever ask for the cardholder’s full Social Security number or the full card number. If you ever receive a phone call, email or text asking for this information – do not believe it! We will not contact you for this information.

4 | www.bfcu.org

Board Nominations N

ominating Committee Chairman Joe Green has announced the selection of the following candidates to fill three Board of Directors expiring terms.

Virgil C. Barnette Retired Chief Master Sgt. from Barksdale Air Force Base. Broad management background in financial and engineering areas with education in business administration. Retired Deputy Chief of Civil Engineering Operations at Barksdale AFB. Serves as Chairman, board of directors.

Bernie Hawk Retired United States Air Force in the grade of Senior Master Sgt. Served from December 1958 to December 1986. Employed Air Force civil service as the Support Group Executive Officer and 2 Bomb Wing Protocol Officer July 1987 to May 2001. Education: High School. Volunteers with Barksdale Air Force Base pharmacy. Member of the board, Barksdale FCU. Serves on the BFCU Supervisory Committee. Member of Bossier Council of Aging. Member of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Sunday School Superintendent and usher. Mr. Hawk is married to Fern Stringer-Hawk. They have one daughter, Tammy Nechelle.

Robert Keith Fontenot Retired Senior Master Sgt. from Barksdale Air Force Base in 1995, and is presently employed at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center as the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Transition Patient Advocate. He served on BFCU’s Supervisory Committee from 1997 to 2000, and as Chairman of the Loan Policy Supervisory Committee from 1991 to 1997. Mr. Fontenot has an associate degree in applied sciences. He received an advanced degree in biblical studies. He is a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Commander of the American Legion Post 191 in Bossier City. He and his wife, Kay, have three children and five grandchildren. He is an active member of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Bossier City. Interested members who were not nominated by the committee may be nominated by a signed petition of at least 500 primary members and must contact the Executive Assistant at 318-549-8017 for procedures, forms and instructions. Candidates must be willing to serve in a volunteer capacity for three years and avail themselves for educational opportunities. Completed petitions must be returned to the Nominating Committee in care of the Executive Assistant, 2701 Village Lane, Bossier City, LA 71112. Petitions will be accepted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015.

Dealing with Medical Debt

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nfortunately, when you get sick or injured, getting better is often not the only concern. Even if you have health insurance, you can get stuck with hefty medical bills. Some people feel that they have no choice but to ignore them or file for bankruptcy. However, there are many ways you can make paying your medical bills more manageable. Check the bills. Medical bills are not always accurate, so it is a good idea to look them over carefully. Were you billed twice for the same procedure or for something that was not done? If you have health insurance, make sure your insurance company paid for everything they should have. Ask for a repayment plan. Many medical providers will allow you to make

smaller payments until the bill is paid off and often won’t even charge interest. Think about how much you can afford to send each month, and let your medical provider know. Look for assistance. Many hospitals get government funds and donations to cover the bills for patients who cannot pay them themselves. Talk to your hospital’s billing department or financial counselor about what programs they have. Other types of medical providers typically do not get such funds but may give you a discount if you describe your hardship. Create a plan for the future. While your current concern may be the bills you need to pay now, chances are, you will have more medical bills to pay in the future. Getting

sick is just a part of life. However, if you start saving today, it will be easier to pay whatever bills come your way tomorrow.

Looking for Financial Advice? Barksdale Federal Credit Union has partnered with BALANCESM to provide you with free financial education and counseling. Their certified counselors can answer your questions, review your credit report and help you create a budget. Call 888-456-2227 or visit www.balancepro.net for more information. Copyright © BALANCE

Your Financial Partner for Life | 5

Director’s Corner

Get to Know Our Stockwell Road Center

Board of Directors: (Back row) Arno Easterly, Keith Fontenot, Al Oar, Bernie Hawk. (Front row) Roy Walling, Virgil Barnette, Charleene Ringler.

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arksdale Federal opened the Stockwell Road Center for business on Dec. 17, 2012, followed by the official grand opening in January 2013. This location is the fourth full-service center in Bossier City and the 18th full-service center within the state of Louisiana. The employees at Stockwell Road make all the difference. “We have an amazing staff filled with hard workers. I know I can count on them to get the job done professionally and efficiently,” says Jamie Monk, Stockwell Road Center Supervisor. Stockwell Head Teller, Sheila Woodard, agrees. “I have worked at Barksdale Federal since 1998 and have seen many changes through the years. Of all the jobs I have held and people I have worked with, I have yet to see any better place than my Barksdale Federal family! God has truly blessed me by guiding me to the Stockwell Road Center. The teamwork is amazing and the employees are hardworking and dedicated,” Sheila says. Stockwell Road’s employees are also involved in various fundraisers within the credit union, such as American Heart Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Children’s Miracle Network. On Oct. 10, they will work a relief station for “Shoot for the Blue,” which is an annual event held by the Louisiana State Trooper Association. Giving back to the community is important to this group. Stockwell Road’s Center Manager, Suzanne Herman, has been part of the credit union

industry for 30 years. “I truly believe that employees are a major factor in the success of any business. You must make sure that you have the proper talent in place. I love Barksdale Federal Credit Union. It’s the best place to work,” says Suzanne. “Suzanne has a very good team of employees,” states Dale Bickham, Vice President of Northern Retail Operations. “Stockwell Road has had minimal turnover since they have opened and that can be attributed to Suzanne’s management style. She is a very hands-on manager who treats her employees with respect.” Winding down the 2015 BFCU’s Motion Promotion summer was very rewarding for Stockwell Road, as they obtained their loan goals all summer. Stockwell Road’s success comes from their great teamwork and their management team always keeping them motivated. Suzanne and Jamie are very involved on calling on businesses in their area and love to tell everyone the benefits of BFCU. Stockwell Road Center is such an asset to Barksdale Federal not only for their

convenient location, but also their willingness to be involved in the community and their competitive nature to reach their goals. Staff will agree that Stockwell Road is a great place to work within Barksdale Federal Credit Union. If you haven’t checked out the Stockwell Road Center, you definitely should!

Stockwell Center 551 Stockwell Rd. Bossier City, LA 71111

Lobby Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday

Drive thru Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to noon Saturday Sunday Closed

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Practice Makes Perfect

What You Can Learn from Open Houses T

ired of renting, James was eager to have a home of his own. Although he was saving diligently for a down payment, he hadn’t reached his goal Teresa Hall, VP yet. But seeing “For Mortgage Lending Sale” signs kept sparking his curiosity. He wondered, “Is it OK if I attend open houses before I’m ready to buy?” The answer: Yes! There’s a lot a potential buyer still in the “dreaming” stage of homeownership can learn from viewing homes in person. Here are tips to make the most of open house visits.

Know where to find them. Check local real estate open house listings or drive around your desired neighborhoods on the weekends and look for open house signs. Dress comfortably. Wear comfortable shoes so you can go up and down stairs easily or explore the neighborhood by foot. Be prepared to take notes. Bring a notepad, use a smartphone app or use a flyer available at the home. Taking notes will help you determine your likes and dislikes about homes and neighborhoods. Sign in. You’ll likely have to give the agent your name and contact information for security purposes. If you are concerned the agent is trying to solicit your business, be polite and say you already have an agent. Look but don’t snoop. It’s OK to go through open rooms of the house and look inside closets or cupboards to check for space, but don’t go through personal belongings. If there’s an element of the house you would like to photograph, ask the agent before snapping away. Stop and listen. You may want to take a seat and be aware of noises — is there noticeable street noise or dogs barking? Engage in conversation carefully. Keep criticism to yourself and give others touring the home their personal space (but it doesn’t hurt to keep an ear out to what potential buyers are saying). The agent may have insight about how well the home is priced for the area, the schools and neighborhood features, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

talk about savings. say hello to the Sprint Credit Union Member Discount.

Consumers Save

Businesses Save

10% 15% or

On select regularly priced Sprint monthly service. Plus, waived activation & upgrade fees (up to $36 in savings each).

Learn more • Call: 877.SAVE.4.CU • Visit: www.SprintStoreLocator.com • Click: LoveMyCreditUnion.org/Sprint Be sure to mention this code for your discount • Consumer: NACUC_ZZM • Business: NACUC_ZDS_ZZM Credit union membership validation is required. Credit approval req. Early Termination Fee (sprint.com/etf): After 14 days, up to $350/line. IL Discount: Available for eligible company employees or org. members (ongoing verification). Discounts subject to change according to the company's agreement with Sprint and are available upon request for monthly svc charges on select plans. Discount only applies to data buy-ups/addons for Unlimited, My Way and Framily plans, Talk 450, and primary line on Talk Share 700. Other Terms: Offers and coverage not available everywhere or for all phones/networks/plans. Restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com or www.lovemycreditunion.org/Sprint. ©2014 Sprint. All rights reserved. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.

2014 Sprint Item #800-20

©2014 CU Solutions Group 091614 3528

Keep your notes. If you really like a certain style of house or a particular neighborhood, your notes may help you be better prepared when you are ready to buy.

Think Ahead to Your Mortgage Seeing a home and dreaming about how you’d make it yours is fun and excellent motivation. It’s also smart to plan how you’ll finance a home. We’re happy to help! You are welcome to talk to us anytime about mortgage options, including preapproval and first-time homebuyer options. Learn more at bfcu.org, give us a call at 318-549-8170 or stop by.

Your Financial Partner for Life | 7

BFCU Community News We wish we had room to list all of the community events – thank you for letting us be your community partner!

June 6 Forty employees created two teams for Paint Your Heart Out. They got together to paint two homes in Shreveport. 10 BFCU was present at the Unitech Job Fair in Alexandria with credit score, budgeting and career info. 12 Barksdale Federal was a Table Sponsor at the Leesville Chamber luncheon. 24 Southern Council on Aging Fan Drive – employees donated fans for the elderly to help them stay cool during the summer months. 25 Staff taught a Credit Score class at Alexandria’s Louisiana Workforce Commission office. 26 Employees attended a Community Relations Board luncheon at Oakdale’s Bureau of Prisons.

July 1 BFCU taught a Budgeting and Credit Scores class to 90 soldiers at Fort Polk’s 52nd Tigerland. 2 BFCU sponsored Fort Polk’s first MEB Luncheon in conjunction with the Beauregard Chamber of Commerce.

4 BFCU was present at the Fort Polk Freedom Fest with a booth to show our support for the soldiers and their families. 15 Employees attended Pollock Bureau of Prisons’ Mock Job Fair. 18 Staff had a workday at Helping Hands Storefront Ministries in Leesville. Employees sorted and hung several bags of clothing for the clothes center. This was not an easy task. We are very proud of them. 18 Employees represented BFCU at the Taste of Culture dinner fundraiser for the Multicultural Center. 29 Staff donated school supplies to our local children for Stuff the Bus, Operation A+. 29 Employees donated school supplies to benefit local women’s shelters in our southern region.

Welcome New SEGs • Kim’s Kitchen, LLC – Hornbeck • Office of the District Attorney – Leesville • Mike Clary State Farm – Leesville • Doctor’s Hospital at Deer Creek – Leesville • Professional Line Striping – Shreveport

31 Employees attended Central Louisiana’s Chamber Luncheon.

August 1 Staff attended Nest Fest; this charity event provides a live and silent auction to raise funds to help the less fortunate furnish their homes. 7 BFCU attended and sponsored Fort Polk’s CG Golf Tournament and provided giveaways. 8 Staff was present with school supplies for Fort Polk’s Back-to-School Bash.

30 BFCU employees donated canned food to the NWLA food bank.

11 Employees taught inmates about credit scores at Oakdale Bureau of Prisons.

31 To help children in need start the new school year employees donated new and gently used school uniforms to a local school.

12 Employees visited Pollock Prison where they taught, “What’s new in banking” to inmates. 12 BFCU was present with career information at Beauregard’s Louisiana Workforce Commission Job Fair.

4 Employees fitted children for life jackets to keep them safe during the summer holiday at the KTBS July Fourth Celebration.

16 Barksdale sponsored Hope House’s Annual Auction to benefit battered women in Alexandria. 20 Staff attended the Fort Polk Super Sign-up for military spouses; employees provided giveaways. 27 Employees were present with career information at Fort Polk’s Hiring our Heroes job fair. 29 Employees volunteered at Alexandria’s Manna House, where they prepared and served food to the local community.

In June, Employees from the southern region boxed over 250 boxes of food at the Alexandria Food Bank for local senior citizens in need.

BFCU employees Walk for a Cure at the Annual MDA Walk in Bossier City to raise awareness and funds for our local children.

Rates and Dates Account Rate APY* _______________________________________________________ Prime Savings 0.25% 0.25% Sp. Purpose Savings 0.25% 0.25% _______________________________________________________

2701 Village Lane Bossier City, LA 71112 318-549-8240 www.bfcu.org

Children’s Savings 0.25% 0.25% Christmas Club 1.50% 1.50% _______________________________________________________ IRA Prime Savings 0.25% 0.25% Regular Checking 0.10% 0.10% _______________________________________________________ Plus Checking High Five Checking

0.20% 0.10%

0.20% 0.10%

* Annual Percentage Yield. Rates effective November 5, 2014. Rates subject to change without notice. Federally Insured by NCUA

Holiday Closings

Barksdale Federal Credit Union will be closed for the following holidays: Columbus Day, Oct. 12 Veterans Day, Nov. 11 Thanksgiving, Nov. 26

Christmas, Dec. 25 New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

Report lost or stolen Credit cards: 800-543-5073 or 727-570-4881 after hours. Debit cards: 800-472-3272 or 973-682-2652.