Black Friday Specials!

First New York Federal Credit Union would like to invite you to any of their seven branch offices on Black Friday, November 28th.  All offices will be open at 7AM for some extra special savings opportunities.

Start your day off with free coffee and donuts and take advantage of these HOT DEALS!

• 12 month Holiday Loan as low as 7.99% Fixed Annual Percentage Rate
• Take 1% Annual Percentage Rate off any of our already low Auto Loans, PLUS get an additional 0.25% APR discount when you sign up for automatic loan payments.
• Earn an extra 0.25% Annual Percentage Yield on new certificates!

All on Black Friday, November 28th, at ALL First New York FCU branch offices.  Hope to see you there!

For more information, visit www.firstnewyork.org, call us at 393-1326 – press’1′ or visit one of our seven branch offices.

Member Survey

It’s voting time – OK, I know that Election Day has past, but your voice counts!

We have a member survey, and we’d like you to particiate.  To take this brief survey, visit:

http://www.firstnewyork.org/home/about.survey

Thanks for your input!!!

Economic Downturn Answers

Every day when we turn on the news or read about what’s happening on Wall Street, the news has gone from bad to worse. The stock market has been hit hard and has reached the lowest levels in year. So, what’s an investor to do?

Many investors have been taking the route of a flight to safety, where they can earn a decent rate of return AND have the investment be guarenteed.

First New York has several investment vehicles that will meet your safety and security needs:

21 Month Share Certificate Account @ 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield
8 Month Share Certificate Account @ 3.25% Annual Percentage Yield

Or, if you would like immediate account access, First New York FCU offers a Premium Money Market Account, with rates as high as 2.50%.

For more information on the safe and secure investment opportunities available at First New York FCU, visit the website at www.firstnewyork.org, call us at (518) 393-1326 – press ‘2′ or visit one of the seven branch offices.

College Bound? Here’s some help!

It’s your senior year – homecoming dance, the prom and about a hundred other things will make your senior year go by VERY quickly.

If you’re planning on attending college next fall, you have another hundred things to worry about – where should you visit, where should you apply and oh yeah – what’s your major!

When it’s time for college, let First New York FCU help! We are a lender in the Federal Student Loan program. So, let your credit union help finance this important stage in your life.

But that’s not all! With our line of checking products and services, you can take with you to school. Such as:

- FREE Checking Account
- FREE Visa Check Card
- FREE Online account access through First OnLine
- FREE Bill payment
- FREE e-statements

For more information on our checking accounts and related products and services, visit our website at www.firstnewyork.org, call us at (518) 393-1326 – press ‘2′ or visit one of our seven branch offices.

And, let First New York help take the stress out of your senior year!

e-members Are Free Members!

Membership at First New York FCU has just become more valuable (if that’s possible).  Not only do members have the opportunity to save money with the outstanding deposit and lending services – but now First New York is rewarding e-members!

I know what you’re thinking – what’s an e-member?  An e-member is a First New York member who has:

• A Checking Account
• A VISA Check Card
• First OnLine Bill Payment
• e-statements

As an e-member, you will receive the following added benefits – at NO COST:

•  Unlimited FREE ATM transactions at First New York ATMs
• 10 FREE non-First New York ATM withdrawals per month
• 10 FREE debit transactions per month
• FREE Turbo Tax download from the First New York website
• 2 FREE Carfax reports each year
• 1 overdraft transfer fee waived per month

To find out if you are an e-member, or to find out how you can become one, call us at 393-1326 and press ‘2′ or visit a branch office near you.

And enjoy being an e-member – you deserve it!!!

Turmoil in the Financial Markets

Recently the news headlines have been filled with stories about difficulties in the financial sector. 

Responding to the bad news that the markets have received lately, Rachele Granka, President/CEO of First New York FCU, has posted a letter reassuring all members that First New York Federal Credit Union is still one of the safest and soundest financial institutions around!

To read the letter, visit our website at www.firstnewyork.org.

New Credit Union Membership Podcast

Want to save hundreds – maybe thousands of dollars every year?  D’uh, of course you do!

That’s how much you can be saving if you are a credit union member!  Our newest podcast talks about credit unions, credit union membership and why YOU should be a member!

Credit Union Membership Podcast

To listen to the podcast, click on the above link and the podcast will open in the blog player, or right click on the link to save it to your computer to play later.

For other available podcast, visit the podcast section of this blog.

Cover Your Digital Footprint

Did you know – Every time you open a browser to view a Web page, that information is stored on your computer—whether you’re shopping online, checking movie listings, or catching up on the latest news.

Windows operating systems store this material in Temporary Internet Files or “cache.” Web pages may store bits of information about who you are in files called “cookies” on your computer. Your Web browser will store a list of Web sites you’ve visited and places you’ve gone in a history file in your computer—thus creating your digital footprint. Even if you’re not online, programs will store histories of the files you’ve opened, played, or viewed.

Cookies are created to recognize users when they return to a Web site; they make it possible to offer customized content to a user. Even though cookies make Web use quicker and more convenient, they can be a threat to your privacy if they store sensitive information like your name and password on protected login pages, preferences, account information, and choices you have made on the site. So, even if you clear browser history, cookies—like a map—can show your surfing preferences, habits, passwords, and so forth.

Even if the cookies don’t contain such information, they clearly show that you visited the sites from which they came.

So, make sure you are covering your digital footprints!

Why should you join a credit union?

Here are just a few of the reasons why you should be a First New York member!

1. Credit unions are focused on people, not profits. Credit unions operate by a “people helping people” philosophy that is hard to find at many other financial institutions.

2. Credit unions exist to serve people–including people of modest means.

3. Financial education is available to all members. Credit unions help members become better-educated consumers of financial services.

4. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions offer better rates on credit cards–up to three percentage points lower than the average bank card rate.

5. Credit unions are available in places where banks typically aren’t, such as community development neighborhoods.

6. As a member of a credit union, no matter how much money you have on deposit, you have an equal voice in how your credit union is run.

7. Superior service, convenience, and technology. Credit union members receive the service convenience of today’s technology through telephone and online banking.

8. Your credit union can put you in business with a small business loan. Interested in becoming a credit union member? Just ask us. Call First New York at 518.393.1326 – press ‘2′ for information about becoming a member.

And NOW is the perfect time to join.  During the months of September and October we are having Membership Drive 2008, where new members have the chance to win up to $500 in free gas! Join today!

Don’t Sweat It–Shred It!

Why make it easy for thieves to get their hands on your sensitive information? Thwart dumpster divers by shredding papers containing confidential information–particularly Social Security numbers, credit card offers, and statements. It only takes seconds to shred, but months or even years to clear your record once scammers set up fraudulent accounts in your name.

Be safe, not sorry!