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!