Phishing Podcast

The newest First New York FCU podcast is now available to download.  This month the topic is Phishing.  In this podcast we talk about what is phishing, pharming and how to prevent having your identity stolen. 

Here is the MP3 version.  You can click to open and listen to the podcast using your computers audio software, or you can right click the link and save it to your hard drive to listen at a later date on your MP3 player.

Be sure to visit the Podcast section of this blog for all of our previous podcasts.

Phishing Podcast

Thanksgiving Trivia

It’s Thanksgiving time, and like most people, for me it will be time for turkey, parades and football!  But what do you REALLY know about Thanksgiving?

Here are some Thanksgiving trivia facts (from www.thanksgivingnovember.com to chew on – before you get to the turkey!

1. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.

2. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.

3. The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving.

4. The pilgrims arrived in North America in December 1620.

5. The Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to reach North America.

6. The pilgrims sailed on the ship, which was known by the name of ‘Mayflower’.

7. They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in the fall of 1621.

8. They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

9. The drink that the Puritans brought with them in the Mayflower was the beer.

10. The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.

11. The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in the year 1621 and invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians also to the feast.

12. The first Thanksgiving feast was held in the presence of around ninety Wampanoag Indians and the Wampanoag chief, Massasoit, was also invited there.

13. The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.

14. President George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in the year 1789 and again in 1795.

15. The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.

16. Sarah Josepha Hale, an editor with a magazine, started a Thanksgiving campaign in 1827 and it was result of her efforts that in 1863 Thanksgiving was observed as a day for national thanksgiving and prayer.

17. Abraham Lincoln issued a ‘Thanksgiving Proclamation‘ on third October 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving. Whereas earlier the presidents used to make an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held.

18. President Franklin D. Roosevelt restored Thursday before last of November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1939. He did so to make the Christmas shopping season longer and thus stimulate the economy of the state.

19. Congress passed an official proclamation in 1941 and declared that now onwards Thanksgiving will be observed as a legal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November every year.

20. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States. But it was Thomas Jefferson who opposed him. It is believed that Franklin then named the male turkey as ‘tom’ to spite Jefferson.

21. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in the 1920′s.

22. Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States.

23. When the Pilgrims arrived in North America, the clothing of the Native Americans was made of animal skins (mainly deer skin).

24. On December 11, 1620 the first Pilgrims (or Puritans, as they were initially known) landed at Plymouth Rock.

25. By the fall of 1621 only half of the pilgrims, who had sailed on the Mayflower, survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to give a thanksgiving feast.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Credit Unions Provide Best Deal!

Those of us who have either been a member, employee or volunteer at a credit union, knew this all along!

 Credit unions provide the best deal when it comes to banking, according to an article that appeared in the December issue of Money Magazine.

The article, titled “The Best Little Deal in Banking,” cited five reasons “why you should join a credit union”–including five basic products that credit unions offer to their members at competitive prices (Money Magazine December 2007).

For example, an auto loan at a credit union is like “french fries at McDonalds–classic and reliable,” according to the article. According to the Government Accountability Office, credit union auto loans carry two percentage points less than auto loans at big banks.

The other reasons cited include higher savings rates, lower credit card rates, great deals on morgages and the credit union perks that banks don’t offer!

Thanks, Money!  We’ve known this all along!!!

Ways to Cut the Cost of Fuel

With gas prices up over $3.00 per gallon (again!), some car care guidance and sharp shopping skills are necessary to help you cut fuel consumption.  Here are a few ideas:

• Don’t fill the gas tank past full–too much will just slosh or seep out,
• Buy the lowest grade (octane) of gasoline your car can use–check your owner’s manual for this information,
• Drive slower, within the speed limit–the faster you drive, the more gas you use,
• Make one trip for all your errands and plan the most efficient route,
• Keep tires properly inflated and regularly check alignment and balance,
• Get regular tune-ups,
• Empty the trunk–a weighted-down car uses more fuel, and
• Buy a fuel-efficient car.

New Saratoga Springs Branch Is Now Open!

First New York Federal Credit recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the Grand Opening of it’s newest branch office in Saratoga Springs.  The credit union office is located at 424 Maple Avenue (Route 9).   The ribbon was cut by Charles Smith, Chairman of the Board and was attended by credit union officials, as well as other invited guests. 

The branch is a 3,000 square foot free standing building that features two full service drive up windows, a 24 hour drive up ATM and night drop, and an internet access area for members.  

 “We’re delighted to be opening this new office.  With the larger facility it gives us the flexibility to better serve our existing members in the Saratoga Springs area with expanded hours and additional services”, said Rachele Granka, President/CEO of First New York Federal Credit Union.  Granka added, “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the past two years in the Saratoga market, but we’ve outgrown our existing office.  We are looking forward to this move as a way of better serving the financial needs of our existing members and future members.” 

The branch is open six days a week, with lobby hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday.  In addition, the drive through windows are open at 8:00 AM Monday through Friday. 

If you are in the Saratoga Springs area, check out the new branch!

Ways To Boost Your Credit Score

Every time you apply for a credit card, mortgage, car loan, or insurance policy, your application is judged in part by your credit score.  Lenders use your credit score to determine whether to grant credit, and at what cost.  The higher the score, the more likely you are perceived to repay the credit, and at a lower rate.

Fortunately, you can take steps to boost your credit score. These tips can maximize your score and influence your credit-worthiness AND reduce the rate that you will pay!

1. Be punctual. Late or missed payments, foreclosures, and bankruptcies have the greatest negative effect on your credit score. This accounts for 35% of your credit score, so make sure to pay your bills on time.

2. Check your credit report regularly. Don’t let inaccurate information ruin your credit score. Consumers are entitled to one free credit report per year, which you can get online at annualcreditreport.com. Or visit any branch of First New York FCU and we’ll review your credit report with you.

3. Keep debt in check. Try to keep your account balances below 50% of your credit limit. About 30% of your credit score is based on the amount you owe in relation to your credit limit. For instance, if your credit card has a limit of $2,000, keep the balance less than $1,000.

4. Avoid excessive inquiries. New inquiries for credit account for 10% of your score, and a bunch of new credit requests—in a short period of time—can reduce your score.

5. Keep accounts open. Time is one of the most significant factors that can improve your credit score. Fifteen percent of your credit score comes from how long you’ve been managing credit. Closing old accounts—especially ones with a good payment history—shortens your credit history and lowers your score. Lenders take into account the average age of your accounts, so an older account can help balance newer credit.

6. Keep a healthy mix. The remaining 10% of your credit score depends on the types of credit you’re using. Make sure to have a healthy mix of credit. This includes things like a mortgage, a credit card or two, a car loan, and perhaps a retail card. First New York FCU can help you acquire the mix you need and give you tips on how you can improve your credit score.  Visit us or call us today!

Protect Your Wallet

Thieves can steal your identity in many ways. Below is a chart that shows how it is stolen:

Warrior Branch at Mohonasen High School

Today, First New York FCU and Mohonasen High School held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Warrior Branch inside the Mohonasen High School.  The branch is open on Fridays from 11AM to 12:30PM, inside the Trading Post school store, and is run by Mohonasen High School students.

The branch is open to students and staff members, and is a tool to help educate students about finances, promote savings and offers a look at careers in business.  Throughout the year, students will run, promote and develop with ideas on how to promote the branch.

Good luck, Warrior Branch!

Auto Buying Tips Podcast

The Newest First New York FCU podcast is now available to download.  This month the topic is Shopping for an Auto.  In this podcast we talk about the steps to take to make buying a car as painless as possible. 

Here is the MP3 version.  You can click to open and listen to the podcast using your computers audio software, or you can right click the link and save it to your hard drive to listen at a later date on your MP3 player.

Auto Buying Podcast

Columbus Day Trivia

I love trivia!  To me it’s always interesting when you find out something that you might have known – but forgot (and at my age, it’s happening more frequently!).  So, for those of you who like trivia, here is some facts about Christopher Columbus, that you might have known – but forgot, too:

• In the US Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October.
• Many people gave credit to Columbus for discovering the Americas, however these lands were already inhabited!
• Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy. His father was a wool merchant. He was the oldest of five children. He first went to sea when he was 14 years old.
• On August 3rd, 1492, with a crew of about 90, and a year’s supply of food, Columbus set sail on three ships. They stopped over in the Canary Islands for a month leaving there on  September 6th, 1492.  The flagship was the Santa Maria; the other two were the Pinta, and Nina.
• On October 12, 1492 they spotted the Islands of the New World. They landed in the Bahamas on an Island Columbus called San Salvador.  The world was larger than he estimated, Columbus thought he had landed in the East Indies and called the inhabitants “Indians”.  Later in October, Columbus would land on Hispaniola (Haiti), and Cuba.  When Columbus got to Cuba, he thought he was in China!

• On Christmas 1492, the Santa Maria was shipwrecked near Haiti.  Columbus continued to return to Spain with the other two ships. He was welcomed as a hero.

 Hope everyone enjoyed this Columbus Day trivia break!