Get
to Know Your TOM (Teller Online Machines)
Our 4th, Now at Mystic Lake Casino Team
entrance!!!!!
SMFCU is always working for our members. In an effort to make
your financial dealings easier and timelier, a number of years ago
SMFCU established "Smart Branches" equipped with TOMs, ATMs and a
phone connection to our main branch.
All of the Smart Branches
are open 24/7 for your benefit; all you need is a Debit Card to gain
access. If you can use an ATM, you can operate a TOM. Start by
touching the screen and touch the "member" button; the screen will
then ask you for your member number. Put in your number and hit
"continue". You will now be asked for your PIN number.
Hopefully you have called
or gone online to ART-24 and pre-set your PIN number. If not, call
your Member Services Representative to get your changed PIN number
and then touch to continue.
TOM then requires you to
set up "fingerprint" recognition for your protection against
Identity Theft. The next screen to come up will be a menu of all the
functions possible on TOM, beginning with Account Balances, where
you can quickly scan your balance. Account History is next, where
you can check your transactions for up to 90 days and print it out
if you like.
There are a number of
options next to check rates, fill out a loan application, use a
calculator, write a letter to SMFCU, and more. The key functions
available for come next. Starting with Deposits, by touching this
button TOM. will walk you step-by-step to complete either cash or
check deposit.
Follow the closely and
you'll be amazed at how simple it is to operate.
Transfer funds may be an
option you need, touch the screen and TOM. will again take you
through the transaction step by step. Cash withdrawals can also be
done on TOM.; all you need do is select which account and how
much, up to a $500 daily limit.
Need a cashiers check?
Check Withdrawal is your next option. Again, TOM. will walk
you through step by step and your check. At any step of any
transaction, you Will be able to print out documents and when
finished, get a receipt.
The members currently using
TOM. remark on how easy is to use, after "we got over the fear
factor.'
The TOM. locations are
open 24/7, so it doesn't matter when you want to do your deposits or
withdrawals. SMFCU is there for you, our members. Members, don't
forget: there are three Smart Branches located at:
• 574 South Marschall Road,
near downtown in Shakopee.
• 8040 Old Carriage Court Road near Hwy169 and Co. 18 in Shakopee
• 5805 County Road 42, next to Dunn Bros. Coffee and Pilgrim
Cleaners in Savage
All locations have TOMs as
well as ATMs and phones to the main branch at 15045 Mystic Lake
Drive. We at South Metro Federal Credit Union are always working for
the conscience of our members.
Hello
from the Wealth Management area. Tax season is upon us.
Benjamin Franklin said: “In this world nothing can said to be
certain, except death and taxes.” However, there is no reason not to
try to pay the least amount of taxes possible and live over one
hundred years! Part of my job as your Financial Advisor is to help
you with tax strategies for the following year. So when it comes
time to file for 2008, you will have reaped the benefits of what you
did throughout the year.*
I also find people who are invested in complex products with questionable fees
and expenses. They now have questions that have arisen that they didn’t know
to ask when they bought these investments. For example, some investment
products grow income tax deferred, but people are not aware of potential tax
issues that can arise if they pass to beneficiaries. This can be even more
important with inherited IRAs. There are many important strategies available
to help your beneficiaries keep the money you have always wanted them to have
instead of going to the federal government.
If there is a question you have always wanted to ask a financial professional,
please let me know. Call 952-445-0888 ext. 25 to schedule an appointment. You can also reach
me by e-mail at
rickh@southmet.com or write to: South Metro F.C.U. attn: Rick Hoel, 15045
Mystic Lake Dr, Prior Lake, MN 55372. Or, as always, my door is open. Thank
you.
Best regards,
Rick Hoel, CFP®
Financial Advisor
CUSO Financial Services, L.P.
Investment product and Services offered through CUSO Financial
Services. L.P. (CFS) are not NCUA/NCUSIF, not credit union guaranteed,
and may lose value. Financial Representatives are employed by South
Metro Federal Credit Union (SMFCU) and registered through CFS. SMFCU is
affiliated with CFS.
(Member NASO/SIPC)
*For specific tax advice please consult a tax professional.
ATMs
for Travellers
SHAZAM has partnered with Publix(r)'s
Presto! Network to expand our surcharge-free access to more than 900
ATMs throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and
Tennessee. Find an ATM near
you.
You may not be aware of it, but starting December31,2007 you cannot
purchase "Travelers Checks'; from Visa Travelers or Travelex. The
overall cost of administration plus the ease of theft has virtually
driven all the major suppliers such as "American Express" to raise the
cost drastically or go out of the business.
If you are planning a trip utilizing "Travelers be prepared to hear a
suggestion to purchase prepaid "reloadable" Visa Travel Money cards. You
will be able to purchase, from a minimum $100 up to $5000 per card that
will be "reloadable" up to three more times by phone or computer from
all over the world.
South Metro Federal Credit Union, always on guard for our members has
geared up to serve your needs at minimal cost.
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To read other great stories and learn useful tips for
financial management, check our Financial
Tips page.

Applying for a mortgage has become as easy as point, click, submit!
HomeLoan Express, the online mortgage program offered through CU
Mortgage Services and South Metro FCU allows you to apply for a mortgage
directly online and receive almost-instant loan decisions.
HomeLoan Express will safely and securely:
* Take your information
* Run the application through underwriting
* Run a credit report
* Render a decision based on the information gathered
The application process is easy and takes just 10-15 minutes to
complete. Once the loan information is complete, a decision is rendered
within a matter of minutes. From there, a CU Mortgage Loan Consultant
will contact you within 24 hours to gather the rest of the information
needed to complete the loan process.
You can also research mortgage loans to discover what loan products
might work best for your situation, and apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week online. For more information, call the credit union at 952-445-0888
or CU Mortgage at 651-631-3111.
You have an
invitation!
Notice of SMFCU Annual Meeting
Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 5:30 PM
On Tuesday, April 29th, all SMFCU members are invited to
participate in the 15th Annual meeting of South Metro Federal Credit
Union. We will be meet at South Metro Federal Credit Union (located at
15045 Mystic Lake Drive, Prior Lake, MN).
There will be food and soft drinks and some special door prize drawings.
We look forward to your participation in the meeting, annual elections as
well as an update of the past year's activities.
For nomination info, contact Joseph Dean, Chair of the Nominating
Committee, at 952-496-6128.
You may not be aware of it, but starting December 31, 2008 you will not
be able to purchase Travelers Checks from Visa Travelers or Travelex
anymore.
The overall cost of administration plus the ease of theft has virtually
driven all the major suppliers such as American Express to raise your
cost drastically or to exit the business. If you are planning a trip
utilizing Travelers Checks, be prepared to hear a suggestion to purchase
prepaid, reloadable Visa Travel Money cards. You will be able to
purchase $100 to $5000 per card, and the cards can be reloaded up to
three times by phone or computer from all over the world.

Prior
Lake Minnesota - A fundraiser at South Metro Federal Credit Union raised
$3,200 to help children with disabilities and chronic conditions served
by Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. This year the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Community matched that donation for a total of $6,400
to the fundraiser..
More than 300 people participated in the fundraiser which was part of a
statewide fundraising effort. Through Credit Union for Kids, a sponsor
program of the Children's Miracle Network, Minnesota credit unions have
raised more than $75,000 for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
since 2001.
The Chain of Hearts campaign, an annual fundraiser organized by the
Credit Unions for Kids program, encourages members, local residents, and
area businesses to contribute by purchasing paper links in the shape of
hearts.
During the campaign, which recently ended, hearts and links were
personalized for each contributor and added to the chain which was hung
in South Metro's lobby.
"We're very happy to see such a grassroots effort from our membership.
With the match from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, we are
delighted to have raised $6,400 this year for this worthy effort," said
South Metro President Don Crofut. "Many children in Scott County benefit
from the specialized services at Gillettes and it's important to us to
support that. The Credit Union for Kids program really complements our
philosophy of 'people helping people.' Families need resources like
those available through Gillette. The event was a great success, and we
want to thank our members and people throughout the community for their
involvement."
In 2007, the same fundraiser at South Metro Federal Credit Union was
successful in raising $2,063.
Credit Union for Kids is a collaboration of credit unions, chapters,
leagues, and business partners engaged in fundraising activities to
benefit Children's Miracle Network-affiliate hospitals. All money raised
through Minnesota's Credit Union for Kids program supports Gillette
Children's Specialty Healthcare, helping kids with disabilities and
chronic conditions.
Since 1897, Gillette has been on the forefront of medical treatment,
education, and research for children with disabilities. Gillette's
mission is to help patients realize the greatest possible independence,
well-being, and enjoyment in life.
South Metro Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered, federal
credit union, providing a wide range of financial products and services
for everyone living or working in Scott County, Minnesota. All deposits
At least $100,000 per account are insured by the National Credit Union
Administration, an agency of the u.s. government. South Metro maintains
supplemental share insurance to cover up to $250,000 per account through
Excess Share Insurance, Inc. South Metro was sponsored by a capital
contribution from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a federally
recognized Indian tribe located in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
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