Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was my father's birthday, so I called to wish him happy birthday. As the conversation developed, he began to tell me how he had just paid off his home, and the bank that he had the home loan with began charging him $12 a month for his checking account. He was disgusted that the institution he paid thousands of dollars in interest to, now consider him un-profitable, so he is being charged $12 for the checking account. As I was about to tell him to take his business to the local credit union, he mentioned he had closed his account and opened a new account at his employer's credit union. FREE Checking. Imagine that. I told him we offer the same thing. It's such a novel idea!

In today's age, complete with financial institutions receiving obscene bonuses for running their business into the ground, accepting taxpayer money, and then coming back for more money, it's nice to know there are still financial institutions out there that are looking out for you. Credit unions do just that. You're the owner, you vote for the board of directors, you participate in the success of the credit union. With the economy becoming tougher every day, it's important to use your money wisely and stretch your dollar in every way possible. Credit union membership saves the average family almost $400 a year.

My Dad was one of the main reasons I started using credit unions way back in college. Now that I work for a credit union, it's satisfying to see the person that was responsible for me seeing the light, to actually come back into the credit union family. Welcome back, Dad, and happy birthday!

Greg