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News Archive

Below is an archive of all SCCCU news since the launch of the Web site, from newest to oldest.

Free Tax Preparation Available - Call Now
Posted: Mon Feb 1 '10 11:15 am

Get all the credits and refunds you deserve with free tax preparation. To make an appointment, call Santa Cruz Community Credit Union at 831-460-2359.

Helping Haiti
Posted: Thu Jan 14 '10 11:28 am

According to the Nation magazine and other organizations, there are numerous ways to help groups already on the ground in Haiti.

Some of the organizations that have been in Haiti the longest and are already mobilized include:

Partners in Health

Madre

Doctors Without Borders Haiti Earthquake Response

Grassroots International

Unicef

Move Your Money
Posted: Thu Jan 7 '10 2:56 pm

On December 29, 2009, Arianna Huffington posted Move Your Money: A New Year's Resolution.

To paraphrase Huffington, the idea is simple: If enough people who have money in one of the big four banks move it into smaller, more local, financial institutions like credit unions, then collectively we, the people, will have taken a big step toward re-rigging the financial system so it becomes again the productive, stable engine for growth it's meant to be.

Amy Goodman, of Democracy Now!, profiled the More Your Money Campaign here.

Dan Mica of the Credit Union National Association posted Consumers Are Moving Their Money to Credit Unions on the Huffington Post about the importance of credit unions as an alternative to the big banks.

For more information visit Move Your Money.

SCCCU is Committed to "Triple Bottom Line" Model
Posted: Sun Dec 13 '09 8:23 pm

We believe that we can do more for our community and for our planet. Promoting economic justice and fighting poverty must work hand in hand with acting on climate change. Our future depends on it.

SCCCU has always incorporated environmental stewardship into its activities. As a Monterey Bay Certified Green Business, SCCCU will strenghten its commitment to sustainability in 2009 and beyond.

We believe that in order to achieve our mission of promoting economic justice, we must successfully implement a sustainable business model that introduces environmental stewardship as one of the three pillars of success, along with sound financial management and social impact.

We are developing performance measurements to support our commitment and will measure our success in the areas of financial responsibility social impact, and environmental stewardship. We will share the results of our efforts in our 2009 annual report.

If you have questions, please contact Sheila Schat, Director of Community Development and Outreach. (831)460-2342 or sheila.schat@scruzccu.org.

SCCCU In the News
Posted: Fri Dec 4 '09 12:58 pm

SCCCU was mentioned in these recent stories in the local press. Click the link to read the story.

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union was profiled for its business lending in a KION Channel 46 story on December 22, 2009. You can view the link here.

Banks plan to boost small business lending

In June 2009 Santa Cruz Community Credit Union received $2 million from the US Department of Treasury, CDFI Fund. Click to view stories:

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union Awarded $2 Million

Money, Money

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and our collaborators (Ecology Action, Independent Energy Systems, Santa Cruz County and the City of Santa Cruz) were highlighted in the May 18 evening news segment on KSBW. View the video here.

Here comes the Sun

Millions slated for home solar projects

2008 Newsmakers: Co-owners of organic market see healthy growth

Trillions

Local Bankers Assess Damage from Mortgage Crisis, Offer Solutions

How Local Banks Kept New Leaf's Market's Expansion Going

The Copenhagen Countdown
Posted: Thu Dec 3 '09 12:55 pm

SCCCU supports 350.org in its efforts let the world's leaders feel the heat when they meet in Copenhagen this month.

Vigils are being planned around the world - from New York to Nigeria to Nepal (and in Santa Cruz) - right in the middle of the Copenhagen climate conference.

Support Santa Cruz organizers and join a local vigil or create your own. Light candles, bring signs, upload photos to 350.org. Let the world's leaders know that we want a real deal in Copenhagen.

Santa Cruz Vigil Saturday, December 12 4 - 6 pm At the Clock Tower Downtown, across from the post office

For more information, visit www.350.org.

SCCCU Tax Payment - Change of Service
Posted: Tue Dec 1 '09 3:45 pm

If you have previously used SCCCU's Treasury Tax and Loan service to make tax payments to the U.S. Treasury, we want to inform you of upcoming changes. Due to a conversion in our deposit handling, we will discontinue accepting tax payments effective 12/31/09, and anticipate delays in the processing of tax payments received in the interim.

We encourage you to manage your payments via the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) website here or call EFTPS Customer Service at (800) 555-4477. EFTPS allows you to pay federal taxes via the telephone or internet. This service is secure, free, easy to use, and enables you to be sure your payments are always on time. It also aligns with Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s Triple Bottom Line, by eliminating the many pieces of paper currently generated for payments, as well as the automobile delivery to the processing center in San Leandro.

If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Ogle at 831-460-2314.

SCCCU Will Be Closed on Monday, January 18
Posted: Sat Nov 14 '09 11:25 am

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Santa Cruz Community Credit Union will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2010.

"We must all learn to love together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools. We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly..."

-Martin Luther King, Jr., at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on March 31, 1968.

SCCCU Receives $2 Million CDFI Fund Award
Posted: Tue Jun 30 '09 3:46 pm

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU), a Community Development Financial Institution, was awarded $2 million in capital from the U.S. Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.  The awards were announced at a ceremony on Monday, June 29, in the Bronx, New York, by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.  

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is one of nine community development credit unions (CDCUs) nationwide that were awarded a total of $17.15 million. The nine CDCUs accounted for approximately 19% of the total $90 million awarded to 59 CDFIs. CDFIs share a common vision of expanding economic opportunity for low-income people and communities through affordable and innovative services and financing.

The historically large award round was made possible by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("Recovery Act"), or  "stimulus,"  funding of $100 million made available to the CDFI Fund this spring.  An additional round of funding is projected for September. 

“We’re thrilled to receive CDFI funding, especially in these challenging times.  The $2 million award from the CDFI affirms the work we do to facilitate economic opportunity in our community.  It also strengthens our ability to finance microentrepreneurs, small businesses, and affordable housing in the underserved community that we serve,” says Ginger McNally, Chief Executive Officer.

The nine CDCU winners represent 30% of the 30 credit unions that applied to the CDFI Fund in the current round.  The $17.15 million they received amounted to 40% of the total dollars requested by credit unions.  National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions President/CEO Cliff Rosenthal said, "We are delighted with the strong showing our member CDCUs made in this awards round. They are some of our most dynamic, innovative institutions, and we know they will continue to make a huge difference for the low-income communities they serve. Given the stress on the credit union industry, the CDFI Fund's investments could not come at a better time."

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s thirty-two year history illustrates its commitment to financial responsibility, social impact and environmental stewardship. SCCCU provides access to loan capital including green financing, financial education, and affordable and innovative financial services. Its financial education, matched savings account, free tax assistance and child care technical assistance programs offer opportunities for hard-working people to build long-term assets.

Click to view local press:

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union Awarded $2 Million

Money, Money

TELEPHONE FRAUD ALERT
Posted: Mon Jun 29 '09 11:30 am

SCCCU has become aware that it has been recently targeted in a telephone call "phishing" scheme. This false telephone call asks members for their credit card numbers and social security numbers. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE REQUESTS!

If you responded to such a phone call and provided any confidential account information, please notify the SCCCU immediately of the scheme (425-7708, ext 6).

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union does not send emails, make phone calls or send text messages requesting account information. Any member who receives an e-mail, phone call or text message that purports to be from Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and asks for account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the e-mail, phone call or text message. If you respond to such an e-mail, phone call or text message and provide any confidential account information, please notify us immediately of the scheme. You should also change your account's PIN and take any additional action recommended by Santa Cruz Community Credit Union to protect your account. If you e-mail the credit union, please do not include passwords, social security numbers or any personal account information.

What is Phishing? A phishing attack is an attempt by individuals to steal confidential information from you using electronic means such as telephone, email, the Internet and even via text messaging on your cellular phones which is called "smishing."

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union has no need to ask you for your credit card number, your social security number, PIN, expiration date, and/or security codes.

New SCCCU ATM at the Westside New Leaf store
Posted: Thu Jun 11 '09 1:12 pm

SCCCU has a new, convenient full service ATM available now at the New Leaf Westside store. SCCCU’s ATM is situated in the center of a burgeoning food and wine tasting area in the industrial neighborhood in the Westside of Santa Cruz. So whether you’re dropping by New Leaf for groceries or Bonny Doon Winery for wine tasting, now you can also get cash or make a deposit at SCCCU’s ATM.

New Leaf Westside and SCCCU’s full service ATM are located at 1101 Fair Ave (near Ingalls) in Santa Cruz. SCCCU's ATM is located outside the produce entrance. Keep reading here for SCCCU’s Westside ATM promotions.

SCCCU Approved as SBA Preferred Lending Program Lender
Posted: Sun May 17 '09 11:40 am

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU) has been approved as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender Program (PLP) lender. Approval involves establishing a track record of exemplary performance in all areas of the SBA lending function. Santa Cruz Community Credit Union offers a variety of SBA guaranteed loans including the SBA Express loans and 7(a) loans, which are the most basic and popular loan type of the SBA's business loan programs. SBA Preferred Lender Program is the top status that a lender can hold under the Small Business Administration 7(a) program.

The Preferred Lender Program streamlines the procedures necessary to provide financial assistance to the small business community. Under PLP, SBA delegates loan approval, closing, and most servicing and liquidation authority and responsibility to these carefully selected lenders.

“Our PLP designation is something we take a lot of pride in,” explains Frank Nuciforo, Director of Lending. “PLP status allows us to make SBA loans more quickly, as we are not required to include SBA in the credit origination process.”

NCUA Conserves U.S. Central and Western Corporate Credit Unions
Posted: Mon Mar 23 '09 12:46 pm

On March 20, 2009 the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the federal regulator for federally-insured credit unions, placed two "corporate credit unions," U.S. Central Federal Credit Union and Western Corporate (WesCorp) Federal Credit Union into conservatorship. "Corporate credit unions" are similar to Federal Reserve Banks and do not deal directly with consumers, but provide investment, financing, check clearing, and other services to "retail credit unions", such as Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

We want to assure you that these actions by NCUA have nothing whatsoever to do with Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and do not affect your deposits, loans, or services you may utilize. In fact, NCUA's actions to stabilize corporate credit unions were taken to assure the continued safety and soundness of "retail" credit unions. You can rest assured that your funds on deposit are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) and continue to be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government, up to at least $250,000. In addition, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are insured separately up to $250,000.

While Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is not immune to the national economic downturn, we are well-capitalized and we are safe and sound.

We thank you for your membership at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union. For questions or additional information, please feel free to contact Sheila Schat, Director of Community Development and Outreach at 831-460-2342 or by email at sheilas@scruzccu.org.

Heartland Data Breach Alert
Posted: Thu Feb 26 '09 1:35 pm

Heartland Payment Systems, one of the nation's largest payment processors delivering credit, debit and prepaid card processing, payroll, check management and payments solutions recently confirmed that they were the victim of a security breach. Heartland believes the intrusion is contained. The breach was not at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

Security of our members' personal information is important to Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and we have taken the necessary steps to prevent potential fraud in the event of a data compromise. We will be sending notification to all affected cardholders by mail and replacement cards will be issued at no cost. If you have any questions of concerns, please feel free to contact us at 831-425-7708, and press option 7.

Click here to access a web site that Heartland Payment Systems has created to provide information about this incident. Click here for a FAQ document also provided by Heartland Payment Systems.

We're Now Preparing Taxes
Posted: Wed Jan 28 '09 4:01 pm

Need your taxes prepared for the upcoming tax season? SCCCU is now offering free tax return preparation for low- to moderate-income families within the county area. Last year 32 volunteers assisted over 400 families and have helped taxpayers get as much as $4,500 back in their returns. We can help you claim the tax credits that you deserve.

We are operating in the following sites and times:

Monday 9:30-3:30 Feb 2nd to April 13th EDD 2045 40th Ave Capitola, CA 95010

Wednesday 9:30-3:30 Feb 4th to April 15th Workforce Santa Cruz County 18 West Beach Watsonville, CA 95076

Friday 10:30-4:30 Feb 6th to April 10th Santa Cruz Community Credit Union 324 Front Street Santa Cruz, CA 95061

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for free tax preparation, and would like to see if you qualify for our services, please contact Jason Kim at (831)460-2347 or email jason.kim@scruzccu.org.

SCCCU Holiday Hours
Posted: Tue Dec 23 '08 9:14 am

Thursday, December 24, Closed at 1 pm

Friday, December 25, Closed for Christmas

Thursday, December 31, Closed at 1 pm

Friday, January 1, Closed for New Year's Day

General branch hours can be found here.

Warmest Wishes for Peace and Joy in 2010 - from all the staff at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

Free Tax Assistance Volunteers Needed!
Posted: Tue Dec 9 '08 3:16 pm

Be a vital link to the community and help people in need during this economic downturn. Volunteers are the key to turning this around in Santa Cruz County. Bilingual Spanish/English speakers are especially needed.

When you help low income families prepare their tax returns, you are making an investment in your community, one family at a time. Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and Project SCOUT offer volunteers positions that give you hands-on experience. Last tax season, we helped over 1,000 people get refunds totaling over $1 million.

Please call Elisa at 460-2345 or email her at elisa.ramirez@scruzccu.org to join the Volunteer orientation on Tuesday, Dec., 15th at 6 PM.

7 Month Term Certificate 2.00 APY* Now Available
Posted: Thu Oct 30 '08 10:18 am

It Matters Where You Invest!

SCCCU is now offering: 7 Month Term Certificate at 2.00 % APY* Includes a $2,500 minimum balance and new money only

Receive a .25% rate increase on any new certificate when you also open a new checking account with direct deposit.

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is safe and sound. No one has ever lost a penny of federally insured savings in a credit union.

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Restrictions apply. Call for Complete details. Limited time offer.

Volunteers Needed to Help Low-Income Families
Posted: Thu Oct 30 '08 10:03 am

One hour of your time can boost a low-wage working family's income by as much as $4,500.

SCCCU provides free tax assistance and financial education to low-income, hard-working families. By preparing basic tax returns for free, we help these families claim the tax credits they’ve earned. Families use their refund dollars to pay bills, get out of debt, and begin building a savings cushion. Last year, 32 volunteers served over 400 families.

The SCCCU seeks volunteer tax preparers during the upcoming tax season. No experience is necessary and training is provided.

Taxes aren't your thing? We also need volunteers to welcome clients and Spanish-speaking volunteers to serve as translators.

Volunteer orientation will be held on:

Wednesday, November 12

5:30 - 6:45 PM

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union

324 Front Street, Santa Cruz

In the Community Room

Food will be served!

Please rsvp to Jason Kim at jason.kim@scruzccu.org or 831-460-2347. If this date is inconvenient for you and you are interested, please let Jason know.

SCCCU Deposits are Insured up to at least $250,000!
Posted: Mon Oct 6 '08 9:52 am

Your money is safe at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union! Effective immediately, member deposits are insured up to at least $250,000. IRA and KEOGH accounts are insured separately up to $250,000.

SCCCU member deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), a branch of our federal regulator, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). NCUA is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government, just like the FDIC.

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union has sound lending practices and we do not participate in sub-prime lending or offer non-conforming mortgage loans. No matter what your financial situation, your money is safe and sound here at home.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us (831-425-7708, ext 6). We're here to help.

It's About Time! New Expanded Hours
Posted: Tue Sep 30 '08 3:35 pm

We are delighted to report our new expanded hours to you - and we hope you'll be as pleased as we are.

New hours beginning October 1st:

Monday - Thursday: 9am - 5 pm

Friday: 9 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 9 am - 1 pm (Watsonville only)

Thank you to all our members who have expressed interest in expanded hours. We appreciate your feedback!

FREE Financial Education Seminar: Build a Basic Budget
Posted: Mon Sep 29 '08 3:43 pm

Come to a FREE financial education seminar to learn:

How to set realistic financial goals

How to identify your "spending leaks"

How to track where your money goes

How to develop a spending plan

And MORE....

WHEN: Monday, October 27 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Thursday, October 30 from 1:30 - 2:30 pm

WHERE: Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, Community Room

324 Front Street, Santa Cruz

RSVP: 831-460-2345 or emurtha@scruzccu.org

SCCCU is Safe and Sound
Posted: Mon Jul 21 '08 7:20 pm

Message from Ginger McNally, Chief Executive Officer

During these uncertain economic times, I want to assure you that your money is safe and sound here at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU). While financial institutions around the nation are experiencing instability, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is not one of them. We do not participate in sub-prime lending or offer exotic mortgage loans. SCCCU member deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), a branch of our federal regulator, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The Insurance Fund is the credit union equivalent of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that insures banks and is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Not one penny of insured savings has ever been lost by a member of a federally insured credit union.

The NCUSIF insures most deposit accounts in federally insured credit unions up to $100,000. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Keogh accounts are insured separately, up to $250,000. You may obtain additional NCUSIF insurance coverage on multiple accounts if you have different ownership interests or rights in these accounts, such as revocable trust accounts or accounts with different beneficiaries. Click here to get more information on share insurance coverage in order to maximize your coverage.

SCCCU is well capitalized to weather these turbulent times. No matter what your financial situation, your money is safe and sound – here at home – during these uncertain times. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us (831-425-7708, ext 6). We’re here to help.

-Ginger McNally, Chief Executive Officer

Great Rates on Home Equity Lines of Credit Now Available
Posted: Thu Jul 10 '08 8:19 am

SCCCU can make your home improvement projects or financing a college education a whole lot easier with a fast, affordable Home Equity Line of Credit. Our rates our as low as 4.75% APR* (and no annual fee).

Receive an organic cotton tote bag when you open a home equity line of credit.

For an application or to apply by phone call us today. To apply online, visit our Mortgage Lending page (http://www.scruzccu.org/mortgage/index-english.shtml) for an application.

Loan Officers: Lisa Carrisales, 831-460-2304 Martha Martinez, 831-460-2233

*APR means Annual Percentage Rate. Home Equity Line of Credit rate is Prime minus .25%. Rate assumes no closing costs. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Limited time offer. Restrictions apply.

SCCCU Now Offering FREE Online Bill Pay
Posted: Mon Jun 2 '08 9:35 am

That's right, FREE Online Bill Pay. Simply log onto Internet Banking from our home page and click the Pay Bills tab and follow the enrollment instructions. If you have any questions, contact Member Service at (831) 425-7708, ext 6.

SCCCU Offers GET GREEN Loans
Posted: Tue Jul 3 '07 2:51 pm

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU) now offers a suite of GET GREEN loans to assist members reduce their carbon footprint.

To help promote solar energy, which is clean, reliable and cost effective, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union offers an affordable Solar Power Loan. Personal Solar Power Loans are 100% financing up to $50,000 and business Solar Power Loans are 100% financing up to $200,000.

SCCCU also offers an Energy Efficiency Loan for homeowners seeking to finance energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Energy Efficiency Loans can be used to acquire Energy Star appliances such as washing machines, to install double pane windows, to convert to ecological landscaping, and much more.

SCCCU continues to offer a .25% discount for Clean Car purchase including hybrids, electric, alternative fuel and low emission vehicles.

For rate information click here or call Lisa Carrisales at 831-460-2304 or Martha Martinez at 831-460-2233.

Activate Your Debit Card Online
Posted: Mon May 28 '07 10:53 am

SCCCU is pleased to offer this new bilingual service online. When you receive your debit card, you can choose to activate your card by calling the listed 800 number or you can activate your card online. To activate your debit card online, please click here.

Quick Cash Line of Credit - Your Business Cash Flow Solution
Posted: Wed Mar 28 '07 3:00 pm

Quick Cash Business Line of Credit $5,000 - $25,000

Your Business Cash Flow Solution

Simple Fast Convenient Low Rate (Prime + 1.5%)

We'll waive our $10 membership fee for new Quick Cash borrowers.

Every business needs a line of credit for inventory or day-to-day operations, to take advantage of opportunities, and for emergencies.

Our Quick Cash Business Line of Credit is application only (no financial statements required)and you’ll receive a response in 24 hours from one of our loan offi cers.

Once your Quick Cash Line of Credit is funded,you can use convenience checks or easily transfer funds to your SCCCU business checking account.

For more information, contact: Erica Madriz, 460-2307 or Alan Savat, 460-2303

* Your business must be at least 2 years old. Other restrictions may apply. Call for details. Limited time offer.

Report Lost or Stolen Debit Cards Online
Posted: Mon Feb 26 '07 11:02 am

SCCCU is now offering a new service that allows members to report lost or stolen debit cards online. This 24/7 services offers an instant reporting system to block your debit card. To report a lost or stolen debit card 24/7, even if you do not have your card number, click here.

Community Foundation Hosts Luncheon on Socially Responsible Investing
Posted: Tue Feb 20 '07 11:14 am

The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County will present Peter D Kinder, President of KLD Research and Analytics, Inc. Mr. Kinder is a pioneer in the creation of socially screened investment portfolios. His topic will be Investing for Good: Making Money While Making a Difference. The presentation will be held on March 30, from noon to 2:00 pm at the Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos. The cost is $35 and includes lunch. If you would like to register on line, click here and scroll down to the section on registration. You may also register by phone by calling (831) 477-0800.

Enjoy Surcharge-Free Access at a CO-OP Network ATM!
Posted: Thu Jan 25 '07 4:20 pm

Find an ATM within 10 or more miles of your location using a new and improved ATM Locator! If you're planning a summer trip or driving to San Francisco, find out where you can use a surcharge-free ATM. Click on the link below and follow the simple instructions to locate an ATM nationwide.

Click here to find an ATM.

Increase Your Community Impact with a Partnership Certificate
Posted: Wed Jan 24 '07 3:43 pm

Read about our Partnership Certificate

What is it: A Partnership Certificate functions just like a regular Certificate, except you choose to donate your interest earnings to a local nonprofit of your choice.*

How it works: 1. Open a one-year Partnership Certificate with a Member Service Representative at any of our branches. When you open a Partnership Certificate and a regular Certificate you’ll receive a .25% increase on both Certificates. (Ask for our rate sheet for current rates.) 2. Choose a local nonprofit from our list of current member nonprofits (including Santa Cruz Community Ventures). If your nonprofit of choice is not available, ask them to become members. 3. Interest earnings on your Partnership Certificate are donated to your designated nonprofit when your Partnership Certificate matures. 4. Santa Cruz Community Credit Union will notify you of your total interest earned and contributed to your designated local nonprofit.

The Benefits: When you open a Partnership Certificate you are increasing your impact and helping build a healthy community. Your entire balance supports our community investing work and your interest earnings directly help fund your designated nonprofit achieve its mission. Santa Cruz Community Credit Union finances local microenterprises and small businesses. We also finance nonprofits and child care centers, organizations that offer critical facilities that our community depends upon.

Note: You may also be eligible to receive a tax deduction on donated interest earnings.

*Ask for our list of member local nonprofits.

Community Visa Donation Fund Nominations Due
Posted: Mon Jan 15 '07 4:32 pm

It’s time again to nominate your favorite local community group! Here’s how the program works: Every time you use your Community Visa credit card, five cents is contributed to our Community Visa Donation Fund at no cost to you. At our Annual Meeting we divide up the accumulated contributions from the previous year and donate it in equal shares to the five community groups you selected.

We are now accepting local nonprofit nominations from our Community Visa cardholders for distribution in April 2008. The nonprofit must be an SCCCU member. Nominees will be placed on a ballot that will be mailed to all Community Visa cardholders in March 2007. We must have your nomination no later than February 1, 2007. Please include your name and member number when nominating an organization and contact Sheila Schat by phone (460-2342) or by email (sheilas@scruzccu.org).

To ensure that this program is shared by a diverse group of organizations, no organization can be chosen for more than two consecutive years. Total nominations are limited to 10 groups so please get your nomination in early.

SCCCU and Microenterprise Featured on KUSP's Talk of the Bay
Posted: Sun Jan 14 '07 12:37 pm

To hear Talk of the Bay host, Deanna Zachary, discuss microcredit with local, national and international practitioners, Visit www.kusp.org/shows/totb.html to hear the show and scroll to the Tuesday, December 12 edition of Talk of the Bay.

Microcredit is the process of lending small sums of money so that people can start their own businesses. Santa Cruz Community Credit Union has been involved in microenterprise lending since inception in 1977. As a KUSP microcredit panelist, Sheila Schat, SCCCU staff member, emphasizes how SCCCU members support microenterprise lending simply with their deposits.

Yes, You CAN Make A Difference
Posted: Tue Dec 19 '06 12:29 pm

Support expanding economic opportunity in our county. Each dollar you donate today will be matched.

We are delighted to announce that Santa Cruz Community Ventures, the nonprofit affiliate of Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU), has been selected as one of this year’s Good Times Community Fund recipients. Each year, the Good Times, in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County selects four local nonprofits whose program reach out to people in need. To leverage the impact of this fund drive, all contributions made to the Good Times Community Fund will be matched by funds generously donated by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Santa Cruz Community Ventures, in coordination with SCCCU, offers asset building programs, financial education, and child care technical assistance to families and individuals throughout the county. Financial support to continue and expand these programs is always welcome.

Please consider making a contribution to support our work. For more information pick up a current issue of Good Times and read about our work and how to make a contribution until the end of 2006.

If you would like to make a donation today, please make a check out to the Good Times Community Fund, indicate that you are supporting Santa Cruz Community Ventures and mail it directly to:

Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County Good Times Community Fund 2425 Porter Street, Suite 17 Soquel, CA 95073

SCCCU Featured in the New York Times
Posted: Wed Nov 22 '06 3:07 pm

We are delighted to report that on Monday, November 13 the New York Times ran an article titled “Putting Your Money Where Your Heart Lies” in a special section on community investing. The article featured Santa Cruz Community CU and profiled one of our Individual Program Account graduates, Stacey Hart (www.hartlandscaping.com).

The New York Times article cited a new trend in individual philanthropy writing that a growing number of Americans have found a powerful way to help others as they help themselves by investing in community development credit unions (CDCUs). In “Putting Your Money Where Your Heart Lies,” the New York Times reports that more and more people are choosing to invest in CDCUs and other community development financial institutions as the best way to put their money to work for the greater good.

Click here to read the article.

Santa Cruz Community Ventures to receive Good Times Community Fund contributions
Posted: Thu Nov 2 '06 9:17 am

We are delighted to announce that Santa Cruz Community Ventures, the nonprofit affiliate of Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU), has been selected as one of this year’s Good Times Community Fund recipients. Each year, the Good Times, in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County selects four local nonprofits whose program reach out to people in need. To leverage the impact of this fund drive, all contributions made to the Good Times Community Fund will be matched by funds generously donated by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Santa Cruz Community Ventures, in coordination with SCCCU, offers asset building programs, financial education, and child care technical assistance to families and individuals throughout the county. Financial support to continue and expand these programs is always welcome.

Please consider making a contribution to support our work. For more information read the November 22,2006 Good Times issue that will feature an article on Santa Cruz Community Ventures and will include information on how to make a contribution. Good Times will continue to publish information on how to make a contribution until the end of 2006.

If you would like to make a donation today, please make a check out to the Good Times Community Fund, indicate that you are supporting Santa Cruz Community Ventures and mail it directly to:

Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County Good Times Community Fund 2425 Porter Street, Suite 17 Soquel, CA 95073

Online Bill Payment Now Available
Posted: Mon Oct 16 '06 6:30 pm

We now offer online Bill Payment service. Take advantage of our free 3-month introductory offer at any time. After the first three months, a monthly fee of $4.95 (unlimited payments) will be applied. Our online Bill Payment offers a simple and convenient way to pay your bills.

To sign up, connect to our web site at www.scruzccu.org, click on "Internet Banking" and follow the instructions on the login screen.

For more information, please call Member Service (425-7708, ext 6).

SCCCU Member Verification Information
Posted: Mon Jul 17 '06 1:10 pm

Confirmation of Member Verification Process

As an integral part of our risk management process, every year our credit union contacts a sample of our members to confirm the accuracy of their account balance. This process is required by our auditors and our regulators. It is one of many internal control processes followed by the credit union to enhance the accuracy and reliability of our financial reporting systems which ultimately protect you, our member. Our verification process is being conducted by McGladrey and Pullen. You may receive a verification letter to this effect. Should you have any questions please contact Donna Zavada at 831-460-2340.

Retirement Savings Insurance Has Increased!
Posted: Mon May 22 '06 10:46 am

NCUA Insurance for IRAs and Other Retirement Accounts is now $250,000

For the first time in over 25 years, Congress has raised the limit on the federal share insurance coverage that protects retirement savings at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union. Your deposits at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). NCUA insurance is protected by federal share insurance provided by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), an arm of NCUA.

The new law passed by Congress provides up to $250,000 of protection, up from $100,000, for the combined total of traditional and Roth IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) and certain other retirement accounts.

These retirement accounts are insured to $250,000 separately from any other shares you may have at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union. Deposit accounts at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union are insured up to $100,000.

Download Child Care Center Directory Survey Here
Posted: Tue Feb 21 '06 9:05 am

Click here to download the survey (Excel file) and here for the cover letter (Word file).

Tax breaks aren't just for the rich! Get Yours Too!
Posted: Mon Jan 30 '06 12:29 pm

EITC Schedule and Information

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a special tax break for workers who earn less than $37,263 annually. If you qualify, the EITC will lower your taxes, and it could increase your refund by as much as $4,400!

You can find the free tax preparation schedule and more at www.eitc.scruzccu.org, or call the EITC hotline at 877-373-8297.

36-month 4.00% APY Certificate of Deposit and IRAs Now Available
Posted: Mon Jan 30 '06 11:27 am

Make a Difference with Your Money

Open a 36-Month Certificate of Deposit or an IRA and receive 4.00% APY* Your investment helps finance local small businesses, nonprofits, affordable housing, and child care.

Limited time offer. Open an account with a minimum deposit of $1,000.

Bump up your rate once during the term!**

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. This offer is good for a limited time only. **Restrictions apply. Call for details.

Internet Scamming (Phishing) Alert!
Posted: Wed Sep 28 '05 11:07 am

Phishing Alert!

According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, the word "phishing" comes from the analogy that Internet scammers are using email "lures" to "fish" for passwords and financial data from the sea of Internet users. This scheme uses e-mails appearing to come from a legitimate company or user and directs recipients to fake Web sites where they are asked for personal financial information.

A recent study found that seven out of ten consumers had unintentionally visited a fake Web site and more than 15 percent of those visiting the web site admitted to providing sensitive private information including credit card numbers, checking account information and Social Security numbers.

If you receive or respond to a phishing email and suspect that your personal information has been "phished" by an unknown source, you should assume that you either are - or soon will be - the victim of identity theft, and you should take immediate self defense measures.

If you were lured by a "spoof" of a geniune company or organization, get in touch with the real company immediately. They may be able to help you minimize the damage. For example, if you thought you were updating your credit card information with an online store, and you discovered it wasn't your online store, call or email the real store at once.

If you provided your credit card information as part of the "phishing" scheme, contact the customer service department of the institution that issued your credit card and ask to speak to someone in risk management or loss prevention.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams

The number of phishing scams sent out to consumers continues to increase dramatically. While online banking and e-commerce is very safe, you should be careful about giving out your personal information over the Internet. The Anti-Phishing Work Group has compiled a list of recommendations below that you can use to avoid becoming a victim of these scams.

* Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal information. Phishers typically include upsetting or exciting (but false) statements in their emails to get people to react immediately.

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* Don't use the links in an email to get to any web page if you suspect the message might not be authentic. Instead, call the company on the telephone, or log onto the website directly by typing in the Web address in your browser.

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* Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information. You should only communicate information such as credit card numbers or account information via a secure website or the telephone.

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* Always ensure that you're using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser.

* Regularly log into your online accounts. Don't wait a month before you check each account.

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* Regularly check your credit and debit statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate. If anything is suspicious, contact your financial institution and all credit card issuers.

SCCCU Offers Home Mortgage Loans 1-866-365-3034
Posted: Tue Sep 6 '05 12:22 pm

Our members have frequently asked us for home mortgage loan products and services. We are very pleased to offer expanded mortgage services for our members. You can call our toll free hotline for information and to apply for a mortgage loan: 1-866-365-3034.

We offer Home Mortgage Loans for purchase, refinance, first-time hombuyers, and second homes.

Call 1-866-365-3034 now.

Receive a rate reduction when you purchase a Clean Car
Posted: Thu Mar 10 '05 4:52 pm

Poster for Clean Car rate reduction

Receive a half percent rate reduction for purchasing a Clean Car (visit our rates page for rate information). Many makes and models are available including hybrids, electric vehicles, alternative fuel or low emission (PZEV) vehicles.

Visit www.driveclean.ca.gov to see if you vehicle qualifies. To apply call Erica Madriz at 460-2307 or apply 24/7 by calling 800-803-0445 or online, www.scruzccu.org

Plaza Vigil Branch Grand Opening - 3/12/05
Posted: Mon Feb 28 '05 4:17 pm

Grand Opening Invitation

Please join us for our Plaza Vigil Branch Grand Opening Celebration.

Saturday, March 12, 12– 4 pm 25 E. Beach Street Plaza Vigil, Watsonville 831-786-1970

Our community outreach branch in Plaza Vigil offers basic financial services, loans, and financial education workshops.

We've Got Great Savings Rates!
Posted: Sat Feb 19 '05 1:17 pm

Great savings rates here!

Make a difference with your money and save at the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

Your investment helps us finance small businesses, nonprofits, affordable housing, and childcare.

For more information about our rates contact a Member Service Representative by calling 831-425-7708, extension 6.

Make a Donation to Tsunami Survivors at the SCCCU
Posted: Tue Jan 11 '05 1:53 pm

The Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU) is accepting donations for survivors of the recent devastating tidal wave in southern Asia. Kicking off the donation effort is a $10,000 gift from a long-time Santa Cruz Community Credit Union member.

All donations will be forwarded to Save the Children, which has been addressing emergencyand economic development needs in the region for more than thirty years. Save the Children is urgently seeking $5 million in support for its emergency response. Following the recent disaster, the organization began immediately coordinating its relief efforts in the region and is currently delivering essential supplies of shelter material, food, water, non-food relief items such as clothing, and urgent medical care related to water-borne diseases.

“We chose Save the Children as the recipient because of their proven commitment to the region hardest-hit by the disaster and because of their ability to quickly and effectively mobilize resources to help people in critical need,” explains CEO Ginger McNally.

If you are interested in donating to the survivors of the disasters, please make checks out to Save the Children Tidal Wave Relief Fund and drop them off at either SCCCU branch (324 Front Street in Santa Cruz or 1428 Freedom Boulevard in Watsonville) by January 31, 2005. Checks may also be mailed to SCCCU, P.O. Box 1877, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1877.

Online Banking Arrives January 2005!
Posted: Thu Dec 16 '04 4:01 pm

We are pleased to announce that we will begin offering online banking at the end of January 2005. You will be able to access all your accounts online, check balances and transfer funds, review your account history, and export account information to your financial planning or accounting software. We will be adding a bill pay feature in June 2005. Look for more detailed information, including sign-up instructions, in your upcoming statement and in our branch lobbies.

SCCCU Wins Family Friendly Employer Award
Posted: Wed Jun 30 '04 12:19 pm

United Way of Santa Cruz County has selected the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union as the winner of the medium-sized business category for our family friendly practices.

The SCCCU's family friendly practices include flexible scheduling, a child care tax savings plan, an inhouse source of referrals for child care-related programs, and much more.

We are very pleased to be recognized as an employer that supports working parents and their children.

2 New Ways to Get an Instant Loan
Posted: Tue Jun 15 '04 4:03 pm

24 Hour Loan by Phone

Around-the-clock and after-hours loan approval now available for Auto, Personal, Community Visa, and Home Equity loans.

Apply online by clicking on our 24/7 loan button or call us on our toll free number - 1-800-803-0445 - any time of day or night. We can give you on-the-spot loan decisions.

Great Rates on Business "Quick Cash" Line of Credit
Posted: Mon Jun 14 '04 12:25 pm

Find your business has a cash crunch during the slow season of the year? Need a little extra cash to buy inventory for the busy part of the year? The Community Credit Union can help you build your business with our “Quick Cash” Line of Credit. Simply complete a one-page application for up to $25,000 (for businesses at least 2 years or older). It’s easy, convenient and fast (within 48 hrs). For more information, call our Business Loan Officer, Alan Savat at 460-2303.

Tell A Friend You're Voting
Posted: Thu May 20 '04 4:51 pm

Vote on November 2nd and tell all your friends you're voting. People are more likely to vote when they know their friends are voting.

To find your polling place, visit this URL: http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_ppl.htm

2005 Community Visa Donation Fund Recipients Announced
Posted: Mon Apr 26 '04 1:37 pm

Each year the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union distributes checks from our Community Visa Donation Fund to 5 organizations selected by our members. This year, Community Visa members nominated a slate of 12 outstanding nonprofit members to receive awards in April 2005. The recipients were announced at our Annual Meeting on April 22: Coastal Watershed Council, Dientes!, Head Start, Planned Parenthood, and Salud Para La Gente.

We also gave checks ($1830 to each organization) to the 2004 recipients: Coastal Watershed Council, Community Bridges, Homeless Garden Project, Open Space Alliance, and Resource Center for Nonviolence.

Congratulations!

Register to Vote Online
Posted: Mon Mar 29 '04 5:04 pm

If you haven't registered to vote in the November presidential election, we encourage you to do so. The deadline to register to vote is October 18 and you can do it online. It's as easy as one, two, three.

Check out the link below for more information and to download a voter registration card: http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm

Please vote!

Get An Auto Loan You Can Feel Good About
Posted: Mon Sep 22 '03 5:49 pm

Recent SCCCU advertisement

Our auto loan rates are as low as 4.75%! Save money and get an auto loan from the Community Credit Union where your money is invested in the community - our community. You can trust us to give you honest and straightforward information about loans and rates. Please call one of our loan officers - Erica Madriz (460-2307) or Ramiro Rodriguez (460-2233) - to find out more information about the best rate you can receive on an auto loan. Fill out our simple online application or call 1-800-803-0445 for immediate financing 24 hours a day.

SCCCU's Hightower Reception to Air on Community TV
Posted: Mon Sep 22 '03 5:35 pm

Hightower speaks at the SCCCU

The recent reception organized by Community Allliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and the SCCCU was a great success. For those of you who were unable to attend the event on September 13, Credit Union member Peter McGettigan recorded it and it will be airing on Community Television at the end of September and later in October. For specific dates, please contact Community Television directly or check out Community Television's listings and look for, "Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union present Jim Hightower."

Thank you to all of you who attended the event to make it such a success. Please remember to support Community Alliance with Family Farmers (www.caff.org) by becoming a member and utilize the SCCCU's online directory, More Than Just Commerce, (www.morethanjustcommerce.org) to support socially and environmentally responsible businesses.

Scheduled Airings: September 30, Channel 25 at 5:30 pm; October 1, Channel 26, 6 pm; October 3, Channel 26, 8 pm

Community Visa Donation Fund Nominations Due
Posted: Fri Jul 11 '03 9:31 am

Kim Eabry, Homeless Garden Project, Community Visa Donation recipient

Our Community Visa Donation Fund is one of our members’ favorite Community Credit Union programs. It’s one of the ways that our members use their voice and their Community Visa transactions to support local community groups.

Here how it works: Every time you use your Community Visa credit card, five cents is contributed to our Community Visa Donation Fund at no cost to you. At our Annual Meeting we divide up the accumulated contributions from the previous year and donate it in equal shares to the five community groups you selected.

We are now accepting local nonprofit nominations from our Community Visa cardholders for distribution in April, 2005 – approximately $2000 to each of five nonprofits. The nonprofit must be an SCCCU member. Nominees will be placed on a ballot that will be mailed to all Community Visa credit cardholders in March, 2004. We must have your nomination no later than February 1, 2004. Contact Sheila Schat (460-2342) to nominate an organization.

SCCCU begins accepting the Matrícula Consular
Posted: Thu Jul 3 '03 3:23 pm

Matricula card sample

The SCCCU is pleased to announce that beginning January 1, 2003, we will accept the Matrícula Consular de Alta Seguridad (MCAS), issued after April, 2002, as a valid form of identification for membership. The "matrícula consular," as it is commonly called, is a photo identification card issued by the Consulate General of Mexico.

We are delighted to offer membership services to our Mexican community members who have previously found it difficult to open an account at a financial institution. Along with our low-cost wiring service and money mover accounts, we anticipate that our new "matrícula consular" policy will afford our Mexican community members better financial services.

Mexican citizens can purchase the "matrícula consular" from the Mexican consulate in San Jose for $29. To obtain a card, you must have a birth certificate, Mexican voter card, military ID, passport or other form of valid Mexican ID. Proof of local address is also required. For more information, call the Mexican Consulate in San Jose at 408-294-3414.

New Santa Cruz branch opens July 15, 2003
Posted: Sat May 31 '03 3:22 pm

Under Construction, 02.03

SCCCU new building sketch

We're Moving! Mark your calendars!Our new Santa Cruz branch opens at 10 am on July 15. 324 Front Street (near Laurel).

The new Santa Cruz office building is located at 324 Front Street. Although we'd hoped to move our main office more quickly than July 15, we are very happy with the gains we've achieved with this additional time. The lobby area will utilize natural light from skylights, reflective illumination, and window glazing to promote energy efficiency. Electrical lights will be on automatic controls to be on only when needed. Our total package of design elements helped us to surpass energy efficiency standards by 27 per cent. A special program through PG&E, "Savings by Design" will award both our architect, Teall Messer and the SCCCU with sizeable incentive payments for the design and implementation our particular plan.

Our interior design consultant, Wayne Palmer, is finding eco-friendly interior finish alternatives for our use including carpet and other floor and wall coverings. Our General Contractor, Bob Mollman from Kase Pacific Construction, was able to recycle the demolition materials that were extracted from the site even before our real remodel work began. We've chosen steel for framing our floors and walls in large part because it is composed of a high percentage of recycled materials... namely used cars! For our elevator, our plan uses vegetable oil as an alternative to hydraulic fluid to avoid possible soil contamination in the future. We have given consideration to using both materials that are recycled and/or those that are recyclable after their useful life in our building.

Our new 15,000 sq foot main branch office will have a bathroom for member and includes a changing table. One of the waiting areas will include a toddler play table that supervised children may enjoy. We'll have a large community meeting room with bathrooms, two merchant booth teller stations, six standard teller stations and four ADA sit-down stations for new accounts and other business. There will be writing surfaces along the teller waiting line, two self-serve banking stations in the lobby, and many features that will help our staff serve you more efficiently than we can in our present Santa Cruz office.

More Than Just Commerce launches Mar 2003
Posted: Sun Feb 9 '03 2:57 pm

www.morethanjustcommerce.org

Striving to increase social, economic, and environmental justice in our community, the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and its nonprofit affiliate, Community Ventures, Inc., have created More Than Just Commerce (MTJC) to promote environmentally, economically, and socially responsible businesses. More Than Just Commerce connects responsible consumers with these businesses. Businesses that agree with the following philosophy become members of the online MTJC Directory.

Here is the full statement that MTJC business members agree to:

As a member of the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union's and Community Ventures, Inc's More Than Just Commerce Program, our business strives to conduct business in a socially just and environmentally sustainable way. Recognizing this business as an opportunity to serve the community, we subscribe to the following principles:

• We strive to provide high quality goods and services at affordable prices while providing respectful customer service.

• We try to minimize the environmental impacts of all our business activities. We reduce, reuse, recycle, and buy recycled as much as possible; minimize non-recyclable waste; and properly dispose of all hazardous waste.

• We attempt to be fully informed about our suppliers so that we can work with businesses whose values regarding business operations are in alignment with our own.

• We respect our employees and treat them fairly while keeping in mind the living wage, helping them be informed about our services and products, and encouraging them to do all they can to see that our business is socially and environmentally responsible.

• Finally, we conscientiously consider, as a first priority, doing business with other (local when and if possible) businesses that are also aware of impacts they have on society and on the earth. We support the community by the nature of our business and/or through charitable giving.

You, our members, are the consumers who responded enthusiastically to our survey several months ago telling us that a program such as MTJC would help your efforts to be responsible consumers. Now, you can support these businesses while you meet your needs. Learn about these businesses at the Web site: www.morethanjustcommerce.org. You will find a substantial number of MTJC businesses right now, and more are joining. If your favorite responsible businesses have not joined, encourage them to do so. It's simple for them to join - they can go to the web site and enter their information online. Our staff will make sure the information is in order. Businesses do not pay to join.

You will find other educational information at the MTJC Web site, much of it in the form of links to other related activities and organizations. Much excellent work has been done by others regarding socially responsible consumption, investing, and life styles. If you wish to become more informed in these areas, you can follow the web site links.

We are delighted to be at the point of informing you of the Grand Opening of More Than Just Commerce. And, this is just the start! We are confident that MTJC will make a valuable contribution to our community and want to work with you to make that happen. Please use MTJC and give us continuing feedback and suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you.