Winter 2014

In This Issue■ President’s Message

■ Retirement Planning

■ Watch For These New Email ScamsA Quarterly Publication For

Members Of VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

It’s Never Too Soon To Open An IRA

You can start saving for retirement no matter what your age. It’s

never too early – the sooner you start contributing to an IRA, the greater your earnings will be.

An IRA is the best investment for your future, and at VAntage Trust FCU, we offer competitive rates to give your savings profile a boost. Did you know that allowable Traditional and Roth IRA tax-year contributions have been increased? You can now save up to $5,500 as a single taxpayer.

Age 50+ Catch-Up Provision Is A Great Bonus!Anyone who is age 50 and older before the end of the taxable year can increase their IRA contribution by another $1,000 (ask your tax advisor for details).

Stop by the credit union and open your 2014 IRA today!

See Page 3 for more information on saving for retirement.

Transfer Balances And Save Instantly

Why pay a higher interest rate than you have to on your current

outstanding debts? A VAntage Trust FCU MasterCard® Credit Card offers many benefits, all of which will save you money.

Balance Transfer Special – No Fee!Paying off those post-holiday bills is now even easier. Until March 1st, you can consolidate your debt by transferring other high rate balances to your VAntage Trust Credit Card at a low fixed rate of 3.99% APR.* You’ll enjoy this rate for the life of your balance. Plus, you’ll save with NO balance transfer fees and NO annual fee.

Low Fixed Rate On All Balance Transfers

Until Paid In Full!

February 1 - March 1, 2014

MasterCard®

Credit Card Special

3.99%APR*

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates are subject to change without notice. Other rates and terms available.

Apply TodayChoose from three versatile cards – Conventional, Gold, or Platinum MasterCard Credit Cards. One is sure to fit your budget and lifestyle perfectly. To apply, stop by a branch, call us at (800) 749-5290, or visit www.VAntagetrustfcu.org.

Hurry! This offer is only available from February 1 thru March 1, 2014

Page 2

President’s MessageOne New Year’s Resolution You Need To Keep

Everyone talks about New Year’s resolutions at this time

of year. We all know that some of those resolutions tend to fall by the wayside, but there is one that you can’t afford to ignore in 2014: getting rid of high-interest debt after the holidays.

Here’s why – VAntage Trust FCU makes it easy for you to save money instantly on your high-interest rate loans. In fact, we can help with a Personal Loan at a great low interest rate and affordable terms or a no-fee balance transfer to our MasterCard® Credit Card.

See the articles in this newsletter for details on our current money-saving debt consolidation promotions, and call or stop by for all the details. Our friendly staff will be glad to help you lower your debt and save more in the New Year. Sticking to those exercise goals is another story, but VAntage Trust FCU is here to help you get your finances into better shape for good!

Regards,

Robert M. Burton

President/CEO

New Email Scams – Part 2Job Hunters, Beware!

With current unemployment rates still at high percentages, many job seekers are using the Internet to search and apply for jobs. This is a convenient and a smart

way to look for jobs; however, you need to beware that scams abound on these job boards – even the ones deemed reputable. Some of the scams might even be in the form of advertisements or suggestions on that job site or a pop-up ad. Especially because searching for jobs can leave you vulnerable enough already, you need to have your guard up when applying for positions and responding to inquiries.

How To Protect YourselfBe on the lookout. If you see any jobs that seem too good to be true, they probably are. Earning $20,000 a month to seal envelopes from the comfort of your home sure would be nice, but chances are the employer on the other end is someone looking to take advantage of you – or, even worse, steal your identity. These individuals might offer you a job over the phone without even meeting you or asking any interview questions. Often they will ask for personal and private information and account routing numbers in an attempt to steal your identity and your money.

Do your research. Thankfully, the same tool they are using to try to scam you is also your best weapon. Search the company on the web. Often, information about previous scams can be found. Be aware, though, because these tricksters change company names about as often as you change your socks!

Bottom line, honest employers and real jobs are out there, but the scammers are, too. Do not give private information to an employer before you have done your research!

For more information on protecting yourself on the web, visit www.onguardonline.gov.

Easier Account Access, From Anywhere

With our 24-hour remote access services, managing your money is much more convenient.

Virtual Branch Online Banking – View your loan accounts, checking and share balances, and even transfer funds between your accounts. Enroll in e-statements for online statement access 24/7.

Bill Payer – Access Bill Payer through Online Banking to set up your personal payment list and schedule the dates when bills need to be paid. Bill Payer will automatically send electronic checks from your Checking Account.

24-Hour Telephone Teller – Not near a computer? You can still access your account information by phone. Just dial (570) 824-8055 anytime, day or night.

Call the credit union at (800) 749-5290 to learn more or enroll today.

Sign Up For Mobile Banking –

It’s Easy!

Get Account Information Via

Smartphone, PDA, Or Other Device

Visit www.VAntagetrustfcu.org

BULLETIN BOARD

Page 3

Retirement – It’s On EVERYBODY’S Mind

If you’re young and just entering the work force, juggling all your expenses and paying down debt, like student loans, makes funding a retirement account seem

not so important. However, the cost of retirement isn’t getting any cheaper. Here’s a quick glance at what these years look like by starting now or waiting.

A traditional IRA account, started at age 25, has great potential to not only grow, but also withstand the ebb and flow of stock-related investments. Here’s an example –

You earn $25,000, with a projected increase in earnings of 3% annually. By consistently putting aside 10% of your pre-tax earnings, roughly $208 a month in the beginning, you’ll accumulate about $759,492 by age 65, based on a conservative return of 7%. Don’t forget, the more you earn, the more that 10% contribution will have to increase along the way.

Let’s look at what happens if you wait five years, to age 30. Use the same parameters as above; only now use earnings of around $30,000. You should retire at age 65 with around $795,381. Not bad, but take into consideration your starting contribution will have to increase to around $250 per month. If you use your money wisely to pay off debt during those five years between 25 to 30, you’ll be in good shape.

Now what if you did nothing toward saving for retirement until age 45? This could be a drastic mistake. Again, using the same formula, even with a greater contribution based on your increased salary of $46,750, you’ll retire at age 65 with only $287,766.

These totals sound like a great amount of money, and they are, but consider the possibility that you will probably live another 20-30 years without a paycheck. That’s why it’s important to start early. A steady, committed plan, like the one your credit union can provide, will help your retirement years be comfortable, reliable, and secure.

Save well!

Holiday Closings

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 20, 2014

Presidents’ Day Monday, February 17, 2014

Current Rates Dividend Rate APYShare (Savings) Account 0.050% 0.050%Share Draft (Checking) Account 0.000% 0.000%Holiday Club 0.050% 0.050%Vacation Club 0.050% 0.050%STEP Account 0.300% 0.300%

Certificate Rates Can Change Weekly, Stop In Or Call For Current Rates On 6 Month, 1, 2 And 3 Year Terms.

Money Market AccountsTier I $50.00-$1,000.00 0.150% 0.150%Tier II $1,000.01-$10,000.00 0.150% 0.150% Tier III $10,000.01-$75,000.00 0.200% 0.200% Tier IV $75,000.01 And Up 0.250% 0.250%

IRA Accounts Traditional, Roth And Educational 0.450% 0.450%

Loan Rates APRNew Vehicle Loans36 Months Zero Down Payment 1.990%-6.490%48 Months Zero Down Payment 1.990%-6.740%60 Months Zero Down Payment 2.500%-7.750%72 Months Zero Down Payment 3.000%-8.250%

Used Vehicle Loans36 Months 2005-2008 1.990%-6.490%48 Months 2009-2010 1.990%-6.740%60 Months 2011-Newer 3.000%-8.250%72 Months 2011-Newer 3.250%-8.500%

New And Used Camper Loans (Secured By Title)STOP IN OR CALL FOR CURRENT RATES AND TERMS

Share Secured Loan 4.000%

Unsecured Loans1-2-3 Years 7.990%-12.490%4 Years 8.990%-13.740%5 Years 9.990%-15.240%

Fixed Home Equity36 Months 3.750%60 Months 4.000%84 Months 4.500%120 Months 5.500%180 Months 6.000%

Variable Rate Home Equity 3.750%First Mortgages Current Market RateMasterCard 12.000%Gold MasterCard 9.900%Platinum MasterCard 7.990%

(Rates effective 1/1/2014) Rates are subject to change.

Current Rates

The Smart Borrowing Solution

If you have your mind set on a few projects this spring but need some extra cash, let VAntage

Trust FCU’s products and services help you make it happen.

We offer a variety of borrowing options, and our popular Personal Loan can provide you with the funds to do anything you wish. Purchase a new laptop, pay for tuition, head off on a special trip, renovate your home, or use the funds for whatever else you need.

With this loan, you can borrow up to $15,000 at a rate as low as 7.99% APR* for up to a 60-month term. It’s the smarter solution when you need extra cash.

Apply TodayTo learn more about VAntage Trust FCU’s loan offerings, stop by, visit us at www.VAntagetrustfcu.org, or call us at (800) 749-5290.

Personal LoansAs Low As

7.99%Terms Up To 60 Months

APR*

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Other rates and terms available. Contact the credit union for complete details.

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDLehigh Valley, PA

Permit #550

VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

881 Mundy StreetWilkes-Barre, PA 18702

www.VAntagetrustfcu.org

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4

A Quarterly Publication For Members Of VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union

Nanticoke Office158 South Market Street

Nanticoke, PA 18634Phone: (570) 258-3200

Fax: (570) 258-3203Office Hours

Monday – Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hughestown/Pittston Branch405 Laurel Street

Pittston, PA 18640Phone: (570) 602-3650

Fax: (570) 602-3654

Office HoursMonday – Friday –

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

VA Medical Center Branch2nd Floor • VA Medical Center

Wilkes-Barre, PAPhone: (570) 824-5546

Fax: (570) 820-7715Office Hours

Monday, Wednesday & Friday8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Main Office881 Mundy Street

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702Phone: (570) 819-3337

Toll-free: (800) 749-5290Fax: (570) 819-3366

Office HoursMonday – Friday –

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Drive Thru open

Fridays until 5:30 p.m. Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

VAntage Trust Federal Credit Unionwww.VAntagetrustfcu.org

13-00730 12/13 Marketing Partners (888) 641-1215

Important Notice Regarding Account Balances

Please note that to protect the safety of your personal

information, VAntage Trust FCU will not release your account balance information over the phone.

You are welcome to call Teller Line, log on to Home Branching or Mobile Banking, stop by the credit union, or visit an ATM to find out your balance.

Skip A Loan Payment!

Another way to make affording the holiday cash crunch a little less of a pinch is to take advantage of our Skip-A-Monthly-Loan-

Payment offer.

Our Skip-A-Monthly-Loan-Payment plan allows you to take a month off from your loan payment(s) and use the extra money for anything you wish. If your credit union loans are in good standing, you can skip either your December or January monthly payment.

To take advantage of this offer, stop by the credit union or call (570) 819-3337 for more information.

Please note: The interest on your loan will continue to accrue and there is a low $35.00 processing fee per loan skipped. Also, 1st Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Student Loans, and Credit Card payments are not eligible.