The 4th Annual “Stuff-A-Bus” was held atMichigan City Al’s Supermarkets on FranklinStreet and in Karwick Plaza the first week ofSeptember. “Stuff-a-bus” helps the SalvationArmy to replenish their food pantry. With thehelp of so many great people in the communityit turned out to be a great success. With thepre-made food bags, the meat vouchers, cashdonations, and separate food items the total

MONEY$MART October, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE:Message from the President

Stuff-a-Bus

Tech tips on software

First Trust announces their2nd Annual Adopt-a-Turkey!Any money donated will go to theSalvation Army to buy turkeys for holidaymeals. The Salvation Army helps to feedover 700 families a month. We canpurchase small turkeys for about $7 andlarge turkeys for about $15. Any amountis greatly appreciated! Please help usmeet our goal of $2000!

First Trust Credit Union — Rooted in Trust, Growing in your Community

Rooted in Trust,Growing in your community

Our PremierChecking pays

as high as4.5% apy

First Trust now has aPremier Checking Account.With this new account, youreceive benefits when youmaintain a minimum dailybalance of $5,000 includ-

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FREE checks, a freePremier checkbook coverand more! The more you

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“Stuff-a-Bus”Successful!

into a GREAT CD RATE!

Take advantage of this great rate!*Annual Percentage Yield. 5.00% is on a $10,000 CD.The term is 6 months.

Please bring this coupon in with you next time you visit.

Please donate ____________ to Adopt-a-Turkey

from my account # ___________________.

Or you can mail a check to First Trust Credit UnionAdopt-a-Turkey, P.O. Box 2116, Michigan City, IN 46360

5.00%apy*

was close to $5000! This helps the MichiganCity Salvation Army to feed over 700 families amonth!! We would like to thank Al’s for always doing such a great job, as well as the FirstTrust staff. We are also very grateful to the Michigan City School Transportation Departmentfor the 2 buses we “stuffed” with food, and all of the wonderful volunteers, including stu-dents from Michigan City High who helped unload the buses at the food pantry.

First Trust staff and the Salvation Army helps out with Stuff-a-Bus. Pictured are Dan Rajsic, LeslynQuartuccio, Cheryl Peek, Joyce Yech, Rachel Werner and the Salvation Army’s Major Brian Burkett.

Yes,I can donate!

Bob Tillema actually started outon the Board of Directors withHoosier Credit Union in 1977.In 1991, Hoosier Credit Unionmerged with our credit union.At that point Mr.Tillemabecame Vice Chairman of ourBoard of Directors. He is alsothe chairperson on First Trust’sAsset/Liability Committee aswell as the Budget Committee.

Bob has been a mathematicsteacher with Kankakee ValleyHigh School in Wheatfield,Indiana for 37 years. Mr.Tillemahas been a lifelong resident ofWheatfield and a firefighter andambulance driver for over 30years. He is also president ofthe Wheatfield Lions Club. Mr.Tillema was awarded theVolunteer of the year award in2000 by the Indiana CreditUnion League.

First Trust would like to thankMr.Tillema for the dedication toour credit union. His expertisehas helped the credit union inso many ways, we are proud tohave him as such a devotedBoard Member!

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT,

Ron BudzinskiFirst Trust always strives to bring you, our member, the best products and services possible.We recently introduced a new product called Excess Share Insurance. This product allowsus to make sure our member’s savings accounts are protected up to $350,000 and yourindividual retirement account up to $500,000 in our credit union. First Trust pays for thisExcess Share Insurance so you may have the highest level of combined and privateinsurance available.

What does this mean to you?

When you deposit money in any savings account, the NCUA protects it up to $100,000.Our new Excess Share Insurance (ESI) adds an additional $250,000 in protection. Whichmeans your accounts are now protected up to a total of $350,000. Also, IndividualRetirement Accounts (IRA’S) are insured separately by the NCUA for up to $250,000 andwith the additional $250,000 ESI protection your IRA’s at the credit union are nowprotected up to $500,000.

This means if you maintain your member savings AND your IRA at the credit union, you maynow have a combined savings protection of $850,000. This new products makes it easierfor you to maintain all of your money in one place instead of keeping several accounts atdifferent financial institutes.

I believe it’s important you know your money is well protected and you can have peace ofmind with your future.

SPOTLIGHTON

BOARD MEMBER

Robert Tillema

Brad WernerFinancial AdvisorCall for an appointment today!

800-276-6161

You can get a $13,000 car, truck, or SUV with no money down for as low as$253 per month with our great low rate of 6.29% apr (annual percentage rate.)

It's easy to apply. Just come into one of our branches or go online to apply.We have fast approval and no payment for 60 days!!

100% financing is available!! *60 months at 6.29% apr

Time for anew set

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Now’s the time, with paymentsas low as $253 per month*

Tech Tips by Daniel Rajsic, Computer Operations Manager Tips for SafeHoliday Shopping

Online

Know the reputation of thecompany you’re dealing with.Confirm the seller’s address &phone number in case youneed to get in touch withthem. Google search them forany good or bad information.

Make sure you see the “lock”icon in the lower corner ofyour web browser OUTSIDEof the web page itself.Thisindicates that the connectionitself is encrypted.

Pay by credit card. Most creditcards carry a $50 maximumon your responsibility for fraud(as long as you report it assoon as you discover it.) Sothis makes credit cardshopping reasonable safe.However be sure to read theterms and conditions of yourcredit card to make sure ofwhat your liability limit may be.

Keep a paper trail. Print andsave records of your onlinetransactions, including theitem, price.The onlineconfirmation, receipt, and anyemail you exchanged.Compare your credit cardstatement with your copiesand look out for anyunauthorized charges.

A significant part of the cost of your PC can come from the software. Bill Gates didn’tbecome a billionaire by giving it away for free. The retail price for Windows Vista and Office07 can be more than $400 each. But that doesn’t mean free quality software isn’t out there.

Free software may not be the best idea for critical applications on business PCs. For youraverage home user without a lot of money, they offer a great solution.

Antivirus software keeps your PC safe from harmful email and websites. Retail versionsof antivirus software can cost you $50 or more a year. For my home PC, I use AviraAntiVir Personal Edition Classic from www.free-av.com. There is another goodsolution called ClamWin Free Antivirus that can be found at www.clamwin.com.Because these products don’t protect against spyware, I use a free spyware calledHouseCall from www.trendmicro.com.

A professional version of Microsoft Office can cost about $500. Sun Microsystems, a directcompetitor of Microsoft, developed a free office suite that they openly distribute.OpenOffice is multi-platform, meaning that it works on more that just Windows PCs. Itsmany components include a word processor, presentation software, mathematical equationgenerator, graphic and diagram platform, spreadsheet, and database software. OpenOfficeis compatible with other office suites, or if you have created files using Microsoft Office orWorks, Lotus, Word Perfect, or other office suite products, you can use OpenOffice to openand edit them. Check out OpenOffice at www.openoffice.org

There is a wealth of information of free and “free to try” software that can be found atwww.download.com. Search by category or specific need to find the type of software youwant for free or for a price you are willing to pay. Be sure to read the editor’s and user’sreviews and ratings to see what others think of the software. Not all free software is good,but there are some real gems to be found at download.com

Software can be quite expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. The next time you are thinkingabout purchasing software, research some of the free solutions that can be found on-line.

Neither First Trust nor Daniel Rajsic make any warranties or guarantees express or implied regarding the safety and soundness of anysoftware mentioned in this article. Nor do they assume any liability for the function of any effects installation of said software may have.Consult with your PC manufacturer before attempting any of the recommendations contained in this article.

Congratulations!... to ourChairman of the Board,Arnie Bass. Heand his lovelywife, Barb,celebrated their50th weddinganniversary with friends andfamily June 29th, 2007!

Free Softwarefor your PC

WE MAKE IT EASY!! Funds may be withdrawn in person, by ART, or online.Don’t forget about next year! Make your holidays happier with our Christmas Club account.

Open your 2008 Christmas Club account soon!

CHRISTMAS CLUB WITHDRAWAL TIME!!You may withdraw the funds from your Christmas Club withoutan early withdrawal fee starting October 1st. On October 15th,

we will automatically transfer the funds to your share draftchecking account. If you do not have checking, the deposit will be

made into your regular share savings.You may request to haveyour money transferred into another account.

Your savings federally insured to$100,000

NCUANational Credit Union Administration

a U.S. Government Agency

Main OfficeP.O. Box 2116

950 East U.S. Hwy 20Michigan City, IN 46361

FAX: (219) 873-1331Toll Free (800) 276-6161

(219) 879-6161

LaPorte402 J Street

LaPorte, IN 46350FAX: (219) 325-3982

(219) 324-4359

Valparaiso2101 Roosevelt RoadValparaiso, IN 46383FAX: (219) 462-4306

(219) 464-1962

Valparaiso1404 East LincolnwayValparaiso, IN 46383FAX: (219) 462-4613

(219) 462-7805

Wheatfield4259 W. State Road 10Wheatfield, IN 46392FAX: (219) 956-4118

(219) 956-3922

Ronald J. Budzinski, President

Board of DirectorsArnold Bass, Chairman

Bob Tillema, Vice-ChairmanGerald Peters, SecretaryJack Marriott, Treasurer

Linda BechinskiJohn HendersonDennis Knaup

Mukund PhadkeDan Plank

Howard SmithDavid Sobecki

First TrustSupervisory CommitteeRona Edquist, Chairperson

Ange BenzMarlete Kiff

www.firsttrustcu.comRates listed in this newsletter

may be subject to change

First Trust pays up to $1000 on Closing Costs!We offer a 3/3 and a 5/5 A.R.M.

The 3/3 and 5/5 are great products and can be a real advantage if you want to:� Lower your interest rate or your monthly payments� Combine a first and second mortgage 3/3 6.125% apr� Purchase a new home 5/5 6.375% apr� You want to free up cash for other purposes

What is a 3/3 or 5/5/?A 3/3 is a loan where the rates are fixed for 3 years and then adjust every 3 years after that. The 5/5 loan is fixed for 5 years and then adjusts every 5 years after that.

Other Great Advantages:� Free pre-approval � A bi-weekly payment is available at no extra charge� No pre-payment payment penalty � The loan is maintained right here at First Trust!

We can help you find the right mortgage product just for you! Call LaNell, our MortgageConsultant, today at 800-276-6161 ext. 445

Refinancingor

purchasinga

Home?

First RewardsEarn Rewards Points for using our products and services.The moreproducts and services you take advantage of with First Trust the morepoints you earn. Earn great rewards such as Loan Interest Rebates,Free ATM service fees, CD renewal Bonus Dividends and more.Ask for details!

Relax... Wemake it easy!