Leyden Cr ed i t Union 2701 N. 25 th Avenue • Frank l in Park , I l l ino i s 60131 (847) 455-8440 • www. l e ydencu .o rg

Quarterly newsletterSpring 2008

Put a little Spring into your step with LCU’s Stimulus Payment Enhancer

The government wants to help the economy by providing tax filers with Stimulus Checks starting in May. LCU wants to do our part by giving you the opportunity

to double your money up to $3,600.

Here’s How it works…

Bring your stimulus check in to LCU and we will deposit it into your savings account. We then have you fill out a loan application for double the amount of your check. So, if you get a check for $1200, your loan will be for $2400. We’ll keep your original deposit on hold until the loan is paid off, but you get twice the amount you deposited to spend how you wish. Pay some bills, go on vacation, get that new TV you want, it’s up to you.

The rate, term and payment amount depend on the size of your check. Talk to a Financial Service Representative about your specific options when you know how much you’ll be getting. Some restrictions will apply and not everyone will qualify for this special offer.

You can apply for the loan before you get your check so that we can speed up the process and get you your money as

soon as possible once you receive and deposit your check at LCU.

An added benefit of this program is that once the loan is paid off, you’ll still have the original amount of the stimulus check to use however you wish. This is also a great way to establish/re-establish your credit.

Call a FSR at 47-455-8440 or apply online at

www.leydencu.org.

Working to Improve Our Members’ Financial Well-Being

Mortgage Meltdown, Loan Losses...Where do you turn?

The economic picture for the U.S. and global economies has been muddled at best and downright scary at worst for the past 6- 9 months. The media reports that a recession is looming week after week which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Oil and gas prices are at or near all time highs. Stock market prices are declining. Banks are writing off millions of dollars in bad home loans every quarter. It’s a pretty grim picture.

As owners of your financial institution, you should be aware of where your credit union stands during these difficult times. Actually, we’re in decent shape. During the housing boom we weren’t looking to make a quick buck off of our members and we steered clear of the sub-prime mortgage market. Consequently, we are not in a position of having to worry about foreclosing on any of our members home loans and facing the large loan losses that come with foreclosures during a down real estate market.

Several years ago, there were credit unions that were heavily involved in obtaining sub-prime auto financing straight from the dealers. These credit unions were thinking that this would be a good way to increase their membership numbers and increase their loan yields because they could charge higher interest rates on these types of loans. What these credit unions didn’t take into consideration is that the dealers wanted to move cars and would do whatever it took to qualify these sub-prime members for the credit union loans. The actions the dealers took included falsifying income and employment among other things. What happened to these credit unions? They took thousands or millions of dollars in losses.

Talk to the folks at Accel and let them help you work your Money Personality into a budget that works for you.

Accel is a free financial education and counseling program. To use this service, simply call 1-877-33ACCEL (332-2235) or visit them on the web at www.accelservices.org.

What’s Your Money Personality?Have you ever wondered why you use money in a particular

way? Many forces impact the development of your money personality. Some spending influences include: advertising, media, society, friends, family, and easy credit. One way to evaluate your approach to money is to identify your attitudes about money.

The hoarder likes to save, budget, and

prioritize

The separatist wants at least some of his/her

own money

The spender likes to spend

The risk-taker loves

adventurous investing

The dreamer hatches passionate schemes, but has no idea how to

make them come true

The planner is the nitty-

gritty, take-it-one-step-at-a-

time type

The risk-avoider goes for the sure thing

The merger wants to

pull all of the couple’s money

together

Where do you fit?

Get a New Vehicle

Pricing Report and

get special member

pricing in less than

60 seconds!

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E

Working to Improve Our Members’ Financial Well-Being

Mortgage Meltdown, Loan Losses...Where do you turn?

The economic picture for the U.S. and global economies has been muddled at best and downright scary at worst for the past 6- 9 months. The media reports that a recession is looming week after week which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Oil and gas prices are at or near all time highs. Stock market prices are declining. Banks are writing off millions of dollars in bad home loans every quarter. It’s a pretty grim picture.

As owners of your financial institution, you should be aware of where your credit union stands during these difficult times. Actually, we’re in decent shape. During the housing boom we weren’t looking to make a quick buck off of our members and we steered clear of the sub-prime mortgage market. Consequently, we are not in a position of having to worry about foreclosing on any of our members home loans and facing the large loan losses that come with foreclosures during a down real estate market.

Several years ago, there were credit unions that were heavily involved in obtaining sub-prime auto financing straight from the dealers. These credit unions were thinking that this would be a good way to increase their membership numbers and increase their loan yields because they could charge higher interest rates on these types of loans. What these credit unions didn’t take into consideration is that the dealers wanted to move cars and would do whatever it took to qualify these sub-prime members for the credit union loans. The actions the dealers took included falsifying income and employment among other things. What happened to these credit unions? They took thousands or millions of dollars in losses.

LCU has steered clear of these credit traps and has protected our members’ deposits very well. We evaluate all of our loan applications very closely before we lend money out. There will always be losses. Times are difficult. Gas, electricity, and heating costs are all skyrocketing, so you have less money to pay all your other bills. If you have an adjustable rate mortgage, your payments may have shot up leaving you to scramble to pay all your other bills. Sometimes, our members get behind with their bills and we don’t get paid.

So, what to do? If you’re getting into trouble, let us know, even if you don’t owe us anything. We can refer you to our free credit counseling program. We also have a free budgeting software program that you can download from our website. If you’re looking for a new/used car, we have a free auto buying service. We have free home banking and bill payment service. That’s a lot of free stuff, just for you, our members. Talk to us, we want to help.

David Lukas Leyden Credit Union President/CEO

Talk to the folks at Accel and let them help you work your Money Personality into a budget that works for you.

Accel is a free financial education and counseling program. To use this service, simply call 1-877-33ACCEL (332-2235) or visit them on the web at www.accelservices.org.

What’s Your Money Personality?Have you ever wondered why you use money in a particular

way? Many forces impact the development of your money personality. Some spending influences include: advertising, media, society, friends, family, and easy credit. One way to evaluate your approach to money is to identify your attitudes about money.

SAVINGS RATES LOAN RATES (For Qualified Buyers All Discounts Included)

Regular Shares .............................. 1.01% APY*

Holiday ......................................... 1.26% APY*

IRAs (passbook) ........................... 1.26% APY*

Tiered Money Market .................... 3.33% APY*

Premier Share Draft ....................... 0.50% APY*

Call the credit union office, LAURA or check our Home Page for up-to-the minute Certificate Rates.

*Annual Percentage Yield

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Wednesday: 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Friday: 8:30a.m. – 6:30p.m.

Saturday: 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.

Office / Drive-Up Hours

©20

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New Auto Loans:

as low as

5.40% APR†

Used Auto Loans:

as low as

5.40% APR†

VISA® No Annual Fees

25 Day Grace Period Summer & Holiday

Skip-a-pay

Classic/Gold Share Secured

8.88% APR†

Gold

9.00% APR†

Classic

13.80% APR†

† Annual Percentage Rate

Rates as of 3/31/08. All rates subject to change

without notice.

Share Secured:

as low as

5.25% APR†

Signature Loans

as low as

9.00% APR†

Did You Know?

Holiday ClosingsLCU will be closed on Monday, May 26th

in observance of Memorial Day.

Variable Rate Home Equity Line of Credit

Prime Rate

5.25% APR†

Filing your taxes electronically via our Turbo Tax Link on our website is the fastest, easiest way to get your rebate. You can receive your State refund by direct deposit in less than a week and your Federal refund by direct deposit in a week and a half.

It’s never too late to save money on your auto loan with LCU. We know that the dealers pressure you to take one of their financing options when you’re buying a car. After you get your coupon book, bring it into us and we’ll refinance your loan and save you 1% or more.

Contributions for both Roth and Traditional IRAs can be made up until April 15th for 2007. Contribution limits are $4000 if you’re under 50 and $5000 if you are age 50 or above.

A great way to get cash surcharge free is by using your LCU Check card at your local grocery or convenience store. Pay using the debit option, enter your PIN and you’ll be asked if you want cash back and you won’t have to worry about a surcharge.