http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/ The latest news and announcements from the UFirst Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. en-US Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:06:31 -0400 http://www.typepad.com/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/07/debt-in-focus.html http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/07/debt-in-focus.html UFirst FCU has launched a new service on our website. UFirst Debt In Focus provides members with an opportunity to Review and analyze their debt Obtain their yearly credit report from a legitimate site Get debt control and budgeting advice Develop a personal budget I used this valuable tool for the first time this weekend. It was easy to follow and provided me with excellent information on my debt to income ratio. My Mac computer allowed me to "print to pdf" a copy of the report. I noticed the information I provided to develop the report is saved. I can... Member Education Virginia Brady Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:06:31 -0400 http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/06/credit-card-differences.html http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/06/credit-card-differences.html Consumer debt and its stranglehold on individuals has been in the news often during 2008/2009. Last month President Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD) of 2009. The focus of this bill provides an insight into the ways in which financial institutions have been profiting from the widespread circulation and use of credit cards. CARD bans unfair and hidden rate increases. In particular, it restricts rate increases which are retroactive due to late payments. Credit card companies can still make introductory offers which entice consumers with low temporary rates that sky rocket but the lower rates... Virginia Brady Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:07:35 -0400 http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/05/ufirst-staff-and-board-travel-to-albany.html http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/05/ufirst-staff-and-board-travel-to-albany.html Once a year representatives from the UFirst Staff and Board of Directors travel to Albany for the Credit Union Association of New York’s Governmental Affairs Conference. This year the conference took place May 18th to May 20th a block from the state capitol. UFirst joined other credit unions from throughout the state to discuss legislation which would benefit credit union members and New York State residents and municipalities. Attendees were briefed on the 2009 Legislative Agenda which includes initiatives that would open credit union services and products to more New York State residents. One piece of legislation that was discussed... Board Activities Virginia Brady Thu, 28 May 2009 19:11:12 -0400 http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/05/the-it-could-be-worse-department.html http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/05/the-it-could-be-worse-department.html My grandmother was a young adult with a family when the depression began in 1929. Her husband went from job to job and finally settled into a position helping his father-in-law run a fish market about 25 miles from New York City. It was during this time that my grandmother began using an expression which became one of her mantras. Pop’s (my grandfather) employer would reduce his work hours and she’d say, “It could be worse”. Car tires were unavailable causing the family to have to sell their primary means of transportation and she’d shake her head and observe, “It... Member Education Virginia Brady Mon, 11 May 2009 09:19:28 -0400 http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/05/the-boardcast-is-back.html http://www.theboardcast.net/weblog/2009/05/the-boardcast-is-back.html One of the discoveries I've made on the internet are courses and other educational sites sponsored by colleges and universities throughout the world. It seems like most prestigious schools now have online courses open to the general public that cover almost any topic of interest. A series that has caught my attention is a blog Econlog and the corresponding podcast EconTalk which focus on economics. The blog and podcast are sponsored by the Liberty Fund, Inc., which is dedicated to funding the study of economics. Interviews and articles feature prominent economists and historians throughout the country. A new feature on... Member Education Virginia Brady Tue, 05 May 2009 07:40:19 -0400