SF Fire Credit Union - News

Message From the President: Summer in San Francisco

2014-07-01T07:00:00Z

July has arrived in San Francisco, bringing with it vacation getaways, our infamous summer fog, and an opportunity for me to update members on what’s happening at the credit union. I’ll start with the credit union’s financials, because as member-owners of this financial cooperative you should know that it continues to perform well. Our profitability is reliably consistent, allowing us to continuously grow the credit union’s capital reserves and ensure long-term viability. We owe this success to members, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet your banking needs. Letting us help you meet your financial goals is how you help us remain a strong and prosperous credit union.

It was a busy spring at SF Fire Credit Union, with a variety of member events and service upgrades to make doing business with us easier. Highlights included the Member Car Sale and Shred Day in April, the first-time homebuyer seminar in June, and enhancements to mobile and online banking that allow you to notify us of travel plans to avoid the blocking of debit or credit card transactions which might otherwise appear unusual.

We’ve got just as much planned for summer. In the coming weeks we’ll begin a remodel of our California Street location to make better use of space, and expand the member service areas for Real Estate and Business Services. Our new website is nearing completion, and will soon be unveiled. Always proud of our historic roots with San Francisco Firefighters, we’re pleased to be a primary sponsor as they host the 2014 California Firefighter Olympics from July 19th to the 25th and hope you’ll join us in supporting our local athletes. Our real estate seminars have been well received, so we’ll be expanding topics in the coming months to include healthcare, rebuilding your finances, and car buying. As these seminars are designed to help members make better informed decisions regarding their financial lives, I welcome feedback you might have on additional topics we should offer.

I hope to see you soon, be it at a branch or at one of our events. But if not, know that I always welcome your questions and comments and encourage you to reach out to me via our website (“Ask Darren”), Twitter, or mail at our California Street address.

Darren Herrmann, President & CEO

RSVP: Healthcare Seminar - August 12, 2014

2014-06-30T07:00:00Z

When planning for retirement, healthcare tends to be one of the top three expenses people underestimate. Healthcare is not something you want to leave to chance. Have you estimated your out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs? Do you know what items, such as dental care, are not covered by Medicare? What is this thing called the "Donut Hole" and how might it apply to you?

Have Questions? We Have Answers

These questions and much more will be addressed in our upcoming seminar taking place on August 12th at our California Street branch at 12:00pm. Lunch will be provided. This seminar will be hosted by our CFS* Financial Advisor Dennis Adams (CA Insurance License #0A66675) and presented by Jeremy M. Palac, Regional Vice President, Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company, Inc.

RSVP to Attend Our Seminar

RSVP by calling (415) 674-4846, emailing investments@sffirecu.org, or simply fill out the RSVP form below.

When
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Seminar is at 12:00PM

Where
SF Fire Credit Union, California Street Branch, 3201 California St
San Francisco, CA 94118
Click here for MAP

Please indicate your <font>full name, </font> the <font>number of people</font> in your party (including yourself) in the fields below:

<notextile> {% form for:special-event %} <input /> <input>

Click on the <font>Send</font> button when you are finished.

<input class="button" src="/images/btn_send_black.png" />
Please click button only once - it will take a few seconds to acknowledge.

{% endform %} </notextile>

*Insurance products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, Inc. ("CFS"). Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are licensed through CFS. The Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make insurance products and services available to credit union members.

New Online & Mobile Banking Feature: Notify us of your Travel Plans

2014-06-11T07:00:00Z

We work diligently to protect our members from fraud. Before traveling this summer, remember that notifying SF Fire Credit Union of the places you’ll visit and the dates you’ll be there can help avoid our blocking of debit or credit card transactions that may appear unusual.

To place a travel notification, please log in to Online or Mobile Banking to load a Travel Notification directly from your computer or mobile device. In Online Banking, “Submit a Travel Notification” is under the “Special Services” menu, and in our Mobile Banking apps, you’ll find the “Submit Travel Notification” area under the “More” menu.

As always, you can also notify us of your plans via Web Chat or over the phone by calling (888) 499-FIRE (3473).

Message from the President - Spring is Here

2014-04-02T07:00:00Z

Spring has arrived in San Francisco, bringing with it an opportunity to update members on what’s been happening at the credit union since the start of the new year. It was a pleasure to speak with some of you at our Annual Meeting of Members, held on President’s Day at the Spanish Cultural Center in San Francisco. Highlights included SFFD Chief Joanne Hayes- White’s assistance in dedicating a plaque honoring the credit union’s founding members, soon to be mounted at our Mint Plaza branch which stands just a few feet from where we began at 17 Engine back in 1951. The election results for the volunteer positions on our Board of Directors and Supervisor Committee were also announced. Edward Liggins and Frances Lee were installed on the Board of Directors, as well as John Diluzio and Patrick Rabbitt on our Supervisory Committee. On behalf of staff and management, I thank these members for volunteering their time and the commitment they demonstrate in fulfilling their responsibilities. We were also pleased to award this year’s Arthur F. McIntyre Scholarship to four highly accomplished students. Congratulations to Amy Smerdel, Marc Cunningham, Claire Linney and Elizabeth Yuen for being selected, and we wish them continued success in their academic endeavors.

SF Fire Credit Union is always working hard to make doing business with us easier, and implemented some significant changes to our Real Estate Loan Program. The goal was to improve our level of service, including better communication and expedited processing of your loan. Whether you’re in the market to purchase, refinance, or looking to secure an equity line-ofcredit, I hope you’ll give us the opportunity to meet your home loan needs. We also updated the name of what was previously known as our “Money Market Savings” to “Tiered Savings.” This had no effect on the rates and terms on the account, but was changed to more accurately describe its features. More service enhancements are coming soon, including the ability to load travel notifications for your SF Fire Credit Union debit and credit cards within mobile and online banking in late April. As members currently need to call or visit a branch to report their travel plans, this service enhancement will make it easier to let us know of your planned getaways during the upcoming vacation season.

Spring will also see the return of events that have become increasingly popular over the past few years. We’ll be having a Member Car Sale at the Cow Palace on April 5th and 6th, as well as the credit union’s annual Document Shred Day held at all branches on April 18th. I hope to see you at one of these events, but if not, know that I always welcome your questions or comments and encourage you to contact me via our website (“Ask Darren”), Twitter (@SFFireCU) or mail at our California Street address.

Darren Herrmann, President & CEO

Member Notification: Changes to Our Money Market Account Name

2014-03-01T08:00:00Z

Effective March 1st, we have renamed our “Money Market Savings” to “Tiered Savings.”

This change will not affect the rate or terms of the account. We feel this description better reflects the features of our savings account.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this change, please feel free to contact us at (888) 499-FIRE (3473).

2014 Arthur F. McIntyre Scholarship Winners Announced at Annual Meeting

2014-02-19T08:00:00Z

The winners of the 2014 Arthur F. McIntyre Scholarship have been announced, and we wish to congratulate the following members:

Amy Smerdel, who attends Notre Dame High School and lives in Belmont, CA.

Marc Cunningham, who attends Lowell High School and lives in San Francisco, CA.

Claire Linney, who attends Sacramento State University and is from Woodside, CA.

Elizabeth Yuen, who attends San Francisco State University and is from San Francisco, CA.

Upcoming Custom-Image Debit & Credit Card Program Changes

2014-02-10T08:00:00Z

At the end of March, SF Fire Credit Union will temporarily suspend production of new custom-image debit and credit cards, as our vendor for custom card production will be ceasing operations.

If you have a custom-image debit or credit card that was created after June 20, 2012, when your current card expires your replacement card will feature the same custom image now featured on your current card. If you prefer, however, we will reissue your card with the SF Fire Credit Union standard card design. You can contact our Call Center anytime to let us know your desire to switch to the standard image.

Due to the change in providers, you will not have the ability to change an image on file with us, as the image upload tools in our Online Banking system will be removed when our current provider ceases operations.

While we do not have an exact date for the resumption of custom image card production, we expect to offer the service again later in 2014 and we will provide an updated timeline when those dates become available from a new provider. We're sorry for the inconvenience, and if you have any questions, please contact our Call Center seven days a week between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time at 888-499-FIRE(3473) or via Web Chat.

Branch Hours in Observance of President's Day

2014-02-05T08:00:00Z

All of SF Fire Credit Union's branches will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2014 in observance of President's Day.

The Call Center & Web Chat will be available on February 17, 2014 during their regular hours of 6AM to 10PM (Pacific).

SF Firefighters Toy Program - Thank You for Your Support

2013-12-31T16:00:00Z

A huge thank you to everyone who donated toys, money or their time to the SF Firefighters Toy Program this year. We were able to raise $15,000 for this great organization!

The SF Firefighters Toy Program distributes toys seasonally to over 40,000 kids in need and responds on a year-round basis to children and families in crisis. They are the oldest volunteer-run program of their kind in the nation and rely solely on donations.

Ways to Support the SF Firefighter Toy Program

There are many ways you can help support the Toy Program in the future if you were unable to this holiday season:

Donate in Online Banking (during the month of December), in one of our branches, or over the phone
Bring unwrapped toys to one of our branches, or to any San Francisco firehouse

For more information, login to Online Banking or call us at 1.888.499.FIRE (3473)

We’d like to give a special thanks to our visitors: retired SFFD Firefighter Bob “Sarge” Cuff and his SFFD “Elves” for taking the time to visit our branches this year.

Social Security Seminar - Jan 25th

2013-12-31T08:00:00Z

Attend Our Free Seminar

Over the years we've presented workshops on a variety of topics - but the topic that draws our largest audience is Social Security.

Learn More About Social Security

Do you have questions about how the program works? Confused about when to start receiving your benefit? Did you know you may be able to draw benefits based on the earning of your long-divorced spouse?

RSVP to Attend Our Seminar

You've got questions and we've got the answers. We have two sessions planned for Saturday, January 25th. Please register by filling out the form below, or by contacting our CFS* Financial Advisors by calling (415) 674-4846.

When
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Seminars at 9:00AM and 12:00PM

Where
SF Fire Credit Union, California Street Branch, 3201 California St
San Francisco, CA 94118
Click here for MAP

Please indicate your <font>full name, </font> the <font>number of people</font> in your party (including yourself) and your <font>preferred session (9am or 12pm)</font> in the fields below:

<notextile> {% form for:special-event %} <input /> <input>

Click on the <font>Send</font> button when you are finished.

<input class="button" src="/images/btn_send_black.png" />
Please click button only once - it will take a few seconds to acknowledge.

{% endform %} </notextile>

*Insurance products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, Inc. ("CFS"). Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are licensed through CFS. The Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make certain insurance products and services available to credit union members. CFS and its Investment Representatives do not provide tax advice. Please consult with a qualified tax professional prior to making tax related decisions.

Rules and Regulations: Mortgage Rule Changes Coming in January 2014

2013-12-30T08:00:00Z

On January 10, 2014, new regulations that are part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) will go into effect for mortgage lenders, establishing new standards for granting home loans to borrowers.

Two of these new rules-the Qualified Mortgage (QM) Rule and the Ability to Repay Rule have led to some news outlets predicting that mortgages may be harder for consumers to get in 2014, while others estimate that the impact will be negligible for the majority of responsible lenders. In this quarter’s look at the regulations that impact our membership, we’d like to explain these new rules in more detail so that you know what to expect starting in January when looking for a mortgage.

New Guidelines

The new mortgage rules prohibit interest-only loans, “balloon” loans, and loans with negative amortizations (when the principal balance doesn’t decrease over time as a borrower makes minimum loan payments).

A new limit has also been established on a mortgage’s “points” (fees or prepaid interest), setting the cap at 3%.

Also, the new rules set a debt-to-income ratio of 43% that borrowers will need to meet, although in special circumstances, exceptions can be made. This ratio is calculated by taking one’s monthly payments on all loans, credit cards, and other debts and dividing that total by one’s gross monthly income.

Moving Forward

As the entire mortgage industry adjusts to these new rules that will be in place to better ensure that borrowers can afford the payments that they commit to making on their mortgages, SF Fire Credit Union will continue to make prudent loans as we have throughout the years. Our delinquency rate on mortgages for the month ending November 2013 stands at 0.415%-a testament to our responsible lending practices to our members.

Questions?

If you have questions about these regulations, please contact our Vice President of Real Estate Jeanny Lo at jlo@sffirecu.org, or visit our website at www.sffirecu.org and Ask Darren.

Message from the President

2013-12-30T08:00:00Z

On behalf of all of us at SF Fire Credit Union, I hope everyone had a joyful holiday season with families, friends, and loved ones. I'm also thankful for your generous support of our efforts to raise funds for the SF Firefighters Toy Program. This year's donations total just under $15,000 and benefit a program which touches the lives of over 40,000 children every year.

2013 was a good year for the credit union and members alike. The recovery of our local economy is in motion, with significant improvements in the jobs and real estate markets. The credit union saw continued profitability, which is important in that it's how we add to our capital reserves thus ensuring we'll be here to serve members well into the future.

We're always striving to meet your needs, be it with products and services or the ease of accessing accounts. For members who are (or aspire to be) entrepreneurs, SF Fire Credit Union is now an SBA (Small Business Administration) authorized lender who can help you succeed as a small business owner. And when it comes to ease of doing business with us, I encourage all members to look forward to our new online banking and website - both of which will be launching in the coming months.

There were a number of significant events in the past year. We opened a new branch at Mint Plaza, just feet from where the credit union first opened at 17 Engine on Jessie Street back in 1951. Members with busy schedules now have the ability to make branch appointments so they can take care of business when it's most convenient for them. Knowing that many of you are entrepreneurs, we expanded our business services program to offer SBA (Small Business Administration) loans. With education important to our membership we expanded student loans to include kindergarten through high school, and have increased our Arthur F. McIntyre High School and College Scholarships from $1,000 to $2,500. (See back cover for more info.)

In regards to what's in store for 2014, rest assured that we'll continue working hard to improve the ease of doing business along with the exceptional level of personal service you have come to expect and deserve.

2014 will also see renewed attacks by the banking lobby, with them aggressively lobbying Congress to subject not-for-profit credit unions to for-profit corporate taxation. Many of you heeded our call this past fall, sending over 5,200 messages to elected officials asking them not to tax your credit union. We were humbled by your response, and would greatly appreciate your standing with again us on this issue in 2014 should we need your help. In the meantime, thank you for your continued loyalty and support. I always welcome your questions and comments, and invite you to contact me directly through our website ("Ask Darren"), Twitter (@SFFireCU) or by mail at our California Street address.

Darren Herrmann, President & CEO

Branch Hours in Observance of New Years Day

2013-12-23T08:00:00Z

SF Fire Credit Union’s holiday hours for its California Street, Stonestown, Pacifica and Mint Plaza Branches will be as follows:

Tuesday, December 31st 2013: Regular Hours (8:30AM to 6:00PM)
Wednesday, January 1st 2014: Closed

Call Center and Web Chat are available seven days a week from 6:00AM to 10:00PM.

Important Notice Regarding the Target Security Breach

2013-12-19T08:00:00Z

As you may have already heard through news reports, Target has confirmed the theft of up to 40 million credit and debit card numbers tied to purchases at their brick & mortar stores between Black Friday, November 29th, and Sunday, December 15.

What are we doing? (Updated 12/27/2013)

At this time, we are monitoring activity closely, and we are proactively blocking suspicious transactions.

We have now determined cards that have been affected, and SF Fire Credit Union has reissued all impacted cards, which are now being produced for mailing. Impacted cardholders will be receiving a separate letter that is mailing 12/27/2013, notifying our members that are at risk from the breach and explaining that a new card has been reordered.

If you would like to know whether or not your card has been reordered, please contact us over the phone or via Live Web Chat.

Existing cards will continue to work until you activate your new card. Also, please note that you will not be charged a fee for your card replacement.

What can you do?

If you shopped at Target during this timeframe, we ask that you look closely at your account within online or mobile banking for fraudulent activity and report it to us immediately so that we can block your card and issue a new card to you.

Also, we recommend the use of e-Alerts within Online Banking to help you to monitor activity that occurs on your debit or credit card in real-time. To set up an e-Alert, log in to Online Banking and under Special Services, click on e-Alerts and create an e-Alert for Debit/Credit Card Transactions.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the Target Security Breach, please feel free to contact us via Live Web Chat or by calling 1 (888) 499-FIRE (3473).

Branches Closed on Nov 11th - Call Center & Web Chat Available

2013-11-01T07:00:00Z

SF Fire Credit Union - News

Message From the President: Summer in San Francisco

RSVP: Healthcare Seminar - August 12, 2014

Have Questions? We Have Answers

RSVP to Attend Our Seminar

Click on the <font>Send</font> button when you are finished.

New Online & Mobile Banking Feature: Notify us of your Travel Plans

We work diligently to protect our members from fraud. Before traveling this summer, remember that notifying SF Fire Credit Union of the places you’ll visit and the dates you’ll be there can help avoid our blocking of debit or credit card transactions that may appear unusual.

Message from the President - Spring is Here

Member Notification: Changes to Our Money Market Account Name

Effective March 1st, we have renamed our “Money Market Savings” to “Tiered Savings.”

Questions?

2014 Arthur F. McIntyre Scholarship Winners Announced at Annual Meeting

Upcoming Custom-Image Debit & Credit Card Program Changes

Branch Hours in Observance of President's Day

All of SF Fire Credit Union's branches will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2014 in observance of President's Day.

The Call Center & Web Chat will be available on February 17, 2014 during their regular hours of 6AM to 10PM (Pacific).

SF Firefighters Toy Program - Thank You for Your Support

Ways to Support the SF Firefighter Toy Program

Social Security Seminar - Jan 25th

Attend Our Free Seminar

Learn More About Social Security

RSVP to Attend Our Seminar

Click on the <font>Send</font> button when you are finished.

Rules and Regulations: Mortgage Rule Changes Coming in January 2014

New Guidelines

Moving Forward

Questions?

Message from the President

Branch Hours in Observance of New Years Day

SF Fire Credit Union’s holiday hours for its California Street, Stonestown, Pacifica and Mint Plaza Branches will be as follows:

Call Center and Web Chat are available seven days a week from 6:00AM to 10:00PM.

Important Notice Regarding the Target Security Breach

What are we doing? (Updated 12/27/2013)

What can you do?

Questions?

Branches Closed on Nov 11th - Call Center & Web Chat Available

All of SF Fire Credit Union’s branches will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2013 in observance of Veterans Day.

The Call Center & Web Chat will be available on November 11, 2013 during their regular hours of 6AM to 10PM (Pacific).

SF Fire Credit Union - News

Message From the President: Summer in San Francisco

RSVP: Healthcare Seminar - August 12, 2014

Have Questions? We Have Answers

RSVP to Attend Our Seminar

Click on the <font>Send</font> button when you are finished.

New Online & Mobile Banking Feature: Notify us of your Travel Plans

We work diligently to protect our members from fraud. Before traveling this summer, remember that notifying SF Fire Credit Union of the places you’ll visit and the dates you’ll be there can help avoid our blocking of debit or credit card transactions that may appear unusual.

Message from the President - Spring is Here

Member Notification: Changes to Our Money Market Account Name

Effective March 1st, we have renamed our “Money Market Savings” to “Tiered Savings.”

Questions?

2014 Arthur F. McIntyre Scholarship Winners Announced at Annual Meeting

Upcoming Custom-Image Debit & Credit Card Program Changes

Branch Hours in Observance of President's Day

All of SF Fire Credit Union's branches will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2014 in observance of President's Day.

The *Call Center & Web Chat* will be available on February 17, 2014 during their regular hours of 6AM to 10PM (Pacific).

SF Firefighters Toy Program - Thank You for Your Support

Ways to Support the SF Firefighter Toy Program

Social Security Seminar - Jan 25th

Attend Our Free Seminar

Learn More About Social Security

RSVP to Attend Our Seminar

Click on the <font>Send</font> button when you are finished.

Rules and Regulations: Mortgage Rule Changes Coming in January 2014

New Guidelines

Moving Forward

Questions?

Message from the President

Branch Hours in Observance of New Years Day

SF Fire Credit Union’s holiday hours for its California Street, Stonestown, Pacifica and Mint Plaza Branches will be as follows:

Call Center and Web Chat are available seven days a week from 6:00AM to 10:00PM.

Important Notice Regarding the Target Security Breach

What are we doing? (Updated 12/27/2013)

What can you do?

Questions?

Branches Closed on Nov 11th - Call Center & Web Chat Available

All of SF Fire Credit Union’s branches will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2013 in observance of Veterans Day.

The Call Center & Web Chat will be available on November 11, 2013 during their regular hours of 6AM to 10PM (Pacific).

The Call Center & Web Chat will be available on February 17, 2014 during their regular hours of 6AM to 10PM (Pacific).