ALSO FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:Prime Rate Changes PAGES 2-3 // Account Clean Up PAGES 2-3 // TurboTax PAGE 4 // New Products PAGE 4

A LETTER FROM YOUR CEO, TIM BOSIACKI

WINTER 2016

2015 has been another successful year for TruStone Financial as we opened doors, introduced products and helped our members both new and old.

With a membership base of more than 90,000, the credit union continues to grow and thrive each and every day. Whether you’ve been a TruStone Financial member for five months or five decades, your support plays an integral role in our success.

We opened the doors to two new branches in Minnesota with our Boone Avenue location in late August and Burnsville in October. Additionally, our Roseville branch underwent an exterior remodel to match the top-notch services inside the branch.

By adding multiple products including TruRate Checking and our Visa® Signature Credit Card, TruStone Financial strives to offer competitive solutions for your most complex financial needs.

Effective January 1, 2016, TruStone Financial merged with Southshore Credit Union of Cudahy, Wisconsin and First Credit Union of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The credit union’s growth in the Milwaukee area is a testament to our ongoing expansion and as our geographical footprint grows, so will our products and services.

As we ring in the new year, I look forward to continuing on the path of success as we introduce more initiatives for a better member experience, beginning with the rollout of our EMV chip-enabled Visa debit cards.

Your support ensures our ongoing success and allows TruStone Financial to provide the best products, services and tools you need for a strong financial foundation.

NOW OPEN: BURNSVILLE BRANCH

On Monday, October 26, 2015 TruStone Financial’s newest branch opened in Burnsville, Minnesota at 14300 Nicollet Court. This new branch features a modern experience and state-of-the-art technology for better banking.

With drive-up lanes and a deposit-taking, drive-up ATM, this new location makes on-the-go banking even easier. The branch also offers safe deposit boxes, so you can store your documents securely. In addition, representatives from mortgage lending, investment services and commercial lending have offices in this branch to meet all of your financial needs in one place.

COMING SOON TO YOUR WALLET

TruStone Financial is introducing a full lineup of EMV-chip enabled Visa credit and debit cards in 2016. This

new technology will help reduce fraud resulting from counterfeit, lost and stolen cards. Keep an eye out for more

information as we enter the new year.

ASK THE EXPERT: PRIME RATE CHANGESwith TruStone Financial’s Director of Lending Jeff Smrcka

What is the Prime Rate?

The Prime Rate - also

known as the U.S.

Prime Rate, the Federal

Prime Rate and the Wall Street Journal Prime

Rate - is the interest rate used most often

as an index in calculating rate changes to

variable loans such as student loans, credit

cards, mortgages and home equity lines of

credit.

How is the Prime Rate determined and how often does it change?

The Prime Rate is defined by the Wall Street

Journal and largely based on the Federal

Funds Rate - the rate at which depository

institutions actively trade balances held at

the Federal Reserve with each other on

an uncollateralized basis. Historically, the

Prime Rate is three-hundred basis points or 3

percent above the Federal Funds Rate.

The Federal Open Market Committee

convenes a monetary policy meeting a total

of eight times per year to decide whether

to raise, lower or make no changes to

the Federal Funds Rate. Aspects of the

economy including the pace of inflation and

the unemployment rate play a big part in

whether or not the rate increases, decreases

or remains the same.

The Prime Rate could change following

any of these meetings, but has remained

unchanged at 3.25 percent since December

16, 2008.

What does the Prime Rate mean for me?

The Prime Rate is essentially the index

financial institutions use to determine the

pricing of certain types of loans. Most

American banks, credit unions and other

lenders use the Prime Rate as a reference or

base rate in many loan products.

In order for financial institutions to benefit

from a loan, a margin is usually added to

the Prime Rate, so when you apply for a

line of credit or other short-term loan, your

interest rate is determined based on the

current Prime Rate and the risk level for the

lender - the riskier the loan, the higher the

margin.

What happens if it changes?

If the Prime Rate changes, various interest

rates on loans at all financial institutions will

likely change right along with it. A rising

Prime Rate makes it more costly to borrow

money and thus more difficult to qualify

for some types of loans and credit cards.

It also slows business for many companies

that need to extend credit on a regular

basis to their customers. The Prime Rate

does, however, serve as a control on the

expansion of consumer debt and keeps

spending from getting out of control because

of easy borrowing and favorable market

conditions.

For rate changes on current loans, the

lending company will likely notify you of an

upcoming change and when to expect your

new rate to take effect.

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

With so many of our routines starting back at

square one in the new year, what’s another

task? Keeping your contact infromation

current helps us make sure we can reach

you if your account needs attention. Update

your contact information today within Online

Banking, by visiting your nearest branch or

giving us a call at 800.862.1998.

SIGN UP FOR ONLINE BANKING

If you are not yet enrolled in Online Banking,

visit TruStoneFinancial.org and sign up.

With just a few steps, you can access

your account balances and transactions,

schedule and pay bills, view check images

and more. In addition to the most common

banking capabilities, you can also update

your address and other account information.

Online Banking provides you with convenient

and efficient access to your account in a safe

and secure way.

ACCOUNT CLEAN-UPAs another year ends and a new one begins,

it brings with it goals and aspirations. Instead

of focusing your resolutions on only your

physical health or cleaning habits, turn your

attention to your finances and make sure your

account is up to date.

ASK THE EXPERT: PRIME RATE CHANGESwith TruStone Financial’s Director of Lending Jeff Smrcka

Will other financial institutions increase their rate?

Most likely. Rates might fluctuate somewhat between different financial institutions, but it’s safe to expect many banks and credit unions to increase their rates if there is an increase in the Prime Rate.

Is there anything I can do to lower my rate?

Have a loan with another financial institution

you’re unhappy with? There are a few things

you can do to help lower your interest rate.

• Negotiate the terms of your loan with

your lender or credit card company. In

some cases, depending on good faith,

your credit score and history, they

might drop your interest rate.

• Consider transferring your debt from one place to another with a lower interest rate. For example, TruStone Financial offers competitive, low rates on Visa credit cards and when you transfer your debt within the first 30

days there is no balance transfer fee.

• Stay in control of your loan. Pay your

balance in full to avoid rate increases

and remain aware of your financial

activity.

• See if you’re able to change the term

of your loan. For example, if you can

afford higher payments each month to

decrease the term of your loan, you

may be able to lower your interest

rate.

Meet with a Member Service Representative

to see how your loans measure up to the

Prime Rate and how TruStone Financial can

help ensure you have the best rates and

products available in the market.

// IN BRANCH

// TRUSTONEFINANCIAL.ORG

// 800.862.1998

ENROLL IN eSTATEMENTS

Go green this year and enroll in eStatements!

Both secure and convenient, eStatements

provide you with the information you need

regarding your accounts no matter where you

are! You’ll also have access to 18 months

worth of past history immediately. Plus, your

eStatement is typically available on the first

day of the following month, rather than

waiting for your paper statement to arrive in

the mail days later.

CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD

While you’re updating your contact

information, take some time to change your

Online Banking password. Changing your

password regularly decreases your risk of

someone discovering it and breaching your

account.

REVIEW SECURITY QUESTIONS

Security questions play an integral role in

protecting your personal accounts within

Online Banking. Here are some quick tips for

setting your security questions:

• Avoid questions with obvious answers

• When choosing answers, use more than a single word

• Choose questions that could have more than one answer

• Be sure your answers do not relate to your password

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH CARE EXPENSES IN THE NEW YEAR

Be prepared for any medical need this winter with a no-fee Health Savings Account from your neighborhood credit union. If you have a High Deductible Health Plan, having an HSA is a great way to help you cover the cost of healthcare expenses that may not be covered by your health insurance. Learn more abour our no-fee HSA complete with a free debit card at TruStoneFinancial.org.

For more security tips visit TruStoneFinancial.org/Protect

IMPORTANT DATES

JANUARY 18

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | CLOSEDJANUARY 30-31

North Star College Cup Hockey Tournament

FEBRUARY 5

Roseville HS Food Shelf Night | ROSEVILLEFEBRUARY 15

Presidents Day | CLOSEDFEBRUARY 16

Seven Dreams Foundation Bird Bash | BOONE AVENUEMARCH 11-13

CMBA Home Show | ST. CLOUDAPRIL 27

Annual Meeting

TruStone Financial has partnered with TurboTax to help you get the maximum refund on your 2015 taxes. In addition, the credit union’s collaboration with TurboTax can save you up to $15 on TurboTax federal products and will grant you a chance to win $25,000!

Start your tax return by February 18, 2016 and you’ll automatically be entered in the TurboTax $25,000 Payday Sweepstakes. Where will $25,000 take you?

Start TurboTax now at TruStoneFinancial.org/Tax

WHERE COULD $25,000 TAKE YOU? File your taxes using TurboTax® and you could win big!

1 TurboTax $25,000 Payday Sweepstakes. NO PURCHASE OR FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes ends 2/18/16. Subject to complete Official Rules and all applicable federal, state and local laws. For Official rules including odds of winning, alternate method of entry, and prize descriptions, visit the Official Rules. PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize: A check for $25,000. Retail value, $25,000. Ten (10) First Prizes: A check for $1,000. Retail value, $1,000 each. Maximum retail value of all prizes is $35,000. The odds of winning a prize depend upon the total number of eligible entries received by the end of the Promotion Period. SPONSOR: Intuit Inc., 7535 Torrey Santa Fe Rd, SDG-2A-03-22H, San Diego, CA, 92129.

Mortgage Lending Services, a TruStone Financial company, is now offering loan options for borrowers through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking for your next home, we have the right lending option for you. Learn more at MLServices.com.

NEW MORTGAGE OPTIONS

WELCOMEMIKE STALLERMike Staller joined the TruStone Financial branch management team in 2015 at the St. Cloud branch. With more than 25 years’ experience at a regional bank, Mike brings banking expertise from lending to member service and is excited to help St. Cloud members meet and exceed their financial goals. Stop by the branch and introduce yourself to Mike!

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ROSEVILLE EXTERIOR REMODELRoseville’s two-month renovation is complete! With beautiful stone and updated signage, the

branch will be hard to miss on Lexington Avenue.

STOP BY TO SEE FOR YOURSELF!

MemberLink is published for members of TruStone Financial. Address all correspondence to Editor, MemberLink, c/o TruStone Financial, 14601 27th Ave. N., #104, Plymouth, MN 55447. The MemberLink newsletter may contain important notifications to the membership, therefore members are not able to opt out of receiving it. Material in this newsletter should not be considered legal, financial or other professional advice. Neither the publisher nor TruStone Financial assumes liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material. Websites not belonging to TruStone Financial are for information only. No endorsement is implied. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©iStockPhoto, ©Shutterstock. ©2015 TruStone Financial Federal Credit Union. Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

MN LOCATIONSBOONE AVENUE // 605 Boone Avenue N.

BURNSVILLE // 14300 Nicollet Crt., Ste. 100

HIGHLAND // 757 Cleveland Ave. S.

LYN-LAKE // 2817 Lyndale Ave. S.

MAPLE GROVE // 7851 Elm Creek Blvd.

NE MINNEAPOLIS // 301 Main St. NE*

ROSEVILLE // 2150 Lexington Ave. N.

ST. CLOUD // 620 Roosevelt Rd.

* Credit union located inside the Ukrainian Center.

WI LOCATIONSGREEN BAY ROAD // 6715 Green Bay Rd.

MILWAUKEE-CUDAHY // 5570 S. Packard Ave.

NORTHSIDE // 2707 30th Ave.

TRUSTONEFINANCIAL.ORG

// 763.544.1517 // 800.862.1998

TruStoneFinancialFCU

@TruStoneFCU