1 ON THE HORIZON Spring 2017

Outstanding Member Service Since 1937 SPRING 2017 Vol. XVI • No. 2

80 Years

Continuing 80 Years of People Helping PeopleFamily Fun FridaysIn 1990, newly appointed

President of the U.S. Employees Federal Credit Union, Mario DiFulvio made one simple pledge “to remain competitive…without comprising the concept of people helping people,” a philosophy that has stabilized this financial institution for 80 years.

Horizons Federal Credit Union’s mission statement ends with a proclamation to maintain financial stability, but it starts with a commitment to meet our members’ needs. Those needs encompass more than financial stability. It requires Horizons FCU serves its community.

Horizons has been proud to

contribute to and partner with fellow community organizations like the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, Safe Streets Association, Habitat for Humanity, United Way of Broome County, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and many others

Horizons has participated in the United Way’s Day of Caring since 2002. It has been a corporate sponsor for the Southern Tier Heart Walk and the Relay for Life.

This commitment has bestowed some accolades. Horizons FCU was named the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce Corporate Citizen of the Year in 2008, won the Credit Union National Association’s Diamond Award for a Community Event, and the United Way Chairman’s Award. Horizons FCU has won the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award in 1997-99, 2001 to 2013 and 2015.

Two other traditions came forth that solely celebrate the

community. In August of 2002, Family Fun Fridays began. This August will mark 16 years of meeting with the community, serving up hot dogs, popcorn and kids games along with entertaining mascots from local organizations and sports teams. From that tradition spun off “First Fridays” at the Main Office in Binghamton. Every first Friday members can help themselves to coffee and snacks.

Horizons continues to be involved in our community. Through the Horizons kids club and other young activities, Horizons is committed to teaching our youth about finances.

Credit Unions were formed as cooperatives and thereby nationally subscribed to the people helping people philosophy. Horizons FCU remains committed to providing quality service to our members and supporting our community. Thank you for your membership

80 YearsPUT

YOUR HOME TO WORK!

VACATION RECREATION

HOME IMPROVEMENT LANDSCAPING

Planning Big or SMALL - A HOME EQUITY LOAN MAKES IT HAPPEN

*APR - Annual Percentage rate. Rates based on credit worthiness and relationship rates with Horizons Federal Credit Union. See a member specialist for full details. Federally insured by NCUA.

HOME EQUITY LOANS AS LOW AS 1.99%APR*

2 ON THE HORIZON Spring 2017

Horizons Bulletins Horizons FCu loCations will Be Closed on

Tuesday, April 11Staff Training

(Vestal and Endwell close at 1:45 pm)(Binghamton closes at 2 pm)

Monday, May 29Memorial Day

Tuesday, July 4Independence Day

Faceless Theft - Art of Scammers

Hi grandma, it’s little johnny

“If it is too good to be true, it probably is.” We should all remember this old adage. It is one “hook” a scam artist uses to steal your money. “Congratulations, your winning number was selected,” says an email from lotterytickets@newyork.com. “Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program.”

There are other scams that are not as blatant. Like unknown tax refund deposits into your account. The diligent work of the Horizons FCU accounting department finds these every tax season and removes them, saving members from needless aggravation.

Some scams are downright devious and pull at our most basic emotions. The phone rings early in

the morning hours, a text message at midnight, or you open your email to an urgent plea, loved one in jail and bail needs to be made immediately. This is part of the “distracting hook” to get your attention, let your guard down and pay less attention to the finer details. The con is trustworthy, because the victim believes it is a family member in distress. How would anyone else know how to contact you? And there is a deadline to act, or dire circumstances await your loved one.

These are just two scams of many out there. While the “hook”, or the technology used may differ, experts say the structure of the scam is unchanging. They distract you with an extreme situation, win your trust by offering help, and give you a deadline or you lose out! The scam artist appeals to basic needs of love, fear and money.

Still, there are many ways for members to protect themselves. It starts with remaining calm and remember you have many resources to verify the situation at hand. Here are a few tips to guide you:• Never wire money to unknown

party, organization or business• Verify who the person is, before

sending any money to that person• Never pay to collect prize money,

or send a check to “cover” taxes and/or processing

• Never give out personal information, or bank account(s) to unknown party

• Never open an email attachment from an unknown party.

• Never give out user id and password

• Use secure web sites (look for https: at the beginning of the web address)

• Create strong passwords• Ask family members if loved ones

are out of town, or if they have been contacted by them as well

• Research business/organization/contractor with Better Business Bureau or local Chamber of Commerce

• Get References and price quote before agreeing to any repair/serviceThese few cautionary measures

can be helpful, but ultimately you are your biggest ally. Avoid clicking on pop-ups when online. Tell unsolicited phone callers you need to call them back and ask for a phone number, name and organization/business name. Then ask friends, family or trusted resources if they have heard of them. If you have released account information, contact your financial institution immediately. Lastly, contact your local police department to inform them you were being scammed, or were scammed. Help make the con artist – a convict!

How to Score Good Credit1. Pay bills on time and reduce

the amount of debt you have. This includes credit cards and any installment loans.

Horizons Help: Click and Pay online bill payer allows you to schedule recurring automatic payments, or one-time payments to avoid process fees and ensure payment.

2. Pay off credit card bills entirely each and every month. Be sure to pay them by the due date (preferably beyond the minimum) and come up with a plan to pay them off fully.Horizons Help: Horizons@Home and the HorizonsFCU mobile APP keeps you in touch with your accounts 24-7 to help track your finances so you can figure out the right payment each and every month.

3. Set up text and email reminders. Lenders and creditors are pretty modern these days. Most will sign you

up for this option before you take that first swipe.

Horizons Help: With Horizons@Home you can customize your e-alerts and select e-mail notifications for account balances deposits and payment notifications. Mobiliti allows you to request text alerts.

4. Automate your bill payments. Enable automatic credit card payments and avoid missing any due dates.

Horizons Help: With Click and Pay online bill payer you can review pending and past payments to make sure all bills are paid on time. Set up e-alerts in Horizons@Home to notify you of loan payments or reoccurring transactions.

5. Stagger your debt by interest rate. Pay off cards with higher interest rates first. This will improve your credit score and cut down on fees and interest. At the same time, consider

paying down credit that is at or close to your limit. The closer to the limit you are, the more your credit is impacted and your score lowered.

Horizons Help: Horizons FCU keeps you out of sinking debt with low interest rate auto loans and DrvingSense auto loan advantage gives you buying power. Horizons

Credit Score… continued on page 4

17559

Watch for Theme Park

Discount Tickets

Free PaPer Shredding eventDate: Thursday, April 27Time: 3pm-6 pm

Where: Horizons FCU Main Office

120 Main St.Binghamton

Limit of 5 boxes per car (18x12x12)

NO BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS OR PAPER BINDERS.

3 ON THE HORIZON Spring 2017

LOAN RATES* (Effective March 1, 2017)*Rates based on credit worthiness and relationship discounts.

Rates are subject to change, please call us or visit horizonsfcu.com for latest ratesLoan Type Approx. Term Non-Variable

APR†Comments

Signature/Personal up to 60 mos 6.49% $10,000 max total (loans+VISA+LOC)

Home Advantage Loan

up to 84 mos85 to 120 mos

7.49%8.49%

$15000 max total; member paysall fees; 100% available equity

New Auto(108% financing)

Approx. 24 mos.Approx. 60/66/72 mosApprox. 84 mos

2.29% 2.49%2.99%

Model year 2014 to new

Used Auto(NADA plus tax)

Approx. 48 mosApprox. 66 mos

2.99%2.99%

Model yr 2010-2013Model yr 2010-2013

up to 60 mos 5.50% Model yr 2008-2009

Home Advantage/Auto

up to 66 mos67 to 72 mos

3.79%3.79%

Passenger vehicles onlyNew and up to 2 years old

up to 60 mosup to 84 mosup to 120 mos

4.49%4.49%5.49%

Recreational vehiclesNew and up to 2 years old

New RV(108% financing)

up to 60 mosup to 84 mos85 to 120 mos

3.49%3.49%4.49%

Campers, ATV’s, motorcyclesCycles under $10,000- 48 monthsCycles over $10,000- 72 months

Used RV(NADA plus tax)

up to 60 mos61 to 84 mos

3.99%4.99%

Campers, ATV’s, motorcyclesCycles under $10,000- 48 monthsCycles over $10,000- 60 months

Line of Credit Overdraft Protec-tion

Open end 14.50% $5,000 max if joint checking, both sign LOC application

Savings Secured up to 120 mos n/a Current rate plus 4.00%

Certificate Secured up to 120 mos n/a Current rate plus 4.00%

VISA Platinum Credit Card

Closed End as low as 7.90%

$10,000 maximum. Rate available on purchases and balance transfers.

Loan Type Approx. Term Variable Rate

Non-Vari-able Rate

Comments

First Mortgage** Up to 30 yrs n/a yes Call for rates

Home Equity LOC***

Home Equity LOC****

15 yrs

15 yrs

Prime80% LTVPrime +.50%90% LTV

1.99%

1.99%

Fixed rate for 1st 6 mos, variable rate thereafter. App. fee of $199 refunded at closing

Home Equity LOC(Interest only)

15 yrs Prime + 0% 1.99% Fixed rate for 1st 6 mos, variable rate thereafter of Prime +0%. App. fee of $199 refunded at clos-ing. Interest-only payments 1st 10 years, repayment last 5 years.

Fixed Rate, Closed-End Home Equity

Up to 60 mos61-120 mos121-180 mos

n/an/an/a

3.50%4.25%4.75%

Some closing costs apply; up to 80% LTV.

Second/Vacation Home**

30 yrs n/a yes Call for rates

** Home Owner loan products may offer tax advantages. Please consult a tax advisor. *** Up to 80% of your home’s equity. **** Up to 90% of your home’s equity. † APR = Annual Percentage Rate

SAVINGS ACCOUNT RATES • Offered as of October 1, 2016

Account APY‡ Dividend Rate Comments

Savings .10% .10% Savings account rates are variable and may change every dividend period, as determined by the credit union board of directors. For current savings or savings certificate rates, minimum balances, term and fees, call (607) 724-5876. ‡ = Annual Percentage Yield

Federally Insured by NCUA

Christmas & Vacation Clubs .10% .10%

Money Market Accounts (Minimum Balance $2,500)

.30% .30%

IRA Savings Account (IRA Savings Certificates also available)

.25% .25%

Win With 80 Years of triviaYou could be the grand prize winner of 80 ten dollar bills ($800) or one of many weekly winners.Throughout 2017 we will be posting historical and fun facts on our website and social media as well as in the newsletter about the past 80 years to celebrate our anniversary. You may even find a chance to win in this newsletter!

Connect with us and you could be a winner!

www.horizonsfcu.com facebook.com/HorizonsFCUtwitter.com/horizonsfcu

Fill out the Word Search on PAGE 4 to win with

Horizons FCU

Save the Date!Horizons FCU

Annual Meeting

Date: April 26, 2017Location: Relief Pitcher197 Conklin Ave, Binghamton, NYTime: 6:00 p.m.

RSVP by April 19, 2017 toMichelle (724-5876 or MichelleW@horizonsfcu.com)

4 ON THE HORIZON Spring 2017

LOCATIONS & HOURSMain Office: 120 Main Street Binghamton, NY 13905 Mon.-Wed, & Fri. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thurs. until 6:00 pm Sat. 9:00 am - 12:00 pmDrive-up: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon.-Wed, & Fri. Thurs. until 6:00 pm Lobby ATM: 24 Hours

Endwell Branch: 519 Hooper Rd. Endwell, NY 13760 Mon. - Wed. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Thurs. - Fri. 9:00 am - 5:30 pmDrive-up: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Wed. 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Thurs. - Fri.Drive-up ATM: 24 Hours

Vestal Branch: Campus Plaza 3701 Vestal Parkway EastVestal, NY 13850 Mon. - Wed. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Thurs. - Fri. 9:00 am - 5:30 pmDrive-up: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Wed. 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Thurs. - Fri.Lobby ATM: 24 Hours

Telephone Teller: (607) 771-6845Connect with us online:

Board of Directors

Richard Felo ChairmanPete Chermak Vice ChairmanJames Halaburka TreasurerDonald Prutisto SecretaryKathleen O’Brien DirectorCornelius Lorden DirectorLouis Panigrosso DirectorMichael Kane Supervisory CommitteeDavid Tanenhaus Supervisory Committee

ON THE HORIZON is published quarterly for members of Horizons Federal Credit Union. Electronic version available at horizonsfcu.com

CONTACT USPO Box 1881, Binghamton, NY 13902-1881Phone: (607) 724-5876 Fax: (607) 724-0613HFCU email: info@horizonsfcu.comWeb: www.HorizonsFCU.com Two member numbers are printed in Bold this newsletter.

If either number is yours, stop in to any Horizons location along with Horizons member ID and we’ll deposit $10 into your Horizons savingsor checking account!

Win$10 !

1/12/2017 Word Search Puzzle

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildWordSearch.asp# 1/1

Horizons FCU Word Search

E I G H T Y Y E A R S H B N S H A N N G S S Z O K E I I O E E T U M I P A Y W A U E N I T N O T C R K L V R N S I G T A D T D I I D C T I N L B H A R W H N Q N A W E E N C G A D W E T O E R A F S H X G X M I O L T I M L F G O G C D S T L L L R Z K E N T L M J L X O O Q F R J X I E H O R I Z O N S S K N P V K H Q I B P M U Q N C G W I T Y M H U P L X I M O Y J R L A T S E V I H Y Q D C S D T O X D K Y X A T O B R U T S D R W C K P C W I Y K Y P Q

BINGHAMTONCHECKINGCONSOLIDATIONDRIVINGSENSEEIGHTYYEARSENDWELLFRIENDLYHEARTWALKHOMEEQUITYHORIZONSLOWRATESSAVINGSSPRINTTURBOTAXVESTAL

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Solutions for Districts

What We Offer Who We AreFree Resources

Teachers Parents Students

Forgot username or password? Passcode/Create New User Help username password

Current Users Login Here

Find all the words and return to any Horizons

FCU location or email to JeffM@horizonsfcu.com by April 29 for a chance

to win $10

Binghamton

CheCking

Consolidation

drivingsense

eighty years

endwell

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low rates

savings

sprint

turBotax

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Proud sPonsor oF

Join us April 9 at SUNY BroomeRegister at

http://www.southerntierheartwalk.org

SOUTHERN TIER

FCU Consolidation loans can put all your debt under one low rate.6. Consider your credit cards carefully. Opening a bunch of new credit cards in the same year and closing others can actually have a negative impact on your credit score. Instead, try this: rely on two to three credit cards that you use prudently one month and pay off the next. Building credit wisely over time helps your credit score.

Horizons Help: Horizons FCU VISA platinum card offers great advantages for those with good credit scores. An A+ credit rating (750 or above) or an A credit rating (680-749) may qualify you for

an interest rate less than 10%.

7. Consider a Small Installment Loan. A small installment loan is a good, credit building option. An installment loan is a loan that is repaid over time with a set number of scheduled payments, typically at least two. Small installment loans demonstrate being credit worthy through a stream of payments on a debt over time.

Horizons Help: Horizons FCU offers signature loans from $250-$10,000 with no pre-payment penalties or application fees. DrivingSense auto loan program offers lower payments on new or pre-owned vehicles.

Win With Horizons Word Search

Credit Score continued — from page 2

40727

heart-healthy reciPeEgg & Cheese Wrap

Ingredients1 fat-free whole-wheat tortilla (warmed)1/4 ripe avocado, 2 TBSP tomatoes (diced), 1 LG egg white (scrambled), 1 OZ. low-fat swiss cheese, freshly ground pepper to taste.Directions: Heat non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add diced tomato and cook for 1 minute, add egg white, stirring until cooked thoroughly (3-4 minutes), season with black pepper, spread avocado in the middle of the tortilla, place egg mixture on avocado spread and sprinkle with cheese. Fold tortilla and cut in half.