The CU wants to know who is in your household...and here is why it matters!

You may have been asked by one of the Horizon Community Credit Union Member Service Representatives if there is anyone else in your “household.” If you haven’t yet, you will begin to hear more about it soon. To us, a household is defined as any group of people who reside within the same house, whether or not they are related.  HCCU uses households to link any group of members that we consider a “unit”. This includes members and non-members on an account, even if they do not live in the same house (such as a child away at college). But why does this matter?

In case you haven’t heard about the SunDrops member rewards program, let me give you the bare bones. It rolled out on 1/1/2015. All HCCU members qualify for this rewards program and are already enrolled. You receive tiered benefits that are calculated based on products and services you use. There are four rewards tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Your points are calculated on a monthly basis, so it is possible for you to change tiers from month to month, which can in turn change your benefits.

There are two primary benefits to householding. The first benefit is, well, benefits! We will apply the highest point earner's points to the entire household. All other members of the household, regardless of their rewards level, will receive the level of benefits that highest earner has.

The second benefit is reduced mailings. Instead of mailing multiple copies of the same thing to the same address, we will mail only one. This might not seem like a big deal, but it has an impact. It will be less clutter in your mailbox or on your kitchen table. There will be less paper in the trash. Best of all, there will be less environmental impact, leaving the world a bit greener.

If you are still confused about the importance of householding, let me give you an example. Here are members of a fictitious household and their reward level:

Mother-Platinum
Father-Gold
Daughter (away at college)- Bronze
Son-Bronze

As you see, the mother has the highest rewards tier. But, anyone else who is linked as part of her "household" (Father, Daughter, Son) will receive Platinum-level benefits as well.  As a bonus, their household will get one group HCCU mailing instead of the four individual mailings they were receiving before.

If you still have questions, please call or come in to either Horizon Community Credit Union location and any MSR will gladly help you determine your rewards level and set up your household.

Post by: Breanna B.

Monthly statements that are as UNIQUE as you are!

Are you sick of the look of your monthly statements you receive in the mail? Items can be tough to locate, or maybe the print is too small to read. And what YOU prefer in a monthly statement might be different from what your neighbor wants. Everyone has a different system for managing their finances, so HCCU IS HERE TO HELP! In conjunction with our new SunDrops rewards program rolling out in 2015, we are now offering custom style statements! There are now six new statement variations, all with different features to make the statement more understandable. One features large print so it is easily visible! Another has thick black lines to separate each section of the statement. There is also an option which has the statement in two columns to fit more information on one page! There are many different options to fit your individual needs! Your finances are not one-size-fits-all, so your monthly statements shouldn't be either!

I know you’re thinking of two key things... how can I set this up and how much is it going to cost me? The setup is simple! Stop in to either location and ask to see samples of each statement style! From there, we take care of everything! Next, cost! With our new SunDrops rewards program, your account earns points each month that place you in to a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum category. Each category earns different benefits for being an active member with the credit union. If you are a Silver, Gold or Platinum member, this statement style upgrade is FREE! If you haven’t quite reached these levels yet, the cost per month is simply $1.50. (But you should definitely stop in to see us then, and we can give you some advice to bump up to the next SunDrops level!)

Out with the old, and in with the new! You’re unique and you deserve a unique monthly statement! Let’s kick off the New Year with easy to read statements and take control of managing your finances!

Post by: Emily P

SunDrops Rewards - The more you use, the more you’re rewarded!

We are pleased to introduce are new member benefit rewards program, SunDrops!  In Northeast WI, we realize there are tons of different financial institutions competing for your business.  We want to show our appreciation for your business and give you EVEN MORE reasons to continue doing business with us.  

So how does it work?  Beginning on 1/1/2015, members will be awarded points for the different services they use.  The more products and services you use, the more points you earn!  The number of points you earn for each product varies – a loan will earn more points than a savings account, for example.  And you don’t have to do anything differently; everyone is automatically enrolled and you earn points for things you’re already doing, like using a Horizon checking account and direct deposit!  Points are totaled up at the end of each month and ranked in four point levels:  Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum. 

Now let’s get to the good part... what do YOU get out of this?  LOTS OF FREE THINGS!   Here is just a sampling of some of the possible rewards:     

• Bronze level members are eligible for free text banking, free online banking & phone banking, free check cashing and free coin counting.
• By being a silver member you can receive all of the bronze level rewards PLUS things such as upgraded statements, free faxing and photocopies, and even one free box of checks!
• If you are a Gold member, you can receive all of the above PLUS annual discounts on a safety deposit box, free cashier’s checks, and loan rate discounts!  
• Our platinum members get all the benefits listed in addition to free wire transfers, free replacement debit/ATM cards, and free overdraft transfers! 

There are SO many great things members can earn through this program.  At each location we have a brochure that lists how many points each service earns, as well as lists what benefits you earn!  You can also preview the program on our webpage at http://www.horizonccu.com/ProductDetail.php?SID=136. Want to know what level you’re at today?  Just ask!  After 1/1/2015, your point totals will also be listed on your monthly statement and in It’sMe247 Online Banking.  If your family has accounts at the credit union, let us know!  We can link accounts by household so that all the members of a family can enjoy the benefits of the top point earner for that month.  If you want to earn more points but aren’t sure how it’s possible to reach the next level, stop in and we would be glad to help create a plan!

We’re all very excited to launch SunDrops!  We know HCCU has the best members out there, and we can’t wait to say thank you by giving everyone some added perks and benefits!   

Post by: Emily P

Getting an HCCU VISA® Credit Card is as easy as 1-2-3!

Applying for an HCCU VISA® credit card is a very simple process. Bring in your 2 most recent paystubs (2 for each applicant) and fill out and sign our hassle-free application. A loan officer will review your application and let you know if you are approved. It’s as easy as that!

HCCU offers 2 types of VISA® credit cards: Classic and Platinum. What is the difference? The cards are essentially the same, but the Platinum cards have a lower interest rate of 9.9% APR whereas our Classic cards have a 14.9% APR. Both cards have no annual fee and can be used anywhere VISA® is accepted.  Another great feature is the fact that you can request the limit you would like (based on credit qualifications).

Both Classic and Platinum cards also offer Scorecard® reward points, so you earn something for your spending! For every $1 spent you earn 1 point and those points are good for 4 years. Visit www.scorecardrewards.com for more details or to browse the rewards catalog.

And when you have your credit card and your checking account in the same place, monthly payments are easy!  Payments can easily be made with a quick transfer from your HCCU checking account. That’s pretty convenient to have your accounts all in one place!

Stop in today to fill out an application and start getting rewarded for your purchases!

Post by: Katie B

Image courtesy of  stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Advantage of Being 50+

YAY! You’ve hit the big FIVE – O so flaunt it! You’re looking good and you deserve a break! So what can we offer you? A FEE FREE CHECKING ACCOUNT! Yes! FEE FREE! That means NO minimum balance required! Already have a fee free checking account with us? Guess what, you can now get checks at no charge too! That’s right! FREE! We know you are looking good but we want you to feel good too! Stop in the credit union and any Member Service Representative can give you more information and get you closer to a fee FREE checking!

Post by: Kelly V

Free Stuff?!?!?! Everyone loves Free Stuff! How can I get some?

When you use your Horizon Community Credit Union Visa® Credit Card every purchase earns you reward points. And with those reward points, you can get free stuff. Since I have started using my Horizon Credit Card, I have accumulated many points. Which means I probably use my credit card way too much. :) With those points I have purchased two sets of pans for all the cooking I do, and a set of diamond hoop earrings (what girl doesn't want jewelry), and I still have points left to use!

You’re automatically enrolled in Scorecard® Rewards when you get a Horizon Community Visa® Credit Card so all you have to do is start using it. When you are ready to cash in some points or if you’d like to see what’s available to you, just visit www.scorecardrewards.com to set up your account. The website will let you know how many points you have and let you see the numerous items available, from housewares to jewelry, clothing and electronics, just to name a few. In the months of November and December, when we are all doing our Christmas shopping, Horizon offers double points. And now this summer, gas purchases will also double your points. So get out there and start adding up your points by using your Horizon Visa® Credit Card, and check out the great free stuff you can get.

Post by: Karen S

Points Points

Summer is slowly approaching (really slowly) and since Spring has not begun, it is hard to fathom that it will eventually arrive.  And who can forget what Summer means, ORANGE CONES and MORE MONEY at the gas pump.  The credit union has decided to reward you with double reward points when using your HCCU credit card at the pump.  Two points for every dollar that you spend at the pump. 

WHAT, you don't have a credit card with us here at HCCU?!?!?!?  Then it is time to sign up.  Just fill out the application on-line and submit.  The address to on-line applications is:  http://www.horizonccu.com/loans.php 

Scorecard reward points give you the opportunity to save up points for that special something, from a stainless steel coffee mug to a 55 inch LED 3D TV.  If you have not already signed up for the rewards program, this is the site to go to:  https://www.scorecardrewards.com/general_logon.asp  It is time to sign up and start saving!!!!

Oh and about those ORANGE CONES.  I say knock one over and if you get caught, tell the nice officer that it was your bank that told you do to do it.  From what I heard, it's the right thing.

- Your CU