Coming soon: More places to get your money

The Member Newsletter

August 2020

Coming soon: 700 surcharge-free ATMs across South Carolina

Beginning August 24, checking accounts for 1st Cooperative members will be even more convenient. Members will gain access to more than 700 surcharge-free ATMs across the state and nearly 30,000 across the country, where they will have access to their money. 1 ^st Cooperative is joining the CO-OP ATM Network, adding the fee-free ATMs to the shared branches already available to members—60 in south Carolina and 5,700 in the U.S.

That’s convenience even some of the biggest banks can’t match. And it’s one of the benefits of being a member of 1 ^st Cooperative.

Recipients of new debit and HSA debit cards will find the CO-OP logo on the back of their cards to remind them of the ATMs where the logo is displayed. That includes places where you may shop, such as 7-Eleven, Circle K, Costco, Publix and Walgreens. Nationwide, more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs will be available, including 9,000 where members also can make deposits.

Finding the closest surcharge-free ATM will be easy using a smartphone, mobile app, text messaging or internet access. The ATMs are available now, but they become surcharge-free for 1 ^st Cooperative members on August 17.

A locator map is available here.

Member learns about fast loan service

One day last month, Susan O’Cain’s friend found Susan the car of her dreams. The next day, she was driving it home. Susan had been looking for a car to replace an aging Chevy Equinox that was on its last legs.

"John (Middleton) emailed me the paperwork, pulled my credit report and approved me all in a matter of hours," said Susan. "I couldn't believe how fast he could get everything done! You just can't beat it."

"Now, I can haul our kids, a bunch of their friends and their baseball gear with no worries I might break down any minute," joked Susan, the wife of Van O’Cain, who works at the state association of electric cooperatives.

If you're looking for a loan, and you'd like to see how quickly 1 ^st Co-op can get you an answer, contact John Middleton today at 803-796-0234 or email him here .

Pictured: Susan O'Cain with her 2019 Chevy Suburban financed through 1 ^st Cooperative.

Big savers earn 50% higher interest rates

For members who are sitting on a savings nest egg, there's a way to hatch extra earned interest.

1 ^st Cooperative will pay 50% more interest on a certificate of deposit of at least $50,000, as compared with smaller certificates, by adding 1 percentage point to the regular rates earned. At today’s rates, that means a 12-month certificate will earn an annual percentage yield (APY) of 1.90%. A 24-month certificate will earn 2% APY.

The certificate dividends are paid quarterly, so the APY is an attractive opportunity for members with savings that can be invested for at least a year. For more information, call 803-796-0234.

A new look is coming

A new look is coming later this month for 1 ^st Cooperative's website at 1stCooperative.com.

It will be easier to find information about the products and services that make banking with 1 ^st Cooperative a favorite choice for electric cooperative employees, trustees and their families. The site will be easy to navigate on both a desktop computer or mobile device.

A star attraction will be stories and photos of real 1 ^st Cooperative members.

Annual meeting is coming

1 ^st Cooperative's annual membership meeting is going virtual this year on August 25.

"We realize with COVID-19 cases steadily increasing in the state, the safest option is a meeting online," said Jo Ann Burnside, vice president and chief operating officer for the credit union.

The meeting will take place at 11 a.m. on August 25 on the video conferencing platform WebEx. To join the meeting, use this exclusive link . Members can use a computer, tablet or smartphone to access the meeting.