Great Erie Enews - October 2024

Great Erie eNews

OCTOBER 2024

Welcome to Great Erie eNews, the monthly e-Newsletter from

Great Erie Federal Credit Union.

From your finances and family to lifestyle and useful tips, your financial co-op is here for you.

October News

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

As we mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, I want to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity in our interconnected world. At Great Erie FCU, safeguarding your financial well-being is our top priority.

In today's digital age, financial institutions like ours must be vigilant against cyber threats. This month, we are launching a series of informative emails to help you stay secure online. These emails will cover essential topics such as Cyber Hygiene Best Practices, Avoid Online Banking Scams, Protect Yourself on Payment Apps, Understand Account Takeover, Social Media, and Other Scams.

We encourage you to read these emails and implement the tips provided. You can protect yourself and your finances from cyber threats by staying informed and proactive.

Thank you for your continued trust in Great Erie FCU. Together, we can create a safer online environment for everyone.

Robyn

Robyn Young/CEO

Great Erie FCU

0% APR for 12 Months: A Golden Opportunity to Save!

We're offering you the chance to transfer your existing credit card balances to our Great Rate

Visa Credit Card and enjoy a remarkable 0% APR* for a year! Imagine the relief of

having an entire year free from interest payments, allowing you to focus on paying down your

debt faster and more efficiently.

*APR Annual Percentage Rate. Must meet membership and credit requirements. Intro rate from the date of transfer. All balance transfers are subject to a 3% balance transfer fee. Offer applies to non-Great Erie FCU card balance transfers only. Any unpaid balance after 12 months will revert to the non-variable rate of 8.90% APR*. Minimum limit is $5,000.

GREAT ERIE GIVES

September 2024 Giving

Our September Community Wishes/Dress Down Donation went to Credit Union for Kids, benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

"A cooperative network of credit unions that support nonprofit children's hospitals in the U.S."

We're always there for our members and our community. Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids), which benefits Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals), allows us to show how much we care about our members' financial health and the wellness of families in our community.

Thousands of credit unions across the United States have supported CMN Hospitals since 1996. It is a simple way to help children's hospitals locally through CMN Hospitals. Our September donation supported our local Oshei Children's Hospital of Buffalo, NY.

Learn more about CU4Kids

Great Erie FCU October Food Drive

Support FeedMore WNY.

As we approach the holiday season, Great Erie is excited to announce our partnership with FeedMore WNY for a special pre-holiday food drive throughout the month of October. We invite you to join us in supporting our community by donating much-needed food items.

Members can drop off donations in our collection bin located in the main lobby of our Orchard Park branch. Your generosity will help ensure that families in need have nutritious meals this Thanksgiving and beyond.

Thank you for your support and for making a difference in our community.

Holiday Drive Wishlist

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH PROGRAM

Help your credit union, get rewarded! Share the benefits of being a member/owner of Great Erie with your friends and family.

Earn $20 every time you refer a friend to Great Erie FCU. The more you refer, the more you earn. Depending on the number of referrals, members can earn monthly rewards.

Plus, $50 for the person you refer when they choose a checking account with direct deposit!

An additional bonus is our Annual Rewards program - a recognition during the annual meeting of our top 3 members who referred 10+ new members.

Learn More

BANZAI FINANCIAL WELLNESS CENTER

Teaching Children About Money

Whether you're teaching finances to your kids, your grandkids, or those of a loved one, it's absolutely essential to teach children how to manage the money they have and invest for the future.

Learn More

Support Your Credit Union

Associate Director Position Available

Join Great Erie FCU as an Associate Director on our Board of Directors. This volunteer role involves attending board meetings, contributing to discussions, and representing our members’ interests, with the same training and responsibilities as elected Directors, but without voting rights. Interested? Contact us at 716-662-1311, email Board President Joette Cappello at JCappello@GreatErieFCU.com, or visit any of our branches.

Join us in our mission to ensure the financial security of our members.

GREAT ERIE BLOG

Should I Save for Retirement or Emergencies?

How to prioritize an emergency fund or retirement savings.

Saving a well-stocked emergency fund is important. But so is saving for retirement. So, how do you know which one to focus on? Well, we've got you covered. Here's what you should know.

ONLINE SAFETY

Protect Yourself from Cyber Threats

As we celebrate Cybersecurity Month this October, it’s crucial to focus on safeguarding our digital lives. Cyber threats constantly evolve, and staying informed is the first step in protecting yourself and your finances. Here are some essential tips on cyber hygiene and avoiding common cybersecurity scams, especially those targeting credit union members.

Read Article

Great Erie FCU presents the Defensive Driving Class everyone is talking about!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

9 am - 3pm

Orchard Park Community Activity Center, 4520 California Rd., Orchard Park

Space is limited! Registration required. $35 per person. Check or cash payable to Great Erie FCU. Stop by our Orchard Park Branch to register. Class is filling up.

NYS DMV's only approved humor-based defensive driving class. 10% off your auto insurance for 3 years! Plus, reduce up to 4 points from your DMV record.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Great Erie FCU will join over 56,000 credit unions around the world to celebrate International Credit Union (ICU) Day®. This year marks the 76th anniversary of International Credit Union Day®. ICU Day highlights the many ways that credit unions across the world help members work towards achieving their financial goals. Credit unions were built on the principle of “people helping people.” We’ve seen that philosophy in action for more

than 100 years, with credit unions providing access to affordable financial products and striving to meet the needs of underserved communities. Great Erie is honored to be a part of this proud tradition.

We invite both members and nonmembers to visit our Orchard Park/East Aurora branches and celebrate this day with tasty treats, giveaways & prize raffles. International Credit Union Day is brought to you by the World Council of Credit Unions.