October 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO - JEREMY SMITH

Dear Members,

I want to take a moment to address an important issue that affects us all: fraud and scams. Our mission is to safeguard your financial well-being, and part of that responsibility includes educating you about the tactics fraudsters use to steal your money.



We have identified several techniques commonly used by scammers. If you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions, please reconsider proceeding with the transaction, as it may be high-risk and potentially a scam:

• Have you been told to lie or give a bogus reason to our staff about your transaction? No legitimate entity will ever ask you to lie to your financial institution.
• Have you been asked to withdraw cash or send a wire to assist in a criminal investigation? This is a common scam tactic.
• Have you given your online banking information to anyone? Sharing this information can lead to unauthorized access to your account.
• Have you been asked to send money to someone you have never met in person? Be cautious of new acquaintances requesting money.
• Have you been asked to purchase gift cards for any reason? Remember, gift cards are for gifts, not payments.

These are just a few examples of the questions we encourage you to consider before making any financial transactions. Our staff may ask you these questions during your transactions to help identify and prevent potential scams. Please understand that we do this to protect you and your hard-earned money.

If you ever feel uncertain about a transaction, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to help you verify the legitimacy of any request and ensure your financial safety.

Thank you for your continued trust in Affinity Credit Union. Together, we can protect your hard-earned money from fraudsters.

AFFINITY'S CHARITY GOLF OUTING RESULTS IN RECORD $30,000 DONATION

A huge thank you to all the sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who participated in our 30th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, presented by Firestone Ag, and helped make it a success!

This year's event ultimately led to a donation of $30,000 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa - our largest golf outing donation ever. We couldn’t continue to live up to our mission of building better lives without your support.

AFFINITY IS YOUR HOME FOR HOME LOANS

Whether you’d like to secure a loan for a new home or lower your monthly payment, now is a great time to speak with Affinity’s Mortgage Expert, Todd Darland (NMLS #501999). Todd will guide you through the home loan process to make sure you are getting the best loan possible.

Phone: 515-777-7820

Email: tdarland@affitycuia.org

With 35+ years of mortgage lending experience, Todd understands the products, processes, and pitfalls, and is still passionate about helping people achieve their homeownership dreams whether it’s their first or tenth time purchasing a home.

FINANCIAL COACH GAGE SMITH NAMED A LUMINARIES AWARD FINALIST

We are so excited to announce that our financial coach, Gage Smith, has been named a finalist in the CU Times 2024 Luminaries Awards under the category of Rising Star!

This recognition highlights Gage's exceptional contributions to our credit union and the broader community, embodying the "people helping people" philosophy that drives our mission.

Gage's dedication and innovative spirit are truly making an impact.

AFFINITY NAMED A 2024 TOP WORKPLACE BY THE DSM REGISTER

We are thrilled to announce that Affinity Credit Union has been named a 2024 Top Workplace by the Des Moines Register!

This prestigious recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible employees, who consistently go above and beyond to make our organization a great place to work.

ATTEND THIS MONTH'S FINANCIAL PLANNING WEBINAR

Join us for this educational webinar to guide you through essential financial planning topics and help you discover strategies to identify your goals.

In this session you'll learn:

• The importance of goal-setting in financial planning
• Key steps to achieving debt freedom & financial independence
• Strategies to maximize tax efficiency & preserve wealth
• Lots more!



HOMECOMING WITH SAYDEL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

In September, we had the fantastic opportunity to be a part of the Saydel School District's Homecoming celebrations!

From cheering at the parade to attending the various festivities and games, we are proud to have been given the opportunity to support Saydel and share in the Homecoming Week excitement. Being involved in local events like this highlights our commitment to supporting and connecting with our community.

Thank you to everyone who stopped to say hello and join in the fun. We look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate together!

AFFINITY SUPPORTS WILLKIE HOUSE KICKBALL TOURNAMENT

The Willkie House is a wonderful local organization, making a real difference in the lives of children in Des Moines.

Their mission is to develop character and esteem in young people through the promotion of academics, social skill building, health, and recreation.

We were so happy to support their recent kickball tournament and are hoping to put together a team for next year!

ANNUAL GUESS THE CYHAWK SCORE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Thank you to everyone who submitted their guesses for the outcome of the CyHawk Game last month! With the intense rivalry keeping everyone on the edge of their seats, three members came remarkably close to predicting the final score.

A big congratulations to:

Shane Petersen - 1st place winner of $100

Jasmin Tapia - consolation prize winner of $20

Danniel Hem - consolation prize winner of $20

AFFINITY IS NOW ON TIK TOK! - CHECK US OUT!

We're excited to announce that Affinity Credit Union is now on TikTok!

Follow us for fun, informative content that will keep you in the loop about our latest products, services, and community initiatives. Whether you're looking for financial tips or just want to see what we're up to, our TikTok channel is the place to be. Join us and stay connected in a whole new way!

NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

We are so excited to welcome two outstanding individuals to the Affinity Credit Union team! We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the positive impact they will make at Affinity!

REFINANCE YOUR AUTO LOAN AND GET $100 CASH

Have you caught our latest commercial? If not, you're in for a treat!

Refinance your auto loan from a different lender with Affinity Credit Union - and you'll drive off with $100 cash in your pocket & NO payments for 3 months!

SHARE YOUR STORY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN BIG!

Share Your Credit Union Story and Win Iowa or Iowa State Football Tickets!

Are you passionate about Affinity Credit Union and love football? This is your chance to combine both! Iowa Credit Unions are excited to announce the "Member of the Game" contest, where you can win four tickets to any of the Iowa or Iowa State home football games this season!

Participation is easy! Just tell us about how your credit union has made a difference in your life. Whether it’s helping you achieve financial goals, providing excellent customer service, or supporting the community, we want to hear about your unique experiences. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your story and celebrate your credit union pride. 

Share your story today, and you could be cheering from the stands!

UPCOMING CLOSURES

Indigenous People's Day

Monday, October 14th



Veterans Day

Monday, November 11th

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 28th