﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?><Search><pages Count="8"><page Index="1" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[YOUR CREDIT UNION YOUR COMMUNITY YOUR FINANCESNew Year, New Financial Picture for YouCar LoanHome LoanInsideMember Spotlighton Community Bike Works2017 Winter Edition]]></page><page Index="2" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[You’re Inv edJoin us forourAnnual MeetingWednesday, April 19, 2017 6:00 pmFEARLESS FIRE COMPANY 1221 SOUTH FRONT STREET, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103rsvpA courtesy response is requested to estimate the number of attendees. Please call 610.797.7440 Extension 772 by April 7, 2017Letter from the CEODear Member:Every year at this time, many of us, our friends and relatives make a commitment to improve. These commitments usually change every year between finances and weight. A resolution like losing 20 pounds or exercising more, saving for retirement or paying o  credit cards is common. I won’t be able to help you with that losing weight one, but People First has the problem solving services to help you follow through on your financial resolutions.With the rebound in the housing market, coupled with still low mortgage rates, many people are looking to buy a new home. People First has a robust mortgage program with options to match your needs. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or looking for something bigger for your growing family, we have you covered. Check out our new home buying and selling program, Better Homes, and our Home Buying Seminar.People First has many options for the small business looking to expand or consolidate debt. Our experienced business loan o cers can help craft the right loan to suit your needs. People First is a Small Business Administration partner so we stand ready to help new businesses get started too.Maybe you used one of those store-issued credit cards to get the extra sales discounts or bonus dollars and your resolution is to reduce your outstanding credit card debt. You can transfer those balances to a new Visa® Platinum Credit Card with People First with an introductory rate of 2.9% for six months. And even after that, our rate is way lower than the 20 plus percent rates on store cards.If you have been thinking about upgrading that old car, now is the time. Whether you’re looking to get an all-wheel drive for the winter or a fuel sipping hybrid for your commute, a car loan from People First is a low cost way to finance that new or used car.So you can see, other than the weight loss resolution, People First has solutions to help you meet your financial resolutions in 2017. Stop in or give us a call. I promise it will be easier than going to the gym.Sincerely,Je rey J. Albert, CEOPeople First Federal Credit UnionNeed a loan? This guy can help!HOME LOAN AUTO LOAN VACATION EDUCATION CREDIT CARD BUSINESSPeopleFirstCU.orgEqual Opportunity Lender1 Firstword 2017 Winter Edition“Whether y  are a first-time h e buyer   l king f  s ething bigger f  y r   ing family,   ha  y  co red”.]]></page><page Index="3" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[Official NoticeAnnual Membership Meeting & Election Nominee NoticeIn accordance with the bylaws, elections to fill three (3) seats on the Board of Directors will be conducted by mail ballot prior to the Annual Meeting, and the results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Nominations of candidates must be made by the Nominating Committee or by petition.The Nominating Committee has filed its nominations with the Secretary of the Board of Directors. Incumbent directors Emrich M. Stellar, Joseph T. Dragovits, and Gerard J. Judge have been nominated by the Nominating Committee for a three year term. Statements of qualifications on the nominees appear below.According to the bylaws, since there is presently one (1) nominee for each vacant position, no nominations from the floor at the Annual Meeting will be permitted. In the event that there are no additional nominations by petition, the ballots will not be mailed and each nominee proposed by the Nominating Committee will be declared elected at the Annual Meeting.Members wishing to use the petition procedure must file their petitions for nomination with the Secretary of the Board of Directors not later than March 10, 2017. Petitions for nomination must be signed by one (1) percent of the members (650 members). Each member seeking nomination by petition shall submit their own petition. Petitions containing the names of more than one candidate shall not be considered. All nominations by petition must be accompanied by a signed certificate from the nominee stating that they are agreeable to the nomination and will serve if elected. Each nominee by petition shall submit a statement of biographical data and qualifications similar to the statements contained in this notice for the candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee. Nomination petitions must be obtained by contacting Diane Marie Merkel at 610.797.7440 extension 116.NOMINEE BIOGRAPHICAL DATAEmrich M. StellarRetired: Mack Trucks, Inc.Service & Experience: 30 years of Credit Union education and experience at People First Federal Credit Union.Joseph T. DragovitsCurrent Employer: Aetna, Inc.Service & Experience: Over 10 years of Credit Union education and experience at People First Federal Credit Union.Gerard J. JudgeCurrent Employer: Lehigh Valley Health NetworkService & Experience: 10 years of Credit Union education and experience at People First Federal Credit Union.Holiday Food DrivePeople First donated over 600 pounds of food and needed items to the Second Harvest Food Bank and Allentown Rescue Mission. Thank you for your kind donations.LCEI/LVACT & KidsPeace Angel Tree Gift DonationsPeople First employees delivered Christmas gifts to spread the holiday cheer to three local organizations.Firstword 2017 Winter Edition 2New Core Computer SystemIn order to provide better service to our members now and in the future we are enhancing our core computer system. All o ces will be closed on April 1, 2017 as we convert our data to the new system. Online systems, including PC Access, Mobile Access and Tellerphone, will be unavailable during this process. ATM and Debit Cards will continue to work normally.Our sta  will be ready to serve you and all online systems will be available on April 3,2017. Future updates will be provided as we get closer to the beginning of April.seraC]]></page><page Index="4" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[7 New Year’s ResolutionsF  a Richer 2017On October 20, 2016, credit unions around the world celebrated International Credit Union Day (ICU Day).START A RETIREMENT ACCOUNTYou can’t save for what you don’t think about. When retirement is years or decades away, it’s di cult to incorporate thinking about it into your daily routine. If you have a retirement account open, you’ll get monthly statements, which serve as reminders. The challenge, though, is taking that first step. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. While there are important di erences between Roth and Traditional accounts, either one is better than no retirement savings at all. If your job o ers a 401(k) matching program, sign up to get at least the full matching funds amount – it’s free money. Do a little bit of research, then open the account that seems like the best idea.AUTOMATE YOUR SAVINGSSaving money takes willpower. Because it’s hard to practice self-denial on a constant basis, that extra $5 you’ve earmarked for savings can very easily turn into a mid-morning co ee. Fighting that impulse is a constant struggle. That’s why it’s easiest to avoid the decision altogether. Change your direct deposit to put some of your paycheck directly into a savings account, where you won’t even think of spending it impulsively.GET EDUCATEDKnowledge is power, and that’s especially true in the world of personal finance. What you know about your money goes a long way toward determining how much of it you get to keep. There’s a lot to learn, but you’ve got a wealth of information at your fingertips. Resolve to read one personal finance article a week. Not only will this give you good ideas for improving your personal financial situation; you’ll also spend more time thinking about your money. That’ll lead to positive results down the line!Happy New Year from all of us at People First. We hope you have a safe, happy and prosperous 2017!The New Year is a great time of renewal. That makes it a good time to make bold, decisive changes in your life. Leave behind the baggage that was 2016 and start fresh with a blank slate in 2017. If you’re looking for some resolutions to improve your personal finances, we’re pleased to o er seven ways to make 2017 the year of the dollar!TRACK YOUR SPENDINGIf you’re looking to take your first steps toward financial literacy, figuring out where your money goes should be at the top of your list. If you don’t know where your money goes, it’s going to be tough to follow through with any other money plans. You may have a general sense of how much you spend, but after a month where you’ve recorded every dollar, you’ll have a much better picture. Using apps like Mint or Personal Capital can automate the process. You might even find that keeping track of what you do with your money encourages you to spend a little more judiciously.MAKE A BUDGETAbout 70% of Americans live financially spontaneous lives. They don’t make a plan for spending or saving. When asked why they chose not to do so, the most common response was that the family spent all the money anyway. This is a circular3 Firstword 2017 Winter Editionproblem. If you don’t have a budget that includes setting aside money for long-term expenses and savings, you’ll end up spending all your money on unplanned things and events. The best way to stop the cycle is to sit down and make a budget that modifies your spending to be more in line with your priorities.GET OUT OF DEBTEasier said than done, right? However, there’s no bigger stumbling block to financial security and wealth building than debt. It’s hard to save for long-term goals when so much of your monthly income gets eaten up by interest and fees. There are a variety of methods you can use to help accelerate your payo s. For instance, you can add an extra $50 or $100 to your credit card payments. Or, you can focus all your payment resources on the highest interest debt until it’s paid o  and then move it all to the next highest for snowballing your way to freedom from debt.START AN EMERGENCY FUNDThe best way to avoid going into debt is to have some money on hand to handle the occasional, yet inevitable, emergency. Most Americans, though, can’t come up with $500 in such instances. Set a specific goal, like adding $10 per month to a savings account. At the end of the year, you’ll have more than $100 available in case something goes wrong.]]></page><page Index="5" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[New FacesPeople First is expanding to serve you better. Introducing our newest Realtor, Virgina Youravich and our two Business Loan Representatives, Ryan Kinnon and John Orsini.Virginia Youravich, RealtorAs a resident of the Lehigh Valley for more than 30 years, Virginia knows this market and excels in finding the right home for her clients. She also realizes that buying and selling can be perplexing so throughout the entire transaction, communication and relationship building are of utmost importance."My number one goal as your local realtor is that when we close on your dream home, you don't hesitate to call me should anything come up in the next 3, 5, or 10 years. Our relationship does not end when you receive your new set of keys."The credit union philosophy of "people helping people" is what called her to People First specifically. Her relationships with local businesses and presence in the community fit perfectly with the credit union way. She is eager to help you in your next steps and guide you into this Spring market and beyond.Contact Virginia today to discuss your immediate needs by phone at 610-213-6347 or via email at virginia.youravich@gmail.com.Ryan Kinnon, Business Services Mgr.Ryan Kinnon has been leading the business lending program at People First for 8 years and has 18 years of banking experience. Ryan has a BS in business administration from State University of NY at Plattsburg and earned his MBA at Kutztown University. Also, he achieved Credit Union Business Lending Professional (CUBLP) accreditation. Currently Ryan serves on the Whitehall township Industry and Development Authority.Ryan is married with two children and originally from New York. He relocated to the Lehigh Valley over 15 years ago, to be closer to his wife’s family. His son and daughter are active in scouting and Ryan enjoys spending time camping and working with them on merit badges and projects.Contact Ryan today by phone at 610-797-7440 x560 or via email at kinnonr@peoplefirstcu.org.which is invaluable in a small business lending environment.A firm believer in giving back to the community, he currently serves on the Whitehall Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority, as well the governing board of his church. He is also a founding member of the newly formed Whitehall Area Rotary Club. In the past, John has served as an adjunct professor in the College of Business and Economics at Lehigh University, where he taught Introduction to Business to incoming freshmen. John holds a BS in Environmental Science from Lehigh University.In his spare time, John enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, and an occasional cigar accompanied by a fine craft beer. John resides in Whitehall with his wife Renee. Together they have four children and three grandchildren.Contact John today by phone at 610-797-7440 x120 or via email at orsinij@peoplefirstcu.org.John Orsini, Business Loan O cerJohn Orsini has been successfully helping companies build their businesses for over 35 years. He has worked in a number of di erent industries and has used his experience, knowledge, and relationship-building skills to quickly earn the trust of his clients. John has been an entrepreneur and knows what it takes to run a business,Sign Up For eStatements Today!Maybe it’s still a new idea for you, but getting your statement electronically not only saves paper and ink, helping us keep costs down, but it’s also more secure. There’s nothing to shred, you’ll have the information you need quickly, and you won’t pile up years and years of old statements with your account numbers on them. Take the step of switching to secure e-statements today. Signing up for eStatements is simple by enrolling through PC Access. For details and to sign up for PC Access visit our website.Privacy Policy NoticePeople First’s Privacy Policy is available on our website at:PeopleFIrstCU.org/Privacy_Policyand can be mailed upon your request. Requests may be made by calling 610.797.7440 or 800.446.5598.Firstword 2017 Winter Edition 4]]></page><page Index="6" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[Member Spotlight on... C munity Bike W ksTrey (13) & George (15) adjusting the derailleur on George’s bike.Can you tell our readers about Community Bike Works?At Community Bike Works, we like to say we teach life lessons through bicycles. We o er bike-related youth development programs that allow the young people of Allentown, Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley to learn important life skills while developing relationships with caring adults in a safe environment.In our flagship Earn a Bike program, students are paired with adult mentors who then work together to learn bike mechanics and safety as well as other skills. At the end of the course, students earn their refurbished bicycle and a new helmet! Once students are involved in Earn a Bike, or its sister Junior Earn a Bike program, they have access to our full range of programs, from Earn a Book to Saturday bike rides. All programs are o ered at no cost to students, and they can participate until they graduate from high school, gradually gaining opportunities and learning more advanced skills.How does the Earn a Bike program work?In our flagship Earn a Bike program, students between the ages of nine and 18 are paired with adult mentors for 12 weeks of classes in bike mechanics and safety. While working on their bikes, students also learncommunication, teamwork, perseverance, and other job skills. Early classes focus on parts of a bike, tools, and bike safety, and once students conquer these basics, each class focuses on a bike system—from tires and tubes to headsets and brakes. Over the course of the semester, students read their mechanics manual, complete journal entries, and write thank you letters to their bike donors. Students also learn skills by arriving for class on time and ready to work, working at a task until it is completed, and seeing the satisfaction of turning a broken bike into a functional one. And at the end of the course, students earn their refurbished bicycle and a new helmet!Community Bike Works has been teaching life lessons through bicycles to the young people of Allentown for more than 20 years. In that time, more than 4,000 students have participated in Earn a Bike, and more than 80% of all participants have completed the program to earn their own bikes. In our most recent program year, a record 380 students participated in Earn a Bike and Junior Earn a Bike, and 86% earned their bicycles. Students made 7,500 visits to Bike Works and spent 15,200 hours with mentors.But at the end of the day, Earn a Bike remains about each individualstudent. “In the years I have been coming here, I have learned much from the sta  and elders of Bike Works,” said Artheno, 17. “I have learned how to fix a bike and work for something. When I left here after earning my first bike, my work ethic changed for the better. Even if I still get distracted easily, I still work as hard as I can to solve a problem. And now I can help others learn how to fix a bike.”What are some projects Community Bike Works runs?Once students are involved in Earn a Bike or Junior Earn a Bike, we encourage them to participate in our full range of other programs:Earn a Book. Earn a Book helps students develop an appreciation and enthusiasm for reading, especially through group reads. During the school year, students read and do homework with students from Cedar Crest College. We also o er regular trips to the library and bookstore, where students earn books for their home libraries.Drop-In. Every weekday as soon as school lets out, or beginning at noon during the summer, students start arriving for Drop-in. On any day, students can choose between working on bikes or participating in additional enrichment activities, on topics including arts, sustainability, and healthy living. Several days a week, students from Muhlenberg o er fun activities. “What we do here is fun, and not actually boring,” said Zoe, 13. “You get to hang out with your friends and learn things.”Youth Leadership. Students who are 12 and older and who have completed Earn a Bike are eligible to become youth volunteers, who help teach Earn a Bike classes while they hone their own skills. Youth volunteers who are 14 or older are eligible to apply to become youth apprentices, who earn their first paychecks as members of the Community Bike Works sta . We also o er three semesters of programming for our youth leaders: a fall session job skills and career planning, a spring semester on5 Firstword 2017 Winter Edition]]></page><page Index="7" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[community engagement, and a summer book club.Saturday Bike Rides. After hearing from students that they wanted more time to ride bikes, we began o ering Saturday bike rides approximately twice a month during the spring and summer ride season to give students and adults more time to ride and connect. Students and adults travel to various Lehigh Valley trails for several hours of riding, games, and lunch.How can our readers get involved with Community Bike Works?There are so many fun ways to get involved at Community Bike Works! You can:Be a mentor. We seek dedicated adults to serve as volunteer mentors in Earn a Bike, Earn a Book, and afterschool Drop-in, at both our Madison Street (downtown Allentown) and new Mosser Village (East Allentown) locations. No experience is necessary!Join our bike team. Can you sponsor or attend a Saturday bike ride? Help with bike collections?You can also donate any bike in any condition; we especially need 20” BMX bikes.Help behind the scenes. Can you help us shop—pick up produce or o ce supplies? Do you have access to an o ce-sized printer/copier on which we could print our Earn a Bike journals?Be a supporter. Your generous gift will help us meet our mission! You can donate online at: www.communitybikeworks.org. Click the big red DONATE button at top.Just call us at 610-434-1140 or email james@communitybikeworks.org to get involved and make a di erence in the life of a student. You can also follow us on facebook for stories and photos.If you or your business would like to be featured in our Member Spotlight, please email us at:Marketing@PeopleFirstCU.orgWhere will $25,000 take you?People First has teamed up with TurboTax® to save you up to $15 on TurboTax federal products, and a chance to win $25,000!Just try TurboTax Online for FREE (and provide your email address) by February 16th to be automatically entered in the TurboTax $25,000 Payday Sweepstakes.1Start TurboTax now!1 TurboTax $25,000 Payday Sweepstakes. NO PURCHASE OR FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older at time of entry, who are customers of participating Financial Institutions or employees of participating businesses. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes ends 2/16/17. Subject to complete O cial Rules and all applicable federal, state and local laws. For O cial rules including odds of winning, alternate method of entry, and prize descriptions, visit PeopleFirstCU.org for the O cial Rules. PRIZES: 1 Grand Prize: A check for $25,000. Retail value, $25,000. 12 First Prizes: A check for $1,000. Retail value, $1,000 each. Maximum retail value of all prizes is $37,000. The odds of winning a prize depend upon the total number of eligible entries received by the end of the Promotion Period. SPONSOR: Intuit Inc., 7535 Torrey Santa Fe Rd, SDG-2A-03-22E, San Diego, CA, 92129.Try TurboTax®for FREEto be entered to winSave up to $15 on TurboTaxUpcoming EventsHOME BUYING SEMINAR WHEN: 6-8 PMWHERE:Devonshire O ce 2141 Downyflake Lane Allenton, Pa 18103An RSVP is needed to attend the event. Space is limited. To reserve your place today call 610.797.7440 Ext 768 by February 15th.HOLIDAY CLOSINGSOur o ces will be closed on the following date:February 20th, 2017President’s DayAnnouncementsLV STYLE WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS AWARDPeople First is proud to announce that we have won the Best Credit Union Award in the Who’s Who in Business for the 16th straight year! Thank you for your continued support of your credit union.LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS BIRTHDAY BASHPeople First is the proud sponsor of the Birthday Bash at Coca Cola Park. Have a birthday party with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs during the 2017 season. Watch for more details and chances to win a FREE party starting in March!YOUTH MONTHApril is Youth Month. Open a savings account for your children today. Teach them the basics of budgeting and give them the tools necessary to be financially fit. Join the Youth Savings Challenge.Lehigh ValleyFirstword 2017 Winter Edition 6]]></page><page Index="8" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[YOUR CREDIT UNION YOUR COMMUNITY YOUR FINANCESFirstword2017 Winter EditionIn This Issue• New Year’s message from the CEO• 7 New Year’s Resolutions for a Richer 2017 • Annual Meeting Details and Invitation• Member Spotlight: Community Bike Works • Announcements and Upcoming EventsKeeping our members up-to-date on what’s happening at People FirstSave this Winter Season with a Visa® Platinum Credit Card2.9% APR Intro Rate*for 6 monthly billing cyclesSave on Purchases, Balance Transfers and Cash Advances!Act fast, this promotion for NEW cardholders ends March 31stApply Online or Call our 24-Hour Loan Center at 1.877.531.5126Promotional Period for Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The 2.9% Introductory APR for balance transfers, cash advances and purchases will apply to transactions posted to your new Visa® Platinum or Visa® Platinum Rewards credit card. Applications must be received between January 1, 2017 and March 31, 2017 to qualify. O er only available for new cardholders that are issued between 1/1/17 and 3/31/17. Cash advances, balance transfers and purchases will accrue interest at 2.9% APR for six billing cycles from the Visa® open date; any remaining balance will begin to accrue interest at the qualified standard variable rate. Rates are subject to change. Payments will be applied as stated in your Visa® Consumer Credit Card Agreement & Disclosure. Any existing balances on current People First Federal Credit Union loan and/or credit card accounts are not eligible for the introductory APR. Applicant's standard rate will be based upon credit evaluation. The Variable Rate is based on the highest Prime Rate as published in the Money Rates section of the Wall Street Journal on the last business day of each calendar month ("Index") plus a margin from 5.65 - 14.65 for the No Rewards card and a margin of 6.65 - 9.65 for the Rewards Card. The Index plus the Margin equals the Interest Rate. Changes in the Index will cause changes in the Interest Rate on the first day of the billing cycle that immediately follows any such change in the Index. Increases or Decreases in the Interest Rate will cause like increases or decreases in the Finance Charge and will a ect the number of your regularly scheduled payments. This balance transfer o er is for consumer credit cards only.610.797.7440 • PeopleFirstCU.org • Allentown • Bethlehem • Nazareth • Trexlertown • WhitehallFederally Insured by the NCUA]]></page></pages></Search>