﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><Search><pages Count="8"><page Index="1" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[YOUR CREDIT UNION YOUR COMMUNITY YOUR FINANCES2017 Summer EditionBUYING A HOME IN TODAY’S ECONOMYInsideMember Spotlight on Academy of Little Learners]]></page><page Index="2" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[Letter from the CEODear Member:Credit unions have a unique vocabulary. New members are often surprised when we refer to a savings account as shares. It is a subtle di erence in words but a big one in meaning. Having a share account at People First means more than just having a savings account. It means you are an owner of the credit union. You own a share. It means the team members here are committed to serving you as an equal shareholder and they don't have a commitment to outside private investors.I would like to add two additional words to the People First vocabulary; experience and engagement. Our goal is to ensure our employees have the knowledge and expertise to provide members with a great experience when they visit our o ces, call our member service center, or use our convenient technology services such as ATMs, mobile banking, and remote deposit. To assist in reaching this goal, several current job positions have been revised to place greater emphasis on the experience and engagement concept. My prior position of Chief Operating O cer has been replaced with a Chief Member Experience O cer. We welcome Virginia Smith, who has filled this position.On pages 5 and 6 we highlight a small business in the Lehigh Valley that shares their experience with People First. If you are a business owner or manager, call to see what we can provide for you and your business.In April, we moved to a new data processing system. While the majority of the changes have now been implemented, we will be looking at several enhancements and new services to o er over the next few months. Many of these will help our team members to better serve you. A new service that will be o ered soon is a secured Visa® credit card. This will benefit our younger members that need that first start towards building a credit history.As a major lender, People First has relationships with most of the Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers. To get on the spot financing with us, make sure you let them know you are a People First member. Of course, you can always apply on the phone, on our website, or in person at a People First o ce.Whether you call, click, or stop in, I hope you continue to have a great experience and are fully engaged with People First.Sincerely,Je rey J. Albert, CEOPeople First Federal Credit Union1 Firstword 2017 Summer Edition“Our goal is to ensure  r employ s ha  the kn ledge and expertise to provide mem rs with a  eat experience..”.Annual Report AndAnnual Membership MeetingPeople First held our annual membership meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at the Fearless Fire Company. Our President/CEO, Je rey J. Albert gave a preview into what’s ahead for your credit union as well as a recap of 2016.Three positions on the Board of Directors were filled:Joseph T. Dragovits, Gerard J. Judge, and Emrich M. Stellar were elected to serve for a three-year term.To view the 2016 Annual Report, visit PeopleFirstCU.orgor request a copyby calling 610.797.7440.Need a loan? This guy can help!HOME LOAN AUTO LOANVACATION CREDIT CARD BUSINESSPeopleFirstCU.orgEqual Opportunity Lender]]></page><page Index="3" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[Sign up for eStatements For Your Chance to Win!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 eStatements today. Sign up and enter to win an Amazon Echo®!Cutting down on your mail delivery will help prevent fraud and identity theft.Get protected today...sign up for eStatements and eAlerts1. Sign into PC Access (Register on our website if not enrolled)2. Click eDocuments (Under Additional Services)3. Accept eDocument Disclosure4. Select “Electronic Delivery” and click Save5. Complete test verificationSign up for eStatementsby September 30 to be entered to win an Amazon Echo®!**Members who sign up to receive eStatements now through September 30, 2017, will be automatically entered into a drawing for an Amazon Echo® (with an estimated value of $179.99). One entry is permitted per member account number. One winner will be selected at the end of August 2017 and September 2017. The winner will be responsible for any applicable taxes or other expenses related to the prize. Non-natural person accounts (businesses or organizations) as well as employees and officials of People First will be excluded from the drawing. No purchase necessary. For a member to enter with no obligation, print your name, address and telephone number on a 3 X 5 card and mail it to the Member Service Center, 2141 Downyflake Lane, Allentown, PA 18103. Only one post card entry per member permitted. Entries must be received by close of business on September 30, 2017.Go paperless... You could win an Amazon Echo®!*Members have saved nearly $2 billion with Love My Credit Union Rewards!Start saving today at LoveMyCreditUnion.org138585_All_Bundle_noTruStage_Onserts_6.5x2.5_F1.indd 1 1/5/17 1:40 PMAlex’s Lemonade StandOn July 3rd, all People First branch locations served refreshing lemonade to our members in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand. We were able to raise over $2,300.00 this year and in the past 6 years over $14,000.00 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundations!Thank you for all your support!Firstword 2017 Summer Edition 2seraCWho else is looking in your mailbox?]]></page><page Index="4" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[Buying a Home in Today’s EconomyThe only thing certain about today’s economy is that it is uncertain. While things look relatively stable now, no one can guarantee what the next few years will bring. Fortunately, you don’t have to give up on the home of your dreams because of a fluctuating economy. Here are four steps you can take to make sure your money – and your house – are safe regardless of the state of the economy.• Research how long the agent has been in the industry.People First has partnered with a local Real Estate company, Better Homes First Heritage Realty. Whether you are buying or selling, our local realtors Dan Russoli (DRussoli@bhfhr.com) and Virginia Youravich (VYouravich@bhfhr.com) will assist you every step of the way. Give them a call at 610.337.0503 or email them directly and begin the road to home ownership.4LOOK FOR RED FLAGSAside from having a professional inspection done, check for the following yourself:• A sturdy roof. A flimsy roof can bring expensive repairs. If you don’t mind replacing the roof, use it as a negotiating point for a lower price.• E cient heating and cooling systems. These can be costly tofix and replace. Plus, ine cient systems can hike up your utility bills.1MAXIMIZE YOUR DOWN PAYMENTThe magic number for down payments has been established at 20% of the home’s value. Often, though, new homeowners will put down a much smaller amount. If you can’t a ord a down payment of at least 5% of the home’s value, you may not be ready to buy a house. Having little or no equity in a home could mean taking a loss should you need to sell it.2GET LESS THAN YOU QUALIFY FORIt’s best to buy a house that comes in well under your approved mortgage limit. This will keep your mortgage payments from dwarfingyour monthly budget. Also, if the economy worsens, you’ll have a smaller mortgage payment to scrape together each month.3PICK THE RIGHT REALTORHere’s how to find the Realtor that’s best for you:• Speak to recent clients about their experience with this agent.• Look up the licensing of your prospective agent. You can find this information online.• Choose a winner. A Realtor who has been recognized for their excellent work is one you want working for you.3 Firstword 2017 Summer Edition]]></page><page Index="5" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[• Strong structural components. Don’t be fooled by a fresh coat of paint. Check beneath the surface for strong pipes, wiring, and insulation.• Overall functioning of the home. Try out everything! Open doors, turn on faucets, flick light switches, and flush toilets. If you find any major problems, rethink your decision to buy this home. Don’t mind a handful of minor repairs? Use these as a negotiating point.Don’t forget to call, click, or stop by People First to learn about our fantastic programs on home loans and mortgages before you start your search. We’ll help you with the finances as you find the home of your dreams!We all know the old adage, “if it sounds to be good to be true, it probably is.” Nowhere is that more relevant than the internet. You may have seen a car listed on an internet shopping site like Craigslist® or eBay®. It’s a great car, just like you’ve wanted. And even better, they are asking less than anyone else. They may explain that they must sell the car quickly because they are moving, getting a divorce, or some other personal reason. You may be thinking you need to act fast or the opportunity will be lost. Maybe you’ve expressed interest and the seller is pressuring you to send the payment quickly. This is exactly the time to sit back and ask a few questions. Why are they willing to sell this item for less than the market price? Why are they asking for payment through a Western Union® wire or gift cards? You should beware, these are all warning signs that this may, in fact, be a scam.According to the Better Business Bureau, here are a few points to consider when buying a car online:• Try to deal only with established businesses when looking for a vehicle online. Verify that a business is legitimate and has a physical address. Never send money in advance for a car or truck unless you have thoroughly checked out the seller and are convinced the o er is real.• Be especially wary about paying money using wire transfers like MoneyGram® or Western Union®, or by giving a seller the access code to a Green Dot Moneypak® or similar loadable card. Such money transfers are very di cult to trace.• If the seller suggests going through a third party, like eBay®, to secure the transaction, make certain that you have confirmed the sale through the third party. Never trust that a phone number belongs to a business without verifying it independently. This usually can be done by researching the business’ phone number online and calling it to confirm.• Scammers use low prices to lure victims. If the price of a vehicle seems unusually low, it likely is a scheme to steal your money.• Pay by credit card whenever possible in the event you need to challenge the charge.• Be cautious of purchasing any vehicle without a full inspection.• Ask that the seller supply information about the vehicle in writing, including mileage, history and any warranty.Want to learn more about the home buying process?HOME BUYING SEMINAROctober 18, 2017 from 6:15-8:00 PMDEVONSHIRE OFFICE2141 Downyflake Lane Allentown, Pa 18103To RSVP for thisor any upcoming events, visit PeopleFirstCU.org/Education or call 610.797.7440 Ext. 768. Space is limited.Auto ScamsCome Meet with the Experts2017 Lobby DaysThe second Friday of every month, our partners from TruStage Insurance, Better Homes First Heritage Realty and Business Lending will be at the scheduled branches to talk and answer member questions. Refer to the schedule at right for the remainder of the year. Stop in, say hello, and meet with the local agents.3:00-5:00 PMon these datesBetter Homes First Heritage RealtorsTruStageHome, Auto & Life InsurancePeople First Business LendingSeptember 8, 2017DevonshireWalbertNazarethOctober 13, 2017WhitehallNazarethWalbertNovember 10, 2017TrexlertownBethlehemDevonshireDecember 8, 2017NazarethBethlehem TownshipTrexlertownFirstword 2017 Summer Edition 4]]></page><page Index="6" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[Member Spotlight on... Academy of Li le LearnersWe recently had the opportunity to sit down with Theresa Kuczinski the owner of Academy of Little Learners to talk about her experience as a small business in the Lehigh Valley.Why did you decide to start the daycare?I started the business for two reasons. The first one is because I have been in the childcare field for more than 23 years. I had my own in-home daycare when I lived in New Jersey. When we moved to the Lehigh Valley I began looking for a job and naturally I took a job in an area childcare center. I eventually went back to school and earned my Child Development Associate Credential. I learned so much in that 1 year of schooling and realized how important the early years are in child development. I started to see what was being done wrong and where improvements needed to be made. This made me start thinking "if I only had my own place, there is so much I would do." The second reason, which finally gave me the push, was that my daughter Kayla was getting ready to graduate from Kutztown University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education. My thought was if I can get this business going I will be giving my daughter a business thatshe can build and grow. We got very lucky when a local existing childcare center was going on the market because the owners were retiring. This was great because they already had families and the business was established. This was the perfect opportunity for us, so we put every bit of our time, money and e ort into making this ours.Tell our readers a little about your daycareOur center, Academy of Little Learners, is located in Lower Macungie Township, 6516 Lower Macungie Rd. Our center is located on 1 1/2 beautiful acres with big shade trees and a great playground that has many play structures, and lots of space to run and play. The playground space is so inviting for children and this was a big reason why we fell in love with this center. We have 8 employees and we are licensed for 60 children. We provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old and we provide transportation for area East Penn School District elementary schools.We also have a full day Summer Camp program. We are proud to say that we have a highly recognized Pre-K program in the area.What has been the most rewarding part of running the daycare?The most rewarding part of this journey is knowing that we are given the opportunity to make a di erence. I love getting to know all of the familiesTheresa Kuczinski, Owner of Academy of Little Learnersthat are a part of our center and the new families that I meet continuously. I think it is also nice to have a business where you live. This is our neighborhood, our community. We are lucky to be connected not only by the center but also by being part of Lower Macungie Township and that keeps us involved and informed with all the things going on in the area. My own children attended the East Penn school district schools, we shop in the same stores our families shop in and we often run into the families, which creates an even stronger relationship. Running this type of business gives us great satisfaction knowing that we have the opportunity to make a di erence in a child’s life every day.What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?One of the challenges that we had to face were making sure the families didn't leave because of a change in ownership. From the very first day I made it my mission to get to know each and every parent and child and to make them feel comfortable with me. Another challenge was the sta . Most of the sta  had been working at the center for over 5 years, some over 10 and I knew that retention in this field is a big problem since unfortunately, the salaries do not reflect the hard work they do. I wanted to keep the sta  that was in place because why mess with something that is obviously working. We felt that together, with our sta  we would move forward and grow the business. I think the biggest challenge was I knew the childcare business and the regulations, and day to day things when it came to the children, however I never owned a business. My in-home daycare was just a few children I cared for daily, so it was completely di erent. My daughter and I knew nothing about "owning a business". We needed to learn so much.How did People First help you in getting started.People First is the reason we were able to pursue this life changing experience. I met with Ryan Kinnon,5 Firstword 2017 Summer Edition]]></page><page Index="7" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[the Business Development O cer at People First, and he was very informative, patient, kind and so helpful. He taught me so much in our first meeting and I felt so comfortable talking with him that I knew right away that I wanted him and People First to help me get this business. He connected me with the Small Business Development Center at Lehigh University, which is a consulting service for small businesses. This service was invaluable. I trusted Ryan to have my best interest in mind. He also connected us to Dan Russoli from Better Homes Realty, since the center we were looking to purchase was the business and property; therefore, we wanted a realtor to represent us as well. We were looking to obtain an SBA loan through People First and we could have never done it without the support of Ryan. The process was long and di cult, especially because we had no experience. People Firstwas so supportive and patient with all the questions and concerns we had along the way. It was such a positive experience, even at the local branch in Trexlertown, where we do our banking. The sta  are very friendly and helpful.I am a proud small business owner and I have to thank People First for giving us this opportunity.You can reach Ryan Kinnon by email at kinnonr@peoplefirstcu.org or calling 610.797.7440 ext 560 and Dan Russoli can be reached at drussoli@bhfhr.com or 610.337.0503.If you would like to share your story of how People First helped you or your business, email us at:Marketing@PeopleFirstCU.orgUpcoming EventsHOLIDAY CLOSINGSLabor Day September 4, 2017AUTO BUYING SEMINARSeptember 20, 2017, from 6:15-8:00 PMat the Devonshire O ce.HOME BUYING SEMINAROctober 18, 2017, from 6:15-8:00 PMat the Devonshire O ce.AnnouncementsPeople Perks rebates are now being refunded at the time of the qualifying transactions. The percentage rebate will vary based on which tier you qualify for in our relationship reward level. Visit our website for details about People Perks.Equal Opportunity LenderHome Equity Loans & Lines of Credit*For more information and to apply call 610.797.7440 Ext. 594 Visit PeopleFirstCU.orgOr stop in at any branch location.* Loans are on 1-4 unit family, owner-occupied residences in Pennsylvania. Property insurance is required. Flood insurance may be required. An appraisal is required and the fee will range from $175.00 to $500.00. If you ask, we will provide you with an itemization of the fees you will have to pay to third parties. Additional terms are available at PeopleFirstCU.org. The line of credit rate is subject to change monthly. The rate is based on the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the last business day of the month plus a 0.5% Margin rounded up to the nearest 0.25%. The minimum APR is 3.99% and the maximum APR is 18%.tnemreaWvorCpkHomNeewImgnindoditeacSaVtoDryrebaoom]]></page><page Index="8" isMAC="true"><![CDATA[YOUR CREDIT UNION YOUR COMMUNITY YOUR FINANCESKeeping our members up-to-date on what’s happening at People First2017 Summer EditionIn This Issue• Letter from the CEO• People First Cares• Buying a Home in Today’s Economy• Member Spotlight: Academy of Little Learners • Auto Scams610.797.7440 • PeopleFirstCU.org • Allentown • Bethlehem • Nazareth • Trexlertown • WhitehallFederally Insured by the NCUAAPPLY TODAY! • PeopleFirstCU.orgTransfer your balances by August 31, 2017 to qualify for the great low rate. VisitPeopleFirstCU.org/Transfer or call 610.797.7440to begin saving today.GET FINANCIALLY FIT THIS SUMMER ...Visa® Balance Transfer 2.9% APR through June 30, 2018!PLUS NO BALANCE TRANSFER FEES!*Annual Percentage Rate. You authorize People First Federal Credit Union to process the payments indicated on the balance transfer request form to the credit cards /charges /loans by means of a cash advance charged to your People First Visa Platinum credit card. Cash advances are always subject to finance charges from the date they are posted to your account to the date they are paid in full. People First will not authorize any amount that will exceed your available credit line on the day the balance transfer is processed. Refer to your credit card agreement for complete terms and conditions. People First Credit Union loans are not eligible for this balance transfer offer. The discounted rate presented in this offer will be good on transferred balances made through August 31, 2017. The balances transferred during this promotion will accrue interest at 2.9% APR through June 30, 2018. Any balance remaining after that date will automatically be transferred to your standard rate. Only balance transfers made through the balance transfer request form at PeopleFirstCU.org/Transfer are eligible for 2.9% APR. All other cash advances and balances transferred through any other means (i.e. statement checks or letterchecks) will be assessed at your standard rate. Payments will be applied as stated in your Credit Card Account Agreement. All balance transfers are subject to approval and People First reserves the right to refuse any balance transfer request.]]></page></pages></Search>