Virginia Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by our members. Our vision is to be their trusted provider of financial services, helping them achieve greater financial success.  We offer our members affordable products and services to meet their diverse needs and help them get ahead financially. We treat all members fairly, with dignity and respect, and look for ways to reach out to the unserved and underserved in our field of membership. We monitor and communicate our service to members in a meaningful way so members, potential members, lawmakers, regulators and the community will understand and appreciate the unique role of credit unions. We place importance on consumer education as we strive to help our members achieve greater financial success. We are committed to serving our diverse communities and our commitment and actions are consistent with the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” SERVICE TO MEMBERS Our services are designed to return value and help members from all walks of life achieve greater financial success. Examples of services that help improve the economic and social well being of members: Free membership – Just a $5 membership share deposit to join and become eligible for a variety of credit union services Free checking – No minimum balance and no monthly service charge Free access – In person, by phone and online; no fees or limits on personal assistance Free overdraft protection – Members may set up free automatic transfers from savings and other accounts to help them avoid returned check fees Free online Bill Pay – No monthly service charge Add-on certificates – Only $500 needed to open a certificate; ability for even small savers to make additional deposits to certificates and earn higher rates on their savings Personal loans for as little as $100 – Rates based on members’ creditworthiness rather than amounts borrowed; hardship loans also available for special circumstances Low-cost credit cards – Fewer and lower fees than on most other cards; reasonable rates and availability of small credit limits First-time homebuyers mortgage programs – To help members purchase their first homes; options with no private mortgage insurance VA and FHA mortgage loans – To make home buying possible for more members Credit counseling – Free budgeting assistance and debt management programs to help members experiencing credit problems; toll free access, and evening and weekend hours Personal financial management programs – Available to members with no obligation or cost for consultation Scholarships – 25 scholarships awarded annually to help members work toward a college education Service to multicultural members – Use of interpretive services so we may better meet the needs of our diverse membership MEMBER EDUCATION We are committed to educating members and consumers about financial matters and about credit union uniqueness, philosophy and values. Examples of programs that support member education and advocacy: Educational seminars – Home buying, budgeting, identity theft and other financial topics Newsletters and brochures – Publications to educate members about saving money and using credit wisely Web site – Online education center, Car Loan Center, Mortgage Loan Center and other resources to help members make good financial choices One-on-one member education – Assistance to individual members based on their personal needs INVOLVEMENT & GOVERNANCE We strive to preserve credit union democratic principles, including member representation and volunteer participation in credit union activities. Examples of programs that support involvement and governance: Election of our Board of Directors by the credit union membership Involvement of members as volunteers on the Supervisory Committee, Asset/Liability Committee and Advisory Councils DIVERSITY Recognizing the value of diversity in our staff and volunteers, we strive to bring people with diverse backgrounds and experience into leadership and various roles at the credit union. Examples of programs that promote diversity: Equal Employment Opportunity through active seeking, hiring and promoting of qualified candidates without regard to race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status and who are representative of our membership and communities Diversity on our Board of Directors and Committees Charitable support and outreach to the diverse communities we serve COMMITMENT TO THE CREDIT UNION COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT We work to build and strengthen our unique credit union movement by providing financial and in-kind resources to others within the credit union community. We actively advocate the credit union difference at all levels of government and in other appropriate public forums. Participating in local, state and national cooperative activities, we strive to build strong relationships with others involved in the national cooperative movement. Examples of activities that support the credit union cooperative movement: Mentoring of small credit unions Support of new credit unions with share deposits Education of lawmakers Leadership roles on credit union organization boards and committees, such as the Virginia Credit Union League and other credit union service organizations Educational sessions presented by Virginia Credit Union employees at credit union training conferences Support of national and local credit union organizations Contributions to Filene Institute for research related to the credit union industry Continuing education and development of employees so they may further their credit union careers Participation with other credit unions in joint public education and community service efforts COMMUNITY SERVICE & CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP An active partner in the community, we provide volunteer service, monetary donations and in-kind contributions to various organizations. Practicing good corporate citizenship supports the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” It helps raise the overall level of social and economic well being of those in our community, strengthens our ties with the community and helps us reach out and serve people in greatest need of affordable financial services. Examples of public service activities and groups receiving financial or other support: Financial educational programs for teachers, students and other groups Free meeting space for member-related organizations American Red Cross CPR training for credit union employees Central Virginia Food Bank Chambers of Commerce - Greater Richmond Area, Fredericksburg and Farmville Chesterfield and Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Children’s Miracle Network Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, an annual workplace-giving program Communities in Schools – Richmond and Chesterfield The Community Foundation, which provides financial support to non-profit organizations Freedom House, which provides services for the homeless and hungry Goodwill Industries Habitat for Humanity Salvation Army Urban Teachers Institute and Middle College Programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Veterans Administration Nursing Home Virginia Attorney General’s Identity Theft consumer education booklet Virginia Blood Service Virginia Home for Boys Virginia Special Olympics Virginia Credit Union P.O. Box 90010 Richmond, VA 23225-9010 (804) 323-6800 or (800) 285-6609 www.vacu.org November 2009