Be an Early Saver Save Less and Retire With More Money ... - BECU

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News, Insight and Information for Becu Members
March 2008 Volume 12 Number 3
Submitted by:
Yunjoo K., Snohomish
Learn About
ATM Card
Skimming
Page 3
Save Less and
Retire With
More Money
Page 5
Be an
Early
Saver
Page 6

B E C U h a s G R A N T
m o n e y f o r s c h o o l s .
Grant applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2008.
Visit:
www.becu.org/schoolgrants for details.
Submitted by:
Stacey L., Edgewood
BECU DIRECTORY
Hours
FINANCIAL CENTERS
Lobby M-F 8:30am-6:00pm
Drive-up M-F 6:30am-6:30pm
NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCIAL
CENTERS (NFCs)
M-F
Sat
9:00am-6:00pm
9:00am-1:00pm
LOCATIONS
For a list of BECU Financial Centers,
Neighborhood Financial Centers, ATMs,
Shared Branches and CO-OP ATM
locations, visit www.becu.org/locations.
BECU GENERAL INFORMATION
206-439-5700 800-233-2328
HEARING IMPAIRED (TDD/TTY)
206-439-5737 206-799-4858
CONTACT CENTER
M-F 7:00am-7:00pm
Sat 9:00am-1:00pm
BECU NEWSLETTER EDITORS
Angela Grabner agrabner@becu.org
Gena Wessman gwessman@becu.org
2 MARCH 2008 more

SECURITY AND PRIVACY
What You Need to Know
About ATM Card Skimming
USING ATM AND credit cards is a
convenient and secure way to conduct
financial transactions. Unfortunately,
some fraudsters continue to develop
new methods aimed at attempting to
steal account information from these
cards. A current technique is known as
“skimming” or, card counterfeiting.
An ATM skimming device uses an
electronic method to copy account
information stored in the magnetic strip
on ATM/debit or credit cards. The three
most common areas where “skimming”
devices are utilized include: on the front
of actual ATMs, at gas station terminals,
and at retail and restaurant locations.
At ATM locations, skimming devices
are attached in such a way that they may
not be easily detected. In many cases,
the fraudsters also attach a small, hidden
camera above the PIN pad or they lay
a false PIN pad over the existing one.
These skimming devices have gotten
sophisticated enough to act as “passthrough”
devices; meaning they simply
record the information while your
transaction is occurring. This makes
it even less obvious that a card has
been copied.
At retail or restaurant locations,
“skimming” devices are more difficult
to detect. The device is typically kept in
the pocket of a dishonest employee. They
“skim” the card either while they walk to
the register or at the register.
Once the magnetic strip information
from a card is recorded, a duplicate debit
or credit card can be created and used at
virtually any retailer. If the PIN number
was also recorded, ATM withdrawals can
be made from your account.
Steps you can take to
protect yourself from
card skimming:
>> Inspect every ATM or gas station terminal
before using it.
Pay attention to anything that looks out
of the ordinary, such as odd-looking
equipment or wires attached to the
device. When the card reader device is
“gently” tugged, it should not come off of
the machine.
>> Generally double-sided tape is all that
holds the skimming device to the machine,
making removal very easy and quick.
>> If something suspicious is attached to
a BECU ATM call BECU immediately.
If something suspicious is attached to
a gas station terminal or a non-BECU
ATM, notify the appropriate local police
department for further assistance.
>> While it may not always be practical,
pay at the cash register in retail locations,
keeping your card in sight.
>> Take advantage of BECU’s Online
Banking opportunities and check your
accounts daily for unusual activity.
If you do notice something out of the
ordinary, contact BECU immediately.
Reminder :
Your ATM/debit and credit card account
activity is monitored 24 hours a day, 7
days a week in order to identify unusual
spending patterns. As a result, you may
be contacted to verify your account
activity. We take the security of your
accounts seriously, and will do everything
we can to prevent the occurrence of
fraud on your account.
more MARCH 2008
3

THE CREDIT UNION DIFFERENCE
BECU Seafair Ambassador
Program Symposium
IF YOU’RE A high school sophomore
or junior, please join us on March 15
at Qwest Field for the BECU Seafair
Ambassador Program Symposium.
You’ll learn what it’s like to work in a
variety of industries, get a chance to earn
scholarship money, or even win a trip to
Japan. Jumpstart your future today!
Win College Scholarships!
Six students will be selected to receive
a $1,000 college scholarship at the
university of their choice.
Win a Trip To Japan !
Six students will be selected to serve for
a year as Seafair Ambassadors. They
will represent the festival on a once-ina-lifetime
international trip to Kobe,
Japan in the fall of 2008. It’s a unique
opportunity to learn about international
relations with community and business
leaders in Seattle’s sister city. Seafair
Ambassadors will meet Japanese
government officials, visit local high
schools and visit famous historical sights
in the beautiful city of Kobe.
Amazing Speakers
The Symposium offers you the chance
to plan for your future and hear Seattle
business executives discuss topics that
affect our world today.
Make a Difference in
Your Community
Get involved with the community
by volunteering your time. The
BECU Seafair Ambassador Program
Symposium will also feature a volunteer
expo where you can meet with several
non-profit organizations from the Puget
Sound area to learn how you can become
involved, earn high school credit and
make a difference through community
service.
WHAT: BECU Seafair Ambassador
Program Symposium
WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2008
(8am – 3pm)
WHERE: Qwest Field
EXTRAS: All students will receive a
water bottle, portfolio and lunch.
COST: It’s free!
REGISTER: Visit www.seafair.com to
register or to get more information.
BECU Annual Meeting
ALL MEMBERS ARE invited to attend
BECU’s 72 ND Annual Meeting held on
Wednesday, March 19. The meeting will
be held in the second floor auditorium
NEW ATM LOCATION
at the Tukwila Financial Center and
will begin promptly at 5pm. All BECU
members are invited to attend. No RSVP
is necessary.
BECU is pleased to announce our new Snapshot ATM located at
Antioch University, 2326 6th Avenue, Seattle.
4 MARCH 2008 more

BECU SOLUTIONS
Save Less
and Retire
with More
Money
IT MAY SOUND too good to be true,
but it really is a fact that if you start
saving at an early age, you can retire with
more money. And we can show you how.
In February’s newsletter, we included
an article entitled Make Planning for
Retirement a Priority that stressed the
importance of saving, and described the
different options available at BECU. This
month, we want to share with you how
big of an impact saving at an early age
can make on your retirement savings.
The following chart demonstrates
that someone who contributes to an IRA
for only 10 years starting at age 20 can
accumulate more retirement savings
than someone who contributes to an IRA
for 32 years starting at age 30. *
Value at Age 62
1,300,000 —
1,100,000 —
900,000 —
700,000 —
500,000 —
S A V I N G F O R
RETIREMENT
$1,186,994
Brittany
$831,464
Chelsea
Submitted by:
Jennifer M., Newcastle, DE
Brittany Invests
from Ages 20 to 29
>> $5,000 a year for 10 years ($50,000 total)
>> $1,186,994 accumulated by age 62
Chelsea Invests
from Ages 30 to 61
>> $5,000 a year for 32 years ($160,000 total)
>> $831,464 accumulated by age 62
The same concept applies no matter
what two ages you compare. Whether
you’re in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s or older, the
earlier you start saving, the more you can
accumulate for retirement. It’s called the
power of compounding, and it simply
means the more time your savings has
to earn interest upon previously earned
interest, the more your balance will grow.
If you don’t currently have an IRA,
now is a great time to open one. You can
still make an IRA contribution for tax
year 2007 until April 15, 2008 and make
a contribution for tax year 2008 any time
this year.
Call 206-439-5700 or 800-233-2328
for more information. Or visit
www.becu.org/ira to open an IRA
online.
* Chart is based on monthly investments of $416.67 totaling
$5000 a year, and monthly compounding. Total value is
based on an average annual return of 8.5%, which should
be typical of someone investing in a mixture of insured and
non-insured investments.
more MARCH 2008
5

THE CREDIT UNION DIFFERENCE
Teach Your Kids
Good Savings Habits
PARENTS OFTEN UNDERESTIMATE
the power they have to teach their
children about money management.
Many surveys show that kids look to
their parents for financial guidance. By
educating your children about finances,
you can encourage a healthy attitude
toward money and instill good savings
habits that will last a lifetime.
BECU wants to help, too, by offering
our Early Saver SM account. Members
under age 18 earn 7.50% APY on the
first $500 in their Early Saver savings
account. Balances above $500 earn
BECU’s regular savings rate, which is
still much higher than what you’d
typically earn at a bank. To open an
Early Saver account, members need to
be under the age of 18 and and begin
with a deposit of at least $5.
We want to make it easy for young
people to save—and more rewarding,
too. If your kids don’t already have a
savings account at BECU, open an Early
Saver account for them today. It’s a great
way to teach your kids the value of saving
money. To learn more visit us online, call
800-233-2328 or stop by and see us.
Shop for Your Next New or
Used Auto at BECU’s Exclusive
Auto Event March 28-30
Rates as low as 4.99% APR *
FIND THE PERFECT new or used auto
during BECU’s auto event March 28, 29
and 30 at participating CUDL (Credit
Union Direct Lending) dealerships.
Thousands of vehicles will be specially
priced, exclusively for BECU members,
with no “dealing” necessary. A total of 64
local dealers will participate in the sale,
offering BECU financing on-site right at
the local CUDL dealership.
You’ll also save money with .50% off
BECU’s already-low loan rates during
this event. Plus, if you find a used car
year 2005 or newer, we’ll extend the
“new car” rate to you. Stop by a
participating dealer, browse the lot
and take a test drive.
* Rate includes .50% auto event, .50% automatic payment and
.25% 60-months or less term rate reductions. Rate offered
is based on applicant’s creditworthiness and repayment
period. Financing subject to credit approval.
6 MARCH 2008 more

BECU SOLUTIONS
Foundation Scholarship
Applications Due March 31
DO YOU KNOW a student who is
dedicated to improving the community?
Encourage him or her to apply for
a BECU Foundation Scholarship.
Each year, the Foundation awards at
least twenty-five, $2,500 scholarships
to graduating high school and fulltime
undergraduate college students.
Scholarship selection is based upon
volunteer efforts, school activities and
academic performance. Recipients will
be honored at a special award luncheon.
Print out an application when you
visit BECU’s website or call a BECU
representative to have one mailed to
you. Applications must be postmarked
by March 31, 2008 to be eligible for
consideration. Scholarship recipients
must also be members of BECU.
Kent
Neighborhood
Financial
Center Newly
Expanded
OUR KENT NEIGHBORHOOD
Financial Center (NFC) is now bigger to
serve you even better. This location has
been extensively remodeled, so stop by
and see it today. While you’re there, say
“hi” to Manager Monica and her staff:
Our newly expanded Kent NFC.
Chris, Dallas, John, Kathy and Mark.
All BECU NFCs are open to serve your
membership needs Monday through
Friday 9am-6pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm.
N E W N E I G H B O R H O O D F I N A N C I A L
CENTERS COMING SOON
Downtown Bellevue 200 Bellevue Way NE Late Spring 2008
Downtown Seattle Corner of 2nd and Pine Street Late Spring 2008
All locations will be fully staffed with friendly consultants to help you Monday through
Friday, 9am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
more MARCH 2008
7

BECU INVESTMENT SERVICES Tip of the Month
Get Serious About Your
Financial Health this Year!
WHEN YOU THINK about your
financial plans do you tell yourself:
>> I don’t know where to begin.
>> I have a plan…just haven’t started yet.
>> I promise I will start tomorrow.
>> What am I doing to educate myself?
>> Will I have enough money to retire and
will it last?
GET YOUR QUESTIONS
ANSWERED AT ONE OF
OUR FREE SEMINARS !
Attend a free BECU Investments
Services * seminar. We’ve helped many
members with similar questions and
concerns. Investing and planning for
the future is so important, but most of
us don’t know how to go about doing it.
By attending one of our seminars, you’ll
get a head start with your planning and
gain insightful information to help make
informed decisions about investing, and
planning for retirement or other life
changes.
Seminars are held at various locations.
For dates, times and seminar listings, visit
www.becu.org/investments or see page 9
in this newsletter. Class size is limited and
advance registration is recommended.
Contact us for a free consultation or for
additional information at 206-439-5720
or 800-233-2328, ext 5720.
* Securities, Advisory Services and Insurance Products
offered through LPL Financial and its affiliates, Member
FINRA/SIPC. BECU is not a registered broker/dealer and
has a brokerage affiliate arrangement with LPL Financial.
Investments are: Not NCUA/NCUSIF Insured • May Lose
Value • Not Credit Union Guaranteed • Not Obligations of
BECU. Branch Office located at BECU, 12770 Gateway Dr.,
Tukwila WA 98168.
BECU Trust Company Tip of the Month
Your Estate Plan & Your Assets:
Where are Your Assets and are They Invested Appropriately?
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE life
and estate plan can be time-consuming
and stressful. Many variables in an
estate require thoughtful consideration
for the plan to work. Not having a
comprehensive plan in place can
cause undue burden on your personal
representatives as well as your heirs.
Also, holding investments with multiple
financial institutions may create a
challenge for the individual settling
your estate.
Even when the plan is in place,
individuals often forget the most
important step in completing the
process—making sure their assets and
investments are titled and invested
accordingly with their goals. Reviewing
the titling of assets within your estate is
a key component in ensuring your heirs
will benefit according to your wishes. If
your accounts are not titled correctly, your
heirs may not receive the inheritance you
intended for them.
Contact BECU Trust Company today
to discuss investment options and learn
how we can help with these important
details. Reach us at 206-812-5176 or
BECUTrust@becu.org.
8 MARCH 2008 more

FREE SEMINARS
FREE FINANCIAL EDUCATION SEMINARS
Financing Your Home 3/6 6-7:30pm Ballard Library
Better Budgeting 3/10 6-7:30pm Tukwila
Small Business Startups 3/12 6-8pm Everett
Financing Your Home 3/17 6-7:30pm Tukwila
Finding and Selling Your Home 3/17 6-8pm Everett
Financing Your Home 3/20 6-8pm Everett
Reduce Your Debt, Increase Freedom 3/20 6-7:30pm Tukwila
Financing Your Home 3/24 6-7:30pm Federal Way Pavilions
Finding and Selling Your Home 3/25 6-8pm Tukwila
Small Business Startups 3/31 6-8pm Tukwila
Understanding Credit Reports 4/7 6-7:30pm Tukwila
Financing Your Home 4/9 6-8pm Lacey Library
Better Budgeting 4/10 6-7:30pm Everett
Finding and Selling Your Home 4/10 6-8pm Tukwila
For reservations, more information, and a complete list of seminars,
call 206-439-5788 or visit our website.
FREE INVESTMENT SERVICES SEMINARS
Investment Fundamentals 3/13 6-8pm Tukwila
VIP Optimization Strategies 3/13 6-8pm Everett
Making the Most of IRA Opportunities 3/13 6-7:30pm West Seattle Library
Making the Most of IRA Opportunities 3/18 6-8pm Tukwila, Everett
& Lacey Library
Retirement 3/20 11am-1pm Tukwila
Retirement Investment Strategies 3/25 11am-1pm Tukwila & Everett
For reservations and more information, call 206-439-5720 or visit our website.
Securities, Advisory Services and Insurance Products offered through LPL Financial and its affiliates, Member FINRA/SIPC.
BECU is not a registered broker/dealer and has a brokerage affiliate arrangement with LPL Financial. Investments are: Not
NCUA/NCUSIF Insured • May Lose Value • Not Credit Union Guaranteed • Not Obligations of BECU. Branch Office located
at BECU, 12770 Gateway Dr., Tukwila WA 98168.
FREE TRUST COMPANY SEMINARS
Living Trusts and More 3/11 5:30-7:30pm Tukwila
Living Trusts and More 3/20 5:30-7:30pm Everett
Living Trusts and More 3/27 10am-noon Tukwila
Wills and Probate 4/10 5:30-7:30pm Tukwila
Wills and Probate 4/17 5:30-7:30pm Everett
For reservations and more information, call 206-812-5176 or visit our website.
more MARCH 2008
9

IN YOUR CORNER
Free Online Bill Payment
So Many Ways to Enjoy the Time You’ll Save!
USING BECU’S FREE online Bill
Payment saves you time and money. Pay
your mortgage, utility, department store
or any other bill from the convenience
of your computer. You’ll find that using
Bill Payment is quicker than writing
checks, and saves you the worry about
late payments in the mail. It’s a safe,
secure and free way to pay bills through
your Online Banking account.
With Bill Payment you can :
>> Pay multiple bills at the same time
>> Choose the date payments are paid
>> Review pending and recent payment
history
>> Choose the checking account you want the
payment to come from
>> Set up recurring payments and bill
reminders
>> Receive bills electronically with eBills to
eliminate paper
>> Make payments in one day *
BECU’s free online Bill Payment can
really simplify your life, just as it does
for thousands of BECU members
every month. Make using Bill Payment
a part of paying your monthly bills.
To learn more about Bill Payment,
check out our demo at
www.becu.org/billpaymentdemo
or give us a call at 206-439-5700 or
800-233-2328.
* With participating merchants.
Introducing the
BECU Business
Credit Card
IF YOU HAVE a small business, you’ll
want to consider our newly designed
Business Credit Card. A BECU Business
Visa, imprinted with the name of your
business, is a convenient way to take
care of expenses and enjoy many
benefits, including:
>> Competitive fixed rate
>> Credit Lines of up to $50,000
>> Purchase Security and Extended
Protection
>> Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
>> Travel and Emergency Assistance Service
Important Note for
Current Business
Credit Card Holders :
BECU is reissuing our newly designed
Business Credit Card to you. Your card
number remains the same, however, the
expiration date may have changed. If
the date has changed on your new card
and you have recurring payments set up
on your old card, please contact those
merchants to update the expiration date.
To learn more or to apply, visit
www.becu.org/smallbusiness or call us
at 206-812-5140.
10 MARCH 2008 more

CURRENT RATES
How Do We Rate?
DEPOSIT RATES*
APY
Savings 1.76%
Checking 0.50%
Savings with Member Advantage
($0-$500) 7.50%
($500.01+) 1.76%
Checking with Member Advantage
($0-$500) 7.50%
($500.01+) .50%
Early Saver (for members under 18)
($0-$500) 7.50%
($500.01+) 1.76%
Money Market
($0-$9,999) 0.50%
($10,000-$49,999) 3.56%
($50,000-$99,999) 3.71%
($100,000+) 3.87%
12-month CD
($500-$49,999) 3.87%
($50,000-$99,999) 3.97%
($100,000+) 4.07%
CD rates reflect non-Bump CDs and are effective
2/19/08. Rates do not change after account
opening for the term of the CD. Early withdrawal
penalties may apply.
You can open a CD with as little as $100
if you sign up for our Add-to feature, which
allows you to make automatic recurring
deposits to your BECU CD on a regular
basis while maintaining your current rate.
For more information on BECU CDs, visit
our website.
Boat Loan Rate
Comparison
FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION
LOAN RATES*
APR*
BECU 6.24%
Key Bank 7.11%
US Bank 7.15%
Bank of America 7.75%
* Competitor rates effective 2/15/2008 are based on 15 year
term and $25K loan amount. Source: financial institution’s
Internet web sites. Effective 2/6/2008, BECU rates, as low as
the Annual Percentage Rate stated above, are based on 15
year term, $25K and up, with 15% down.
Visa 6.90%-16.90%
Line of Credit 8.90%-16.90%
85% Equity Advantage
Fixed Rate Advances 5.74%-7.74%
Home Loans CHANGE DAILY
(check daily—www.becu.org/loans)
CAR & BOAT LOAN RATES*
New Car 5.74%-14.50%
(2005 models or newer) Up to 72 months
Used Car 6.24%-15.00%
(2004 models or older) Up to 72 months
Boat Fixed Rate 6.24% -7.49%
For a current list of our rates, visit our website.
* Certain restrictions apply. All Deposit rates stated as APY
(Annual Percentage Yield), are effective as of 2/19/08, and
unless noted above, are subject to change after account
opening. Please contact us for current rates. Fees could
reduce earnings.
* Loan rates are stated as APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
with automatic payment. Auto rates for repayment terms
60 months or less are .25% lower. Loan rates without
automatic payment are 0.50% more, excluding Line of
Credit and Visa. Effective as of 2/6/08, the APR and
financing will be within the range disclosed above, based on
your credit worthiness. Rates are subject to change and may
increase after account opening. For a current list of rates,
visit www.becu.org/loans.
more MARCH 2008
11

IN THIS ISSUE
>> Learn About ATM Card Skimming Page 3
>> S a v e L e s s a n d R e t i r e
With More Money Page 5
>> Be An Early Saver Page 6
mONEY MARKET RATES*
($10,000-$49,999) 3.56% APY
($50,000-$99,999) 3.71% APY
($100,000+) 3.87% APY
* See page 11 for more great rates
and account information.
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE, WA
PERMIT NO. 74