News
Let us tell you about 2-Step Verification and how it helps you to ensure security for your accounts.
2-Step verification is a security method that requires you to provide two forms of identity verification before you are granted access to your account or to change your password if you have forgotten it. You are first required to provide something you KNOW, such as access code (PAC), the second is something you HAVE, such as an additional one-time pass code that is texted or emailed to you. When you enable text-based 2-Step verification, you will be sent a text message to your mobile device or email containing a one-time code whenever you sign in. This means, that even if someone has your username and password for the account, they won’t be able to sign in unless they also have access to the one-time code sent to you via text message or email.
2-Step verification provides an added layer of security to your online and mobile accounts. So, embrace the additional passcode requirement; it’s keeping your data and accounts safe and secure by requiring users to verify identity in multiple ways!
CUETS Financial has made a decision to close all Business MasterCard accounts in August. As part of their closeout activities, CUETS Financial has mailed a letter to all Business MasterCard cardholders informing about the closure of their account and share any important steps they need to take.
Niverville Credit Union is now in partnership with a new Card provider, Collabria. Please call or visit our office for more information about applying for a new Business Card.
On July 29, 2017, Equifax, a credit monitoring company discovered that they were hit by a high-tech heist of personal sensitive information from millions of Americans, including about 100,000 Canadians. Equifax Canada said the information includes names, addresses, social insurance numbers (SIN) and, in limited cases, credit card numbers.
Equifax has mentioned that it has been working with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC). They will be mailing notices directly to all impacted consumers outlining the steps they should take. "For impacted Canadians we will also be providing complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection for 12 months," the firm said.
Equifax is also recommending Canadian consumers to be vigilant by reviewing their account statements and credit reports. They said consumers should immediately report any unauthorized activity to their financial institutions.
What is Equifax? The Atlanta-based company is one of three major credit bureaus that collects personal information such as social insurance numbers that are used by lenders to decide whether to approve financing for homes, cars and credit cards.
If you want to find out if you have been hacked, you can check your credit report annually for free from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
As our world becomes a more digital place we find ourselves bombarded by potentially fraudulent situations. Fraudulent communications can come in various types, such as telephone calls, letters, emails, and text messages. It is therefore important to understand how to identify fraud in order to properly protect yourself from it.
Over the phone
Fraudulent phone calls often come from people pretending to be from a company you might trust. Some examples include MasterCard, Microsoft, CRA and even your own financial institution. These phone calls will often request personal information from you to verify your identity. In reality, the fraudsters are taking your personal information and using it for fraudulent purposes. What many do not realize is that reputable companies do not usually call to demand personal information from you. As well, they will never leave personal information on your answering machine. If you do find yourself in this circumstance it is good practice to obtain the phone number for the company and tell them you will call them back. This way you know you are calling the company in question and do not risk giving out your information to the wrong people. If you feel in any way unsure of the identity of someone who has called you do not give any of your personal information to them until you verify their legitimacy.
Online
Protecting yourself online can be a bit trickier. Many people have a very large online presence which can make them more susceptible to potentially fraudulent interactions. For example, many computer users have received notifications from Microsoft saying their computer has a virus and they need to call the company immediately to fix the problem. This is, in fact, a fraudulent communication where the fraudsters take control of your computer and obtain your personal information through gaining access to your email, online banking and other programs. Even so, there are many ways to keep yourself safe online.
● It is important to make sure that any passwords you use online are secure and not easy to guess. Keep your passwords private especially for online banking accounts.
● Never open emails from senders who are unknown to you.
● Install a virus protection software on your computer
● Do not give anyone over the phone permission to access your computer, even if they claim they need to fix it. Always be sure to verify the legitimacy of the company first!
Being cautious is always good when it comes to fraud. Trusting your gut can be the first step. If any situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsure it is always better to exercise a little caution before proceeding. Your financial institution will always be helpful in identifying fraud, so if you are ever unsure, give us call!
For your information
Canada Revenue Agency, also known as CRA does not communicate in the following ways: - send email with links, asking for you to provide personal or financial information - send text messages asking for any kind of personal information - request payments by prepaid credit cards - provide personal information to another person, unless formal authorization is provided by the taxpayer - will never leave personal information on an answering machine.
If you receive a call from CRA and want to confirm that it is legitimate, check "MyAccount" or call CRA directly. - For calls about individual concerns: 1-800-959-8281 - For business-related calls: 1-800-959-5525 Or visit their website at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/lrts/2015/l150610-eng.html
If you have been a victim of a scam or fraud, please contact your local law enforcement, along with any company you believe your information might have been compromised with. You may also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online by visiting http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
RRSPs and TFSAs both offer tax advantages to help you reach your retirement or savings goals. The combined benefits of reducing taxable income in a (RRSP) and tax-sheltered compound returns over the long term (both RRSP and TFSA) can be a powerful combination. A good strategy is to contribute to both as much as possible, if you can afford it. If you choose one or the other, it’s important to understand and know how they differ.
RRSPs are intended for retirement and you need earned income to contribute. When you contribute to an RRSP, you deduct your contribution from the income you report on your tax return. If you are a person with a small tax bill each year, then RRSPs may not make sense for you. When a person decides to withdraw money from their RRSP, the amount withdrawn gets added to that person's income in the year the money is taken out as taxable income. All the growth made inside the RRSP compound tax free. RRSP contributions work great if you are withdrawing at a similar or lower marginal tax rate compared to the contribution. If you are withdrawing at a higher tax rate at retirement, an RRSP is probably not a good choice.
Tax-Free Savings Accounts were created as a way to encourage Canadians to invest and save without paying taxes on interest gained. Your savings can be used for any type of savings goal which may be more attractive to young savers who want to have an accessible emergency fund or save up for a large purchase like a car or vacation. With a TFSA, you cannot deduct your contribution on your tax return and do not have any taxable implications on withdrawal. There are limits per year on how much you contribute and if you don’t use up that room, it can get carried forward to subsequent years.
With both plans, you can name your spouse as a beneficiary. The money will roll over to them upon your death. With a TFSA, only the increase in the value of the TFSA since the date of death is taxed in the year the children receive it.
Speak with an Investment Specialist to see which one (or both) is the right choice for you.
Submitted by Sandy Charette, Deposit Services Manager, Niverville Credit Union
At the Niverville Credit Union we value community! We strive to appreciate and support our communities all year long and want to fill the needs in our communities whenever possible. There is no better time than the holidays to look back and cherish the many ways we have helped our communities grow and thrive this year.
Throughout the year, we have been encouraging our members to discontinue their paper statements. This not only helped in eliminating paper waste, but we also committed to donating $5 from every suppressed statement to a local charitable organization. We are happy to report that we supported several local charities through this initiative including Youth for Christ, Tache Fire Hall, Niverville Dog Park, Niverville Baby Blessings as well as many others.
Our most recent charitable organization to receive a donation from the discontinue paper-statements initiative is the Landmark Shoebox Store. This store is a branch of Samaritans Purse that packs shoeboxes full of essentials and toys for children in need worldwide. A group of our employees, along with their families, spent an evening at the store, packing boxes and writing letters to the children who will be receiving them. As a team, we packed 27 boxes and were so excited to spend the evening supporting this amazing cause.
This year, Niverville Credit Union hosted the One Day for Imagine in support of Mental Illness Awareness and the Imagine Run held in Niverville. The Niverville Branch parking lot become the site of the One Day for Imagine, with all donations going to Imagine.
Niverville Credit Union is also proud to continue our support of the students in our communities. Each year we give away scholarships to deserving graduates in both Niverville and Landmark and are always encouraged and inspired to hear of the hard work and achievements of the young graduates in our area.
As well, Niverville Credit Union attended and supported many other local fundraisers and events this year including the Niverville Fair, the Landmark Friendship Festival and several golf tournament fundraisers for local organizations.
To say we absolutely adore our communities is an understatement! We have been given the gift of incredible support from our members and our local communities that we feel the need to give back in any way we can. We are overwhelmed by the amazing organizations that are making a difference in our area. At the Niverville Credit Union we want to say a big “thanks” by continuing to show our support and commitment to those who are changing our communities for the better!
Moving away from your hometown doesn’t mean everything in your life has to change! At the Niverville Credit Union, we believe we can continue to serve your financial needs no matter where your life takes you! We offer several services that allow our members to deal with their finances without ever having to come into the branch. Whether you are always on the road with your job or you have moved away from one of our local branches, you can still receive the personalized service and care you know and love!
Niverville Credit Union has partnered up with Credit Unions across the country to offer our members unlimited use of any Credit Union ATM machine in Canada without paying a single fee. That means, Niverville Credit Union members have access to over 2,400 ATM machines Canada-wide. This allows our members to handle their financial needs no matter where they live!
Mobile Banking and Remote Cheque Deposit
Through our mobile banking app, meeting your financial needs anywhere you go becomes quick and easy. You can transfer money, check your balances and pay bills all with the touch of button. With the addition of remote cheque deposit you can even deposit cheques anywhere, at anytime, simply by taking pictures of them! Stuck without Wifi? No problem! Sign up your phone with our app and you can receive detailed balance and account information via text message to your mobile phone. With all these advances in technology, it is no longer necessary for our members to live locally. In fact, the Niverville Credit Union is proud to say we actively serve members who live across the country and overseas!
Through your online banking profile, Niverville Credit Union members have the option to apply for a MasterCard or loan from the comfort of their own home. All you have to do is submit an online application with some information about how we can help meet your financial needs!
It can be exciting and overwhelming to go through big life changes. At the Niverville Credit Union we want to be by your side through it all! So, if you're moving across the country, or just to the next town, our convenient and easy-to-use services will allow you to meet your financial needs wherever you are!
We are pleased to announce that we are expanding our reach and opening up our first branch in Steinbach, MB! As our client base has grown, we have observed the need to accommodate all our members by opening up another branch of our institution. Our new branch will be located in the Penfeld Professional Centre at 150 Penfeld Drive. This is directly located behind the Smith, Neufeld, Jodoin Law Office on Highway #12, which is on the site of the old Birchwood Funeral Chapel.
We have decided to take this step in order to better serve our growing member base in the Steinbach area and to participate in Steinbach’s future growth. Steinbach’s trading area serves a population of 50,000 people and the city of Steinbach is experiencing exponential growth similar to that of Niverville. We chose the Penfeld Professional Centre, in part, because the center is currently home to real estate, legal and insurance firms which are well suited to the financial services offered by NCU.
Upon completion of the Steinbach branch, Niverville Credit Union will have locations in the three main growth areas of southeastern Manitoba, those being Niverville, Steinbach and the communities of Landmark and Lorette, which are served by our Landmark branch. Not only does this make our financial services more conveniently located for our existing members it also allows us the opportunity to be a part of, and support, these growing communities.
We are proud of our continued growth and would like to pay credit to our history and the long standing members who have been with us since nearly the beginning. The Niverville Credit Union was first established in 1949 as the Niverville Credit Union Society Limited and had 23 members subscribed for a total of $150.75 in shares. At our inception, the maximum any member was allowed to loan was $100. Since our humble beginnings in an office in a B/A (gas) station on Main Street, we have now relocated to our very own building and undergone several expansions along the way. In our 65 years of business NCU has grown from 23 members to over 7500 with total assets that have grown from $150 to over $250 million.
We continue to move forward with the preparations for our new branch. There is much that needs to be done including finalizing the layout and blueprints, finalizing technology investments, as well as staffing, all of which are well underway. Approximately 2800 square feet of space in the Penfeld Professional Centre will be dedicated to the new NCU branch. The opening of the Steinbach branch is expected to take place sometime this winter. We are immensely proud and excited to continue meeting the financial needs of the people in the Southeast!
It’s that time of year again! The leaves are turning and the nights are getting cooler, which means back to school is right around the corner! This can be an exciting time for students with much to anticipate. Unfortunately, for many students this also means the looming financial burden of paying for tuition and textbooks for the upcoming school year. Scholarships and bursaries are a great way to help offset the cost of post-secondary education, but are there more options for students when it comes to financing their education?
At the Niverville Credit Union, we believe students have enough to worry about when it comes to their education. That is why we commit to helping students pay for their education in a way that works for them. We offer many amazing services for students so you can keep your mind at ease and focus on what really matters: your studies!
As a student, you are already shelling out thousands of dollars to go to school! You shouldn’t need to worry about paying your monthly account fees on top of all that. That is why the Niverville Credit Union offers a specialized chequing account for students ages 19-24. This account has no monthly fee and your first 40 transactions are free! Features like our mobile banking app and remote cheque deposit make it even easier for students living in dorm to handle their financial matters without even leaving their room!
Don’t have enough cash to pay for tuition and books? No need to worry! At the Niverville Credit Union we offer student loans at competitive interest rates. Instead of making regular loan payments while you are in school, the student loan only requires you to make payments toward the interest of your loan until you graduate. We make the application and repayment process flexible enough to fit into one of the busy times of your life!
A great way to earn credit and pay for all your school supplies is by using your very own Student MasterCard®. Our Student MasterCard® comes with some great perks that students are sure to take advantage of. Firstly, the student card is offered in both a no fee and low annual fee ($24 annually[1]) option. If students opt for the low fee card they can begin earning Choice Rewards® points which can then be redeemed through our catalogue or as a credit on their next MasterCard® bill! Points are received at a ratio of one point per every $1 spent and can add up quickly with all the back to school shopping that needs to be done!
Whether you are in your first or third year of post-secondary studies, come on over to the Niverville Credit Union and see all the great ways we help the students in our communities achieve their dreams!
Despite today's fast-paced and globalized world, we still place value on our local communities. We buy local food, play on community sports teams and attend community events. With all this focus on community, why wouldn’t we also trust our financial matters to our local financial institutions? Becoming a member of a community credit union is a great way to keep your business local and in turn, support your community. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of all the benefits that come along with being a member of a credit union!
Credit Unions are cooperative
Credit unions are not banks, although outwardly it may be hard to tell the difference. Credit unions are cooperative financial institutions, meaning they are owned by the people who hold accounts with them. These people are called members and they have a say in how the credit union is run, by voting for a board of directors to represent them. Each member has a share in the company, making them a “part-owner” of the credit union itself! This means that, unlike banks, no one person benefits from the credit union's success. Instead, all members benefit from the organization's profits. To quote from the International Cooperative Alliance Statement on the Co-operative Identity, credit unions are “based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others”[1].
Credit Unions are community-oriented
Credit unions pride themselves in being community-oriented. Each year, Canada’s credit unions donate millions of dollars to charitable foundations, scholarships and bursaries that work to support local communities[2]. Not only do credit unions support educational programs, they also work to improve community development by supporting community projects and events. Take the time to look around at the next sporting event or town fair you attend and be assured you will find a community credit union as a sponsor. This should be no surprise, as there are over 3000 community credit union branches in Canada today.[3]
Credit Unions are member-oriented
Credit union members are always the first priority. Unlike large financial institutions, credit unions are focused on, and are able to meet, each one of their member’s needs. This is accomplished easily because of their small size and democratic member control. Customer service is more easily catered to individuals as credit union employees are encouraged to get to know each of their members. As a typical credit union member, you may find you are greeted by name and with a warm smile whenever you come into the branch. Because of this personalized care, credit union employees can provide insightful and thoughtful services and advice. Every member is unique and every stage of life is different, which is why credit unions take the time to come up with creative and personalized solutions for all of your financial needs.
Credit Unions work for you
With over 3000 credit union branches in Canada, members have a lot of options to meet their financial needs. Not only that, but with the advancement of digital banking technologies, it is even easier for credit union members to access and manage their financial matters worldwide. For your convenience and peace of mind, credit union members are able to use ATM machines at any credit union across Canada without being charged service fees. As well, depositing cheques and transferring money to friends and family can be accomplished all with the touch of a button on your cellphone. Credit unions continue to focus on better rates and lower fees to help you make your financial dreams a reality!
If you haven’t stopped in to your local credit union lately, consider taking the time to see what they can do for you. Credit unions offer all the same services as full-fledged banks, but molded to fit your individual banking needs. At your local credit union you are more than a number, you’re a member! Considering switching to a credit union today, you won’t regret it!
Submitted by Katherine Andres by Niverville Credit Union
[1] International Co-operative Alliance. Statement on the Co-operative Identity.
[2] Credit Union Central of Canada, Member Advantage, 2012
[3] Central 1: Credit Union System, Credit Unions in Canada, 2016
You have recently moved into your new home. You realized you would like to now change a few things. Whether it is inside or out we call those renovations! There are many different reasons to renovate a home: to save energy (and save on utility bills), to make room for a growing family, to improve safety or increase the resale value of your home, or simply to bring a fresh new look to your home. There are also a number of different ways to finance your renovation.
An Equity Line of Credit is a line of credit that uses the equity that is available in your home. It is ideal for ongoing or long-term renovations since it lets you access your funds at any time .You are only required to apply for the Equity Line once.
With a personal loan, you pay regular payments of principal and interest for a set period. The interest rate on a personal loan is typically less than that of a credit card. Unlike a line of credit, once you pay off your loan you will have to reapply to borrow any new funds, if you needed.
Another solution is to mortgage refinance, which can help you cash out some home equity to pay for improvements. When funding major renovations, refinancing your mortgage lets you spread repayment over a long period at mortgage interest rates, which are usually much lower than credit card or personal loan rates. This type of financing can allow you to borrow up to 80% of your home’s appraised value.
Not every option is good for everyone. It is best to sit down and discuss your options and needs with your lender when the time is right for you.
Submitted by Keith Wolbaum at Niverville Credit Union
Life is full of many special moments. One in particular could be purchasing a home, in which you need to obtain your first mortgage! Congratulations, but where do you even begin. Let’s start from the beginning.
You’ve found your dream home and can’t wait to start filling it with wonderful items. Start with your financial institution and get a pre-approved mortgage. This will give you an idea of what you can afford and if you are able to purchase your dream home at this time. You will also be guaranteed an interest rate for 90-120 days (depending on your institution), should the rate increase during that time period. Also, with being pre-approved you are under no obligation and it is free of charge.
There are 2 types of mortgages, a conventional mortgage and a high-ratio mortgage. A conventional mortgage is when you have your mortgage for less than 80% of the lending value of your property. For example, your home is $200,000 you only require a mortgage for $160,000 as you would have the 20% down payment of $40,000. A high-ratio mortgage means that your mortgage is more than 80% of the sale price. In this situation your financial provider will require you to have mortgage loan insurance. Well-known providers of this insurance are CMHC and Genworth.
Once you have figured out the amount of your mortgage then you will need to choose what kind of term you want. Before making the decision you need to think carefully as to what you want. A longer term protects you from interest rate increases in the next couple of years. But a shorter term could be a benefit if you think the interest rate will decrease in the near future. If you are unsure of what type of term to choose discuss this with your lender to find a term that best suits you.
There are different ways that mortgage interest rates work. You can lock in your interest rate so that it will not change within the length of your term and this is a fixed rate. If you want the interest rate to change according to the market then you will want the variable rate.
You may be asking what the difference is between a closed and open mortgage. A closed mortgage is meant for making the normal payments and nothing more. If you want to make an extra payment towards your closed mortgage there will usually be restrictions or penalties. Many people like the closed mortgage on their monthly payments if they’re on a tight budget. An open mortgage gives you the choice to pay off your mortgage or make extra payments at any time. The open mortgage would be suggested if you are planning on selling your home in the near future. The open mortgage is also suggested for those who don’t want as many restrictions on how much extra they can put towards their mortgage.
The total time it takes you to pay off your mortgage is called amortization. Many people schedule it so they pay it over 25 years. Mortgage payments can be made monthly, biweekly, or weekly. The more payments you make in a year means the lower amount of interest you need to pay. The reason for this is because each time you make a payment the total principal balance gets lower.
Now let’s recap what decisions you need to make. Conventional mortgage or high-ratio mortgage? How long do you want to have your mortgage for, known as a Term? Interest rate? Open or closed? Payment structure (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly or monthly)?
Do you think you are ready to take on your first mortgage? We do! Come on Over to your nearest branch in Landmark or Niverville for any questions you might have!
RRSPs and TFSAs both offer tax advantages to help you reach your retirement or savings goals. The combined benefits of reducing taxable income in a (RRSP) and tax-sheltered compound returns over the long term (both RRSP and TFSA) can be a powerful combination. A good strategy is to contribute to both as much as possible, if you can afford it. If you choose one or the other, it’s important to understand and know how they differ.
RRSPs are intended for retirement and you need earned income to contribute. When you contribute to an RRSP, you deduct your contribution from the income you report on your tax return. If you are a person with a small tax bill each year, then RRSPs may not make sense for you. When a person decides to withdraw money from their RRSP, the amount withdrawn gets added to that person's income in the year the money is taken out as taxable income. All the growth made inside the RRSP compound tax free. RRSP contributions work great if you are withdrawing at a similar or lower marginal tax rate compared to the contribution. If you are withdrawing at a higher tax rate at retirement, an RRSP is probably not a good choice.
Tax-Free Savings Accounts were created as a way to encourage Canadians to invest and save without paying taxes on interest gained. Your savings can be used for any type of savings goal which may be more attractive to young savers who want to have an accessible emergency fund or save up for a large purchase like a car or vacation. With a TFSA, you cannot deduct your contribution on your tax return and do not have any taxable implications on withdrawal. There are limits per year on how much you contribute and if you don’t use up that room, it can get carried forward to subsequent years.
With both plans, you can name your spouse as a beneficiary. The money will roll over to them upon your death. With a TFSA, only the increase in the value of the TFSA since the date of death is taxed in the year the children receive it.
Speak with an Investment Specialist to see which one (or both) is the right choice for you.
Canada Revenue Agency, also known as CRA does not communicate in the following ways:
- send email with links, asking for you to provide personal or financial information
- send text messages asking for any kind of personal information
- request payments by prepaid credit cards
- provide personal information to another person, unless formal authorization is provided by the taxpayer
- will never leave personal information on an answering machine
Dorothy Dyck, Compliance Administrator at Niverville Credit Union, recently received a call from someone stating they were from CRA. I had a chance to sit down and ask Dorothy some questions regarding the phone call she had received. “I received a call from a male. He stated he was calling from Canada Revenue Taxation, and continued to state it several times throughout the conversation.” With being an employee of a financial institution, you familiarize yourself with fraudulent activity and develop an instinct. “The man was very insistent and instructed me to not hang up,” Dorothy stated.
When you are ever in doubt about the information you have been given, or are contacted by someone you are unsure of, follow up with the company, ask them for a phone number to call them back at, then provide that number to local authorities or contact someone you trust to help you investigate further.
If you have been a victim of a scam or fraud, please contact your local law enforcement, along with any company you believe your information might have been compromised with. You may also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online by visiting http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.
If you receive a call from CRA and want to confirm that it is legitimate, check "MyAccount" or call CRA directly.
- The number for calls about individual concerns is 1-800-959-8281
- The number for business-related cals is 1-800-959-5525
Or visit their website at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/lrts/2015/l150610-eng.html
You will experience a new smart and streamlined user experience when conducting an Interac® e-Transfer® from any device, including mobile phones. You will also benefit from new features, such as direct access to their financial institution’s online banking website and quick links to FAQs and help content.
In addition, the Interac® e-Transfer® service will have the capability to remember your previous online banking preferences, resulting in a faster, more efficient experience when sending or receiving an Interac® e-Transfer®.
To learn more, visit www.Interac.ca or follow @INTERAC on Twitter or Facebook for regular updates.
Remember, if you receive an email about an Interac® e-Transfer® from someone you do not know, or that you suspect is fraudulent, do not respond. Forward it to phishing@interac.ca.
