Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) introduced a new credit card with an ultra-low variable APR of 6.49% and no annual fees Tuesday. It’s one of the credit union’s new Power products, which include a new checking account solution and two additional credit cards that feature rewards of up to three points for every $1 spent on gas, travel and dining; no annual or cash advance fees; and some of the lowest APRs in the market for rewards cards.
“We spent a great deal of time re-designing our new products around the feedback we received from our members,” said Jim Laffoon, president and chief executive officer of SSFCU. “They told us they wanted lower fees and better rewards. We delivered.”
In addition to 6.49% low APR card, SSFCU launched a reward card with no annual, balance transfer or cash advance fees; one point for every dollar spent and a low APR (starting at 12.75%). A second reward card is a high-end travelers card offering three points for every dollar spent on gas, travel and dining; one point per dollar on any other purchases; an additional annual points bonus of 10 percent on points earned; no annual, cash advance or balance transfer fees, 0% APR for the first six months and points bonuses for opening the account and using it. “It’s one of the strongest travel reward cards on the market right now,” added Laffoon.
With the new Power Checking and Power Youth Checking accounts, members can choose to get ten cents cash back on every debit card swipe or rewards points for signature-based transactions. The accounts feature no hidden fees, no minimum balance and an interest rate that grows with deposits. If members also hold a rewards-based credit card and they choose reward points on their checking account, SSFCU will automatically combine debit and credit card points, helping members rack up rewards even faster.
In an effort to combat fraud and increase security sooner rather than later, all newly-issued SSFCU Power credit cards will be EMV chip equipped starting in October 2014, with EMV-chipped Power debit cards rolled out in 2015.
“We wanted to offer our members in Texas, Colorado and Utah the choice of highly competitive financial products,” said Laffoon. “These new no annual fee options are great for members who are actively looking to lower costs and build rewards.” Earlier this year, SSFCU also rolled out a new Power Mortgage with no closing costs up to $5,000, no origination fee and low interest rates on both home purchases and refinances
Individuals must qualify for membership, but there are more than 2,600 different ways to join SSFCU. For more information, and for details on ways to qualify for membership, visit www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.
Membership eligibility required. “Swipes” do not include ATM transactions, returns, any checks that access your account, or overdraft advances. The term “interest” refers to dividends. Security Service Power Checking is a Blended Rate Tier account, which means the dividend rate will only be paid on the portion of your daily balance within each Balance Tier. Rate is variable and may change after the account is opened. For complete rate and tier information, visit ssfcu.org. Visit a branch or ssfcu.org for details. Federally insured by NCUA.
APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Other rates may apply based on credit worthiness.
Power Travel Rewards Credit Card subject to credit approval and income requirements. Receive 10% annual point bonus on the points earned in one year with the Power Travel Rewards Credit Card. Annual bonus is calculated on anniversary date of account enrollment and credited to the account within 30 days. Annual bonus does not apply to transferred points, combined points from a Power Checking account, or rollover points from previous year. Please refer to the Security Service Federal Credit Union Rewards Program agreement for complete details. Introductory 2,500 bonus points offer applies when $500 is spent on card within the first 90 days of account opening. Upon meeting this requirement, bonus points will be automatically deposited into your account. The introductory 0% APR is only available on transactions performed within the fi rst 6 months of the account being opened. The 6-month 0% APR period for each category (i.e. purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances) begins on the date of the first transaction for that category and continues until the end of the 6th billing cycle of the fi rst transaction for that category. Restrictions apply. Please refer to the Credit Card Rate Agreement for current balance transfer rates and complete details.
Power Mortgage offer does not cover mortgage insurance, seller paid closing costs, discount points, or pre-paids & reserves. The program is not valid for FHA or VA loans. If loan is closed or paid off within first 36 months of the term, member may be required to reimburse all or some of the closing costs paid by Security Service. Financing available for properties in Texas, Colorado, or Utah only.
About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.9 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.
by Kyle Gubernator, Broadway Bank Wealth Management Division 
Frost’s DeZavala Financial Center will host a Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 13, from 9:00am – 12:00pm, where guests can enjoy a number of family-friendly activities. A petting zoo will be on site with visiting ducks, chickens, goats, pigs, and rabbits for the children to pet and feed. A balloon twister will entertain the children while Aspen’s Brew gets the morning started right with freshly brewed coffee and pastries. If guests are still hungry they can look for the famous Chick-fil-A Cow, who will be on hand with party trays and refreshments. The event wouldn’t be complete without a live performance from the Clark High School Band. While enjoying the festivities, guests can enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, compliments of Frost. Lastly, Frost encourages guests to take advantage of the child ID kits and fingerprinting that will be on hand during the event. The event and activities are free and open to the public.
Local senior residents at Granada Homes Apartments in downtown San Antonio enjoyed a lot of special attention on August 20th as Broadway Bank announced an investment in the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation aimed at making their home more secure.
Broadway Bank made a $1 million investment in the preferred stock of the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation. A portion of the interest earned on that preferred stock is used to fund the Senior Crimestoppers Program at Granada Homes. Broadway Bank and Senior Crimestoppers made the announcement, flanked by McGruff the Crime Dog, local Crimestoppers and the San Antonio Police Department, “Senior Crimestoppers is a way for an administrator to further enhance the lives of the residents they serve. They all work very hard to provide safe, secure, comfortable living environments and their desire to implement the program is just one more example of this. Implementing this program does not mean that the facility currently has a crime problem, but that the administrator is proactively finding a way to keep problems from occurring in the future,” said Terry Rooker, president of Senior Crimestoppers.
“It takes all of us in San Antonio and even our outlying communities to make a difference. The Care Corps proves this every time they take on a project,” said Flores Westbrook. “Our employees who make up the Care Corps are community-spirited and very generous with their time and talent,” she added.
John M. Neugebauer is the architect on the project. Jordan Foster Construction is general contractor.
Elizabeth Hetrick, senior vice president, who has been with Broadway Bank since 2011, has been promoted to Wealth Advisor Team Manager in the Wealth Management Division. She has 18 years of experience in estate planning and trust and estate administration, amassed through work in the financial industry, as a staff attorney in Bexar County Probate Court and in private practice. Hetrick serves on the board of directors of The Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health and the board of governors of the San Antonio Estate Planners Council. She has Bachelors of Arts in management and marketing from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law. She also earned the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) credential from the American Bankers Association.
Emily Kempf has been promoted to assistant vice president, treasury management sales officer. She has 16 years of banking experience and has worked as the banking services manager at the Broadway Bank San Marcos Banking Center since 2013. Kempf is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in leadership and management at Texas State University. She is active in both the Kyle and San Marcos chambers of commerce and serves on the Broadway Bank Care Corps Committee, volunteering at various non-profit organizations in the local communities.
Vicki Siluk-Aguilar has moved to the Broadway Bank Alamo Heights Banking Center as vice president, market manager, following seven years as the JBSA-Randolph Banking Center market manager. She is a familiar face, having begun her career at the Alamo Heights Banking Center as banking services manager. Siluk-Aguilar also has served as the banking services manager at Broadway Bank’s Huebner and Main Banking Centers. She has been with Broadway Bank 11 years and has more than 35 years of banking experience.
Due to the success of its current five partnership locations, Generations Federal Credit Union has announced it has opened two additional branches in area H-E-B Grocery stores located at 9900 Wurzbach (IH-10 at Wurzbach) and 10660 West FM 471 (1604 and Culebra). The 74-year-old credit union will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Wurzbach branch on Thursday, July 24 and the Culebra Branch Grand Opening on Thursday, July 31. Mix 96.1’s Russell Rush will be on hand at both events to keep the festivities going.
Article by John A. Wood