Member Matters | April 2022

Dear credit union member,

I’m happy to report that we’re off to a good start for the year. We’re forecasting that 2022 will be another successful year for the credit union and are already ahead of the projections that we set. We’re expecting growth in nearly all areas of the credit union and look forward to the opportunities that await us and our members.

Speaking of opportunities, now is the time to look into our mortgage and refinance options, as well as our VISA^® Credit Cards.

We’re here to help members from all walks of life achieve their goals of homeownership. If you’re looking for a new home, there’s still time to take advantage of some of the lowest mortgage rates that we’ve seen in years. We offer a complete suite of mortgage products with competitive rates and closing costs, including options with low down payments. And if you’re a current homeowner with a mortgage rate of 5% APR¹ or higher, this could be a great time for you to refinance to reduce long-term debts and increase your cash flow. I hope you’ll consider giving our team of mortgage experts a call at 770.580.6098. They’ll work with you to find the best home loan or refinance option that fits your unique needs.

If you have good credit, now is the time to switch to our low rate VISA^® Credit Card. While our credit card rates are technically subject to change, I’m proud to say that they have remained unchanged for over 20 years. Let us compare your current credit card rates and see what rate you qualify for. We offer a variety of credit cards with rates as low as 6.9% APR and 0% for six months on all new purchases and balance transfers, so we may be able to save you money!²

With all that’s going on in the world, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the current crisis in Ukraine. As you know, Peach State is dedicated to supporting our communities and this commitment to helping our neighbors goes well beyond our footprint. We’re a long-time supporter of the World Council of Credit Unions. Together with the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, they established the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund to provide financial support for the short- and long-term impacts to the Ukraine’s credit union system as Russian troops continue their invasion. We’re proud to support our fellow Ukrainian colleagues, their members and staff with a recent donation of $25,000 through the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation. We’re also providing support to our industry colleagues in Poland, who are unfortunately absorbing the brunt of the humanitarian crisis.

The credit union philosophy of “people helping people” is simple yet powerful. It is during times of adversity that our strength shines as we come together helping communities near and far.

As always, we appreciate your continued support and thank you for being a loyal member at Peach State.

Marshall Boutwell
President/CEO

1 APR – Annual Percentage Rate.

2 APR – Annual Percentage Rate. The 0% introductory APR applies to purchases, cash advances and balance transfers. Offer applies to new VISA^® credit card accounts only and may expire at any time; does not apply to account upgrades. If you are upgrading from a rewards card to a non-rewards card, then your points will expire at the time of the upgrade. The 0% APR is effective for the first six statement periods following the opening of your account. The APR will return to the annual percentage rate of your approved card type after the promotional period, or if you fail to make a minimum periodic payment during the promotional period within 60 days from the due date for that payment. Rates range from 6.9% to 14.9%. A $15 application fee is charged for processing. Subject to credit approval.

Peach-State-donation-to-Barrown-County-Food-Pantry-with-Al-Brown-and-Peggy-Kilgroe

Pictured (left to right): Peggy Kilgroe, Business Development at Peach State and Al Brown, Barrow County Food Pantry

Barrow County Food Pantry Donation

Each quarter, food that has been donated by our members and staff is donated to a food bank in our service area. In February, a donation was delivered to the Barrow County Food Pantry.

Peach State Foundation pledged $7,500 to Social Circle City Schools REACH Georgia Scholarship Program accepted by students.

Pictured: Ryan Hawk, Executive Director of Business Development & Community Outreach for Peach State and Bonnie Haynes, Business Development for Peach State with Social Circle City School REACH Scholars

Social Circle City Schools REACH Scholarship Program

In February, the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation pledged $7,500 to the Social Circle City Schools REACH Georgia Scholarship Program. The program provides students with the opportunity to achieve post-secondary success.

World-Council-Worldwide-Foundation-for-Credit-Union-logos

Donation to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund

A $25,000 donation was made to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, which was established by the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions in partnership with the World Council of Credit Unions. The fund was created in response to the current Ukraine crisis with a goal of providing financial aid and other support to credit unions faring in the face of the Russian invasion.

To learn more about the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, visit us at https://www.peachstatefcu.org/Stories/CARES-Foundation or email CARESFoundation@peachstatefcu.org.

Mortgage Options to Fit Your Needs

for whatever stage of life you’re in!

If you’re looking for a new home, you’re in luck! Peach State offers a complete suite of mortgage products with competitive rates and closing costs, plus options with low down payments!

Conventional
Construction
Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
First time buyer programs
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Adjustable Rate Mortgages are also available.

And if you love your home, but not your payment, consider refinancing your existing mortgage to save money or boost your cash flow with a cash-out refinance option.

Get started today! Apply online or speak with one of the experts in our Mortgage Services Department by calling 770.580.6098.¹

1 Loan applications are processed by Member First Mortgage (NMLS ID# 149532) and are subject to credit approval based on each individual’s credit history and underwriting factors. ARM rates are subject to change after closing. Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) will vary based on your final loan amount and finance charges.

Peach State Federal Credit Union NMLS #483559

Scams: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself from Fraud

What is a Scam?

A scam is a sneaky and dishonest way to get unsuspecting individuals to give out their personal information. Scammers often apply panic or fear to get their victims to act immediately. In some cases, they seem friendly and helpful, while other times they can be threatening and forceful. It’s important to understand how scams work and what precautionary steps you can take to protect your information.

Keep Personal Information and Documents Safe

Important information like account statements, Social Security numbers, credit cards and online logins should be kept in a secure location and never shared. When discarding documents that contain personal information, be sure to shred them.

Protect Your Information Online

Always use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (if offered). Strong passwords contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s also best to frequently change your passwords. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra security measure when accessing accounts.

Monitor Accounts Regularly

Regularly monitoring your accounts not only helps track spending, but you stand a greater chance of catching suspicious activity.

If you notice unusual activity on your Peach State accounts, contact us immediately. Downloading our Mobile Banking app will give you quick access to monitor your accounts and set alerts for low balances, large transactions and more.

At Peach State, your financial well-being is our top priority. This includes taking the necessary measures to keep your personal and financial information safe. Learn more helpful fraud protection tips at https://www.peachstatefcu.org/Forms-and-Resources/Fraud-Protection-Tips.

Your Vote Matters!

Remember to Vote on May 24th | Early Voting Starts May 2nd

The credit union philosophy is based on the concept of “people helping people”. Being a member of a credit union shows that you care about the financial well-being of your family and community.

That’s why it’s important to exercise your right to vote. The officials elected in congressional, state, and local elections will make decisions affecting many aspects of our lives in the years to come. By voting, you’re helping shape your future and the future of those in your community. When you become an informed voter who understands the issues and knows the candidates’ positions, you’re taking the first step to building a better tomorrow.

While there are hundreds of candidates in this year’s elections, here are some who have been supportive of your access to credit unions.

FEDERAL LEGISLATORS

US Rep. Sanford Bishop
US Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux
US Rep. Barry Loudermilk
Dr. Rich McCormick
US Rep. David Scott

STATE LEGISLATORS

State Rep. Demetrius Douglas
State Rep. Chuck Efstration
State Rep. Gloria Frazier
State Rep. Joseph Gullett
US Rep. Jody Hice
State Rep. Beth Moore
State Rep. Brian Prince
Matt Reeves
State Rep. Bonnie Rich

April 2022

In This Issue

President's Letter

C.A.R.E.S. Community Corner