Staying on top of your share draft account

Good financial habits, such as balancing your checkbook are relatively straightforward. Still, many of us haven't mastered them or choose to overlook them. This could result in the embarassment of a share draft being returned for insufficient funds or a decline for your cash withdrawal request at the ATM. It's not hard to get on top of your share draft account and stay there. Here are some easy steps you can take.

Keep track of your account through a written checkbook register or a computer software program. Whichever you choose, record every transaction you make as soon as possible. Keep receipts and records until they are entered into your account record.

Keep your account straight by making entries into your register or software as often as needed. Reconcile your account at least monthly, and preferably weekly. Perhaps you could do a regular update after your weekly shopping.

Use CU OnLine to check your balance and any cleared transactions. This easy-to-use system can help you determine the quality of your record keeping.

A joint share draft account requires special accounting procedures. Assign one person to reconcile the account regularly.

Compare your checkbook or software balance with your monthly statement. Completely reconcile the account each month to make sure there are no mistakes. Report any errors to the Credit Union immediately.

Utilize the convenience of overdraft protection and direct deposit. Be sure to record the transactions in your checkbook register or account software.

Round up transactions to create a buffer against shortfalls. For instance, if you write a share draft for $35.33, subtract $36 from your account. Not recording your small change can protect your account from little mathematical errors.

Ultimately, you are responsible for keeping track of your share draft account balance. Whether you prefer a written record or a computer record, it pays to know how much money you have in your account at all times. Stay on top of your finances on a regular basis, and you'll save money you didn't know you had.


Online access to your Visa® card is EZ

With EZCardInfo, 24-hour access to your Albertsons Employees' FCU Visa card is just a click away. If you have Internet access, head on over to www.albertsonsempfcu.com to check out your credit card activity from the comfort of your home.

Once there, click on eServices and then My Visa-Online Access. You will be taken to a secure form where you can enter your username and password. If you haven't yet enrolled, simply click on the Enroll for Online Services link and follow the instructions to fill in the short, secure form. You will have access to your Credit Union Visa account in a few days.

With EZCardInfo, you know as much about your Visa account as we do at any moment. Did your payment make it on time? Did that retailer post the credit as promised? Are there any unauthorized transactions on the account? With a few clicks of the mouse, you'll know instantly. Visit us online to sign up for the easy access you need from EZCardInfo today.


See you online with CU OnLine
Internet banking makes your life easier!

Reports estimate that by next year, 60 percent of the U.S. population will have access to online banking services. As an Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union member, you have access to these time-saving, convenient services right now. Our CU OnLine banking has become popular with members who don't have a lot of time to waste.

But then who does? Online banking gives you the freedom to do virtually all of your banking 24 hours a day without leaving your home. The secure access to your detailed financial information means you can more closely monitor your accounts.

What can you do with CU OnLine? You can view your account balances or search an 18-month history of your accounts. Find specific drafts, or transfer money between your accounts. All CU OnLine account access features are free for credit union members. If you really want to save time, you can choose the optional Bill Payer service for only a $5 monthly fee.

It's easy to enroll--simply visit our Web site, print the application form and return it to the Credit Union. Five to seven days later, your CU OnLine account will be available. Learn how convenient it is to save time with Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union's online banking service.


Test your Albertsons ATM/POS Card IQ

How much do you really know about your ATM/POS card from Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union? Take this short true/false quiz and find out:

True or False

  1. When using your ATM/POS card for purchases, there is a three-day grace period in effect.
  2. There are close to 250 million debit cards in use, according to the Nilson Report.
  3. If your ATM/POS card is stolen, your losses are limited to $50
  4. Your ATM/POS card is accepted only at a small number of locations
  5. Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union charges a monthly fee for the use of an ATM/POS card.
  6. Your daily cash withdrawal limit with the ATM/POS card can be as high as the credit limit on your Overdraft Protection/Line-of-Credit.
  7. Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union ATM/POS cards work with ATMs in the Cirrus ® and STAR® networks.
  8. From 2 p.m. PST Friday until 6 p.m. PST Monday, you can withdraw your daily limit only once with the ATM/POS card.
  9. The easiest way to find the closest ATM or retailer who will accept the ATM/POS card is to call the Credit Union.
  10. My ATM/POS card PIN is the same as my Electronic Teller (E.T.) PIN.

Show Answers
 

BRANCHES

Boise Branch Office
P.O. Box 8145
Boise, ID 83707
(208) 385-5200
Fax:(208) 385-5290

Orlando Branch Office
3305 Lake Breeze
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 292-2006
Fax: (407) 292-2520

Dallas/Ft. Worth Branch
1327 Brown Trail
Bedford, TX 76022
(817) 285-8292
Metro Line: (817) 268-6710
Fax: (817) 285-7053

Los Angeles Branch
341 E. Imperial Hwy.
Fullerton, CA 92835
(714) 738-4681, (562) 697-1786
Fax: (817) 285-7053

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bob Baker, Chairman
Bill Carter, Vice Chairman
Mike Shalz, Treasurer
Lary Matthews, Secretary
Cynthia Forsch, Member
Doug Gibson, Member
Gary Morton, Member
Pradip Mehta, Member
Kevan Fenderson, Member

MANAGEMENT STAFF

Phyllis Thomason, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Michael S. Vickery, Senior Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer
Theresa Koenen, Loan Manager
Ann Cargile, Loan Servicing Supervisor
Chris Demaray, Manager, Member Services and Human Resources
Bonnie Kuhl, Card Services Supervisor
Stacey Devereaux, Manager, Accounting and
Electronic Services
Leo Francis, Manager, Branch Operations and
Regulatory Compliance
Clem Godin, Orlando Branch Manager
Tanya Brumfield, Dallas/Fort Worth
Branch Manager
Laura Sotelo, Los Angeles Branch
Manager


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
          (as of July 2002)

Members.....................46,138
Shares...............$141,393,246
Loans..................$75,225,558
Total Assets.....$167,862,006

The articles and opinions in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.  We suggest that you consult your attorney, accountant, or financial or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation.  Entire publication ŠAlbertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union 2002.  All rights reserved.


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