FOR THE MEMBERS OF COLUMBUS METRO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

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IRA REMINDER

You still have time to fund your IRA for tax year 2017. But don’t put it off too long – April 17 will be here before you know it. Qualified taxpayers can contribute up to $5,500 for 2017 and 2018. If you are over the age of 50, you can contribute an extra $1,000 per year for a total of $6,500.

Columbus Metro offers both traditional and Roth IRAs with competitive rates and the security of up to $250,000 in federal deposit insurance. For more information, stop by any of our offices or call us at 614.239.0210 or 800.986.3876.

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Candidates For The 2018 Board Of Directors

Save On TurboTax

New Year, New Home

Montgomery Appointed To Board

www.columbusmetro.org

SIMPLIFY & SAVE WITH E-STATEMENTSSimplify your life, save the planet and keep your financial information more secure with e-statements from Columbus Metro.

• Reduce clutter. Why add to the pile of unread mail when you don’t have to? Going electronic means you’ll never accidentally toss your statement along with your junk mail.

• Speedy delivery. Since e-statements don’t have to be printed or mailed, you’ll have them much earlier than a paper statement – usually on the first day of the month.

• Easy online access and retrieval. We’ll send you an email when your e-statement is available. You can view them online through MetroWeb, save them to your computer for a permanent archive or print and file the hard copies.

• Enhanced security. A significant amount of fraud still takes place due to stolen mail. With e-statements, that simply can’t happen.

• Reduce your carbon footprint. You’ll save trees, reduce chemical use and eliminate the need for transportation by going paperless.

It’s easy to enroll – simply click the E-statements tab the next time you’re on the desktop version of MetroWeb and follow the prompts. We’ll also be happy to do it for you, so just ask us the next time you call or stop in.

Super Money Market$20,000 minimum ........ 0.25% APY$50,000 or more ..........0.55% APY

6 Month Share or IRA Certificate$1,000 minimum ......... 0.40% APY

12 Month Share or IRA Certificate$500 minimum ............. 0.60% APY

15 Month Share or IRA Certificate$500 minimum ............. 0.60% APYAllows deposits of $250 or more

36 Month Share or IRA Certificate$500 minimum ............. 1.15% APY

60 Month Share or IRA Certificate$500 minimum ............. 1.70% APY

Education Growth Fund Certificate$250 minimum ............. 2.25% APY

Vehicle Loan (2017 to 2018)As low as ...................... 3.75%*Up to 72 months

Vehicle Loan (2013 to 2016)As low as ...................... 3.99%*Up to 66 months

Vehicle Loan (2012 & older)As low as ...................... 5.49%*Up to 60 months

Credit CardsVisa Platinum .... 9.90-13.90% APR*

Home Equity Loan—Fixed RateCall for ratesUp to 180 months

Home Equity Line of CreditRedi-Line ......................4.00% APR

First MortgagesContact Jenniffer McNamee at ext. 3026or jmcnamee@columbusmetro.org

Rates current as of 12/14/17 and subject to change without notice. See a Member Services Representative for full details. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Loans made subject to standard loan approval guidelines. *The rate you pay may vary based on your credit history and/or loan-to-value ratio.

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Federally insured by NCUA

CANDIDATES FOR THE 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORSIn accordance with the Columbus Metro Federal Credit Union bylaws, each year a nominating committee recommends a slate of candidates to fill openings on the board of directors. The committee reviewed the applications received from members by the November 10, 2017, deadline and determined the following slate of candidates. Since there is just one nominee for each position, the committee’s nominees are declared elected and no election will be necessary.

2018 CANDIDATESFred HarrisMr. Harris retired after 29 years in the DCSC Office of Civilian Personnel, where he served the needs of employees and all levels of management as a personnel management specialist, employee relations specialist and labor relations officer. He served four years on the DCSC Civilian Welfare Council, including one year as chairperson. He also served for 10 years on the board of management for the Eldon Ward branch of the YMCA of Central Ohio, including three years as chairperson, and was a member of the metropolitan board of directors, which is responsible for the operation and financial management of the YMCA. Mr. Harris has served 34 years on the Columbus Metro FCU board of directors, including two years as secretary and 23 years as treasurer. He currently serves as first vice chairman. Mr. Harris has also served on the credit union’s supervisory committee.

Clara HazlettMrs. Hazlett retired from DSCC in 1991 after 31 years of service. At the time of her retirement, she was a supervisor in Procurement & Production. Mrs. Hazlett attended Franklin University, earning an associate’s degree in industrial engineering. Mrs. Hazlett is active at the Hilltop Lutheran Church and assists at Majic Hair & Nail Salon, owned by her two daughters. She and her husband of 56 years, Mel, have numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren with whom they spend a lot of time. Mrs. Hazlett has been on the credit union’s board of directors for 26 years, including 19 years as second vice chair.

Jonathan (Mark) WilkersonMr. Wilkerson began his federal career in 1987 with the Department of the Navy and is currently employed by DFAS Columbus as a branch manager. Mr. Wilkerson has served on the audit committees for Cedar Point Federal Credit Union and St. Mary’s County Public Schools, both in Maryland. He also served as treasurer for the Alpha Rho Lambda Education Foundation, Inc. in Columbus from 1995 to 2002. Mr. Wilkerson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Eastern New Mexico University and is a certified government financial manager. He and his wife, Debra, are the proud parents of a 34-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. Mr. Wilkerson has been a member of Columbus Metro FCU since 1992 and seeks his fifth term on its board of directors. He currently serves as treasurer.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

HOW TO WIN BIG & SAVE BIG AT TAX TIMEDid you know that half of all Americans don’t have any emergency savings, yet 100 million taxpayers get a refund from the IRS each year? It’s the perfect opportunity to save!

Every year, households making less than $50,000 claim $100 billion in federal tax refunds. That tax refund may be the largest check you will receive all year, and you’re probably already thinking about what to do with that cash, whether it’s paying off a credit card, fixing your car or taking a vacation.

Consider saving at least $50 of your tax refund for longer-term goals, like a rainy day fund or a home. Saving at tax time is as easy as filling out IRS Form 8888 when you file, which automatically sends a portion of your tax refund to a savings account.

By making a commitment to yourself to save now, before you file your taxes, you’re more likely to save. And to sweeten the deal, Commonwealth and America Saves are teaming up to offer SaveYourRefund with over 100 chances to win $30,000 in prizes, including two grand prizes of $10,000. To be eligible to win, simply direct $50 or more of your tax refund to a qualifying savings account using IRS Form 8888 and fill out the contest form at www.saveyourrefund.com.

But to win, you need to save. Improve your odds of winning by making a commitment to yourself now, before you file your taxes.

MONTGOMERY APPOINTED TO BOARDAt its October meeting, Columbus Metro’s board of directors appointed Chinita Montgomery to fill an open seat. The board is now at full strength with nine members.

Mrs. Montgomery is the president of Entire Financial Services, LLC, and has been an independent insurance agent specializing in life, disability, long-term care insurance and retirement planning for civilian federal employees since 1988. She attended The Ohio State University on a track scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science. She is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow and a member of the National Association for Fixed Annuities. Mrs. Montgomery has volunteered for a wide variety of organizations including the Columbus Christian Center, Meals on Wheels, the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition and the Urban League. She has served on the credit union’s supervisory committee since 2009.

Mrs. Montgomery’s term expires in 2019.

BY PHONE614.239.0210800.986.3876

BY FAX614.239.0988

BY EMAILcmfcu@columbusmetro.org

BY MAILP.O. Box 13240Columbus, OH 43213-0240

VISIT US4000 E. Broad St.Columbus, OH 43213

6623 E. Main St.Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

5600 N. Hamilton Rd. Gahanna, OH 43230

DSCC Building 20Room B110S

DFAS Building 21Room A132

24-HOUR SERVICESMetroWebwww.columbusmetro.org

Bill Pay Support844.357.5638

Visa® Balance & Payment Inquiries800.442.4757www.gotomycard.com

Lost or Stolen Visa800.442.4757

Lost or Stolen Debit MasterCard®

800.528.2273

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SAVE ON TURBOTAXAs a member of Columbus Metro, you can save $5 on TurboTax® Deluxe – the #1 best-selling tax software. With TurboTax, you’ll get your taxes done right and your biggest possible refund, guaranteed.

• NEW: Expert review of your return. With TurboTax Live, you can have a live CPA or EA by your side to answer questions and review your tax return.

• Get a head start on your taxes. Snap a photo of your W-2, or import it into TurboTax from over a million companies. Either way, you’ll save time and get a jump start on your tax return.

• Searches over 350 deductions. TurboTax finds every deduction and credit you qualify for so you don’t miss a thing.

Go to www.columbusmetro.org to start TurboTax today and save!

#1 Best-Selling brand of tax software based on aggregated sales data for tax year 2016 TurboTax products. Visit http://turbotax.intuit.com/lp/yoy/guarantees.jsp for TurboTax product guarantees and other important information. Limited time offer for TurboTax 2017. Terms, conditions, features, availability, pricing, fees, service and support options subject to change without notice. Intuit, TurboTax and TurboTax Online, among others, are registered trademarks and/or service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries.

AMERICA SAVES WEEK

If saving money is on your to-do list for 2018, then February 26 – March 3 is a great time to start. America Saves Week is a national campaign encouraging individuals to reduce debt and build wealth.

For tips on getting started, more strategies for saving, saver success stories and more, visit www.AmericaSavesWeek.org. You can also take the America Saves Pledge and sign up to receive helpful tips and reminders to save throughout the year.

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ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR MARCH 13Mark your calendars for our annual meeting on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. The meeting will be held at the Crossroads Wedding & Event Center, located in the Hamilton Square Shopping Center at

169 Fairway Blvd. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. and the meeting begins at 4:30 p.m.

NEW YEAR, NEW HOMEIs a new home in your plans for 2018? Then see us for a low-rate mortgage loan. We offer a variety of financing options, including FHA, VA and conventional loans.

Whether you are purchasing or refinancing, our mortgage specialist, Jenniffer McNamee, can help you find the loan that’s right for you. Contact Jenniffer at 614.239.0210 or 800.986.3876 ext. 3026 or jmcnamee@columbusmetro.org.

Ready to apply? It’s easier than ever thanks to our new online mortgage application! Just go to www.columbusmetro.org to get started – you’ll find the links on the forms and mortgage pages of our website.

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P.O. Box 13240Columbus, OH 43213-0240

Presorted STDU.S. Postage

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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY Monday, January 15

PRESIDENTS’ DAY Monday, February 19

CREDITViews

FIND RELIABLE PERSONAL FINANCE INFO ONLINE

The Internet offers almost limitless amounts of information on any topic, including personal finance. But how do you know what sites you can trust?

Forbes magazine recommends the following personal finance/retirement blogs:

• GoodFinancialCents.com – Written by a Certified Financial Planner who authored a best-selling finance book.

• InvestmentZen.com – A blog that tries to bring some fun to the world of retirement planning.

• InvestorMint.com – A relative newcomer that is one of the smartest and most comprehensive.

• CreditDonkey.com – Tries to make personal finance fun and easy to understand.

• InvestingToThrive.com – Teaches you how to invest without fear and enjoy your life.