Keeping it fresh! (and green)Based on responses to our survey back in May as well as the increasing number of you transitioning to our online edition of the newsletter, we’re excited to tell you that this will be the final print issue of the fresh! member newsletter.

The newsletter you know and love will still be around – just in a new format that we’re sure you’re going to like.

To ensure you don’t miss out on any Alterna news, add your email to our mailing list by visiting alterna.ca.

At Alterna, our Wealth Management experts can help. Our professionals will clarify your current financial position, and provide advice and recommendations tailored to your specific needs and goals.

This means taking stock of your financial status with a focus on four key areas: retirement planning, estate planning, investment planning and insurance planning.

Whether you’re offered a severance package or early retirement, you should carefully evaluate the tax and financial planning implications of your options to ensure your unique financial goals are met.

Book an appointment today with an Alterna investment expert who will help you make informed decisions.

If you think that you’ll be receiving an early retirement or severance package from your employer in the near future, it’s best to start planning right away. You could be under pressure to make one of the most important financial decisions of your life in a very short timeframe, so proper planning with the right professional advice is important. If you haven’t updated your plans recently, do your homework ahead of time so you’re not making stressful financial decisions all at once.

Fall 2012 • National Capital Region Edition

what’s inside2 Tax Efficiency &

your Fixed Income Investments

2 Are you covered for life’s surprises?

3 Celebrate International Credit Union Day with us!

3 Alterna’s Spirit: MicroSkills Award

4 Thanks Alterna! 2012 Highlights

5 We want YOU (for our Board of Directors)

6 Networking Cafes and Tele-Classes

Offered a severance package?

You get exclusive benefits simply by being a member.

Did you know?

Join us to find out more:• Create your Personalized Investment Plan• Accesstomember-onlyevents• Excitingcontests

Talk to us.See listing on page 2 for dates at your local branch.

“Are my investments working as hard as they could be?”

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•Willyouneedtoleavethecountryfor medical treatment or pay for private nursing?

•Willyouneedtopaydownsomeof your mortgage to lessen the burden?

In times of serious illness your employer’s disability plan is usually not sufficient. This is why Critical Illness Insurance should be considered in everyone’s financial protection plan. Did you know only 1 in 1,683 will make a car insurance claim, and even lower are home insurance claims at 1 in 2,766? One in three people with critical illness insurance will make a claim before they are 65*. With Critical Illness Insurance, the policy pays

you a non-taxable lump sum if you become diagnosed with a serious medical condition that is covered by your policy. The full benefit is payable to you and can be used however you decide, for whatever unexpected expenses you may be faced with. Talk to your insurance representative for more information on Critical Illness Insurance and find out how it fits into your full financial protection plan.

Talk to us.

StopbyyourlocalbranchtolearnmoreaboutyourFinancialProfile,meetourWealthManagementTeam,anddiscoverhowinvestmentsolutionscanbenefityou.

Bramalea September 20th and 21st

Pembroke September 24th

Albert Street September 25th

Scarborough September 27th

Bay Street September 27th, 28th and October 1st

Streetsville October 12th

Bolton October 19th

Hull, Quebec October 24th

South Keys October 25th

York October 25th

Orleans October 26th

Merivale October 29th

Bells Corners October 30th

Tunney’s Pasture October 30th

Billings Bridge October 31st

Danforth November 1st

Ryerson November 2nd

Securities and securities related financial planning services are offered through Qtrade Advisor, a division of Qtrade Securities Inc., Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Mutual funds and securities related financial planning services are also offered through Qtrade Asset Management Inc., Member MFDA. Qtrade Advisor and Qtrade Asset Management do not provide and this article should not be interpreted as tax, legal or accounting advice.

Your Wealth

Tax Efficiency Take a Second Look at Your Fixed Income InvestmentsFor a growing number of Canadians, accessing income from investments is their primary goal, yet with yields on fixed income investments hovering near historical lows, the tax implications of different income sources become even more important.

Traditional income-generating investments are paying less today than at almost any other time in history. This situation has left investors with investment income lagging the increasing cost of living and pondering where to invest to generate regular income.

While every investment can deliver a return, not all investments generate income.

Investment income can come from:•Interest-paying investments

that pay regular installments at a fixed rate in fixed intervals. These investments include Government Bonds, Corporate Bonds and GICs.

•Stocks that issue a regular dividend. The amount and timing of this income is not guaranteed and is subject to change.

•Capital gains which are only realized when an investment is sold for a price that is higher than its adjusted cost base.

While different types of income generating investment vehicles produce different levels of income, they also have diverse tax implications which need to be considered when determining the optimal income-focused investment strategy.

Covering the Unexpected When Life Takes a TurnYou’ve insured your home, your car, updated your will, and you’re covered in case of illness or injury with your employer’s disability plan. You have all your bases covered, but have you thought about all of the expenses that you may incur as a result of a serious illness?

For instance:•Willtherebeaneedtohirea

caregiver for your family while you recuperate?

•Willyourspouseneedtotaketime off work to take care of you?

•Willyouneedtostayhomelonger before returning to work to allow yourself a longer recovery time? * Source: Manulife Financial

Only 1 in 1,683 will make a car insurance claim, and even lower is home insurance claims at 1 in 2,766. One in three people with critical illness insurance will make a claim before they are 65*.

As can be seen in the chart, $20,000 of investment income can have diverse tax consequences depending on the type of investment vehicle chosen.

A potential alternative to traditional fixed income is to invest in a monthly income offering, such as the Monthly Income Series available from OceanRock Investments Inc. These diversified portfolios provide a regular income stream which may contain both capital gains and a return of capital (ROC) component. ROC is the return of the individual’s original investment; which allows investors to defer some taxes until units are redeemed. The combination of these two sources produces a highly tax-efficient source of income.

Income is good, tax-efficient income is better! When it is time to access income from your savings it is best to review all your options. If you are focused on income, OceanRock’s Monthly Income Series could be the best solution for you. Talk to your Alterna representative to learn more. 1 Assumes a marginal tax rate of 43.7%, tax rates vary by province. “Eligible Dividends” are included at 138%. Return of Capital + Capital Gains assumes a 50% Return of Capital and 50% Capital Gains distribution.

Alterna Wealth Management Days

EverydayBanking

85 cents of every dollar is re-invested into the communities we serve

Wealth Management Expertise

Partners

International Credit Union Day - October 18th

Drop by your local Alterna branch as we celebrate International Credit Union Day with more than 186 million people globally, and rediscover the credit union difference! Check with your branch for details.

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In June, at the 14th annual Alterna Ultimate Run for Men’s Cancer (formerly known as Alterna Do It For Dad!), Alterna staff and volunteers helped raise over $526,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (ORCF), and attracted over 1,800 participants!

The annual family event raises awareness and funds in the fight against men’s cancers below the belt. Funds raised go directly to the Cancer Foundation in support of cancer research, patient care, education, and capital needs in the Ottawa area.

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Alterna Savings has helped impact my life in a positive way for the past three years, and I thank you greatly for that.

Each year that I have attended [CYL Camp] has helped me grow into a young adult that I am proud of. This year at CYL

was beyond the limits of amazing - they pushed us to reach into ourselves and pull out strengths that we did not know

were there. The group of positive people cheering me on as I climbed rock walls and other obstacles helped me overcome

my fear of heights enough to get to the top of 2 out of the 3 obstacles. And, the presentation my partners and I had to

make to a panel about the 5-Step Action Plan for Marketing Credit Unions and Co-ops turned out better than any of us

could have pictured.

There is one last thing I would like to tell you about my final week at CYL as a participant: I got to facilitate a session and

it was amazing. The chance to facilitate one session strengthened my feelings to become a facilitator. I wish to return to

CYL as a facilitator in my coming years, and I have Alterna Savings to thank for it. You gave me the chance to open up

and expand, and now I have an amazing place in my heart for this camp, and want to see and be a part of it, affecting

other youth’s lives in the positive and life changing ways that are CYL.

CYL is the perfect place for youth to learn more about credit unions and cooperatives,

what they do, and why we should be a part of it.

- Michaela G., 2012

Thanks Alterna!

I want to thank you for the wonderful opportunity you provided me with your sponsorship. The CYL camp was wonderful. I got to meet a great bunch of kids and learned a lot about different types of cooperatives. I also learned a lot about Alterna and the services you offer through my research for my presentation. It is great to know that we are part of a cooperative that believes in giving back to the community and its members.

At the camp I learned about different areas of Ontario, since all the kids were from all over the province. I learned to enhance my leadership skills, participated in team building and to be open to new experiences. Some of the activities I participated in included swimming, canoeing, nature walks, reverse paintball, monsoon boat and the end of camp banquet.

Thank you for a wonderful experience,

- Miranda W., 2012

For over 5 years, Alterna Savings has sponsored young people for the Cooperative Young Leaders Camp (CYL). This program, by the Ontario Co-operative Association, is designed to unite young people aged 14-18 from across Ontario.

Held every summer, CYL Camp gives young people the opportunity to learn about cooperatives, our guiding principles, and practice communication and cooperative leadership through activities.

The program has all the things that make summer camp fun—hikes, campfires, swimming, volleyball – but with a cooperative twist. CYL Campers learn how to be leaders and team players, how to cooperate, solve problems, and

improve their survival skills. And, unlike many other summer camps, campers have a say in what happens in true cooperative style. As a group, the kids help decide on social activities, sports, and the rules and regulations of their stay.

Picnics, face painting and snow cones?On July 7th, Alterna volunteers painted faces in celebration of International Co-op Day at the inaugural “Co-op Picnic in the Park”.

Held at Vincent Massey Park in support of the International Year of Cooperatives, the family-friendly event attracted a number of local politicians, including Ottawa’s mayor, the Honourable Jim Watson, to help mark the special occasion.

Alterna volunteers have also been seen painting faces and handing out snow cones to the young and young-at-heart at numerous National Capital Region events throughout the summer, including the Royale Equestrian Summer Fun day on July 8th, and the South Keys Community BBQ on August 29th.

Two of our Summer 2012 campers recently wrote us about their experience:

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A fond farewellJohn Lahey retires as President & CEO

After 36 years in the banking industry, including more than five as President and CEO of Alterna Savings and our subsidiary Alterna Bank, John Lahey announced that he’ll be retiring as of December 31, 2012.

John joined Alterna in 2007 shortly after The Civil Service Co-operative Credit Society, Limited (CS CO-OP) / Metro Credit Union merger, and has since successfully led the organization through a period of significant change, and worked to steer Alterna

Alterna Access debit card with chip: the same wallet-sized convenience …only smarter

through a successful integration. His achievements demonstrate that credit unions are not only a viable, competitive alternative to the traditional banks, but in today’s marketplace, the only type of institution that credibly balances people, community and financial stewardship.

As a credit union leader, John’s voluntary contributions include participation as a Director of the CUMIS Group, as well as Director, Chair and Corporate Secretary of the CUCO Co-operative, an investment company managing distressed asset-backed securities

on behalf of Ontario credit unions. He currently serves as Chair of the Canadian Business Owners’ Strategy (CBOS), a national collaborative effort amongst credit unions operating in the small business sector. He has also served on various other committees dedicated to the betterment of credit unions and their supporting organizations.

We hope you’ll join the staff at Alterna in wishing John a long, happy retirement.

To read the news release, visit alterna.ca.

Want the chance to play a greater role in your credit union? Alterna Savings is looking for highly-qualified, active and engaged members to run for election to the Board of Directors.Directors are elected by Alterna Savings members who vote at branches, through the website, or in person prior to the Annual General Meeting on April 22, 2013.

What the Board of Directors doesThe Alterna Savings Board of Directors represents the members and oversees our strategic direction, our financial planning and performance, and our compliance with legislation and

regulations. Being a Director is a big responsibility, but one that can offer a great deal of satisfaction for skilled, dedicated, and passionate individuals.

The right stuff (for our Board)A Director contributes their skills, experience, and expertise to the collective knowledge of Alterna’s Board of Directors. This year, we’re specifically looking for candidates who are financial experts, have a strong information technology planning and implementation background, or experience with mergers and acquisitions.

Candidates must be computer literate and internet savvy, be able to read and understand corporate

financial statements, have prior board experience, be team players, plus meet a number of other standard eligibility requirements.

Interested?To learn more about what it takes to be a Director of Alterna Savings, register for our information session on November 5, 2012 or contact our Corporate Secretary at Madeleine.Brillant@alterna.ca.

Visit alterna.ca for a detailed list of requirements.

Your Alterna Access debit card is being upgraded to a newer, smarter version with chip technology. Microchip technology on your debit card stores and processes data, and, when used with a chip-enabled point-of-sale terminal or ATM, adds an extra level of security to your transactions by validating both the card and cardholder*.

Chip technology is used globally, which means you have quick, convenient account access around town – or around the world.

With your new Alterna Access debit chip card, you’ll enjoy:

•Accesstoworldwide ATM networks to instantly withdraw cash (and it’s surcharge-free from an Alterna or THE EXCHANGE® Network ATM)

•FastPINchanges at any Alterna ATM, or nationwide at THE EXCHANGE® Network ATMs

Watch your mailbox for your very own Alterna Access Card with chip!

To learn more about debit chip card technology, visit interac.ca.

*Always be vigilant about protecting your PIN to prevent unauthorized activity.

Ottawa Corporate Office

400 Albert Street Ottawa, ON K1R 5B2

Toronto Corporate Office

165 Attwell Drive Toronto, ON M9W 5Y5

Alterna Savings Contact Centre

Toll Free: 1.877.560.0100

Alterna Bank Contact Centre

Toll Free: 1.866.560.0120

FoundingMember of CBSROntario

Alterna is a member of

alterna.ca

Alterna refers to Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (“Alterna Savings”) and its wholly owned subsidiary CS Alterna Bank (“Alterna Bank”). Together, Alterna Savings and Alterna Bank form the Alterna Financial Group.

Tele-Classes (SessionswillalsobeavailableasaPodcast)

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Having a Clear Vision for Your Business(This session will be in French only) October 10, 2012, 7 – 8:00pm Speaker: Karine Boucquillon If a business owner feels great, it impacts positively on their business, a fact that Karine often reminds business owners of. Karine believes that, in order to be an effective and successful business owner, you need a minimum of two hours a week to unwind through physical activity and creativity. This is your time to escape worries, reflect, get some perspective and gain a better overall outlook of your business. It‘s essential to keep yourself creative, vivid and focused on your goals.

In this tele-class you’ll learn:1. The importance of having a clear vision for your business,

and how to tap into it for success•Whatwillthefutureofyourbusinesslooklike?

•WhyyouneedaSMARTbusinessplan(Specific,Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Tangible) to succeed

•Howtowritedownandvisualizeyourselfandyourbusiness in 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years from now - and then market it

•Whyyouneedtobeabletoanswerthesequestionswhen creating your plan: What would you like to have accomplished? By when? How will you do it? Where? How much?

2. How goal setting goes arm-in-arm with action plan setting, and why your business vision needs to be split in yearly, monthly and weekly action plans and goals.

3. Your key to success - creating a winner mindset, and why it’s important to surround yourself with people who believe in you in the early stages, and stay focused on your goals. Know and overcome your roadblocks, and develop positive thoughts and affirmations to counter limiting beliefs.

Karine Boucquillon has a Masters Degree in Politics and a Bachelor of Applied Economics. She managed her own small business in France, and more recently, started a life coaching business in Canada. Karine is also a contributor to CBC French radio, author and speaker.

Looking for fresh e-news?This newsletter is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper using FSC-certified sustainable methods, like vegetable-based inks and renewable energy sources. Take a look at how fresh helps improve our environmental footprint. When you’re done reading this newsletter, please recycle it or share with a friend.

fresh is going paperless, which means this is the final print edition of the fresh! member newsletter. Be sure to add your email to our mailing list at alterna.ca, and have the news delivered right to your inbox!

Excellence Agenda October 17, 2012, 7 – 8:00pm Speaker: Francis Loughheed We honour small business month with a pragmatic look at the keys to success in business.

Francis Loughheed will talk about the “Excellence Agenda” and we will discover where excellence lies within your business and how to achieve excellence in all we do. Plus, you’ll walk away with a plan you can apply immediately to turbo-charge every aspect of your operation and achieve a level of excellence that will help you get more business in a fun, sustainable and strategic manner. An Excellence Agenda is a rigorous framework for promoting excellence in organizations, communities of all kinds and as a personal aspiration.

Francis Loughheed brings more than 25 years of experience in facilitation, organizational/community development, business management and consulting in a work career that includes assignments with over 800 public and private sector clients.

He has assisted numerous organizations in dramatically improving their effectiveness by working with staff at all levels to arrive at practical solutions that have a lasting impact.

RSVP by October 16, 2012.

Fearless Selling for Success November 21, 2012, 7 – 8:00pm Speaker: Kelly Robertson As the year comes to a close it’s the perfect time to do a little sales planning and book those strategic business development meetings with your clients in January and February. Kelly will help you keep your selling focus and give you ideas, tips and tools to become an even better sales professional. We will talk about how to get in the door, how to structure meetings, how to handle objections, how to close and most important the value of building excellent relationships with your clients.

Kelly Robertson is a seasoned business professional and highly skilled trainer and speaker who is well-known for delivering persuasive and compelling sales keynote presentations and sales training workshops.

RSVP by November 20, 2012.

Please RSVP to Jean Barrett jean.barrett@alterna.ca or call 1.877.560.0100 RSVP by October 9, 2012 to

education@alterna.ca