Alaska USA eJournal

In this issue

Welcome to the Alaska USA eJournal – your online member newsletter. The eJournal is updated monthly to provide you with information and tips about getting the most out of your membership at Alaska USA.

Read on for more information about new products and services as well as ways you can enhance the value and convenience Alaska USA membership offers.

2010 Elections

The 2010 election will be carried out by mail ballot and will fill two three-year term positions on the Board of Directors. Ballots will be mailed to members in April 2010 and the election results will be announced at the 2010 Annual Meeting scheduled for June 2, 2010.

The Nominating Committee has nominated the following candidates for the offices indicated:

Board of Directors
(Three-year term positions)

Diane S. Carlson - CPA with 30 years experience in accounting, budgeting, and management. Holds an advanced degree in business. Currently works as a Supervisory Accountant on Eielson AFB and serves on the Board of Directors.

James Fena - Chairman of the Board from 1985-2001; 1st Vice Chairman, 1978-1985; and 2nd Vice Chairman, 1974-1977. Also serves on the Board of Alaska Option Services Corporation. Alaska USA member since 1962.

Other members interested in becoming candidates can qualify by the petition method. Official petition forms must be used and will be available on November 2, 2009, at any Alaska USA branch office or by calling the credit union.

The signatures and account numbers of at least 500 members are required in order to qualify as a candidate by the petition method. Petitions must be returned to the credit union by December 11, 2009. If no additional candidates qualify by petition, the slate of candidates will remain as proposed by the Nominating Committee. If there is only one candidate for each position, the election will not be conducted by mail ballot and, as long as there is at least one candidate for each position, there will be no floor nominations.

Avoid debt settlement pitfalls

Financial debt can be overwhelming and easily create feelings of stress and anxiety. This can be especially true with frequent calls and letters from creditors.

The promise of help from debt settlement companies is often a welcomed invitation. Many come with assurances that debt will be significantly reduced, calls from creditors will stop, and your credit rating will be restored.

However, financial experts caution against falling into a situation that could make your financial condition worse. They warn to keep an eye out for red flags such as large upfront fees, unrealistic promises to erase debt, and requests to stop contact with your creditors.

Experts also caution against searching on the Internet for a debt settlement company and instead suggest talking with a local non-profit credit counselor such as Consumer Credit Counseling.

Learn more about the risks and how to protect yourself from debt settlement pitfalls in Alaska USA’s Home and Family Finance online resource center. You’ll also find information about how to get help choosing a debt management plan that’s right for you and your family.

If you’re currently experiencing financial difficulty or anticipate needing help with an Alaska USA loan, you can contact the Alaska USA Special Credits department at 786-2000, (800) 992-2810 ext. 2000 outside Anchorage, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alaska time, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time.

Choose your own PIN for your credit card

You can choose your own personal identification number (PIN) for your Alaska USA Visa Platinum Credit Card. It’s easy to do, too! Call the Member Service Center today for more information.

Transfer high interest credit card balances

High interest credit cards will generate higher interest expense, which causes a higher percentage of your monthly payment to go to interest instead of principal. Consider transferring higher interest credit card balances to your low, fixed rate Alaska USA Visa^® Platinum Credit Card. What you save in interest, you can apply to your principal balance or another expense. The fee is just $10 per balance transfer. All it takes is one easy phone call to the Member Service Center.

Still don’t have a Visa Platinum Credit Card? Learn more about all the great benefits, such as travel and brand name merchandise reward points on purchases, and no annual fee when you have Alaska USA checking. Apply online today, contact the Member Service Center to apply over the phone, or stop by any branch.

Why protect your loans and credit cards?

No one plans to have an accident, but the costs that result can be devastating.

Get peace of mind knowing that your Alaska USA loans and credit card balance are protected with Alaska USA Payment Protection. The Payment Protection plan can provide coverage for your loans for both disability and death.

In the event of disability, your monthly loan payments will be paid up to $1,100 a month, up to a maximum of $120,000 per loan. In the event of loss of life, the loan balance will be paid up to $100,000 per loan.

Payment Protection is available to members between the ages of 18 and 70. The fee is based on your monthly outstanding loan balance and is added to your monthly payment.

Learn more about the benefits of Payment Protection and add it to your loan or credit card today by calling the Insurance Services department.