Let us help you attack that pile of debt.

WINTER 2012

Holiday Closings

New Year's Day January 2, 2012 MLK Day January 16, 2012 Washington's Birthday February 20, 2012 Memorial Day May 28, 2012 Independence Day July 4, 2012 Labor Day September 3, 2012 Columbus Day October 8, 2012 Veterans' Day November 12, 2012 Thanksgiving Day November 22, 2012

November 23, 2012 Christmas Day December 24, 2012*

December 25, 2012 * noon closing

Locations

Inside Kroger Corporate Office 19245 David Memorial Dr. Shenandoah, TX 77385 Houston Service Center

800.259.9595

Let us help you

attack that pile of debt.

1) Open a Holiday Account.

2) Put your Debt in Focus.

3) Start paying off that Debt.

1)

2)

3)

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates starting at 7.99%. Rate based on members’ credit worthiness. Offer ends March 1, 2012. Rate subject to change without notice. Apply online at SWFinancial.org

Congratulations!

Join us in congratulating

Teri Colburn and Sue Padgett

on their retirement in March.

WINTER 2012

Location, Location, Location

Location matters when you buy a home and location matters when you park your car.

Consumers generally chose financial institutions close to where they live or work because of its convenience. Credit unions began to realize in 1987 that they needed more branch locations to serve their members. That’s when the Shared Branching concept was born.

Credit unions joined a cooperative movement allowing members from one credit union to use another credit union’s facilities that were more conveniently located to conduct transactions. Beginning with just a handful of locations in one locale, the network has spread across the country like wildfire. Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union is a member of the Shared Branching network so we can provide you the most convenient access to your accounts.

The Shared Branching network is growing quickly and now has thousands of locations nationwide - and hundreds in Texas and Louisiana - to serve you. Credit union members can visit a teller at any Shared Branching location and perform many of the same transactions they can at their own credit union.

Download the shared

branch app today!

WINTER 2012

Loan Preparation Guide

Be prepared. Whether you are a first-time home buyer who has been waiting for the perfect chance to make your move or someone who is getting ready to move to a larger or smaller home based on changing needs, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the loan process beforehand. Here are some guidelines as to what information you will need for your application.

Residence History

Your previous addresses for the past two years and how long you lived in each place. If you currently rent, your landlord’s name and address (for the past 12 months). Employment History and Income History The names and addresses for all your employ-ers for the past two years, the dates you worked at each place of employment and a letter explaining any gaps in your employment in the past two years. You will also need original paystubs for the last 30 days, most recent two years of W-2’s and most recent two years of 1040’s. If self-employed, year-to-date profit and loss statement and current balance sheet. If you were a student in the past two years, bring a transcript or diploma. If retired or disabled, bring award letter and copy of your most recent check for retirement Social Security or disability income.

Outstanding Loans and Credit Cards

All coupon books or most recent statement for every open account.

Savings, Checking, or Investment Accounts The name and address for each financial institution and the account number, the current balance or value, 3 months bank statements on all accounts and 3 months statements for any IRAs, Keoghs, 401Ks or profit sharing.

All Personal Property Owned

The net cash value of your life insurance, the make, year and value of automobiles and value of your furniture or other personal property.

All Real Estate Currently Owned The property address, estimated market value, and outstanding loan balance and your monthly payment. If applicable, amount of any rental income.

For more information call Nora Gonzalez, at 800.259.9595 or send an email to [email protected].

This is not an offer to extend consumer credit as defined by Section 222.6 of Regulation Z. Provided for informational purposes only. Rates and terms subject to change.

Equal Housing Lender

NMLS# 789693

“Gen X and Gen Y consumers are more diligent about saving than their Baby Boomer parents and grandparents.” * Visit SWFinancial.org/absolute and start saving today. Be Absolutely in charge. Absolutely on my own.

WINTER 2012

Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union Members Save Thousands with Invest in America

At Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union we know you work hard to earn your money. And we think you should keep as much of it as possible. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Invest in America to bring you savings on the things you buy every day from trusted American companies. Save thousands on everything from your cell phone bill with Sprint or a brand new GM vehicle to online discounts at over 1,200 major retailers with Shop America. Discover how much you can save. Visit LoveMyCreditUnion.org.

ATM and debit cards are a convenience that has become a part of our daily lives. Using them makes it easier than ever to make purchases and payments. In our fast paced lives, it is also easy to make a mistake and become overdrawn. Debit Cards will now be included in Courtesy Pay, all you have to do is Opt In! In the past, if you were using your debit card and if you didn't

have enough available funds, your card would be declined. Now, your debit card will be under Courtesy Pay!

Here's how it works:

Our practice is to honor checks, approved ATM or debit card transactions even when there are not sufficient funds in your account. For each occurrence, we charge $30 per paid item. Avoid possible embarrassment and additional fees that could be charged by the merchant. Without this service your ATM and everyday debit card transactions may be declined in your attempt to make a transaction without sufficient funds. You must inform us of your intentions; whether you want to opt in or opt out. Go to

SWFinancial.org/courtesy-pay and let us know. See Credit Union for details.

Don’t fill it up until you

Opt In for Courtesy Pay!

It’s going to be close, but I have Courtesy Pay with Southwest Financial. I can

use my debit card!

Look for this postcard coming to your

WINTER 2012

We are always open

at SWFinancial.org

How to Register:

You will need the following informa-tion before you get started. Go to SWFinancial.org and click on “Click Here for Pay My Loan.”

1) You will be asked for your account number, please use your member number plus the loan number you wish to pay. This information can be found under eBranch or on your statement.

Hint: Member numbers are typically 6 digits in length and loan numbers, usually are 140, 141, 142, 143 etc. Therefore, your account number could look like this: 999999-141

2) You will receive confirmation emails from [email protected] with a memo of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union Payment Center. 3) You will be asked a security ques-tion, be assured that we take your security seriously and this is an added measure to keep your information secure.

It’s that time of the month again, I forgot to pay my loan at the credit union. It is such a low rate. My money is at the big

bank. What is a girl to do? Go to www._SWFinancial.

org, click on PML* and forward $ from the big bank to your super great credit union, for a small fee.

Or girlfriend, drop the big bank and use the credit union as your main financial institution. They have lower fees, great rates and friendly service.

Thanks gals, I will check out the new PML* service @ Southwest - I can draw funds from my other financial institution to my accounts at the credit union. I’ll register today! Then I’ll dry my eyes, reapply my mascara and make SWFFCU my main institution!

*PML - Pay my loan by drawing funds from your other financial institution, for a small fee, to pay a loan at SWFFCU. Must register before initiating first payment. Please call 800.259.9595 for details.

An Exciting Change is Coming to Your Checks! Introducing, CheckFolio™

You may notice that your next check order looks different when it arrives in your mailbox.

We’re excited to bring you CheckFolio, an innovative new way to receive, store and use personal checks. With CheckFolio, multiple checkbooks are neatly aligned in a compact folio for convenient use and storage. The result of extensive research and consumer feedback, CheckFolio is designed to help you:

· Stay organized. All components are packaged together neatly, ready to place in a drawer, filing cabinet or on a bookshelf so you can easily access them when you need to and store them when you don’t.

· Secure your identity. CheckFolio arrives in a tamper-evident package and its unique design makes for discreet and flexible storage options — helping to protect the contents and your identity.

· Protect the environment. The compact and efficient design uses less material and creates less waste — plus, CheckFolio is recyclable. We know you’ll love Check-Folio as much as we do!