Thursday, October 27, 2011

Community “Shred Day” hosted by Credit Union ONE

Credit Union ONE member Gwen Zielinski unloads her car and prepares
to have her documents shredded at Community Shred Day
Ferndale, Michigan – Credit Union ONE hosted a “Shred Day” at its’ Macomb Branch on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Approximately 300 people turned out to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud by shredding more than three tons of confidential personal and business documents.

Important information, such as social security numbers, addresses, account information, financial records or personal data, can be stolen and used to open lines of credit, charge existing credit cards or falsify personal information. Shredding documents that contain private information can protect individuals and businesses from fraudulent use of confidential data.

“Every year several million people are victims of identity theft. The shredding event was created to raise awareness about the risks of identity theft and fraud, and to provide a safe and convenient way to dispose of unneeded paperwork," said John Kozich, Executive Director of Community Relations for Credit Union ONE. "We saw many of our members today, but also several people from the community attended."

Kozich coordinated the three hour event, working closely with Bill Becker, Co-Owner of Shred Corp., the industry-leading company that donated their time and equipment to provide secure onsite shredding services. "The purpose of this event was to inform people about the importance of disposing documents that contain important personal information like social security numbers or account information," said Becker. "If you throw that sort of information into the trash can, people can actually use it to steal your identity, and we want to help prevent that from happening."

After the event, the shredded paper waste was taken away for recycling into paper towel. Upcoming Shred Day events are scheduled for other Credit Union ONE branches in the spring of 2012.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with nineteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to http://www.cuone.org/

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org





Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Credit Union ONE scholarships help Oakland University students excel in The Honors College


Credit Union ONE Oakland University Honors College Scholarship
Recipients (top row, l to r) Jordan Dickow, Taylor Williams, Cody
Petzold, Erin Feeney, (bottom row, l to r) Emily Mohney, Alexander
Grix, Elizabeth Lawer and Alexander Kopitz
 Ferndale, Michigan – Once again, Credit Union ONE and the Oakland University Honors College Scholarship and Awards Committee joined together to make a exceptional college education more accessible to academically promising students.

The 2011 President’s Scholarship Luncheon, held at Oakland University on October 12, 2011 recognized these students as Credit Union ONE scholarship recipients. This year Credit Union ONE awarded approximately $67,000 in scholarships to Oakland University Honors College students.

Erin Feeney of Oxford, Alexander Grix of White Lake, and Cody Petzold of Holly were selected to receive Credit Union ONE COS Awards, the most prestigious awards offered by the Honors College. The full-ride scholarship, covers the fall 2011 and winter 2012 semesters.

These full-time, incoming freshmen benefit from paid tuition and room and board, as well as a book stipend for each semester. They were selected on the basis of their potential to maintain good academic standing and demonstrate meaningful leadership in The Honors College, at Oakland University or in their communities.

Also awarded for the fall 2011and winter 2012 semesters were five $2,000 Credit Union ONE CO Awards. These, too were based on each recipient’s potential to maintain good academic standing and demonstrate meaningful leadership. This year’s awardees are Alexander Kopitz of of Shelby Township, Elizabeth Lawer of Grand Blanc, Emily Mohney of Troy, Jordan Dickow of Waterford, and Taylor Williams of Inkster.

“With the help of these scholarships, we look forward to seeing these exemplary students flourish both academically and socially at Oakland,” said Graeme Harper, director of The Honors College. “We appreciate the generosity of Credit Union ONE, and fully expect that the recipients will use their many talents to advance the vibrant intellectual and community life at The Honors College.”

“It is an honor for Credit Union ONE to award these fine and deserving students with scholarships. They symbolize our commitment to Oakland University, its students and the entire Oakland University community,” said Gary Moody, Credit Union ONE president and chief executive officer.

Established in 1977, The Honors College curriculum is designed for highly motivated students who desire academic rigor and wish to be part of a diverse community that values creativity, intellectual stimulation, and social responsibility. Small classes – typically 10 to 20 students – allow for fruitful interaction between professors and students and encourage independent thought. Further information can be found at www.oakland.edu/hc.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with nineteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to http://www.cuone.org

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org

Friday, October 21, 2011

Credit Union ONE helps local Head Start program


Credit Union ONE presents stuffed back packs to Ferndale Mayor
for Headstart program. (l to r) Executive Director of Community
Relations John Kozich, Director of Public Relations Judi Desilets,
and Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter
 Ferndale, Michigan – Fall not only means falling leaves, apples and cider mills, but also back to school for our children.
Unfortunately, being able to afford some of the necessities for the school year is a struggle for some families.

So, in response to a plea from Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter, Credit Union ONE has come forward and volunteered to purchase supplies and fill back packs for the local school district’s Head Start program.

The program, focuses on four classrooms of 3 and 4 year old preschoolers from Ferndale’s Grant Early Childhood Center, and is run under the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency.

“It is an honor for Credit Union ONE to be able to help young children in our community get off to a good start at the beginning of the school year. At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, we are pleased to be able to lend a hand.”

Credit Union ONE employees shopped for items such as crayons, coloring books, reading books, toothpaste, toothbrushes and undergarments. The backpacks were filled for children from one of classrooms, which will be presented by Mayor Coulter very soon.

“Ferndale is known as The City of Good Neighbors, and Credit Union ONE has always been a true neighbor in its’ hometown. I appreciate their willingness to step up once again to help the most vulnerable members of our community, our kids,” said Dave Coulter, Ferndale Mayor.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with nineteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to cuone.org/

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org





Friday, October 14, 2011

"The ONE to Ask: Debt" presented by Credit Union ONE

Ferndale, Michigan – With events occurring every day that can sometimes be life-changing, it is important to have somewhere to go when you have questions on financial topics. This is where Credit Union ONE comes in.

Earlier this year, Credit Union ONE launched The ONE to Ask, a Facebook online chat for members to post questions and get them answered by a subject expert during a one-hour live session.

Most recently, the second event of The ONE to Ask was hosted by Stephen Grech, Executive Vice President of Credit Union ONE. Mr. Grech fielded questions from listeners on the topic of debt. General areas of discussion included how to build or rebuild credit, what types of debt to pay first, and what to do if you cannot fully pay your debt.

According to Mr. Grech, “It’s always great to hear directly from real life members and non-members who are facing the realities and challenges presented by the economic and housing market that we all live and work in. It’s rewarding to help others by sharing industry knowledge on these real life issues.”

As the series continues, the number of questions is increasing and Credit Union ONE looks forward to growing the participation rate with future sessions. With the fan base growing, it is expected that the “live sessions” may need to be extended beyond one hour in order to accommodate the number of questions received. The next session is expected near year end.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with nineteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to http://www.cuone.org/, or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CreditUnionONE

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org

Oakland University Students Give Credit Union ONE "Thumbs-Up"

Proud winner Oakland University student Bethany Jackson
and Credit Union ONE Oakland University Branch Manager
Sonya Steward
Ferndale, Michigan – Gearing up for school to be back in session, the Oakland University branch of Credit Union ONE held a Welcome Week Giveaway, from August 22 – September 9, 2011.

During this time, students had the opportunity to visit with Credit Union ONE branch staff and take advantage of the opportunities to be entered to win all sorts of cool prizes, such as food/gas cards, Oakland University bookstore certificates, apparel items, and even an Apple iPad!

Students entered the prize drawings by “liking” us on Facebook, opening a checking account with the SpiritCardPLUS feature, or sending in a postcard entry. Students entering the drawing received water bottles, candy and other small items, along with the chance of winning one of the other prizes.

Students overwhelmingly loved this promotion as over 150 new checking accounts were opened during Welcome Week. In addition, over 750 Oakland University students have given Credit Union ONE the “thumbs-up” to date by choosing to “like” us on Facebook, over 300 of which were gained during this three week period.

The lucky winner of the Apple iPad was student Bethany Jackson who was totally shocked and very happy to have been chosen as the winner..

For a listing of all of the winners of prizes, go to OU Welcome Week Winners. Visit the Credit Union ONE OU Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CUO.OU

Students are encouraged to stop by the Credit Union ONE-Oakland University Branch, located in the Oakland Center to meet the staff and find out how quick and easy it is to activate their SpiritCard PLUS. When activated, the card not only serves as their passport to Oakland University, but also gives them convenient ATM and MasterCard debit purchasing power when they open an account with Credit Union ONE.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with nineteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to www.cuone.org

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org