Although it is December, when I sit down to visit with you it is the New Year before you receive my update.  I never get the opportunity of wishing you a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, so I am wishing you a Happy and Prosperous 2012.  I do hope that each of you enjoyed the wonder and magic of the Christmas Season.     

We have had a rather busy and exciting 2011 at the NBTA Credit Union.   When you receive this message, our merger with McAdam will be official.  As of January 1, 2012, NBTA Credit Union will have a branch to serve members in McAdam and Harvey and the surrounding areas.  As well, the McAdam Branch will be able to expand on some of the products and services they now offer.  We would like to extend a warm welcome to our McAdam friends.

With the hustle, bustle and shopping of December behind us, it is time to reflect on how all this has affected our budgets, credit cards and bank accounts.  Why not make your New Years Resolution a Financial One and contact one of our lenders (Helen, Patria or Jill in the Fredericton Office and Tammy at the McAdam Branch) to consolidate those credit cards and bills into one payment.  

If you already have a loan with us, you may want to take advantage of our January skip-a-payment.  Just give Jan (our lending clerk) a call and she will assist you as to what you need to do.  There is a small fee of $25 for this service.

RRSP season is just around the corner and you may want to consider purchasing early this year avoiding that last minute rush.  2012 being Leap Year, the deadline is February 29, 2012.  We offer RRSP Loans at prime for one year.  We suggest that when you receive your tax rebate that you apply it to your loan thus paying it off sooner while reaping the benefit of the rebate and purchase of an RRSP for your future retirement.

This year (2012)you may accumulate a balance of $20,000 in your Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA).  Please ensure all the rules and regulations concerning your TFSA Account are being followed.  Give Dawna a call for more details on how you may take advantage of this product.

As you recall, last January we asked for your help in collecting one million aluminum can tabs in support of Muscular Dystrophy.  Well you folks really came through for us as we are on our second million.  I believe the latest count is 1.8 million.  The first million has already purchased a child’s wheelchair.  The Board and Staff extend a Huge THANK YOU.  J

I am proud to announce that for the seventh year in a row, Credit Unions have ranked Number ONE for Customer Service Excellence.

Each year, an independent research firm, Synovate, conducts a survey on the overall quality of customer service among all financial institutions.  Credit Unions ranked ahead of all other financial institutions in Customer Service Excellence, “Values My Business”, and Branch Service Excellence.  We also tied for first in Financial Planning and Advice and Telephone Banking Excellence.

NBTA Credit Union will continue to give the best service possible.  As always, your financial well being is our business.

You will be seeing and hearing a lot about Co-operatives this year as the United Nations has officially launched 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC 2012).    

As Credit Union members, you are aware of the co-operative spirit, how we invest in community, members are owners and how profits are reinvested in the business and/or returned to the owners.  NBTA Credit Union is honoured to be part of an organization that believes people are as important as profit. 

The United Nations wants everyone to know that Co-operative enterprises (such as Credit Unions) are member owned, member serving and member driven.  They empower people, improve livelihoods and strengthen the economy.  They enable sustainable development balancing both social and economic demands.

We hope you will join us in 2012 to introduce others to this great Co-operative Celebration and recognition which is long overdue.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Board, Staff, Marge and I to wish each of you a year filled with Happy Surprises, Sweet Traditions and Beautiful Memories.

I would like to encourage the McAdam Branch members to drop into our Fredericton Office to meet your new staff.  Likewise, any of our members throughout the province who happen to find themselves in the McAdam area, please do drop in to meet your new staff members, Pam our Branch Manager, Tammy our Lending and Mortgage Officer, Flora, Angie and Brenda our Member Service Representatives.  Please visit our web site which will be updated early in 2012 so you may put a face to all of your staff.

Thank you for your time; it is always a delight to be able to have this chat each quarter to give you a brief update of your credit union events.   Please call, email or drop in to see me anytime.  My door is always open.

                                                                                                                    … until next time

                                                                                                                              JudyJewett

                                                                                                                     General Manager