news and announcements

May 20, 2013— UMeHelps joined Leadership Burbank in an effort to expand instrumental music instruction to Burbank’s elementary schools. Through a community project titled, “31 Violins”, Leadership Burbank had a goal of delivering 31 violins and 31 music stands to both Providencia and Roosevelt elementary schools. UMe Credit Union is a Stradivarius sponsor, donating to the project.

“After learning about the decline in music instruction in our community, we felt inspired to help expand the programs for more children to have the opportunity to learn music,” said Monica Newhouse, Leadership Burbank 2013 participant. With the help of UMe and other gracious donors, Leadership Burbank achieved its goal, delivering the instruments and stands to the schools.

Leadership Burbank is a community-based organization that offers leaders and emerging leaders the opportunity to enhance their personal and professional skills, gain a deeper understanding of community dynamics, and cultivate civic involvement.

May 16, 2013— UMe is offering members a free mortgage refinance consultation to show you exactly how we can lower your monthly mortgage payment.

And with mortgage rates still at historic lows, now is a great time to refinance for many consumers. After all, when it comes to your monthly mortgage payment, a lower rate typically means a lower payment. Even a slight decrease can mean more money in your wallet every month.

So why not see how low you can go? You can get started online or speak to our mortgage refinance specialist at (818) 238-2900.

May 16, 2013— It’s official, you love us, you really love us. We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to review us on Yelp. We’ve just received notification from Yelp declaring UMe as “a well-loved local favorite!"

With 19 Yelp reviews averaging a rating of 4 stars out of 5, we think that’s mighty impressive. But don’t worry, we won’t let it go to our head—as a matter of fact, we’re already thinking of new ways to exceed your expectations!

Thanks again and keep ‘em coming.

> Visit Yelp today and review UMe today.

May 1, 2013— UMeHelps will be collecting donations for Burbank Temporary Center (BTAC) during the month of May. In the spirit of the credit union philosphy of "people helping people", we're asking UMe members to help us collect donations for the BTAC.

To participate in the food drive, please bring nonperishable food to the credit union during regular business hours in May. Red donation tubs will be available throughout the lobby.

BTAC, a Burbank non-profit, is dedicated to providing the poor, working poor, and homeless of our local community with basic goods and services. Their efforts allow residents in need to live with dignity. They also serve citizens of the city in times of emergency and disaster.

> Click here for a list of donation items.

> Learn more about the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

March 18, 2013— UMe released the 2012 Annual Report at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. The Credit Union had a successful 2012, filled with change, growth and revitalization. It was a year in which the Credit Union took a big step toward building the foundation for a successful future.

> Click here to download the 2012 Annual Report.

January 21, 2013— With 2013 now in full swing, we think it's a perfect time to make sure that your UMe contact information (email, mailing address, phone number, etc) is current and up-to-date. After all, it's best that we have your current information on file to ensure we can contact you in a case of fraud, identity theft, or if you lose or misplace a UMe debit or credit card.

Did we mention how easy it is? Simply, give us a call at (818) 238-2900, or let any of our friendly service representatives know next time you stop by for a visit.

December 31, 2012— Looking to save a few bucks on gas in the New Year? A new fuel-efficient car may be the ticket. The 2013 Fuel Economy Guide Annual publication featuring fuel economy data for new model year cars, sports utility vehicles, and light trucks was just released. You can download a free PDF of the publication here.

For more information, visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

November 26, 2012— As part of our UMeHelps initiative, we'll be collecting donations for Santa's Room, a Christmas program operated by the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC). Santa’s Room has been operating for over 20 years distributing gifts to children who would not otherwise have much to look forward to Christmas morning. Last year BTAC set a record high—serving over 700 youths. BTAC clients with children ages 16 and under can all apply for help this holiday season. A parent or legal guardian who requests assistance with Christmas is able to “shop” for their child(ren) and select appropriate gifts from the available pool of items.

Click here for a list of toy donation ideas

We'll be accepting donations at the UMe lobby until December 31, 2012. Donation items received after this year's shopping dates will be added to next year's Santa's Room.

Kick off the holidays with us at Magnolia Park’s annual Holiday In The Park event, on Friday, November 16 from 5 to 9pm!

UMe will be the site for free Santa Photos (just like last year)! And, we’ll, also, be giving away our signature caramel apples (while supplies last, of course). So, come on by and get in on the fun!

For more Holiday In The Park information, click here!

September 6, 2012— On June 14, our ATM Network got even bigger and better when CO-OP Financial Services announced that it added more than 500 fee-free ATMs in Walgreens Pharmacy locations right here in California! These ATMs are easily identifiable by the CO-OP logo on their logo panel. This expansion of the CO-OP ATM Network now brings the total number of fee-free ATMs available to credit union members to more than 30,000 nationwide - including most Costco locations, too!

Click here to find ATMs near you!

August 25, 2012— The results are in for the Burbank Leader's "Best of Burbank 2012 Readers' Choice." This year, UMe was voted for—wait for it—the Best Bank in Burbank!

As a credit union, we love that. We've often said the best banking experience can be found at a credit union! And, after years of being voted best credit union in Burbank, it seems like our neighbors agree.

We'd like to thank everyone in the Burbank community for voting for us. We're honored by the distinction. It's also a special honor because it's our first "best of" with our UMe name. But don't worry, we won't let the fame go to our heads, we're gonna keep working to win you over every single day! After all, without you, there would be no UMe.

August 23, 2012— In the spirit of the credit union philosphy of "people helping people", UMe members recently collected more than 500 donation items for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC). We want to thank everyone who participated!

Stay tuned—we'll keep you posted on more ways you can help us make a difference in our community through our UMeHelps program.

June 18, 2012— Time flies when you're having fun! This year, we were excited to celebrate 72 wonderful years of member service. To mark this occasion, we hosted a special celebration for our members at the Credit Union on June 15. The day featured free food, ice cream and giveaways.

On the day of the event, members were able to enter to win a Classic Roadster Linus Bike. It was our way of saying "Thank You" for helping us reach this milestone.

We’ll also give away a second bike at the end of June 2012. Members can still enter to win by visiting UMe Credit Union through June 29. The winner of the second bike will be announced on July 2.

Click to download Official Rules

¹ One entry per person.

June 4, 2012—UMe Credit Union was recently honored with two Gold Awards for outstanding achievements within the credit union industry. The awards were presented by the Marketing Association of Credit Unions, a national organization of credit union professionals from across the United States. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards are presented each year, recognizing outstanding work in more than 20 different categories related to credit union marketing, communication, education and business development. UMe received Gold Awards in the following categories:

Image Enhancement—recognized for the planning, execution and success of the credit union renaming efforts. By accessing the need to carve a unique niche in the community, as well as planning for long-term success, the credit union’s strategy and creative approach to change the name from Burbank Community to UMe was awarded the highest honor in the category.

Website Redesign—recognized for the implementation and innovation of the credit union’s website. By utilizing a unique voice and visual aesthetic, the credit union was able to create a memorable and sustaining member experience, garnering the highest honor in the category.

June 1, 2012—Helping neighbors builds strong communities. Continuing a tradition of community support, UMe is excited to announce the creation of a new program called UMeHelps. UMeHelps will provide assistance to the greater Burbank community by partnering with local non-profit organizations and focusing on raising money and goods for those in need. As a local credit union, UMe is intimately aware of the hardship many of our community members have faced during these difficult economic times. Through UMeHelps, the credit union hopes to help relieve some of the burden and provide hope for our neighbors.

UMeHelps is a concept that began with the renaming of the credit union last spring. The new name, UMe, is a combination of YOU+ME, and is directly correlated to the strong personal
relationship the credit union enjoys with its membership. In the same spirit, UMeHelps is designed for the credit union to give back to the Burbank community at large, and for its members to also participate in the process. UMeHelps will kick off on June 1 with a food drive for BTAC, Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

BTAC is dedicated to providing the poor, working poor, and homeless of the local community with basic services they need to live with dignity, and to serve citizens of the city in times of
emergency and disaster.

To participate in the UMeHelps BTAC drive, please bring nonperishable food to the credit union throughout the month of June. Click to download a list of acceptable donation items.

May 1, 2012—UMe has partnered with Sallie Mae to offer our members Student Loan options with the Sallie Mae “Smart Option Student Loan”. This loan product offers three repayment options and competitive interest rates to help you pay for college expenses not covered by scholarships and federal loans:

(1) DEFERRED REPAYMENT OPTION: defer payments until after school, or pay as much as you want while you are in school, to enjoy maximum flexibility.

(2) FIXED REPAYMENT OPTION: Pay $25 a month while in school and for six months after school. The in-school payments, plus Sallie Mae’s shorter repayment term, can help you save over 10% on their total loan cost compared to the Deferred Repayment Option.

(3) INTEREST REPAYMENT OPTION: Pay interest while in school and for six months after school. The in-school payments, plus Sallie Mae’s shorter repayment term, can help you save over 20% on your total loan cost compared to the Deferred Repayment Option.

For more information and to apply for a loan online 24/7, visit the Sallie Mae website for UMe Credit Union members.

April 11, 2012—One of the best defenses against card fraud is to be informed and alert. That’s why UMe is committed to providing you with the information you need to maintain the safety and security of your personal information.

Phishing and Phone Fraud are two of the many ways that fraudsters use to attempt to acquire your personal information in order to conduct fraud.

Phishing (Email) Fraud
Phishing is an email scam that tries to trick people into revealing personal information on an official-looking website. Most phishing begins with an email that links to a fake website. The fake website, actually looks like the real thing, using the logos and branding of the business it claims to be. However, when you enter personal information on such sites, it gets routed to fraudsters.

Phone Fraud
Phone fraud attempts to trick people into revealing personal information over the phone; either to a person claiming to be from a financial institution, or via an automated system. However, when you give your personal information to such people, or enter personal information on such automated systems, it gets routed to fraudsters.

If you receive an email or a call requesting any of your personal information - simply, hang up and report it to the Credit Union, immediately.

• We will never call you and ask for your debit or credit card number over the phone. Additionally, we will never ask you for your debit or credit card number via email or mail.

For comprehensive card fraud prevention information and news on the latest fraud scams, visit Visa’s Security Sense website.

March 18, 2012—Check out AutoSMART, an online resource available through CUDL, right on our website, that offers a variety of valuable car-buying research tools and information.

You can check blue book values, build your dream car, compare up to three vehicles at a time, locate a dealership, read a variety of general car-buying research articles, and even get pre-approved for your UMe loan - all in one place!

And, when you find the vehicle that’s perfect for you, AutoSMART will even direct you to all the local dealers who have what you want in stock.

March 16, 2012—If you’re looking to save with a #1 wireless company, then it might be time to say hello to the Sprint Credit Union Member Discount from Invest in America! As a member of UMe Credit Union, you can save with the one that JD Powers & Associates ranks as the “Highest satisfaction with the Purchase Experience.”

Ways you can save:

• 10% off* select personal Sprint plans
• 15% off* select business Sprint plans
• Waived activation fee on new activations
• Waived upgrade fee
• Available to new and existing Sprint customers

Valuable discounts like these are just some of the many benefits of credit union membership.

3 Ways to Get Your Discount:

1. Call 877.SAVE.4CU (877.728.3428) and let them know you’re a credit union member. Ask to be a part of the NACUC_ZZM Corporate ID to save
2. Click LoveMyCreditUnion.org/Sprint
3. Visit your nearest Sprint store

Start saving today with a #1 wireless company with the Sprint Credit Union Member Discount.

*Application of discount requires 2-year contract extension on existing plans. Verification of membership is required at time of activation/upgrade. Discount not available on secondary lines for Family and Business Share plans.

All rights reserved. Sprint, the logo, and other trademarks are the trademarks of Sprint Nextel.

February 27, 2012—A new study of vehicle dependability was recently released by JD Powers and Associates. The study is based on responses from more than 31,000 original owners of 2009 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, and measures problems experienced during the previous 12 months by those original owners.

> Click here to read the study.

Remember: Mike Buckley, our free Car-Buying Specialist, can explain and educate you on the best steps for Buying, Leasing, Selling or Trading a new or used vehicles. So, if you’re ready to begin searching for a new ride, give Mike a call at 818) 238.2900 x3.

February 22, 2012—UMe released the 2011 Annual Report at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. The Credit Union had a successful 2011, filled with change, growth and revitalization. It was a year in which the Credit Union took a big step toward building the foundation for a successful future.

> Click here to download the 2011 Annual Report.

January 5, 2012—If you’re looking to purchase or refinance a home, your timing is perfect. Not only are home prices as low as they have been in years, but mortgage rates are also at near historic low levels! What does this mean for you? More home for your buck and lower monthly payments.

Call Dan Minnick, our Mortgage Specialist, at 818) 238.2900 x2 to learn more about our money-saving mortgage programs.

We admit it, we love the holiday season .. and now, we’re sure you will too! That’s because we’re offering you the opportunity to “Skip-A-Payment” during the holiday months of December and January. If you have an auto loan, personal loan, share-secured loan, easy access line-of-credit or Visa® Credit Card with UMe Credit Union, we’ll let you skip your loan payment.

> Click here to download our Skip-A-Payment form.

What can consumers do when big commercial banks keep putting their customers’ financial well-being last? Switch to a credit union.

That’s the idea behind a new social uprising called Bank Transfer Day. The movement was started by 27-year-old Los Angeles art-gallery owner, Kristen Christian, as a response to aggressive tactics implemented by profit-driven corporate banks.

Supporters of Bank Transfer Day encourage bank customers from across the nation to move their money from big corporate banks, and put it into local, not-for-profit credit unions instead. It’s a positive way to support companies that you respect, and in turn respect you and your financial well-being.

After all, why continue to patronize a company that simply wants to make profits off of your financial situation, while doing nothing to help you better your life?

Tell a Friend
As a UMe Credit Union member, you have financial advantages that many bank customers simply don’t enjoy. As a not-for-profit credit union, any profit we make after expenses is put back into the membership through lower rates, less fees and better earnings.

We encourage you to tell your friends and family members to switch from their big commercial bank to UMe in support of Bank Transfer Day. From day one, they’ll be able to enjoy great low rates on loans, free account access services and, of course, free coffee and bottled water any time they stop by.

Visit the Bank Transfer Day Facebook page to learn more about this exciting social movement.

We've ALWAYS loved talking to our members, but now, we're taking the conversation online. Follow us at Twitter, and we promise to share interesting tweets from the world of UMe. Who knows, maybe we'll even surpass Lady Gaga's 13 million followers (you can't blame us for trying). While you're at it, check us out at Yelp and give us a review. It's your chance to tell everyone how much you love your credit union!

Visit UMe at Twitter
Review UMe at Yelp

The results are in for the Burbank Leader's "Best of Burbank 2011 Readers' Choice."

We're happy to announce that UMe was voted The Best Credit Union in Burbank. Well, this must mean you like us, you really like us!!!

Seriously, we'd like to thank everyone in the Burbank community for voting for us. We're honored by the distinction. You can read more about The Best of Burbank 2011 here.

On Monday, June 13, we launched our new UMe name, as well as the UMe website at: www.umecreditunion.com. 

Our new site has the same layout as our previous website. You’ll be able to find credit union information in the same areas as before.

Members who visit burbankfcu.org will be redirected to the new UMe website at www.umecreditunion.com.

Get your banking "to go" with UMe’s Mobile Banking. Access your credit union accounts conveniently with most web-enabled smartphones and mobile devices. We’ve taken the most popular features of our Online Banking program and put it all in the palm of your hand.

Features

• View your account balances
• Check your transaction history
• Transfer money between your accounts
• Find deposit-taking and surcharge-free ATMs near you

UMe’s Mobile Banking is easy to use. There are no apps to download and no set-up required for registered Online Banking users. And the best part is Mobile Banking is free for credit union members (note: your mobile service provider may charge Internet access fees).

Get Started
Simply visit our website (www.umecreditunion.com) with a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone and you'll be automatically routed to our mobile website. From there, use your Online Banking User ID and Password to login. If you aren't registered for our Online Banking program, call us at (818) 238-2900 and we'll get you started. Remember, you have access to 28,000 surcharge-free ATMs right at your fingertips.

A credit card that can help you save money? Yes—you can use our low rate Shiny Happy Visa Credit Card to transfer high rate balances. With rates as low as 9.90% APR and no balance transfer fee, we make it easy and affordable to save on interest charges. Whether you're transferring balances, shopping online, or planning for the holidays, keep it handy and make it your "go-to" credit card. You'll be happy you did. Learn More