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What's New – July 2009
On This Page
 We'd like you to know:
Join us for our Fountain Service Center Grand Opening – July 18!
Save on dental exams and procedures with Dental Benefits Plus!
$10,000 Reasons to Pay Your Bills Online!
Get Wild About Saving with Ent's Summer Youth Promotion.
Enter our sweepstakes - "What does financial freedom mean to you?"
Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers!
Provide Feedback on a New, Free Money Management Tool.
Don't let your personal financial information fall into the wrong hands.
Credit problems in the past? Is your credit ready for a new loan?
Freedom Is... Having Confidence That My Money Is Secure.
An Update From Our CEO, Charles Emmer
Starting with June Statements, all members who have opted in to eStatement delivery will also receive a monthly email when their eStatement is available within Online Banking. We're making this change to improve our communication with
eStatement members – insuring that Ent's eStatement members receive an email containing the same compliance and marketing information that mailed Statement members receive. Questions about this change? Please contact us at
service@ent.com or by phone at (719) 574-1100 or 800-525-9623.
Ent has opened a brand new service center in Fountain! The new, larger facility is located at 6965 Mesa Ridge Parkway, Suite 110 in the southeast corner of the Markets at Mesa Ridge Shopping Center.
Join us as on Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. as we celebrate the official grand opening with free food, entertainment and fun for the whole family!
Scribbles - Fountain Police Department's newest canine officer, and his partner, Officer Daniel Anthony, will be onsite to meet the community and perform demonstrations. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo mobile will also be there with six of their most
popular, traveling kid-friendly animals. And, much more!
The new Fountain Service Center will provide you with more services to meet your needs. Added conveniences include:
- Biometric self-service safe boxes
- Two drive-up lanes
- A 24-hour drive-up ATM
- State-of-the-art coin counter
- And, onsite Business Banking, Mortgage Lending, and Investment Services representatives.
So, make sure to stop by and check out Ent's newest center!
Thanks to our partnership with Dental Benefits Plus, Ent Federal Credit Union members can have access to GE's* Dental Network and enjoy $1 routine exams and bitewing x-rays, plus a savings of 20% to 60% on more than 170 other dental procedures.
Only $11.95/mo** individual
Only $14.95/mo** family
Limited Time Offer!
$25 Rebate with all plans
2 FREE Months with an annual plan
For more info or to enroll, call 1-800-818-PLUS (818-7587) or visit www.dentalbenefitsplus.com/Ent
THIS PROGRAM IS NOT INSURANCE
This plan provides contracted discounts at certain providers for services and does not make payments to the providers. The plan member is obligated to pay for all services when services are rendered. This discount card program contains a 30 day cancellation period. Not available in all areas. Dental Benefits Plus is a discount dental plan which provides negotiated fees for services and is offered by Benefit Services of America, Inc., a Florida licensed DMPO, located at 101 Wymore Rd., Ste. 300, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. *Dental network is provided by Signature Agency, Inc., a GE Financial Company. **Plus a one time activation fee of $10.00.
It's fast, it's easy and it could win you $10,000! Just pay at least three bills using Ent's Free Online Bill Pay in June and July 2009*, and you'll receive an entry into the Summer Sweepstakes for EVERY bill paid!*
Each bill you pay with Ent’s Free Online Bill Pay increases your chances of winning one of these great prizes:
Grand Prize - $10,000
First Prize - $1,500 Travel Certificate
Second Prize - Garmin® nüvi® 765T GPS Unit
Third Prize - $100
It's easy to get started. If you're already using Online Banking, select the Bill Pay tab at the top of your screen. If you're not using Online Banking with Bill Pay, now is the perfect time to start; call us at (719) 574-1100 or 800-525-9623 to get set up. Remember, Online Banking and Bill Pay are FREE to you as an Ent member.
For an Alternate Entry Form and more information on the sweepstakes, click here.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes ends 7/31/09. Open to legal U.S. residents residing in any of the 50 United States or Washington, D.C., who are 18 years of age or older and have a unique personal and valid social security number at the time of entry. Subject to full official rules available here. Void in Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions, outside of the U.S. and where restricted or prohibited by law. Online entries require a minimum of three online bill payments at the financial institution's website between June 1 and July 31, 2009. Maximum number of entries per person is 30.
 At Ent, we believe it’s never too early to start teaching your children
the value of a dollar. That's why we offer free membership in our
Money Space youth program (Star Savers® for ages 12 and under, and GalaxySM for ages 13-17). Both programs offer incentives for saving, special savings certifi cates, youth seminars and fun
activities that help your children learn how to save money and
become financially responsible.
Plus, when you open a new account or convert an existing minor
account by August 28, 2009, we'll give you a free ticket* to Cheyenne
Mountain Zoo, Denver Zoo or Pueblo Zoo and a plush toy giraffe
(recommended for ages 3 and older). *
For more information about money space, visit Ent.com/MoneySpace.
To open a youth account, please visit any of our convenient service centers today.
*Promotion runs through August 28, 2009, while supplies last.
Complete the phrase "Freedom Is..." and Tweet it to us at Ent_CU or post it to our Facebook wall. You will be automatically entered to win a $100 VISA gift card. Contest runs from June 30 – July 10.
For official rules, please click here.
Have you been thinking about buying your very first home? Now is the perfect time to take advantage of being a first time homebuyer. With the recent passage of the Economic Stimulus Plan on February 14, 2009, a new tax credit for first-time home buyers is now in effect. What does the tax credit mean to you?
First-time home buyers who purchase a home by November 30, 2009 may be eligible for the lower of two tax credits - $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home. A tax credit is very different from a tax deduction - a tax credit is equivalent to money in your hand, as opposed to a tax deduction which only reduces your taxable income.
According to the plan, the tax credit starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000. Buyers will also have to repay the credit if they sell their home within three years. Remember, you should always consult your tax advisor for information relating to your specific circumstances.
The tax credit is applicable to any home that will be used as a principle residence. Based on that guideline, qualifying homes include single family detached homes, as well as attached homes such as townhomes and condominiums. In addition, manufactured homes also qualify.
This new tax credit, along with Ent’s First-Time Buyers Program can make buying your first home easier. Our First-Time Home Buyers program offers a 30 year fixed mortgage with a starting rate of 1% below the 30 year fixed mortgage rate* for three years, discounted closing costs, and free pre-approval. Ent also offers other options for first time home buyers including FHA and VA loans and other conventional loan options.
For more information about the tax credit, our First-Time Home Buyers program or Ent’s other mortgage products and services, contact us at (719) 574-1100 x 5602 or toll-free at 800-525-9623 x 5602.
**30Year MyCommunity Mortgage published rate.
We’ve been asked by our friends at the Filene Research Institute  (a
credit union research organization) to help gather member feedback on a new, free money management tool they are developing called DebtInFocus .
 This online tool is designed to allow members to obtain a free, anonymous online financial analysis, with recommended personal action strategies designed to improve your financial health.
We encourage you to take a few minutes to interact with this tool, and submit your feedback to Filene via the survey on the "Results" page. Thank you for helping evaluate this exciting new tool!
The security of your personal and financial information is a top priority to Ent. We want you to know that Ent will never ask you to verify your account number, Social Security Number, debit or credit card number, PIN or any other sensitive
financial information via email, telephone or SMS text message. Don’t fall for common scams, click here to learn how you can detect and prevent them!
Are you having trouble making your Ent mortgage or vehicle loan payments?
We understand that in today's economic environment more members than ever before are facing loan payment issues. Whether you're thinking you may start falling behind, or you're already behind, contact an Ent Member Solutions Specialist today via
email or by phone at 800-525-9623 x. 5610 for assistance with: protecting your credit, making payment arrangements, and potentially avoiding foreclosure and/or repossession.
Credit problems in the past? Is your credit ready for a new loan?
At Ent, we understand that bad things can happen to good people, and their credit. If you've had credit problems in the past, we've created an online quiz to help you assess if your credit is ready for a new loan. Take our
online credit readiness quiz today...
Let Ent Insurance Group (EIG) give you a free quote, and see if you can save money this year on your commercial insurance. Our independent brokers will search the leading national carriers and compare rates to find the insurance options that meet your business needs at affordable rates.
For your Commercial Life and Health Insurance needs, contact Michael Stewart at (719) 550-6585 for free quotes on:
- Group health insurance
- Business life insurance
- 401(k) plan design and administration
- Insured buy and sell agreements
Interested in reviewing your Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance? Contact Darin Brandt at (719) 550-6572 for free quotes on:
- Liability and property insurance
- Commercial vehicle insurance
- Workers compensation insurance
- Business owners and contractors packages
Insurance products are offered through Enterprise First Financial Services (EFFS). Property and casualty insurance offered through CUDCI. EFFS is a Colorado licensed insurance agency and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ent
Federal Credit Union. Products are not NCUA/NCUSIF insured and are not guaranteed or obligations of Ent Federal Credit Union.
As a member, your peace of mind is important to us.
A difficult economy can mean anxiety and sleepless nights. That's why for over half a century our core business practices have been based on sound financial principles with our members' best interest always in mind. And because our financial strength is
top-rated and deposits are insured by the NCUA,* you can feel confident that we will be here for you today and through any future economic turmoil. For detailed information on our financial position, our
annual report and monthly financials are available online or at any of our service centers.
* Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
Learn more about the NCUA's share insurance fund by viewing their latest TV Ad.
(Updated 5/1/09) - From our CEO, Charles Emmer:
To all Ent Members:
Recently, I wrote to you about the strong, financially healthy status of Ent at the end of 2008. Much has happened in the first quarter of 2009, but I am pleased to report that the performance of the credit union in the first three months of the year continues to be strong.
You may have seen news reports that Ent took several significant charges against our 2008 revenue to help address National Credit Union Administration actions designed to reinforce our corporate credit union system. These one-time charges of $23 million will help to restore the Credit Union Share Insurance Fund and to recognize lost capital investments as a result of the NCUA taking two major corporate credit unions into conservatorship.
It is important to emphasize that this charge had no impact on any individual member and did not involve any taxpayer funds. Despite that, because of our strong 2008 position, we still recorded positive income for last year and are well positioned for 2009.
More recently, the Federal government "stress test" of major banks – especially those receiving federal aid – has captured public attention. You may be interested to know that as part of our management routine we regularly “stress test” our own balance sheet to identify any risks from a range of sources. This process fits well with our conservative management style, assuring that we identify and address any fiscal risks before they become unmanageable or a threat to the health of the credit union.
As a member, you can be confident in the strength of Ent and our future availability as a strong partner to help you realize your personal financial goals. Your deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the NCUA and we expect that protection will be made permanent shortly. We have money to lend to help individual and business members, and our lenders will work with you to assure your loan terms are right for your situation.
Finally, I want to thank each and every member for the confidence and trust you place in us every day. Every member of the Ent staff works diligently to earn and retain that trust. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, I invite you to share Ent with your friends and family members. If we fall short, we want to hear from you first and have a chance to address the issue.
In any event, we remain committed to providing the products and services that help meet your goals. That remains our mission now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Charles F. Emmer
President and CEO
Ent Federal Credit Union
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