by: vicque fassinger
Tomorrow morning, when you’re working on your “To Do” list for the week, add “become a member of the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union (OCFCU)” to it. The products and services offered at the OCFCU on the St. Monica Parish campus in Garfield Heights are so unique and so member-centric, that if you’re not a member already, it can only be because you aren’t familiar with all that the OCFCU has to offer and what the credit union represents.
As the largest faith-based, full-service credit union in Ohio, the OCFCU has proudly served the financial needs of its members for over 60 years. While somewhat similar to a traditional bank in the variety of financial products and services it offers, that’s pretty much where the similarities end. The Ohio Catholic is distinctly-different in several ways. The loans, services, and products at the OCFCU are offered at reasonable and competitive rates; they don’t have the exorbitant fees and percentage rates attached to them like the ones at traditional banks. The credit union is a member-owned financial organization that serves the needs of its members; it’s not a for-profit entity that serves the financial desires of its shareholders – like a bank. The credit union operates on the principle of people helping people; it’s not about a profit. So, instead of sending profits to investors, the credit union is able to provide better rates and better deals to its members. It’s easy to see why today the public trust in credit unions stands at 60 percent, compared to just 30 percent who say they trust big, national banks that operate at a profit and invest in many financial products that are often unfamiliar to their customers (NWCUA, 2014).
For individuals, Ohio Catholic offers the convenience of online banking services, a Member Value Program (MVP) ~ a tiered reward program where members earn valuable points each month by having various products and services with the credit union, Free Checking Accounts with eSTATEMENTS ($25 deposit required), Share Savings Accounts ($5 deposit required), Share Certificates ~ safe investments that pay you a guaranteed rate of dividends for a fixed period of time, Debit Cards, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), and more! For businesses, Ohio Catholic offers Merchants Services, business loans and lines of credit, and all the checking, savings, and online banking services your business might need. In addition, the credit union offers a wide range of affordable new home, mortgage, personal, education, vehicle, debt consolidation loans, and more!
In addition to offering its members a wide range of services, products, and opportunities to help the members meet their financial goals, the OCFCU gives back to its members and the community it serves in numerous other ways as well. They tithe 10 percent of their net income! They donate it right back to the Catholic community in the form of Catholic school scholarships, grants, and contributions to Catholic non-profit organizations. In fact, in 2018 alone, the OCFCU donated over $175,000 directly back to the Catholic communities where their members live, work, and pray. The variety and list of disparate ways the OCFCU “pays it forward” to its members and the community it serves is both impressive and inspiring.
To join all the other individuals and all the parishes, schools, and non-profit organizations who are already members of the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union, it’s incredibly easy! For starters, you don’t have to close your accounts at any of the traditional banks with which you may currently be banking (though you will probably do that eventually when you experience, firsthand, all that the OCFCU has to offer.) Next, stop by the OCFCU building – situated just across the parking lot from St. Monica Church, visit their website, or give them a call. Let a representative know how you qualify to be member (you are a member, employee, or student of a Catholic Diocese in Ohio (or a member of your family or household is), you are a spouse of a person who died who was a member, you work, volunteer, or retired from the OCFCU, or you’re a member of the Ohio Catholic Foundation ~ a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is open for anyone to join and that is focused on providing financial support for Catholic education. If you don’t meet any of the criteria listed, no problem! Simply join the Ohio Catholic Foundation ($20), and Voila! You’re now a member! OCFCU’s regional branches, Call Center (located on the 2nd floor of the branch office on the St. Monica Church campus) online banking services, and mobile app allow the credit union to be of service to you regardless of where you may live, work, or pray.
For more information, simply have a conversation (about anything) with Mike Wisnor – OCFCU’s personable VP of Marketing and Mission, Dean Robinson – OCFCU’s inspiring Catholic Outreach Coordinator, or Dan Shepard – OCFCU’s talented Marketing Specialist. You’ll find them all at the 8 a.m. Mass at St. Monica Church every Monday morning before they head across the parking lot to the OCFCU. Whether you’re talking about Cleveland’s unpredictable weather, a new fundraiser at St. Monica Parish, or the current interest rates on a car loan, you’ll immediately discover they’re all lead-by-example Catholic men who are committed to their Church, their community, the OCFCU members, and their Catholic faith. How often do you find that type of integrity, character, and commitment in one workplace?
ohiocatholicfcu.com
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