Published by the New Jersey Credit Union League, www.njcul.org

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In this issue:

1. New Jersey’s Credit Unions: The Difference YOU! Celebrating International Credit Union Day
2. 72nd Annual Meeting and Convention
3. New Jersey’s Credit Unions: 1.2 million members strong and growing thanks to efforts of NJCUL’s Government Affairs department.
4. 'Tis the Season for Gift Cards
5. New raud Detection Products Helps CU's Protect Themselves And Their Members
6. Shared Branching Expands Across NJ
7. Welcome Back!
8. Do you want to lead the pack?

New Jersey’s Credit Unions: The Difference YOU! Celebrating International Credit Union Day (www.njdifference.com)

Well, you’ve been reading about it, hearing about it and now the big Day of Credit Union Domination is now upon us! This Thursday, October 19, 2006, be sure to tune in and meet Bob The Credit Union Guy as he takes New Jersey by storm. The program is coordinated by the NJCUL Advertising
Cooperative and is just the first phase in the Cooperative’s efforts to educate the citizens of New Jersey about the mission, great work and value of credit unions.

TV Time
On television, flip your TV to News12 New Jersey (check with your cable tv provider for channel): Spots will run approx. every 15 minutes between 5-9:30 am, then every half-hour between 5-11 pm and NBC-40, the NBC station in South Jersey will feature 10 spots between 6-10 am, 8 spots spread during the 5, 6 and 11 o’clock news.

On the Radio
Turn your radio dial to NJ 101.5: 5 spots during Jim Gearhart, 5 spots during Dennis and Judy, 3 spots during the 7-9 late-evening drive. There will also be promos for the van appearance starting Tuesday, October 17 (The NJ 101.5 van will be in Trenton between approx. 10-2, playing music, giving away promo items and talking up credit unions).

Take Me to the Highway
On the road, our mobile billboard will be coming down the Turnpike from NY at approx. 9 am and will be in Trenton through the morning and early afternoon, returning to NY approx. at 3 pm.

Black and White
In print, pick up the Star-Ledger and turn to the New Jersey section or the South Jersey section of Philadelphia Inquirer to see Bob in our ads.

It’s a bird… It’s a plane
Look, up in the sky … it’s a bird, it’s a plane … yes it is! A plane flying high with an aerial banner (weather permitting) will fly high over the friendly NJ skies beginning in the Lakewood area, flying up the Parkway, over the Turnpike, and then crossing the NJ side of the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. The plane and banner will then fly back down the Turnpike and use the remaining time to make some flyovers in the Union County area, finally landing near Rahway/Linden (approx. flight time 7 am – 10 am).

Dancin’ in the Streets
We’ll have street teams are scheduled to visit the following towns (with You magnets and beach balls) during either lunchtime or evening rush hour (4-7) depending on the town, in Haddonfield, Princeton, Red Bank, Toms River, New Brunswick, Woodbridge, Elizabeth, Westfield, Ridgewood, Morristown.

Untangle the Web
Please visit nj.com on the 19th too, as our banners will be on the home page exclusively all day – and on the Cars section and throughout the whole site until the end of the year.

Let Them Eat Cake
Credit unions who are members of the NJCUL Ad Coop around the state will be devouring delicious YOU cakes and sharing them with their members – and we’ve still got a few more surprises in store including our great Spot The Dot contest with one lucky winner grabbing two tickets to a Broadway show!

Visit www.njdifference.com to meet Bob, see the ads, and find out more. To join the Cooperative, call Sharon Dilling at 609.448.2426 x110 or email: sdilling@njcul.org

72nd Annual Meeting and Convention
It’s our last year at Bally’s … and you won’t want to miss this year’s Annual Meeting & Convention featuring 21 great ed sessions, and a special opening session by US Olympic Hero, Mike Eruzione. We’ve even added a new closing session that will feature Steve Ford, actor and son of US President Gerald R. Ford. Hotel registrations are open. Download your registration book and forms now.

Do you know a vendor that may want to exhibit in our world class exhibit hall? Vendors looking to have access to more than 800 credit union professionals won’t want to miss this great opportunity. Call Yvette Segarra at 609.448.2426 x103 or email ysegarra@njcul.org. Space is going fast, so don’t delay!

New Jersey’s Credit Unions: 1.2 million members strong and growing thanks to efforts of NJCUL’s Government Affairs department.

On-the-Hill
Before adjourning to campaign for reelection, members of Congress passed important Regulatory Relief legislation. NJCUL members Hiked-the Hill last month to communicate our opposition to the expanded business lending powers for thrifts in the US House’s proffer on Regulatory Relief and support for the Senate’s narrower language. The House passed the Senate language 417-0 on September 27. No further action on CURIA  despite its 124 Co-Sponsors or Data Security is anticipated when Congress returns after election day.

Under-the-Dome
Property tax reform continues to dominate the halls of Trenton. Joint legislative committees on Government Consolidation & Shared Services, Public Employee Benefits Reform and Constitutional Reform & Citizens Property Tax Convention have been holding hearings since early August to consider potential options for relief from the Nation’s highest property taxes. One troubling proposal that was under consideration by the Joint Committee on Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Convention could have resulted in a dramatic increase -- some estimate as much as 40% -- in taxes on commercial properties has been declared dead by Senate President Dick Codey and Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts. The “fairness” clause of the state constitution protects property owners from tax discrimination by requiring local governments to tax all property within a municipality at the same rate. Repealing the “fairness” clause in all probability would have simply shifted the property tax burden to businesses.

Calls-to-Action Net Tangible Results
NJCUL affiliates were asked to contact members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to communicate credit union movement opposition to the expanded business lending powers for thrifts in the US House’s proffer on Regulatory Relief and support for the Senate’s narrower language. They were also asked to contact members of the NJ Legislature’s Joint Committee on Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Convention to communicate credit union movement opposition to repeal of the “fairness” clause of the state constitution that protects property owners from tax discrimination by requiring local governments to tax all property within a municipality at the same rate. In both instances our efforts contributed significantly to helping shape public policy to the benefit of the credit union movement. CU movement supported Regulatory Relief was passed and the proposal to eliminate NJ’s “fairness” clause was defeated.

For information on how to participate in these and other grassroots efforts contact Chris Abeel, the League’s director of government affairs.

NJCUL Hikes-the-Hill
Last month representatives of six credit unions joined NJCUL staff for its September Hike-the-Hill. This extremely important grassroots program was particularly timely given the pending action on Regulatory Relief. We were able to get numerous commitments to support the Senate’s regulatory relief language. In addition, we took a significant step toward securing Rep. Scott Garrett’s sponsorship of a FOM/financially underserved area technical correction. These are tangible results that may not have been achieved otherwise.

In addition to key staffers, we met with three of our 12 sitting House members, Representatives Scott Garrett, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Mike Ferguson and Steve Rothman, a CURIA co-sponsor. In all, we had very positive contact with the offices of 9 of our 14 member (1 vacancy) delegation, including our two senators’ which we were not able to meet with last February.

Our thanks go out to Cindy Rein-Zima of Hamilton Horizons, Bob Steeves of Essex County Teachers, both NJCUL board members, Leon Fulginiti of Credit Union of NJ, Sean McDonald of Liberty Savings FCU, Abby McGuire of IFF Employees, Jim Miller, Jr. of Liberty Savings FCU and Tom O’Shea of FAA Eastern Region for taking time to participate.

For information on how to participate in this and other grassroots efforts contact Chris Abeel, the League’s director of government affairs.

CU’s Beat-back Bank Attack! 
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the leading national policy group of state legislators from around the country renewed without amendment its long-standing policy on the dual chartering of credit unions at its 2006 annual meeting. Before the vote in the General Assembly, banking groups attacked the policy in the Financial Services Committee. Utah state Representative David Clark, a banker by profession, pushed an amendment that challenged the tax-exempt status of credit unions. The combined effort of CUNA and several Leagues including NJCUL resulted in the amendment’s defeat by a vote of 18-4.  The committee approved renewal of the policy without change and it was posted to the consent calendar for favorable General Assembly action. The policy will not be subject to review for three-years under NCSL by-laws.

Joint Chapter Meeting to Host Congressman Rush Holt
Trenton, Monmouth-Ocean and Mid-state chapters will jointly host a meeting October 26^th with a special guest speaker, Congressman Rush Holt (D-12^th Dist.). The meeting will be held at Forsgate in Jamesburg (Turnpike Exit 8A). Registration deadline is October 20^th.

Congressman Rush Holt is currently serving his fourth term in the US House of Representatives to which he was elected with 59% of the vote. He’s favored to win reelection to a fifth term next month. He serves on the Education & Workforce and Select Intelligence committees. Prior to his election to Congress, Holt worked as a teacher, Congressional Science Fellow, and an arms control expert at the U.S. State Department. From 1980 to 1986 he taught physics, public policy, and religion courses at Swarthmore College. He was assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University’s largest research facility from 1989 until his election to Congress in 1998.

Our thanks go out to Trenton Chapter President Leon Fulginiti (Credit Union of NJ) for organizing this event and securing Congressman Rush Holt’s participation.

For assistance with scheduling a state and federal lawmaker to speak to your chapter contact Chris Abeel, the League’s director of government affairs.

CU’s meet with Congressman Garrett
NJCUL organized a credit union roundtable with Congressman Scott Garrett to discuss issues of concern to the credit union movement. Garrett is a member of the House Financial Services Committee where he serves on the Financial Institutions & Consumer Credit and the Oversight & Investigations subcommittees. Among the topics discussed, New Jersey’s more than 1.2 million credit union members, 77,000 of which live is his district, the benefits of credit union membership to individuals and the economic impact to the 5^th Congressional District, Regulatory Relief, Charter Conversion and bank attacks in general.

For information on meeting with your state and federal lawmakers contact Chris Abeel, the League’s director of government affairs.

We’d Like To Say, “We’ve Got Your Number.”
Project Zip Code needs you and your credit union. A letter and CD were sent to each credit union asking them to update their PZC numbers. Are your members among the more than 58 million credit union members to stand up and be counted? Help us ensure our state and federal lawmakers understand just how of many of their constituents are credit union members. It takes just a few minutes and no personal data is ever collected.

For more information contact Chris Abeel, the League’s director of government affairs.

Preparing Your Annual Budget?
Don’t forget Credit Union House when preparing your annual budget. Credit Union House is an extremely valuable presence on Capitol Hill. More than one-half the members of both houses of Congress have visited for a variety of special events and functions. It symbolizes our commitment to an ongoing role in the public policy process. We’re asking each of our member credit unions to support Credit Union House with an annual $500 contribution.  

This highly visible, permanent presence sends the message that credit unions, and the credit union movement, are here to stay.

For additional information how to support and utilize Credit Union House contact NJCUL President Bob Walls, who chairs the Credit Union House board of directors or Jill Jarman, CUH manager.

Are You Registered?
You can talk-the-talk, but if you’re not registered to vote you can’t walk-the-walk. November 7^th voters will select not only local and county officials but also our state’s 13 members of the US House of Representatives and a US Senator. If you’re registered, vote. If you’re not, register  by October 17 so your voice can be heard on election day.

And now, any voter can vote by Absentee Ballot for any election. You no longer need a reason for an Absentee Ballot.

‘Tis the Season for Gift Cards
The holiday season is fast approaching. This presents the biggest opportunity of the year for Visa gift cards. Visa gift cards make for a great holiday gift and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Any credit union can participate and there are no start up fees or monthly costs to participate.

Visa gift cards are easy and convenient for both the cardholder and issuer. Gift cards are a terrific alternative to cash when traveling, any time of the year.

Enrollment is recommended no later than mid-October, in time for participation in the upcoming holiday season. To find out how to get started with enrollment in the Visa gift card program, contact Donna Hulick, Field Consultant at 800-792-8861 x109.

New Fraud Detection Product Helps CU’s Protect Themselves And Their Members
The New Jersey Credit Union League is excited to introduce a new fraud detection product called the Counterfeit Cop. The Counterfeit Cop can drastically reduce your Credit Union’s exposure to losses incurred due to counterfeit currency, U.S. Postal Money Orders, credit cards, U.S. Treasury checks and other legal items. These types of losses continue to rise and increase the costs of our bond coverage.

The Counterfeit Cop is a durable, commercial grade detection device, designed to sit on a teller counter all day long scanning for counterfeit documents and checking for authenticity of currency and other monetary instruments. The ultraviolet bulb in the Counterfeit Cop is designed to run for 10,000 hours, the ballast is Underwriters Laboratory approved and the machine shell carries a three year manufactures warranty.

The Counterfeit Cop has many other useful detection devices. The machine is in very high demand at Credit Unions, as counterfeiters and forgers continue to get more sophisticated. While the Counterfeit Cop typically retails for $129.95, the New Jersey Credit Union League has been able to negotiate the discounted price of only $69.95 for New Jersey Credit Unions.

Counterfeit Cop has sold thousands of units across the United States. The list of buyers includes a U.S Government contract, many large casinos and hundreds of Credit Unions. It is also the tool of choice for the U.S Secret Service when they are investigating a counterfeiting claim.

Additional information on this product can be obtained, or units can be ordered, via a secure web site, which has been set up specifically for New Jersey Credit Unions. Visit www.counterfeitcop.net/njcu or contact Jim Merrill, VP Business Development at 800-792-8861 x 120.

Shared Branching Expands Across NJ
We invite you to visit the newest addition to the shared branching network: CUMCO FCU, 28 A Cornwell Drive, Bridgeton , NJ 08302. At this new service center you can expect to get the same great service you receive at your credit union because shared branching locations all have a common goal-great member service. When you enter this new service center, simply supply the teller with your account number and photo identification to easily access your account [free of charge]. Here are some examples of transactions available at CUMCO Bridgeton, and other shared service center locations nationwide:

o Deposits
o Withdrawals
o Check cashing
o Transfers between accounts
o Loan payments
o Money orders and traveler's checks

For a complete directory of participating locations in New Jersey and across the country, visit www.cuservicecenters.com to access addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation.

For more information on bringing Shared Branching to your credit union, call Chris Zahne, NJCUL Director of Finance, at 609.448.2426 x104 or email: czahne@njcul.org.

Welcome Back!
NJCUL is pleased to welcome back to League Membership, the McGraw Hill Employees Federal Credit Union. McGraw Hill EFCU will join nearly 200 member credit unions as a part of the NJCUL’s family of dedicated members committed to working on behalf of this great movement!

Do you know a credit union that could benefit from NJCUL membership? Contact NJCUL President/CEO Robert S. Walls, Sr. at 609.448.2426 or rwalls@njcul.org.

Do you want to lead the pack?
Save the dates!  The 2007 Annual Leadership Conference is April 16, 17 & 18 at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City! This years conference is being hosted by the NJ Credit Union League and welcomes our neighboring credit unions in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. Mark your calendars now. You won’t want to miss this exciting educational experience!