ST. LOUIS — Armed with many questions, attendees at a NeighborsCredit Union's seminar wondered how the markets' upheavals mayimpact their investments.

The $205 million credit union held a workshop at the MarylandHeights Community Center on Sept. 25 on selecting investments thatmatch individual objectives, how to limit exposure to risk and howto help money accumulate with tax-advantaged accounts. The sessioncame during the same week the nation's stock markets floundered andbank buyouts and collapses came fast and furiously.

Among the attendees were a retiree and members 10, 20 and 40years away from retirement, respectively, said Jill Finder,marketing analyst at Neighbors. Most of the questions asked focusedon the current market and why investments are not doing as well asin previous years.

“Prior to the start of the seminar, there was a lot ofdiscussion on the current house market; both older individuals havebeen trying to sell their homes for a couple years and are nothaving any luck,” Finder said. “They also are concerned with theircounty's property tax, food, fuel [and other costs] increasing buttheir income not.”

Some asked where they should invest now while others new toinvesting asked about the differences and benefits of stocks, bondsand mutual funds.

Finder said Neighbors has held eight educational seminars thisyear on individual retirement accounts, credit reports, consumerprotections and home buying. The credit union is hoping to scheduleanother investment fundamentals seminar again this year.

“Our commitment to the community and to our members extendsbeyond simply offering financial services. We are committed tohelping people evaluate their financial situations and giving themthe tools to help them make informed decisions. As part of thatcommitment, we use seminars like this one to provide members withsound financial information,” said Beth Hurst, a representativewith Neighbors.

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SAC FCU Slates Fourth Grocery Branch

OMAHA, Neb. — With an eye on reaching working parents, SACFederal Credit Union is expanding its number of in-store grocerybranches this fall.

SAC successfully opened its first grocery branch in a Hy-Veestore a year ago, and three more of the facilities are in the worksin metropolitan Omaha by year-end.

“We were pleased that the Super Saver chain actually took outvideo stores to make room for us, and another chain even asked usto come in to replace a bank,” said Jackie Boryca, vice presidentof marketing.

The latest full-service facility at a Super Saver in Millardwill have its grand opening ceremonies Nov. 5 followed by two morestore openings Nov. 15 at a Super Saver in Council Bluffs, Idaho,and at a Hy-Vee store Nov. 19, which once housed a Bank of the Westbranch.

Boryca said its vendor, Georgia-based Financial SupermarketsInc., helped broker the deal with both chains.

The new Millard facility will offer extended evening and weekendhours, including Sundays and will provide a complete range offinancial services. SAC opened its first grocery branch in a Hy-Veestore in Papillion.

“We've had a very good response from our first branch,particularly from working moms who like the extended hours,seven-day-a-week operation,” said Boryca citing the favorabledemographics.

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Michigan CUs Return Favor to
Nonprofit Trauma Counseling Agency

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A group of central Michigan credit unions,many the victims of branch robberies in recent years, have won thechance to give back to a Kalamazoo crisis center that administeredspecial counseling services to a number of CU employees.

As it turned out, Gryphon Place, a nonprofit trauma counselingagency, was thrilled to benefit from the CU generosity in the formof a $2,500 check.

“These are hard economic times in our state, and so we'resurprised and grateful for the grant which means a lot to us,”declared Bill Pell, executive director of Gryphon Place.

The $2,500 was handed over to Pell early last month by thel2-member Kalamazoo chapter of the Michigan Credit Union League ata chapter dinner celebration.

Gryphon Place, said John Sink, chapter chair and president/CEOof the $71 million Allegis CU of Kalamazoo, has become a partner tocredit unions in the wake of the robberies that have hit both banksand CUs.

Dozens of employees from area CUs, said Sink, took part inGryphon group counseling following the robberies, occurring at bothCU offices and branches, and some were categorized as particularlyviolent.

“Although fortunately no one was hurt, MSRs and other staff fromAllegis who were involved in one robbery at our credit union foundthis kind of an outlet helpful in letting employees discussfeelings,” explained Lindsay Smith, director of marketing.

The chapter's executive committee, said Sink, decided the $2,500raised at a Sept. 8 golf outing be directed to Gryphon because theagency “lives the credit union philosophy of people helpingpeople.”

After one of Allegis branch was robbed in February 2006, “wesent the entire staff to Gryphon Place in groups,” said Smith,noting a division between those who were on the scene and those whowere not working that day or at another site.

“The robbery affected everyone in some way, and the staff atGryphon Place gave us an outlet to discuss what happened and whatwe were feeling at the time,” said Smith.

Sink said in singling out Gryphon, the chapter group wanted toshow appreciation to an agency that gives help to anyone in theKalamazoo area who needs it.

Pell said the $2,500 was one of the largest grants the agencyhas received from a single business group in recent years. Gryphonprovides its suicide and trauma counseling services to a number ofretail and business organizations and relies on both public andprivate funding.

The $2,500 was raised from golf fees and donations at thechapter's 20th annual golf outing held Sept. 8 at a Vicksburg,Mich., club. Fifteen credit unions attended the outing thatincluded more than 40 vendors, many of whom helped sponsor theevent.

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