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New federal laws and regulations are changing the structure and face of the financial services industry. In this time of accelerating change, it is important to truly understand how credit unions are unique and different, and why we remain a necessary and extremely popular financial alternative for 87 million Americans.

• Not-for-profit. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives. We exist to serve our members, not to make a profit. Unlike most other financial institutions, credit unions do not issue stock or pay dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, earnings are returned to our members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, and lower fees.

• Taxation. Credit unions do pay taxes - payroll taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes. Congress exempts credit unions from federal income taxes. The exemption was established in 1937, affirmed by statute in 1951, and re-affirmed in 1998 in H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act, which states:
Credit unions, unlike many other participants in the financial services market, are exempt from Federal and most State taxes because credit unions are member-owned, democratically operated, not-for- profit organizations generally managed by volunteer boards of directors and because they have the specified mission of meeting the credit and savings needs of consumers, especially persons of modest means.

• Ownership. Credit unions are economic democracy. Each credit union member has equal ownership and one vote -- regardless of how much money a member has on deposit. At a credit union, every customer is both a member and an owner.

• Volunteer Boards. Each credit union is governed by a board of directors, elected by and from the credit union's membership. Board members serve voluntarily.

• Membership Eligibility. By current federal statute, credit unions cannot serve the general public. People qualify for a credit union membership through their employer, organizational affiliations like churches or social groups, or a community-chartered credit union.

• Financial Education for Members. Credit unions assist members to become better- educated consumers of financial services. Additionally, CUNA is partnering with the National Endowment for Financial Education, a not-for-profit foundation, to expand financial education among high school students. A national study shows that just ten hours of personal finance education can positively affect students' spending and savings habits for a lifetime.

• Social Purpose: People Helping People. Credit unions exist to help people, not make a profit. Our goal is to serve all of our members well, including those of modest means - every member counts. Our members are fiercely loyal for this reason. They know their credit union will be there for them in bad times, as well as good. The same people-first philosophy causes credit unions and our employees to get involved in community charitable activities and worthwhile causes - just ask us.

It is easy! Our Charter states that:

The Field of Membership of Columbia Credit Union shall consist of persons that live or work in Boone County, State of Missouri. Once you become a member, your membership shall continue, providing you maintain a minimum balance of one (1) share ($25.00) in your primary account. Family members of existing members will also be eligible for membership in their own right.

So basically if you live or work in Boone County, or are a close relative* of an existing member, you are free to join!

*Spouse (as recognized by the State of Missouri), Children, Step-children, Parents, Step-parents, Siblings (brothers & sisters), Grandparents, Grandchildren, Minor living in same household of legal guardian (who is a member).

To start the membership process stop by the credit union with your driver’s license and social security card to fill out an application. All membership accounts require a minimum $25.00 deposit at the time of account opening. If you would like to open a Share Draft Account as well as a Share Savings Account you will also need to bring a minimum of $50.00 to deposit into the new checking account.

So remember your driver’s license, social security card, opening deposit, and make sure to have all joint owners sign the application, and opening your account will feel like a breeze!

Share Savings
A minimum of $25.00 is required to open your primary Share Savings Account; a Share Savings Account is required to maintain your membership at CCU. This account cannot fall below the initial $25.00 deposit. Dividends are paid quarterly on account balances over $100.00. You may view our Share Savings dividends rate on our Rates Page.

Looney Tunes
A fun way for our younger members to save! This savings account is designed for members up to 13 years of age. At account opening your child will get Looney Tunes branded pencils, deposit slips, and coin holders. Any time they bring in a deposit of at least $10 they get to pick a prize out of our toy box and enter to win our quarterly Looney Tunes drawing. In March, June, and September the two winners receive $10 gift cards, in December the gift cards are worth $25!

To open a Looney Tunes account we will need the child’s birth certificate and social security card. A parent or guardian must be listed as joint owner on the account.

Christmas Club
Make your holiday shopping easier this year--open a Christmas Club Account today. Your Credit Union offers Christmas Club Accounts all year round. There is no minimum deposit to open a Christmas Club Account. Dividends are posted quarterly and you may have unlimited access to the account throughout the year. Christmas Club account balances are deposited into Share accounts on October 1st each year.

Secondary Savings Accounts
These accounts are sub-accounts in addition to your Share Saving Accounts for anything you would like to start saving for. There is no minimum balance requirements for these accounts. Dividends are paid quarterly.

Certificate of Deposit
This program offers investment options that range from as little as 3 months to 24 months. The minimum deposit is $500.00. Dividend rates are determined monthly and are fixed for the term of the certificate. Dividends are paid quarterly and can be transferred to your other CCU accounts, mailed to you, or retained in the certificate. Note: There is a penalty for early withdrawal of principal. You may view our CD dividend rates on our Rates Page.

Bill Pay
Enjoy the convenience of paying all your bills at one place! We offer our free bill payment service with our checking accounts. With online bill pay you can set up recurring payments or make a one time payment to a vendor. Our system is quick and easy and is accessed through our online banking.

Order Checks
Re-order your checks online. Click on the Check Reorder Icon and see just how easy it is!

Money Orders
Transacting business with someone who doesn’t take personal checks? Or need to send a payment through the mail and don’t want to send cash? We have your solution. Money orders are a safe, pre-paid option instead of cash or personal checks.

Travel Money/Gift Cards
If you are going on a trip, whether for business or pleasure, consider a VISA travel money card. The travel money prepaid card has recently taken the place of traveler’s checks. The card can be loaded with up to $5000.00 and is a safer option than your credit or debit cards (particularly for out-of-country travel) because they are not linked to your bank accounts or lines of credit.

Audio Teller
On the go and need to check your account balances? Or maybe you don’t want to wait for your monthly statement to see what has cleared your account? Call our Audio Teller system! You will need your account number and a pin number (call us at 573-256-2500 to have a pin set up) to use the system. With audio teller you can check balances, transfer money, make loan payments, find out what has cleared your account, and issue checks to yourself. The number locally is (573) 499-0590 and 1-800-499-0594 for our non-local members.

Wire Transfers
Need to transfer money to another credit union or bank? We can wire money anywhere in the US and internationally. There is a $20 fee for domestic wire transfers and a $50.00 fee for international wire transfers. There is no fee to receive a wire transfer.

Stamps
For our member’s convenience we sell books of Forever Stamps here at the credit union. We sell them for the same price as the post office; the current price is $8.80.

Discount Movie Tickets
Enjoy a night out at the movies and have some money left over! We sell discounted Hollywood Theatre tickets for $6 each. Certain restrictions may apply.

Discount Theme Park Tickets
We sell discount tickets to Six Flags St. Louis, Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun, Silver Dollar City, and Big Surf. Call us for pricing!

Notary
We have several notaries on staff who are more than happy to notarize documents for our members free of charge!