The Humanity Factor

Checking Accounts for the "numbers challenged"

By Julie Frankovich, CCFCU

These days one might find it easy to feel that they've been reduced to a number.

We have a Social Security or Tax Dedication Number, a Driver's License number, access codes for our home security system, separate numbers for the keyless entry panel on our cars, account number log-in for eBay, PIN codes for most financial transactions and numeric passwords for nearly everything else.

Visit any DMV Service Center to renew your license plate tabs on the 10th day of any given month! "Now serving Blue 1070." Now, in all fairness, I've always received great customer service when renewing my tabs; but I think you get my drift. It just seems easier, faster, cheaper and over-all more efficient to just accept your numeric appellation.

Undaunted, we at City-County Federal Credit Union continue to buck the trend by offering what I like to call the "Humanity Factor."

We've recently introduced two nontraditional accounts for folks who are "numbers challenged." Our Second Chance Checking program enables the member who has had over-draft problems a way to keep the status and convenience of a checking account while minimizing loss potential. While there are fees associated with this type of probationary account, a full 50% of the fees will be returned to the member if the account is in good standing after six months. Better still, the restrictions will be lifted and the member will have earned their "Second Chance."

When a potential member is eligible for membership but doesn't qualify for a regular account due to past or outstanding credit/debt issues we offer a "Check Cashing Account." This type of account allows for the cashing of pre-approved payroll or government checks at a much lower fee than charged by typical check cashing outfits.

(Remember; a credit union is a co-op, too!)

While services are restricted to check cashing, there is no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee is assessed. This is pretty humane in and of itself, but here's the clincher: once the original reasons for the restriction are null, we can then offer an unrestricted membership and access to all the products and services we offer. Not exactly a second chance; it's more like a fresh start. If you'd like more information about these or other CCFCU offerings, help yourself to a New Member Packet from the Wedge's Membership Services desk. There's no waiting and no need to take a number!