Gecu

FIRST QUARTER 2021*APR Annual Percentage Rate. Auto loan rates are for new and used auto loans. Loans must be of new money.All loans and rates are subject to credit approval and product participation. Rates are subject to change without notice.See credit union for details. Insured by NCUA.A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT. 2HELPING HANDS. 4ANNUAL MEETING. 2IN LOVING MEMORY. 4LIFESHARE BLOOD DRIVE. 2COMMERCIAL LOAN PROCESS. 5RECIPE FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS. 3GULF INVESTMENT GROUP. 5INFORMATION UPDATE. 3PROMOTIONS/RETIREMENTS. 6SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION. 3TURBOTAX. 7WWW.GECU.ORG1

A Letter From The PresidentI’m sure 2020 couldn’t end fast enoughfor many of us. The impacts of theCovid-19 pandemic, two hurricanesthat touched our area, vandalism tothree of our ATM’s and the death ofa co-worker, who lost her battle withcancer, made for a truly challengingyear for us. These events affectedour employees, their families, ourmembers, our community and our wayof life. Naturally, our hearts go out toanyone who has been impacted by these events. We were one ofthe first institutions to close our lobbies to help stop the spreadof the virus. We took preventative measures for cleaning ourlobbies and work spaces and installed permanent shields forour front-line staff. We were also one of the first to re-openour lobbies with new safeguards in place including sanitizingour facilities on an ongoing basis. In complying with theState, County and CDC recommendations we are practicingsafe distancing and have taken additional measures to reduceexposure to protect our employees, our members and visitorsto our facilities.The impact of the hurricanes, including power outages andthe inability for some of our employees to report to work, wasalso a challenge. We were unable to open some of our locationsbecause of the aftereffects and damage to our facilities. Pleaseunderstand that our decisions were made with everyone’s safetyin mind. If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you tolearn about and use our digital services platforms. The healthand safety of our people will continue to be at the center of ourdecision making.We, along with other local financial institutions, have seen anincrease in vandalism to our ATM’s that have put many out ofservice. We have tried to replace ours as quickly as possibleand want you to know we are trying everything we can to getthem up and running again. Losing a coworker who put up avaliant fight in her battle with cancer certainly took a toll onall of us during the year. As we say good bye to 2020 we arelooking forward to 2021 and serving you, our members, withinnovative and quality products and services. We thank you foryour business and your trust.Todd L. GaudinPresident/CEO2WWW.GECU.ORGAnnual MeetingTues., February 16, 20216 p.m. – 8 p.m.(Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)Groves KC Hall3749 Lincoln AvenueGroves, TXAGENDAElection of two (2) board members In order to vote in the election, membersmust have an account in their own name,social security number and be at least 16years of age. Members interested in seeking electionto the Board of Directors, please contactKathy Wolford, Executive Assistant, at409.984.7443, for more information andto receive a director application.LifeShareBlood DriveWe hosted a successful LifeShare Blood Drive,December 10th at our Groves Location. Weappreciate all of the donors who gave their timeand their gift of livesaving donations. We surpassedour goal and were able to donate 12 units ofblood. The winner of the 100 Visa Gift Card wasStefanie Miguez. If you would like to donate, pleasecontact LifeShareBlood Center at800.256.5433.

With all the money-management tools on the menuthese days, it is easy to become overwhelmed and feelthe heat in the kitchen. Sometimes, all you need to do isclean the surface and start fresh! We have the recipesto help you with your financial success. 4 CONVENIENT LOCATIONSGroves, Mid County, Beaumont and Bridge City LOW INTEREST LOAN RATESAuto Loans, Personal LoansRecreational Loans, Commercial LoansMortgage & Home Equity Loans DIGITAL AND ONLINE SERVICESMobile Banking, Home BankingGoogle Pay, Apple Pay KASASA ACCOUNTSSee a member service representative for details! CHECKING, SAVINGS, IRAS, SHARE CERTIFIATESNumerous account options to fit your needsPlease contact a member service representativeat 409.963.1191 or 800.448.5328 to update youremail address, home address, cell phone numberand/or any other contact information that mayhave recently changed.We believe in investing in our future. This spring, Gulf Credit Union is proud to award up toten 1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Applications are available ateach GCU location, as well as area high school campuses. Each applicant must turn in theircompleted application, along with the requested material, by March 1, 2021.Completed applications may be dropped off to any GCU location, or they can be mailed to:Gulf Credit UnionAttention: Marketing DepartmentP.O Box 848Groves, TX 77619 - 0848Please see the scholarship application brochure for more details.WWW.GECU.ORG3

Helping Hands UpdateThe year 2020 has definitely been one of uncertainty, unimaginableevents and finding creative ways to help one another through it all.It has been an honor for our Helping Hands volunteers to share theirtime and help out in the community here in the Golden Triangle,as well as our neighboring community of Southwest Louisiana.Throughout the month of December, we were graciously givenseveral volunteer opportunities that we were proud to be a part of.Bonne Vie of Port Arthur - Angel TreeOur Gulf Credit Union employees were able to adopt 13 seniorsthis year, and bring some joy to our local senior citizen community.Groves Police Department - Blue Santa ProgramHelping Hands joined together with the community volunteersto wrap gifts, deliver gifts and deliver meals to families in need inour community.Southwest Louisiana Credit Union – Adopt a FamilyWe were overjoyed to be able to bring a little bit of holiday cheer over toour neighbors at Southwest Louisiana Credit Union. As a team and a creditunion family, Gulf Credit Union was able to adopt 35 families and make somememories to last a lifetime.In Loving Memory4Amber Morse, Internal Audit Analystand a 20 year employee of Gulf CreditUnion, was called home to heavenon September 26, 2020. Amber wasa strong woman with a heart full ofkindness and a beautiful smile. Herthree sons were her world. She wasa warrior in her fight with cancer foralmost two years. May she rest in peaceand never be forgotten.WWW.GECU.ORGSafe deposit boxesare available for rentat all Gulf CreditUnion locations.It’s an ideal wayto keep importantdocuments andvaluables in a safe,secure location.Give us a call today409.963.1191 or800.448.5328for details.

Navigating the Commercial Loan ProcessComplete Application & Submit for PreapprovalDownload required documents from our website at www.gecu.org or comeby & pick up an application packet today! There you can find a list of requiredinformation, such as personal and business tax returns, business financials, andbusiness documentation. Once you have filled out the application, you can submitby email or in person with all required information. Your loan officer will walk youthrough the options that are available to you.Interested in learning moreabout commercial loans?Receive PreapprovalCall or email our team today!Once all paperwork is submitted, you can expect a response within just a fewbusiness days. All loan decisions are made locally. We will discuss the loan requestTracy Chesserwith you, as well as the purpose of the loan and the history of your business.TChesser@gecu.orgAny further financial information will be requested at this time. Please note,409.984.7477applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and complex requestsmay take additional approval time.Loan Closing/FundingOnce the loan is approved and any required appraisals or other third-party reportsare received, the loan will be ready for closing and funding. Depending on thetype of collateral, this could be held in our office, at a local title company, orDocusign via email. The funding process takes approximately 1-3 days. Relax andtake a deep breath, you have officially completed the loan application process!Rhonda LauritzenRLauritzen@gecu.org409.984.7457Alexander JohnsonAJohnson@gecu.org409.984.7426Personal ServiceTrusted Advice 401(k)/Pension Rollovers Life Insurance Retirement Planning Long-Term Care Insurance Education Funding Wealth Management Mutual FundsCall Today for a no-cost, no-obligation appointment.Representatives are registered, securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNABrokerage Services, Inc. (CBS), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investmentadvisor, which is not an affiliate of the credit union. CBSI is under contract with the financialinstitution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, MayLose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution.FR-2430914.2-1220-0123 CUNA Mutual GroupGulf Investment Group (located at)Gulf Credit Union5140 West Parkway, Groves, TX 77619OFFICE 409.984.7452800.448.5328 EXT. 7452john.white@cunamutual.comWWW.GECU.ORG5

PromotionAnnouncement!Veronica Chaney has beenpromoted to Assistant VicePresident of Branch Operations.Veronica has been with GulfCredit Union since August 2005and has held numerous positions.Congratulations on yourpromotion, Veronica!RetirementAnnouncement!Karen Marshall retired from GulfCredit Union in May of 2020.She was our Mortgage LoanProcessor for 7 years.Congratulations on yourretirement, Karen!RetirementAnnouncement!I started my career with GulfCredit Union in 1993, thanks toJeri Kelly! I began as a teller,then receptionist and mademy way around several moredepartments. I want to thankGulf Credit Union for all of theopportunities they have givenme over my 27 years of service. While it has been a goodride, I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds.Congratulations on your retirement, Renee!How do I get a copy of my Credit Report?Annually, you are able to receive a copy of yourcredit report. You can visitwww.annualcreditreport.comto request the report.How do I contact the Credit ReportingAgencies?Trans Union 800-680-7289, www.transunion.comExperian 888-397-3742, www.experian.comEquifax 800-525-6285, www.equifax.comHow do I dispute something on myCredit Report?The most effective way to dispute an item onyour Credit Report is to work directly with theCredit Reporting Agencies:Trans Union 800-680-7289, www.transunion.comExperian 888-397-3742, www.experian.comEquifax 800-525-6285, www.equifax.comWhat is a FICO Score?A FICO score is a type of credit score created bythe Fair Isaac Corporation. Lenders use borrowers'FICO scores along with other details on aborrowers' credit report to assess credit risk anddetermine whether to extend credit.Your score can impact your loan, interest ratesterms, approvals and more.6WWW.GECU.ORG