People Helping People

As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, Richland Federal Credit Union is committed to our members. We will uphold our fundamental responsibility to actively serve people within our field of membership, and as appropriate, the communities they live in. We will treat all members with respect and dignity and we will offer honest, fair deals to all members at all times. We will deliver a range of low cost products and services to the diverse economic and social make-up of our members and potential membership. And we will continually, in all facets of operations, demonstrate the value of membership in Richland Federal Credit Union.

We will monitor and communicate our service to members in a meaningful way so that members, potential members, legislators, regulators, and the community at large will understand and appreciate the unique role that member-owned financial cooperatives play in their lives.

Throughout Richland Federal Credit Union's strategic plan, we will put forth every effort to enable our members to become financially self-sufficient and successful. We will place high importance on consumer education and the teaching of financial thrift.

This Statement of Commitment to Members is consistent with our credit union principles of "Not For Profit, Not For Charity, But For Service" and our philosophy of "People Helping People". This statement represents good business practices that ensure the financial strength of our credit union on behalf of our members.

In May 2000, Richland Federal Credit Union's Board of Directors adopted our "Statement of Commitment". This document will become a living testimony for us. We invite you to drop in our office and read or take one home to be read and even maybe pass it on to a non-member. This is just another way of demonstrating the Credit Union Difference.

Statement of Commitment to Members:

Section 1: Service to Members

Richland Federal Credit Union strives to offer services designed to improve the economic and social well being of all members from all socio-economic backgrounds, including our low-and moderate-income members, and return financial value to all those who participate in our member-owned financial cooperative. Current Services that Help Improve the Economic and Social Well Being of Members:

1. Pee Wee Penguin Young Savers Club - Youth membership club targeted at children ages 0-13. Membership in the program promotes savings and good money management for our youth. The program encourages savings by rewarding those efforts. Club members receive a quarterly newsletter with savings tips and various contests. Club members also receive a birthday card.

2. Youth Accounts - Youth membership accounts for youth ages 14-21. These accounts require a smaller par value than the adult accounts.

3. Voice Response - Account access 24 hours a day via the telephone. Members can have access to their account information and transfer funds.

4. Free Checking Accounts - This account requires no minimum balance and allows members to write up to 74 checks per month with no fee.

5. Term Share Certificates/IRA's - We continue to offer some of the most competitive rates around. Our certificates' terms are from three months to eighteen months, which allows our members several options when choosing the length of their investments.

6. Richland Federal Credit Union VISA Program - This program offers our members the flexibility of a VISA with a low interest rate and no annual fee. The card offers the same convenience as other programs without all the hidden charges.

7. Signature Loans - Loans are secured by the borrower's signature. These loans are a feasible alternative for those members who are unable to provide collateral for the loan.

8. Student Loan Program - Stafford Loans are privately funded by our credit union and insured against default by the Federal Government. These loans vary in amount and eligibility based on financial need. We also offer Plus Loans and Non-Subsidized Stafford Loans. All student loans are serviced by Student Assistance Foundation, Helena, MT.

9. Christmas Big Bucks Program - Christmas loans are made on a nine-month, no interest basis to qualified members. This allows members to borrow money (script money that can only be used at participating merchants) for the holidays and spread the payments out over a longer period of time. This is a very popular loan promotion and promotes the idea of shopping locally.

10. Home Equity Loans - Allows our members to borrow money using their home as collateral and possibly getting a tax deduction.

11. Five Star Program - Members are rewarded for using certain credit union products by having their loan rate reduced depending on the amount of services being utilized.

12. Member Business Loans - Agricultural operating loans to our members.

13. ATM Cards - cards designed for cash withdrawals.

14. VISA Check Card - the do everything card that is free and accesses your checking account.

15. ATM Machine - Located conveniently close to main building, giving members access to their funds 24 hours day.

16. Bluebook Values - Current market values for vehicles given to members when buying a new vehicle.

17. IRA Accounts - Traditional, Roth, and Educational IRA's are offered to our members.

Section II: Member Education

Richland Federal Credit Union is committed to member and consumer financial education; in addition we are committed to educating members and consumers, alike, about credit union uniqueness, philosophy, and values. Current Programs that Support Member Education and Advocacy:

1. Quarterly Newsletter Articles - Each quarter our newsletter contains valuable education for members related to credit union uniqueness and philosophy, and other timely topics. We are committed to more newsletter education and less advertising of products and services.

2. STAR Program - The Staff Training and Recognition Program is available to all employees. This program gives the staff additional information on the history, philosophy and evolution of the credit union movement. It also teaches employees about various positions and their functions within the credit union.

3. Career Fair - The Montana Job Service sponsors an annual Career Fair at the Sidney Senior High School. We have had a booth and shared information on career opportunities with credit unions.

4. Local Media - Advertising throughout the year on credit union services and philosophies.

5. High Schools - Have talked to various high schools on the difference between Credit Unions and banks.

6. Co-op Day at the Richland Co. Fair and Rodeo.

7. Annual Meeting - Education about their credit union.

8. Identify Theft - newsletter article on how to protect from identify theft.

9. Senior Citizens - The Richland County Senior Citizens will be hosting the annual convention. RFCU will be giving a speech to the audience.

Section III: Involvement/Governance

Richland Federal Credit Union will endeavor to preserve credit union democratic principles, including demographic representation and volunteer participation in credit union activities. Current Programs that support Involvement/Governance:

1. Board Elections - All board members are voted in at our Annual Meeting, which is held each year, usually in January or February.

2. Board Nominations - Each year Richland Federal Credit Union has one or two seats available for election, depending on the year. In a typical year, between 2-3 members will place their names for nomination.

3. Chapter Meetings - Strong volunteer attendance at local meetings. One meeting's agenda is to meet Montana's legislators.

4. VAP - The Volunteer Achievement Program is available to all volunteers. This program gives the volunteers additional information on the uniqueness, philosophy, and history of the credit union movement.

5. Asset Liability Committee - Committee comprised of manager, staff and two volunteers.

6. Safety Committee - Committee comprised of manager, staff and board member.

7. Membership Officer - Board member who monitors the member's eligibility to join the credit union.

8. Conference Attendance - Volunteers are encouraged to attend conferences to further their knowledge of credit unions.

9. Government Affairs Conference - Annual conference in Washington D.C., meets with legislators.

Section IV: Diversity

Richland Federal Credit Union recognizes the value of demographic diversity in staff as well as in volunteers, and will strive to bring people of diverse backgrounds and experiences into leadership and other roles at the credit union. Current Programs that Promote Diversity:

1. Equal Employment Opportunity - Richland Federal Credit Union actively seeks to fill vacancies by hiring qualified candidates without regard to race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status, seeking to represent the community in which we operate.

2. Volunteers are geographically, diversified within the field of membership.

3. Community Charter - no segregation of low-income families. Our community charter provides service to all levels of income within our Field of Membership.

Section V: Commitment to the Credit Union Movement and other Cooperative Activities

Richland Federal Credit Union will work to build and strengthen our unique credit union movement by providing financial and in-kind resources to others within the credit union community, and by actively advocating the credit union difference at all levels of government and in other appropriate public forums. In addition, Richland Federal Credit Union will participate in local, state and national cooperative activities as appropriate, and will strive to build and strengthen relationships with other sectors of the national cooperative movement.

Current Activities that Support the Credit Union Movement:

1. Leadership Roles - Richland Federal Credit Union's staff members serve on various boards and committees for both credit union related and community oriented organizations: Nemont Chapter President, Treasure State Corporate Credit Union Board of Directors, Richland Co. Fair and Rodeo, Sidney Chamber Sports and Recreation, Lions Club, and Walleyes Unlimited.

2. Continuing Education for Staff - Richland Federal Credit Union helps pay for post-high school education so that employees may further their careers in the credit union movement.

3. League and CUNA Mutual Group

4. Filene Research Institute

5. National Credit Union Week

6. Data provider for credit unions only

7. Credit union to credit union - Participation loans, educational training, certificate purchases, and sharing of policies.

8. Member of MT Council of Cooperatives

9. Member of MT Credit Union Network - attendance at Annual Meeting

Section VI: Public Service/Corporate Citizenship

Through direct financial support or other in-kind contributions to worthwhile local organizations, and by participating in public service activities, Richland Federal Credit Union strives to be an active partner in our community. We recognize that practicing good Corporate Citizenship supports the Credit Union Philosophy of People Helping People. Furthermore, it will help raise the overall level of social and economic well being of those in our community, help to strengthen ties within the community, and better position us to reach out and serve - as only credit unions can - those people in greatest need of affordable financial services.

Community/FOM Groups Currently Receiving Financial or Other In-Kind Support (including the support given) and Current Public Service Activities:

• Richland County Food Bank

• American Cancer Society

• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

• March of Dimes Walk-a-thon

• Area Post Prom Parties

• Sidney Youth Sports

• D.A.R.E.

• Area Chamber of Commerces

• Foundation for Community Care

• Area High School Annuals

• Lions Club International

• MonDak Heritage Center

• Boy and Girl Scouts

• Richland Co. Youth Hockey

• Richland Co. Youth Rodeo

• Sidney Saddle Club

• Youth Theatre Retreat

• Lone Tree Archers

• Senior Citizens

• Walleyes Unlimited

• Lovegren Scholarship Tournament

• Light-a-Life

• VFW

• Apples for Teachers

• Meals on Wheels

• Farmers' Market

• Booster Clubs

• Fairview Old Timers Reunion

• Ag Days

• Sidney Gymnastics

• State Youth Rodeo

• American Petroleum Invitational Golf Tournament

• Ag Appreciation Golf Tournament

• Sidney Jaycees

• Sidney National Honor Society

• Richland Economic Development

• Sidney's Parade of Lights

• Sidney's Sunrise Festival of the Arts