“I want to save on service fees, but …how do I choose a chequing package?”

It has been over a year since we introduced our chequing packages to members and we have heard from many members what a difference they have found in their service fees. After the dust settled and members had a chance to review their statements, many chose a new package or brought us additional business. But you doing the review is not enough for us, we have taken it one step further.

It’s your Credit Union calling – you’re paying too much

As your financial advocate, our job is to make sure you have the products and services that best fit your needs, not ours. Quarterly we review each of our chequing package accounts to determine who is paying too much in service charges. This can happen in one of several ways; transaction levels are exceeded, packages are being under-used so members are paying for transactions they do not need, using Interac instead of THE EXCHANGE® Network for ATM transactions or narrowly missing the minimum balance requirement to have fees waived. If our analysis indicates on average too much is being paid we give the member a call to discuss ways to save them money. As you can imagine it is a great call to make and a great call to receive. Chances are, this is the first time our members have ever received a call from a chequing account provider to suggest they stop paying so much. We are proud of our commitment to our members’ financial well-being, right down to the fees they pay on their chequing account.

It’s your Credit Union ATM – even when it’s not

One of the key features in the packages is how transactions at EXCHANGE ATMs are treated. The short answer is – as our own. That’s right; there is no difference in pricing between a C.U. ATM and an EXCHANGE ATM transaction in our chequing packages. For our members our ATM network has expanded from less than a dozen to hundreds in the GTA and around the province. All of them yours to enjoy. More than ever, we are not only convenient and accessible, but cost effective as well. Convenience and surcharge fees can now be a thing of the past for members. Outside of the packages we charge for debit card transactions, within the package they are considered just another transaction. It’s really all about your transactions, your way, for one price. That’s why so many of our members choose to C.U. and not bank.

It’s your Chequing Account – make sure it works for you

It’s a chequing account, not the world’s most exciting product, but for most of us a necessity – the business account for your family. It is important your chequing account fits your circumstances, your activities and your lifestyle. If it has been a while since you have looked at your statement take the time now and look. You might be surprised! Add up the number of withdrawals you make from your account each month in every form; cheques, ATM withdrawals, debit card purchases, cash withdrawals, bill payments or any other type of debit. Now you can compare products and packages. We are confident that our chequing packages give you one of the best deals around.

To give you a way to figure out which package is best for you just go to www.mycreditunion.ca/savespend/chequing_options.php and click “Help me choose”. Here you can put in your transaction type and frequencies, the amount of service fees you usually pay and we will recommend the right package and your monthly savings. Or, if you are still not sure, come on in with your latest statement and let one of our financial advocates help you pick the package right for you.