The HPCU Advantage

Summer/Fall 2017 Newsletter

Our credit union through the years...

September

• Saturday, 2nd: Closed—Labor Day

• Monday, 4th: Closed—Labor Day

• Friday, 15th: 10:00am to 2:00pm—Shred Day

November

• Friday, 10th: Closed—Veterans’ Day

• Saturday, 11th: Closed—Veterans’ Day

• Thursday, 23rd: Closed—Thanksgiving Holiday

• Friday, 24th: Closed—Thanksgiving Holiday

• Saturday, 25th: Closed—Thanksgiving Holiday

December

• Friday, 15th: 10:00am to 2:00pm—Shred Day

• Friday, 22nd: Closed—Christmas Holiday

• Saturday, 23rd: Closed—Christmas Holiday

• Monday, 25th: Closed—Christmas Holiday

Mon-Fri 7:00am - 6:00pm

Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm

Sun Closed

Remember, you can access your account 24/7 using online and mobile banking. We oer

the convenience and safety of a wide variety of online and mobile services, right at your

ngertips! So whether you’re out-of-town, out of the country, or just up at all hours of the

night, you can access your account at any time.

Platinum Rewards credit card to start earning 1 point per $1.00 for all your purchases—

wherever you shop! Redeem points for the rewards you want—the choices are endless!

What is uChoose Rewards®?

It’s a rewards program that earns you points every time you use your Houston Police

Credit Union Platinum Rewards credit card. You can also earn additional points for

shopping at participating retailers with your card. Redeem your points for any reward of

your choice from a vast online catalog.

How do I get started?

Visit uChooseRewards.com. Click the Register link (under New to uChoose Rewards) and

follow the prompts to create your User ID and password.

New Memorial Branch Drive-up Hours

Calendar of Events

uChoose Rewards®

"After almost 80 years, the

cooperative philosophy of

"People Helping People"

that continues to drive the

credit union movement is

still our focus."

- Ayn Talley,

President

Rebranded Debit & Credit Cards

Introducing Chip-Enabled Debit Cards

Houston Police Credit Union now oers debit cards with chip technology. The embedded

computer chip provides more security and wider international acceptance. It also adds a

new layer of protection against fraud for purchases made at the point of sale.

Information programmed into the chip is personalized for your account and each

transaction generates a unique code, adding an extra safeguard against unauthorized

use and counterfeiting. These cards are already in wide use around the world and are

now becoming the standard in the U.S.

When will I get my Chip-Enabled Debit Card?

To ensure that all of our cardholders have additional protections oered by Chip-Enabled

Debit Cards as soon as possible, we anticipate replacing all cards by Summer 2018. Once

your new card arrives, be sure to activate it for use and then destroy your old card.

There’s no need to request a new card. You’ll automatically receive your Chip-Enabled

Debit Card in the mail. Additionally, there’s no charge for the new card. If you’re planning

to travel internationally or have an immediate need for a Chip-Enabled Debit Card, please

The Houston Police Credit Union brand is evolving and becoming more unied. Recently

we updated our logo and brand colors, and introduced a new tagline and website. Now

our cards are getting a facelift too! Stay tuned for more information on these exciting

new designs that will be available soon. We'll keep you updated through our website!

We’ve received a couple inquiries to conrm HPCU is still federally insured. The answer

is positively yes! In 2015, HPCU embarked on a mission to improve the service delivery

provided to our members. Part of the process involved a member survey to determine

exactly what our members referred to their credit union as.

Amongst many variations of our legal name, the most commonly used was “Houston

Police Credit Union”—noticeably omitting the term “federal”. As a result, the decision was

made to modify our member-facing and marketing name to Houston Police Credit Union

or HPCU. Our legal name, however, remains Houston Police Federal Credit Union. Rest

assured that your funds on deposit today are safe and remain federally insured by NCUA.

As a member of Houston Police Credit Union, you are part owner in our not-for-prot

nancial cooperative. HPCU is a federally chartered credit union which means that each

member’s deposits are insured up to at least $250,000.00 by the NCUA.

This includes funds in savings, checking, IRAs and CDs. Through regulation and

supervision, the NCUA provides a safe and sound credit union system, which promotes

condence in the national system of cooperative credit. NCUA operates to protect

consumer rights and member deposits.

Don’t click on links in e-mails that ask for personal information. Never open unexpected

attachments. Delete suspicious messages, even if you know the source. Phishing is when

internet fraudsters impersonate a business in an attempt to trick you into giving out your

personal information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. Legitimate

businesses don’t ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels.

For example, a fraudulent email may state that NCUA will add money to the member’s

account for taking part in a survey. The link embedded in the message directs members

to a counterfeit version of NCUA’s website with an illicit survey that solicits credit card

account numbers and condential personal information. Be aware that NCUA will never

ask for personal account or personally identiable information as part of a survey.

Visit the federal government’s website to help you be safe, secure and responsible online:

http://OnGuardOnline.gov/phishing

Desposit Insurance

Federally Insured

Beware of Phishing

When you swipe your credit card, you might not be thinking about what your

creditors are doing to make sure they recover the money they just loaned you. But, as

you make your next purchase, make sure to protect your credit score. Your credit score is

a three-digit number that creditors use to assess how likely you are to repay your loans.

A high score can help you qualify for the lowest interest rates and gives you the ability to

borrow money for purchases.

Here are seven things you can do to make sure your credit score stays healthy:

1. Pay back your debts on time. How you’ve repaid past debt is the most important

factor (35.00%) in calculating your credit score.

2. Apply for new credit only when you need it. Ten percent of your credit score is

determined by how many new credit accounts you’ve opened and the number of times

lenders have checked your credit. Another 15.00% of your score is determined by the

length of your credit history. When you add a new account into the mix, the average

age of your credit accounts drops.

3. Don’t co-sign. Be cautious about co-signing a loan—even for family members—

unless you are willing and able to take on the payments later if necessary. If a payment

is missed and you don’t pay it, it can negatively aect your credit score.

4. Consider keeping starter cards open. Cards designed for people without a credit

history, called starter cards, usually have high interest rates and fees, low limits and

few rewards. Even though you’ve stopped using them, it’s a good idea to keep them

open. This will help the 15.00% of your score that comes from the length of your credit

history. It also will help the even bigger part (30.00%) of your score that’s based on your

utilization ratio: your credit card debt relative to your total available credit.

5. Guard your personal information. Be very careful when giving out your Social

Security number, birth date, credit card numbers and other personal information.

Use secure websites, and be cautious on phone calls. Don’t leave paperwork with this

information on it lying around—shred it.

6. Regularly monitor all your accounts. Even if you don’t use them, check each

account to make sure there aren’t charges, such as annual fees, and that no one is

fraudulently using your card. Order a free credit report from annual credit report.com,

the only site sanctioned by the Federal Trade Commission, or, call 877.322.8228. If you

stagger your reports from the three reporting agencies, you can get one report every

four months.

7. Stay diligent. Make sure that the good credit score you’ve worked so hard to build

stays that way.

7 Ways to Protect Your Credit Score

If you’re in the market for a new home, you’ll have fewer problems and delays qualifying

for your loan if you follow these helpful do's and don'ts to prepare for the application and

speed the approval process.

For most people, this is just a matter of organizing documents they already have on hand

and using common sense. Taking a little time to get your papers in order for the loan

ocer will make the application easy and the approval process swift. A little time spent

now means a lot of time—and even money—saved later, so follow these tips to take the

headache out of home ownership.

* FNMA = Federal National Mortgage Association. HUD = U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Do's & Don'ts of Home Buying

DO keep originals of all pay-stubs, bank statements and other important nancial

documents. Your lender is required to update any documents that are over 30 days

old prior to the closing of your mortgage loan. This is required even if your loan is

approved.

DO have a copy of your employment history for the past two years, including contact

information.

DO have your residence history for the past two years available, such as your rental

agreements or your mortgage account number.

DO have a copy of your social security card.

DO have a copy of your divorce decree, if applicable.

DO have copies of your federal income taxes for the past two years.

DO provide all documentation for the sale of your current home, e.g., sales contract,

closing statement, employer relocation/buyout program.

DO notify your loan ocer if you plan to receive gift funds for closing costs.

DO notify your loan ocer of any employment changes, e.g., change of employer,

recent raise/promotion, transfer, change of pay status, etc.

DO NOT change jobs/employers without inquiring about the impact this change

would have on the approval of your mortgage loan.

DO NOT make major purchases during or prior to closing, such as a new car, furniture,

appliances, electronics, etc. This may impact your qualication ratios. Please confer

with your loan ocer to calculate what your ratios would be with additional debts.

DO NOT obtain and/or deposit unusually large sums of money without notifying your

loan ocer. FNMA/HUD

guidelines require documentation as to the source of these

funds, e.g., copy of bonus check, copy of tax refund, copy of insurance settlement, gift

letter with copy of check and deposit slips, etc.

DO NOT close/open or transfer any asset accounts without inquiring about the proper

documentation required for your loan le. For example, if you transfer all the funds in

your stock account to your savings account, documentation is required.

DO NOT open or increase any liabilities, including credit cards, signature loans, etc.,

during the loan process. Please check with your loan ocer for any documentation

that will be required and what impact this would have on your qualication ratios.

HPCU Members Get Cash Rewards, Deep Discounts and Exclusive Savings! Credit union

members have saved nearly $2 billion with Love My Credit Union Rewards discounts! The

more oers you take advantage of, the more you save.

• $100.00 cash reward with every new line activated with Sprint! Current customers will

receive a $50.00 cash reward for every line transferred into Sprint Credit Union Member

Cash Rewards; plus, get a $50.00 loyalty cash reward every year for every line

• Save up to $15.00 on TurboTax Federal online and downloadable tax products

• Get trusted protection and true savings with TruStage Auto & Home Insurance Program

• Get an exclusive smoke communicator and a $100.00 gift card with a new ADT

monitored home security system; call 844.703.0123 to activate this special oer

• Earn cash back with Love to Shop at over 1,500 online retailers

Visit LoveMyCreditUnion.org to start saving today!

Activation Fee: Up to $30.00/line. Credit approval required. Sprint Credit Union Member Cash Rewards Oer:

Oer begins January 1, 2017. Oer ends December 31, 2017. Available for eligible credit union members and

member employees (ongoing verication). Tax ID required to establish business account. Switch to Sprint &

receive a $100.00 cash reward for each new smartphone line activation. Requires port-in from an active number

(wireless or landline). Existing customers receive a $100.00 cash reward for new smartphone line activated and/

or a $50.00 cash reward for each smartphone line transferred to program. New lines requires activation at point

of sale. Maximum 15 lines. Sprint account must remain active and in good standing for 31 days to receive Cash

Reward. Excludes MBB devices, tablets and Sprint Phone Connect, upgrades, replacements and ports made

between Sprint entities or providers associated with Sprint (i.e. Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common

Cents Mobile & Assurance). May not be combinable with other oers.

$50.00 Loyalty Cash Reward: Members can earn one $50.00 cash reward annually when Sprint account

remains active and in good standing for 1 year. Maximum 15 lines. Cash Reward issued by CU Solutions Group.

Allow 6-8 weeks for Cash Reward to be deposited to your credit union account. If the Cash Reward does not

appear after 8 weeks, visit LoveMyCreditUnion.org/sprintrewards and click on “Cash Rewards Tracker”.

Other Terms: Oers/coverage not available everywhere or for all phones/networks. May not be combinable

with other oers. Oer, terms, restrictions and options subject to change and may be modied, discontinued or

terminated at any time without notice. Restrictions apply.

their respective owners. New accounts must register at LoveMyCreditUnion.org/sprintrewards within 30 days

of new line activation(s) to receive $100.00 cash reward per new line(s).

Love My Credit Union Rewards

Originally founded on October 21, 1937, towards the end of the Great Depression,

Houston Police Credit Union was created by Houston police ocers as a means to

establish a nancial institution that was owned and operated by the local police force—a

nancial cooperative. Their mission was to provide reasonably-priced loans and a safe

place for life savings for Houston Police Department employees and their families.

The credit union had 14 charter members and in the beginning was a meager

operation. When a member wanted to apply for a loan, an appointed ocer would take

the paperwork in his squad car to the member and then return the forms to the credit

union, which was originally a small oce in HPD’s Property Room. Alex Laux was the rst

approved loan. The loan limit was $25.00.

In 1966, with over 2,150 members and $2.5 million in total assets, the credit union grew

large enough to warrant moving out of HPD headquarters and into a separate building.

Located at 1600 Memorial Drive, it is still in use as the main branch today.

Membership, assets, and product and service oerings has continued to increase over

the years. With a board of directors comprised of HPD executives and ocers, the credit

union has continued to remain relevant to the lives of its members, even adapting the

drive-up at the main branch to accommodate various ocial vehicles including SWAT

trucks and helicopters.

As our membership has grown, so has the credit union. As of 2017, the credit union

serves HPD sta, employees, and their families in three locations. Membership has grown

to over 26,000 and assets have reached over $682 million. From serving academy recruits

with equipment loans to retirement savings and planning, our credit union has become

a vital part of our members’ lives through every stage of their career.

Total Assets $682,924

Loans to Members $380,562

Member Savings $582,795

Total Reserves $93,095

Total Income $15,167

Total Expenses $7,450

Total Income Before Dividend Distribution $7,717

Regular Dividends to Members $3,992

Net Operating Expense Ratio 0.73%

Dollar amounts in thousands as of June 30, 2017

Summary of Operations

Our History

Houston Police Credit Union exists to promote the nancial well-being of its

members. We will maintain the nancial strength of the credit union through a broad

range of innovative nancial products, prudent management of members’ resources and

the excellent service provided by a dedicated, well-trained sta.

Our Purpose

R. R. Simmons

D. G. Turner

W. N. Daut

H. E. Keller

D. E. Drennan

Y. D. Mayes

M. G. Raney

L. C. DeWeese

S. H. LeStrange

J. G. Irwin

A. A. Fowler

C. A. Williams

Lily Guinn Owen

J. E. Murray

Charter Members

Our Founders

Why Join?

At Houston Police Credit Union, our tagline is For Those Who Serve

. Our goal is to

provide Houston Police ocers, civilian employees and retirees unbeatable service and

unmatched value so you can concentrate on what’s most important in life.

We have three conveniently located branches and hundreds of surcharge-free Credit

Union Friendly ATMs in the Houston area—and we’re still growing. With your loyalty and

strength in numbers, our credit union will continue to serve you and the community that

you so selessly protect.

The Credit Union Dierence

Houston Police Credit Union’s mission is an easy and natural t with the credit union

philosophy and credo “People Helping People”. That’s the essence of what you do for

us—the citizens of our beloved Houston—and you do it with distinction. We at Houston

Police Credit Union strive to do the same for you.

At our credit union, you are part owner—not just another customer. Unlike a traditional

bank, you have a say in the direction we take—not stockholders. We’re a not-for-prot

cooperative, which means the earnings we get are given back to our members in the

form of lower rates, higher dividends and lower fees. Your nancial success is our success.

Eligibility

It’s easy to become a member of Houston Police Credit Union. With a one-time

membership fee of $0.25, you can join the credit union, and take advantage of all the

products and services we have to oer.

Who can join?

• Active Houston police ocers

• Retired Houston police ocers

• Active Houston Police Department civilian employees

• Retired Houston Police Department civilian employees

• Surviving spouses of deceased members

• Family members of the above including:

• Spouse

• Children (includes daughter- and son-in-law)

• Siblings

• Parents (includes mother- and father-in-law)

• Grandparents

• Grandchildren

• Great grandchildren

• Any legal dependent of the main member or the main member’s spouse

To become a member of Houston Police Credit Union, visit any of our branches or give

us a call, today!

Membership

Member Services

713.986.0200 main

800.927.8707 toll-free

713.986.0394 fax

Lending Services

713.225.6267

Telephone Banking

713.227.7478

800.609.1692 toll-free

Lost or Stolen Debit Card

800.554.8969 toll-free

973.682.2652 outside U.S.

Lost or Stolen Credit Card

855.510.4590 toll-free

301.287.3298 outside U.S.

Memorial Branch—Main

1600 Memorial Drive

Houston, TX 77007

Lobby Hours

Mon-Fri 7:00am - 4:30pm

Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm

Sun Closed

Drive-Up Hours

Mon-Fri 7:00am - 6:00pm

Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm

Sun Closed

Call Center Hours

Mon-Fri 7:00am - 4:30pm

Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm

Sun Closed

* Restricted access. Branch is available to members with security access to Houston Police Department only.

Locations & Hours

Visit us on the web:

HPCU.coop

It's only a click away!

Travis Branch

1200 Travis Street

Floor 20

Houston, TX 77002

Lobby Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm

Sat-Sun Closed

Willowbrook Branch

17314 State Highway 249

Suite 107

Houston, TX 77064

Lobby Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm

Sat-Sun Closed

1600 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007

My career at Houston Police Credit Union began 26 years ago. In this time, I’ve

had the sincere privilege to witness HPCU recognized and awarded locally and

nationally for its nancial stability, strategic growth and exceptional nancial value to

members in the form of direct benets. Most importantly, I’ve had the honor of being

part of a team working diligently to demonstrate our commitment to our most valuable

asset—our members. As we approach our 80th year milestone, it brings me great

honor to armatively pronounce that we are living out our purpose of promoting the

nancial well-being of our members and maintaining HPCU’s nancial strength through

a broad range of innovative nancial products, prudent management of our members’

resources and the excellent service provided by

our dedicated, well-trained sta.

It is my belief that our 14 charter members

would be extremely proud of the progress

that HPCU has made over the years. A lot has

changed since our humble beginnings in

1937, but our commitment to our members

remains the same. After almost 80 years, the

cooperative philosophy of "People Helping

People" that continues to drive the credit union

movement is still our focus.

We’re proud of our old age—80 years strong—

and excited to celebrate this milestone. Thank

you to all of our members and employees—

past, present and future. In 80 years, you’ve

shaped HPCU into what it is today. Together,

we’ll shape our next 80 years.

Ayn Talley,

President

Celebrating 80 Years

A message from the president