The Bottom Line
Small business is important to Central Oregon, and to Mid Oregon. Find tips and resources for business, and information about Mid Oregon’s commercial services and business members.
Reduce Your Insurance Costs
Do you understand the different parts of your personal auto or home insurance policy and do you know how to choose the best coverage? Equip yourself with a better understanding at this informative workshop. Attend Reduce Your Insurance Costs, a free workshop that will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Mid Oregon Credit Union, 1386 NE Cushing Drive in Bend. Presenter will be John Gould, of Cascade Insurance, a Mid Oregon Credit Union financial partner. To register for this workshop, call (541) 382-1795, or email us at beheard@midoregon.com. Refreshments will be served.
At this workshop, we will discuss the types of coverage that insurance companies offer and talk about possible insurance needs. Additionally, we will look at what affects the price of personal auto or home insurance, how to bring the costs down and how to understand the components of your policy. This includes how rates are determined and what you can do to affect those rates. There are many factors that go into determining your insurance rates and not all have to do with your driving record or loss history.
Understanding the simple basics of insurance will make you confident that the insurance policy you choose will take care of your needs and possibly save you some money!
John joined Cascade Insurance Center in 2011. He brings over 20 years of insurance experience in Central Oregon to the agency. John is a native of Bend, and has witnessed the rapid growth. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon’s business school. Prior to returning to the insurance business, he owned and operated a sports equipment store here in Bend.
John is a property and casualty agent, working with local businesses, as well as personal lines of insurance, such as home and auto. He enjoys helping his clients and prospects find insurance solutions that fit their needs.
Hey, Mom and Dad- What’s a Credit Union?
If your kids are reaching the age where they’re ready to open a savings account, they may be aware that the word “bank” has some negative associations associated with it. But they may see another kind of financial institution, and may ask “Hey, Mom and Dad- What’s a Credit Union?”
The repercussions of the financial recession are still reverberating through the culture, and the reputation of big banks have not fully recovered. So if your eager young savers are wondering why they should trust their hard-earned allowance to a bank, you can explain that a credit union (CU) isn’t a bank.
They may be growing up thinking Mid Oregon is just another bank. But how do you explain to kids that a CU is so much more?
What’s A Credit Union?
Well, a CU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, so its foundational principles include things like helping the community and educating members. But that’s a difficult concept for a kid to understand.
So keep it simple.
Tell them the credit union is a friendly place where people come together to help each other save and lend money. And unlike a bank, a credit union doesn’t want to take your money and use it to make more money for people far away on Wall Street. Instead, the credit union is there to help them—and their friends and neighbors—make good money decisions.
Ultimately, a credit union exists to make them and their community stronger.
For those who desire to know more details…
What’s a Credit Union- www.mycreditunion.gov
You’ve probably heard of banks, but you might not be as familiar with credit unions. They are financial institutions too, but are not-for-profit organizations owned by all of its members versus for profit organizations owned by a handful or small group of individuals. Credit unions focus on helping their members save and borrow and receive affordable financial services.
Usually, credit unions offer higher savings rates, which is important to young people just starting their savings accounts. Credit unions typically charge lower fees compared to banks and are known for providing personal service and helping members plan for the future.
The credit union philosophy is members helping members. Many members of credit unions like knowing their savings will help other members get mortgages to buy homes and loans for new cars.
Read more about credit unions...
What is a Credit Union- World Council of Credit Unions
Credit unions, called by various names around the world, are member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives that provide savings, credit and other financial services to their members. CU membership is based on a common bond, a linkage shared by savers and borrowers who belong to a specific community, organization, religion or place of employment. CUs pool their members’ savings deposits and shares to finance their own loan portfolios rather than rely on outside capital. Members benefit from higher returns on savings, lower rates on loans and fewer fees on average.
CUs worldwide offer members from all walks of life much more than financial services. They provide members the chance to own their own financial institution and help them create opportunities such as starting small businesses, growing farms, building family homes and educating their children.
What’s the difference between a bank and a credit union?– How Stuff Works-Money
From the outside, banks and CUs seem very similar. They both offer checking and savings accounts, financial products like CDs and specialized accounts, and the rest of the services we’ve come to expect. You drive through teller windows or stop in at a branch, deposit your checks or withdraw money, and occasionally meet with personnel to discuss your financial needs. ATMs, debit and credit cards, loans and mortgages are all on the menu at most banks and credit unions. You give them your money, and they give it back. Right?
But under the surface, the two types of financial institutions couldn’t be more different. You may have noticed how excited and involved credit union (CU) members tend to be with their institutions, or the reputation CUs have for being small, regional or community-oriented.
Read more about the difference between banks and credit unions…
Supplies 4 Schools Supports School Success for Central Oregon Students
Getting local kids off to a great start!
As a homegrown credit union founded right here in Central Oregon by local educators, we know our members want every kid to get the start he or she needs to succeed in school. That’s why we’re once again partnering with the Family Access Network and Central Oregon public school districts to collect and distribute school supplies with the Supplies 4 Schools program.
Many kids in our community show up for school without the basic tools and supplies to be successful in class. To respond to that need, Mid Oregon created Supplies 4 Schools where collected supplies reach students through the Family Access Network and schools. For the past many years our members have always come through with overwhelming support for the program! In fact, Family Access Network was able to provide more than 3,200 children with school supplies in 2015 as a result of Supplies 4 Schools and other community efforts.
The bins are all set up! Just bring your new, packaged school supplies to your local Mid Oregon Credit Union branch anytime during the month of August. You can also make a cash donation, which will be used to its fullest potential to make sure those backpacks are full come September!
Donations Stay in Your Community
When you support Supplies 4 Schools, your donations go to help the kids in your area. The Family Access Network works in schools in Deschutes and Crook County, in Crook County the donations go straight to your local schools for distribution.
What’s Needed?
Here’s a quick list of the items that are most needed. When you’re out shopping at local retailers, be sure to grab a couple of these items on sale. Thanks for your support of this wonderful effort to help local kids!
- Back packs (High school age needed most)
- College ruled paper
- Calculators
- 1” and 2” three ring binders
- Pocket folders
- Colored pencils
- Notebook dividers (5 packs)
- Color markers (thick and thin)
- Highlighters
- Alarm clocks
- Dry erase markers/pens
- Compasses and protractors
- Rulers
- Glue and glue sticks
- Tissue boxes
For more information about Supplies 4 Schools, please call 541-382-1795, visit MidOregon.com or send an email to beheard@midoregon.com.