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.
Eight Tips for Safe Holiday Shopping
It’s the season for shopping, decorating and entertaining. Mid Oregon Credit Union reminds you to be alert with your plastic cards – online or in a store. Thieves know that the holiday season is a busy time with all the shopping, decorating, and entertaining- so be extra alert – there are a lot of ways thieves may try to take advantage of you to get your sensitive information. Our list of eight tips for safe holiday shopping is below.
Be Safe and Secure
Here are some things keep in mind for safe and secure holiday shopping:
- Always monitor credit and debit card account charges and contact your financial institution immediately if anything looks unusual or even causes you to pause. Mid Oregon Online Banking provides security tools as an extra layer of protection. You can set up Account Alerts, check your balances, print statements, change your security PIN, and more.
- When shopping online, check to make sure the site is verified and the URL begins with https://. Treat public hot spots like the transparent environment they really are. Only shop from your home computer with a private Wi-Fi connection. And finally, don’t ever store your card information on a retail site – it may be convenient but it’s just not safe.
Which Card to Use?
- Credit cards offer consumers the most protection. Consider a local Visa credit card from Mid Oregon Credit Union where it can be easily monitored and where you can talk to a local person if you need assistance.
- When you make a debit card purchase, always run your debit card as a credit. If a thief runs off with your card number, there is a time lag before the issuer pays the charge. When using your PIN, the charge essentially comes out as cash so the thief can run your account dry before you have time to react.
- ATM safety: Check to see if the card reader has been tampered with or if there are any cameras or prying eyes watching you. If something seems odd about the machine, don’t continue and report it to your financial institution.
- Mid Oregon Credit Union offers a notification service for credit or debit charges. If a suspicious charge is made to your card for a set amount, or any amount, they’ll contact you so that you can investigate it right away if needed.
- As an alternative, use Pre-paid Debit cards or Gift Cards and load them with the amount you want and spend only the amount you have. Cardholders can get reimbursed for stolen pre-paid cards, if you report them right away.
Stay Up To Date With Stickley On Security
- Stickley on Security keeps you informed with up-to-date security news, education, and alerts. Go to midoregon.com and navigate to Security Alerts on the Resources Tab. Last but not least, don’t let holiday stress get the best of your holiday spirit. Make time to get together with family, friends, and neighbors. And think about reaching out in the spirit of the season and helping someone who’s less fortunate or lonely.
5 Reasons Credit Unions Offer the Best Auto Loans
Best Auto Loans at a Credit Union?
The average cost of a new vehicle today is around $37,000.
The purchase of a car likely will be the second largest expenditure you have, second only to the purchase of a home. Whether you desire the shiny, brand new one, or if you are content with finding a reliable used one, we want to help you to get the most for your money.
Five Reasons You Want To Talk To Us
Here are 5 reasons credit unions offer the best auto loans, and it makes more sense to get your loan through us.
1. We provide personalized service. Because they are non-profit organizations and work to provide members with high-quality customer service, policy decisions are made by a group of volunteer board members rather than a corporate office. You can openly discuss your concerns about your loan, talk about flexible repayment options, and review your financial situation with a professional lending officer. This can alleviate some of the pressure of applying and securing financing for your vehicle and you can be more confident that the credit union is working with your best interests in mind.
2. We offer educational resources. Many credit unions will provide information such as financing options and how to make the best decisions when assessing the value of your car purchase. If you’re a first-time car buyer and apprehensive about the loan process, you can turn to a credit union for unbiased answers.
3. We offer a non-sales approach. Unlike some other financial institutions, which often give their lenders bonuses or some type of compensation for the loans they get approved, credit unions, as not-for-profit financial institutions, work for their members and do not try to sell you something you don’t need.
4. Getting Approved. With us, you have a better chance of getting your loan approved. Even though the loan application process is the same and the underwriting process is similar, the credit union may make some adjustments that a commercial bank would not. Many credit unions are also more inclined to listen to its members’ needs and unique situations—sometimes adjusting terms of a loan accordingly. A recent CreditKarma.com article mentions better approval odds at credit unions: “One of the perks of credit union membership is that credit unions may be more willing to work with members with less-than-perfect credit.”
5. We have lower rates. A five-year term is the most common loan term for a new or used car, and rates at a credit union are typically much lower than the average rate at a competitor bank. The savings in interest alone is a major reason to consider this financing. In 2019, financing a $25,000 new automobile for 60 months at an Oregon credit union will save members an average of $126 per year in interest expense compared to what they would pay at a banking institution in the state. Just think of what you can do with that money.
Members Benefit From Our Earnings
The bulk of a credit union’s profits go back to members in the form of lower rates on financial products and more flexible loan options. If you don’t like the pressure of working with lenders from other financial institutions, a credit union is the answer.
To find out more, call us at (541) 382-1795, email us at info@midoregon.com or visit one of our Central Oregon branches. Or, you can start your auto purchasing journey with our online application. We hope you experience the 5 Reasons Credit Unions Offer the Best Auto Loans…with us!
Supporting Central Oregon Through Holiday Dough
Holiday Dough Helps Provide
The holiday season can be very difficult for many local families. The weather changes, and just having enough food can be a major concern. Mid Oregon Credit Union, along with other local businesses and organizations, has provided a way for our members- and the community- to help: Holiday Dough.
Our Holiday Dough fundraiser helps to provide holiday meals and food assistance to local families in need. Each of our branches has chosen an organization in their communities which helps fill this need.
Building on a successful 2018
We are encouraging the communities we serve to join us for the annual Holiday Dough Fundraiser in every Mid Oregon branch. These local charities provide food, clothing and shelter for individuals and families in the greatest need during the holidays.
Giving back to the community is a core value of Mid Oregon Credit Union, aligning with our credit union philosophy of “people helping people”. . In 2018, we almost DOUBLED the amount we raised the previous year—a total of more than $3,500. Who knows what this year will bring? With the continuing generosity of our members, we are hoping that support will be even greater in 2019.
Donations Stay in their Community
You can stop by any of our seven Central Oregon branches to donate to Holiday Dough through Friday, December 6, 2019. All contributions will stay in the community where they are collected and 100% of the donations will benefit these local agencies:
• Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank – Distributing more than 60,000 pounds of food annually and helping more than 100 families each month, the Sisters Kiwanis food bank offers a shopping-style food pantry to patrons. Donating at Mid Oregon on 703 N Larch Street will provide much needed funds for this holiday season’s needs in Sisters.
• Jericho Road in Redmond, Providing hot meals, food packs, rental and emergency assistance to those in need in the Redmond area. Our SW 17th Pl. branch contributions, which this year we celebrated its 20th Anniversary, will support Jericho Road.
• Crook County Holiday Partnership (Prineville), providing holiday support to seniors, children and families in need in Crook County. Last year over 650 Crook County children received holiday gifts of clothing and toys, Nearly 500 Senior and Disabled persons received clothing and gifts.
• Jefferson County Food Bank (Madras), supplying food to families and individuals. Bring your financial support to our Madras Branch on SE 5th St. (Highway 97 North).
• La Pine Christmas Basket Association, providing food during the Christmas holiday for people in the South Deschutes County area, supported through contributions at our Huntington Rd branch.
• The Giving Plate of Bend, coordinating the Monthly Food Box program, Grab & Go Pantry, Kid’s Korner food bank, and Backpacks for Bend. Donations made at our Olney St. and Cushing Dr. locations in Bend will benefit The Giving Plate.
People Helping People
As mentioned, you can make your donation in any branch or by phone. Your contributions stay in your local community, ensuring that your neighbors have a brighter holiday season.