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.
Mid Term Elections- Your Vote Matters!
Your Vote Matters!
We wanted to make a reminder that the mid-term elections are quickly approaching and remind you to vote. It is important to have your voice heard and participate in the process. At Mid Oregon Credit Union, we pride ourselves on our community involvement and see it as our duty to encourage our members to participate. Your vote matters!
Congress will discuss many crucial issues this coming session — make sure you’re included in the discussion. Many of these issues, including data breaches, financial regulations, and taxation all have an impact on our credit union as well as credit unions throughout the country.
Possible Key Issue for Next Congress
Take data breaches for example. At Mid Oregon, we believe protecting the privacy and security of our members’ accounts is our most important responsibility. Under the current system, when we discover a data breach at retailers like Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, Sears and elsewhere, we take action immediately to change account numbers and issue new credit and debit cards for members who were affected. And, in many cases, we can’t even tell you which merchant caused the breach even though we are working to protect your account from the fraud. The current system is broken and hopefully will be addressed in the next Congress.
Make Your Vote Count
It’s easy to get what you need to make your vote count — we have everything you need right here to check your registration status or register to vote . And don’t forget that you must register by October 16 in the State of Oregon in order to vote by mail in the midterm election.
As a credit union member, you have a voice, but only if you use it!
Thanks for your continued support of the credit union movement.
Bill Anderson
CEO, Mid Oregon Credit Union
The ABCs (and Ds) of Medicare
Free workshop: Understanding the ABCs (and Ds) of Medicare
Do you have questions about Medicare? Mid Oregon Credit Union invites the community to its free financial workshop, Understanding the ABCs (and Ds) of Medicare. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 6:00–7:30 p.m. at Mid Oregon’s East Bend Conference Room.
Do you know the differences between Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C—and Part D? Featured presenter Emily Carrick, Medicare Sales Executive at PacificSource, will show you who’s eligible, what’s covered, what’s not, and the key enrollment timelines you need to know. She’ll also explore the differences between Medigap plans and Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare from A to Z
Topics include:
• Medicare, Medicaid, SSA definitions
• What is Medicare Part A, B, C, and Part D
• What is covered, and not generally covered by Medicare
• Options for extra coverage
• How to enroll
• Enrollment timelines, including the new Medicare Open Enrollment Period coming in 2019
• Low income subsidy program
Where to Go, and How to Register
The Mid Oregon Credit Union East Bend Conference Room is upstairs at 1386 NE Cushing Drive (off of 27th). Seating is limited, so please call 541-382-1795 or email info@midoregon.com to reserve your seat. Light refreshments will be available. This workshop is provided for educational purposes only, and is not a sales presentation.
Tap Your Home’s Equity
If you need cash to remodel your kitchen or bath, a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) might be your best bet. Generally, financing involving your home is a lower cost form of borrowing than other options such as credit cards or personal loans. With the higher home prices in Central Oregon this year, your home’s equity might provide the resources that can be used for a variety of your needs.
Home Equity Loans
These loans let you borrow money using the equity in your home as collateral. Unlike almost any other consumer loan type, the interest on a home equity loan or HELOC of $100,000 or less is likely to be tax-deductible ($50,000 if married filing separately).
With a home equity loan, you borrow a lump sum of money repayable over a fixed term, usually 5 to 15 years, giving you the security of a locked-in rate and a consistent monthly payment.
Home Equity Line of Credit
A HELOC (Home equity line of credit) is much like a credit card or any other type of open-ended credit. You can borrow money as needed, up to the credit limit your lender assigns, by making a transfer into your checking account. A HELOC is usually a variable-rate loan, so your monthly payments will change based on your outstanding balance and fluctuations in the prime rate.
Getting Started
Before doing any kind of borrowing, you should understand about your options and the consequences of your decision. We recommend you read a great informational piece from The Federal Reserve Board, What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit before you apply.
Talk to the home loan specialists at Mid Oregon Credit Union today for more details about our home equity loan products. Contact us today online at midoregon.com, through email to info@midoregon.com, on the phone to (541) 382-1795 or stop in at one of our seven convenient Central Oregon branches.
For more information about Mid Oregon Home Equity Loans, visit https://www.midoregon.com/loans/home-equity.shtml.