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Project Differentiation

DES MOINES METRO CREDIT UNION

TO MEET MEMBER FINANCIAL NEEDS OUR UNIQUE WAY

CORE BELIEFS AND VALUES

We value our ability to serve individual members with care and respect.
We are responsible to our members, our potential members, our employees, and our community,
for promoting and preserving the credit union philosophy.
We are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.
We are committed to encouraging the knowledge, imagination, skills, teamwork and
integrity of our board and our employees.

This Statement of Commitment to Members is consistent with our credit union principles of "Not For Profit, Not For Charity, But For Service" and our philosophy of "People Helping People". This statement represents good business practices that ensure the financial strength of our credit union on behalf of our members. Annually, as a part of our business planning process, we will focus on our service and corporate culture to ensure they are in alignment with this Statement of Commitment to Members.

Section 1: Service to Members

Des Moines Metro Credit Union provides the following programs and services to improve the economic and social well being of members and return financial value to our members and potential members.

Current or Existing Services:

1. Low-cost checking services - Up to 50 checks per month, 10 ATM transactions, 10 point-of- sale transactions, and unlimited debit card transactions are offered at no cost. $100 balance required in dividend-earning basic share account.


2. Low-balance certificates of deposit - We offer a $500 minimum balance CD in addition to the regular $5,000 CD's. CD's for IRA accounts require a minimum $250.


3. IRA accumulation account - We offer an IRA share account that allows members to build funds through payroll deduction, which can then be transferred to a higher rate IRA CD.


4. Share-secured loans - These loans enable members to establish or re-establish credit.


5. Tiered pricing on loans and MasterCard - With new pricing guidelines, the credit union can now offer loans to those who previously would have been denied credit.


6. Auto leasing - This program offers members an opportunity to drive newer vehicles, while maintaining payment predictability.


7. Home banking, Web Site, and audio response - These services offer members 24-hour convenience in accessing accounts, viewing histories, transfering funds, applying for loans, making address changes, and much more, from their computer.


8. Convenient hours - Our main office is open from 9:00 to 5:30 Monday through Friday, and our Iowa Lutheran office is open from 7:30 to 3:30 Monday through Friday. Both offices offer full service.


9. Kirby Kangaroo Club -This youth membership club targets children to age 12. Members are offered special savings incentives and periodic activities, such as Zoo Day, a Christmas party, and occasional contests.


10. Senior Program - DMMCU has partnered with other area credit unions to offer trips and outings for seniors. Special services include free copying and faxing of documents and free share draft printing.


11. Scholarships and Student Loans - We participate in the Iowa Student Loan program and also the Iowa Credit Union Family Involvement Board college scholarship program.

New Services in the Planning Stage:

1. Check cashing services for members who do very limited business with the credit union.
2. Financial and brokerage services
3. ATM placement in an area which is underserved by such a service.
4. E-mail statements will be offered as an optional delivery channel.
5. Electronic Bill Payment is being researched as a convenience to our members using pc's.

Section 2. Member Education

Des Moines Metro Credit Union is committed to member education and social responsibility to enhance our members' and potential members' lives and financial well-being, as well as to promote credit union uniqueness, philosophy, and values.

1. Newsletters, brochures and posters - We try to reach our members and potential members with needed consumer information on timely topics, with mailings going out monthly.


2. Web site - www.dmmcu.org contains valuable buying information, such as auto pricing guides, loan and savings rates, financial calculators, etc.


3. Seminars - Noon and evening seminars are held periodically to educate members on IRA accounts, home financing issues, and auto leasing.


4. Classroom presentations - From time to time, our employees have given presentations on handling a checking account or establishing a budget.


5. Take Your Child to Work Day - Once a year, employees can bring a youngster to the office to job shadow with the employee.


6. Annual Meeting presentations - We use this meeting to inform attendees about products and services and the credit union difference.


7. STAR, MERIT, and Volunteer Achievement Courses - We encourage our board and staff to further their knowledge about credit union issues, products, and services by taking comprehensive coursework through our national trade association.

New Ideas in the Planning Stage:

1. We will continue to expand our web site to include valuable consumer information and links.

Section 3. Involvement/Governance

Des Moines Metro Credit Union endeavors to preserve credit union democratic principles, including demographic representation and volunteer participation in credit union activities.

Current Activities:

1. Annual Meeting - The entire membership is invited to the annual meeting. There is no cost to attend. Committees and management report the activities of the past year, as well as activities planned for the coming year. Refreshments are served and there are drawings for prizes.


2. Mailed Ballots - Ballots for the election of directors are mailed to the homes of all members to ensure greater participation in the election process.


3. Surveys and Feedback - From time to time, mini surveys are conducted to get member feedback. Upon closing of an account, a mini questionnaire is mailed to the former member requesting feedback on what they liked and disliked about the credit union.


4. Political Activism - The board and senior management recognize their roles as legislative advocates for members to protect our democratic principles. As such, the credit union encourages on-going participation in lobbying efforts, election campaigns, and fund-raising efforts that support the cooperative member-owned structure of credit unions and their volunteer directors.

New Ideas in the Planning Stage:

1. Internet-based ballots for voting for directors.
2. Web site surveys and member feedback opportunities.

Section 4. Diversity

Des Moines Metro Credit Union recognizes the value of demographic diversity in staff, volunteers, and members, and will strive to bring people of diverse backgrounds and experiences into various roles at the credit union.

Current Programs:

1. Equal Employment Opportunity - We actively seek to fill vacancies by hiring qualified candidates without regard to race, creed, religion, or socio-economic status, seeking to represent the community in which we operate.


2. New language incentives - The credit union will support an employee who takes classes in foreign language or sign language.


3. Interpretors - We occasionally work with interpretors to conduct business with non-English speaking members.


4. Hosting foreign students and dignitaries - DMMCU has hosted Ukrainian and other students and financial leaders on numerous occasions, to demonstrate the principles of capitalism and democracy.

New programs:

None at this time.

Section 5: Commitment to the Credit Union Movement

Des Moines Metro Credit Union will work to build and strengthen a unique credit union movement by providing financial and in-kind resources throughout the credit union community, and by actively advocating the credit union difference at all levels of government and in other appropriate public forums.

Current Programs:

1. Leadership roles - DMMCU's CEO currently serves on the board of the Iowa Credit Union League, chairs the Legislative Committee, and is on the Executive Committee. She is also a Principal Key Contact, which is a legislative role involving contact with state and federal legislators. We currently have a staff person who is an officer for the Des Moines Chapter of credit unions, and previously had a director serve on the Chapter board.
2. Chapter activities - Staff and directors are encouraged to attend Chapter meetings, to keep up to date on local and national issues, as well as to network with their peers.


3. International Credit Union Day - Newsletters, flyers, posters, and food are used to increase members' awareness of the credit union difference during International Credit Union Day.


4. Political activity - Participation in lobbying efforts, election campaigns, and fund-raising efforts for political action for credit union supporters is encouraged. Educating legislators about the credit union difference is a major focus of these efforts.


5. Continuing education - The credit union encourages board and staff to be knowledgeable of the credit union difference through STAR, MERIT and VAP courses.


6. Sharing ideas and training - DMMCU shares operational ideas with other credit unions through networking and media articles. It also partners with other credit unions for training programs.


7. Iowa Credit Union Foundation - We contribute annually to this fund, which helps credit unions and credit union members when disasters strike.

New Programs Planned:

None at this time.

Section 6: Public Service/Corporate Citizenship

Des Moines Metro Credit Union will strive to be an active partner in the community and field of membership, and will strive to enhance the economic and social well being of members and potential members. Each year the credit union budgets to support many causes in our community, including, but not limited to:

1. Festival of Trees
2. Children's Miracle Network
3. City of Des Moines' Christmas Food Baskets
4. Employee Appreciation for City and Hospital employees
5. United Way
6. Host voter registration table in credit union lobby

New Programs Being Considered:

DMMCU is currently evaluating several ideas whereby we can serve the community and our field of membership by making a difference. We are evaluating projects that we might undertake on our own, as well as evaluating our participation on projects which have already been established by the City of Des Moines, Iowa Health System, or other organizations.