Dear Carolina Trust Member,
I hope everyone is staying safe and sheltering at home as much as possible. It’s difficult to change routines and alter our everyday behaviors, but Carolina communities are doing our part to practice recommendations and protect each other. We are so thankful for those who continue working in hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and utilities as well as for our public safety officers and emergency responders. Like many essential businesses, Carolina Trust is working hard to continue serving your financial needs during these trying circumstances, and any alterations necessary to our branch operations schedule will be posted on our website.
COVID-19 has turned a lot of people’s lives upside down, and you may be experiencing financial hardships as a result. We encourage you to reach out to us if you are having financial difficulty related to the pandemic by visiting our COVID-19 Resources page. You’ll discover the options we’ve made available to help members apply for vehicle, personal and mortgage deferrals. Our goal is to help lessen your financial burden due to this disruptive event.
Although Carolina Trust is preparing for challenges that lie ahead, we are hopeful in all things. We recognize the resilience and strength of the American people and believe that within these challenges new opportunities lie ahead. We want to encourage you to hang in there and encourage others who are challenged by similar circumstances. Visit our blog to see how we can make a difference by continuing to support local businesses.
Your Credit Union maintains a strong financial position, and we will be ready to move beyond the impact of COVID-19. Remember, your money is safe with us. Accountholder savings at Carolina Trust is federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). We look forward to discussing the solid state of your Credit Union at the rescheduled Annual Membership Meeting. Since the pandemic situation continues to unfold, your Board of Directors is waiting to decide on and announce a new meeting date.
In these uncertain times, we remain confident in many things. I believe the resolve of our Carolina communities to apply best practices can make a difference in the fight against COVID-19. You can also rest assured that Carolina Trust is doing our part to keep employees and members safe, and we remain committed to putting people ahead of profits now and in the future. Together, we will get through this and recover.
Stay well and encouraged,
Tim Carlisle
The 2020 Annual Membership Meeting for Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union will be delayed until further notice. We hope you’ll join us to learn more about the state of your Credit Union once a new date is announced.
We’re celebrating National Credit Union Youth Month this April to help promote lifelong healthy money habits. The official theme for this year’s National Credit Union Youth Month is “Money Magic! Share, Spend and Save at Your Credit Union.” We want to make saving exciting by showing young members the joy of setting aside money for everyday spending and helping others.
When parents engage in Youth Month activities with children this helps them to learn the importance of financial education and how their Credit Union can help families – from the smallest to the tallest – achieve their financial goals.
Disney Institute Leadership Excellence Course
Our Training and Product Specialist, Sarah Mathias-Perry, recently completed the Disney Institute Leadership Excellence course, where she learned how to create a better alignment between her personal values and that of the Credit Union, share a compelling vision for the future, and understand her role as a leader in culture building and team support.
World Down Syndrome Day
In honor of World Down Syndrome Day and friend of the Credit Union, Luke, Carolina Trust employees broke out their brightest colored, funkiest socks. World Down Syndrome Day is a day to raise awareness of what Down Syndrome is, what it means to have Down Syndrome, and the vital role that people with Down Syndrome play in our lives and our communities. We practiced social distancing for safety, but brought our hearts together to show support.
Funds Availability Policy Change:
Effective July 1, 2020, the Funds Availability Policy will reflect the following two beneficial changes for check holds placed on a transaction account.
- First business day availability will increase from $200 to $225
- Single day check deposits totaling $5,525 may be subject to delayed availability. (Previous limit was $5,000)
More details about CTFCU’s Funds Availability Policy can be found here.
5 Ways to Support Local Businesses During COVID-19
Small businesses in our area are already starting to feel the economic impact of COVID-19. With many individuals taking refuge within their homes from the virus, it leaves small business owners with a lot of uncertainty about how they will keep their business afloat and provide for themselves and their families.
Carolina Trust has put together a list of ways that you can continue to support the local businesses in our area.
We chose to support local businesses in the area by running daily Facebook contests from March 30th – April 5th, when we gave away two $30 gift cards to each of the following local restaurants:
- Mission Barbecue, North Myrtle Beach, SC
- Shady Rest, Johnsonville, SC
- Big Mike’s Soul Food, Myrtle Beach, SC
- Scott’s Barbecue, Hemingway, SC
- Pickled Cucumber, Conway, SC
- Bistro 90, North Myrtle Beach, SC
- Johnny D’s, Myrtle Beach, SC
Safeguard Your Personal Data During the 2020 Census
It’s that time again. Every 10 years, United States residents are required to respond to the Census survey. The primary purpose of the census is to provide a count of every member of the U.S. population.
By law, each household is required to complete the census survey. From a cybercriminal’s perspective, this is a perfect opportunity for their social engineering scams. Scammers might send emails or other messages that appear to come from the U.S. Census Bureau, or they might even pose as official Census Bureau workers and show up at your door!
This census season, keep the following tips in mind so you can safeguard your household’s sensitive information:
- If you receive an email to complete the 2020 Census survey, delete it! The U.S. Census Bureau will only send the official survey notification by mail, or if your survey response is late, an official Census Bureau worker may come to your home to ensure you have received the census.
- If a Census Bureau worker visits your home, verify that they are who they claim to be. A valid ID badge should have the worker’s photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If you’re still unsure, call your Regional Census Center and speak with a Census Bureau representative.
- Remember, the Census Bureau will never ask for the following: your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card numbers, anything on behalf of a political party, donations, or money.
Where Do I Go Guide
Carolina Trust has developed a guide to help you navigate the best place to go for your financial questions and services.
