On June 30, 2009 members of MilePost Credit Union voted with a 90% approval rate to merge with Sound Credit Union. The merger will be complete on August 31, 2009. On September 1, MilePost members will become Sound members. Staff members from both credit unions are working hard to make this transition go smoothly for you! Below is helpful information and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Welcome Letter |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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1. Why is MilePost Credit Union merging with Sound Credit Union?
EMilePost Credit Union is dedicated to offering the best products and services to its members. MilePost Board of Directors and Management believe that the best means of serving members is to gain strength by merging with Sound Credit Union. After the merger, MilePost Credit Union members will be able to enjoy a total of 12 branch locations, low-cost, high-quality financial products and services, and the same level of superior member service.
2. Will my account number change?
EYes. Your new account number will be mailed to you shortly before the merger date of September 1, 2009. If you haven't received your new Sound account number prior to September 1, feel free to call our Contact Center anytime after the merger date.
3. How will the requirements of my savings (prime share) account change?
EYour membership savings requirement at Sound will be $25. If you do not currently have at least $25 in your savings account, please make sure you meet the minimum balance of $25 by September 30, 2009. After October 1, 2009, a monthly $5 low share fee will apply if your savings balance falls below $25 at any time during the month.
4. What will happen with my online banking, online bill payer, telephone banking and eStatement services?
EOnline Banking enables you to perform transactions on your account from the convenience of any computer with internet access. This service is free to all members.
If you currently have online banking access through MilePost, your Sound account will automatically be set up to access Online Banking through Sound. Your temporary password will be the last four digits of the primary accountholder's social security number. You will be able to logon and view your account starting September 1, with your new Sound account number. Remember to change your password the first time you logon to Online Banking. If you do not logon to Online Banking at least one time before October 31, 2009, your temporary password will be disabled for security purposes.
If you do not have Online Banking access, you can sign up for this service and assign a password to your account, by contacting Sound Credit Union after September 1.
Online BillPayer allows you to pay bills quickly and conveniently. This service is free. You can set up bills to be paid one at a time, on a repeating basis, or even schedule them to be paid sometime in the future. To use Online BillPayer, you will need a Sound checking account and internet access.
If you currently use the Online Bill Pay service with MilePost, you will need to set up a new Online BillPayer access with Sound. Additionally, your payee information and scheduled payments will not automatically transfer to Sound. You can continue to schedule payments with MilePost's Online Bill Pay system until Friday, August 28, 2009. After September 1, you will need to schedule payments from Sound's Online Bill Payer.
Signing up is easy! Visit our website at soundcu.com and click on "More Info" under the Online BillPayer heading. Anytime after September 1, complete and submit the online form, and you'll be registered for Online BillPayer within 24 hours (Saturdays and Sundays excluded). You will receive an email with your initial password. Remember to change your password the first time you access Online BillPayer.
When you first logon, allow a little extra time to set up your payees. You may want to arrange to pay any bills that are due during the first two of weeks in September with paper checks in order to allow time to set up and establish your payees.
Telephone Banking allows you to manage your funds and get answers to account-related questions any time of day from the convenience of the nearest phone. This service is free to Sound members. All you need is a touch-tone phone, your new Sound account number and your access code. Your temporary access code will be the last four digits of the primary account holder's social security number. For the safety of your personal information, please change your code once you have accessed this service. To use the telephone banking service, call 253.597.7615 and follow the instructions. Your temporary access code will become disabled after October 31, 2009, if you have not accessed the telephone banking system at least one time.
eStatements are a fast, easy and secure way to access account information days before paper statements arrive. Your monthly eStatement will arrive as an email with an encrypted PDF file within the first few days of the month. Receiving eStatements helps to reduce paper waste, and is a safe, easy way to manage your historical account information.
If you are currently set up for eStatements at MilePost, the information will not automatically transfer to Sound Credit Union. You will need to sign up for eStatements through Sound. It's easy. Just logon to Sound's Online Banking site and click on the eStatements tab. If you prefer, you can also call a Contact Center representative, or stop by any Sound branch after September 1. At the time you sign up, you will set up a password to access your statements when they arrive.
If you receive eStatements from MilePost, you have access to the previous 12 months of statements through Online Banking. Upon the merger, you will not be able to access these historical statements. If you would like copies of these statements for your records, make sure to save or print the files you would like for your records before August 31, 2009.
eAlerts provides free, customizable account alerts to be sent to your email or cell phone through a text message-anytime, anywhere. Choose from 26 eAlert options including: low balance, direct deposit received, large withdrawal posted, insufficient funds, large credit card purchase, and more. Set up and customize your eAlerts starting September 1, by logging on to Online Banking.
5. Will my account statement be affected?
EYour checking and savings statements will still run from the first to the last day of each month. MilePost Credit Union will post dividends for the last time on August 31, 2009. All members will receive their final statement as of that date. Similar to MilePost, all non-transaction savings accounts will receive a statement semi-annually as of June 30 and December 31. Transaction accounts will continue to receive a statement monthly.
6. Will I continue to receive paper notices from Sound Credit Union?
EPaper notices from Sound Credit Union are only mailed for certain events such as certificate maturity, change of address verification, and loan payment coupons. Notices for using Courtesy Pay or an NSF check are not sent on paper. You can sign up for free instant notification via eAlerts on these topics, and many other customizable options within Online Banking.
7. Can I still use my MilePost Credit Union checks after the merger?
EUpon the merger date, your MilePost checking account will be automatically transferred to a Sound checking account. You will be able to continue to use MilePost checks through October 31, 2009. After November 1, 2009, please shred all MilePost checks.
Starting September 1, you will be able to order and begin using Sound Credit Union checks. You can order by calling the Contact Center or by stopping by any Sound Credit Union branch after September 1, 2009. When you place your order, you can choose your next check starting number and select a check style. Sound Image checks are a free benefit of Sound membership. If you prefer to choose a different style, standard check costs will apply. As soon as your Sound checks arrive, please shred your former MilePost checks and begin using Sound checks right away.
8. Can I still use my MilePost Credit Union Debit Card after the merger?
EYour MilePost Debit Card will work only through August 31, 2009. You will be receiving a Sound Debit Card prior to August 31, 2009. Once you receive your Sound Debit Card, hold onto it. You will be able to activate and begin using it September 1, 2009. Please destroy your MilePost Debit Card after August 31, 2009.
Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) will arrive 5-7 days after your new card. If you prefer to select a customized PIN, visit any Sound branch after September 1, 2009.
If you have any recurring charges made with your MilePost Visa Debit Card, for example a gym membership or monthly utility bill, make sure to contact the company immediately after September 1, with your new Sound Visa Debit Card number.
9. How will my payroll, direct deposits (like Social Security) and/or automatic withdrawals, be affected?
EYour payroll deductions, direct deposits and/or automatic withdrawals will automatically be directed into your new Sound Credit Union account. Sound will work with your direct deposit and/or withdrawal source to have your new account number changed; however, this function may require your help along the way. We will notify you with any special details or questions regarding your direct deposit and/or withdrawal.
After September 1, 2009, if you would like to start a new direct deposit /withdrawal or update your payroll, please call a Contact Center Representative.
10. How will I receive tax reporting information at the end of the year?
ETax reporting information will be mailed to you at the end of the year from Sound Credit Union, and will include complete year-to-date tax information.
11. How will my Individual Retirement Account (IRA) be affected?
EIndividual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) will transfer to Sound Credit Union. You will receive your new IRA account number after September 1, 2009.
12. How will my certificate account be affected?
ECertificate accounts will transfer to Sound Credit Union. Terms and rates on certificate accounts will remain unchanged until the maturity date. Upon maturity, certificates will then renew with the same term and at the dividend rate that's current at the time of maturity unless you are notified otherwise.
13. How will my vacation club or other special savings account be affected?
ESpecial share accounts will transfer to Sound, but will be called Club Savings accounts upon the merger. You may personalize these account names if you wish (e.g. "Hawaii Trip" or "Car Insurance"). Just visit a branch or call our Contact Center to make these changes.
If you have a Holiday Savings account with MilePost, it will automatically transfer to a Sound Club Savings account. If you would like to set up an automatic disbursement to your checking or savings account, call a Contact Center Representative anytime after the merger.
14. How will rates and fees change?
EMany rates and fees will remain the same, however some will change. Please reference Sound's Rate & Fee Schedule for a complete list of current rates and fees. You may also visit Sound's website at soundcu.com any time to review the most current rates.
15. Are my deposits insured?
EYes. Your deposit accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Administration up to $250,000. This is the same deposit insurance coverage you receive from MilePost Credit Union.
16. Will I still have access to my Passport Unlimited and/or Passport Lifestyle discount card?
EThese programs will be discontinued at the time of the merger.
17. Will I still have access to the Shared Branching Network?
ELike MilePost, Sound belongs to the shared credit union branching network. This means you can complete transactions on your account at more than 1,100 credit unions nationwide in 43 states, Puerto Rico, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Italy. Visit any of the participating credit union branches to take care of transactions like:
To find a participating credit union, look for the Shared Branching logo, go to cuswirl.com, or call 888-CUSWIRL.
Merger Notice: The Shared Branching Network will temporarily be unavailable on August 31. Shared Branching services will resume on September 1.
18. Will I still have AD&D coverage on my account?
EAs a former MilePost member, if you had the free $2,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment or supplemental coverage with Larry Walters Insurance Administrators, that coverage will continue on your new Sound account through July 2010. At that time, you will have the option to renew your coverage through Sound. More information will be sent to you prior to enrollment. If you had the supplemental insurance through MilePost, your quarterly payment for that coverage will automatically be deducted from your Sound account.
Important Sound Credit Union Information
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Starting September 1, 2009, you may visit any branch location to conduct transactions.
Where will I send loan payments, deposits or other correspondence? Sound Credit Union PO Box 1595 Tacoma WA 98401-1595 Phone and Fax Numbers: Local 253.383.2016 Toll-free 800.562.8130 Fax 253.597.7610 Website soundcu.com Email info@soundcu.com Routing number 325183220