Tired of Debit fees? Make EVERY Day "Bank Transfer Day"!

November 5th is right around the corner and there are a LOT of people looking to that date as a singular day to leave their big banks and transfer their accounts over to credit unions or community banks. We are thrilled that the news media is sharing the benefits of credit unions; but why wait? We think EVERY day should be Bank Transfer Day! Right now you can join a credit union, pay fewer fees, get better rates and have easy and FREE access to your money. After all, isn’t that what the organizers of Bank Transfer Day really want? Spurred by the announcement of a new $5 fee for debit card usage, Bank of America seems to have found the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. From that announcement main street has risen up and started yelling, “WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!”

Here in South Florida we heard you LOUD AND CLEAR. In fact we think not only should you have fee-free access to debit card usage, we also want to reward you for using your debit card, which is why we created Swipe Where It Counts!

Here’s how it works:

• Open a new checking account with debit card before April 30, 2012


• Swipe your debit card using signature option (not PIN)


• For every 5 debit purchases you earn $1


• You can earn up to $5 EVERY month through April 30, 2012!


• SWIPE AWAY

At Tropical Financial Credit Union we believe that GETTING $5 a month is WAY better than paying $5 a month just to use your debit card. If you agree, spread the news and make EVERY DAY Bank Transfer Day!

Anyone who lives or works in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach Counties in South Florida is eligible to join Tropical Financial. Learn more at http://www.swipewhereitcounts.com/

It's Coming!

Tropical Financial Credit Union (TFCU) has a BIG surprise planned for October 1st, 2011.

Stay tuned to see what we have in store for you!

Florida's Housing Market Shows Signs of Strength

According to the latest report by Florida Realtors, Florida's housing market is showing new signs of strength.

Home sales are up 17% from the beginning of this year and condo sales are up 8%. The reasons for the increase in sales are low prices and low mortgage rates. The median price for a home in Florida is $135,000 - 5% lower than last year.

Low home prices and low mortgage rates are making Florida homes affordable to those who were previously unable to buy a home.

Investment Strategies to Ensure You Stay Retired Seminar

Join Tropical Financial Credit Union (TFCU) and Craig Weisman, Vice President, Wealth Management Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 at Brio Tuscan Grille in Pembroke Pines for a retirement investment strategies seminar.

The seminar, Investment Strategies to Ensure You Stay Retired, will explain how to identify retirement income sources, how much money needed to retire, how to calculate the cost of retirement, and how to avoid common retirement mistakes.

Dinner will be served at this seminar and seating is limited, please RSVP: Ani Reyes at 305-261-8328 ext 7716.

More South Florida Homes Underwater

More South Florida homes were underwater in the second quarter of 2011 than last year.

According to Zillow, approximately 46% of homeowners in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties owe more on their mortgage loan than their homes are worth, compared to 43% in the second quarter of 2010.

The same trend continues nationwide, with 27% of US homeowners underwater this year, compared to 22.5% last year.

3 Tips for Your "Back to School" Budget

photo by o5com/flickr

It's that time again, the kids are heading "Back to School" this month.

Here are 3 tips to stay budgeted while shopping for everything your child will need this year:

1. Make a List & Budget - List everything your child will truly need and price out approximately how much each item should cost.

2. Shop Around - Check online for sales and take advantage of "back to school" tax holidays.

3. Avoid Needless ATM Fees - Get cash out from your local branch or use an ATM without a service charge.

TFCU's Homebuyer and Owner Expo

Don't miss TFCU's Homebuyer and Owner Expo Thursday, August 18th, 2011 from 11AM-3PM at the Ft. Lauderdale TFCU branch.

Get valuable information about mortgages, buying and selling your home, homeowners insurance, home inspections, insurance claims, security, renovations, and more. Learn everything you need to know about buying a home, PLUS get pre-qualified for a mortgage on the spot.

But that's not all, apply by September 15th and get $1,000 off your mortgage closing costs!

See you at the Expo!