2009 Highlights

Alaska USA held its 61st Annual Meeting on June 2. President Bill Eckhardt reported that, despite the recession in 2009, Alaska USA experienced sound financial performance, substantial growth in membership and deposits, and record lending volumes during the year.

Results of the annual election were announced at the 2010 Annual Meeting. Members elected to the Board of Directors were Diane S. Carlson and James A. Fena.

Other highlights include the following:

• Alaska USA diversified its field of membership by acquiring two credit unions in San Bernardino County, California.
• Alaska USA received an Outstanding Performance Award from the USDA Rural Guarantee home loan program.
• Alaska USA received a Lender of the Year Award from the Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services.
• Alaska USA was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the largest lender of SBA 504 loans in Alaska.
• Alaska USA was voted one of the Best Places to Work in Alaska for the second year in a row.
• Alaska USA Title Agency opened offices in Kenai and Wasilla.
• Alaska USA was voted the favorite financial institution in Alaska for three years in a row and Best Place to Get a Mortgage and Auto Loan in 2009 by the readers of the Anchorage Daily News.
• A new ScoreCard Rewards web site was introduced, offering increased flexibility and booking options for Visa^® Platinum Credit Cardholders.
• Retirement services were added to Alaska USA Insurance Brokers’ portfolio of products.
• New services were introduced for business members, including Remote Business Deposit and electronic billing statements.
• The value transferred to members reached a new record of $78.4 million.
• The member service survey revealed record levels of member service satisfaction.

The 2009 Annual Report is available in branches and online.

Alaska USA is honored to help support the communities it serves.

Each year, Alaska USA participates in a number of ways within the 30 communities it serves across Alaska, the Puget Sound area of Washington state, and San Bernardino County, California. This includes financial literacy courses in schools, supporting the military, and contributing to community support programs.

Alaska USA was honored to receive a Business Community Service Award in February from the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce in Washington. The award recognizes a local business that has the most significant impact on the community through its involvement in service groups, community events, contributions, and donations.

Make this the year you get into a home of your own with help from Alaska USA!

Purchasing a home may seem like a big undertaking that requires a lot of time, effort, and patience. It is indeed an important and exciting step in anyone’s life. But, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you have the benefit of a streamlined home buying process from the name you trust for financial services.

Alaska USA is ready to help you finance your new home with a team of mortgage professionals that know your area. Equipped with experience and a commitment to service, and backed by more than 30 years of responsible lending practices, Alaska USA mortgage originators have access to a wide variety of home loan programs to help find the right financing option to fit your needs.

From first-time homebuyer and conventional loan programs to VA and FHA loans, Alaska USA works with you to get to know your situation and match you with a financing option that’s tailored to your needs.

Part of what helps make the home buying process go smoothly is attention to detail and good communication between you, the homebuyer, and your mortgage professional. Alaska USA mortgage originators are dedicated to not only providing quality service, but also act as your guide throughout the process, answering questions and keeping you well-informed along the way.

A great place to start is to prequalify for a mortgage so you know how much home you can afford. This helps make the process of finding a home easier and it’s simple to do. Prequalify online any time, day or night.

Homeowners insurance

Once you’ve found the perfect home, it’s time to protect it. Finding the right homeowners insurance at a price within your budget is a task you can leave up to Alaska USA’s insurance professionals. As Alaska’s largest independent insurance agency, Alaska USA Insurance Brokers serves Alaska and Washington, providing access to a wide array of coverage options from a variety of companies. So, you get the coverage you need to protect your home and your family at a very competitive price.

While you’re protecting your new home, you can also insure your car, boat, recreational vehicle, and more. You may even be able to save money by having all of your policies with Alaska USA.

Title and escrow services

For homebuyers in Alaska, as you secure a loan and insurance for your new home, title and escrow officers at Alaska USA Title Agency will work to make sure all the important details are covered.

What does a title and escrow agency do? Title officers handle all the details for the title of your property, also known as the deed, and make sure that your lender is issued a title insurance policy.

An escrow officer is a neutral third party that takes care of receiving the final loan documents and the paperwork associated with the sale of your home. The escrow officer schedules the seller and buyer for closing, notarizes all signatures on the documents, and returns the signed documents to the lender. Once your lender disburses the funds, the escrow officer ensures that the deed is properly recorded.

Many homebuyers don’t realize they can choose which title and escrow service provider they want to use. It’s important to rely on a reputable, professional, and experienced provider to handle the crucial details involved in the purchase of your property. This way, when you’re handed the keys to your new home, you can rest assured it’s all yours.

Learn more about how Alaska USA can help streamline your home buying experience with mortgage loans, home insurance, and title and escrow services.

NCUA knowledge

Ever noticed the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) logo on Alaska USA communications, like the one at the bottom of this page? It’s an important part of being a credit union member because it means your deposited funds are federally insured.

As an independent agency of the federal government, the NCUA charters and supervises federal credit unions throughout the United States and its territories.

The agency also administers the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). Much like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures deposits at banks, the NCUA insures credit union members’ deposited funds up to $250,000. This includes your checking, savings, money market, and certificate accounts. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are separately insured up to $250,000.

Learn more about how your credit union funds are protected and use the NCUA’s Electronic Share Insurance Calculator to help you determine the amount of coverage you have on your accounts.

Take advantage of some of the best consumer loan rates around.

It’s summer time! If you’re not already riding the waves, hitting the highway, or cruising the trails, what’s stopping you?

With a low-cost consumer loan from Alaska USA, you can make it happen. Alaska USA’s great rates, convenient terms, and variety of loan types means you can get an auto, motorcycle, RV, off-road vehicle, or boat loan at an affordable rate and keep more money in your pocket.

Check out all of Alaska USA’s available loan types and apply online today. Once you have your loan set up, take advantage of convenient automatic loan payments through UltraBranch^®‚ and help make every payment on time. Plus, when you have a minimum balance of $500, including loan accounts, you’re eligible for free Alaska USA checking with many great benefits. Learn more or call the Member Service Center today.