President's Message

Dear Member-Owners,

We are excited about 2010! This time last year, we waded through a heavy financial fog that was getting thicker by the day. Although the
fog still lingers, rays of light are breaking through and we can see future opportunities. From a technical standpoint, the recession is over. The stock market has rebounded from lows set early in the year, home sales are trending upward and values appear to have stabilized. Unemployment will continue to be a problem into the next year; however, we may see improvement in late 2010. If this were a football game, we would be anxiously watching the clock in the fourth quarter of a brutally slow, grinding contest.

Making Homeownership Possible!
Throughout 2009, Financial Partners never stepped backward, but instead kept pushing forward. An abundance of affordable housing coupled with low mortgage rates provided by your credit union allowed a record number of members to realize their dream of homeownership or the opportunity to lower their mortgage payment through refinancing. In fact, we were ranked #1 in California among peers by funding over $225 million in mortgage loans in 2009 ~ more than double the volume in 2008!

If you are ready to purchase a new home or re-finance your existing one, call us today! We have an experienced team of home loan representatives, fast funding times, an expanded product line, great rates, and low fees - the net result is greater savings and unmatched service!

Credit Cards are Back!
You told us you wanted a premium credit card with online access through eBanking. We heard you and introduced the new Platinum MasterCard® over the summer! We quickly followed up by unveiling the exclusive Affinity Card series which features five unique card designs celebrating our rich aerospace history. Platinum MasterCard® offers many benefits including no annual fees, great rates, and other exciting program features! And yes, you can manage it all through eBanking. Check your balance, transfer funds, view purchases - all without having to log in to a separate site! If you haven’t applied for your card yet, call now!

Looking for Better Returns?
In the current low-rate environment, many members are looking for ways to safely increase their rate of return. Many are taking advantage of alternative options such as annuities, which typically provide more attractive returns than standard certificates. If you haven’t met with one of our Financial Advisors, I would encourage you to make an appointment for a free financial review.

Go Green! Get Green!
In the market for a new car, truck, or hybrid? Your credit union is the best place to shop! Financing your dream vehicle is affordable, fast, and easy. In fact, go green and help the environment while saving yourself some ‘green’ each month. Simply finance any qualified fuel-efficient vehicle at Financial Partners and receive a Green Discount!

No matter which car you have your eye on, shop first with our auto-buying service from the comfort of your own computer. They will arrange test drives and get the best deal for you. We are also a proud participant with Invest in America, a partnership of U.S. based automakers delivering exclusive credit union discounts. Learn more online at www.fpcu.org and discover great deals on hot new models
from General Motors and Chrysler!

Offering superior member service and value-enhancing products is only part of the 2010 plan. Over the past year, we learned that the key to thriving in any economic condition is to effectively plan, monitor, and manage your finances. That’s why your credit union is slated to offer
practical, value-based tools and services designed to give you more access and greater control over your personal finances! From online money management currently available in eBanking to advanced budgeting tools coming soon, we will make it easier for you to manage your accounts. One exciting new tool now available is eNotices.  With eNotices, you can immediately receive an email notifying you of important activities on your account. If you haven’t taken advantage of eNotices, log on to eBanking today to sign up!

Financial Partners constantly listens to you, our member-owners,
for suggestions about how we can continue to improve our products and services. One way we do this is through regular member surveys conducted by an independent third party. We are very delighted to learn 90% of the respondents were ‘Very Satisfied’ with the service provided by the credit union. Financial Partners has helped thousands of members over the past 72 years and we look forward to helping many more reach their financial dreams. On behalf of your entire credit union family, thank you for your continued membership and support. We consider it a privilege to serve you!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Nader Moghaddam
President/CEO