System Upgrade

 

Dear LVECU Member,

We appreciate your membership with Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union and the trust you have placed in us. Since 1934, our mission has been to provide our members with the financial products and services they need and the personal touch they deserve. Over the past several years it has become very clear that in order to better position our credit union for the future and meet our long-term strategic objectives, a core computer system upgrade is necessary. That said, beginning 5:00 pm, Friday, April 28 through Monday, May 1, LVECU will complete a system-wide upgrade to our core software.

Our staff has been preparing, training, testing and validating over the past several months leading up to this system upgrade weekend. While most changes will take place behind the scenes, there will be some short-term service disruptions. We have worked diligently to make the transition as seamless as possible for you. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

The FAQs included with this letter provide key information about the system upgrade, including
its impact on your accounts and access to your funds during the upgrade.

In order to keep you updated throughout the upgrade process, we have a communication plan in place and a dedicated webpage with the most up-to-date information, including the FAQs enclosed with this letter.

We are confident our knowledgeable and helpful team is ready to provide the great member experience you have come to know and expect at LVECU. We have made every effort to minimize the impact of this upgrade on our members and once again, thank you for being a member/owner. Your loyalty and dedication to LVECU is greatly appreciated. We are committed to being the financial choice for Lehigh Valley educational employees and their families.

Sincerely,

Rosemarie Krantz

Rosemarie Krantz
Chief Executive Officer

General

What is a Core Processing System?

The core processing system is the computer system that LVECU uses to maintain members’ information, along with processing transactions.

Why is LVECU converting to a new Core Processing System?

To enhance efficiency and meet the long-term growth objectives of the credit union, we will be upgrading to a new core system. This will allow for more convenient products and services in the future.

Is my personal information safe during the upgrade?

Yes, your personal data and account information are safe and secure, as always.

Are my funds still safe and secure?

Yes, your funds remain secure. All LVECU accounts continue to be insured by the National Credit Union Administration up to $250,000.

Will LVECU’s routing number change?

No, LVECU’s routing number of 231378996 will remain the same.

Will my member/account number change?

No and yes. Your 5-digit member/account number will not change, however it will now start with 5 additional zeros. So if your account number is 98765, it will be 0000098765 on the new system.

Also, your sub-accounts and loans will start with an additional 2-3 zeros so they are all 4 characters long. This will be especially important when setting up other member transfers within e-Tran.

Share e.g.: S1 Share will become 0001 and S10 Roth IRA will become 0010.

Loan e.g.: L3 Loan will become 0003 and L10 Personal Line of Credit will become 0010.

Will my Share Certificate number change?

Yes, your Share Certificate (SC) number will change to a 4-digit number based on the term.

Will my account password change (the password I use when calling the credit union or transacting at the credit union)?

No, your current password will not change.

Will monthly statements be changing?

Yes, the existing statement format will change slightly beginning with your May 2017 statement. You will be able to view a sample statement on our upgrade webpage.

Will I need new Deposit Slips or Checks?

No, you may continue to use your current Deposit Slips and Checks.

I do not have a password; must I create one after the upgrade?

Yes, for the safety and security of your account information, all accounts must have a password. It can be a word, phrase or numerical password. You can also set up a password hint if you so desire. If you refuse to create a password, your ability to transact or get information over the phone may be limited, and you will always be asked to present your driver’s license when visiting the credit union. Keep in mind, this password is to ensure your account information is secure and should not be shared with anyone.

Will I be able to access LVECU’s website?

Yes, www.lvecu.org will be operational, but e-Tran online banking, online loan and member applications and forms will be unavailable after 5:00 pm Friday, April 28 until we reopen Tuesday, May 2.

Will I be able to contact the Call Center?

No, the Call Center will be down from 5:00 pm Friday, April 28 until we reopen Tuesday, May 2. We will have 24/7 Call Center hours from May 2 – May 31 to assist with transfers and e-Tran online banking.

Will I be able to withdraw money from my account at a branch on Saturday, April 29 or Monday, May 1?

No, all LVECU offices will be closed on Saturday, April 29 and Monday, May 1 as we implement this upgrade to our core processing system. Offices will reopen Tuesday, May 2. You may withdraw cash from any of our 55,000 nationwide surcharge-free Allpoint™ ATMs or get cash back at any retailer that allows that option.

Will my prior transaction history be available after the upgrade?

Yes, you will be able to see 4 months’ worth of transaction history with e-Tran online banking following the upgrade.

Will prior e-Statements or cleared checks be available to print/view on e-Tran?

No, prior e-Statements and copies of cleared checks will not be available on e-Tran online banking after the upgrade.

We encourage you to print or download your previous month’s e-Statements and any cleared checks you might need copies of before April 28, 2017. Any e-Statements and cleared checks produced after May 1, 2017, will be available on e-Tran. As always, past statements and cleared check images are stored at LVECU in the event you would need copies in the future.

If I put something in the Night Deposit box on Friday, April 28, when will it be processed?

Any item put into the Night Deposit Friday, April 28 after 8:45 am will be processed Tuesday, May 2.

Credit

Will my LVECU VISA® Credit Card work during the upgrade?

Yes, your LVECU VISA® Credit Card will work as usual.

Can I access eZcardinfo.com to view my LVECU VISA® Credit Card transactions?

Yes, you will still be able to log in to e-Zcardinfo.com during the upgrade.

Will my LVECU VISA® Debit Card work during the upgrade?

Yes, your VISA® Debit Card will work as usual.

Will LVECU ATMs work during the upgrade?

Yes, LVECU’s branch location ATMs will work as usual during the upgrade; however, you will not be able to perform balance inquiries. You can also access your money using one of Allpoint’s 55,000 nationwide surcharge-free ATMs.

Will the number of free transactions per month allowed at an ATM change?

No, you will still be allowed 10 free transactions at an ATM per month. After the 10th transaction, you will still be charged $1 per transaction; however, this fee will now be deducted at the time of the transaction instead of at month end (e.g., On your 11th ATM transaction of the month, you withdraw $20. Your account will reflect the $20 withdrawal as well as the $1 fee and your ATM receipt will show a $21 withdrawal.) Keep in mind, balance inquiries and transfers at an ATM count toward your 10 free monthly transactions, so we suggest utilizing ART, e-Tran or our new Mobile Banking App for these inquiries. Cashback withdrawals at time of purchase do not count toward your 10 free transactions.

Payroll

Will my electronic paycheck/direct deposit be accepted on Monday, May 1? Will I need to alert my employer?

Yes, if you’re due to be paid on Monday, May 1, your electronic paycheck/direct deposit will be accepted as usual. However, you will only have access to those funds through your LVECU VISA® Debit Card since both branches will be closed Monday.

No, there is no need to alert your employer.

If I need to do a wire transfer, by what time on Friday do I need to submit the request?

As usual, you will need to have the wire transfer request in by 3:30 pm Friday, April 28. Wire transfers will then be unavailable until Tuesday, May 2.

Will my LVECU automatic loan payment transfers be processed during the upgrade?

All LVECU loan payments scheduled for automatic transfer on April 28, 29 or 30 will be processed on Friday, April 28 before the start of the upgrade. Please plan accordingly and have the funds available for your loan payment.

Beginning May 1, all automatic loan payments will be processed on the day they are scheduled to transfer, even if that day falls on a weekend or holiday. Please make note of this change to ensure you have funds available in your account on the scheduled transfer date.

Online

Will e-Tran Online Banking be available during the upgrade?

No, e-Tran will not be available from 5:00 pm Friday, April 28 through Monday, May 1. It will be back up and running before we reopen on Tuesday, May 2. Please watch your e-mail for the e-Services Upgrade Guide all e-Tran users will receive in mid-April. This guide will include information on how to access e-Tran after May 1.

I have a recurring bill payment set up for Monday, May 1 through e-Tran Online Banking. Will I need to reschedule the payment?

No, your scheduled bill will process as normal; however, you will not have access to e-Tran or the Bill Pay system from 5:00 pm Friday, April 28 through Monday, May 1.

I have some e-notifications set up in e-Tran as well as other members whom I transfer to on a regular basis. Will they be moved over to the new e-Tran?

No, e-Notifications and other members you currently have set up for transfers will not come over; however, you can set them up in the new system. Current e-Tran users will be receiving an e-Services Upgrade Guide via email in mid-April. Please review this guide for access to e-Tran and instructions on setting up e-Notifications and member-to-member transfers.

Will ART (Automated Response Teller) be available during the upgrade?

No, you will not be able to access ART from 5:00 pm Friday, April 28 through Monday, May 1. ART will be available Tuesday, May 2 with new prompts. Please refer to our website’s upgrade page to download a copy of the new ART menu, or pick one up the next time you visit either office.

Will ART (Audio Response Teller) be changing?

Yes, ART prompts will be changing after the upgrade. A quick reference guide will be available on our website’s upgrade page, as well as our Contact Us page or at either office. Keep in mind these new prompts will not work until after the upgrade on May 2.

Will my e-Tran Online Banking logon information change?

Yes, you will need to create a new username and password to log in the first time you access e-Tran online banking after the upgrade. All e-Tran users will be emailed an e-Services Guide a couple weeks prior to the upgrade. Please review this guide, as it will have more details and instructions for access to e-Tran, as well as other e-Services that will be available after the upgrade.

What are the benefits of the System Upgrade?

  • More streamlined account opening process
  • More streamlined loan application process with instant decision-making on most loans
  • A new Mobile Banking App
  • Remote Deposit Capture (the ability to deposit a check using your mobile device)
  • Updated e-Tran Online Banking
    • See pending transactions when you log in to e-Tran
    • Single Sign-on: See all LVECU accounts in one place
    • View LVECU VISA® Credit Card balances on e-Tran (24-hour delay – go directly to eZCardInfo.com for up-to-date information)
    • Person to Person (P2P) Payments via e-Tran
    • Personal Budgeting Tool via e-Tran
    • Interface your LVECU account with Quicken®, Microsoft® Money, QuickBooks® financial software
    • Reset your e-Tran password from home, no need to contact LVECU
    • Access Bill Pay from e-Tran landing page, or open separate Bill Pay page
    • Set up recurring transfers
    • Quick Transfer feature
Upgrade

Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting was held on Saturday, March 11th at Parkland High School.  We had a nice turnout with over 100 members in attendance. A report portfolio of our continued solvency and growth was given to members for review (see Board of Directors Annual Report).  Eugenia Emert, Board Secretary, cast a ballot for the election. Eugenia Emert, Gary Fedorcha & Gary Phillips were elected to the Board of Directors for a three year term.

Our 10 scholarship winners were recognized for their outstanding achievements. There was a variety of fruit and breakfast pastries to snack on, as well as a full breakfast of waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and more. The morning wrapped up with a raffle of over 25 door prizes. We would like to extend a special thank you to Ms. Lori Seier and the Parkland High School cafeteria staff for the great service.

View the Board of Directors Annual Report.


2017 Scholarship Winners

For 17 years in a row, LVECU has offered scholarships to our young members who are continuing their education. Once again, we awarded ten $1,000 scholarships. Since the program’s inception, we have awarded $155,000 in scholarships.

Events

Pictured from left to right: Pete Krpata, Jr, Lindsay Chabak, Nathan Markowicz, Calista Trotter. Julia Krueger, Jada Whiteman, Devon Fogel; Missing from photo: Lia Criscuolo, Jacquelyn Garner, Tara Maake

In order to be eligible for a scholarship, applicants needed to be a member in good standing for 12 months, complete an application, write an essay, have a GPA of at least 2.75, participate in extra-curricular activities or community service and include a letter of recommendation. We had many qualified applicants and the Scholarship Committee had a difficult time choosing the 10 winners.

We would like to congratulate the following recipients:

Scholarships

Lindsay Chabak – Lindsay is a 2015 graduate of Quakertown High School. She is currently a sophomore at Messiah College, with a dual major in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.

Lia Criscuolo – Lia graduated from Oley Valley High School in 2015. She is a sophomore at West Chester University with a double major in Music Education and Cello Performance.

Devon Fogel – Devon is a 2016 graduate of Notre Dame Green Pond High School and is a freshman at Moravian College. He is a Health Sciences major.

Jacquelyn Garner – Jacquelyn will be graduating from Catasauqua High School in 2017 and attending Moravian College in the fall. She plans on majoring in Education with a minor in Special Education.

Peter Krpata, Jr. – Peter is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School and is planning to attend Philadelphia University or Marywood University in the fall. He will major in Architecture with a minor in Music.

Julia Krueger – Julia graduated from Parkland High School in 2016 and is currently a freshman at Bloomsburg University where she is majoring in Early Childhood Education/Deaf Education with a minor in ASL and Special Education.

Tara Maake – Tara will be graduating from Emmaus High School this spring. She is undecided where she will attend next fall, but plans on majoring in 3D Animation.

Nathan Markowicz – Nathan will be graduating from Parkland High School in the spring and will attend Millersville University in the fall. He plans on majoring in Engineering.

Calista Celine Trotter – Calista will be graduating from Northwestern Lehigh High School this year and plans on attending Penn State-Harrisburg next fall. Her major will be Health and Human Development with a minor in Biology.

Jada Whiteman – Jada will be graduating from Lehighton High School this year and will be attending LCCC in the fall. She will major in Education with a minor in Physical Therapy/Athletic Training.

Good luck to all our scholarship winners and all LVECU’s recent graduates.


First-Time Homebuyer? Here Are Your Options!

Are you thinking of purchasing a home? Whether you are a first-time home buyer, or a Real Estate veteran, you might not be aware of all the loan products available to help you make this purchase. 
Click here for full article.


National Credit Union Youth Month

National Credit Union Youth Month

April 1st - 28th • Open to members age 17 & younger

Visit LVECU during the month of April 2017 and help us celebrate National Credit Union Youth Month™.

LVECU wants to help youth and teens Give a Hoot About Saving™. Stop into one of our offices to enter our NCUYM drawing and receive your free real Twig Pencil! And remember, LVECU membership is open to all members of your family.

Stop by LVECU and Be Wise. Save!

The Month of April Kirby Club Members (ages 12 & under) can:

  • Receive Double Kirby Credits for Deposits*
  • Color the NCUYM Coloring Page to help decorate the credit union
  • Visit the credit union and receive a Twig Pencil and Activity Book*
  • Enter to win the Kirby Club NCUYM Grand Prize: Adopt a Barn Owl**
    package from World Wildlife Fund™ and a $100 deposit!

The Month of April CYY Members (ages 13-17) can:

  • Enter to win the $100 Quarterly Drawing
  • Congratulations to our 2016 4th quarter drawing winner Ashley Adamson!
  • Enter to win the CYY NCUYM Grand Prize: Adopt a Snowy Owl** package from World Wildlife Fund™ and a $100 deposit!
Owl

Copyright 2017 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved.

LVECU employees, volunteers and immediate family members are not eligible for drawings. Must be a member age 17 & under to enter.

* Maximum 20 credits per deposit/visit.
** $100 value. See a Teller or MSR for Entry Blank.


Events