July 2013 - Tower Federal Credit Union

INSIDE: FREE checking p.3 | A timeline of Tower’s history p.4-5 | Scholarship winners p.7
Tower Federal Credit Union • July 2013
60 th
th
ANNIVERSARY
TowerLineISSUE
Tower’s Lowest Car Loan
Rates On Record
Only
NEW
2.29 % APR
Up to 72 MonthsUSED
Only
A Tower Car Loan
Makes Buying Easy
Car buying just got easier—no matter what you’re
shopping for—when you come to Tower for your
loan. We combine low rates and easy terms with
convenient auto buying services, so you can find
your perfect ride! And we offer financing up to
100% on new or used cars, trucks, vans, RVs and
other vehicles.
Refinance for lower payments
Maybe you already have the car you want. You can feel even better
about it by refinancing your loan with Tower. We can save you
more money with lower payments. Or, you can shorten the term
of your loan and pay it off sooner.
Affordable payments—and more
With a low-rate car loan from Tower, you can get the car you want—and keep more cash in your pocket.
You’ll pay less interest, so payments are more affordable.
Easy financing up to 100%
Fast loan preapprovals
Flexible payment options
Think preapproval
Apply and get preapproved before you go shopping
for your next car or truck. Tower can approve your
loan quickly for the amount you need. Then, head
to the dealership with money in hand. A Tower
preapproval is good for 60 days, and you can apply
for it at any Tower branch, through the Member
Service Center or online at towerfcu.org.
Flexible terms up to seven years
Free online vehicle research and pricing
Avoid financing hassles at the dealer. Visit Auto Loans
at towerfcu.org and apply for your auto loan online.
Get a response to your credit request within minutes.
Or call the Member Service Center at 301-497-7000
or 800-787-8328.
Rates as of July 1, 2013 and do not apply to refinancing of current Tower loans. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. Minimum loan amount for 72-mo. financing is
$20,000. Minimum loan amount for 84-mo. financing is $35,000.
save
$170
USED
2.59 % APR
i
NO HASSLES
Lower your auto insurance
About 75 percent of policyholders automatically renew their auto insurance
policies without getting a new quote and miss potential savings. Get annual
quotes from at least four auto insurance companies before renewing. You can
save about $170 on a $900 annual policy.
Source: cnnmoney.com

Message from Your Chairman
T
his year Tower celebrates its 60th Anniversary. In this special issue, you will find
historical notes and milestones—and comments from a few long-time members—
about our founding and continuous growth to become a nationally recognized leader in
the credit union industry. Here’s a brief look at each decade.
George M. Cumberledge
Member, 1971
We started small with a mission to serve the financial needs of
employees of the newly formed National Security Agency. By the end
of 1953, a group of seven turned $35 into assets of $34,200, granted 183
loans, and built a membership of 978.
By 1963, Tower celebrated its first decade with $1.5 million in assets
(ranked in the top 7% of credit unions), almost the same amount in loans,
and nearly 6,000 members. New offerings that year included the College
Tuition Program and transactions by mail for deposits and payments.
A decade later, the Board of Directors authorized special loan promotions,
“to make membership aware of the convenience and advantages
of borrowing from your Credit Union”. Membership tripled to 19,500
with almost $25 million in loans and $31 million in assets. Another first
in 1973 was “hiding” account numbers in the newsletter with $5 to winners.
In honor of our 60th Anniversary, look for your hidden account
number for $60 to each winner.
By the end of Tower’s third decade, we had moved to our own twostory
Headquarters Building, opened three other offices, introduced
MasterCards ® and our first ATM— giving members greater access to
their accounts— and improved the efficiency of teller services with the
installation of modular terminals. In 1983, the credit union experienced
one of its strongest asset growths in 30 years, and a big growth in its
loan portfolio as well. Total assets were $184 million, loans $116 million
and membership just over 56,200.
Ten years later, Tower introduced many new products in response
to member needs: New 4- and 5-year Mini-Jumbo and Bump-Up Share
Certificates and IRAs gave members increased investing versatility;
reduced rates and enhanced terms for auto loans; a convertible adjustable-rate
mortgage made it easier for members to finance their homes;
and home equity loans boosted borrowing power. Tower ended 1993
with 89,400 members, $614 million in assets and $430 million in loans.
The year 2003 marked Tower’s 50th Anniversary, and it was our
most successful year since we were established. Tower grew in membership,
broke records in loan volume, delivered new products and
services online— almost one-third of the membership were active
Home Banking users— and expanded the branch network. In the 10
years prior, Tower had become a $1 billion financial institution, with
over 100,000 members, added a debit card, launched a Web site and
joined a nationwide network of ATMs.
Over the last 10 years, Tower has doubled in assets to over $2.6 billion
with 131,000 members worldwide, and a branch network throughout
central Maryland. Tower is recognized as a leader for its real estate
leading program, use of technology in Mobile Banking, financial education
offerings, and public advocacy on credit union regional and national
issues. Thank you for being part of the journey.
2 TowerLine | july 2013 | towerfcu.org

Save on Credit Card Interest
4.99% APR Balance Transfer Special
Every week your mailbox is stuffed with “teaser
rate” credit card offers that appear to be great. Be
careful. People are tricked every day. They transfer
a balance to take advantage of a super low introductory
rate, but miss the fine print and are stuck with
high interest rates after a few short months, plus
fees for everything.
A full year to pay at 4.99%
If you carry a balance on one or more credit cards
with other companies, Tower has a special deal that
is great. Move those balances to a Tower Master-
Card ® for our special 4.99% APR balance transfer
rate. This special rate is good for 12 months from
the date the transfer posts to your Tower Master-
Card, giving you breathing room to pay down your
balance and save money.
Bonus! Along with a low 4.99% APR balance
transfer rate, Tower has no transfer fee when you
move balances to a Tower MasterCard. Other credit
card issuers charge a 3% to 5% fee on the amount
you transfer. Think about it—that’s a $30 to $50 fee
for every $1,000 you transfer!
Earn cash rewards with a Gold Card
When you switch to a Tower Gold Card, you’ll
receive a 1% rebate on every purchase you make, automatically
credited each month to your credit card
account balance. That’s cash back on everything you
buy. There are no annual or nuisance fees. No limits.
No restrictions. Just cash rewards every month.
i
LOWER YOUR RATE
Apply now for a Tower MasterCard and transfer your
high-rate balances at towerfcu.org. If you already have
a Tower credit card, go online to Forms and select
Credit Card Balance Transfer.
Switch to Tower FREE Checking
Free since 1977, still pays dividends
Of the 50 largest credit unions in the nation, Tower
is one of only 36 that still offers FREE checking, according
to a recent survey by Bankrate.com. Tower
has offered FREE checking since 1977. There is no
monthly fee or service charge, no additional requirements
or hoops to jump through.
Among the top 50 credit unions, the average
minimum to open a checking account is $22. Tower
FREE checking requires only a $10 minimum
deposit. There is no minimum balance requirement
after your initial deposit.
And, just as we have for over three decades, Tower
still pays dividends on every dollar. In fact, of the 50
credit unions in the Bankrate survey, Tower is one of
only 18 that still pays dividends on FREE checking.
Make the smart switch
FREE MasterCard ® debit card that earns you cash
back with Debit Rewards
FREE overdraft protection †
FREE Mobile App and Mobile Deposit *
FREE transactions at over 40,000 surcharge-free
ATMs nationwide §
FREE Home Banking and online statements
FREE online Bill Payment when you pay three or
more bills per month
FREE checks with FREE direct deposit
It’s easy to get started
Just go to towerfcu.org and click Switch Kit. The kit
has everything you need to open your new Tower
FREE checking account, close your old one, set up direct
deposit and change your automatic withdrawals.
For help making the switch, visit a branch or call
the Member Service Center at 301-497-7000 or
800-787-8328.
†
Federal regulations limit the total number of electronic transfers from any
non-transactional account—Prime Share (savings), Clubs, or Money Market—
to six (6) per account per month. This includes overdraft transfers, online
Cross Member Transfers and Funds Transfer, and cleared checks from a
Money Market account. You can make an unlimited number of transfers and
withdrawals through the mail, at an ATM, and in person at a branch. Transfers
made to a Tower loan account are not included in the limitation of six per
account per month.
*
Your carrier’s message and data rates may apply. Members must be 18 years
of age to qualify to make mobile deposits. Other mobile deposit restrictions
may apply.
§
Tower-owned ATMs are totally free. At surcharge-free ATMs, your first four
transactions each month are free. Each additional transaction is only $1.
towerfcu.org | july 2013 | TowerLine 3

1953
2013
to
O
Happy An
Tower Federal
n February 3, 1953, seven National Security Agency employees with
vision and hope contributed $5 each to found Arlington Hall Federal Credit
Union—now called Tower Federal Credit Union. As word caught on, Tower’s membership grew to
978 by year’s end. Today, Tower serves over 131,000 members worldwide. From beginning assets
of $35, Tower is now a $2.6 billion financial institution, the largest federal credit union in Maryland.
From a one, small office operation, Tower now has 18 branches throughout Anne Arundel, Baltimore,
Howard and Prince George’s counties.
Looking back, we have grown because of the trust and faith our members—both past and present—
have placed in us. Here is a glimpse of some of Tower’s major milestones over the past six decades,
along with remembrances from some of our long-time members and the year they joined.
“Starting Tower was difficult. We met in the cafeteria. The biggest problem was we had more [members]
who wanted loans, than those who deposited [money]…The Office of Personnel showed us how to manage.
This enabled us to hire the first manager. We took off from there….Tower enabled me to buy my first car,
and also to purchase the first car for my son.” Everard Hughes, Founding Member
Tower grew from one part-time employee in 1953 to over 460 today. Our expansion and growth meant relocation—from
a small office at newly-formed NSA at Ft. Meade in Md. to a new two-story Headquarters Building
by 1975 (later named Judith A. Burgin Memorial Building, after a former Tower Manager)—to our current
Tower Headquarters in nearby Laurel in 1990.
“In the summer of 1957, I was a G.I. at Arlington Hall Station, Va. I wanted to get married and move off post
with my wife. A co-worker suggested I [join] the credit union and borrow $200 for expenses. So, I have been
a Tower member as long as I’ve been married—54 years.” Lawrence Kroger, 1957
As our sponsoring agency personnel grew, so did Tower’s membership, reaching 50,000 by 1982, and Tower
branches to five. Growing family members raised the need for community branches. The Millersville branch
opened in summer of 1989, followed by 12 others. Now, 24 years later, we have 18 branches and members
number over 131,000 worldwide.
“[Tower] helped pay for my honeymoon trip in 1953. I was able to buy several cars through Tower. Tower
has always been there when I needed a loan. In 1985, Tower helped with my daughter’s wedding expenses…
Thank you Tower.” Anthony Grabenstein, 1958
1953
Arlington Hall
Federal Credit
Union founded
1962
First $1M in assets
5,300 members
1970
Monthly statements
introduced
1978
$100M in assets
37,900 members
1983
First ATM installed
1955
First newsletter
Credit Union
News Flash
4 TowerLine | july 2013 | towerfcu.org
1966
Name changed
to Tower Federal
Credit Union
1977
Offers free
Checking
1982
50,000 th
member joins
1985
Tower Talk 24
begins

niversary
Credit Union
60 th
Tower changed by-laws in 1970 to reflect “once a member, always a member” lifetime membership. Efforts
to expand led Tower employees to rally in 1998 on Capital Hill in support of the Credit Union Membership
Access Act, allowing credit unions to extend membership to groups beyond their single sponsor.
We introduced free checking accounts in 1977, the convenience of direct deposit and the investing power
of Share Certificates a year later, and Money Market accounts by the end of the decade. Home equity loans
were helping members by the mid 70s and Tower was an early credit union leader with a 30-year mortgage
program by the mid 80s. MasterCard® credit cards premiered in 1983, and Gold Card rebate savings began
10 years later.
We installed an “online real-time”computer system in 1970 and converted to our own in-house data processing
center in 1980. The first Tower ATM was put into service in 1983 and Tower Talk 24 phone automation
two years later. With the technology boom of the 90s, we launched towerfcu.org in 1997 and quickly
advanced our online offerings of eServices—Home Banking, eStatements, Bill Payment, Funds Transfer,
online applications and forms, Mobile Banking and Mobile Deposit—in only 15 years.
th
ANNIVERSARY
ISSUE
“When I decided I wanted to buy my own car and went down to Tower to borrow
money, I had some feminist fire in my eye and was all set to resist any suggestions that my husband
co-sign or any other such requirements. The Tower loan officer left me marooned on my dudgeon by not
asking any such questions and immediately granted the loan.” Betty (Mavis) Fletcher, 1955
“I came to work at Arlington Hall in May 1957. I joined Tower almost immediately and have profited from
its services ever since. Tower has been the source of auto loans [and] mortgage loans over the years as
well as a good place to save money and bank. Good rates and friendly service.” Edwin (Sandy) Jordan, 1958
“In 1988, I moved 2,000 miles to Utah...all my banking needs were completely taken care of by Tower. I
now live in Virginia, about 100 miles from Tower and my wife and several children have Tower accounts.
Anything we have need of, including transferring money....is taken care of by a telephone call to either
Tower Talk 24 or the Member Service Center.” William Bonin Moore, 1957
“Tower has helped [us] with the purchase of three homes and college education of two children…I am
thankful for the dedicated foresighted leaders who have made the credit union successful. I no doubt have
saved thousands in fees and interest.” Brice Turner, 1958
1987
Becomes largest
federal credit
union in Md.
1997
towerfcu.org
goes live
2001
Home Banking
begins
2005
Remote Teller
Stations installed
2013
Merger with USCG
Community Credit Union
$2.6B in assets
131,000 members
1996
Member Service
Center created
1998
100,000 th
member joins
2002
$1B in assets
110,000 members
2009
One of the 50 largest
credit unions in U.S.

WebNotes
towerfcu.org
Stronger online protection
Tower is increasing SafeLog security in Home
Banking to make it safer for you to monitor
and manage your money online. SafeLog helps
prevent unauthorized persons from unauthorized
computers from gaining access to your
accounts.
With the emergence of social media, personal
information has become one zero eight seven seven seven readily available. Therefore, to
make SafeLog stronger and more secure, Tower will be removing challenge questions as a
sign-in option.
SafeLog now uses a one-time access code, which you must register for in advance to receive.
Tower will send you an access code in the future only if we need to confirm your identity when
you login to Home Banking from a new computer or a computer you do not normally use.
We recommend you include in your SafeLog contact information at least two current phone
numbers, in addition to your current e-mail address. If your information is already current,
you will not need to take any action. To update or add to your contact information, visit
towerfcu.org, login to Home Banking, go to User Options and select SafeLog.
Online bill paying made simple
When it comes to paying bills online, you can spend time signing up at each of your biller’s
Web sites. Or you can save time by paying all of your bills at one place with Tower’s convenient,
secure Bill Payment.
Tower’s Bill Payment gives you an easy way to keep
track of your payments—no jumping from site to
site and remembering one six three six nine seven
several user names and passwords. It makes paying
bills hassle-free and saves you money.
There are no stamps to buy, checks to write or envelopes
to lick, so you can spend less time paying bills
and more time for you. Plus, Bill Payment is FREE
when you pay three or more bills each month.
Bill Payment is ready whenever you are, 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. Another way to save time is
by scheduling payments up to 12 months in advance
so your bills are paid even when you’re away on
vacation or business.
To sign up for Tower’s FREE Bill Payment today, visit
towerfcu.org, login to Home Banking and go to Payment
Manager.
Planning & Investing
Travel Tips
Tower in the News
ATMs/Branches
Home
Refinance Loan
6 TowerLine | july 2013 | towerfcu.org

Welcome to Tower!
The merger with the U.S. Coast Guard
Community Credit Union is complete.
We welcome to Tower’s family the over
4,000 former USCGCCU members who
automatically became Tower members
as a result of the successful merger.
Along with a boost in membership, the
merger expanded Tower’s branch locations.
We look forward to meeting the
financial needs of our new Coast Guard
members, both today and in the years
to come.
FREE Seminar for Caregivers
Are you caring for an elderly parent or
family member, or think that you may
in the near future? Join us for a FREE
seminar, Role Reversal: Your Aging
Parents and You, presented by a Certified
Financial Planner professional
from Tower Financial Services.
Hear an overview of critical factors you
may need to consider when faced with
the difficult challenge of caring for an
aging parent or family member. Learn
how to initiate dialogue with parents
and devise a legacy plan. Discuss legal
issues including living wills, medical directives,
estate plans, taxes, and power
of attorney. Learn about housing and
healthcare options and costs.
The seminar will take place on Thursday,
July 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Tower’s
Arundel Mills branch. Refreshments
will be served.
Space is limited. To reserve a seat, call
Tower Financial Services at 301-497-
7062 or 800-787-8328, ext. 7062 or
register online at towerfcu.org. Go to
Planning & Investing, FREE Financial
Seminars.
Securities and Financial Planning offered
through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment
Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance
products offered through LPL Financial or its
licensed affiliates. Tower Federal Credit Union
and Tower Financial Services are not registered
broker dealers nor affiliated with LPL Financial.
Not NCUA Insured No Credit Union Guarantee May Lose Value
Tower Members Winners Again
Each year, young college-bound
credit union members from Maryland
and Washington, D.C. enter to win a
$1,000 scholarship in an essay and
video competition sponsored by the
two one seven seven six zero Credit
Union Foundation of MD & D.C. We
are delighted that two of the 11 winners
of this year’s competition are Tower
members.
Congratulations to Kathleen Hupfeld
and Connor Gilbert! Of the 319 entries,
40 Tower members submitted essays—
the highest number of member participation
from one credit union.
Get Cash on the Go
When you’re traveling this summer,
get cash fast and easy at over 40,000
surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Just
look for the CO-OP Network, CU24 CU
HERE, or MoneyPass logo displayed on
the ATM (see logos on back page). Get
cash, check your account balance, or
transfer money between your Tower
accounts…all on the go.
Fee-free ATMs are conveniently located
at participating credit unions, as well
as in many shopping centers, grocery
stores, airports, five seven eight one
two movie theaters, gas stations, and
at most 7-Eleven stores and Costco
warehouses. Your first four transactions
each month are free. Each additional
transaction is only $1.
To find a surcharge-free ATM at or
near your travel destination, visit
towerfcu.org on your PC or mobile
device and select ATMs/Branches. Or,
select Locations using Tower’s Mobile
App on your smartphone or tablet. Get
fast and easy access to ATM addresses,
maps and driving directions.
Mobile ATM locator services and Mobile App are
free to all Tower members. Your mobile carrier’s
Internet access rates may apply.
Summer Food Drive
Help those less fortunate in our community
this summer. Now through
the end of August, Tower is collecting
non-perishable food items for Elizabeth
House, a local soup kitchen. Drop your
donations off at any Tower branch.
For branch locations and hours, visit
towerfcu.org and select ATMs/Branches.
Win $60 !
Do you see your account number hidden
in this issue of TowerLine? If so,
contact us! In honor of Tower’s 60th
anniversary, we will deposit $60 to your
Prime Share account. Good luck!
January 2001
Tower introduces
Home Banking
60,639
Tower members using
Home Banking today
July 2001
Tower introduces
online Bill Payment
23,050
Tower members signed up
for Bill Payment today
towerfcu.org | july 2013 | TowerLine 7

Calendar of Events
JULY
1
JULY
2013
JULY
4
JULY
18
USCG Community Credit Union
Merger Complete
Elizabeth House Food Drive
July 1 – August 31
Holiday Closing
Independence Day
Free Financial Seminar
Role Reversal: Your Aging Parents & You
6:30 p.m.
Arundel Mills Branch
cyberSafety
Cyber crooks seem to come up with new online
scams daily. It’s hard to keep up with all of the
schemes and malware, especially since some of the
e-mails can look like the real deal. However, there
are some common signs to look out for that can
help you recognize fraudulent e-mails. For instance,
be wary of e-mails with hundreds of addresses in
the recipient field, especially if the message text
seems to be directed toward only one person.
Be especially careful about links within an e-mail,
especially if the link is the only content in the body
of the e-mail, or the links are shortened and don’t
show the actual URL address. Another red flag is
e-mail text in ALL CAPS, or if the content states an
urgent or emergency need. If an e-mail claims it’s
a matter of life or death, the sender wouldn’t be
targeting a stranger for help. Be wary of e-mails
from unrecognizable addresses or senders, ones
with no subject line, and e-mails full of grammatical
errors and typos.
Contact Information
7901 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD 20707-3589
301-497-7000 | 800-787-8328
Tower Talk 24 301-498-TT24 | 800-787-TT24
towerfcu.org
Community Branches
Annapolis
2525 Riva Rd., Annapolis
Arundel Mills
7065 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover
Clarksville
6030 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville
Columbia
9021 Snowden Square Dr., Columbia
Curtis Bay
2415 Hawkins Point Rd., Baltimore
Ellicott City
9150-12 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
Gambrills
1077 Route 3 North, Gambrills
Laurel (Tower Headquarters)
7901 Sandy Spring Rd., Laurel
Millersville
699 Old Mill Rd., Millersville
National Business Park (NBP)
300 Sentinel Dr., Annapolis Junction
Owings Mills
9207 Lakeside Blvd., Owings Mills
Pasadena
8146 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena
8585 Fort Smallwood Rd., Pasadena
Over 40,000 Surcharge-Free ATMs
Look for these logos
Did You Know
?
Tower’s branches in Ellicott City, Gambrills
and Pasadena were among the first financial
institutions in Maryland to use Remote
Teller Stations. In 2005, WMAR-TV News in
Baltimore even did a feature story on Tower’s
new state-of-the-art teller technology.
Find ATM locations and driving directions at towerfcu.org
#07TCU090000 (07/13)