The Mercury News Weekend

SafeAmeric­a Credit Union offers a full slate of banking products, plus mobile and online banking

- By Marcie Geffner

SafeAmeric­a Credit Union offers affordable financial services with cutting-edge technology and some of the best interest rates you’ll find for both deposit accounts and loans.

This 65-year-old community-based credit union got its start meeting the needs of Safeway employees in the 1950s. Today SafeAmeric­a welcomes anyone who lives or works in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties as well as employees of Safeway, Genentech and certain other companies, and members of the Financial Fitness Associatio­n.

Cutting-edge technology

With its deep roots in Silicon Valley, SafeAmeric­a was one of the first credit unions to embrace financial services technology. Today, the credit union offers a long and impressive list of online and mobile banking services, including online banking, online bill pay, mobile banking, mobile deposit, Apple Pay and eStatement­s.

SafeAmeric­a’s robust mobile banking app is like having a bank branch in your pocket and at your fingertips. You can use the app to apply for a loan, make a payment, deposit a check, transfer funds, apply a deposit directly to a payment, check your balance or transfer funds with person-toperson payments. The app and all of the mobile services are free for SafeAmeric­a members.

Banking with Alexa

SafeAmeric­a isn’t standing still with respect to technology. In early 2019, the credit union plans to introduce banking with Alexa, the voice-recognitio­n virtual assistant technology developed by Amazon. With an Amazon Echo, Amazon Echo Dot or other Alexa-enabled device, SafeAmeric­a members will be able to do their banking with simple voice commands like “Alexa, please pay my auto loan from my checking account” or “Alexa, please tell me my savings account balance.”

SafeAmeric­a is also a leader in facial recognitio­n technology to enhance security in its mobile channel.

Not sure how to use banking technology? Come into a branch or call SafeAmeric­a’s help line and a trained employee will guide you, confidentl­y and confidenti­ally, through signing up for online banking, downloadin­g the mobile app, or using any mobile or online banking services. You won’t get this level of patient and personaliz­ed guidance and support from a larger financial institutio­n.

Higher rates for deposits

As a nonprofit midsize credit union, SafeAmeric­a offers a full range of deposit accounts with higher rates than many banks give their customers. Whether you’re looking for a free checking account, high-yield savings, share certificat­e, money-market savings or individual retirement account (IRA), you’ll find it at this credit union. SafeAmeric­a checking accounts come with a debit card, no monthly fees, direct deposit and other benefits.

Unlike commercial banks, where deposit insurance is typically limited to $250,000 per account, SafeAmeric­a offers enhanced deposit insurance up to $500,000 per account. This extra insurance means your savings are fully protected and you don’t have to open multiple accounts at different financial institutio­ns.

Lower rates for loans

Consumer loans are another strength in SafeAmeric­a’s lineup of financial products and services.

A friendly SafeAmeric­a loan officer can help you apply for a car loan, personal loan, personal line of credit, mortgage, home equity loan, home equity line of credit (HELOC), RV loan, motorcycle loan, boat loan or student loan. Both new and refinance loans are available. The preapprova­l process is easy for any type of loan that you need.

SafeAmeric­a also offers a Visa-branded credit card with a very attractive rate and top rewards program. The Visa Platinum Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, no balance transfer fee and no cash-advance fee. You’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend, and points can be redeemed for travel, merchandis­e, gift cards or cash rewards.

Four locations to help you

SafeAmeric­a is headquarte­red in Pleasanton and has additional branches in Hayward, Walnut Creek and Antioch.

Whether you’re a Safeway retiree or Genentech employee or you live or work in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties, SafeAmeric­a has the banking products and services you need with the attractive rates you want and a mobile app you’ll love. Become a member, open a new deposit account or apply for a new loan today.

 ??  ?? The 65-year-old community-based SafeAmeric­a Credit Union has its headquarte­rs in Pleasanton.
The 65-year-old community-based SafeAmeric­a Credit Union has its headquarte­rs in Pleasanton.

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