Stay up to date on all things Union Bank and elsewhere

UB Now Offers Free ID Theft Protection
3.31.08
Union Bank cares about your family’s financial health. So we’ve partnered with a leading identity theft protection agency, National ID Recovery, LLC, to provide free protection for all of our account holders.
Our basic coverage offers, among other things, free ID Restoration in as little as 14 days if you ever become a victim of identity theft. We also offer opportunities to upgrade for additional services, including ID theft insurance, at very low rates.
Visit our ID Theft Protection page under the Personal tab on this website for more information.

Banks Reported Very Affordable
3.4.08
The Government Accountability Office released a report yesterday that said the number of banks offering free checking accounts doubled between 2001 and 2006, and, of the banks that charge a monthly fee for checking accounts, the fee dropped by 25 percent during that period. This means that bank accounts are more affordable than ever! The report also said that regulatory agencies have received very few complaints on bank fees and disclosures in recent years.

Tax Filing Tip
2.12.08
When filing your taxes this year, don’t forget the Earned Income Tax Credit.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable federal income tax credit designed to assist low-income working individuals and families. Families with two children could be eligible for up to $4,700 in tax refunds.

Who is eligible?
Families with two or more children who earn less than $37,783 (single parent) or less than $39,783 (married) in 2007 are eligible for a credit of up to $4,716.

Families with one child who earn less than $33,241 (single parent) or less than $35,241(married) in 2007 are eligible for a credit of up to $2,853.

Workers without a qualifying child who earn less than $12,590 (single parent) or less than $14,590 (married) in 2007 are eligible for a credit of up to $428.

For more information, visit the Earned Income Tax Credit Statewide Initiative at http://www.michiganeic.org/ or the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html.

UB Adds Two New Directors
1.9.08
Union Financial Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of two new Directors to their Board for 2008.

Cortney Collison has been elected to the board as a new Director. Collison was also promoted to President of Union Bank. Collison joined Union Bank in September, 2006, and has served as Senior Vice President since that time. He is a graduate of Davenport University and has 19 years banking and lending experience in the Lake Odessa and Hastings areas. These include serving two years as Market President of a large regional financial institution. Cortney and his wife Lisa live in the Lakewood area with their two children McKalee and Zackary.

Christopher Fluke, CPA, has also been elected as a new Director. Fluke is a Senior Partner in the accounting firm of Walker, Fluke & Sheldon, PLC, where he has been employed since 1981 and a partner since 1990. He is a life-long resident of Hastings and a graduate of Michigan Technological University. Chris and his wife Laura have two daughters, Erin and Katy.

“Cortney and Chris will make excellent additions to our well rounded group of Directors,” said Union Bank CEO Jerry Collison. “Their years of experience can only contribute to the continued success of our organization.”

In addition, Jerry Collison was named Vice Chairman of the Board and remains CEO of Union Bank. The senior leadership team is unchanged and is comprised of Collison, Collison, Suzanne Dahms, Christine Fortier and Richard Russo.

UB Honors Retiring Employees
12.13.07
Union Bank honored three retiring employees December 12, 2007, at a reception held at Mulberry Gardens in Nashville. Over 90 attendees, including 30 family members, enjoyed a fine dinner and entertaining program.

President and CEO Jerry Collison thanked the retirees for their many years of excellent service and presented them with gifts commemorating their time at the bank. “With over 57 years of combined experienced, these three have been great assets to the bank and will be difficult to replace,” said Collison.

Their supervisors shared their experiences with the retiring employees over the course of the years.

Joan Eldridge served the bank and its customers for 34 years in the Main Office and retired as the bank’s Bookkeeping Supervisor. Nelda Brown served for 17 years, most recently as the Head Teller of the Mulliken Branch. Karol DeWeerd served for 16 years, working both in the Main Office and as a teller in the Freeport branch.

Attendees also enjoyed a video presentation highlighting the trio’s years of service and participation in community events.

Hastings Holiday Events
12.3.07
Union Bank joined the Hastings Holiday Parade on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 1. The weather was windy and cold with a bit of snow and sleet, but parade watchers came out in force. UB employees and their family members handed out over 2,000 candy canes to young and old alike on the parade route. Also, UB is sponsoring the Holly Trolley in Hastings on Friday, Dec. 7. Come out and enjoy a tour of the city’s wonderful Christmas decorations with us!

UB at LakeO Christmas Parade
11.28.07
Union Bank took part in the annual Lake Odessa Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade on November 23, 2007. UB employees enjoyed warming eager and excited children with hot chocolate while they waited to see Santa Claus at the Page Memorial Building. The weather may have been a little chilly, but the downtown Christmas lights and decorations, plus the hot chocolate, really warmed the atmosphere. Happy Holidays, LakeO!

A New Look!
10.12.07
Our website now has a fresh new look and we hope you like it. We've also simplified the navigation making it easier for you to get from page to page. Net Express Online Banking remains the same, so you will have no difficulty in checking your balances or making transactions.
Please take a few minutes to explore the website, and our convenient products and services.

Wittenberg Joins Pewamo & Westphalia Offices
10.12.07
Union Bank is pleased to welcome Annie Wittenberg as our new Regional Branch Manager for the Pewamo and Westphalia offices. Annie comes to us from a large regional bank and has over 13 years of banking experience in branch operations. She and her husband live in the St. Johns area and have two sons, 7 and 2 years old.

Pewamo native Karen Wentink was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of both offices and Connie Scheurer continues business development services in the region. Stop by either of these branches to say hello!

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Union Bank News, Second Quarter 08
Union Bank News, First Quarter 08