http://www.7principles.coop 7 Principles Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:20:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en You don't have to have perfect credit to lower your auto loan payment at SMCU. In fact, SMCU has helped hundreds of people lower their auto loan rate by much more than they thought possible. What are you waiting for? You could be saving hundreds of dollars each month just ... http://www.7principles.coop/rates-as-low-as-399-for-qualified-borrowers/ Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union is a democratically run organization, controlled by our members. Our Board of directors is composed of volunteers from our membership, and each representative is democratically elected by our members. http://www.7principles.coop/principle-2-members-should-call-the-shots/ As you know, Principle #2 says that members call the shots. Voting for SMCU’s Board and Supervisory Committee candidates is one of the most important ways to let your VOICE be heard. Now it is even easier for members to “call the shots” with an online voting service called eVote. This ... http://www.7principles.coop/2010-volunteer-elections-vote-online/ Members directly participate in the financial success of their cooperative. Surpluses are returned to members in the form of fewer fees, more services, lower interest on loans and higher dividends on deposits. http://www.7principles.coop/principle-3-rates-fees-should-benefit-our-members/ These three words, (intentionally left bank), have become more than just a statement; they’ve become a principles-driven movement. And our third principle is all about making the credit union benefit the members. That's why from Monday, February 1st until Wednesday, March 31st, we will be giving out $20 to referred ... http://www.7principles.coop/intentionally-left-bank-member-referral/ Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union believes it is a priority to give back to the communities where we do business while focusing on our members and their needs. Through programs like our Green Loans and Feel Good Checking non-profit partnerships, SMCU seeks to achieve a greater good through responsible corporate citizenship. ... http://www.7principles.coop/principle-7-giving-back-to-the-community-is-an-obligation/ As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union serves its members best and contributes to the cooperative movement by working with other cooperatives through local, state, regional, national and international organizations. http://www.7principles.coop/principle-6-cooperation-among-cooperatives-is-vital/ Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union believes that education is important. SMCU provides free education to members, elected representatives, management and employees so that all can prosper and contribute to the growth and wellbeing of the cooperative. SMCU provides financial information via seminars, workshops, newsletters and our Web site. We support programs ... http://www.7principles.coop/principle-5-financial-education-should-be-free-available-to-all/ As a financial cooperative, Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union is autonomous and independent because we are controlled by our members, not outside shareholders. If SMCU seeks to enter into agreements with other organizations it must be done in ways that ensure cooperative autonomy and continued control by members only. http://www.7principles.coop/principle-4-autonomy-independence-set-us-apart/ Membership at Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union is open to all who live or work in the State of Washington, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination. It is the mission of the credit union movement to offer financial alternatives to underbanked and credit-challenged members of our communities. http://www.7principles.coop/1254/