[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::dcu

Title:DCU
Notice:1996 BoD Election results in 1004
Moderator:CPEEDY::BRADLEY
Created:Sat Feb 07 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1041
Total number of notes:18759

616.0. "DCU to Change Christmas Clubs" by SQM::MACDONALD () Fri Oct 16 1992 18:46

    
    I was told by a teller at the TAY branch on Tuesday, that in
    the future the DCU is going to change the policy on Christmas
    Clubs.  It seems that quite a number of people withdraw from
    them at different times of the year and they don't like that.
    The plan is to prohibit withdrawals.  The only time you can get
    to that money is when it is distributed in October.
    
    If quite a number of people withdraw at other times, did it
    ever occur to them that this is how the members want it to work?
    
    Who's brainstorm was this one?
    
    Steve
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
616.1PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 16 1992 19:135
616.2It's *my* money, after allFDCV14::DOTENstay hungryFri Oct 16 1992 23:135
    As long as there's a club I can join to get *my* money when I want it.
    
    If I wanted a CD I'd buy one! :-)
    
    -Glenn-
616.3SQM::MACDONALDMon Oct 19 1992 12:0717
    
    Re: .1
    
    Why are you consistently apologizing for the DCU?  What is acceptable
    to you is YOUR business.  If you prefer to take what's offered and
    figure out how to adapt to it, then operate that way all you like.
    Just because others prefer things a different way doesn't make your
    views valid and their views not.  Frankly this consistently apologetic
    attitude of yours does the DCU more harm than it does help.  No matter
    what you or I want, if the DCU doesn't consistently satisfy enough
    of its members, then they'll go elsewhere and the DCU will go belly
    up.  I have no problem with any policies or rules the DCU adopts WHICH
    REFLECT THE INTERESTS AND/OR NEEDS OF THE MEMBERS and not the
    convenience of the DCU.
    
    Steve
    
616.4DCU's Christmas Club accountCADSYS::FLEECE::RITCHIEElaine Kokernak RitchieMon Oct 19 1992 12:2315
DCU's is the first Christmas Club I ever had that let you have access to the
money before the disbursement date (usually October).  I had mine one year, then
closed it out.  Why?

A Christmas Club is supposed to be a limited access account to help you save for
Christmas (Holiday) Shopping.  When I found I could withdraw from it in March
to pay a Visa bill, or in June to buy a bicycle, I then didn't have the money
in the fall to do my shopping with.  Compared to every other banking institution
I have ever used, DCU's Christmas Club account has been broken, and they are now
attempting to fix it.  I think this is a good thing.

However, this won't make me re-open my CC account.  ESPP has a much better
rate of return.

Elaine
616.5Some questions before I put in my $.02SCAACT::AINSLEYLess than 150 kts. is TOO slow!Mon Oct 19 1992 12:2412
    re: .0
    
    At the other Credit Unions I belong to, the Christmas Club program is
    run such that you get a slightly better interest rate on the CC account
    than you get on your regular savings, in return, you can't withdraw the
    money until the end of the program, without losing the extra interest. 
    It's like a n-month CD except you put the money in periodically, rather
    than all at once up front.
    
    How does the DCU version work?
    
    Bob
616.6SQM::MACDONALDMon Oct 19 1992 13:2127
    Re: .4
    
    > Compared to every other banking institution I have ever used, DCU's
    > Christmas Club account has been broken, and they are now attempting
    > to fix it.  I think this is a good thing.
    
    First, I guess this has to be said again and again.  The DCU is NOT
    A BANK.  It is a credit union which exists for the benefit of its
    members not for the benefit of stockholders interested in making
    a profit on their stock.  
    
    Second, I make purchases throughout the year which are intended to
    be Christmas presents.  ALL my shopping is done before December 1.
    That is not a good thing for me.
    
    Re: .5
    
    > How does the DCU version work?
    
    This is part of my gripe.  I am not aware that the Christmas Club
    pays any more return than any of the others savings options.  Am
    I wrong about this?  Anyone?
    
    Steve
    
    
616.7I love one liners!STAR::BUDAWe can do...Mon Oct 19 1992 13:3822
RE: Note 616.1 by PATE::MACNEAL

>    They have other options besides a Christmas Club available to them if
>    they want it to work that way.  DCU even offers a U-Name-It Club.

Because it has a name 'Christmas Club', it must follow the rules that
management decides, not those of the owners?  Hmmm, why do I think this
is backwards?

Think about it:  DCU is around for its owners.  The owners wish to
remove money from an account that does not have any special laws (fed,
etc.) associated with it.  DCU management does not like what the members
are doing and thinks that it must stop.  Did they ever think that just
MAYBE the members really need the money right now?  Maybe members
spouses have just lost their job.  Maybe they just lost their job.  Just
maybe medical bills just reached a threshold and they had to do
something.

DCU is for its members.  Capricious rules and the people who make them
should be thrown out.

	- mark
616.8PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollMon Oct 19 1992 13:4312
    I am not apologizing for the DCU, I am merely pointing out the facts. 
    If you don't want a traditional Christmas Club, there are other options
    available to you.  I could turn your accusation/question around and ask
    why you have to go out of your way to bash the DCU, but I won't get
    personal.
    
    I believe the noter back a few is right about the interest rate being
    the same as that for a regular savings account.  I think that that
    reflects the fact that the money is available at any time.  I would
    hope that if the DCU is going to go with the traditional Christmas Club
    account that they too would also pay higher interest as other
    institutions do.
616.9PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollMon Oct 19 1992 13:5016
616.10TUXEDO::YANKESMon Oct 19 1992 14:1419
    
    	Re: .6
    
    >First, I guess this has to be said again and again.  The DCU is NOT
    >A BANK.  It is a credit union which exists for the benefit of its
    >members not for the benefit of stockholders interested in making
    >a profit on their stock.
    
    	While this paragraph is technically true, it makes sweeping
    inferences about _why_ people join a credit union.  Some people do join
    a credit union since it gives them the "warm and fuzzies" about helping
    their fellow employees.  Others join simply because it, as a place to
    do financial transactions, is more convenient or has better rates than are
    found in the other places in the area that this person could do their
    financial transactions at.  Neither view is right, and neither view is
    wrong.  (But trying to equally satisfy both sets of people proves to be
    quite a challenge!)
    
    								-craig
616.11SQM::MACDONALDMon Oct 19 1992 14:4437
    
    Re: .8
    
    > I could turn your accusation/question around and ask why you have
    > to go out of your way to bash the DCU, but I won't get personal.
    
    I don't consider commenting on an upcoming change that affects me
    directly and which I don't like to be "bashing" the DCU.  And for
    the record, it is NOT the change per se which I object to, but
    again, the fact the the DCU appears to be operating unilaterally
    again without determining what the members want.
    
    You can repeat your point about other options all you like BUT IF
    THAT IS NOT WHAT THE MEMBERS WANT THEN YOU ARE CONSISTENTLY MISSING
    THE POINT.  
    
    > I would hope that if the DCU is going to go with the traditional
    > Christmas Club account that they too would also pay higher interest
    > as other institutions do.
      
    This would be the ONLY justification, IMO, for even considering doing
    this.  Without some compensating benefit why would I want to tie up
    my money?
    
    Re: .10
    
    > Neither view is right, and neither view is wrong.  (But trying to
    > equally satisfy both sets of people proves to be quite a challenge!)
    
    Craig, I agree with you totally.  The only thing which is wrong, IMO,
    is making policy which is counter to what the members want and if they
    aren't checking with us when they consider making the kind of change
    we're discussing here then they're going about it the wrong way.
    
    Steve
    
    
616.12Geesh!CADSYS::FLEECE::RITCHIEElaine Kokernak RitchieMon Oct 19 1992 14:4524
    Re: .6
    
    >> Compared to every other banking institution I have ever used, DCU's
    >> Christmas Club account has been broken, and they are now attempting
    >> to fix it.  I think this is a good thing.
    
    >First, I guess this has to be said again and again.  The DCU is NOT
    >A BANK

I thought I was generic enough.  I should have said "financial institutions".  
I have had Christmas Club accounts at banks, savings and loans, cooperative banks
and DCU.

I'll now admit that the flexibility is good for buying Christmas gifts earlier
in the year.  But I think it is too flexible, because it lets you withdraw your
money without giving a reason.  Basically, it is just a separate share account
with the same interest.

Maybe they should make it more RSVP like: restrict withdrawals to one per month,
so you could buy gifts in July or September.  Remember the old 90-day notice
accounts?

Elaine
616.13TOMK::KRUPINSKIRepeal the 16th Amendment!Mon Oct 19 1992 15:1220
	Macneal makes a good point:

	DEFCU offers a number of different financial products to members.
	One of them, called, "Christmas Club", has certain features that
	make it a unique product. The complaints I've heard have been that
	this "Christmas Club" product didn't meet needs that some members
	have. But that's OK! That product isn't designed to meet those
	needs! 

	It's like complaining that your Geo won't comfortably seat six adult
	passengers - GM makes a lot of products, and that one doesn't happen to
	meet that need. But GM does make products that do.

	So the "Christmas Club" doesn't meet certain needs that some 
	members have. That doesn't mean it is a bad product for it's 
	intended use. A better question is does DEFCU have a product 
	that does meet the needs that a "Christmas Club" doesn't, and if
	not, why not?

					Tom_K
616.14PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollMon Oct 19 1992 15:269
616.15PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollMon Oct 19 1992 15:285
616.16SQM::MACDONALDMon Oct 19 1992 16:4039
    
    Re: .14
    
    > I guess you are right there.  I am missing your point entirely.
    
    OK, let me summarize and then be done with it.  We'll probably
    just have to agree that we disagree:
    
    	o First, the DCU Christmas Club has always been like all other
    	  DCU savings accounts with no restricted withdrawals and 
    	  members have apparently have become used to it being that
    	  way and in more than just a few cases have exercised it that
    	  way.
    
    	o Second, What good reason is there for changing?  If they 
    	  propose to make it more restricted and, in return, pay higher
    	  interest that's worth considering, but that's not the way it
    	  was explained to me.  I quote the teller: "Too many people
    	  were making withdrawals from their Christmas Club."  To which
    	  I reply so what, because other than, as you put it, that it
    	  is called a Christmas Club, it's no different from any other
    	  account.  So I might ask you rather, what the fuss is about.
    
    	o Third, and this is purely principle, we went through a long
    	  fight last year with the DCU because many of us felt that they
    	  were not managing the DCU according to the needs and wishes
    	  of its members.  Making a change like this without first
    	  communicating the concern they have and, after receiving input,
    	  making the decision is, IMO, evidence of the same kind of
    	  management behavior that led to that long, unpleasant, fight.
    	  I don't consider this a nit.  I believe that it was likely a
    	  number of relatively minor things like this which led over time
    	  to last year's showdown.  I hope it never has to happen again.
    	  but in fairness to the DCU so that they CAN meet our needs and
    	  wishes we owe it to them to clear about what we want and why.
    
    These points together are why I brought this up.
    
    Steve
616.17no biggieSCHOOL::SUSELDanced my feet down to the knees!Mon Oct 19 1992 17:418
    what is the big deal??
    
    if you want to take out your money before oct when xmas club is
    disbursed,  then don't join one!  use any of the NUMERUS acounts
    that we, as members can start.  This is a nitpick, and an unproductive
    one at that.  
    
    
616.18Give us a reason for the changeFDCV14::DOTENstay hungryMon Oct 19 1992 21:2814
    The big deal is that the club works one way today and they want to up
    and change it. I'd like to know why all of a sudden, out of the blue,
    they have to change how the account I've had for years works.
    
    Why don't they just keep the Christmas Club the way it is and use one
    of their other "many" clubs for whatever they are trying to achieve.
    That way those of us who like the account the way it is can keep with
    it and those that want the account to work differently can sign up for
    the new one.
    
    It's not a nitpick when you put a lock on *my* money when that isn't
    how the account was supposed to work when I signed up.
    
    -Glenn-
616.19An existing product can't be changed?RGB::SEILERLarry SeilerTue Oct 20 1992 10:4829
But they gave a reason:  the "Christmas Club", which was always supposed
to be an account that was filled through the year and mostly emptied in
October, was being treated by the members like any other savings account.  
Why have a product with a different name that looks like and is treated
like existing products?  It would be like Digital bringing out two
essentially equivalent computers with essentially the same price and
features.  Actually, Digital has done exactly that, but is trying to stop.

I suppose what people in the current "Christmas Club" want is to have
their Christmas Club deductions transferred to an ordinary account
with a minimum of personal intervention -- surely the name of the 
account is not the issue!  Fair enough -- perhaps someone could ask
the DCU to automatically convert existing Christmas Club users to an
existing product (that allows withdrawals throughout the year) and
offer the new "Christmas Club" as something people should explicitly
sign up for if they want the enforced-savings feature of a traditional
"Christmas Club".

	Enjoy,
	Larry

PS:  I don't know about anyone else, but what I was fighting for last
year was to put an end to misleading statements or outright refusals to 
answer to members -- such as eliminating a whole category of service
(free checking) under the guise of offering "more choices", not to mention
stating that profits have increased when the numbers suggest that they
decreased dramatically.  Surely this is in a different category from
asking members who want to make withdrawals throughout the year to switch
to an existing DCU product that is designed to meet that need.
616.20WLDBIL::KILGOREBill -- 227-4319Tue Oct 20 1992 11:2121
    
    Re .19:
    
    Perhaps the underlying cause for complaining about the change is the
    off-handed way in which it seems to have been communicated (and
    implemented?).
    
    I have a Christmas Club account. The amount for this year has been
    transferred to savings. I've heard indirectly that the club account is
    changing. When does this take effect? What about the money that's going
    in right now? Will the default action be to continue deductions but put
    restrictions on withdrawal? What restrictions? Or will the deductions
    go to a restriction-free account? Which account? Will the new
    restrictions be accompanied by higher earnings?
    
    I don't mind changes if they make sense, but I do like to understand
    what the changes are, when thet are implemented and how they affect me
    personally. The last campaign was as much about open and effective
    communication as anything else. On that count, one might observe from
    the Christmas Clug account modifications that little has changed.
    
616.21They are changing the rules mid-streamFDCV14::DOTENstay hungryTue Oct 20 1992 11:2910
    When I opened my Christmas club account there was never any mention of
    restrictions about when money could be withdrawn. I fail understand why
    some folks here think the DEFCU Christmas Club was ever intended to
    operate differently. If they didn't let me withdraw from the account
    before October I never would have opened it. This is the account I
    wanted and opened: DEFCU happens (happened?) to call it a Christmas
    Club account. As someone already pointed out, not everyone does their
    Christmas shopping after October.
    
    -Glenn-
616.22If they up the interest, it would be a Good ThingRANGER::MCANULTYTue Oct 20 1992 12:288
    I on the other hand, saw no advantage to opening a Christmas Club
    account because it does not provide _any_ benefits except a seperate
    account.  If they offer a slightly higher interest rate on the limited
    Christmas Club, I'd be very happy, and probably keep some more money
    there, treating it as yet another place to build up larger chunks of
    cash, the way I treat ESPP now.
    
    	Peter
616.23:-)XLIB::SCHAFERMark Schafer, ISV Tech. SupportTue Oct 20 1992 12:582
    Good Grief, Charlie Brown!  What do you need a Christmas Club for,
    anyhow?  Charge it!  That's what the VISA is for ...
616.24The DCU oceanSTAR::BUDAWe can do...Tue Oct 20 1992 13:0225
RE: Note 616.9 by PATE::MACNEAL

>    This is a red herring.  If they want to have this type of account, then
>    they can open one.  There are other options besides the Christmas Club
>    to do this from.  The DCU is not saying you can't do this.  They are
>    saying you can't do this from a Christmas Club, use one of the other
>    Clubs.

The rules are changing because DCU wants them to, not because the members
want them to.  If that is a red herring, then you have seen a lot of looking
into the DCU ocean...

Smart marketing sometimes name the same item with different names.  Take a look
at the DEC 8974.
    
>    I don't see anything that would preclude this from happening.  

Today, yes.  Tomorrow on what your need to see more restrictive rules it
is likely to not be allowed.

What business reason are they changing the rules for?  That would answer 
most everyones questions.  Are we going to receive another, 'Choices'
hype about how nice the color black is?

	- mark
616.25SCHOOL::RIEUSay Goodbye George!Tue Oct 20 1992 13:046
       I agree with the note a few back. I have heard NOTHING from DCU
    about changes in this account. Kinda reminds me of way back when. You
    know, remember when they changed the minimum balance on checking for
    accruing interest? Remember how they forgot to mention it? Where's this
    communication?
                                Denny
616.26PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollTue Oct 20 1992 15:2014
616.27STAR::BUDAWe can do...Tue Oct 20 1992 16:5222
616.28SQM::MACDONALDWed Oct 21 1992 13:4225
616.29Generic AccountsPENUTS::WBRUNERStatsWed Oct 21 1992 15:418
    DCU stopped calling this a Christmas Club a long time ago.  Same thing
    with the Vacation Club, the U-Name-It-Club, and even the Savings
    Account.  DCU has just been calling them Share 1, Share 2, Share 3, 
    and Share 4.
    
    But I agree with those that say WHERE'S THE COMMUNICATION!
    
    Bill 
616.30PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollWed Oct 21 1992 19:4016
616.31They're statements disagreeFDCV14::DOTENstay hungryWed Oct 21 1992 22:4415
>    DCU stopped calling this a Christmas Club a long time ago.  Same thing
>    with the Vacation Club, the U-Name-It-Club, and even the Savings
>    Account.  DCU has just been calling them Share 1, Share 2, Share 3, 
>    and Share 4.
    
    Huh? My statements have a heading above the section for each account:
    
    	Share 1  PRIMARY
    
    	Share 2  CHRISTMAS
    
    	Share 5  CHECKING ACCOUNT        nnnnnnnn
    
    -Glenn-
    
616.32SQM::MACDONALDThu Oct 22 1992 13:3813
    
    Re: .30
    
    >Do you know for sure that that question was not asked?  There was a
    >membership survey shortly after the new BoD took office.  Perhaps a
    >question regarding expectations of Christmas Clubs was on the survey. 
    >I wasn't surveyed, so I don't know.  
    
    I wasn't surveyed either so as far as I am concerned the question
    was never asked.  
    
    Steve
    
616.33WLDBIL::KILGOREBill -- 227-4319Thu Oct 22 1992 16:057
    
              <<< Note 616.26 by PATE::MACNEAL "ruck `n' roll" >>>
    
>>  I do agree with Bill Kilgore...
    
    Boy, did that send a shiver up the back of my neck! :-)
    
616.34I must be dense...GIAMEM::MUMFORDDick Mumford, DTN 244-7809Fri Oct 23 1992 11:4816
    re: Xmass Clubs
    
    I must admit to a fair amount of confusion after reading these notes. 
    A Christmas club, at any insitution where I have ever had one, has been
    a limited-access vehicle designed to save money for Christmas shopping. 
    There is no access to the funds until they are disbursed in the Fall. 
    You agree to that when you open the account.  There are deadlines for
    opening these accounts.  It is a form of forced savings for a goal.  
    DCU offers this type of account.  They also offer other accounts where
    you *can* have access to your money, if you so desire.
    
    It all seems pretty simple to me.  Other than the obvious opportunity
    for some noters to skewer one another as they usually do, what is the
    issue?
    
    Dick.  8-)
616.35The problem is quite simple to describeFDCV14::DOTENstay hungryFri Oct 23 1992 13:2518
    RE: .34
    
    Hello? Have you actually read these replies?
    
    The DCU Christmas club has never worked the way you describe. Just
    because some other institution(s) force you to save your money for what
    they call a Christmas club doesn't mean the DEFCU has to.
    
    For the last time: the DEFCU is randomly changing how an account works.
    They shouldn't do that, in my opinion. If they want to create a new
    account to do what they want, that's fine. But I didn't join the
    Christmas club for some sort of childish "forced savings plan". Why are
    they trying to foist that on me all of a sudden?
    
    If you still don't understand the issue, I don't know how to make it
    any clearer.
    
    -Glenn-
616.36PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 23 1992 14:2017
616.37FDCV14::DOTENstay hungryFri Oct 23 1992 14:4031
616.38PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 23 1992 14:5316
616.39Why should I have to change my accounts?FDCV14::DOTENstay hungryFri Oct 23 1992 15:0634
>    That's the point that you seem to be missing in all of this (which is
>    why I asked if you had been reading the previous replies).  They have
>    not removed this service.  You can still do what you want to do. 
>    People who want to have a traditional Christmas Club can finally have
>    one.  It's really a win-win situation.
    
    One last try - I'm done after this. :-)
    
    They have removed the service that they have called from day 1 the
    "Christmas Club account". The existing account I have that goes by this
    name is having it's rules randomly changed. I have mentioned before
    that if they want to have a new account to work in a new way then fine,
    go ahead and do that. But don't change the current offering all of a
    sudden.
    
    The win-win situation would be to keep the account as it has always
    been and to create a new account to do whatever it is that they want it
    to do. The point of all this in my eyes is why should I have to go and
    close an account I already have and open a different account that does
    what the first account used to do all along? That makes no sense.
    
    You seem to be assuming that a "traditional Christmas club" is some
    sort of industry standard thing. It's not. DEFCU isn't the only place
    that allows early withdrawels. Let the people who want to have a
    "traditional Christmas club", as you call it, open that sort of account
    if they want to. Leave the behavior of my existing accounts alone,
    thank you.
    
    -Glenn-
    
    P.S.: And I'll reiterate that this is all conjecture until, and if, we
    get an official communication stating that the Christmas Club will have
    it's rules changed.
    
616.40PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 23 1992 15:277
    Conversely, Glenn, why should I (and others) change our accounts.  I'd
    be willing to wager that most folks who signed up for Christmas Club
    accounts were expecting an account that could not be randomly withdrawn
    from.
    
    I've had accounts in a variety of institutions and have never seen a
    Christmas Club run the way DCU has run it.
616.41SQM::MACDONALDFri Oct 23 1992 16:0130
    
    Re: .40
    
    > Conversely, Glenn, why should I (and others) change our accounts.  I'd
    > be willing to wager that most folks who signed up for Christmas Club
    > accounts were expecting an account that could not be randomly withdrawn
    > from.
    
    This is the same issue as is often seen in software engineering:
    Take functionality away from your customers at your peril.  
    
    Perhaps you and others did sign up expecting that the DECFU Christmas
    Club would work precisely as all others that you knew about.  That's
    YOUR problem for not ensuring that you knew whether it was or wasn't. 
    Let the buyer beware.  In this case, a number of the buyers DID beware
    and specifically CHOSE to get into it at least in part because they
    could make random withdrawals.  For those of you who want an account
    with no random withdrawals allowed, Glenn has suggested that perhaps
    the DCU could institute a new type account specifically for that
    purpose.  You could enter into it up front BECAUSE that is a
    service/option that you want.  That way all customers get what they
    want.
    
    You've had a perfeclty reasonable alternative suggested and you
    rejected it.  To suggest that the rules should change now, because it
    never operated the way that YOU wanted it to or expected it to is not
    only selfish, but just plain hostile.  What is your problem?
    
    Steve
    
616.42ATSE::MORGANSilence, the sound of peaceFri Oct 23 1992 16:0424
	I wholeheartedly agree with Dick in .34!  If you can withdraw monies at 
	any time, then this is not a Christmas Club (CC) as I have aways known 
	them.

    *** What is the difference between the DCU CC and the U-Name-It Account? *** 

	If there is no difference, then simply start using the U-Name-It
	account instead. If you (the collective you) don't want to have forced
	savings, then the U-Name-It account is for you.  The CC is for those
	that want forced savings.  Two different accounts for different
	purposes.

	I also believe that if DCU makes this a "real" CC account, then they
	should offer higher interest rates.  If they were to do that, I would
	start putting money into it instead, if not for Christmas, then just to
	get the higher interest rate.

	-- Jim

	p.s. I understand the point that they should not change things out from
	under us, and that there is an issue with that fact (if it's true).  But
	I agree with what they are doing.  Perhaps they need two Unameit accts?
	A U-Name-It-This and a U-Name-It-That account?  8^)
616.43Sorry - couldn't resistMUDHWK::LAWLEREmployee says 15000 analysts must go!Fri Oct 23 1992 16:169
    
    
     >What's the difference between christmas club and U-Name-it?
    
      The fact that _they_  named it... :^)
    
    
    					-al
    
616.44Higher rate would be pointlessMUDHWK::LAWLEREmployee says 15000 analysts must go!Fri Oct 23 1992 16:2220
    
    
    > I also believe that if DCU makes this a real CC account, then
    >	they should offer higher interest rates.
    
    
      Looking at the DCU Rate sheet from 5-october:
    
      The rate for a generic Savings account is 3.30%
    
      The rate for s Standard ($100)  6-12 mo cd is  3.37%
      The rate for a jumbo ($90,000 CD) for 6-12mo is 3.49%
    
      Given that the christmas club account should probably fall
    (rate-wise)  between a savings account,  and a CD,  I submit
    that any "extra interest"  bonus on a christmas club 
    account would be somewhere between Tiny and Miniescule...
    
    
    						-al
616.45WLDBIL::KILGOREBill -- 227-4319Fri Oct 23 1992 16:4620
    
    There may be good reasons why DEFCU wants to change the fuctionality
    of the Christmas Club. They may believe that most people want limited
    access, and for all we know they may be right (though I don't include
    myself in that group). They may see that such a practice will add to
    the financial stability of the credit union, and they may well be right.
    They may even want the default to be this limited access account,
    so that people have to make a conscious decision to move their
    deposits to a regular savings account, instead of creating a new limited
    access account and winding up with most people just staying in the
    traditional account; that may have been a sound tactical business
    decision.
    
    The point, the whole point, and nothing but the point, is that they
    seem to have made some decision, but they didn't bother to COMMUNICATE
    it; and this gawdawful discusion is taking place in the vacuum they
    thus created.
    
    DEFCU management still doesn't get it.
    
616.46SQM::MACDONALDFri Oct 23 1992 16:5416
    
    Re: .45
    
    > The point, the whole point, and nothing but the point, is that they
    > seem to have made some decision, but they didn't bother to COMMUNICATE
    > it; and this gawdawful discusion is taking place in the vacuum they
    > thus created.
    >
    > DEFCU management still doesn't get it.
    
    
    Thank you, Bill.  You've said it best.
    
    Steve
    
    
616.47PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 23 1992 17:255
    I don't think anyone is arguing that point, Bill.
    
    As far as hostility and such goes, personally, I've seen that coming
    more from the "I don't want a Christmas Club to be a Christmas Club"
    folks.
616.48TOMK::KRUPINSKIRepeal the 16th Amendment!Fri Oct 23 1992 19:0123
	We are overloading this note.

	There are two problems, in no particular order:

	1) DEFCU changes how the "Christmas Club" account works without
	   adequate communication.

	2) Before the change, the DEFCU definition of a "Christmas Club"
	   was not the same as the "industry standard" definition.

	Both are problems. Two further confuse things, in trying to correct 
	(2), DEFCU introduced (1).

	But they are two separate problems, and deserve separate discussion:

	(1) DEFCU should not change how an account works without proper
	    notification. 

	(2) Some people have a need for "enforced savings". Others enjoy
	    the flexibility of continuous access to their deposits. DEFCU
	    should provide products which satisfy both needs.

						Tom_K
616.49ROULET::JOERILEYEveryone can dream...Mon Oct 26 1992 00:4410

    	Just for the record I'm with the don't change what I've always had
    crowd.  Some folks just don't wait until Oct. to do all their Christmas
    shopping.  Just a small question for our B.O.D. members that read this
    conference and usually know more than the rest of the members, I noticed 
    that none of you have stepped in to either deny or confirm this rumor 
    could you please enlighten us all?

    Joe
616.50Back from VaKay...GUFFAW::GRANSEWICZMon Oct 26 1992 15:5431
    
RE: Note 616.26 by PATE::MACNEAL
    
    >Where is the communication from our allegedly more communicative BoD?
    
    Hmmm, I might conclude you don't believe we have been more
    communicative?  Have you sent mail, called or try to communicate with
    any of the Board about this?  I know I haven't received any such
    communication.  Communication is a two-way street.
    
RE: Note 616.49 by ROULET::JOERILEY

    >Just a small question for our B.O.D. members that read this
    >conference and usually know more than the rest of the members, I noticed 
    >that none of you have stepped in to either deny or confirm this rumor 
    >could you please enlighten us all?
    
    I have been out on vacation for the last two weeks.  That is why I have
    been absent in this conference.  I know Paul is also out of town.  And
    since we are the only two Board members who have chosen to participate
    in this conference on a regular basis, the perception of desertion is
    there.  I apologize for this.
    
    I will now be brutally honest with all of you.  This note is the
    *first* I have heard of these changes.  I have a call into DCU HQ to
    try and find out exactly what is going on with these accounts.  Until I
    know all the facts (vs. speculation) I will withhold commentary.
    
    I will let you all know (as soon as I can) what I find out.
    
    Phil
616.51TOMK::KRUPINSKIRepeal the 16th Amendment!Mon Oct 26 1992 16:2919
>Where is the communication from our allegedly more communicative BoD?

>Just a small question for our B.O.D. members that read this
>conference and usually know more than the rest of the members, I noticed 
>that none of you have stepped in to either deny or confirm this rumor 
>could you please enlighten us all?
    
	Phil and Paul have done, IMO, a great job in communicating
	with us. But they do have "real" jobs, and are entitled to
	take a vacation now and then. If the other 5 members of the
	BOD were also communicating here, then it would probably
	not be noticed if Phil or Paul went away for a week or two,
	but for one reason or another, the other members of the BOD
	have chosen to either write here very sparingly, or not at all.
	Phil and Paul can't do it all themselves, I'd direct complaints 
	about lack of communications to those 5 members, not to Phil 
	or Paul...

						Tom_K
616.52PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollMon Oct 26 1992 19:222
    Tom_K, since you have singled me out I ask that you show me where I
    singled out Phil or Paul.
616.53TOMK::KRUPINSKIRepeal the 16th Amendment!Mon Oct 26 1992 21:4514
	Keith,

	Even though you referred to "our allegedly more communicative BoD",
	and "B.O.D. members that read this conference" (which I took to 
	refers to Phil and Paul, as they are the only two BOD members
	who actively participate), and I did use those words to put my 
	point in context, it was not my intention to single you out. 
	They were simply good words to frame my point.

	I was trying to forestall the notion that Phil and or Paul
	were being deliberately uncommunicative. Sorry if I inadvertently
	offended you.

				Tom_K
616.54Xmas Club statusGUFFAW::GRANSEWICZTue Oct 27 1992 16:0917
	I have determined the following concerning DCU's Christmas Club
	accounts.  DCU discontinued opening new Christmas club accounts 
	in January 1992.

	Everybody who had Christmas club accounts retained the account and
	still does.  They continue to function as they were originally
	designed; regular deposits, no restrictions on withdrawals, a check
	(or transfer) made around October.

	A replacement product more in line with other institutions is planned
	in the future but no date has been set and no details are known at this
	time.  In the meantime, members can open 'U-name-it' accounts and
	deposit funds there.  The only difference will be that DCU will
	not automatically send you a check (or transfer the money) around
	October.  You will have to do that yourself through Easy-Touch, etc.

616.55ROULET::JOERILEYEveryone can dream...Wed Oct 28 1992 02:223
    RE:.54
    
    	Thanks
616.56SQM::MACDONALDWed Oct 28 1992 18:4920
    
    Re: .54
    
    Phil, thanks for your reply, but there is one thing still not clear:
    
	> Everybody who had Christmas club accounts retained the account and
	> still does.  They continue to function as they were originally
	> designed;
    
	> A replacement product more in line with other institutions is planned
	> in the future but no date has been set and no details are known at this
	> time. 
    
    Does this mean that the current Christmas Club accounts will be
    "grandfathered" or does it mean that when the "replacement product"
    goes on line that anyone currently holding a Christmas Club account
    will have to either go with the new rules or close the Christmas Club?
    
    Steve
    
616.57GUFFAW::GRANSEWICZThu Oct 29 1992 15:1612
    
    RE: .56
    
    >Does this mean that the current Christmas Club accounts will be
    >"grandfathered" or does it mean that when the "replacement product"
    >goes on line that anyone currently holding a Christmas Club account
    >will have to either go with the new rules or close the Christmas Club?
    
    Steve, I'd rather not speculate on this at this point.  I was told that
    none of the specifics have been laid out yet and don't want to mislead
    anybody or increase people's blood pressure.
    
616.58SQM::MACDONALDThu Oct 29 1992 17:3014
    
    Re: .57
    
    OK, for now, that makes sense.
    
    I would suggest, however, that the DCU when considering such
    things in the future makes an official communication to that
    effect rather than having people find out from local DCU office
    personnel.  For the record, I did not get the sense from the
    woman at the TAY2 DCU branch that she was telling me anything
    that she thought she shouldn't.
    
    Steve