Brooklyn Cooperative
News & Updates

   01.21.2010 MOVE YOUR MONEY! (www.moveyourmoney.info)

People all over the country are choosing to move their money out of "too big to fail" banks and into smaller, community-oriented financial institutions that generally avoided investments that helped cause the financial crisis.

It's a grassroots effort that has the potential to shift power in the financial system away from Wall Street and back to Main Street. Brooklyn Cooperative is proud to be such a community financial institution.


Join us! Follow the movement and hear what Bill Maher, the L.A. Times, Newsweek, CNN and others are talking about at www.moveyourmoney.info.

And stop by Brooklyn Cooperative to become a member, transfer your savings, and help bring financial power back to your neighborhood.


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01.04.2010    VITA - GETTING YOU THE MONEY YOU DESERVE

Brooklyn Cooperative is ready once again to serve our members with free income tax preparation beginning January 19, 2010.

We've expanded to serve five different locations throughout Central Brooklyn, including new locations at Restoration Plaza on Fulton Street and Workforce One in Downtown Brooklyn. Call 212-505-3482 for details. Services will be provided on a "first come, first served" basis.

On top of that, we've found ways to get you even more money! As we offered last year at the tax sites, taxpayers this year can open a $aveNYC account with their tax refund. If you save $1,000 for one year, the City of New York will match you 50% on your savings. That's a bonus of up to $500!

Hours and Locations:

750 Myrtle Avenue (at the corner of Nostrand Avenue)
Sat. 11am-6pm

315 Grove Street (behind the credit union at 1474 Myrtle Avenue)
Wed. & Thurs. 1-7pm; Sat. 11am-6pm

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza (1368 Fulton Street at the corner of New York Avenue)
Wed. & Fri. 11am-4pm

Workforce1 Career Center in Brooklyn (9 Bond St, 5th Floor - between Livingston and Fulton Streets)
Tues. & Thurs. 3-7pm

Child Development Support Corporation (352-358 Classon Avenue at the corner of Lafayette)
Mon. & Wed. 9am-1pm


12.15.2009 BCFCU AWARDED FOR SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY


For nearly a decade, Brooklyn Cooperative FCU has made supporting and enriching the community its number one prioirty.

On December 15, 2009, the Brookyn Chamber of Commerce recognized Brooklyn Cooperative for its accomplishments and awarded the Credit Union with a State Proclamation and Tiffany crystal statue. “As a locally controlled institution dedicated to community development, Brooklyn Cooperative offers members a wide variety of services,” reads the Proclamation.



12.09.2009 ANNUAL MEETING AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATION


All Members are invited!

When: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 6 - 7 pm
Where: 315 Grove St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Join us for a review of the credit union's activities over the last year, board elections, and member feedback followed by a holiday celebration with tacos and other refreshments, holiday music, and good cheer!

A holiday gift raffle will be awarded!

 

11.13.2009 NEED A LITTLE EXTRA CASH FOR THE HOLIDAYS?


Apply for a Low Fixed Rate HOLIDAY LOAN* today and enjoy the following special, seasonal benefits:

-9% Fixed APR
-Convenient 12 month repayment schedule
-Optional first payment deferment until Jan 15, 2010

A safe alternative to high-rate credit cards!

Call (718) 482-8232 x 301 or stop by one of our branches today!

Not a member? Not a problem! Just bring a government issued photo ID, a proof of address, Social Security Card, and $5 initial deposit to 750 Myrtle Ave (@ Nostrand Ave) or 1474 Myrtle (@ Grove) to sign up today!
 
*Loans subject to credit approval.



10.19.2009 FIRST ANNIVERSARY BEDFORD-STUYVESANT PROMOTION


Now through December 31, 2009 - New members opening accounts at the Bedford Stuyvesant branch receive the following benefits:

-No monthly fees on Savings and Checking Accounts until August 1, 2010
-No account opening fee

Bring a government issued photo ID, a proof of address, Social Security Card, and $5 initial deposit to 750 Myrtle Ave (@ Nodstrom Ave) to sign up today!




6.29.2009 TREASURY AWARDS $90 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 

As part of the Obama Administration's continued investment in economic development in communities around the country through the Recovery Act, the Community Development Financial Institution Fund awarded $90 million in financial assistance to 59 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These awards will support new economic recovery projects in some of our nation's most vulnerable communities at a time when they are facing many financial challenges.

Brooklyn Cooperative FCU was awarded $1.15 million to continue its dedicated service to the community, which it has been serving for the past 8 years.

Access the announcement in its entirety on the CDFI's website.

“Your Community, Your Credit Union.”



6.18.2009 ROBICELLI'S GOURMET MARKET, A BROOKLYN COOP MEMBER, PRIDES ITSELF IN BRINGING GOOD FOOD TO THE COMMUNITY.

The "mom and pop gourmet shop," which opened last September with funding from Brooklyn Coop, is changing the Brooklyn dining scene. Read Baked in Bay Ridge and go enjoy the delicacies that Robiceclli's offers.


6.14.2009 BROOKLYN COOP CELEBRATES THE 1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 750 MYRTLE BRANCH AND AWARDS THE SLOGAN CONTEST WINNER

Last May Brooklyn Cooperative opened its second location in Bedford-Stuyvesant at 750Myrtle Avenue. The branch provides its more than 5000 Bedford-Stuyvesant members with Brooklyn Cooperative’s full range of services, such as savings accounts, ATMs, loans, free tax preparation, home ownership, and foreclosure prevention. Brooklyn Cooperative has found its niche in the community and is poised to assist the Bedford-Stuyvesant community further. The branch will continue to partner with more com-munity based organizations so that residents become aware of the many ways that the credit union can assist them.
 
Brooklyn Cooperative launched a slogan contest this spring, giving members the opportunity to win $250 and to influence the history of the credit union. Many slogans were submitted and the board of directors selected the winning slogan, “Your Community, Your Credit Union” submitted by Andrew Arrieta. The slogan was divulged and the winner awarded at the 1st year anniversary celebration. Thanks to Andrew and all members who participated!



6.01.2009 FREE TAX PREPARATION CONTINUES

Tax preparation assistance continues You are welcome to utilize this service for any tax need such as amendments, late submissions, Schedule C, etc. Services are in English and Spanish. No reservation required.

Bushwick
1474 Myrtle Ave
Thursdays
12pm-7pm 

Bedford-Stuyvesant
750 Myrlte Ave
Saturdays
10am-3pm
 


5.13.2009   MAYOR BLOOMBERG, CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER QUINN ANNOUNCE THE CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM AT BROOKLYN COOPERATIVE

Brooklyn Cooperative  welcomed Mayor Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Quinn, and diverse elected officials to the credit union to announce the first small businesses to receive loans through the recently expanded NYC Capital Access Revolving Loan Guarantee Program.   Capital Access supports lending to small businesses to meet the challenges of the current economic downturn.  And Brooklyn Cooperative is one of only five NYC financial institutions selected to participate in the program.

Brooklyn Cooperative small business member Luis Guevara, whose loan is supported by the Capital Access Program, explained:  "Thanks to the City's loan program and the Brooklyn Coop, our business is still alive and hopefully this season it will get busy again and we will make it through this difficult period."

Through Capital Access, eligible businesses can benefit from: a
ccess to competitively priced loans, up to a 35% guarantee on qualified loans, and referrals to small business counseling and training.  For more information, please see our Small Business Services page or www.nycedc.comRead the Press Release or stream the video online. 

Click
here to view pictures of the press conference.


 02.06.2009   BROOKLYN COOPERATIVE LAUDED AS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Here is what the
Daily News says about Brooklyn Cooperative and other credit unions coming to the rescue of "mom & pop" stores in the current credit crunch.





4.15.2009   ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF TAX PREPARATION SERVICES AT BROOKLYN COOPERATIVE WITH  PARTNER NGO GROW BROOKLYN 


As of April 15, 2009, the VITA Tax Preparation Service helped more than 2,600 Brooklyn residents to file their taxes and gain valuable refunds and entitlements! 

Brooklyn Cooperative is happy to announce that free tax services will continue in 2009 to help with ammendments and related issues.  No appointment is necessary.
Location & hours:
Bushwick
315 Grove St between Myrtle & Knickerbocker 
Thursday 1-5pm

Who qualifies?
If you have no dependents and your income is under $20,000
If you have dependents and your income is under $45,000
If you are a small business owner with less than $5,000 in expenses

MEMBER PROFILE


When Lydia Paul came to the credit union, she was desperate. Her business was in dire straits due to a series of break-ins which had left her thousands of dollars in debt to her suppliers. Lydia went to bed each night, “wondering if the next day would be the last for my business and the end of my dream ...


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