MEMBER PROFILE

Thom Trause Ithaca Soy

Thom Trause, owner of Ithaca Soy, took advantage of the SBA Express Loan when he decided to buy out his partner and become sole owner of this local business. "It made sense for me to turn to Alternatives," Thom says of his choice, "because they aren't the starchy-shirt kind of people I usually find at financial institutions. The people at Alternatives were so helpful. I credit Alternatives for my ability to buy, relocate and run my business with no lapse in production at all. I can't imagine any other place that would have helped me the way Alternatives did. I guess I could say that because of my experience, I'll be back for any business needs I have in the future."

SERVICES FOR BUSINESS MEMBERS

• Checking (no minimum balance)
• Business Convenience Box (easy deposit drop off, no line)
• Merchant Credit Card Service
• Treasury tax depository - Deposit your sales and payroll tax. See www.eftps.gov
• SEP IRAs - IRAs for self-employed people
• Business consulting for business plans

Convenient remote banking service include:

• CU@Home - our online banking center
• Fortune Teller - 24/7 Automated phone banking
• BillPay@Home - Online bill payment

Marketing support:

• Free advertising on our Business Yellow Pages
• Brochure and business card rack in lobby
• Community information bulletin board
• Featured monthly member artists in lobby gallery and featured musicians for our Music on Hold
• RoundOff for non-profit organizations - donations from members
• Profiles on our web and in publications

Business counseling:
Business CENTS® (Community Enterprise Networking and Training Services)
Business CENTS® offers an inexpensive or free entrepreneurial training course, semi-nars, one-on-one technical assistance, marketing support, business roundtables and other support and networking.

Other services:

• Individual Development Accounts - Matched savings accounts for low income business owners
• Share Draft (Checking)
  
• Easy check re-ordering
  
• ATM locations