MEMBER SERVICES SERVICE UPDA TE
Update Rates drop
for credit-card
processing
Current news for Costco members A REDUCTION OF service fees
was the good news for Costco
members using the merchant
credit-card processing provided
by NOVA Information Systems.
SERVICE OF THE MONTH features business
and personal services offering exceptional
value to Costco members.
FEATURED BUSINESS SERVICE
Line of credit is a
wise business tactic
FOR COSTCO MEMBERS who operate businesses, having easy
access to credit is a must, even if you don’t need to use it immediately or already have another line of credit available. Easy access
combined with great rates for Costco members are two good
reasons to apply for an
unsecured line of credit
from American Express®.
“Diversifying will help a
business when one bank
raises interest rates or
decreases the size of a line ART GLAZER/ARTVILLE
of credit,” says Jay.
“A line of credit is an
important tool for a business and provides financial security,” says Jay
Smith, member services
program manager. “Why
not have that line of
credit standing by for
those unanticipated
expenses or as a way of
diversifying your source
of financing?”
Why diversify?
“Having another line of credit to shift balances to will help the
business manage costs, negotiate with the bank and avoid any
negative impact to overall line availability.”
The Costco/American Express line of credit is convenient and
easy to use. You’ll receive a Business Capital Line card that can be
used anywhere American Express is accepted. The card can also be
used for ATM cash withdrawal, and checks are provided for those
instances when the card isn’t practical or accepted.
Costco has negotiated exclusive low rates for the business line
of credit. As a special Business Service
of the Month offer during April 2006,
American Express will waive the
annual fee on a new line of credit,
saving Costco members up to $149.
Members will also receive a $20 Costco
Cash card for an approved line of credit.
To apply, or for more information,
call toll-free 1-888-379-6736.
ALSO:
For an article
about Lending Tree,
our featured
Personal Service
of the Month,
see page 50.
“The timing was right for us
to negotiate a fee reduction as
a reward for our loyal members,” says Jay Smith, member
services program manager. “And
this reduction comes at a time
when Visa and MasterCard are Prices have been reduced by
actually raising fees.” $50 on NOVA’s three most
As of April 1, 2006, mer- popular terminals, including
chant credit-card-processing the Hypercom T7Plus.
rates will be reduced to 1. 64
percent plus 20 cents per trans- most popular terminals by $50
action for retail-classified mer- each. That change includes the
chants and 1.99 percent plus 27 Hypercom T7Plus, the Omni
cents per transaction for 3730 and the Omni 3750.
mail/phone/Internet-order-clas- For more information
sified merchants. about NOVA’s credit-card pro-
In addition to the service- cessing, call toll-free
fee reduction, NOVA has also 1-888-605-2488 and mention
reduced the prices of the three priority code 83103.
Ameriprise Financial raises
Executive Member benefit
COSTCO’S FINANCIAL-PLANNING provider Ameriprise Financial has
increased the exclusive incentive for Executive Members using the
service by $25. Now Executive Members receive $200 off the cost of
an initial written financial plan. Business and Gold Star members still
receive $100 off the cost of an initial written financial plan. Written
plan costs vary depending on the complexity of a member’s finances.
In addition, all members are entitled to receive a $25 Costco
Cash card for attending a complimentary no-obligation initial consultation. In that meeting, a financial adviser will assess your current
financial situation, ask about your short- and long-term goals and
answer questions about the financial-planning process and the kind
of guidance you would receive. No written report is provided for this
complimentary consultation.
For more information about this program, or to request a consultation, please visit costco.com, click on “Services,” then click on
“Financial Planning.”
Don’t forget to
use your Reward
on your next trip
to Costco.
