kidz klub news

March 2013 the newsletter for young members of Alliant Credit Union

contents
1 The cost and value of comic

The cost and value of comic books

Do you like to read and collect comic books? Lots of kids do. When youre young, reading comic books can be a fun way to help you become a skilled reader. And, later, after you really are a skilled reader, comic books with cool stories can continue to be a fun way to keep expanding your imagination. Today, some of the most popular comic books are Sonic the Hedgehog, The Avengers and Disney Comics (which include Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge). And if you want to read about kids who keep the world safe from harm, youre in luck. For instance, the kids in Teen Titans GO! use their superpowers to ght evil. And, in Amelia Rules, the heroes may seem just like some kids you know at school except for one thing they lead secret lives as crime ghters. Another popular series, Archie, doesnt have heroes at all. In fact, it features the joys and sorrows of ordinary teenagers (who never get old). Did you know that this group of Riverdale High School characters was created in 1941? And they still look and act the same way as they did 72 years ago! Back then a comic book cost a dime. Not anymore. Year by year, the cost of things often grows higher because of ination. For example, to buy that dime comic in 1941 would cost you about $1.63 in todays money. Comics were probably more important to kids in those days, too. Thats because they didnt have TVs, video games or the Internet. In fact, in 1945, 95% of all boys and 91% of all girls in the country between the ages of six and 11 read comic books, according to the Market Research Company of America. Comic book prices edged up to $1.00 a copy in 1988. Now, a brand new comic book usually sells for either $2.99 or $3.99. If you want to sell your comic book to a friend after you have nished with it, you might expect to get anywhere between a nickel and a dollar for it. But, there are some old comic books that are worth lots of money. Can you guess which comic book is the most valuable? The rst publication of this comic has been called the most important event in comic book history, according to comic book collectors. Before then, comic books were basically collections of short funnies that had already appeared in Sunday newspapers. This comic book was the rst to feature all original material. And to feature the very rst superhero: Superman! Published in April 1938, as the rst comic book produced by Action Comics, there are about 100 copies of it left, according to Michael Zapcic, who hosts the Comic Book Men TV show. But, only a few copies of the Action Comics #1 Superman are in excellent condition. One copy that looks perfectly brand new was sold in 2011 for $2.16 million. Other, less than perfect copies of that issue, have sold for $300,000 to $1.5 million. What do you think is the second most valuable comic book? It was published a year after Superman, in 1939 as the 27th issue of the Detective Comics series. The answer: Its the comic book that introduced Batman to the world. Why do collectors with lots of money spend lots of their money to get rare comic books? One reason is that some adults really like comic books. And when people get to a certain age, they want to buy back pieces of their childhood, says Michael Zapcic. So whats the lesson here for you? Today, be sure to enjoy your childhood and, if you like comic books, be sure to enjoy reading them.
Sources: sparknotes.com, about.com, theawl.com and investinganswers.com

books

2 What my mom or dad does

at Alliant Credit Union

DIVIDEND
April Savings Dividend DECLARED FEBRUARY 28, 2013

The April 2013 Savings and IRA dividend, declared 02/28/13, provides a Compounded Annual Percentage Yield of

0.70%

APY

Dividends are paid on the last day of the month to accountholders who have maintained an average daily balance of $100 or more. Savings dividend is subject to change monthly.
April Checking Dividend DECLARED FEBRUARY 28, 2013

The April 2013 High Rate Checking dividend, declared 02/28/13, provides a Compounded Annual Percentage Yield of

0.65% APY

Checking dividends are paid on the last day of each month to accountholders who meet the requirements of the account. Checking dividend is subject to change monthly.

Alliant people on the job

What my mom or dad does at Alliant Credit Union

Alliant employees are committed to providing members, like you, with friendly, efcient and personalized service. We have 330 employees, but what exactly do they do?
My dad works on and at fixes the computers ple Alliant. He helps peo ugh get their money thro puter. the phone and com He is very helpful. Kaylie

To nd out, we asked some of our employees children to help provide insight. The result: drawings and job descriptions of various Alliant employees, provided by their own kids.
My mom do es a great job at her w or answers ca k! She lls members ha when her ve problem s or need tra nsactions. Zoe

Drawing by Kaylie N., 11-years old. Her dad, Andy, works Alliant Headquarters, in Chicago, IL, as a senior network engineer in Information and Network Security Services. Drawing by Olivia C., veyears old. Her mom, Nicole, works at Alliant Headquarters in Chicago, IL, as a loan consultant.

Drawing by Zoe J., nine-years old. Her mom, Robin, works at Alliant Headquarters, in Chicago, IL, as the national manager of member relations and service quality.

My dad is a hardworking man. He wakes up early in the morning to go to work. At work he does paperwork and helps people get a loan for whatever they want. For example, cars, houses, RVs, boats and insurance. When he has no customers, he goes to his desk and puts paperwork together and he also goes on his computer and sends emails to his customers about loans and advertisements. My dad comes home late at night and still manages to spend time with me, my other siblings and my mom. Mauricio

Drawing by Mauricio L. Jr, 13-years old. His dad, Mauricio Sr., is Alliants branch manager in Oakland, CA.

Drawing by Vince A., eight-years old Drawing by Anthony A., ve-years old. Their mom, Kim, works at Alliant Headquarters, in Chicago, IL, as the mortgage services supervisor.

mber ur me r mom o n i g you win ur dra , please draw at work. o y e e do os , oes editor ance t ? If you r she d e a ch edia sites f what he o newsletter o. k i l u o o m ould y our social description Marketing r address, to f ow w : P.S. H tter and on nd us a brie Union, Attn e include you e e s l t s a i s d d le n w e P a r e . n work o Alliant C 0666-0945 t a d a rk t or d IL 6 our wo cago, will Send y 66945, Chi ur work, we x o s o y a B h le s li re e PO we pub arent a Before u and your p rn. o send y sign and retu form to

PO Box 66945, Chicago, IL 60666-0945 www.alliantcreditunion.org

Alliant Headquarters 11545 W. Touhy Avenue Chicago, IL 60666

NEW

ofce closings Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 2013 Indepencence Day Thursday, July 4, 2013

Deposits/Payments PO Box 2387 Des Plaines, IL 60017-2387 Credit Card Payments PO Box 1666 Des Plaines, IL 60017-1666

Alliant is available 24/7 via our Member Contact Center, website, Self Service Telephone, Alliant Mobile Banking and ATMs.

All other correspondence including IRA and HSA Deposits Attn: IRA/HSA Dept. PO Box 66945 Chicago, IL 60666-0945 Alliant Member Contact Center 800-328-1935 24/7 personal assistance TDD/TTY 773-462-2300 Self Service Telephone (SST) 800-482-5328 24/7 automated account access

Alliant Retirement and Investment Services Financial consultants are available to serve members in all states. Call 800-328-1935, option 9. Alliant Website and Online Banking www.alliantcreditunion.org

NEW278-R03/13