Section B THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE December 9-15, 2009
Message from
the President
Wayne State Banking Center
s we spend this celebrates one-year anniversary
A
holiday season
watching the news Fifth Third Bank recently celebrated the Located at 4501 Woodward Ave. in Mid-
about our economy,
one-year anniversary of its Wayne State
town, the Banking Center offers complete
whether it is the saga of the Big
University Banking Center, with a custom-
banking services with several customer
Three auto makers, the Wall
er appreciation day and open house.Gene
service counters, two drive-thru lanes, two
Street roller coaster or the dev-
ATM’s (one drive-up and one walk-up), a
astation of the jobless rate here
Kempski, Banking Center manager, leads
in Detroit, it leaves us as feeling
the financial center team.
night depository, and several private offices
for mortgage loan, financial specialist and
helpless as the financial world
“We are here to serve the people of De- business banking officers.
around us seems to be stuck in
troit. In the past year, we have met so many
the mud. You might be asking
The new Banking Center is open Monday
yourself if there is anything you
wonderful people in this community, and
through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday,
can do. You may feel that ev-
TIARA OATMAN (left), Barb Scott, Gene Kempski, Dominique
are proud that they have chosen Fifth Third
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1
erything around you is spinning Allen and Ashley Mustafaa.
as their bank,” said Kempski. p.m. Call (313) 309-2603.
out of your
control. And
certainly, there
are forces driv-
Impact the
ing the dismal
economic
new year with
news that are
beyond our
charitable giving
reach.
A conversation with
But there is
something we Byna Elliott
can do, both
for ourselves
Senior Vice President,
David Girodat
and for the
Community Development,
economy on the whole. We
Fifth Third Bank
can approach our own finances
During the holiday season, many
with more thought than we
people are inspired to give to chari-
may have in the past. We can
ties. Although
be more deliberate about the
the government
financial decisions we make,
offers tax incen-
especially during this holiday
tives for charita-
buying season. And as we ap-
proach the new year we should
be thinking about how we will Plan now to
ble giving, most
people’s gen-
erosity stems
manage our money in 2010.
from the good-
This issue of Community Con-
nection is filled with articles
providing information about
avoid
ness in their
hearts.
personal finance management.
“Most do-
These articles are designed to
supply you with guidance on
how to spend smart and begin
the financial
nations come
from a passion
within and the
Byna Elliott
to set your financial patterns on
knowledge that
a course that will include saving
for a rainy day.
It all starts with looking at
where you are at now. Take
stock of your finances. Know
holiday woes
they are doing good work,” said
Byna Elliott, senior vice president,
Community Development. She
says most Americans make chari-
table gifts of some sort, although
many do not itemize them on their
how much in real income you
income tax forms.
have coming in each month and
what goes out to pay your regu-
lar bills. Look at the savings
you have set up now. Whether
it is a 401K plan from your em- T
he holidays should be a Mary, those great bargains ended
Plan ahead
See Charitable giving page B-2
joyful time for you and up costing her much more than
your loved ones. This is she thought due to the credit card
Plan ahead by making a list of
the time for the “yuletide” interest. By the time December
all the people you want to give gifts
ployer or an account that you good cheer and optimist hopes, rolls around again, Mary’s still
to and how much you can realisti-
set up and contribute to each and a time to reflect upon the past paying for those debts, along with
cally afford to spend on each one.
month, consider that a monthly year and the future. However, for the obligations developing from the
Don’t forget those little things that
expense. Having a realistic view many families these times are not family summer vacation in August.
also add up such as cards, stamps,
of your financial picture is the so pleasant as they struggle to find The vicious, never-ending cycle re-
wrapping paper, gift bags, stocking
most important step in devel- the extra cash for those holiday ex- peats.
stuffers, decorations, etc. And don’t
oping spending, savings and penses. Of course credit cards can
forget those non-family members
Getting organized
budgeting habits that will keep solve the problem, but they create
Like Mary and many others,
and close friends that you need or
you from making disastrous a myriad of other problems.
this never-ending cycle repeats
is a smart
want to buy gifts for such as co-
decisions that can put you in
year after year. Plus with so much
workers, volunteers, childcare pro-
jeopardy. Should a catastrophic
Most families in metropolitan purchasing done at one time, it is
investment
viders, teachers, etc. Then total all
event like a job loss occur, the
Detroit do not plan to increase easy to forget about the debt obli-
the gift, wrapping and decoration
tighter hold we have on our fi-
their balances on their credit gations adding up. There are times
A conversation with
projections to make sure it doesn’t
nancial reins, the better we will
cards during the holidays; unfor- when the convenience of credit is
exceed your financial abilities. If it Warren Morgan
be equipped to move forward
tunately it just happens. In fact, necessary, but holiday gift buying
has been a financially burdensome
and survive while searching for
credit card companies make it so is not one of those times. To avoid
year, consider talking with family
Financial Center Manager,
new employment.
easy with the convenience of “buy the holiday woes from credit obli-
and friends about gift alternatives. Fifth Third Bank
now, pay later” with a great holiday gations and enjoy more peace of
It is easy to become preoc- rate. Some credit card companies mind for the new year, here are a
Start looking for bargains Once the holiday shopping
cupied with the dire financial may even sweeten the deal by let- few tips:
early. If it’s been a tough year for season ends, many people resolve
news that we hear and read ting their very best customers
you, think about cutting back on to manage money differently during
about in the press. It is serious skip a payment or two during the
what you usually spend. Talk with the upcoming
and certainly does impact our holiday financial crunch. Others
friends and family about creative year. In fact,
lives, if not directly then surely may entice their customers to pay
ways of showing your gratitude to studies show
indirectly, through a family back only the minimum balance
one another. that gaining
member or someone we know. or reduce the minimum payment.
control over fi-
What business in this area is There are two simple words of
Creative Ways of Reducing
nances is one
not affected by the downturn in advice — caveat emptor or “buyer
of the most
automotive? Who isn’t feel- beware”; if it sounds too good to be
Your Gift Expenses
popular New
ing the effect of the housing true, it is.
Year’s resolu-
market free fall? However, we
1. Drawing names
tions, along
collectively will make it through
Mary Doe used her credit cards
this. Our national economy
for her holiday shopping through-
2. Making gifts
with losing
weight and
and, yes, the Michigan economy
out the month of December. Each 3. Setting specific limits
quitting smok-
as well, will begin to expand
time she conveniently swiped her
again…hopefully sooner rather
card and signed her name, she
4. Ornament or snack exchange
ing. The trouble
Warren Morgan
is, many people
than later. In the meantime
promised to pay the debts off by the
we can take the pressure off
end of February. Winter turned to
Be a smart shopper
don’t quite know where to start.
of ourselves and our family if
spring, and spring to summer, and Before you start spending, start
Examine current situation
we practice some basic sound
by July she is still paying on those window-shopping. Leave the cash
financial management to keep
holiday gifts that seemed like such
“The first step in gaining control
us afloat as we ride out this
good ideas at the time. Sadly for
See Holiday spending page B-2 See Getting organized page B-2
financial storm.
During this holiday season,
the seven principles of Kwanzaa
could not be more prescient.
They are listed in this Commu-
nity Connection and the guid-
Co-branding for success
ance they provide is important
for us to think about in these
Corporate giants like FedEx with Starbucks, TGI Fridays, strive to build upon these mu- sents.com
economic times as we gather
and Kinko’s demonstrate how 24Hour Fitness, and AMC The- tually beneficial relationships
with family over the next two
big business will often join aters, to name a few. to promote win-win outcomes
Chris Bryant is a nationally
weeks.
forces in a strategic effort
Whether you’re a college
and so should you. In today’s
known authority on Personal
marketplace it has never been Branding and World-Class
Have a happy and peaceful
known as co-branding. My
student, seasoned professional
more important to effectively
holiday season.
personal favorite is the new
or celebrity, you are the CEO
Customer Service who honed
Crest toothpaste plus Scope
of YOU Incorporated. Highly
manage your brand and its as-
his expertise with organiza-
mouthwash. I’m admittedly a
successful professionals con-
sociations.
tions such as the Ritz-Carlton
“Crest kid” who’s been loyal
scientiously seek to align their I’m on a mission to elevate
Hotel Company and Nordstrom.
Personal
to the brand since my child-
personal brand with other personal branding across the
As a leading brand strategist
hood. I also like Scope and so
great brands and that includes United States and I want to
for me this was a match made
and inspiring speaker, he has
David F. Girodat
Branding
their employer. For them a job hear from you. Please tell me
in heaven. NBA legend Magic offer is as much a decision in
how you’ve seen the power
a passion for unleashing the
President, Fifth Third Bank,
Johnson also highlights the co-branding as merely receiv- of co-branding in your own
potential in the world’s great-
Eastern Michigan
By Chris Bryant
power of co-branding by his ing a new position and pay career. Send your submissions
est asset, people. www.Chris-
BRAND STRATEGIST highly successful alliances increase. They continuously to MyStory@ChrisBryantPre- BryantPresents.com
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