Category: Miscellaneous - UNITED FIELD CHASE- FIELD SERVICE COMPANY

UNITED FIELD CHASE- FIELD SERVICE COMPANY

From the United Family to Yours, Happy Thanksgiving

11/22/2017

Thanksgiving is about so much more than food and football. It’s a time to reflect and show gratitude. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday this week, we’d like to share a special message of thanks.

We’re thankful for our amazing team who live our mission and their dedication and compassion is inspiring. Our business partners, clients, and field agents are a key component to our company’s success. We appreciate the strong relationships we’ve built with them over the years. We acknowledge and give thanks for their collaboration and hard work.

On behalf of all of us at United Field Chase, we thank you all and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving holiday from our Family to Yours!

Your Stress-Free Thanksgiving Planning Guide

11/9/2017

The wheel of "It's your turn to host Thanksgiving" was spun and the arrow stopped on you. Check out this list and you will be smiling all day; with no stress, no worries, just holiday spirit, laughter among loved ones and plenty of delicious food.

Thanksgiving 2017 Stress Free Guide

3 Weeks Ahead

Make a guest list of family and friends that you want to include. The more the merrier!
Send an invitation and ask people what they plan to bring.
Take inventory. Once you get a general idea of how many will attend, take inventory of your china, glassware, silverware and serving dishes. (It's OK if it doesn't all match!)
Pick your décor. Decide on tablescape ideas: napkins, candles, tablecloths and decorations. I love to use fall harvest nuts, berries and pumpkins in my decorations.

2 Weeks Ahead

Finalize the menu.
Shop for non-perishable items.
Pick your turkey: fresh or frozen?*
Make and freeze a meal for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

*Turkey Tips
If you're buying a frozen turkey, get it now (if you have the freezer space). If going the fresh route, place your order with a local butcher or turkey producer. Allow 3/4 pound per person for a whole turkey and 1/2 a pound per person for a turkey breast. Don't buy turkeys larger than 15 pounds. The bigger they are, the older they are. As we all know, when we get old, we get touch and mean!

1 Week Ahead
Thaw the turkey if frozen. Make sure there's room for it to thaw in the refrigerator. Use a large pan to catch any juices that might escape as it thaws. Allow 1 day of thaw time for every 4 pounds of bird. For example, a 12-pound bird will need 3 days to thaw.

5 Days Ahead
Get the family involved in planning "use it up meals" to clear space in the refrigerator for the next few nights.

3 Days Ahead

Shop for perishable items. Group items according to recipe in the pantry or refrigerator.
Set up the beverage area. Choose a central area in the kitchen or dining room to stock with assorted glasses, cocktail napkins, an ice bucket, a bottle opener, a wine key and a small can for recyclables.
Set the table with tablecloth and decorations if you have a separate formal dining area.

2 Days Ahead

Make desserts. Plan on 1 1/2 servings per person. Typically, people like to sample a couple of desserts, so make sure you have enough.
Clean the house and pick up the yard.

1 Day Ahead

Prepare side dishes that can be held overnight, such as cranberries or sweet potato casserole. Cut and chop ingredients for salads but don't toss with dressing until just before serving.
Pick up last-minute items like prepared rolls and ice.
Time your turkey. Roast 12-15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees F. The turkey should be done 1 hour before dinner so it can cool slightly and carve easily.
Set out all serving dishes and utensils.
Chill beverages.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving 2017 stress free

Be your own advocate!

10/31/2017

Be your own advocate! As a patient, it is important to do your own research, ask questions about the recommended course of medical action and then work in conjunction with your doctors and specialists to develop the best plan of action for yourself. The same holds true for your financial well-being and financial security. You must be your own advocate!

In September, over 140 million people were affected by a security breach at Equifax, one of the three major credit reporting agencies. It is essential for your own financial future protection to always be cognizant and diligent of anything or anyone that could adversely affect your ability to support the standard of living you have dreamed and hoped for. It is the age-old belief that it won’t be my personal information affected by the security breach. However, because of the large numbers of people affected, it is imperative for everyone to be diligent, be their own advocate and take the correct steps to protect themselves as best they can.

To advocate for your personal financial security moving forward, we have outlined a few easy strategies to follow:

1. Check Your Credit
You can apply for a free credit report. There are currently 3 credit reporting agencies, Equifax, TransUnion and Experian (which was formerly known as TRW.) These agencies are actually for-profit companies owned by their shareholders and not government entities or funded by the government as many people may think. Although they are generally regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), they are still independent companies and therefore it is important to verify information from all three institutions.

2. Credit Freeze
Consider placing a credit freeze on your account to ensure your information has not been recently compromised by fraudulent activity. If you have no reason to borrow money in the near future, it may be worth spending the small fee to freeze your account and thoroughly examine any transactions in question.

3. Monitor Money and Credit Card Statements
Life gets busy for all of us! But, you need to take the time and review your bank statements as well as your credit card reports more often than once a month. If you remember to analyze your personal financial information on a frequent basis, you are more apt to respond to fraudulent behavior in a more timely manner, thus reducing the amount of time required to remedy any unfortunate situations. Or, if you prefer, there are companies (like LifeLock or Identify Force to name a couple) who will do the monitoring (fee-based) and alert you regarding any suspicious behavior.

Be your own advocate! If a doctor prescribed a new medication, you should take the time to research the side effects and benefits as well as confirm that your new medication does not negatively interact with prescription drugs you are currently taking. The same theory applies to financial security and the future well-being of your assets and personal information. If you allocate the time to do the research and follow the strategies outlined above, you will greatly increase the potential for a worry-free financial future.

Verizon’s Yahoo Acquisition Finally Completes

6/13/2017

Verizon Now Officially Owns Yahoo

Verizon announced today that its acquisition of Yahoo has finally completed. This comes after Verizon announced that it was buying Yahoo in July 2016. The company then attempted to go back and lower its price, or even get out of the deal, due to the various security hacks that Yahoo had made public. But now, Verizon is the proud owner of about 50 brands, thanks to Yahoo. Verizon is combining Yahoo and AOL into a new company called OATH, which will house many different publications and brands, including Yahoo Sports, The Huffington Post, Engadget, TechCrunch, Tumblr, Flickr and more. Combined, these brands and publications engage with over a billion people around the world.

Yahoo’s CEO, Marissa Mayer has also decided to resign from her role at Yahoo following the acquisition. This is likely due to the number of hacks that were made public after Verizon announced the acquisition last year. In Verizon’s press release, the company announced that Mayer had chosen to resign and that it wishes her well in her future endeavors. There’s no word on where Mayer may appear next, but it’ll likely be another tech company, after all, she has been an executive at many of the bigger names in Silicon Valley, including Google, and HP.
Verizon bought AOL and then Yahoo so it could use the ad services from both companies for its Go90 service. Verizon offers up Go90 for free, but it’s ad-supported. And Verizon also wants to compete with Google, who is still king in the ad space. Surprisingly, AOL and Yahoo were Google’s only true competitors, as they did hold a decent market share, although pretty small comparatively. Of course, the amount of content that both companies have under their umbrella is definitely good for Verizon, especially with Go90 and their future streaming TV service, which the company has said that it wants to use exclusive content to differentiate its service from other services on the market. And since it is already a pretty competitive market – with Sling TV, PlayStation VUE, and YouTube TV – that’s a pretty good idea. Although many would love to get a true cable TV package without a cable box.

-Article by androidheadlines.com

Mother's Day in the United States

5/3/2017

Mother's Day in the United States is annually held on the second Sunday of May. It celebrates motherhood and it is a time to appreciate mothers and mother figures. Many people give gifts, cards, flowers, candy, a meal in a restaurant or other treats to their mother and mother figures, including grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, and foster mothers.

What Do People Do?

Many people send cards or gifts to their mother or mother figure or make a special effort to visit her. Common Mother's Day gifts are flowers, chocolate, candy, clothing, jewelry and treats, such as a beauty treatment or trip to a spa. Some families organize an outing for all of their members or hold a special meal at home or in a restaurant. In the days and weeks before Mother's Day, many schools help their pupils to prepare a handmade card or small gift for their mothers.

Background

The origins of Mother's Day are attributed to different people. Many believe that two women, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis were important in establishing the tradition of Mother's Day in the United States. Other sources say that Juliet Calhoun Blakely initiated Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the late 1800s. Her sons paid tribute to her each year and urged others to honor their mothers.

Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for Mother's Day to be celebrated each year to encourage pacifism and disarmament amongst women. It continued to be held in Boston for about ten years under her sponsorship, but died out after that.

In 1907, Anna Jarvis held a private Mother's Day celebration in memory of her mother, Ann Jarvis, in Grafton, West Virginia. Ann Jarvis had organized "Mother's Day Work Clubs" to improve health and cleanliness in the area where she lived. Anna Jarvis launched a quest for Mother's Day to be more widely recognized. Her campaign was later financially supported by John Wanamaker, a clothing merchant from Philadelphia.

In 1908, she was instrumental in arranging a service in the Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which was attended by 407 children and their mothers. The church has now become the International Mother's Day Shrine. It is a tribute to all mothers and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Mother's Day has become a day that focuses on generally recognizing mothers' and mother figures' roles. Mother's Day has also become an increasingly important event for businesses in recent years. This is particularly true of restaurants and businesses manufacturing and selling cards and gift items.

To all the Mothers out there, thank you for all that you do!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hint: If you are in the market in getting your mom something thoughtful, check out our pick for 35+ Super Thoughtful Mother's Day Gift Ideas!

Twin Day at United!

4/11/2017

At the United office we wanted to see who could "Twin" the best. Here were some of our top matches.

...and the winner is...

Congratulations United team for a great turnout! Thank you to all who participated!

The key to auto finance in 2017: Technology

1/11/2017

Experts from Equifax, Fiserv and J.D. Power all agree: Technology is going to be the catalyst to keeping the financing cog in the automotive retail machine humming in 2017 at least near the level dealerships, finance companies and other service and product providers enjoyed this past year.

Equifax auto finance leader Lou Loquasto said technology discussions simply can’t be missed whether it was back in November during Used Car Week or when the American Financial Service Association and the National Automobile Dealers Association gather for their annual events in New Orleans later this month.

“Anybody that went to (Used Car Week) or is going to NADA or AFSA — I’ve been going to these conferences for 20 years — they can see how much innovation is going on,” Loquasto told SubPrime Auto Finance News before 2016 closed. “I think because margins are going to continue to be tough to get to the levels post-recession, growth isn’t going to be where it was. So I think 2017 is going to be the year of innovation in our industry.

“When we talk about innovation in our industry, it’s not just about technology. It’s data and analytics, too,” he continued. “In 2017, I think you’re going to see more innovation coming out of our industry because you’re going to have to if you want to keep good margins and continue to grow.”

While most dealerships and finance companies aren’t strangers to technology, the advancements these constituencies have made in the past 15 years evidently still lags consumers’ expectations. According to the Expectations & Experiences quarterly consumer research from Fiserv, the company learned that 53 percent of borrowers had negative feelings about the financing process, including 33 percent who said it made them anxious.

In a phone conversation last month with SubPrime Auto Finance News, Fiserv’s Scott Hendriks added that within the contingent that had negative feelings, 78 percent of those respondents said there needed to be greater efficiencies in the finance process.

“It’s still a very dealer-driven model, going back into the F&I office to determine what rates and programs are available. What’s my payment going to be on a lease or what’s going to be my rate on a retail deal? I think that part of it is still very much in dealer control. I think consumers are looking to have more transparency and take that process online,” said Hendriks, who is director of product management at Fiserv Lending Solutions.

Since joining Fiserv in 2002, Hendriks has been very involved in the development of the company’s auto loan origination system product.

“I think what we’re going to see over the next period of time is that evolution where that very dealer-driven model we have today for finance is going to go the way of the sales process, which is more to a consumer model where they’re able to determine those things up front and arrange financing online. So it is when they go to the dealership a one-stop delivery. It meets the borrower’s expectation of their time as well as their experience,” he said.

“Technology is really at the forefront of how that’s going to happen. Lenders need to have technology assets that allow them give the customer that experience and be able to engage with them online at the point of decision on the purchase as opposed to waiting until they go to the dealership,” Hendriks went on to say.

More of the same sentiment came from the 2016 U.S. Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study produced by J.D. Power. The firm made its assertions in light of expectations of new-vehicle sales to plateau this year, prompting Jim Houston, senior director of auto finance at J.D. Power to say, the marketplace “is making for a very competitive auto lending market, which means dealers and lenders in many ways need to get back to the basics to satisfy customers.

“Lenders need to move beyond a transactional relationship and create a customer-centric culture that helps them build a relationship with their customers. The lenders — and dealers — that are able to do that are the ones most likely to excel,” Houston added.

The J.D. Power study highlighted what analysts called five fundamental “musts” that a dealer or finance should keep in mind as means to improving customer satisfaction.
That collection included:
— Understanding the Deal: In the luxury brand segment, overall satisfaction is 49 points higher (on a 1,000-point scale) among customers whose dealer or finance manager explained account features, services, or benefits of their financing than among those whose dealer or finance manager did not (880 versus 831, respectively).
— Reference Guide: A finance company welcome package that answers basic loan servicing questions (such as how to make payments and how to sign up for automatic payments) can reduce the number of contacts the customer needs to make. Specifically, among luxury brand customers who say they “completely” understand all of the servicing information, problem incidence drops to 8 percent, compared with the overall luxury problem incidence of 10 percent.
— Accessible Self-Help Tools: When email customer service is available, satisfaction improves by 42 points among customers of luxury brand vehicles and 61 points among customers of mass market brand vehicles. When online bill pay is available, satisfaction improves by 53 points in the luxury segment and by 86 points in the mass market segment.
—One and Done: Satisfaction declines significantly when a customer has to contact their finance company more than once to resolve a problem. Overall satisfaction among luxury brand customers resolving a problem with one call is 875 points but declines to 821 among those whose resolution requires two calls.
—Satisfaction Equals Loyalty: Highly satisfied luxury and mass market brand customers (overall satisfaction scores above 900) can have a significant effect on dealers and lenders, as they are nearly twice as likely to return to a particular dealership and are more than twice as likely to lease or purchase the same brand again as those who are less satisfied (scores range between 801 and 900).
“In the seemingly complicated environment of vehicle financing, it’s the sometimes-overlooked customer handling steps that can bring clarity to the customer and give dealers and lenders a unique competitive advantage,” Houston said.

“Working together on the steps that clearly affect satisfaction levels can enable dealers and lenders to turn first-time customers into repeat customers,” he added.

-Article By Nick Zulovich

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family

11/24/2016

All of us at United Field Chase would like to wish you and your family all the best during this holiday.

In an age of electronics and social media, it’s an opportunity for face to face conversations and the bond it creates. It’s a chance for backyard football games and the favorite board games that bring out rivalries and competitiveness in every generation.

But most importantly, Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what we have, the people in our lives, making it through another year and for everyone that is still with us. And for those who have left us, it’s a moment to be grateful for the time we had with them, the wonderful lives they led and the legacy they’ve left behind.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween! - Safety Tips

10/31/2016

Halloween is October 31st, a time for fun with friends, family, and neighbors with children trick-or-treating door-to-door. Most people are friendly and nice but there are some who play cruel tricks on children and ruin the good time.

You can help make the evening of Halloween a safer event for everyone. Even those who do not take part in the event can help by watching out for trick-or-treaters. Parents should bear in mind that "fake" weapons such as guns, knives, and swords should be of materials that are, smooth, soft, and flexible to prevent injuries. Props for children that actually look like a real weapon should be avoided completely.

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters:

Be part of a group and do not stray from the group, there is safety in numbers.

Do not enter the home of a stranger.

Never accept rides from strangers.

Look both ways before crossing the street and cross when the pedestrian crosswalk light signals you to walk.

Carry flash lights so you can be easily seen.

Do not take shortcuts through backyards, parks, or alleys.

Be alert, have fun but do not let your guard down.

Safety Tips for the House:

Keep a porch light on so trick-or-treaters will know to visit and can see where they are walking.

Remove yard clutter that trick-or-treaters may trip over.

Secure your pets to protect both the visitors and your pets.

Use battery powered Jack-O-Lanterns instead of ones with candles. If you do use candles, make sure they are far enough out of the way so that kids' costumes won't accidentally be set on fire.

Avoid giving homemade treats. Responsible parents do not allow their children to eat them unless they know the person making them.

Safety Tips for Parents:

Young children should be accompanied by an adult.

Kids always want to help with pumpkin carving. Small children should not be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better than knives and they are also safer. Although, you can be cut by these small saws as well. It is best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on the front, which you can carve for them.

Check your child's candy before they consume it. Anything suspicious should be discarded!

Feed your children before they set out. This should help discourage them from trying their treats before you are able to check them.

Know where your child is and whom they are with.

Buy flame retardant costumes and consider using make-up rather than masks. A mask may obscure your child's vision.

Costumes should be light in color or have reflective tape put on them.

Costumes should be made from light materials to avoid dehydration and other heat related issues.

Party Goers:

Arrange a safe ride home and/or designate a driver before partaking in any festivities.
Always designate a sober driver.

If you are drunk, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

Before leaving for a party, put numbers of local cab companies and your designated driver(s) into your phone.

Walking impaired can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.

If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.

If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going.

Make Halloween a fun, safe, and happy time for your kids and they will carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!

Kids love Halloween! They get to dress up and get free candy! What a perfect holiday, give your kids some precious Halloween memories that they will have for life. Trick-or-treating is not what it use to be. It is not as safe to let kids walk the streets alone. Send a responsible adult or older teenager with them. Have a pumpkin carving party for your children and their friends a couple nights before Halloween. They will enjoy looking at their creations for a few days before they have to be thrown out. Check your local grocery store or craft store for Halloween cookbooks full of tasty treats on a horror theme for both kids and adults.

Halloween safety tips provided by City of Tampa, Florida.

We Are Going To Las Vegas!

9/27/2016

United Field Chase will be attending the Auto Finance Summit next week in Las Vegas! We look forward to this opportunity and hope to see you there.

VIEW OUR AUTO SUMMIT 2016 EMAIL