PenFed Announces New Affinity Relationship with the American Orthodontic Society (AOS)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) and the American Orthodontic Society (AOS) announced today that a newly forged affinity relationship now allows PenFed to begin offering the PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Card.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120619/DC26030LOGO-a)

The new PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Cardwill be made available to AOS Providers' patients, and will allow patients to take advantage of special financing for qualified dental and orthodontic purchases.

"It is my pleasure to welcome AOS members and their patients to our organization," stated Frank Pollack, President and CEO, PenFed. "I believe that our financial products are some of the best available in the marketplace today. As such, we are proud to make them available to such an outstanding group of medical professionals."

"Since 1975 the American Orthodontic Society has offered the best in orthodontic continuing education to the dental community and our membership. In continuing that legacy of quality service, we believe we found the combination of an outstanding financial institution with a product that will add real value to our members' practices and affordable options for their patients. We are excited to endorse this new partnership with PenFed," stated Tom Chapman, Executive Director, American Orthodontic Society.

AOS is a professional association for general and pediatric dentists who choose to add orthodontic skills to their practice. The newly forged relationship with PenFed will now allow member providers (dentists) of AOS to begin endorsing the PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Card to their patients. Providers will be encouraging patients to apply online during their office visit, and many will receive same day instant decisions from PenFed on their credit application.

Although PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Card will initially be offered as an option for use of payment for dental and orthodontic services, once individuals receive their new Card, it can be used for any purchase, anywhere Visa® is accepted.

The unique and newly designed PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Cardwill allow AOS cardholders to enjoy:

• A promotional rate of 0% APR for the first six months on all qualified purchases made at participating AOS dental/orthodontic providers. After that, the APR will vary with the market-based on the Prime Rate, and is currently 10.99%.

• In addition to dental and orthodontic services, this Card can be used anywhere Visa® is accepted.
• Fees—This Card features no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and, no cash advance fee.
• Rewards—Cardholders can earn 5 points on gas purchases paid at the pump*, 3 points supermarket purchases*, and 1 point on everything else.
• Point Redemption—Points can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, travel, & even Visa® prepaid cards—which can be used anywhere Visa debit is accepted. There is no minimum or maximum amount of points that can be earned, and there are no fees to redeem points, except when booking an airline ticket via phone.

 "We are pleased and excited to have facilitated this partnership between the AOS and PenFed, and look forward to a long and successful relationship. The Advance Care Dental platform changes the landscape of patient financing: AOS member practices benefit immediately by no longer discounting their fees to third party financing sources. Patients benefit by receiving an affordable financing option, which includes an interest free period and membership in one of the largest US credit unions. This is truly a win-win scenario for all parties," stated Bo Leslie, Principal, Advance Care Card.

For AOS provider patients who are interested in joining the credit union to apply for the PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Card, PenFed will open courtesy membership accounts. AOS patients will be directed to apply online at www.advancecaredental.com.

About PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union)
Established in 1935, PenFed is one of the largest credit unions in the United States with over a million members and more than $15 billion in assets. PenFed provides an extensive selection of financial products to its members worldwide. Its core membership includes the Department of Defense, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard; Department of Homeland Security personnel, employees or volunteers of the American Red Cross, numerous military associations, and many others. PenFed is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and is an equal housing lender. For more information about PenFed, call 800-247-5626 or visit PenFed.org.

About the American Orthodontic Society (AOS)
The American Orthodontic Society is the largest educational association in the United States dedicated solely to advancing the practice of orthodontics for general and pediatric dentists. Our educational programs are taught throughout the United States and provide quality instruction from introductory to advanced levels for both dentists and dental assistants.

About Advance Care Dental
Advance Care Dental was created to service the specific needs and requirements of the AOS membership through its partnership with PenFed. We are committed to providing simple, fair and affordable financing options to the AOS membership and their patients, as well as supporting the various charitable and educational endeavors of the AOS. Advance Care Card, our parent company, has been a leading provider of patient financing options since 2006.

Disclosures: Offers current as of October 1, 2012 and are subject to change. Federally Insured by NCUA.

PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Card: 10.99% APR introductory purchase and cash advance rate capped through June 30, 2014. After that, your APR will vary will the market based on the Prime Rate.

0% APR promotional rate for six months on purchases of electronics made between October 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 with a qualifying retailer. After December 31, 2012, your APR for new electronic purchases will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate, and is currently 10.99%. For a list of some of the participating retailers, please visit https://www.PenFed.org/ElectronicsStoreList/. Promotional APR offer ends December 31, 2012.

Balance transfers: 4.99%, APR a promotional rate on transfer made from September 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, for the life of balance.  After December 31, 2012, the APR for any new balance transfers will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate, and is currently 10.99% APR.  There is no balance transfer fee on transfers made between September 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. The fee for balance transfers made after December 31, 2012 will return to 3% (Min $10 - Max $250) per transaction. This transaction is subject to credit approval.

The PenFed Care Platinum Rewards Visa® Credit Card program is issued and administered by PenFed. Rewards are available only for new purchases made with the card: cash advances, checks drawn from the account, and balance transfers are excluded and do not earn credit toward rewards. Certain restrictions may apply. *Visa® USA determines which transactions are classified as gas purchases paid at the pump and supermarket purchases based on Merchant Category Codes. Military commissaries are supermarkets. Fuel purchases for airplanes and boats receive 1 point per dollar spent. Your card account must be open and in good standing to earn rewards.

SOURCE Pentagon Federal Credit Union