Debt Consolidation With a Personal Loan

Recent research from the Filene Research Institute, a thought leader in the Credit Union Movement, has revealed that “more than half of Americans revolve on their credit balances, deflating their credit scores and depleting their savings, especially when they prolong their indebtedness by making smaller monthly payments than they could.

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Protecting Yourself From Holiday Identity Theft


The holiday season is a time when people are more vulnerable to identity theft scams. Not only are people making more purchases than any other time of year, but they are often distracted when doing so.
During the holiday season, stores and shopping malls are bustling with people – especially at peak shopping times during evenings and weekends. When shoppers are focused on their gift lists, looking for bargains, or tending to the kids, attention might not be on security.

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Set ‘Em and Forget ‘Em: Four Financial Resolutions You Can Accomplish Now

 
New Year’s resolutions are a mixed bag for many of us. On the one hand: personal betterment! On the other hand: methodical auditing of our refrigerator, checking account, and various vices. On the cusp of a fresh calendar year, we feel compelled to immediately transform our lives, but— as is the case with most good things— change takes time. This is especially true when it comes to financial goals. And in the aftermath of steep holiday spending, our goalposts can feel...far away.
 
If you want a few financial resolutions that you can achieve early into the new year (because who doesn’t love an easy to-do list?) here are some suggestions.

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7 Tips to Get Smart About Credit

If you are dealing with credit and debt, you aren’t alone. You have a great opportunity to assess your financial situation and make a plan to move forward. The average American household has a balance of about $6,600 in credit card debt, and that’s not taking into account home, auto, and student loans. Paying off your debt is successful with a little planning. In fact, a plan can go a long way toward achieving your financial goals. Even in a time of financial uncertainty, there are ways to address and manage credit so it works for you.

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How Do Fed Rates Affect Financial Institutions?

To understand how the federal funds rate or "Fed rate" affects banks and credit unions, we first need to understand what the federal funds rate is and its role in the financial world. The Federal Government requires all depository institutions, like banks and credit unions, to have a minimum reserve level in proportion to their deposits. Those that do not have enough reserves borrow from other financial institutions that do. The Fed rate is the interest rate banks charge when lending money to each other from their reserve balance. 

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