Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Credit Union

1. YOU Own It  Banks take as much as they can and share as little as possible because they are controlled by profit-driven stockholders. PEFCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit co-op—so, the members benefit from the Credit Union’s success. Profits are returned to you in the form of lower loan rates and higher dividend rates than banks typically offer.   Also, once you’re a member, you’re always a member. Your membership qualifies your immediate family to become lifetime members as well.   2. YOU Earn More Money  The banks will offer deposit rates small enough to keep their shareholders happy, with little regard for the customer’s ability to earn…

June 28, 2020PEFCU Perks No Comments

1. YOU Own It  Banks take as much as they can and share as little as possible because they are controlled by profit-driven stockholders. PEFCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit co-op—so, the members benefit from the Credit Union’s success. Profits are returned to you in the form of lower loan rates and higher dividend rates than banks typically offer.   Also, once you’re a member, you’re always a member. Your membership qualifies your immediate family to become lifetime members as well.   2. YOU Earn More Money  The banks will offer deposit rates small enough to keep their shareholders happy, with little regard for the customer’s ability to earn…

KNOW Before You GO: Car Shopping

There’s lots of excitement when you are shopping for a new or used vehicle. There’s the good excitement of test–driving those shiny, new cars. But there’s also the nervous excitement of making a big financial move. Whether you’re a car-buying novice or you’re a car-buying guru, we have a few tips that will calm you enough to make a cool-headed decision.   Get Pre-Approved  Your most important step is to get a pre-approval from the PEFCU. With a pre-approval, you’ll know how much you can spend before you go shopping and you’ll also have an advantage during dealership negotiations. Why? Because dealers know they can‘t charge you more than your pre-approved amount. You can apply for pre-approval at www.pefcu.com, via the PEFCU Mobile Banking app, or by visiting your local branch.   Do Your Research   Before you even step foot into a dealership, make sure to do your research. The Internet is a good place to start.   Research what others are paying for the same vehicle in your area. Kelly Blue Book is a…

June 27, 2020Borrowing Basics No Comments

There’s lots of excitement when you are shopping for a new or used vehicle. There’s the good excitement of test–driving those shiny, new cars. But there’s also the nervous excitement of making a big financial move. Whether you’re a car-buying novice or you’re a car-buying guru, we have a few tips that will calm you enough to make a cool-headed decision.   Get Pre-Approved  Your most important step is to get a pre-approval from the PEFCU. With a pre-approval, you’ll know how much you can spend before you go shopping and you’ll also have an advantage during dealership negotiations. Why? Because dealers know they can‘t charge you more than your pre-approved amount. You can apply for pre-approval at www.pefcu.com, via the PEFCU Mobile Banking app, or by visiting your local branch.   Do Your Research   Before you even step foot into a dealership, make sure to do your research. The Internet is a good place to start.   Research what others are paying for the same vehicle in your area. Kelly Blue Book is a…

PEFCU Values: Inclusive

What does it mean to be inclusive? To us, being inclusive means celebrating authenticity, creating a sense of belonging for all people, and respecting different points of view. Below are some ways that PEFCU commits to being inclusive. “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” – Stephen Covey. PEFCU Values: Ways That We Are Inclusive DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Training: DE&I Training recognizes the benefit of diversity to PEFCU and reiterates our commitment to inclusion. Our People Development team brings engaging development sessions to every PEFCU branch and office to boost our collective awareness. These sessions are interactive and discussion-based, answering…

June 26, 2020We Are PEFCU No Comments

What does it mean to be inclusive? To us, being inclusive means celebrating authenticity, creating a sense of belonging for all people, and respecting different points of view. Below are some ways that PEFCU commits to being inclusive. “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” – Stephen Covey. PEFCU Values: Ways That We Are Inclusive DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Training: DE&I Training recognizes the benefit of diversity to PEFCU and reiterates our commitment to inclusion. Our People Development team brings engaging development sessions to every PEFCU branch and office to boost our collective awareness. These sessions are interactive and discussion-based, answering…

IRA Investing for Beginners 

Although many employers offer 401k and other retirement options, it’s a good idea to set aside personal funds as well to ensure you can enjoy retirement the way you want to. A great place to start is to invest in an IRA (or Individual Retirement Account).   What is an IRA?  An IRA is a personal savings account set up specifically for retirement. Employees under the age of 50 can contribute up to $5,500 a year into an IRA – after age 50, you may contribute up to $6,500 a year. Because it’s designed for use during retirement, there are specific…

June 25, 2020Future Planning No Comments

Although many employers offer 401k and other retirement options, it’s a good idea to set aside personal funds as well to ensure you can enjoy retirement the way you want to. A great place to start is to invest in an IRA (or Individual Retirement Account).   What is an IRA?  An IRA is a personal savings account set up specifically for retirement. Employees under the age of 50 can contribute up to $5,500 a year into an IRA – after age 50, you may contribute up to $6,500 a year. Because it’s designed for use during retirement, there are specific…

What Is Gap and Why Do You Need It?

What is GAP?  You found the perfect car – sunroof, leather seats, navigation system – the works. You couldn’t be happier. Then…you sit down with the finance person at the dealership. Loan terms get tossed around and before you know it, you’re completely lost and unsure what you’re agreeing to.  That’s Why We’re Here   Our goal is to help make your car-buying experience as fun and exciting as possible. And one way we can help is by explaining upfront, the car-buying process. But right now, let’s focus on a common protection plan called GAP.  What is GAP?  GAP or Guaranteed Asset Protection is an important…

June 25, 2020Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins 1 Comment

What is GAP?  You found the perfect car – sunroof, leather seats, navigation system – the works. You couldn’t be happier. Then…you sit down with the finance person at the dealership. Loan terms get tossed around and before you know it, you’re completely lost and unsure what you’re agreeing to.  That’s Why We’re Here   Our goal is to help make your car-buying experience as fun and exciting as possible. And one way we can help is by explaining upfront, the car-buying process. But right now, let’s focus on a common protection plan called GAP.  What is GAP?  GAP or Guaranteed Asset Protection is an important…

PEFCU Values: Caring

What does it mean to be caring? To us, it means that we show compassion, nurture relationships with our employees, members, and the community, and foster a “people helping people” culture. Below are ways that we show our employees we care: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt  PEFCU Values: Ways that We Are Caring 1. Health Insurance: We care about our employee’s health and quality of life. PEFCU is one of the few employers that cover employees’ health insurance premiums at 100%. Plus, we cover our employees’ dependents at…

June 24, 2020We Are PEFCU No Comments

What does it mean to be caring? To us, it means that we show compassion, nurture relationships with our employees, members, and the community, and foster a “people helping people” culture. Below are ways that we show our employees we care: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt  PEFCU Values: Ways that We Are Caring 1. Health Insurance: We care about our employee’s health and quality of life. PEFCU is one of the few employers that cover employees’ health insurance premiums at 100%. Plus, we cover our employees’ dependents at…

PEFCU Values: Accountable

What does it mean to be accountable? To PEFCU, it means we honor the standards we set, make sound financial decisions, and hire the right employees. Below are some ways that PEFCU adheres to our value of remaining accountable.   “At the end of the day we are accountable to ourselves – our success is a result of what we do.” – Catherine Pulsifer PEFCU Values: Ways that We Are Accountable PAR (Performance Achievement Reviews): At PEFCU, we give our employees and managers quarterly evaluations to ensure they receive valuable feedback on their performance on a regular basis. We set operational goals and behavior standards for managers and employees to ensure everyone upholds…

June 24, 2020We Are PEFCU No Comments

What does it mean to be accountable? To PEFCU, it means we honor the standards we set, make sound financial decisions, and hire the right employees. Below are some ways that PEFCU adheres to our value of remaining accountable.   “At the end of the day we are accountable to ourselves – our success is a result of what we do.” – Catherine Pulsifer PEFCU Values: Ways that We Are Accountable PAR (Performance Achievement Reviews): At PEFCU, we give our employees and managers quarterly evaluations to ensure they receive valuable feedback on their performance on a regular basis. We set operational goals and behavior standards for managers and employees to ensure everyone upholds…

We Are PEFCU: What Makes Us Unique

Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) is a member-owned co-operative that was founded to meet the financial needs of Publix Super Markets Inc. associates and their family members.   George Jenkins (founder of Publix) wanted to ensure that he offered his customers the best choices in grocery products and services. Mr. George also fostered an internal culture that prioritized his associates’ personal needs. He wanted Publix associates and their immediate families to be at their best financially—at every phase of life. He envisioned them having lower loan rates, higher-yield savings plans, and other benefits that banks didn’t offer. In 1957, Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) was…

June 24, 2020We Are PEFCU No Comments

Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) is a member-owned co-operative that was founded to meet the financial needs of Publix Super Markets Inc. associates and their family members.   George Jenkins (founder of Publix) wanted to ensure that he offered his customers the best choices in grocery products and services. Mr. George also fostered an internal culture that prioritized his associates’ personal needs. He wanted Publix associates and their immediate families to be at their best financially—at every phase of life. He envisioned them having lower loan rates, higher-yield savings plans, and other benefits that banks didn’t offer. In 1957, Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) was…

PEFCU Values: Innovative

What does it mean to be innovative? To us, it means we are always looking for ways to remain an employer of choice. Below are a few ways that PEFCU stays innovative. “There’s no good idea that can’t be improved on.” – Michael Eisner PEFCU Values: Four Ways We Are Innovative The Vault: Our People Development team is dedicated to elevating our learning experience. The People Development team recently launched a learning platform called The Vault. The Vault contains educational and training resources that improve soft skills, fosters talent, and even certifies in specific business areas. It is more than on-the-job…

June 24, 2020We Are PEFCU No Comments

What does it mean to be innovative? To us, it means we are always looking for ways to remain an employer of choice. Below are a few ways that PEFCU stays innovative. “There’s no good idea that can’t be improved on.” – Michael Eisner PEFCU Values: Four Ways We Are Innovative The Vault: Our People Development team is dedicated to elevating our learning experience. The People Development team recently launched a learning platform called The Vault. The Vault contains educational and training resources that improve soft skills, fosters talent, and even certifies in specific business areas. It is more than on-the-job…

5 Tips on Saving for a Mortgage Down Payment

Mortgage. Down. Payment. The three scariest words in the home buying process. If saving up money for the down payment stumps you at every turn, keep reading. You may realize that you are closer to buying a home than you think. Find Unconventional Loan Options. A conventional mortgage typically requires a down payment of 20%. But there are several loan products with little or no down payments required. These include FHA-backed loans for first-time home buyers, VA loans for former and current military personnel and spouses, and USDA loans for buyers who want homes in “agricultural zones.”It is best that you thoroughly review these loan options with our PEFCU Loan Representative; as they may require a specific…

June 23, 2020Borrowing Basics 1 Comment

Mortgage. Down. Payment. The three scariest words in the home buying process. If saving up money for the down payment stumps you at every turn, keep reading. You may realize that you are closer to buying a home than you think. Find Unconventional Loan Options. A conventional mortgage typically requires a down payment of 20%. But there are several loan products with little or no down payments required. These include FHA-backed loans for first-time home buyers, VA loans for former and current military personnel and spouses, and USDA loans for buyers who want homes in “agricultural zones.”It is best that you thoroughly review these loan options with our PEFCU Loan Representative; as they may require a specific…