Understanding Your Credit Score

Most people believe if they make all of their credit cards, car loan, and mortgage payments on time, they can expect their credit score to be great. However, focusing on your payment history alone will not give you a complete breakdown of what actually goes into your credit score. Here are five factors that determine your credit score:   Payment History: 35% Lenders want to know that you are a reliable payer and you are making most of your payments in a timely manner. While a one-time late payment will have an impact on your payment history, if it is an unusual occurrence, it will not take long to regain your standing.   Your payment…

July 1, 2020Borrowing Basics No Comments
Understanding Your Credit Score

Most people believe if they make all of their credit cards, car loan, and mortgage payments on time, they can expect their credit score to be great. However, focusing on your payment history alone will not give you a complete breakdown of what actually goes into your credit score. Here are five factors that determine your credit score:   Payment History: 35% Lenders want to know that you are a reliable payer and you are making most of your payments in a timely manner. While a one-time late payment will have an impact on your payment history, if it is an unusual occurrence, it will not take long to regain your standing.   Your payment…

PEFCU History: A Look Back in Time

Building Our Credit Union  Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) wasn’t built with brick and mortar. PEFCU was built with people, by people, and for people. We owe our success to the individuals who share our trust, commitment, and values.  Membership is essential to the design of our not-for-profit cooperative, and the members keep the Credit Union strong.     The Architects  PEFCU was envisioned by Publix founder George Jenkins, John Turner, and other leaders of Publix Super Markets, Inc. Mr. George was known for his generosity, and he often helped Publix associates in times of financial need. In 1957, someone suggested…

June 30, 2020We Are PEFCU 37 Comments
PEFCU History: A Look Back in Time

Building Our Credit Union  Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) wasn’t built with brick and mortar. PEFCU was built with people, by people, and for people. We owe our success to the individuals who share our trust, commitment, and values.  Membership is essential to the design of our not-for-profit cooperative, and the members keep the Credit Union strong.     The Architects  PEFCU was envisioned by Publix founder George Jenkins, John Turner, and other leaders of Publix Super Markets, Inc. Mr. George was known for his generosity, and he often helped Publix associates in times of financial need. In 1957, someone suggested…

4 Perks of Going Mobile 

The iPhone® just came out in 2007. That’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Since then, everything from checking your emails to finding a soul mate has completely changed.   The way we bank has transformed as well. Now we can make well-informed, instant financial decisions wherever we go. We can even deposit checks with just a few taps.   Keep reading to discover four ways that smartphones can lead to smart banking.   Get Access Anytime, Anywhere. Out and about and need to know how much money you have available? No problem. Check your balance or transfer money with a few simple taps. With the PEFCU Mobile Banking app, your account is a few taps away.   Pay Bills Instantly. Have you ever forgotten to pay a bill? This could be a thing of the past with mobile banking. When your bill arrives, just log in and pay it instantly with Online Bill…

June 29, 2020PEFCU Perks 2 Comments
4 Perks of Going Mobile 

The iPhone® just came out in 2007. That’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Since then, everything from checking your emails to finding a soul mate has completely changed.   The way we bank has transformed as well. Now we can make well-informed, instant financial decisions wherever we go. We can even deposit checks with just a few taps.   Keep reading to discover four ways that smartphones can lead to smart banking.   Get Access Anytime, Anywhere. Out and about and need to know how much money you have available? No problem. Check your balance or transfer money with a few simple taps. With the PEFCU Mobile Banking app, your account is a few taps away.   Pay Bills Instantly. Have you ever forgotten to pay a bill? This could be a thing of the past with mobile banking. When your bill arrives, just log in and pay it instantly with Online Bill…

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
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…

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
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…

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
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…

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
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…

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 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…

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
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…

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
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…