Knowing your Credit Score

We’ve added another helpful mobile and online banking feature to make it easier for you to monitor your credit score.  Credit Monitoring is a new feature that allows members to access their credit score, full credit report, credit monitoring, financial tips, and education…all for FREE and without impacting your credit score.   To start using this feature:  Log in to PEFCUMobile or PEFCUOnline. Navigate to the “Credit Monitoring” tab on the menu.   Agree to the terms and conditions and opt-in. Once you’re there, you’ll be amazed at how much you learn from checking your score. You will be surprised at how much control you have over your financial life—and it is…

August 5, 2024PEFCU Perks No Comments
Knowing your Credit Score

We’ve added another helpful mobile and online banking feature to make it easier for you to monitor your credit score.  Credit Monitoring is a new feature that allows members to access their credit score, full credit report, credit monitoring, financial tips, and education…all for FREE and without impacting your credit score.   To start using this feature:  Log in to PEFCUMobile or PEFCUOnline. Navigate to the “Credit Monitoring” tab on the menu.   Agree to the terms and conditions and opt-in. Once you’re there, you’ll be amazed at how much you learn from checking your score. You will be surprised at how much control you have over your financial life—and it is…

Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured? – One Minute Reads

If you’ve ever wondered whether credit unions are FDIC insured, the short answer is no. However, credit unions have their own equivalent protection through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).  The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insures deposits at banks, ensuring that your money is safe up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. Credit unions, on the other hand, are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). This coverage also protects deposits up to $250,000 per individual depositor.  So, while credit unions aren’t FDIC insured, the NCUA provides a…

August 1, 2024One Minute Reads, Uncategorized No Comments
Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured? – One Minute Reads

If you’ve ever wondered whether credit unions are FDIC insured, the short answer is no. However, credit unions have their own equivalent protection through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).  The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insures deposits at banks, ensuring that your money is safe up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. Credit unions, on the other hand, are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). This coverage also protects deposits up to $250,000 per individual depositor.  So, while credit unions aren’t FDIC insured, the NCUA provides a…

Preventing Lifestyle Creep from Overtaking Your Finances

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about how you will spend your next pay raise or bonus? Maybe you plan to make repairs on your home, begin saving for your child’s future college expenses, or want to eliminate high-interest credit card debt.   However, before you know it, those funds are gone, and your goals remain incomplete. Where did all this new money go? It’s a phenomenon called lifestyle creep. We’re here to help you understand its causes and consequences and how to avoid it.  What is Lifestyle Creep?  Lifestyle creep, also known as lifestyle inflation, is when your general spending…

July 25, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Preventing Lifestyle Creep from Overtaking Your Finances

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about how you will spend your next pay raise or bonus? Maybe you plan to make repairs on your home, begin saving for your child’s future college expenses, or want to eliminate high-interest credit card debt.   However, before you know it, those funds are gone, and your goals remain incomplete. Where did all this new money go? It’s a phenomenon called lifestyle creep. We’re here to help you understand its causes and consequences and how to avoid it.  What is Lifestyle Creep?  Lifestyle creep, also known as lifestyle inflation, is when your general spending…

How to Use Compound Interest to Build Wealth

You’ve probably come across the term “compound interest” when considering savings and investment options. But what exactly is compound interest, and how does it impact your wealth-building strategy?  Compound interest is a powerful tool that can appear minimal at first, but when coupled with time, it can tremendously impact your savings journey. Together, we’ll explore this concept, explain how it works, and reveal ways to leverage its power to build wealth and secure your financial future.  What Is Compound Interest?  When you invest money, the financial institution will often pay you interest (an amount for holding your money at their…

July 15, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
How to Use Compound Interest to Build Wealth

You’ve probably come across the term “compound interest” when considering savings and investment options. But what exactly is compound interest, and how does it impact your wealth-building strategy?  Compound interest is a powerful tool that can appear minimal at first, but when coupled with time, it can tremendously impact your savings journey. Together, we’ll explore this concept, explain how it works, and reveal ways to leverage its power to build wealth and secure your financial future.  What Is Compound Interest?  When you invest money, the financial institution will often pay you interest (an amount for holding your money at their…

Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

July 1, 2024Security Center No Comments
Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

Save MORE on Back 2 School Purchases 

Save on back-to-school shopping by taking advantage of these tax-free shopping days in your state!   Florida: 8/1/2025 – 8/10/2025 South Carolina: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Tennessee: 7/25/2025 – 7/27/2025  Virginia: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Plus, July 15 through September 15, 2025, when you receive a personal loan from PEFCU, we’ll donate $10* to Kiwanis of Lakeland to support their Stuff the Bus campaign! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness.    For every personal loan funded between July 15, 2025 and September 15, 2025, Publix Employees Federal…

June 27, 2024Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
Save MORE on Back 2 School Purchases 

Save on back-to-school shopping by taking advantage of these tax-free shopping days in your state!   Florida: 8/1/2025 – 8/10/2025 South Carolina: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Tennessee: 7/25/2025 – 7/27/2025  Virginia: 8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025 Plus, July 15 through September 15, 2025, when you receive a personal loan from PEFCU, we’ll donate $10* to Kiwanis of Lakeland to support their Stuff the Bus campaign! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness.    For every personal loan funded between July 15, 2025 and September 15, 2025, Publix Employees Federal…

Financial Tips to Prep for College

Going off to college is both exciting and intimidating. You’ll likely be on your own for the first time, facing new responsibilities and freedoms, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences.   As you’re taking steps to prepare for college and making lists of everything you need to do to get ready, don’t forget to add a few money-saving checkboxes to your list. Here are some tips to help you cut down on costs and keep up with your finances while attending college.   Explore Available Student Discounts   Never overlook the money-saving potential of student discounts. Many local and chain businesses offer…

June 21, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Financial Tips to Prep for College

Going off to college is both exciting and intimidating. You’ll likely be on your own for the first time, facing new responsibilities and freedoms, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences.   As you’re taking steps to prepare for college and making lists of everything you need to do to get ready, don’t forget to add a few money-saving checkboxes to your list. Here are some tips to help you cut down on costs and keep up with your finances while attending college.   Explore Available Student Discounts   Never overlook the money-saving potential of student discounts. Many local and chain businesses offer…

Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing: How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital age, where everything from shopping to banking is done online, the threat of scams looms larger than ever. Imagine receiving an email, a text message, or even a phone call that seems legitimate, only to realize later that it was a trap set by cybercriminals. These tactics, known as phishing, smishing, and vishing, are more than just annoyances – they’re sophisticated schemes designed to steal your personal information and drain your financial accounts.   In this article, we’ll dive into the world of these deceptive practices, unravel their intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge you need to…

May 22, 2024Security Center No Comments
Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing: How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital age, where everything from shopping to banking is done online, the threat of scams looms larger than ever. Imagine receiving an email, a text message, or even a phone call that seems legitimate, only to realize later that it was a trap set by cybercriminals. These tactics, known as phishing, smishing, and vishing, are more than just annoyances – they’re sophisticated schemes designed to steal your personal information and drain your financial accounts.   In this article, we’ll dive into the world of these deceptive practices, unravel their intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge you need to…

6 Essential Credit FAQs Answered

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top financial priority for every adult. Your credit score plays a significant role in how much interest you pay on loans, whether you’ll be approved for financing, and it can even impact whether you can rent an apartment or land specific jobs.  However, the world of credit reports and scores can be a bit confusing – and overwhelming. Not to worry. We’re here to help answer some of the more common questions about credit to ensure you’re on the right path to locking in an exceptional score.  #1: What Is…

May 22, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments
6 Essential Credit FAQs Answered

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top financial priority for every adult. Your credit score plays a significant role in how much interest you pay on loans, whether you’ll be approved for financing, and it can even impact whether you can rent an apartment or land specific jobs.  However, the world of credit reports and scores can be a bit confusing – and overwhelming. Not to worry. We’re here to help answer some of the more common questions about credit to ensure you’re on the right path to locking in an exceptional score.  #1: What Is…