Galentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Break the Bank

February 13 is officially Galentine’s Day! This year marks the 15th anniversary since Leslie Knope coined the holiday on the TV show Parks & Recreation. Leslie liked to celebrate by taking her friends out for brunch and buying them all gifts, but we’ve got some fun ideas to help you celebrate with your friends while staying on budget.  Charcuterie Night  Host a BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) Charcuterie Night. Ask each of your friends to bring a themed charcuterie board of their choice for a fun tasting night. Examples could include fruit board with different fruits and dips, French fry board…

January 28, 2025Wallet Wins No Comments
Galentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Break the Bank

February 13 is officially Galentine’s Day! This year marks the 15th anniversary since Leslie Knope coined the holiday on the TV show Parks & Recreation. Leslie liked to celebrate by taking her friends out for brunch and buying them all gifts, but we’ve got some fun ideas to help you celebrate with your friends while staying on budget.  Charcuterie Night  Host a BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) Charcuterie Night. Ask each of your friends to bring a themed charcuterie board of their choice for a fun tasting night. Examples could include fruit board with different fruits and dips, French fry board…

A Celebration of Black History

In celebration of Black History Month, PEFCU would like to explore the rich history of the Black community’s relationship to banking and the cooperative spirit that many credit union members share. Mutual Aid Societies & Cooperatives Before modern credit unions began, community-oriented institutions were set up to serve freedmen in the North. Like credit unions, they were co-owned by all their members, provided the community with affordable alternatives for financial services, and fostered self-sufficiency. By the late 18th century, northern Black populations had established mutual aid societies and cooperatives, creating networks that helped advance the community by supplying clothes, healthcare,…

January 28, 2025We Are PEFCU 2 Comments
A Celebration of Black History

In celebration of Black History Month, PEFCU would like to explore the rich history of the Black community’s relationship to banking and the cooperative spirit that many credit union members share. Mutual Aid Societies & Cooperatives Before modern credit unions began, community-oriented institutions were set up to serve freedmen in the North. Like credit unions, they were co-owned by all their members, provided the community with affordable alternatives for financial services, and fostered self-sufficiency. By the late 18th century, northern Black populations had established mutual aid societies and cooperatives, creating networks that helped advance the community by supplying clothes, healthcare,…

Car Buying 101: What You Need To Know

Where to start? Who said that buying your first car would be easy? Chances are that you’ve received lots of unhelpful and conflicting advice on your way to the dealership. So, before you take that test drive, here are six car buying basics that you should know:  Loan pre–approval is your most powerful negotiation tool. Get this first! If you know your approval limit and interest rate, you’ll be able to effectively strategize. PEFCU usually offers better rates and terms than banks. Just reach out for more info.  The total price is more important than the monthly payment. This is very basic. Many people think if they can handle the monthly payment, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to pay off the car…

January 28, 2025Borrowing Basics 3 Comments
Car Buying 101: What You Need To Know

Where to start? Who said that buying your first car would be easy? Chances are that you’ve received lots of unhelpful and conflicting advice on your way to the dealership. So, before you take that test drive, here are six car buying basics that you should know:  Loan pre–approval is your most powerful negotiation tool. Get this first! If you know your approval limit and interest rate, you’ll be able to effectively strategize. PEFCU usually offers better rates and terms than banks. Just reach out for more info.  The total price is more important than the monthly payment. This is very basic. Many people think if they can handle the monthly payment, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to pay off the car…

Benefits of Refinancing Your Auto Loan

Are your car payments wrecking your budget without putting a dent in your loan? Are you throwing away money in interest payments each month? If so, refinancing your auto loan may be an easy solution. It’s a painless process that could keep your money in your pocket.   Let’s review what auto refinancing is and how to decide if it’s right for you.   What is Auto Loan Refinancing?   Refinancing your auto loan sounds hard, but it’s simple. When you originally bought your vehicle, you likely financed it with the dealership or some other lender. By refinancing your loan, you are just switching it from your current lender to a new lender to save money.   Why Should You Refinance?   Better Rates: You would want to refinance your auto loan to take advantage of better loan rates. If auto loan rates are…

January 14, 2025Borrowing Basics 1 Comment
Benefits of Refinancing Your Auto Loan

Are your car payments wrecking your budget without putting a dent in your loan? Are you throwing away money in interest payments each month? If so, refinancing your auto loan may be an easy solution. It’s a painless process that could keep your money in your pocket.   Let’s review what auto refinancing is and how to decide if it’s right for you.   What is Auto Loan Refinancing?   Refinancing your auto loan sounds hard, but it’s simple. When you originally bought your vehicle, you likely financed it with the dealership or some other lender. By refinancing your loan, you are just switching it from your current lender to a new lender to save money.   Why Should You Refinance?   Better Rates: You would want to refinance your auto loan to take advantage of better loan rates. If auto loan rates are…

Gift Cards: A Scammer’s Best Friend  

Gift cards are fun to receive and even better to give to others. Need to grab a last-minute gift? Don’t know what to give the person who has everything? Or buying for a teen that prefers to do their own shopping? No matter your circumstance, there’s a gift card for that!   Racks of gift cards can be found for sale in every store. Their popularity, availability, and ease of purchasing make them a top choice for many consumers. However, those same qualities are precisely what makes them attractive to fraudsters.   Understanding Gift Card Scams   Gift card scammers employ deceptive…

September 3, 2024Security Center 1 Comment
Gift Cards: A Scammer’s Best Friend  

Gift cards are fun to receive and even better to give to others. Need to grab a last-minute gift? Don’t know what to give the person who has everything? Or buying for a teen that prefers to do their own shopping? No matter your circumstance, there’s a gift card for that!   Racks of gift cards can be found for sale in every store. Their popularity, availability, and ease of purchasing make them a top choice for many consumers. However, those same qualities are precisely what makes them attractive to fraudsters.   Understanding Gift Card Scams   Gift card scammers employ deceptive…

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…

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!   Alabama: 7/19/2024 – 7/21/2024 Florida: 7/29/2024 – 8/11/2024 South Carolina:8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 Tennessee: 7/26/2024 – 7/28/2024  Virginia: 8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 You can also take advantage of PEFCU’s great rates on credit cards and credit card rewards you actually want! Apply for our PEFCU Visa® Credit Card today! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness. 

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!   Alabama: 7/19/2024 – 7/21/2024 Florida: 7/29/2024 – 8/11/2024 South Carolina:8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 Tennessee: 7/26/2024 – 7/28/2024  Virginia: 8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 You can also take advantage of PEFCU’s great rates on credit cards and credit card rewards you actually want! Apply for our PEFCU Visa® Credit Card today! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness. 

The Power of Auto Preapproval

The Power of Auto Preapproval  Ready for a new ride? Whether you want a change or your current car is showing signs of wear and tear, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. You’re not alone. With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s a game-changer you might not have considered: an auto loan preapproval. At PEFCU, we call this an Express Pay Draft. It’s like having a golden ticket to a car shopping paradise, giving you the freedom to explore without stressing about your budget. So, if you’re even slightly tempted by…

April 16, 2024Borrowing Basics 2 Comments
The Power of Auto Preapproval

The Power of Auto Preapproval  Ready for a new ride? Whether you want a change or your current car is showing signs of wear and tear, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. You’re not alone. With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s a game-changer you might not have considered: an auto loan preapproval. At PEFCU, we call this an Express Pay Draft. It’s like having a golden ticket to a car shopping paradise, giving you the freedom to explore without stressing about your budget. So, if you’re even slightly tempted by…

December Toy Drive: Guardian ad Litem

Welcome back, loyal members! It’s me, Alyssa (your community connection), and I am back with an INCREDIBLE initiative to help jump-start your holiday spirit!  Throughout December, PEFCU will be partnered with local Guardian ad Litem (GAL) organizations to host a gift donation drive at each of our branches. This drive will bring awareness and hope this holiday season to children in foster care who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Over 37,000 children were part of the Florida GAL program last year alone. With your help, we can restore their hope and give them something to look forward to under…

November 22, 2023We Are PEFCU 1 Comment
December Toy Drive: Guardian ad Litem

Welcome back, loyal members! It’s me, Alyssa (your community connection), and I am back with an INCREDIBLE initiative to help jump-start your holiday spirit!  Throughout December, PEFCU will be partnered with local Guardian ad Litem (GAL) organizations to host a gift donation drive at each of our branches. This drive will bring awareness and hope this holiday season to children in foster care who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Over 37,000 children were part of the Florida GAL program last year alone. With your help, we can restore their hope and give them something to look forward to under…

4 Popular Email Scams and How to Avoid Them

Nowadays, it seems like a day doesn’t go by without someone trying to lure you into a scam. Whether through text messages, social media, robocalls, or email, fraudsters always work overtime. And just when you think you know all their moves, a new ploy lands on your lap.   Countless people fall victim to fraud annually. Your best defense to avoid these traps is to stay informed on how they operate. Today, we’re sharing four popular phishing scams guaranteed to land in your email inbox and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.  What is Phishing?  Phishing is a…

August 24, 2023Security Center No Comments
4 Popular Email Scams and How to Avoid Them

Nowadays, it seems like a day doesn’t go by without someone trying to lure you into a scam. Whether through text messages, social media, robocalls, or email, fraudsters always work overtime. And just when you think you know all their moves, a new ploy lands on your lap.   Countless people fall victim to fraud annually. Your best defense to avoid these traps is to stay informed on how they operate. Today, we’re sharing four popular phishing scams guaranteed to land in your email inbox and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.  What is Phishing?  Phishing is a…