What Is the Prime Rate & How Does It Affect Me? 

Have you ever noticed your credit card rate inching upward? Or certain loan payments increasing from a rise in interest rates? Chances are that those shifts are the result of changes to the prime rate.  The “prime rate” may sound like financial jargon, but it plays a significant role for borrowers and savers alike. This figure sets the bar when lenders price loans, and it changes more often than you might think.   In this article, we’ll shed light on what the prime rate is, how it’s determined, and the impact it can have on your everyday finances.     What Is…

September 24, 2025Borrowing Basics No Comments

Have you ever noticed your credit card rate inching upward? Or certain loan payments increasing from a rise in interest rates? Chances are that those shifts are the result of changes to the prime rate.  The “prime rate” may sound like financial jargon, but it plays a significant role for borrowers and savers alike. This figure sets the bar when lenders price loans, and it changes more often than you might think.   In this article, we’ll shed light on what the prime rate is, how it’s determined, and the impact it can have on your everyday finances.     What Is…

One-Minute Reads: What Does Collateral Mean? 

When you hear the term collateral in the world of lending, it’s simply something valuable you pledge to a lender to secure a loan. Think of it as the lender’s safety net—if you can’t repay the loan, they can use the collateral to recover the money they lent you.  Collateral can be many things, depending on the type of loan:  Auto loan: the car you’re buying is the collateral.  Mortgage: the home itself serves as the collateral.  Secured personal loan: items like a savings account, share certificate, or other valuable assets can be used.  Using collateral can work in your…

September 19, 2025Borrowing Basics, One Minute Reads No Comments

When you hear the term collateral in the world of lending, it’s simply something valuable you pledge to a lender to secure a loan. Think of it as the lender’s safety net—if you can’t repay the loan, they can use the collateral to recover the money they lent you.  Collateral can be many things, depending on the type of loan:  Auto loan: the car you’re buying is the collateral.  Mortgage: the home itself serves as the collateral.  Secured personal loan: items like a savings account, share certificate, or other valuable assets can be used.  Using collateral can work in your…

6 Myths About Refinancing Car Loans

 Refinancing your car loan might sound like a mystical and complicated process, but that’s rarely the case. In truth, refinancing is one of the quickest and easiest ways to put more of your hard-earned dollars back into your wallet each month.   Believing common misconceptions about refinancing might be preventing you from pursuing one of the best financial decisions you can make for your budget. We’re here to debunk these common myths and help you gain a clearer understanding of how this process can instantly improve your finances.     Understanding Auto Loan Refinancing  Refinancing your car loan is essentially the process…

July 15, 2025Borrowing Basics No Comments

 Refinancing your car loan might sound like a mystical and complicated process, but that’s rarely the case. In truth, refinancing is one of the quickest and easiest ways to put more of your hard-earned dollars back into your wallet each month.   Believing common misconceptions about refinancing might be preventing you from pursuing one of the best financial decisions you can make for your budget. We’re here to debunk these common myths and help you gain a clearer understanding of how this process can instantly improve your finances.     Understanding Auto Loan Refinancing  Refinancing your car loan is essentially the process…

Debunking 7 Common Credit Card Myths

Credit cards are one of the most popular ways to pay for just about everything, thanks to their convenience and flexibility. But that convenience can come at a cost. Without a clear understanding of how credit cards work, it’s easy to fall into habits that lead to overspending, high-interest charges, and long-term debt.  The key to using credit cards responsibly – and making them work for you – is knowing the facts. Plenty of myths and misunderstandings exist about credit cards, how they affect your credit score, and what certain actions really mean for your finances. In this article, we’re…

May 1, 2025Borrowing Basics No Comments

Credit cards are one of the most popular ways to pay for just about everything, thanks to their convenience and flexibility. But that convenience can come at a cost. Without a clear understanding of how credit cards work, it’s easy to fall into habits that lead to overspending, high-interest charges, and long-term debt.  The key to using credit cards responsibly – and making them work for you – is knowing the facts. Plenty of myths and misunderstandings exist about credit cards, how they affect your credit score, and what certain actions really mean for your finances. In this article, we’re…

Is Debt Consolidation Right for Me?

Dealing with credit card debt can be overwhelming. Managing multiple due dates, keeping track of different interest rates, and seeing balances that barely budge can feel like an impossible task. Even when you’re making payments every month, high interest charges can make it seem like you’re going nowhere fast.  Here’s the good news: there’s a way to cut through the chaos and regain control of your finances. Debt consolidation is a simple process that helps you organize your debts into one manageable payment. While it might sound intimidating at first, it’s a clear step toward becoming debt-free and building a…

March 4, 2025Borrowing Basics No Comments

Dealing with credit card debt can be overwhelming. Managing multiple due dates, keeping track of different interest rates, and seeing balances that barely budge can feel like an impossible task. Even when you’re making payments every month, high interest charges can make it seem like you’re going nowhere fast.  Here’s the good news: there’s a way to cut through the chaos and regain control of your finances. Debt consolidation is a simple process that helps you organize your debts into one manageable payment. While it might sound intimidating at first, it’s a clear step toward becoming debt-free and building a…

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

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…

Ways to Improve Your Credit in the New Year  

As we prepare for the new year, now is the perfect time to reflect on our financial habits and set goals for improvement. One crucial aspect of your overall fiscal health is your credit. Your credit score is a critical factor in determining your financial well-being, impacting your ability to be approved for loans, buy a home, or even land a job in some cases. If improving your credit is one of your financial resolutions for the upcoming year, we are here to help with some tips to guide you on your journey to better credit.   Make sure you’re opted-in…

January 24, 2025Borrowing Basics No Comments

As we prepare for the new year, now is the perfect time to reflect on our financial habits and set goals for improvement. One crucial aspect of your overall fiscal health is your credit. Your credit score is a critical factor in determining your financial well-being, impacting your ability to be approved for loans, buy a home, or even land a job in some cases. If improving your credit is one of your financial resolutions for the upcoming year, we are here to help with some tips to guide you on your journey to better credit.   Make sure you’re opted-in…

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

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…

Tips to Improve Your Loan Approval Odds

Applying for a loan often feels daunting to many – but have no fear. You can employ several strategies to improve your chances of being approved. Whether you’re looking to finance a new car, buy a home, consolidate debt, pay for education expenses, or borrow for another need, preparing your finances beforehand can make all the difference.   Here are some tips to help you increase your likelihood of being approved for your next loan – and how to secure more favorable loan terms.     Determine What You Can Afford   Knowing how much you can afford to borrow before applying for…

August 14, 2024Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins 1 Comment

Applying for a loan often feels daunting to many – but have no fear. You can employ several strategies to improve your chances of being approved. Whether you’re looking to finance a new car, buy a home, consolidate debt, pay for education expenses, or borrow for another need, preparing your finances beforehand can make all the difference.   Here are some tips to help you increase your likelihood of being approved for your next loan – and how to secure more favorable loan terms.     Determine What You Can Afford   Knowing how much you can afford to borrow before applying for…

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 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…