Last updated 5 days ago
Westmark Credit Union of Idaho Falls prides itself on offering a complete line of financial services, from checking and savings accounts to home loans and investment services. Please give us a call today at (208) 523-1071 to learn more about the benefits of becoming a credit union member. In the meantime, read all about credit unions and personal finances with the following links.
Money Talks News discusses the top seven reasons why you should join a credit union.
U.S. News & World Report offers some more reasons to join a credit union, and reminds readers that credit union deposits are fully insured.
Start saving for college today; get assistance from your member representative and this article by The New York Times.
The Motley Fool offers a closer look at the 529 college savings plan, including a discussion of the sky-high contribution limits.
Read about the various types of mortgages, including fixed-rate and reverse mortgages, at USA.gov.
Last updated 12 days ago
When it comes to personal finances, there are plenty of banking options to sort through. Many people choose credit unions for a variety of reasons. If you’re considering joining a credit union, talk to a representative about your choices. The following are some factors to consider when you sign up for an account:
Better Rates
Credit unions are owned by their members, not by a corporation. This means that the profits are invested right back into the credit union, which translates into better deals for you. Credit unions have historically provided higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower interest rates on loans. If you compare credit union fees with those from banks, you’ll find that credit unions consistently offer lower fees, and far fewer of them.
Excellent Customer Service
Many people prefer credit unions over banks because credit unions are typically deep-rooted in their communities and highly committed to giving back. After becoming a member, you’ll likely become well acquainted with the representatives at your credit union, and they’ll get to know you on a first-name basis. Member representatives are keenly interested in hearing about your financial goals and helping you achieve them.
Ideal Credit Card Deals
In addition to better rates for checking and savings accounts, credit unions also offer better deals on credit cards. One survey revealed that credit unions’ average rates are 20 percent lower than those of banks. Credit unions also have fewer credit card fees.
Convenient Accessibility Options
Although it might seem that choosing a large bank would offer more convenience than a small credit union, credit unions are actually very accessible to their members. If you join a credit union, you can enjoy online, in-person, and phone services. When you call your credit union, you’ll talk to a real person instead of a machine.
Improve your banking experience today by joining a credit union. Westmark Credit Union offers 10 convenient locations in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot, Rigby, Rexburg, Eagle, Meridian and Nampa. Please call us at (208) 523-1071 to learn how you can take advantage of our great offers.
Last updated 19 days ago
Saving for college is a monumental task; the sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be. Talk to your credit union representative about your college savings options. Credit union representatives recommend developing a comprehensive plan based on your current finances and goals. Keep reading to learn the steps of college planning that your credit union representative can help you with.
Evaluate Your Finances
Sit down with your credit union representative and discuss your current financial picture. If you don’t already have a budget, now is a good time to develop one. If you do have a budget, you might consider updating it for college savings. Assess how much you already have saved for college and how much you can set aside each month.
Determine Your Goals
It can be difficult to put a price on a college, especially if your child is still quite young. College tuition is on an upward trend, and there are many other expenses to consider, including room and board. Your credit union representative can help you determine a reasonable financial goal for college. Break that goal up into the number of years you have left to save, then break up your yearly goals into monthly goals. If your budget falls short of your savings goals, look for ways to cut expenses. Your credit union representative might offer suggestions, such as refinancing your home to take advantage of lower interest rates.
Assessing Your Options
Once you’ve determined how much you’re going to save for college each month, the next step is to determine where to put the money. You might consider investing some of the money in mutual funds, for example. One popular option is the 529 college savings plan, which allows you to grow your savings tax-free.
Whatever your financial goals are, the friendly representatives of Westmark Credit Union are here to help you. Please call (208) 523-1071 or visit one of our 10 conveniently located branches in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot, Rigby, Rexburg, Eagle, Meridian or Nampa with any questions. One of our representatives can help you learn about your savings options and develop a college financial plan.
Last updated 26 days ago
Whether you’re ready to buy your first home or are looking for a new one, one of the factors to consider is your mortgage. Mortgages work much like other types of loans you can borrow from a bank or credit union, and the interest rate reflects what it costs to borrow the money. If you have a high credit score, you can enjoy a lower interest rate.
Learn more about the different types of mortgages by watching this video. The financial expert in this video explains the differences between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages.
Get help making sense of mortgages with assistance from the representatives of Westmark Credit Union in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot, Rigby, Rexburg, Eagle, Meridian and Nampa. Call our credit union today at (208) 523-1071 or visit our website at www.westmark.org to apply for home loan on-line.
Last updated 1 month ago
From credit cards to checking accounts, it helps to have a trusted credit union for all of your financial needs. To learn more about the benefits of membership in Westmark Credit Union, visit us at one of our 10 conveniently located branches in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot, Rigby, Rexburg, Eagle, Meridian and Nampa or contact us at (208) 523-1071. Look to the following resources for more tips on managing your finances:
Credit cards can be a great financial tool if managed correctly. Get credit card management tips from ABC.
Bankrate has more on the best credit card varieties for building up your credit score.
If you’re struggling to keep up with credit card debt, learn how to relieve you burden from U.S. News.
Learn about balancing your checkbook and more from Investopedia.
SFGate offers this useful guide to checkbook management.
