Friends of the Foundation Newsletter

Credit unions have long existed to serve local communities and underserved populations by providing crucial, affordable access to financial services. The first credit union in the U.S., St. Mary’s Cooperative Credit Association, was formed in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1909. Since then, the movement has rapidly expanded, with over 4,700 credit unions now operating across the nation (CUNA). Despite such significant nationwide growth, credit unions remain deeply rooted in and dedicated to serving you and your local community. Today, across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, dedicated teams tirelessly innovate, often crafting new products, systems, and processes to better support individuals and families.

For example:

• • Credit unions are dedicated to providing financial education services to their members. Looking to purchase a home and don’t know where to begin? Ask your local credit union for help.
• • Credit unions nationwide consistently offer lower loan rates than other financial institutions.
• • All credit unions are non-profits and return savings and any profits made to members in the form of lower rates, reduced fees, higher savings rates, and much more.
• • Credit unions advocate for, and support, initiatives including financial literacy, fraud protection and awareness, financial services accessibility, and community development.
• • Read more about what credit unions are doing to help in your state and communities here.

As the school year approaches, expenses can quickly pile up from textbooks and supplies to extracurricular fees and technology requirements. Plan smart with these tips and tricks from Consumer Reports.

How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping - Consumer Reports

Financial freedom means something different for everyone, but a crucial starting point is grasping where your money flows and how to optimize it to better work for you. Kickstart your journey by creating a budget and learn more with these tips from NerdWallet. As a Friends of the Foundation member, you receive exclusive access to budgeting tools, planning courses, and more with Enrich, your financial wellness platform. Get started on your way to financial empowerment today!