Credit Cards

Whether you're obtaining a mortgage, buying a car, or starting a business, having good credit shows lenders that they can trust you to repay money. A strong credit score can give you access to lower interest rates and increase the likelihood that banks and lenders will approve your applications.

You can improve your credit score by borrowing and repaying debt responsibly. However, if you don't have credit history, it can be hard to qualify for loans or credit cards.

Credit plays a crucial role in our modern financial system, serving as the essential element of economic activity, here are some reasons why:

• Building a Positive Financial Reputation - Lenders and financial institutions assess an individual's creditworthiness based on their credit history. A good credit score, which reflects responsible borrowing and repayment behavior, can provide access to lower interest rates, favorable loan terms, and higher credit limits. This can translate into substantial savings over time and increased financial flexibility.
• Increasing Purchasing Power- Loans or Lines of Credit enable you to make significant purchases and investments that you might not have the immediate cash to cover. By borrowing money from lenders, individuals can acquire homes, vehicles, and other valuable assets that enhance their quality of life. Loans also allows individuals to invest in education, which can open doors to better career opportunities and higher earning potential.
• Growing Your Business - Small businesses often rely on loans and credit lines to fund their operations, purchase inventory, and invest in expansion. Access to credit can be a determining factor in the success or failure of a business. It enables entrepreneurs to seize opportunities, innovate, and create employment opportunities, thus driving economic growth.
• Establishing a Financial Safety Net - Credit promotes financial resilience by serving as a safety net during emergencies. Unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or car repairs, can put a strain on individuals' finances. Having access to credit allows people to manage these unforeseen circumstances and maintain their financial stability. In times of crisis, credit can bridge the gap between immediate needs and available resources.
• Contributing to a Robust Financial System - When you repay your debts in a timely manner, it instills confidence in lenders and encourages them to continue extending credit to others. This cycle of borrowing and repayment fuels economic activity, stimulates investment, and creates a healthy cycle of capital circulation.

However, it is important to use credit responsibly. Excessive borrowing, reckless spending, and failure to make timely repayments can lead to financial distress, damaged credit scores, and long-term consequences. It is crucial to maintain a balance between credit usage and financial discipline, ensuring that borrowing aligns with one's ability to repay.

Everyone's financial situation is unique. The best course of action is to speak to a certified financial counselor at UMCU. They will go over your situation in detail and help you create a plan to get out of debt as soon as possible. Give us a call at 800-968-8628, visit a branch, or request an appointment online today!

A good way to keep spending and saving in balance is following the 50/30/20 rule which divides your funds into three categories:

50% - Needs
"Needs" are things that you absolutely must spend money on each month. This includes:

• Groceries
• Housing
• Utilities
• Medical expenses
• Transportation (gas, bus fare, etc.)

30% - Wants
"Wants" are things that you do to treat yourself and have fun! Think: shopping, dining out, hobbies.

10-20% - Debt Repayment & Savings
Think of savings as paying yourself first. It's a good idea to setup automatic transfers so that funds are deposited into your account every pay period or once a month. Take the work out of manually transferring your money so it'll automatically become a habit.

The Family & Friends feature in digital banking is a convenient way to transfer funds between personal accounts and business accounts at UMCU. As the admin of your business account, you can add or remove friends and family members who also have individual accounts with UMCU.