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Posts about Policy & Economy (2)

Empower Yourself and Your Future with Financial Wellness

By: Holly Love 10.20.22 4 minute read

International Credit Union Day ®, also known as ICU Day®, is celebrated on the third Thursday of October. This year marks the 74th anniversary of the day, with the theme “Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union™.” This special day is brought to you by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

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Celebrating Credit Unions Worldwide

By: American Heritage 10.06.22 3 minute read

When you think of credit unions, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Maybe it’s the great deal you got on your auto loan or the great rate you earn with your savings. Maybe you think of your credit union’s strong ties with its community. All these things are hallmarks of the credit union experience. But your local credit union is also part of something much bigger. It’s a worldwide movement. You might be familiar with some of the things that make credit unions unique. They’re democratically controlled, not-for-profit financial cooperatives that are owned by their members. Instead of being driven by profits, credit unions are built on the philosophy of “people helping people” and focused on supporting their members’ financial well-being. It’s an idea that goes way back. In feudal Japan, lending cooperatives helped members pool money to access interest-free short-term loans. By the late 1800s, the earliest examples of modern-day credit unions were springing up across Europe. In both cities and rural communities, these cooperatives helped everyday people participate in a banking system for the first time.

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What the Second Stimulus Package Means for Americans

By: American Heritage 12.22.20 2 minute read

For nearly ten months, Americans have been feeling the effects of a lockdown designed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the livelihoods of many were impacted by these lockdowns as small businesses, hospitality, live entertainment, and other industries closed their doors. Payment Protection Program Loans and unemployment benefits helped shoulder some of the burden, but many Americans were and are still struggling.

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Debunking 9 Common Credit Union Myths

By: American Heritage 01.30.20 3 minute read

If you’re a member of a credit union – or thinking about joining one – you’ve probably heard a well-meaning friend or relative tell you something negative they “heard” about credit unions. Unfortunately, the public sometimes gets its facts wrong about credit unions, even though our movement has millions of members worldwide. Credit unions have been around for more than 100 years, but there’s still a lot of confusion about the difference between a credit union and a bank, how credit unions work, and the benefits we offer our members. Credit unions and banks provide the same types of services, but certain characteristics set credit unions apart. Here’s the biggest difference: While banks are for-profit companies that need to earn profits for their stockholders, credit unions are not-for-profit organizations owned and operated by members. Their earnings go right back to members in the form of lower rates on loans, higher dividends on savings, fewer fees, and great service. Because each credit union member owns a share of the organization, they have equal voting rights in decisions that might affect the credit union. Members aren’t customers; they’re the boss.

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Four Ways Credit Unions Create Economic Opportunity

By: American Heritage 07.18.19 2 minute read

If you own or work for a local business, you understand how important your community is to the success of your business. At American Heritage Credit Union, we do too. As a credit union with deep local roots, our commitment to serving members’ financial needs goes hand-in-hand with our work to support our community.

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How Credit Unions Serve Their Communities

By: American Heritage 03.28.19 3 minute read

These days, many of us are conscientious about where we spend our money. After all, we want to know that the businesses we support are responsible and have a positive impact in the community. This is especially important when it comes to the financial institution where we bank, borrow, and invest.

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