Did you know that purchasing GAP insurance—which covers the difference between the amount you owe on your loan and the amount your insurance company pays if your car is stolen or totaled—can cost almost three times as much from a dealership compared to purchasing it through your credit union?  That’s just one gem you’ll learn today from First Education President Jim and Vice President of Lending Jaclyn, who are here to guide you through:  Why to get pre-approved for a loan before you start car shopping What happens if you extend your loan Why we recommend adding “gap protection” to…

As our Vice President of Lending, Jaclyn knows a thing or two about what it takes to not only build—but maintain—a great credit score.  Today, Jaclyn joins First Education President Jim to share her expert advice on:  Building a good credit score Helping your child build credit early  Setting credit limits for new cardholders The importance of annually pulling and reviewing your credit report Tap the “play” button to listen to the episode now: Be the first to hear our next episode We’re so happy you joined us today.  “Like” us on Facebook, where we’ll share the news as soon…

As a First Education member, you know the feeling: It’s like being part of one great, big family.  What else makes credit unions special? We couldn’t think of two better people to answer that question than First Education President Jim and Vice President of Lending Jaclyn!  Trust us; after listening to this episode, you’ll feel extra proud to be a credit union member. Tap the “play” button to listen to the episode now: Be the first to hear our next episode We’re so happy you joined us today.  “Like” us on Facebook, where we’ll share the news as soon as…

Join Jim, First Education President, and Jaclyn, Vice President of Lending, for our episode on a topic that’s ever-evolving: Artificial intelligence (AI).  (You’ll be surprised to hear it’s already popping up in the financial world!) Tap the “play” button to listen to the episode now: Be the first to hear our next episode We’re so happy you joined us today.  “Like” us on Facebook, where we’ll share the news as soon as our next episode goes live!  

Yes, even you seasoned spenders among us… there’s good information in this episode for you, too! (For example: Do you know why you have a “share” account? If not, you’re about to find out!) Hop in to the studio with Jim and Kristi to learn:  Why credit unions require you to open a “share” (savings) account  Account types you can open that earn dividends over time A fun way to teach kids about budgeting that we bet you haven’t tried  How to use Banzai (a free financial literacy tool) to expand your financial knowledge… at any age The difference between…

Remember the thrill of getting the high score on a video game? Earning a high credit score can give you that same boost of joy today! We’re back in the studio with your friends Jim and Kristi to talk credit scores: Why they matter, how often to check them, and how to boost yours!  Listen in to learn:  Surprising places that use your credit score to make decisions  The #1 way to build (and maintain) good credit  What contributes to your overall credit score  Where, and how often, to check your credit report Why not to close accounts for credit…

If you’ve ever been caught in a fraudster’s trap, you know all too well what a headache it is to clean up the mess they’ve made!  While Jim and Kristi joke that fraud is one of our favorite topics to talk about, it really is important to us—because the more we can inform members how to stay safe, the better chance you have of staying out of those tricky fraudsters’ traps. Find out from Jim and Kristi:  What to do if your First Education debit card gets compromised—and how we help!  What to do if you’re a victim of identity…

Each spring, we donate all proceeds from our annual fundraiser BBQ and bake sale to the First Education “Kathy Boheler: Building a Better Future” memorial scholarship at Laramie County Community College. Established in memory of our past Vice President of Member Services, the scholarship is an exciting opportunity to support local students as they pursue their dreams through higher education.  Through the generosity of our community and members like you, you’re helping make dreams like these come true: “Becoming a forensic scientist has been a dream of mine since I was in seventh grade, and thanks to your support, l…

With Cheyenne’s economic climate in such a great place, no wonder you’re looking to start a business here!  Jim and Kristi have some wonderful guidance to get you started on the right path, including:  How, and where, to begin your journey An important question to ask yourself about your business right away How to decide between being a sole proprietor or an LLC What business owners need to submit to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Tap the “play” button to listen to the episode now: Episode resources  Learn more about FinCEN Beneficial Owner Information (BOI)  Be the first to…

Unless you’re expecting their call, it’s unlikely that’s really Microsoft or the IRS on the line.  That’s just one type of scam out right now; Jim and Kristi share several others to look out for in today’s episode, along with:  Tips to safeguard your financial information  The importance of a “credit freeze,” especially for minors Why someone asking you to wire money or send a gift card or check is a red flag How we help you run a fraud check, if you’re worried you may have been scammed Tap the “play” button to listen to the episode now:  Episode…