Why Choose a Credit Union in Pennsylvania?

How do we answer that question? While answers may vary, we have come up with four reasons that make a credit union your best choice. Individuals seeking ways to make their money go farther will find that credit unions provide them with a distinct way to do so.

Near or Far?

We say near. A credit union that is close to your residence or work just makes sense. Belco Community Credit Union has many locations throughout the Pennsylvania area with 14 branches. Belco gives their members banking accessibility without driving miles and miles.  Belco is a community chartered credit union that is open to businesses and anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry or York counties.

Low Rates

Given that credit unions are owned by and work exclusively for their members, the ability to make the cost of credit lower is built into the design. Rather than focused on earning huge profits, credit unions are driven to offer members the best possible services and terms. For members, that translates to lower interest rates on loans.

Personalized service

The professionals at the best credit unions in PA will always offer exceptional customer service. Belco is member focused, offering services designed to help individuals reach personal financial goals. From lower deposit requirements to easier access to loans and credit for individual members, Belco is well-positioned to serve individual needs. Since they also are geographically focused and local by design, personalized service goes along with membership.

Community Involvement

Don’t we all want to be a part of something bigger? As a member of Belco, you are a part of an institution that prides themselves on community involvement. Attending events like block parties, national night outs, and charity work days are just a few of things Belco takes part in. They are dedicated to giving back to their community and their members.

For individuals who want personalized attention and the ability to save more with better rates, locally focused, member-driven credit unions like Belco are often the best choice. Your membership will continue to make credit unions, such as Belco, a great option in Pennsylvania!

Safety at a Credit Union

One of the biggest concerns about financial institutions has to do with safety. People are concerned about the safety of their money as well as the financial institution’s credit union’s ability to protect their identities, often throughout the process of applying for a loan. Belco Community Credit Union offers a range of features that help guarantee the financial security of their members.

In addition to educating members about online safety and ways to keep track of their expenses, credit reports, and any suspicious activity, Belco also offers a program called SHERPA. This program is designed to add an extra layer of security between your checking and savings accounts and identity thieves.

Using SHERPA

SHERPA is an add-on service offering quality identity theft protection at a lower cost than other solutions on the market today! SHERPA offers the following features in the fight against identity theft:

● 24/7 monitoring of credit for credit union members: This feature keeps a vigilant eye on your credit and alerts you to suspicious purchases. You can then authorize purchases on your account or freeze the account, if necessary, to prevent fraud.
● Identity theft protection: SHERPA also monitors thousands of websites for your personal information and will alert you to problems with your identity before it becomes a major financial and personal problem. This will then allow you to take the steps necessary to protect yourself.
● Credit repair: In the event your identity is stolen, SHERPA uses identity restoration to help catch the thief and get your life back on track.

With SHERPA and other in-house features, Belco can ensure that both the money members borrow through their credit union loans as well as their identities are protected. For this reason, if you ask them whether your money is safe at a credit union, their answer will always be a confident yes!

Ask about adding SHERPA to your Belco Community Credit Union account and start reaping the benefits of joining one of the best credit unions in PA today!

Credit Unions: The #1 Choice for Commercial Real Estate Loans

Often, people overlook using a credit union for a commercial real estate loan. It may seem like the only course of action to take for a commercial loan is to visit a bank and hope for the best. Well, there is a new way to finance your real estate venture on the horizon, and credit unions are rising to the top as a great choice for commercial real estate loans.

Why Use a Credit Union?

If you're looking to purchase commercial real estate, then you are probably looking at an investment property to produce income. Credit unions make a perfect first stop to get your commercial real estate loan started.Credit unions are an excellent resource to use for commercial lending. They offer a variety of benefits that are not found at a traditional bank:

• Flexibility- A traditional bank will likely have all qualification requirements set in stone. There is no way of getting around them or through them. In contrast, a credit union services their own loans, allowing for more flexibility with a member’s loan.

• Receptive- Credit unions are receptive to the need of their members. If additional capital is required or some unique challenges arise, a credit union will be there to help. Traditional banks are not as open to these types of circumstances.

• Unique Look- Traditional banks tend to shy away from certain properties or transactions. For their own reasons, they can say no to a loan if they do not feel they can reap any reward. Credit unions are more open in their considerations of different types of properties.

• No Market-Based Impact- Members know the costs up front with a credit union. Knowing these costs help to plan accordingly.

• Renegotiations- Credit unions are more open to negotiation. Since their members are stakeholders, they put their members first.

A Surge in Popularity: 100 Million People have Joined Credit Unions

Credit unions are vastly different than big banks, as they are often locally run, offer lower rates and often make donations or have programs to support the communities they serve. Currently, the number of credit union members is around 100 million, but the question you might be asking is: Why?

The question of why 100 million people are credit union members can be answered by looking at the benefits a credit union gives to its members, and most of these are benefits banks do not offer.

The Allure of Credit Unions

·        One of the reasons for the increase in credit union members is that credit unions are easier to access for new members, as they don’t have to deal with as many obstacles.

·        Most credit unions offer lower fees and lower interest rates on loans.

·        Members of credit unions can also access their money at ATMs in more locations than most banks since credit unions work together to allow you to access your money from anywhere.

·        Almost 80% of credit unions offer free checking and have no fees for checking or managing your money. This is unlike most banks, which often charge fees and require you to make minimum monthly deposits to keep the account open.

Why 100 Million People are Credit Union Members

The popularity of credit unions is well-founded, rewarding you when you use them and keeping more of your money in your pocket. Credit unions help to ensure that you can use your money for whatever you would like with no strings, hassles, or hidden fees attached. If 100 million people are saving money and using it to supplement their daily lives, then why can’t you do the same? Maybe it’s time to ditch your bank and join a credit union today.

Mobile Banking from Belco Community Credit Union is so Safe that the App Itself Contributes to Banking Safety

Mobile banking is safe. Credit unions, as protectors of member assets, simply would not offer the service if it were not. But as with any mobile service, there are safety precautions of which the member needs to become aware.

What Exactly is Mobile Banking?

Mobile banking lets members engage in financial transactions using mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. Internet banking is not included in this definition. Mobile banking uses special Applications (apps) designed especially for your financial institution. These apps offer 24-hour access, however, there may be limits on what type of accounts can be accessed and how much money may be transacted.

Common-Sense Safety Precautions

Mobile banking transactions are no different than other apps where the authorized free flow of money is involved. The same common-sense safety precautions prevail. These include:

·         Creation of a PIN to unlock your smart phone or mobile device

·         Not saving login information on your device

·         Purchase a device which locks remotely

·         Setting up Touch ID to log into the app

·         Using the mobile app versus logging on via the device’s browser

Super Convenience of Mobile Banking Improves Account Security

Members can benefit from added security for their accounts and transactions by having the option to monitor events more often. Members experience:

·         Ease of confirming balances and individual transactions allows members to monitor their accounts at the touch of a finger.

·         No need to carry cash; members may use their devices for purchases.

·         Making instant check deposits by snapping a photo with their devices.

·         Creation of push notifications for events such as low balances or large transactions.

What if Fraud is Suspected?

If an unusual transaction appears in an account, members should immediately report it to their credit union. Also, credit unions will never ask for personally identifiable information by telephone, text or e-mail. If this happens, members need to report this to the credit union as well.

Belco’s Visa Card and Terms are Top of the Line

Unsecured lines of credit can be more difficult to get approved than secured lines of credit – this is because secured lines require a member to put up collateral for the loan or cash they need. However, once approved for Belco’sVisa® Platinum Prime Card, it really is the only card you will ever need. Accountability is the key to having a Visa® Platinum Prime account with Belco. Just as a member is responsible for paying back what they borrow, Belco also has a responsibility to help members avoid unnecessary fees and protect your account from fraudulent charges.

What do you get with Belco Community Credit Union’s Visa® Platinum Prime Card?

·         Belco’sVisa® Platinum Prime program offers a 12-month intro rate as low as 2.49% APR on balance transfers and purchases.

·         No annual fee

·         No balance transfer fee

·         Same rate for purchases and cash advances

·         You could be approved for a credit limit up to $20,000.

·         24/7 account access from your PC or mobile device, so you can view activity and make payments when it’s convenient for you.

Optional debt protection insurance is also available.

Are there additional perks and options?

·         Belco also offers the option of a Business Visa®Business Card to help manage the expenses of your business.

·         When you enroll your cards in Belco Rewards, you’ll earn points on every qualifying purchase that can then be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise, airfare, and more!

These are programs certainly worth looking into, and we think you will be pleasantly surprised by the perks a Belco Visa Card offer you – our valued member.

Apply today for a BelcoVisa® Platinum Prime Card!

Insurance & Investments from a Trusted Resource

Trust is everything.  And we here at Belco Community Credit Union are truly honored at the trust

you place in us by being one of our members.  With that in mind, we are pleased to highlight the availability of the Belco Retirement & Investment Services (BRIS) Program.

Designed exclusively for credit union members, and located right here at the credit union, the BRIS Program offers retirement, insurance and investment programs designed to help you and your family through a lifetime of financial planning needs.  

Some of the products and services available include:

•    401(k) / Pension Rollovers*
•    Retirement Planning
•    Education Funding
•    Mutual Funds    •    Life Insurance
•    Long-Term Care Insurance
•    Wealth Management
•    Tax-managed Investing**

And, in the spirit of the credit union philosophy, this Program is designed to assist a wide variety of members – from those just starting a savings plan, to those with sizable assets looking for more sophisticated financial management tools.  Whether you’re looking for guidance on just one financial need you want to tackle today, or if you’re interested in putting together a comprehensive plan, please call (717) 720-6220 for a no-cost, no-obligation analysis with a financial advisor. 

*Prior to requesting a rollover from your employer sponsored retirement account to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you should consider whether the rollover is suitable for you.  There may be important differences in features, costs, services, withdrawal options and other important aspects between your employer-sponsored retirement account and an IRA. 

**Representatives are not tax advisors.  For information regarding your specific tax situation, please consult a tax professional.

Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members.  Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution.   CBSI-1259623.2-0717-0820

Why Credit Unions Are a Good Choice

Credit unions have continued to provide financial services to the community just like banks. While the services offered are somewhat similar, there are slight differences that remain evident. These differences are what set them apart from each other.

Credit unions are not banks. They are not-for-profit, financial institutions that are in principle owned by their members. Since they are not bound to shareholders that only want to earn profits at all costs, they take a different approach to helping people meet their personal financial goals. When a person opens an account at a credit union, that person becomes a member and gains access to benefits that traditional banks are unable to provide. Some of the benefits of membership include:

•    Access to a higher level of service – The primary focus of a bank is to take care of the shareholder by making money. A credit union’s purpose is to serve members no matter how much or little money they have in their accounts.

•    Better account terms – Banking institutions often have high minimum deposit requirements for opening checking or savings accounts. Credit unions usually have lower minimum deposit amounts and are able to offer reduced service fees. They are able to do so because they exist to serve member needs.

•    Favorable credit terms – Credit union members have access to loans and credit cards, along with investment products, much like typical banks offer. The difference, however, is credit unions are able to offer more favorable terms for members. Lower interest rates, for example, are likely on credit card accounts and loans. More flexible lending terms may also be available on loans for credit union members.

Credit union membership provides benefits that traditional banks simply cannot offer. When membership is available, this is a sound option for meeting personal financial needs.