- Endwell, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union offers congratulations and best wishes to our scholarship winners! Visions recently awarded $25,000 to select students for the 2023-2024 school year. Visions offers two scholarship programs each year: the Visions Cares and Visions Salutes Scholarships. Each recognizes college-bound and currently enrolled college students for their outstanding performance…, About Visions Federal Credit Union, Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans.
- Reading, PA – Visions Federal Credit Union surprised Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, Inc. with a donation of $25,000 at the 2023 Amigo Award Dinner in Wyomissing, PA. The donation will help to support many of the organization's community programs, including Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors). The Amigo Award Dinner is an annual gala hosted by the Centro Hispano, or Hispanic Center, to honor those who…, About Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, Inc., The mission of the Hispanic Center is to support and enhance the acculturation of the Latino population in the Greater Reading area through collaborative initiatives designed to enable individuals to improve their quality of life and the quality of life in their communities., About Visions Federal Credit Union, Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans.
- SYRACUSE, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union and Syracuse University's Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA) announced the launch of the Visions Student Veteran Success Program at Veteran and Military Connected Student Orientation last week. The program will provide new academic resources and professional advancement services to student veterans at Syracuse University. The program will…, About the Visions Veterans Program, The Visions Veterans Program has been around since 2018 and provides a variety of resources and services to help veterans achieve their financial goals. These services include financial wellness programs, account opening bonuses, free defensive driving courses, an annual Veterans Expo, and scholarships. The Visions Veterans Program is open to all veterans and their spouses, regardless of their…, About Syracuse University, Syracuse University is a private research university in Syracuse, New York. Founded in 1870, Syracuse is a member of the Association of American Universities. The university has over 22,000 students and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. The University's Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) is the single point of entry for all veteran and military-connected students,…, About Visions Federal Credit Union, Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans.
- Endwell, NY – Over the summer, one hundred educators each received $1,000 from Visions Federal Credit Union to help reduce their student loan debt. The cash awards, known as the Student Loan Eraser, are a more recent addition to Visions Loves Educators , a program created by Visions in 2018 to support educators in and out of the classroom. Since its inception, Visions Loves Educators has included…, About Visions Federal Credit Union, Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans.
- Brewing Beer and Budgeting for the Fun Stuff, I started homebrewing about five years ago. I had just gotten a real job and apartment, so as far as new hobbies go, it was the perfect time. And it was awesome! I loved it! Well, until the time came to bottle it, that is. Between cleaning, sanitizing, and filling 50 individual bottles, I got kind of sick of the process. So, like an extra in an infomercial, I threw my hands up and shouted, "There…, But it was expensive. And I had a job at the time making less than $15 per hour., Here's what I did. First step: calculate how much I'd need for the build. Between the freezer, temperature controller, and all the bells and whistles and equipment, I was looking at around $1,000 (I never said this was a cheap project). Next came the timeline. For this, I needed to figure out how long it would take to afford the build based on how much I could set aside. That was around $50 per…, And I have to tell you: pouring that first pint felt amazing., All this is to say that budgeting for a goal doesn't have to be complicated. It's as simple as getting a price, saving some cash, and making it happen. For me, it was a keg system. For you, it could be a vacation or a trampoline. Here's a three-step system: Take your paycheck and chop out your expenses (taxes/rent/bills/food/life) Decide what you can set aside each month Divide the total cost by…, Cheers., -Devin M.
- 4 th Quarter 2021, 2021-12-31 Tyrone Muse Enters CUES Hall of Fame 2021-12-09 Visions Donates $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity 2021-11-09 Visions Supports Little Hero's Cause for Youth Month, 3 rd Quarter 2021, 2021-09-15 Visions Sponsors Rumble Ponies Box Office 2021-09-14 Visions Sponsors Operation Homefront's Back to School Brigade 2021-09-08 Steve Wayman Promoted to Sr. Vice President 2021-08-24 Visions Donates to Chambers of Commerce 2021-07-15 Visions Hosts Race to Benefit Veterans 2021-07-14 Employees Give Back with Anti-Hunger Games 2021-07-08 Tompkins County Photo Contest Winner, 2 nd Quarter 2021, 2021-06-18 Visions Hires Jocelyn Bailey for Community Development 2021-06-15 Visions Expands in Downtown Reading 2021-06-07 Visions Awards Scholarships 2021-05-19 Visions Hires Stephen Kimball for Business Development 2021-05-17 Visions Raises Funds for American Heart Association 2021-05-06 Visions Receives Toastmasters Corporate Award 2021-05-04 Visions Opens New Branch in Ithaca, NY 2021-05…, 1 st Quarter 2021, 2021-03-22 Visions Prepares to Open Office in Cortland, NY this Year 2021-03-09 Visions Federal Credit Union Joins Reading CollegeTowne Initiative 2021-02-25 Visions Opens Fairfield, NJ Office 2021-02-25 Visions FCU Thanks UHS Senior Living Center’s Staff 2021-02-03 Visions Federal Credit Union Commits $1 Million to New Jersey Students and Educators 2021-01-21 Visions FCU Employees Raise…
- Lessons from an 11-Year Old, A PlayStation 2, a Memory Card, and Planning for the Unexpected, The year was 2001. Toys "R" Us was still a thing. And I walked into that fluorescent-filled toy palace on a chilly November day, my mom begrudgingly in tow. I didn't even know what the word meant at the time, but my excitement was palpable. I was brimming with it. I was beaming. Today was the day. I was going to buy my PlayStation 2. Back up, though. You see, getting there wasn't easy. And I don'…, Today was the day., I could barely see over the counter as I slid my crumpled bills and cold, crusty change over to the cashier, but this was it. I remember him looking at me, my mom shrugging, and then racing to the car hugging that chunky blue box tightly to my chest. My mom, meanwhile, seemed to walk back to the car at a snail's pace, and the 10-minute drive home felt like an hour. I unboxed the console, taking…, And that's when I realized that the PS2 used a different type of memory card than the PS1., Not only that, I didn't have enough money saved to buy a new one (not counting the fact that my mom wouldn't drive me back to the store, anyway). And that, my friends, is how I realized that – despite the best planning – you always need an emergency fund. You always need something to cover you when the unexpected comes up. And that's the lesson from an 11-year old who had to leave his PS2 running…, Thank goodness memory cards aren't a thing anymore., -Devin M.
- What I Wish I Knew About My First Credit Card, I was probably eighteen when I got my first credit card. Well, not exactly. You see, my mom listed me as an authorized signer on hers and gave me a card, noting it was "strictly for emergencies". But it wasn't until I was 21, working my first full time job, and knowing that I needed to start building my credit, that I finally took the plunge. Here are some lessons looking back. , I should've started earlier, Your credit score is made up of a lot of things – a full breakdown is on our FICO scores page – but a full 10% of it is how long you've had a credit line. Now, it might sound great that I had a three year head start with my mom's card, but the fact is, lenders look at authorized signers differently than they do a traditional borrower. That's because an authorized signer isn't technically…, Spending less is key, A full third of your credit score is tied to your capacity – that's your limit tied to the balance you put on your card – so it's important not to let your balance get too high. That means you should use it for small stuff like gas and groceries, then pay it off. So, while a brand new PS5 might sound great, make sure you pay attention to your credit limit before taking the plunge., Store cards aren't the best, We've all been there: you're standing at checkout trying to buy sneakers or something and the cashier says, "Would you like to sign up for a credit card today and save 10%?" Here's some advice: your answer should always be "no". That's because store credit cards have rates that normally run over 20%, and that's not even counting fees. They're betting that you can't pay the card off right away and…, Rewards matter (and you should use them), Most credit cards come with rewards , and it's in your best interest to not only find a card with a good program, but that you actually use the rewards . Oftentimes, you can use rewards for merchandise, cash back, even donations if you're feeling philanthropic. Check out your program and shop around for the best deal. If you're thinking about a credit card or wondering how you can build your…
- What the Health? Covering Unexpected Healthcare Costs, Healthcare: we need it, it's important, and it's expensive. And as I found out at 27 with what should have been a routine procedure, it doesn't cover everything. For me, it was a little over $1,500 after insurance. Which, wouldn't you know, was a completely surprise bill. And, as you probably also know, isn't an unusual thing when it comes to the healthcare system. I'm not here to make…, 1. Pick the right healthcare plan from the start, If your employer or insurance provider gives you multiple options, do a cost analysis on what you're paying versus what you get. For example, do you need a top of the line, expensive plan if you're a once-per-year-doctor-visitor? You may not. Check with an expert to be sure. Contact your Human Resources office and ask them to determine a plan that's right for your budget and needs. This goes two…, 2. Use your HSA or FSA (if you have one), Speaking of insurance plans, if you're in a high deductible option, be sure to use a Health Savings Account , or HSA. An HSA is a tax-exempt account designed to pay for medical costs not covered by a high deductible plan. Just make regular contributions – up to your limit, which varies by age and family status – and you can deduct those dollars from your taxes. The deduction not only saves you on…, 3. Budget in advance and get estimates when you can, Life happens and emergencies happen. But sometimes there are procedures, operations, or expenses you know will happen in advance. Whether they're recurring procedures or special moments like adding a family member, there are times you can prepare for what's ahead (take it from someone who didn't). One thing you can do is compare your healthcare plan to the estimated costs. Call your doctor for an…, 4. Ask about payment plans or cost reductions, The best thing I did with my unexpected healthcare bill was contact the hospital directly. As it turns out, they had an income-based financial assistance program. After providing them with a copy of my W-2, they calculated a reduction to my balance based on my income, saving me 30% of what I thought I had to spend. And, because I didn't have $1,500 laying around (kudos to you if you do), I…, 5. Ask for help when you need it, I think we can all agree that surprise bills are terrible, but leaving them out there to fester will come back to bite you. Bills sent to collections can wind up on your credit report and hurt your standing in the long run. While that can take time, don't dawdle or you'll come to regret it. If you find that you need more assistance, reach out to one of our financial coaches for help. They may be…
- , 4 th Quarter 2022, 2022-11-29 Visions Provides Charitable Gift Match on Giving Tuesday 2022-11-4 Visions Receives Reading NAACP’s Impact Award at Freedom Fund Gala 2022-11-3 Visions Employee Steps Up as Co-Chair of Global Women’s Leadership Network PA Sister Society 2022-10-12 Visions Opens Contact Center in Downtown Reading, 3 rd Quarter 2022, 2022-08-31 Visions Summer Concert Series Brings Free Entertainment to Arena 2022-08-05 Visions Celebrates New Branch in Vestal, NY 2022-07-29 Ty Muse to Receive AACUC Lifetime Achievement Award 2022-07-18 Ed Butler, Visions' EVP/COO Retires 2022-07-04 Visions Donates to Community Center at Annual 4 on the 4th Road Race, 2 nd Quarter 2022, 2022-06-30 Visions Receives Financial Education Award 2022-06-30 NYCUA Recognizes Ed Butler 2022-05-30 Visions Opens Two High School Branches in Southern Tier 2022-05-15 Visions Contributes to AHA, Southern Tier Heart Walk 2022-04-08 Board Updates from 56th Annual Meeting 2022-04-06 Visions Announces Lauren Singleton as Grand Prize Winner 2022-04-06 Visions Announces Courtney Zaryski as…, 1 st Quarter 2022, 2022-03-21 Visions Expands, Opens Branch in Cortland 2022-03-07 Visions Introduces Culture and Inclusion Officer LaToya Pryce 2022.01-31 Planning with Purpose Becomes a Division of Visions Investment Services
