- Reading, PA – Alvernia students gain access to micro lending training to support local entrepreneurs through an expanded partnership between the university and, Visions Federal Credit Union, . The partnership will award the university's, O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, a multiyear sponsorship grant to fund training for students and clients in the institute's, student-powered business incubator, ., "We are grateful for Visions' partnership and its support of experiential learning for our business students and our O'Pake fellows while helping us to support new business creation in Reading," said Alvernia University President, John R. Loyack, . "Their belief in the, Reading CollegeTowne, initiative as a catalyst for change for Reading provides a wonderful opportunity to ensure we can support the creation of new business in our community." Visions will train students in the, O'Pake Fellows Program, on what financial institutions look for in startup businesses seeking micro loans. This valuable information is critical to entrepreneurs seeking funding and provides the Fellows with real-world knowledge. In addition, the credit union will also work with incubator clients on entrepreneurial lending opportunities and will look to implement financial literacy training across the campus community…, Dr. Rodney Ridley, . "By guiding the student fellows and local entrepreneurs in the business incubator, Visions will have a major impact on the economic development activity in downtown Reading." The O'Pake business incubator has already served over 50 clients since its launch last year and continues to help new businesses navigate the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are proud to support and…, SCORE Berks Schuylkill Chapter, ,, Lehigh Valley Angel Investors, ,, Kutztown University's Small Business Development Center, and, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, ,, as well as the institute's initial group of sponsors,, Pepsi®, ,, Customers Bank, , the, Wyomissing Foundation, ,, RKL, LLP, and the Berks Alliance. In January, Alvernia started a, $20 million renovation project, on its newly acquired building at 401 Penn Street, which will serve as the hub of, Reading CollegeTowne, , a strategic model for economic development in downtown. , About Visions Federal Credit Union, Visions is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 210,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans. Ref: Alvernia University Press Release
- My wife and I love to travel. Well, at least back in the pre-Covid and pre-baby days . Things have definitely changed in the last couple years, but the wanderlust remains. Here are some ways that we've been able to make some fun trips without breaking the bank – and how we'll (hopefully) do it again soon. Just plan, man I love my wife for many reasons, but one of the biggest is how well she…, solid, roof – camping's a great option, too. If you don't mind some bug bites, then pitching a tent is a great, affordable way to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of our country's great park system. "Pass"-ing the buck My wife and I took a trip to Philly last year and invested in a city pass. A lot of larger cities have them and they're basically an all access ticket to the biggest tourist spots.…
- Over the last several years the fitness industry has exploded., Unique diets, strength training regiments for all ages, you name it. Many people have shown a level of dedication to becoming healthier, both mentally and physically, and are enjoying healthier golden years as a result. I love fitness, so this focus and passion around the industry has been very exciting – fitness goals set and crushed by thousands! But let's pause... When was the last time you…, Close your eyes. What does your ideal retirement look like? , Retiring young and trying "van life"? Retiring to find a part time job that brings you extreme joy? Living comfortably and volunteering? Moving to a nicer climate and kicking your feet back? Whatever it might look like, let's open up about this topic. Have you been told you are too young and have years – or even decades – to worry about retirement? Maybe it's the opposite, and you believe you're…, Break it down into smaller, more manageable actions. , One simple step that I suggest you start with today is, check to see if you have a 401(k) or retirement plan offered through your employer. If so, do they match your contributions up to a certain percentage? If you find out that your employer does offer you a chance to participate in a plan, great! Start small. Two or three percent of your paycheck adds up over time. For an employee making 40,…
- Endicott, NY – Three directors were elected to the board of Visions Federal Credit Union at its 56th Annual Meeting. Officers were elected and appointments were made at a special reorganization meeting held following the Annual Meeting. Kenneth H. Kidder III was elected, and Christopher H. Marion and Kelly A. Roche were reelected to three-year terms on the board which includes George S. Bobinski…
- Endwell, NY – Three Directors were elected to the board of Visions Federal Credit Union at its 57th annual meeting held at its headquarters located in Endwell, NY. Officers were elected and appointments were made at a special reorganization meeting held following the annual meeting. Jill Bennedum was elected and James Lewis and Laurie Schorno were reelected to three-year terms on the board which…
- Endwell, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union announces the retirement of Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Ed Butler, following 42 years of employment and leadership in the organization. In 1980, Butler began his career with Visions as a teller and worked his way through the ranks, primarily focused on lending, supervision, and operations. During his time as EVP/COO, he has…
- What's the Difference?, If you're like some two-thirds of Americans who have little or no savings, you're going to need a personal loan or line of credit for cash for time-sensitive purchases or emergencies at some point. These are the two popular options for people who need unsecured funds quickly, provided they have a reliable income and decent credit score. While personal loans and lines of credit are very similar…, We all need cash we don't have from time to time., Talk with someone at your local credit union or bank for help making the best decision, or apply online for a personal loan or line of credit now to get the process started now. To weigh your options, call 800.242.2120. We're happy to help. , Ready to apply?, Click here to get started!
- Create a Getaway at Home with These Improvements, There are plenty of things to do inside and out that can turn a homestay into a getaway. Best of all, you can use your home's equity to pay for these improvements. A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, works similarly to a credit card, with a limit based on your home's equity. That's the currently assessed value of your home, minus any mortgage you might have. Unlike a home equity loan, though…, Ready to apply?, Click here
- Did you get a check in the mail you weren't expecting?, Maybe even one you were expecting, but it looks a little funny? There are ways to verify it to make sure you're not depositing a counterfeit check – and, it all starts with the source. , Checks from a business, First things first: look up the business online. A quick scan of their website should let you know if the company is legitimate. Then, use the phone number on their site to call and verify if they wrote the check. They will typically ask for the check number, account number, and dollar amount. If they can't find it in their system, it's most likely counterfeit. Go ahead and shred the check. , Checks from an individual, Before you cash an unexpected check, ask yourself a few questions. If you answer "yes" to any of these, it's most likely a counterfeit check and you should destroy it: Is this a person I don't know? Is this person from out of state? Did they purchase something from me and send too much money? The last point is a common counterfeit pitfall, and you may experience this on Craigslist, Facebook…, Official checks and cashier's checks, If you're confronted with a check from a financial institution, look it up online and call the number listed on their website. Since it's a cashier's or official check, they have to verify it for you. Most of the time, the institution already knows about the counterfeit checks and will provide you a description, but this quick phone call can save you a headache. If they can't find it, you should…, Still have questions?, Remember, if you're ever unsure about a check, just ask. Bring it to your local office along with any accompanying letter and our representatives will help you verify the check. It's the best way to protect yourself and your account.
- Your home is an investment and the returns come in a number of ways. One of those is dealing with financial challenges like personal debt. If you've been struggling with debt, there's a not-so-secret weapon exclusive to homeowners. You can consolidate and get relief now with a home equity line of credit, also known as a HELOC. If you've been in your home for years, you can unlock some serious…, Ready to apply?, Click here
