Ringing in a New Year

The importance of Financial Wellness
 
The beginning of a new year often brings resolutions that encourage us to become our better selves. These goals or resolutions often can be centered on improving our physical health, improving relationships with those around us, focusing on our mental health or paying closer attention to our financial wellbeing. Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is behind us, we have the flexibility to reflect and prepare our finances for the upcoming year.  
 
It is human nature to be concerned about our financial wellbeing as the money we earn provides for our day-to-day living expenses, healthcare, education, emergency savings, leisure, and retirement goals. As a member of Ascentra Credit Union, you are a member-owner of a not-for-profit cooperative focused on returning profits back to its members in the form of lower interest rates on loans, lower fees, and higher returns on savings.  Each of these help keep your hard earned money in your budget for your livelihood! 
 
At Ascentra, our members have access to some wonderful resources to guide and assist with improving financial wellness.  Several Ascentra team members have earned the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) certification and have gone through the Financial Counseling Certification Program (FICEP). Their knowledge and experience can assist you with creating a spending plan, saving for the future, and managing upcoming bills. If you are needing a little extra help getting started with your financial plan, you can reach out to Allen and Cheramy at our Clinton Offices, Carrie and Priscilla can assist at our Davenport locations, Jody is in Bettendorf, and Eric is in Moline. Visit our website at ascentra.org/coach to connect with one of our knowledgeable financial coaches. 
 
Another aspect of financial wellness is saving for emergencies and saving for retirement. Ascentra's product offerings include accounts where you can set up separate savings accounts to save for specific purposes such as home and car repairs, vacation, holidays, etc. Our Digital Banking platform provides an easy way for members to nickname these separate savings accounts and set up recurring transfers so the funds are available when you need it most!  If you aren't set up with Digital Banking, our friendly staff at any location can set up those recurring transfers for you!
 
Retirement needs vary from individual to individual which is why we have a few resources for you to consider. Ascentra partners with LPL Financial to provide various products and services through our Ascentra Retirement and Investment Services (ARIS) program.  Through our ARIS program, members can meet with a financial advisor to assist with their retirement goal planning and investment strategies. Jason is here to help if you are interested in our ARIS program. Ascentra also partners with First Community Trust in Dubuque to provide trust and managed investment services for our members.  Erie Johnson is located at our home office location in downtown Bettendorf and has been serving our Ascentra members since 2020.  Erie is passionate about helping people accomplish their financial goals and can assist with retirement planning, IRAs, and trust and estate administration.  
 
It is our hope that you, our valued members, will make Ascentra your primary financial institution. We strive to offer products and services that will serve you well through all of the seasons of life. We also care very much about your financial wellness and offer you the opportunity to take advantage of the resources we have to improve your financial wellbeing.  
 
We cannot thank you enough for your membership at Ascentra and we wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2023!