ACU of Texas - Newsletter Q1

Ways to Bank Without Going to the Branch. Page 4 ACUNews First Quarter 2021 Car Shopping Made Easier Page 1 Financial Resolutions Page 5

HOW PRE-APPROVAL CAN MAKE CAR SHOPPING EASIER Many people overlook an important step when shopping for a car: getting pre-approved for an auto loan. It’s a quick process that can simplify your car-buying experience and even save you money. Here’s why you should get pre-approved. YOU CAN GET A BETTER INTEREST RATE If you haven’t done your homework, a dealership might try to talk you into a loan at a not-so-great rate. But getting pre-approved means you can assess the dealership’s offer and decide whether or not you want to accept it. Bringing your interest rate down just one or two percentage points can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. YOU CAN SET A TRUE BUDGET Once you’re pre-approved for a loan, you can plan your purchase. Use an auto loan calculator like the one on our website to factor in a down payment, the value of your trade-in, and your desired monthly payment. Add about 10% for sales tax and other fees. And don’t forget about insurance and the other costs that come with owning a car. Adjust your dreams — and budget — accordingly. Then go shopping. YOU CAN BETTER NEGOTIATE WITH THE DEALER Letting your dealer know that you are pre-approved shows that you’re a ready-to-buy customer who can walk away at any time. Just announce you have your pre-approval and will only talk price. And as you’re signing all the papers in the finance office, if a salesperson tries tempting you with an extended warranty or other last-minute add-ons, you can use your pre-approval to stick to your price. When you’re pre-approved for a loan, you have the competitive edge in car-buying. You can say no until they say yes. ACU OF TEXAS | FIRST QUARTER 2021 1

AUTO RATES 2.24AS LOW AS % APR* *Annual Percentage Rate. Rate and terms are subject to change without notice. Rate subject to credit approval. APR requires auto debit from ACU of Texas checking account and credit insurance. Other rate terms may apply. Rate valid for 36 month term on autos 2005 or newer. Additional terms at competitive rates available. Maximum loan 100% of retail. **Refinanced auto loans from other financial institutions only. Existing ACU of Texas Auto loans are not eligible. OFFICIAL CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD COMPANY ACUTX.org/Sabercats

Open new accounts Apply for loans and mortgages Review or add policy coverage with ACU Insurance Services Get in touch with a representative from Keystone Realty Group Make changes to your account and more DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP! ACU OF TEXAS | FIRST QUARTER 2021 3

CONVENIENCE REDEFINED – WAYS TO BANK WITHOUT GOING TO THE BRANCH Too busy? Feeling under the weather? ACU of Texas offers convenient tools and services to help manage your finances from the comfort of your own home, or anywhere else. • Register for Online Banking at ACUTX.ORG • Access your accounts through the ACU of Texas Mobile App, available for Android and Apple devices • Use one of ACU of Texas’ 55,000+ fee-free ATMs • Pay with your device via Mobile Wallet, a quick way to use your ACU of Texas Mastercard credit or debit card • Connect with vBanking – Live video chat with an ACU of Texas representative from anywhere • Open a new checking or savings account online from the comfort of your home MOBILE APP Access your money on the go and 24/7, with the ACU of Texas Mobile App. Bill Pay Remote Deposits* Free Credit Monitoring Card Controls Google, Apple & Samsung Pay DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY *Subject to Approval. Not available for the first 30 days after checking account opening. Not available to 180 Checking Accounts, Access Pre-Paid Cards, or Non-Profit Organization/Club Checking Business Accounts.

FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2021 AND BEYOND New year, fresh start! Like many people, you are probably excited about putting 2020 behind you and are thinking about how you can make 2021 the best year yet. You might be thinking of health goals (who isn’t?), or career goals, but have you considered creating some financial goals? Here are a few suggestions: • Make reviewing your accounts a habit. Whether you check your account daily online, or just watch for monthly statements, you should be checking it regularly. If you don’t, you might miss things like fraudulent charges, or overcharges. • Sign up for credit monitoring. With an increase in data breaches and fraud, it makes sense to take extra measures when it comes to monitoring your credit reports. It’s also good to have for the sake of working toward improving your credit score. ACU of Texas makes it easy with our free credit monitoring tool, available in Online Banking. This tool allows you to receive monitoring alerts, identify errors, review personalized tips and see the best rates available for you based on your score. • Make a realistic budget and follow it. The easiest way to organize a budget is to gather your bills from the past few months and make a list of recurring expenses. Rank everything according to priority. Items like housing, food and healthcare would take top priority, while items like entertainment or dining out would likely be lower on the list. Once you establish a budget you can maintain, it’s easier to stick to your plan! • Add one month to your emergency savings. Medical emergencies or loss of employment can turn into a financial catastrophe if you are completely unprepared. A good rule of thumb is to aim for three months of expenses tucked away for a rainy day. Start small by setting aside an amount from each paycheck. Cheers to a new year and taking a step in the right direction to reach an improved financial future. These are just a few of the many financial New Year’s Resolutions you could set to put yourself on a great financial path in the new year. You got this! ACU OF TEXAS | FIRST QUARTER 2021 5

ACU IN THE COMMUNITY Brenham Hot Nights Cool Tunes Did You Know... Funding College of the Mainland’s Hitchcock Promise As a community credit union, we strive to give back Scholarship to the communities we serve. While local food banks have been severely impacted by COVID-19, facing increased demand for support and restrictions for volunteers, ACU of Texas enlisted the support of our members through a Give Back Campaign and donated $10,000.00 to the Galveston County Food Bank. Despite COVID limitations, the Food Bank continues to work tirelessly to serve those who rely on their services to feel safe and healthy. We donated 1% of the total amount spent using ACU of Texas debit and credit cards throughout the month of August, which will allow the Food Bank to further their mission. We would like to thank the Galveston County Food Bank employees and volunteers working to meet the needs of our most vulnerable community members. Our credit union employees have volunteered with local food banks in the past and hold great appreciation and respect for the impact they have in our communities. Coffee with a Cop - Brenham Police Department Presenting the Galveston County Food Bank with $10,000 from our Give Back Campaign ACU OF TEXAS | FIRST QUARTER 2021 6

P.O. Box 9004 | League City, TX 77574 LOCATIONS STAND ALONE BRANCHES OFFICE HOURS DRIVE-THRU HOURS Mon-Thur: 9a - 5:30p | Fri: 9a - 6p | Sat: 9a - 12:30p Mon-Thur: 8a - 5:30p | Fri: 8a - 6p | Sat: 9a - 12:30p Alvin Brenham Cypress Deer Park 1450 FM 1462 2509 Becker Dr. 7640 N. Fry Rd. 309 West X St La Marque League City Corporate League City Pearland 920 First St 1095 W League City Pkwy 351 S FM 270 6306 Broadway Pearland-Friendswood Santa Fe Texas City 1504 Broadway 11934 FM 1764 1326 9th Ave. North IN-STORE BRANCHES HOURS Mon-Thur: 10a - 5:30p | Fri: 10a - 6p | Sat: 9a - 12:30p Bay Colony - H-E-B Friendswood - Kroger Pasadena - H-E-B Pearland - H-E-B Plus 2955 Gulf Freeway S 3135 E. FM 528 Rd. 6210 Fairmont Pkwy 2805 Business Center Dr. 281.479.3441 | 800.848.0330 www.acutx.org