ACUTX Newsletter 2022 First Quarter

Tips to Improve Your Credit Score. Page 5 ACUNews First Quarter 2022 FINANCIAL FITNESS For the New Year Page 2 GET PAID EARLY Page 4

DOUBLE DIRYOEURCT DEPOSIT INCREASE YOUR SPENDING POWER WHEN YOU DOUBLE YOUR DIRECT DEPOSIT WITH A LOAN FROM ACU OF TEXAS! $1,000 MINIMUM AMOUNT | $10,000 MAXIMUM AMOUNT | MAXIMUM TERM 60 MONTHS Apply Now Loan amount is based on total monthly deposit amount from employment direct deposits to your Associated Credit Union of Texas accounts. Membership required. Membership requires savings account with minimum balance of $1. Loans are subject to credit union eligibility, credit approval, underwriting conditions and verification of information provided in the application.

FINANCIALLY FIT FOR THE NEW YEAR! It’s a New Year and the perfect time to make your New Year’s resolutions. Improving finances is among the most popular resolutions Americans set each year. However, like most resolutions, it’s easy to get off course as life gets in the way and new challenges arise. Keep reading for five tips to help you become financially fit in the new year: 1 PUT YOUR MONEY ON AUTOPILOT 4 INCREASE YOUR CREDIT SCORE Set up direct deposit, utilize Online Bill Pay, and As a member, you have free access to your free automate routine savings. Streamlining your Credit Report and Credit Monitoring within finances with online tools not only saves time, Digital Banking. This tool breaks down and but it also helps you avoid late fees and makes grades each section of your report on payment saving even easier. history, credit usage, total balances, credit age, and recent credit. Credit Score tells you why 2 CREATE A SPENDING PLAN your score is what it is and how to improve it. Members can use our Digital Banking tools to 5 ADD TO YOUR RETIREMENT FUNDS make budgets and savings goals and assess Make regular contributions to a retirement where their money is going each month. Whether you’re just starting out or an expert budgeter, savings plan such as a 401(k) or IRA. If your making a plan will help guide your financial decisions throughout the year. company offers a 401(k) plan, contribute at 3 BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND least enough to meet the company match. If you Not having an emergency fund is risky. You can don’t, it’s like leaving free money on the table. start small, $10 to $20 per paycheck, but work to save three to six months of income. To make it easier, set up an automatic transfer from your Checking to your Savings Account. ACU OF TEXAS | FIRST QUARTER 2022 2

2%EARN CASH BACK ON EVERY PURCHASE WITH SELECT CARD THE Get 2% cash back without rebate tiers or revolving purchase categories No annual fee Contactless card for added security and convenience Learn More Members earn 2% cash back on purchases, which can be used for a cash deposit to their account or payment toward their Mastercard. Members will visit www.cucashbackmall.com to redeem. Your Credit Score and Credit Report are waiting for you! Protect and manage your credit with free Credit Monitoring. You have instant access to your credit score and credit report, along with personalized tips on how to improve your score or maintain an already great score. Access your personal report by clicking on the dashboard tab within Online Banking and click “View Details” for additional information. Learn More ACU OF TEXAS | FIRST QUARTER 2022 3

TIPS LAST SATURDAY IMPTROOVE OF EVERY MONTH 9AM - 1PM YOUR 1095 W. LEAGUE CITY PKWY. CREDIT SCORE GET YOUR CREDIT REPORT AND DIG IN Experts recommend checking your credit report at least once each month. As an ACU of Texas member, you have free access to your full credit report and credit monitoring in Digital Banking! This free tool offers daily score updates, personalized offers, credit simulators, and tips to help you improve your score. AUTOMATE TO ENSURE ON-TIME PAYMENT Payment history makes up 40% of your credit score. If you’re worried about missing a payment, or just a fan of convenience, set up automatic payments using our free Online Bill Pay. This will help you avoid late fees or missed payments, which could drop your score by up to 100 points. PAY DOWN DEBT This may be easier said than done, but reducing the amount of debt you have lowers your utilization ratio, which leads to a higher credit score. For a good credit score, keep your utilization below 50%. Foragreatcreditscore,aimtouse10%to30%of your available credit. Sky-high balances or owing a high percentage of your credit limit can be less than ideal. USE IT OR LOSE IT Leaving a credit card unused for six months or more can be risky. The card issuer could cancel your card. Instead, make a small purchase once a month and then immediately pay the bill. This shows lenders that you are a consistently responsible borrower. If you do decide to close credit accounts you rarely use, make sure not to close them all at once, causing your utilization rate to spike.

GET PAID SCHOLARSHIP 2UDP TAO YS OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE EARLY Associated Credit Union of Texas There are plenty of things in life is excited to offer up to ten $1,000 worth waiting for. scholarships to graduating high Your paycheck isn’t one of them. school seniors seeking higher education. Student members and students graduating from a school with an ACU of Texas branded Mascot Card are eligible. $ DPAAYY Now, you can get paid up OPEN TO GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL to two days early when you SENIORS sign up for Direct Deposit APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 18, 2022 with your ACU of Texas Checking Account. Learn More ANOTHER GREAT PERK OF YOUR ACU OF TEXAS MEMBERSHIP GET YOUR DIRECT DEPOSIT UP TO TWO DAYS EARLIER* ENJOY THIS CONVENIENCE AT NO CHARGE PAY YOUR BILLS SOONER OR START YOUR WEEKEND EARLY Learn More *Electronic deposits are available up to two business days early depending on timing of receipt into our Automatic Clearing House (ACH) database. Member must be enrolled in direct deposit through their employer. Excludes International deposits.

ACU IN THE COMMUNITY The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. ACU of Texas’ staff visited friends and residents at The Independence Village to share lunch and sing Christmas carols. ACU OF TEXAS | FIRST QUARTER 2022 6

P.O. Box 9004 | League City, TX 77574 LOCATIONS Alvin Brenham Cypress 1450 FM 1462 2509 Becker Dr. 7640 N. Fry Rd. La Marque Deer Park Pasadena - H-E-B 920 First St 309 West X St 6210 Fairmont Pkwy Pearland 6306 Broadway League City Corporate League City Santa Fe 1095 W League City Pkwy 351 S FM 270 11934 FM 1764 Pearland-Friendswood Pearland - H-E-B Plus www.acutx.org 1504 Broadway 2805 Business Center Dr. Texas City 1326 9th Ave. North CALL OR 281.479.3441 TEXT PO Box 9004 | League City, TX 77574