Our Blog

Auto loan fraudsters are preying on credit unions as never before

Job-seekers have reason to be optimistic in 2017

Do you have enough money set aside for emergencies?
Your credit union can help you save.

Credit unions got a big boost in 1934

67% of adults are looking forward to summer more this year than in previous years:
Would you give up pay for a longer summer vacation?
Nearly 40% would take a pay cut in exchange for more time off this summer

In the Battle between Debt & Savings, Debt is Winning

Americans need to save more and borrow less. Lately, though, the credit card has been winning in the eternal battle between debt and savings, a new study from Bankrate finds. Bankrate found that 52% of Americans report they have more money in emergency savings accounts than they do in credit card debt. This is unchanged from 2016.

The $20 Rule– and How to Control Credit Card Debt

A lot of the advice you get about how to manage credit card debt is simple common sense: pay off your bills in full each month; don't finance big-ticket items at high interest, etc. Some of the advice is a bit strange: freeze your credit cards in ice; melt only for emergencies. Sometimes we hear something new, and practical.

A new study from Bankrate shows that the majority of Americans lack the funds to deal with an everyday life emergency.   Specifically, the study found that nearly six in 10 Americans don't have enough savings to pay for a $500 car repair or a $1,000 emergency room bill.

Nine ways to summon the motivation when you just don’t feel like it.

1. Tell Yourself You’ll Do 12 Minutes – Turn on your favorite music and focus on 12 to 20 minutes of exercise. Guess what happens? You’ll probably exercise longer!

If you want to be a safe driver in the snow – regardless of where you live – you should heed the following advice from Allstate:

Our Vice President of IT, Kathy Dye, shared some money saving insight. As she heads into 2017, she follows 5 key rules to help her save money on a daily basis.

‘ Tis Better to...

Giving makes us feel better than receiving during the holidays, a new survey shows. The non-profit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society commissioned a survey, and found that an overwhelming majority of Americans (90%) say they believe the true meaning of the holidays is to help others and 87% say they wish they could do more to help others in need.

“How did it get so late so soon?” — Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss’s whimsical take on life has been delighting children of all ages for generations. His simple, but powerful words continue to resonate today, even in the context of planning for a financially secure future. Because when you get right down to it, the younger you are, the more you potentially have to gain by taking advantage of the time ahead of you.

A new report finds that companies are making social responsibility a key part of their business strategies. Interestingly, it seems that their employees are helping to drive this view.

As U.S. Household Income Rises, Will You Be Saving?

After years of slow growth, U.S. household income jumped by 5.2% from 2014 to 2015. That’s nearly $2,800 per family, on average. What will Americans do with the extra money?

Remember when retirement was a defined event in nearly every American’s life? It meant an end to the work life, and a greater opportunity for leisure, hobbies and family visits. Those were the days.

There was a lot of talk about student debt – and various methods of reducing it – during the presidential primary season. While discussion of this issue has all but disappeared in the general election phase, some new research suggests that it remains a potent subject.

Our loan officer, Mariah Ritchie gives us the inside scoop for saving money. She said that the following three items can help build a better financial future.

A new report from FICO finds that Millennials (adults aged 25-34) are more open to changing banks than members of older age groups. This should be good news for U.S. credit unions. According to FICO, Millennials say fees (low balance, ATM, etc.) are the top reason Millennials switch banks.

Is College Still a Good Investment?
The rising cost of a college education has prompted many to question whether higher education still represents a good investment.  T

KBB Picks the Best Used Cars Under $8,000 With new car prices averaging $33,801, many Americans are looking for a good deal on a quality used car. Fortunately, they have the experts at Kelley Blue Book to help them make the best choice.

It’s that time of year again for students and parents to plan back-to-college shopping. This is a joyous process, where both parties begin by agreeing on a budget. The problem is, students and parents have different ideas about what the ideal budget should be. How different?

First time home buyers are out in force this year, helping to push existing home sales higher, according to new data from the National Association of Realtors.

Before you read this blog post,stop and think for a minute and ask yourself this question:

What is my retirement plan?

If you need help planning for retirement and setting up a secure future. WVCCU is here to create that plan with you!

A new survey from FICO has discovered that online payment services have become the most popular alternative to traditional banking. According to the results 19% of consumers currently using online payment services, with another 24% saying they will start using them in the next year.

Emergency Savings Are Vital, Yet 66 Million Americans Don’t Have Any

A disturbing new report from Bankrate finds that 66 million U.S. adults have zero dollars saved for an emergency. Emergency savings comprise a vital ͞first tier͟ of any savings plan.

The Values of Credit Unions

If any of your friends and family are in doubt about the value – and values – of credit unions should have a look at the Seven Cooperative Principles for Credit Unions. The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) has published these principles, which outline the basic function and values of CUs. If you want to find out how WVCCU embodies these principles take a look at our Facebook page. We are sharing member stories and hosting charity events. We recently donated $13,000 to Children’s Miracle Health Network from our Color Me Fun Run and will be starting our Stuff the Bus event. We will be helping 400 teachers in the community by collecting supplies for the upcoming school year. If you would like to find out more about how to become an owner (member) or catch up on what WV Central Credit Union is doing in the community, look us up or stop by any of our 3 locations and let us share some details with you!

The average rate charged for a 30-year fixed mortgage in the U.S. again fell below 4% last week, according to Bankrate.
With the Fed acting to push rates higher this year many experts had predicted that this benchmark mortgage would top 5% before long.
 

These days it’s hard to get any kind of good return on your money from an insured account. Rock-bottom interest rates have made safe investing with CD’s, money market accounts and interest-paying savings and checking accounts all-too-rare. 

Conversation at the Thanksgiving dinner table can be raucous, polite, funny, impolitic or even weird. Sometimes there are awkward silences – and to fill those moments we’re offering you these fun Thanksgiving facts, courtesy of the Census Bureau:

WV Central Credit Union would like to thank all staff and volunteers for their dedication and continued support of West Virginia credit unions and the credit union movement.

This week is Credit Union Week and we are celebrating with an Auto Loan Sale! Stop in and work with a loan officer directly and take advantage of our last big loan sale of 2015!

Help us win $10,000.00 for Children’s Miracle Network (WVU Children’s Hospital). We’ve created a video to display our efforts and to Share the Credit Union Love.