Beyond The Transaction Member Newsletter - Winter 2025
In this edition of Beyond The Transaction, we will cover the following topics.
New Year, New You
A new year means a fresh slate. It’s time to look at your overall financial picture from spending, borrowing, and savings and look for ways to improve and accomplish new goals. Our finances are a crucial part of how we live, work, and play, so let’s take some time to figure out what and how you want to achieve bigger and greater things this year. Ask yourself the following questions or use our Financial Wellness Checklist to see how you are doing.
- Do you want to invest in your first home?
- Is it time to buy a new car?
- Do you want to tackle and consolidate debt?
- Ready to look for tuition assistance?
- Need to build an emergency savings account?
- Want to monitor your spending and accounts?
If you said yes to any of the questions above, visit your local Partners 1st branch! Our financial advocates are ready to guide you on your next financial journey. They can help you:
- Apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or personal loan
- Consolidate your debt with a balance transfer
- Get a free debit card for on-the-go spending power
- Start a savings account that fits your lifestyle and aligns with your long-term goals
All of these services and more are ready for you at your local branch. Let’s take on 2025 with clear goals and a path to achieve them.
At Partners 1st, we believe higher education should be available to everyone, yet we understand that costs get in the way sometimes. To help high school seniors and college undergraduates take the next step in their careers, we are awarding up to $15,000 in scholarships to help offset the cost of higher education. Qualified individuals must follow these eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must be a member of Partners 1st Federal Credit Union or become one by selection time, if not already
- The applicant must be a high school senior* or full-time undergraduate student
- The parent or responsible party of the applicant must be a Partners 1st member in good standing
- Officials, employees, spouses, and immediate family members of officials and employees of Partners 1st are not eligible
*A high school student must have met the requirements to graduate or graduate by the end of the current school year.
The Charles M. Cook Scholarship Committee will choose applicants based on merit and financial need. To be considered, please submit your application and ensure you meet the qualifications by May 31, 2025.
You can find the application here.
Did you know our staff donated over $10,000 to one organization? This amount came from an optional weekly $1 donation in exchange for the permission to “dress down” and wear jeans on Fridays. This year, our charity of choice was Puppies Behind Bars. This trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans, first responders, law enforcement, and more. It’s a mutually beneficial program where their puppy-raisers learn how to contribute to society and the puppies mature into well-loved and behaved dogs.
That’s a wrap! Another successful food drive is in the books! In just the Fort Wayne area alone, we collected over 1,400 pounds of cans and non-perishable food items. Everything collected at our branches went directly back into our communities to help anyone and everyone keep food on their plates during the holiday season. We thank everyone who donated so generously!
Don’t have a New Year’s resolution yet? We have some ideas for you. Whether it’s to get in shape physically or financially, learn a new skill, or start volunteering in your community, you can do it! Choosing a resolution helps focus your mind and begin the year on the right path. How do you want to start the year?
Partners 1st FCU will be closed on Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As always, you can access your accounts online 24/7/365.
Partners 1st FCU will be closed on Monday, February 17 for Presidents Day. As always, you can access your accounts online 24/7/365.