Latest news with #AlliantCreditUnion
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Suze Orman: 3 Best Cash Moves To Make Right Now
The economy has always been a mercurial beast capable of throwing out curveballs with no warning, but for many, life in the financial senses feels more precarious than usual. The implementation and continued uncertainty around tariffs have taken us into fairly unprecedented territory. It's difficult to get a clear picture of what we can expect. That said, many financial experts are pretty confident that we're on the brink of a recession. Find Out: Read Next: On her website, financial guru Suze Orman posted a blog on May 1, 2025, discussing the three best cash moves we can each make during this turbulent time. Here's what she recommended. Some financial experts say having a three- to six-month reserve of cash readily available is a sufficient emergency fund. Orman is more conservative, recommending that you have at least a year's worth of money set aside to get you through any pains a recession may bring. Don't set this money aside in any old bank account. Opt for a high-yield savings account (HYSA), so that your money makes some money just sitting there. Orman is a fan of the The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account at Alliant Credit Union, and she's teamed up with Alliant to promote an incentive. 'Make 12 monthly deposits of at least $100 into your Ultimate Savings Opportunity account, and at the end of those 12 months you will be given a $100 bonus,' Orman said. 'That's on top of earning a solid 3.10% annual percentage yield (APY) right now.' Check Out: To access an even higher APY, put your cash in a certificate of deposit (CD) account. 'CDs come with higher yields because you are giving your money to the bank or credit union for a set period – CDs typically have maturities of 1 year, 18 months, 2 years, or 5 years – and you agree to pay a penalty if you want the money back earlier,' Orman wrote. Typically, the higher the APY, the longer the term of the CD. It's fine and sometimes beneficial to spread your savings out over a few CD accounts. This is called CD laddering. Finally, Orman recommended buying Treasuries, which can be best done via an account at a discount brokerage. You can take a laddering approach with Treasuries, too. 'For example, you could divide your 'safe' money across a 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and maybe a 7-year Treasury,' Orman wrote. 'This way you have some money maturing at different times. Depending on your needs when a Treasury matures, and what is happening with interest rates, you can decide if you want to reinvest in another Treasury (and at what length) or if you want to move the money to cash or another investment.' More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement Sources Suze Orman Blog, 'The Best Cash Moves Right Now' This article originally appeared on Suze Orman: 3 Best Cash Moves To Make Right Now
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Approaching Retirement? Suze Orman's 2025 Plan For Safe, High-Earning Cash
As retirement approaches, many people start to shift their focus from growing their investments to protecting what they've built. Financial expert Suze Orman has a clear strategy for 2025 that focuses on helping near-retirees earn more on their cash while keeping it safe. Whether you're just a few years away from retirement or already there, Orman's recommendations offer a roadmap for where to park your money in today's higher-interest environment. Don't Miss: Start with a Strong Emergency Savings Account Before thinking about investing or even locking money into a longer-term product, Orman urges everyone to build a solid emergency fund. Her advice: aim to keep three to twelve months of living expenses in an easily accessible savings account. One option she recommends is the Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account at Alliant Credit Union. According to Orman's blog, this account currently earns a 3.10% annual percentage yield and comes with a $100 bonus for anyone who deposits at least $100 a month for 12 consecutive months. Orman wrote that this "remains my go-to advice for building up a savings account." The key benefit here is combining steady savings habits with one of the more competitive yields available for liquid cash. Trending: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they're on pace — here's a breakdown on what's behind this formula. Use CDs to Lock in Higher Yields If you don't need immediate access to some of your money, Orman says certificates of deposit can offer even better returns. For example, in her blog, she states that Alliant's one-year CD is currently offering 4.00% APY. Longer-term CDs, like those with 17-month or two-year terms, may offer slightly more. CDs require you to commit your funds for a fixed period, and pulling money out early typically results in a small interest penalty. Still, they're considered low-risk and are insured up to the legal limits by the FDIC or NCUA. To balance access and earnings, Orman suggests a CD ladder. By dividing your money among CDs of different lengths — say, one-year and 18-month terms — you'll have cash maturing at staggered intervals. This approach can help you maintain flexibility while capturing today's high rates.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Suze Orman: 4 Smart Ways To Use Your Tax Refund
Millions of Americans are wrapping up filing their taxes and waiting on their tax refunds, which are typically issued within 21 days after electronic filing. The average tax refund in 2025 is $3,271, about 5.2% more than the average of $3,109 in 2024. Read Next: Learn More: A recent Attest survey of 1,000 working-age Americans found that 34% of filers plan to use tax refunds to pay off debt, while 40% plan to save or invest the money. Close to 25% of those planning to invest with their refunds — chiefly millennials — plan to buy cryptocurrency. What is the best move you can make with your tax refund? Financial guru Suze Orman recently published a blog on her website discussing four smart ways to use this money. You may be familiar with this worrisome statistic: Most Americans can't afford to cover a $1,000 emergency. Orman certainly doesn't want to see you go into credit card debt over a surprise vet bill or temporary job loss. Orman champions having a 12-month emergency fund on hand. She's a fan of the Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account at Alliant Credit Union, which will give you a $100 bonus if you complete a few steps. Find Out: The 34% of tax return filers from the Attest survey who said that they intend to use their refund to pay down debt are making the right move, according to Orman. But this is only a truly smart move if you don't fall back into credit card debt down the road. 'Are you ready to lean in harder to the idea of only using your credit card for true needs and not charge a penny for wants?' Orman asked. Orman wants to see you double down on saving for retirement. She recommended contributing to a Roth IRA — even if you already have a 401(k) plan you're contributing to through work. 'If you are single with a modified adjusted gross income below $150,000 in 2025 (or below $236,000 if you are married and file a joint tax return), you can contribute $7,000 to a Roth IRA. If you are at least 50 years old, the limit is $8,000,' Orman wrote. If you have an ample emergency fund, no credit card debt and are already aggressively saving for retirement, you can smartly use your tax refund by investing in a skill or hobby. 'Investing in you is always smart,' Orman wrote. More From GOBankingRates 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying The New Retirement Problem Boomers Are Facing 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks This article originally appeared on Suze Orman: 4 Smart Ways To Use Your Tax Refund Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Things You Need To Consider Before Refinancing Your Mortgage, According to Suze Orman
Refinancing your mortgage can seem like a smart financial move when interest rates begin to drop. But according to personal finance expert Suze Orman, it's not as simple as jumping at a lower rate. With rates not dropping particularly low for the foreseeable future, there might not be an opportunity soon, but it's still good to know what to expect when the time is right. Be Aware: Read Next: On a recent episode of her Women & Money podcast, Orman broke down what homeowners need to think about before deciding to refinance. One of the biggest refinancing mistakes Orman sees is resetting the mortgage term to another 30 years, even if you've already paid down several years. This adds time and interest back into your loan, potentially costing more in the long run. 'Then you refinance for another 30 years. So these four or five years that you have been paying on it, you've just lost all of that,' she said. Rule No. 1, if you ever do refinance, she said, 'You have to make sure you don't have the mortgage term longer than the current amount of years left on your mortgage,' she said. So if you've paid five years on a 30-year mortgage, you should only refinance into a 25-year loan, or even shorter, if possible. Learn More: Another key factor to consider is how long it will take for your savings from refinancing to exceed the cost of the refinance itself. 'What is it going to cost you to totally refinance this house? And what will the savings be … between your new mortgage rate and your old? Then you divide that number, the difference, into the cost of refinancing,' she said. This simple calculation helps you determine your break-even point and how long it will take for your lower monthly payments to cover the upfront cost of the refinance. If you won't be in the home long enough to reach that point, refinancing may not be worth it. If it's going to be between five and seven years and you don't think you're going to be in the house that long, 'then it makes absolutely no sense to do it,' she said. If you're looking at just a couple of years and you know you're planning to stay in the house that long or longer, then you might want to refinance. Orman cautioned that other details, like whether or not you'll pay points or how much the closing costs will be, also impact whether refinancing is the right move. It's not a one-size-fits-all decision. Her advice is clear, however, don't refinance just because rates drop slightly. Instead, run the numbers, keep your payoff timeline tight and ensure the savings outweigh the costs over the time you'll actually live in the home. In a post for Alliant Credit Union, Orman also broke down the other costs of refinancing. Homeowners should expect to pay between 2% and 6% of the loan amount in closing costs, which may include application fees, appraisals, origination fees, title insurance, inspections and recording charges. While lenders may offer to roll those fees into your new mortgage, consider whether doing so will actually save you money in the long run or just increase your loan balance. For example, appraisal fees can range from $500 to $750 (or even higher) while origination fees often fall between 1% and 1.5% of the loan amount. Title insurance and search fees can cost another $500 to $800. These expenses add up quickly, so understanding the full cost upfront is crucial when deciding whether refinancing is worth it. Overall, refinancing can be a powerful financial tool but only if it's done with careful planning. As Orman reminded listeners, that means doing your homework before you sign. More From GOBankingRates 4 Things To Watch for as Elon Musk Takes on Social Security 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 This article originally appeared on 4 Things You Need To Consider Before Refinancing Your Mortgage, According to Suze Orman
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
10 best credit unions of 2025
When deciding who to bank with, you aren't limited to just banks — you might find that a credit union is a better fit. Credit unions typically offer similar products and services to traditional banks. However, they're owned and operated by members, which often translates to fewer fees, competitive interest rates, and more personalized service. We compared the top NCUA-insured credit unions with a broad field of membership and evaluated key metrics such as membership eligibility requirements, fees, customer experience, product choice, account features, and each credit union's commitment to environmental and social responsibility. (See our full methodology here.) The following is a look at our ranking of the 10 best credit unions for 2025. Read on to learn more about each credit union, why they made our list, and how to join. Pentagon Federal Credit Union, or PenFed, serves more than 2.9 million members globally. It offers checking and savings accounts, credit cards, auto loans, home loans, and more. PenFed scored the maximum number of points in our fees and insurance categories thanks to its lack of monthly account fees and overdraft protection options. It also scored the highest number of points in our product selection and account features category for its long list of accounts and products, early paycheck services, and Zelle capabilities. Unlike many credit unions, PenFed has an open charter. Anyone is eligible to become a member of PenFed by opening a share account. Alliant Credit Union is an online-only, Illinois-based financial institution with more than 900,000 members across the globe. Alliant scored the second spot on our list for its comprehensive offering of products and services, as well as fee-free accounts and robust security features. Alliant currently offers checking and savings accounts, credit cards, certificates of deposit (CDs), lending services, and more. Though it doesn't have any branches, Alliant does belong to a network of more than 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs. It also offers phone, chat, and secure messaging support in the evenings and on weekends. To join Alliant, you must be a current or retired employee from one of its partner businesses or organizations, be a domestic partner or immediate family member of a current Alliant member, or live or work in one of the communities near its corporate headquarters in Chicago (see a list of eligible communities to find out if you qualify). If you don't qualify for membership under these criteria, you can become an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate, which makes you eligible for an Alliant Credit Union membership. The foundation awards grants for educational and digital inclusion efforts nationwide. Alliant Credit Union will make a one-time $5 contribution to the foundation on your behalf. Quorum Federal Credit Union provides checking and savings accounts, home loans, credit cards, student loans, and more to over 65,000 members. This credit union made our list thanks to a number of perks available to customers, including access to a network of more than 90,000 surcharge-free ATMs, fee-free account options, and comprehensive security features. To join Quorum Federal Credit Union, you must be affiliated with one of Quorum's select employee groups (SEGs), or have a friend or family member who currently works for or is retired from a select employee group (see a full list of eligible SEGs here). If you don't belong to any of those groups and aren't related to someone who is, you can still gain eligibility by joining the American Consumer Council (ACC). Joining is free and automatically qualifies you for Quorum membership. Consumers Credit Union is an Illinois-based credit union that offers a variety of deposit accounts, loans, business banking products and services, and more. This credit union made our top 10 list for having no monthly fees, a large surcharge-free ATM network, and access to important account features such as early access to paychecks, multi-factor authentication for added security, and quick and easy payments via Zelle. Additionally, if your goal is to grow your savings, Consumers Credit Union offers some of the highest interest rates available today. In particular, its rewards checking account pays up to 5.00% APY and its 9-month share certificate offers 4.75% APY. Read more: What is a share certificate? Anyone can join Consumers Credit Union by joining the Consumers Cooperative Association and paying a one-time membership fee of $5.00, which Consumers Credit Union may reimburse. Connexus Credit Union serves more than 475,000 members across the country, offering fee-free accounts with low or no minimum opening deposit requirements. Connexus also stood out for its mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.7 stars on both the Apple Store and Google Play. Customers can use the app to pay bills, deposit checks, transfer money between banks, and access a number of financial health tools to get more insight into how their money habits are impacting their financial goals. Connexus also ranked favorably in our environmental and responsibility category for its philanthropic program, Connexus Cares, which gives back to the communities Connexus serves through volunteering, donation matching, and more. Read our full review of Connexus Credit Union Anyone can join Connexus Credit Union by becoming a member of the Connexus Association through a one-time $5 donation. You also qualify for membership if you live in one of the eligible communities or counties that Connexus serves, are related to an existing member, or belong to an eligible group or organization. Navy Federal Credit Union, commonly referred to as Navy Fed, was established in 1933 and has since grown to serve 14 million members belonging to the Department of Defense, Army, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and their families. Navy Fed offers personal and business products and services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, and more. Navy Federal made our list of top credit unions for its stellar customer service rating, large network of physical branches and fee-free ATMs, and around-the-clock customer service. Customers who wish to speak to a representative can do so at any time via telephone, chat, secure message, mail, and even social media. Read more: USAA vs. Navy Federal Credit Union: Which is better for military banking needs? All branches of the military, veterans, Department of Defense employees, and their immediate family members are eligible to join Navy Fed. Service Credit Union's history dates back to 1957 when it was established to support military personnel and their families. It has since grown to serve more than 300,000 members. Service Credit Union offers personal and business banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, business and commercial loans, home loans, and auto loans. This credit union made our list because of its fee-free account options, large network of branches and ATMs, and wide variety of products and services. This credit union also boasts a strong mobile app rating; users can take advantage of remote check deposit capabilities, subscription management tools, budgeting tools, bill pay, Zelle, and more. Additionally, members of the military can qualify for special savings opportunities, such as the Deployed Warrior Savings program, which offers 10% APY on deposits up to $10,000 for members currently serving active duty in a combat zone. Membership with Service Credit Union is open to active duty military, veterans, and their families, as well as current and former employees of the Department of Defense and their families. Membership is also available to members of Service Credit Union's select employer groups. If you don't fall into any of these categories, you can still join Service Federal CU by becoming a member of the ACC and using the promo code 'Service' to join for free. You can also join the Financial Fitness Association (FFA) for membership eligibility. Andrews Federal Credit Union operates locations in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and New Jersey. It also has locations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It offers personal and business checking and savings accounts, as well as loans, credit cards, and investment products. Andrews FCU made our list for its fee-free accounts, surcharge-free ATMs and ATM rebates, and tools to help customers better manage their money, such as free FICO scores, financial calculators, and receipt management tools. To join Andrews Federal Credit Union, you must belong to a Select Employee Group or become a member of the ACC. Global Credit Union serves more than 750,000 members all over the world, operating more than 5,500 shared branches and 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs. It offers checking and savings accounts, loans, insurance products, financial planning services, and business banking. We chose Global Federal CU for its low-cost checking and savings accounts that don't pose any minimum opening deposit requirements. Global Credit Union also ranked highly thanks to its mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.7 stars across both mobile storefronts. People who live, work, worship, or attend school in Alaska, Washington, California's San Bernardino County, Arizona's Maricopa County, and Idaho's Kootenai County can join Global Credit Union, along with their immediate family members. Membership is also available to anyone employed by the Department of Defense (anywhere in the world). First Technology Credit Union — commonly referred to as First Tech — was founded in 1952 and serves more than 600,000 members. Its products and services include rewards checking and savings accounts, share certificates, individual retirement accounts, business accounts, credit cards, and personal loans. First Tech took the final spot on our list for its fee-free account options, ATM rebates, 24/7 customer service, and rewards account offerings. You can join First Tech if you work for one of its 900 partner organizations, are related to or live with a current First Tech member, work for the State of Oregon, live or work in Lane County, Oregon. You can also join the credit union by becoming a member of the Computer History Museum or the Financial Fitness Association, which can be done when filling out your online application. A credit union is a member-owned financial institution that operates similarly to a bank but with a focus on serving its members rather than generating profits for shareholders. Credit unions offer a variety of personal and business deposit accounts such as checking, savings, money market, and share certificates, as well as loans, mortgages, credit cards, and more. Read more: What is a credit union, and how do you join one Unlike banks, which are open to anyone, credit unions have eligibility criteria that members must meet to join. Those requirements vary depending on the credit union. Members are also owners and have a say in how the credit union is run, including voting for board members and policy changes. Read more: 7 credit unions anyone can join Share savings accounts are a popular type of account offered by credit unions that function similarly to a traditional savings account. When you deposit money in a share account, it represents your 'share' of ownership in the credit union. Read more: What is a share savings account? Credit unions offer their own versions of CDs, known as share certificates. These accounts generally work the same way that traditional CDs do. Read more: What is a share certificate? The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is a federal agency that regulates, supervises, and insures credit unions in the United States. Its has a similar function as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the agency that insures bank deposits. Read more: What is the NCUA, and how does it work? Unlike banks, credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned institutions. Even so, credit unions must generate revenue in order to continue operating. Common ways credit unions make money include charging interest on loans, charging fees, and other activities. Read more: How do credit unions make money? Both credit unions and banks are generally safe thanks to federal regulations and insurance, but credit unions have a reputation for being the safer option due to their non-profit structure and conservative lending and investing practices. Read more: Are credit unions safer than banks? It's less common for credit unions to fail than banks, but it's not impossible. This can happen when a credit union becomes insolvent, meaning it can no longer meet its financial obligations or maintain sufficient reserves. Read more: Can credit unions fail? Banks and credit unions tend to offer similar products and services but have their own unique business models. Credit unions are nonprofit organizations that are member-owned, which means that their customers have a say in how the credit union is run. Banks, on the other hand, are for-profit institutions that generate profit for shareholders. This can impact the types of products available, rates, fees, and more. Read more: Credit union vs. bank: Which is right for you? Our grading system, collected and carefully reviewed by our personal finance experts, comprises over 600 data points for more than 20 NCUA-insured credit unions to develop our list of the top 10 best credit unions. We compared these institutions across key metrics, including membership costs, fees, customer experience, product selection, account features and security, and environmental and social responsibility. The credit unions on our list could earn a maximum of 82 points across all categories. Here's a closer look at the categories we considered: Fees and insurance: 25 points We evaluated each credit union's fees for its most basic checking and savings account options, as well as overdraft fees and ATM fees. Credit unions were awarded points for having no or low fees, greater fee transparency, and clear fee structures. We also rewarded financial institutions that offered a wide field of membership and/or offered potential members the opportunity to become eligible to join in exchange for a donation to a charitable organization. Customer service experience: 30 points Personalized customer service is a key benefit of credit unions, though some are better than others. Credit Unions were scored on metrics including access to a physical branch, mobile app ratings on Apple and Google storefronts, and methods for reaching customer service representatives. Credit unions that offered phone, chat, and email or secured message contacts were awarded the maximum points in that category. We also examined each website for information clarity as part of the customer service offering assessment. This subjective assessment evaluated each credit union's website design, ease of navigation, language clarity, and whether customers could easily gather all the needed information needed to make an informed decision about any particular product. We also awarded points to credit unions that offered more extensive ATM networks, credit monitoring tools, and educational resources. Product selection and account features: 14 points Each credit union we analyzed could earn one point per product for each of the following: Checking accounts Savings accounts High-yield savings accounts Money market accounts Share certificates Mortgages Personal loans Auto loans Home equity lines of credit We also looked at the speed of ACH transfers and gave credit unions points for same- or next-day transfers, early access to paychecks, Zelle as a service, and being part of FedNow — the Federal Reserve's instant payment service. Security: 10 points We carefully considered each credit union's security measures to protect your money and sensitive information. We looked at factors such as multi-factor authentication, website encryption, alerts for suspicious activity, zero fraud liability, and whether each credit union had a dedicated online security page or hub. Environmental and social responsibility: 3 points Many consumers consider a credit union's carbon footprint and philanthropic efforts before deciding on a particular institution. As such, credit unions that have dedicated pages to their philanthropic efforts and environmental goals, and have pledged to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, scored up to 3 points for doing so.
