Get In On HBCU Hoops Action with HOPE

If you have a friend, co-worker, or family member who is not a HOPE member yet, you can help them step up their financial game with a free checking account that can pay them back. Plus, new members who open any checking account can get free day passes to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Athletic Conference 2025 Hope Credit Union Basketball Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

HOPE is proud to be the title sponsor of the 2025 HBCU Athletic Conference Basketball Championship at Stillman College. New HOPE members can get game-day ready with:

• Two free day passes to any day of the tournament
• Free swag to get you game-day ready
• Up to 5.12% APY1 on your checking balance every month
• No monthly fees and free online access2

While this offer is not valid for current members, someone you send to HOPE can bring you to the tournament as their "plus one".  They just need to use the special HBCU Athletic Conference online account application and enter the promo code HBCUHOOPS25 when opening the account.

Once the account is open, you can attend any games from February 25 to the Men's and Women's championship games on March 2. View our frequently asked questions to learn more about getting your free day passes!

²Wireless carrier text and data fees may apply.

Supercharge Your Next Vehicle Loan with HOPE 

HOPE is helping members take advantage of the trend toward electric vehicles with special financing and cash for charging station installation.¹

Through June 30, 2025, qualifying electric vehicles can be financed with rates starting at 1.00% below HOPE’s lowest available rate for conventional vehicles. That's an APR as low as 6.57% through June 30, 2025. We will also continue to offer a $500 cash payment for installing an EV charging station.²

Driving EVs is an environmentally friendly move that creates a more sustainable future. HOPE’s EV loan program means that, in addition to going green, HOPE members can enjoy the benefits of lower operating costs with savings in fuel and maintenance expenses.

Learn more at www.hopecu.org/ev. You can also contact or visit your nearest HOPE branch for answers to any questions or to start your application. Current HOPE members can apply using HOPE’s digital banking service via the app or online.

¹Loans subject to approval.

²“APR” is Annual Percentage Rate. Rates subject to change. Advertised “as low as” annual percentage rate (APR) assumes excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may differ and will be based upon several factors, including credit history, model year, term, and loan amount. A loan with the lowest advertised interest rate of 6.50% (6.57% APR) on a new electric vehicle (up to 2 years old) for $25,000.00 (minimum) over 72 months would have a monthly payment of $420.27. Additional rates and terms are available. Advertised 1.00% rate discount and $500 cash back on qualifying EV/PHEV are available on loans made from January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025.

New HOPE Platinum Rewards System Is Here

Members who have a HOPE Platinum Rewards Visa credit card know the many benefits that come with the card, including the ability to earn great rewards.

The new online rewards system allows cardholders to redeem their rewards balances for all kinds of fantastic items--cash, travel, and merchandise--is now available. The rewards program itself has not changed; cardholders will still earn one (1) point for every dollar spent, and will still be able to redeem points for a variety of great incentives. 

Cardholders can access the rewards site using HOPE’s digital banking service rather than visiting the old website directly.  Simply sign in to the online version or mobile app, and then select the "Platinum Rewards" menu item in the main navigation.

Visit www.hopecu.org/rewards25 for the latest information about the changes and more detailed instructions on accessing the service or signing up for digital banking.

Start a Refund Revolution

If you are getting money back from Uncle Sam, maybe your refund could revolutionize your financial future. It’s tempting to use it for something fun or temporary, but investing it wisely could benefit you for years to come.

Let HOPE help you make the most of your refund to improve your financial situation or use it toward the purchase of an important or more expensive item.

Some of the best uses for your refund include:

• Putting a down payment on a car to make the monthly payments more affordable¹
• Using it toward the purchase of a home¹
• Taking out a share secured loan to help build your credit or consolidate debt¹
• Paying off outstanding debts
• Making home repairs and improvements
• Funding your retirement with a HOPE Traditional or Roth IRA
• Setting up your emergency fund in one of our savings accounts

By planning ahead, you can make the most of your money and help reduce your financial stress now and into the future.

If you need advice on what options might be best for you, be sure to stop by one of our branches for free one-on-one counseling. You can also visit us at www.hopecu.org/refundrevolution to learn more about all the ways we can help you make smart moves with your tax refund.

Your credit score can impact both the present and future of your financial wellness in dramatic ways. This crucial number can determine whether you’ll be approved for a loan or credit card, what interest rate you’ll pay, and maybe even whether you’ll be hired for a job. 

If you need to give your credit profile a boost, we have five suggestions for helping you get back on track. (And these are the basics: read the full article for all the details.)

1. Be punctual with payments. Paying your bills on time is the biggest single factor used to calculate your credit score. Consistent on-time payments can significantly boost your creditworthiness. Late payments, past due accounts, and accounts in collections have a negative impact on your credit. Always aim for consistent, timely payment (even if it’s the minimum amount).

2. Pay down your debt. How much you owe is another big factor when it comes to credit score calculation. Carrying a high credit card balance can negatively affect your score, so it’s important to pay down your debt. If you have a large amount of debt or are carrying balances on credit accounts for extended periods of time, it can negatively affect your score. 

3. Don’t max out your credit limit. The amount of credit you use (also called credit utilization) also affects your score. Requesting a credit limit increase can lower your overall credit utilization and potentially improve your score. Aim to use less than 30-40% of your available credit.
   
   Consider using a secured credit card, such as HOPE's Secured Platinum Visa, to build or rebuild your credit. This type of card requires a cash deposit as collateral and can help establish a positive credit history through on-time payments.

4. Maintain good habits. Your credit score is built on patterns over time, with an emphasis on more recent activity. Building a positive credit history through responsible credit management is crucial for long-term credit improvement.
   
   Quickly opening multiple accounts, carrying high balances for a sustained period, or even closing unused accounts have a negative effect on your score. Events like foreclosure and bankruptcy, while they serve an important purpose for those with severe debt, have a significant and lengthy impact on your credit score. If you are considering one of these options, we encourage you to consult a legal professional and to investigate other alternatives as well. 

5. Chat with a credit counselor. While talking to a certified credit counselor won’t have an immediate effect on your credit score, you can gain valuable insight and information. HOPE's financial wellness partner, GreenPath, has credit counselors who can work with you  free of charge to find ways to improve your credit. They will listen without judgment, work with you to optimize your financial situation, and create a personalized plan to eliminate high interest debt.   

You are entitled to receive a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Use that information to make the most of the free support available to you with green GreenPath’s by calling toll-free 1-877-337-3399 whenever you're ready to get started.