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In this Issue: Special Financing/Cashback for Electric Vehicles ⢠Refund Revolution ⢠Celebrate 30 Years of HOPE ⢠New Platinum Visa Rewards Card System ⢠Member Story: Building a Solid Future ⢠Financial Wellness for the New Year
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Supercharge Your Next Vehicle Loan with HOPEĀ Ā HOPE is helping members take advantage of the trend toward electric vehicles with special financing and cash for chargingĀ station installation.1 Ā Through June 30, 2025, qualifying electric vehicles can be financed starting at a rate 1.00% below HOPEās lowest available rate for conventional vehicles. That's an APR as low as 6.57% starting January 1. We will also continue to offer a $500 cash payment for the installation of an EV charging station.2 Ā Driving EVs is definitely move that is environmentally friendly and creates a more sustainable future. HOPEās EV loan program means that, in addition to going green, HOPE members can enjoy the benefits of lower ownership and operating costs with savings in fuel and lower maintenance expenses. Ā 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 HOPEās digital banking service via the app or online.
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¹Loans subject to approval. ²āAPRā is Annual Percentage Rate. Rates subject to change. Advertised āas low asā 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.
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Start a Refund Revolution Ā If you are getting money back from Uncle Sam, maybe your refund could revolutionize your financial future. Itās tempting to use it for something fun or temporary, but investing it wisely could benefit you for years to come. Ā 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
- 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.
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 ¹Loans subject to approval.
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Celebrate 30 Years of HOPE at 2025 Members Meetings Ā Over the past three decades, Hope Enterprise Corporation (HEC) and Hope Credit Union (HCU) have become one of the nationās most respected and effective community development organizations. From HECās origins as community loan fund and HCUās start as small church project with big dreams, HOPE now works across five states, benefitting more than three million people and influencing billions of dollars invested in impoverished communities. Ā Join us at the 2025 HOPE Members Meeting as we celebrate 30 years of service and creating brighter futures for families and communities across the Deep South. HOPE leadership will reflect on significant accomplishments during the last year, such as expansion of our mortgage lending capacity and a merger with New Pilgrim Federal Credit Union in Birmingham, Alabama. Member-owners will also learn about plans for continued growth and focus on technology resources, and new programs to help people in under resourced communities take advantage of opportunities to access the benefits of solar power. Ā Mark your calendars and register to join us in person or attend online: Ā Tuesday, March 18, 2025 6:00 PM HOPE Main Office Evers-Winter Room 4 Old River Place Jackson, MS 39202 Ā Register to attend in person or virtually at www.hopecu.org/2025membersmeeting. Ā Hope Credit Union members will elect new members to the Hope Federal Credit Union Board of Directors during the meeting. In accordance with the credit unionās bylaws, the following individuals are presented for election to the Board of Directors at the 2025 members meeting:1 - Ivye Allen
- David Jackson
- Rica Lewis-Payton
- Bernard Mays, Jr.
- Ann Shackelford
1Nominations for vacancies may also be made by petition signed by at least one percent of the members, with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 500. Nominations made by petition must be received at HOPEās corporate office by the close of business on Friday, January 31, 2025. There will be no nominations from the floor if there is at least one nominee for each position to be filled.
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New HOPE Platinum Rewards System Coming January 2025 Ā 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. Ā The company that provides service for HOPEās Platinum Visa credit card rewards program is making changes to the online rewards system.Ā The rewards program itself will not change; cardholders will still earn one (1) point for every dollar they spend, and will still be able to redeem points for a variety of great incentives.Ā Ā Beginning January 18, members will access the rewards site using HOPEās digital banking service rather than visiting a website directly. The last day to redeem points using the current site is January 9. Ā Members with a rewards card will receive mail and email communications with additional details about the upcoming change. You can also visit www.hopecu.org/rewards25 for the latest information about the changes.
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HOPE Member Success Story: Building a Solid Future Ā Terry Jackson, Sr., a masonry contractor and owner of Terry for Bricks, has been in business since the late 1980s. Working with his two sons, Terry Jr. and Jermaine in Montgomery, Alabama, the business thrived focusing on residential construction. Ā In recent years, Jackson saw an increased demand for nonresidential construction. To compete for the larger commercial jobs, Jackson required additional equipment and working capital. He approached Hope Credit Union to open a line of credit. Ā āThe loan officer at HOPE delivered on everything he said he would do, and I am happy,ā said Jackson. He received a $15,000 small business loan from HOPE. Jackson now takes on masonry jobs across the entire state of Alabama. āIām very pleased with the service I received at HOPE,ā said Jackson. Ā Find out about how our small business loans could be a catalyst for your company, and read more success stories in HOPE's 2024 Third Quarter Report.
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Start the New Year with a Financial Wellness Checkup Ā Get 2025 kicked off the right way by checking off some important items that should be on your financial to-do list. These important and actionable steps will help you feel empowered and put you in a great position to tackle the new year. - Take Inventory - This is the perfect time to look at your major life milestones over the past year and consider any changes that may be on the horizon. Take a look at how any important changes have affected your finances and create a budget that reflects any factors that could affect your tax withholdings and overall financial picture.
- Tackle Debt - The last thing you may want right now is a reminder of holiday expenses. As soon as you can, however, make a plan to pay off credit card debt and manage spending to bring debt under control. Depending on your credit, you may be able to pay off debt faster by transferring your credit card debt to one with a lower interest rateācheck out what HOPE offers with its Platinum Visa Cards.
- Review Your Credit Report - This is also a great time to evaluate your credit report. Beyond improving your score, monitoring your credit regularly alerts you to any errors or fraudulent transactions. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion all offer one free credit report per year, but you can expect to pay about $5 to access your score. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to get started.
- Create an Emergency Fund - Only 44% of Americans have emergency savings to cover three months of expenses. Itās an even bigger challenge with record-breaking inflation, increased fuel prices, and higher costs at the grocery store. While your cash reserves might be a bit lean after the holiday season, consider setting up a direct deposit that funnels even a small percentage of your paycheck into a dedicated savings account.
- Get Connected -Ā While to-do lists are a solid start, sometimes having a second pair of eyes and ears is important, too. And thatās where GreenPath, HOPEās Financial Wellness partner, comes in. GreenPath is a trusted national nonprofit organization with more than 60 years of experience in helping people save money, pay down debt, and build financial resiliency. Their experienced,Ā empathetic counselors can help you evaluate your goals and create a customized plan for you based on your specific circumstances and needs. Learn more at www.greenpath.org/hopecu or call them toll-free at 1-877-337-3399.
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New Year's Tuesday, December 31 (Open Until 2:00 PM) Wednesday, January 1, 2025 Ā Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 20 Presidents Day Monday, February 17
Ā Mardi Gras (Biloxi, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louisiana) Tuesday, March 4
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Remember, HOPE's Convenience Services are available even when our branches are closed. You still have 24/7 access to many functions for managing your account using our Digital BankingĀ or our HOPE24 Telephone Banking solutions. Ā Learn more about all the great ways to manage your finances.Ā
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Hope Credit Union 601-944-1100 | 1-866-321-HOPE Ā See what's happening on HOPE's social media:
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