St. Louis, MO� - Access to free credit scores, credit history, and credit rehabilitation programs often present the biggest obstacles on the road to achieving financial goals.� 1st Financial Federal Credit Union is hoping to remove these barriers by offering a free Trans Union FICO credit score and providing a no obligation one-on-one counseling session at any of their four St. Louis area branch locations from March 17
th through April 30th.� This free program is 100% confidential and open to anyone in St. Louis and St. Charles County.� The one-on-one credit review will identify strategies for building credit, recommend options for repairing past issues, and propose solutions for saving money in the long run.
Jamie Kehoe, Lead Financial Service Representative at the St. Charles Branch, is excited for the opportunity to further help her neighbors accomplish their dreams.� "I recently had a new member come in for a loan on a car and had to decline him because of the records on his credit report.� He didnt know anything about how to establish or maintain good credit.� His loans were in collections and one of his vehicles had been repossessed.�� Eventually, we were able to qualify him for an auto loan with a cosigner which increased his non-existent credit score to the low 600s. Now two years and several loans later, this member has a 748 credit score and proud to have achieved many of his long term financial goals."
She went on to say,�"I earned his trust by taking the time to look at his situation and explain what needed to be done.� I am very excited to continue supporting our community by teaching the importance of good credit and provide opportunities to rebuild and repair past damage."
As a member owned not-for-profit, 1st Financial Federal Credit Union has always focused its energy on teaching financial literacy, offering competitive rates, and providing exceptional service.� Providing a program to help restore good credit and work towards achieving financial success is just one more way 1st Financial is proud to invest in their community.
"I think this is a wonderful service," said Nancy Tate, Lead Financial Service Representative at the Wentzville branch.� "Many of the people I meet dont know what is available in their credit report.� Most are unsure who they can trust with fixing their credit."� She went on to say, "I have been working with a gentleman for the past ten years who recently fell on hard times.� We have been able to help him right his ship, save him close to $400.00 a month through loan consolidation, and create a payment plan to rebuild his credit.� We are so excited, knowing this program will give us more opportunities to give back to our community."
To schedule a free personalized credit score and report review, call a Member Service Representative at (636) 916-8300, visit 1st Financial online at
www.TheBetterWayToBank.com, or visit any local 1st Financial Federal Credit Union branch location before April 30, 2014.
About 1st Financial Federal Credit Union
Like all credit unions, 1st Financial is a member-owned, financial cooperative.� 1st Financial Federal Credit Union was chartered on September 3, 1968 as District 837 Credit Union by the International Association of Machinist members employed by McDonnell Douglas. Today, with 30,000 members and nearly $200 million in assets, 1st Financial is a St. Louis metro area financial institution dedicated to helping members achieve their financial dreams.� For over 45 years 1st Financial has provided members with a full line of dependable financial products and services which returns profits to the members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher savings yields. The cooperative nature of credit unions enables 1st Financial to provide products and services at very reasonable rates.
1st Financial Federal Credit Union serves those who live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri and a wide array of companies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.� 1st Financial is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial organization committed to providing quality services to the membership while demonstrating safe and sound business practices.� Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government.
Not a credit union member?� If you live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri, you can open an account today.
