Newsletter - July 2022

Time for Adventure and Fun

2022 is flying by and as you get ready to enjoy the summer months, remember your Credit Union has a lot going to help kick your summer fun up a notch!

This is the season many take some well-deserved time off and enjoy a nice vacation.  Budgeting for these trips can be tricky, and a Vacation Club savings account can help.  By setting a designated amount aside each month throughout the year, your trip can be more affordable when the time comes to pack your bags.  It’s never too early to start saving for your next adventure.  Check out some additional travel tips on page 2 of our newsletter.

Summer fun can also mean moving to a new place and finding a new dream home, or discovering new ways to love the home you are in.  Our Baylands Home Team of mortgage experts are just a call or click away to help you get started.  We recently held an informative Facebook Live Q&A with the Mortgage staff to answer some “hot button questions about all things mortgage lending.”  If you were unable to join us, you can view the recorded video on our Facebook page or YouTube channel.  For additional insight on buying a home in the summer, see page 3.

There is lots of family fun to be had when traveling the great outdoors, and whether by land or sea Baylands can help.  We offer great rates on all types of summer toy loans from ATVs, boats and RVs, to motorcycles and more.  Want to fund your summer fun?  I’d encourage you to contact your credit union first.  With sun-sational rates we can get you on the go and smiling! 

Please be sure to share the fun and good news of all that Baylands offers with your family, co-workers, and friends.  We appreciate you, and as always, thank you for being part of the Baylands Family!

Teresa Millis, President/CEO

Summer Travel Tips

It’s that time of year to take to the sky or road and explore new places or revisit relaxing retreats. After getting your itinerary together and weather check is done, don’t forget to get your finances vacation ready.

Before you leave:

Inform the credit union and any other financial institutions to note your account of the places you will be visiting and conducting transactions from outside the country. This will help prevent your VISA credit or debit card from being frozen while on vacation.

Carry alternative funds. Having cash on hand is always useful, especially if traveling abroad. However, it’s best to keep cash and cards separate to avoid losing all access to funds should your wallet get lost or stolen. Also, be wary of any ATM that looks tampered with or has a flimsy card reader.

Keep the phone numbers to report your cards lost or stolen on hand . – you may want to put these numbers in the contact list on your phone. If you have any questions regarding questionable activity on your account while on vacation, please contact us immediately at (888) 843-2520.

Use Online or Mobile App banking  Monitor your accounts while on vacation and report any suspicious activity.  When using online banking make sure to not use public Wi-Fi; it is not a secure internet connection and can be compromised.

Wherever your summer vacation takes you, following these tips will help minimize any interruptions to your long-awaited trip. Happy travels!

Staff Spotlight

Meet Dustin Sparks! Dustin is a new Member Service Representative at our West Point Branch who is full of positivity and always eager to help. Outside of work, Dustin likes to spend time with his dog China, cooking and enjoying the outdoors. He credits his patience and ability to deliver superior member service to lessons learned working in his spare time as a licensed freelance cosmetologist. When asked what is the best part about his work at Baylands, Dustin replied “helping our members with their daily financial needs and providing them with a memorable and positive interaction to be shared with family & friends.”

Supporting Soldiers

In May, Baylands joined forces with local charity Troopster to gather supplies to send to soldiers deployed abroad. Our military service members are near and dear to our hearts. We enjoyed getting involved and collecting necessities as well as fun items for troops to use during downtime.

Using Your Credit Card Wisely

Now that you have a credit card that best fits your needs, here are some tips to help manage the card responsibly.

Make Payments on Time
Your payment history determines 35% of your FICO score, so late or missed payments can wreak havoc on your score.

Pay More Than the Minimum
While paying the minimum amount due on time every month will keep your account current, paying more than the minimum each month will save you money on interest, improve your credit score, and reduce the amount of time it will take to pay off your debt.

Pick the Right Due Date for Payments
Set your payment due to fall at a convenient time of the month. If it doesn't contact the card issuer to try and move it.

Use the Perks that Come with Your Card
From rental car coverage to complimentary airport lounge access, credit cards can come with some special benefits. If you don't take advantage of the added benefits, you could be missing out on major savings.

Mortgage Q & A

Are more houses for sale in summer?

In general, there are more properties for sale in Spring and Summer. The busiest months for sales are traditionally May, June, July, and August. The abundance of homes for sale doesn't always mean you'll find great deals. Sellers have been waiting for the nice weather and are hoping to sell their homes for top dollar.

If you can wait for the end of summer there is a chance to see some price reductions on properties that have been on the market for a while. Sometimes your agent can ask the listing agent why the home has been on the market for so long. It could be that the house was in escrow, but the last borrower's financing fell through.

Make sure you talk with the Baylands Home Team today about pre-qualification to help you get started on the path to home ownership.

Escape the norm with an adventure vehicle loan today!

ATV | BOATS | MOTORCYCLES | RV

  • Low payments for your summer toys
  • Local, friendly service
  • Easy online application
Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change and may vary based on credit worthiness and qualifications. All loans subject to approval. Membership eligibility required. A Prime Share Account (membership) with a minimum deposit is required upon loan approval. For further details, please contact a Member Service Specialist. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
 

National Credit Union Youth Month

April was National Credit Union Youth Month and Baylands held a fun coloring contest to celebrate. This year the theme was “Save Small Dream Big”. We were fortunate to receive lots of great submissions in both the 0-6 age group and 7-12 age group. Here are your contest winners:

 

Summer Sun-sational Loan Special

Borrow Up to $3,000 + up to 3.00%APR Off Qualifying Rate!

  • Take A Vacation
  • • Home Improvements
  • • Landscaping
  • • Graduation
  • • Outdoor Furniture
  • • New Grill or Smoker
  • • and MORE!
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Credit restrictions apply. See credit union for details. Rates are based on credit worthiness so your rate may differ. All loans subject to approval. Promotion begins on June 1, 2022 and ends on August 31, 2022. Payment example: $2,000 personal loan for 30 months at 5.00% APR will result in a monthly payment of $71.07. A Prime Share account (membership) with a minimum deposit is required upon loan approval. Promotional offer cannot be applied to current personal loans held at BFCU. Only one promotional loan per member. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.