As you may know, the Iowa Senate recently passed a tax reform bill that includes a tax increase on credit unions and members like you. This decision came after intense pressure from the bank lobby, and does the opposite of the stated goal to keep more hard-earned money in the pockets of Iowa families. The… Read More
Ascentra is known for paying it forward in the region, and they wanted to celebrate the upcoming International Pay it Forward Day on April 28 in a way that people were inspired to pay it forward themselves. Throughout the past few weeks, the Ascentra team has been busy surprising shoppers, teachers, students, and organizations from… Read More
Thanks to shared branching, you are never far from your money when you need it! Check out this short, educational video as we talk about shared branching on this edition of Ascentra Making Cents. To see more videos of our monthly financial education segments like this one, head to our YouTube channel. Shared branching is… Read More
CLINTON, IOWA – In the middle of winter, local news broke about a horrific scene of neglected and abused pit bulls in Clinton, Iowa that captivated the attention of many throughout the region. The Clinton Humane Society took in the eight dogs right away and have been nursing them back to health, but the non-profit… Read More
We work our tails off saving for retirement, putting away as much as we can for years. It seems like we’ll never get to use any of the money— and then one day we actually retire. Now we’re faced with the dilemma of how much we can spend during retirement— how long will savings actually… Read More
If you’re trying to build credit or boost your credit score you might be wondering if there is an ideal number of credit cards to have. The truth is there is no perfect number. However, there are factors you should keep in mind when deciding how many credit cards to have. Your credit score is… Read More
Credit unions are having a moment—and that moment keeps begging bigger and longer. Since the financial crisis of 2008, millions of Americans have switched from banks to credit unions. Now more than 106 million people in the U.S. use credit unions. Why? Because credit unions are a better deal. They offer better rates, fewer fees, and… Read More
Improve your financial fitness and manage your wealth. Get your finances in shape by taking these steps: Bulk up your emergency fund. Having a back-up fund may prevent you from having to tap or max out credit cards if your refrigerator dies or your car needs major repairs. Improve your credit score. Having a… Read More
You’re in a financial bind and need some quick cash. You’ve seen payday loan stores all over town and think “Maybe I should try that…” Don’t fall into that trap! Getting a loan with a payday lender could send you down a deep hole that may take years to get out of. Here’s how payday… Read More
Are you looking forward to the summer? Maybe planning a vacation, but not sure how you’ll afford it? Here are a few ways to help you save and earn extra money so you can enjoy some summer fun. One way is to automate saving by diverting a portion of your salary into a savings account.… Read More