Vacation Blues: Travel-Related Identity Theft Is Common And Costly

Unfortunately, vacationers face an increased risk of identity theft while traveling, from pickpockets to fraudulent travel websites and other scams [...]

What Makes Mortgage Rates Fluctuate?

If you have plans to take out a home loan in the near future, you may be curious about current mortgage interest rates. This may be especially true if you're thinking about taking out a variable rate mortgage, where your interest rate [...]

Three First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

If you have dreams of buying your first home in the near future, you may be feeling eager to begin touring houses with your Realtor. In reality, there's a lot that needs to happen before you'll find and place an offer on your dream home. From securing financing to double-checking your budget, you won't want to overlook any important details [...]

How to get rid of PMI

If you purchased your home with less than a 20% down payment, there’s a good chance your monthly mortgage payment includes something known as private mortgage insurance (PMI). This coverage is designed to protect your lender (not you) in the event that you’re unable to make payments on your loan. Once you have more than 20% equity in your home (either […]

Can You buy a Home When You Have Student Loan Debt?

If you’re like 25% of Americans, you’re currently making payments on your student loan debt. And if you’re also dreaming of owning your own home, you may be wondering how much your student loan balance will affect your ability to get approved for a mortgage. How Student Loan Debt Can Affect Your Home-Buying Journey The good news? Securing a home loan […]

Save time and stress with Mobile Banking

Why is mobile banking so important today? It’s one of the most sought after features in banking. It could be because many people have a cell phone that they carry with them at any time. With mobile banking, it’s possible to check your balance and make transactions happen anywhere. How can mobile banking help you to save money and improve your […]

Retirement Savings By Age

How much retirement savings should you have by the age of 30? How about 50? There’s no simple answer to this. Most often, the amount you need to save depends on how you plan to live your life during retirement. […]

The Best Way To Budget Your Money

Coming up with a budget seems simple enough, right? You subtract your monthly expenses from your monthly income and figure out what to do with the remainder. Sticking with a budget can be easier said than done, however. The good news is that there are some tips you can follow to better budget your money starting today! Know Where You Stand […]

What is your password strength?

Tips to Keep Your Information Safe. You probably don't think much about the passwords you use on a daily basis. For example, when was the last time you considered the strength of your passwords? […]

Three Tips for Teaching Kids About Money

Responsible spending habits begin at a young age—and it's never too early to start teaching your child about the value of a hard-earned dollar. If you're looking for some creative, yet effective ways to teach your young child about money, we have some suggestions! […]

What to Know Before You Refinance to a 15-year Mortgage

Imagine what it may be like to have your mortgage paid off in full. What could you do with that monthly payment? One of the best ways to get to that point in your life is to shorten the term, or the length, of your mortgage loan. Refinancing your mortgage from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan can be a good thing. [...]

How to Get a Loan From a Credit Union

Whether you're looking for a home loan, auto loan, personal loan, or anything in between—you can likely borrow the money you need from a credit union. Taking out a loan through a credit union rather than a bank or other financial institution offers you many benefits, including low interest rates and other favorable loan terms. [...]

What Is a Federal Credit Union and Are You Missing Out?

Credit unions, to many individuals, are an unknown. Unless your parents were part of one or your business associations encouraged them, you may not see them as a readily viable option for your financial needs. [...]

Dos and Don’ts of Holiday Budgeting

When it comes to holiday budgeting, most people just don’t do it. During this time of the year, it’s easy to allow too many purchases to cause a bit of financial trouble come January.[...]

First Time Home Buyer Guide

Buying your first home can be an exciting prospect—but there's a lot that goes on in between attending your first open house and signing the closing paperwork! Not sure where to begin? There are a few key steps that you'll want to follow to set yourself up for home-buying success. [...]

Introducing Autoland: A Better Car Buying Experience for County Federal Members

Buying a car is an exciting time. First, there’s dreaming of what kind of car you want to buy. Then, there’s the feeling you get when you first place your hands on the wheel. [...]

Pros and Cons of Leasing vs. Buying a Car

In need of a new vehicle? If so, then you essentially have two options: lease or buy. Not sure which choice is best for you? It can be helpful to review some of the potential advantages and drawbacks of each.[...]

How to Increase Your Home’s Value

Thinking about selling your home in the near future? If so, then surely you want to get top dollar. The best way to maximize your home's resale value is to spend a little money on improvements and upgrades before you list. [...]

Is a Share Certificate the right option?

Are you looking to maximize your savings with a wise investment? If you answered yes, then you may want to consider a Share Certificate through Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union [...]

What is Refinancing and How Does it Benefit Me?

Are you unhappy with the current terms on your home or auto loan? If so, then it may be time to refinance. Specifically, refinancing refers to a process where you take out a new loan with more beneficial terms to replace an existing loan [...]

3 Money-Saving Tips for Millennials

If you're a Millennial, you might resent the stigma that seems to follow your generation. There's a lot more to your life than sipping on bubble tea and munching on avocado toast. In fact, if you're like many Millennials, the current economy [...]

How to Make Extra Money to Boost Your Savings Account

Looking to save some extra money? Maybe you're saving up for that well deserved vacation, or maybe you just want to grow your nest egg. Either way, there are plenty of ways to boost your income without necessarily picking up a second job! [...]

Can You Get a Used Car Loan From a Credit Union?

Buying a used vehicle can be a smart financial choice for a number of reasons. Not only does a used vehicle depreciate much more slowly than a new vehicle once you drive it off the lot, but you also tend to get a lot more “bang” for your buck with a used car [...]

Save Time, Save Money; Get Pre-Approved Before Visiting a Car Dealer

Buying a new vehicle is an exciting experience. Yet, if you want to get the best possible deal (and save significant money in the long run) it's important to do your due diligence before making a purchase.

When to Open a Savings Account for Your Child

Raising a child is no easy feat! As a parent, you play a variety of roles, from taxi driver to homework tutor to all around cheerleader. But one of the most important pieces of parenthood is saving for your child’s future. [...]

How to Find a Surcharge-Free ATM

Looking for a surcharge-free ATM? County Federal can help. Here are a few important steps to help you locate a nearby ATM [...]

Be Aware of Mobile Check Deposit Fraud!

Mobile check deposit has fast become one the most convenient ways to deposit a check. Simply snap a photo of the front and back of the check and deliver the image through the mobile check app. The check is deposited without having to visit a branch or ATM [...]

The Smart Way to Pay Off Your House Faster

Buying a house is a major investment. And getting your first mortgage can be shocking when you see the numbers on paper. The fact that it will take you 30 years to pay off your house might motivate you to want to pay it off faster. If you’re thinking about knocking a couple years off your mortgage, there’s a smart way to do it. [...]

Pros and Cons of Renting vs. Buying a New Home

If you're currently grappling with whether it's time to buy a home or continue renting, it can be helpful to review some of the pros and cons of each before making a decision. [...]

Where Can I Find the Lowest Interest Rate for a Personal loan?

Sometimes life hits us with unexpected expenses. Other times we're presented with an opportunity that's too good to pass up -- but we don't have the necessary funds to follow through. Or perhaps we have several credit cards or bills we'd like to consolidate into a single account. [...]

3 Reasons to Refinance Your Auto Loan

If you're still making monthly payments on your car and feel like you're paying too much, then it may be time to explore your auto loan refinancing options. At Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, we're happy to offer low-rate auto loans to suit your needs. Our auto loans have terms of up to seven years, and we'll gladly finance both new and used vehicles. [...]

How Credit Unions Work Compared to a Traditional Bank

If you've never belonged to a credit union, you might be under the impression that banks and credit unions are somewhat interchangeable. Yet the truth is that there are very real differences between the two. By understanding how each respective institution works, you can make an informed decision about how to best handle your financial needs. [...]

Data Breach Information

In recent news, a number of businesses have reported data breaches. The number of consumers possibly affected by these data breaches can vary greatly depending on the size of the business and the types of services or products they offer. If you believe you are a victim of a data breach, follow these steps to better protect your identity and personal information [...]

What is GAP Advantage and Why Do I Need It?

Driving a new vehicle off the lot is one of life’s most satisfying experiences. Yet, this honeymoon period with your new vehicle can quickly turn south if you’re involved in a collision and you don’t have sufficient insurance coverage. Though many people don’t realize it, a standard full coverage insurance policy isn’t always enough to fully cover the cost of replacing a damaged vehicle. [...]

5 Auto Loan Tips for First-Time Car Buyers

Buying your first car is an exciting time. Besides driving around town in a new set of wheels, a car purchase is a great way for anyone to start establishing their credit by paying off an auto loan. Did you know that each month you make your payments on-time, it helps your credit score? Many first-time car buyers are unaware of how to approach their first auto loan. Here are 5 tips to get you started […]

The Unknown Differences Between Secured and Unsecured Loans

Looking to take out a personal loan? If so, then one of the first decisions you’ll be faced with is whether you wish to apply for a secured loan or an unsecured loan. Despite the terms being similar, these two loan types differ in some major ways. By having a better understanding of the differences between secured and unsecured loans, you can make a better informed decision […]

What To Do if Your Identity is Stolen

Data breaches seem to be a reoccurring incident in the news. The number of consumers possibly affected by these data breaches can vary greatly depending on the size of the business and the types of services or products they offer. With so much of our world online now, it can be difficult to know what to do if your identity is stolen. Being a victim of a data breach can be upsetting, so be prepared if it happens to you. If you become a victim of a data breach [...]

Why You Should Consider a Credit Union for Your Home Loan

Buying a new home is often one of life’s most exciting experiences. Yet, given the size of the investment and the complexity of the process, it may also be somewhat stressful. It’s not enough to find the home of your dreams; you also need to make sure you get the best deal possible on your home loan. In many cases, this means reaching out to […]

How to Find the Best Rate on a Home Equity Line of Credit

Dealing with large, expensive and unexpected repairs is part of homeownership. So is the desire to remodel your home in an effort to improve its appearance, functionality or value. Finding the money to make repairs or begin remodeling projects isn’t always easy, however. In cases such as these, one of the best choices you can make is a home equity line of credit (HELOC). A HELOC allows you […]

What type of Identity Theft Protection

What Type of Identity Theft Protection Do I Need? In 2016, there were more than three million fraud and identity theft complaints across the United States alone. And unfortunately, these numbers will likely continue to rise as cybercrime becomes increasingly prevalent. Aside from taking common-sense steps to protect your identity, such as changing your banking passwords regularly and keeping an eye on your credit report, it’s also a […]

Is a Home Equity loan right for you

Is a Home Equity Loan Right for You? Is your home worth more than what you owe on it? Have you been thinking about taking out a loan for an upcoming expense, such as a kitchen remodel or even a child’s college expenses? If so, then you may want to consider a home equity loan as a viable option for borrowing the money you need […]

Auto Loans and Our CARnival Event

What to Know About Auto Loans and Our CARnival Event At Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, we have always taken great pride in the services we provide our members. This year, we look forward to hosting The County Federal CARnival on April 21st and 22nd. The event will take place at 1641 North 1st Street in San Jose and will provide members with an excellent opportunity to shop for […]