-2.png?width=300&height=65&name=AFCU-logo-2019-white-sm%20(1)-2.png "AFCU-logo-2019-white-sm (1)-2"){kind=logo}
AmeriChoice Makes Holidays Brighter for 42 Kids with “Shop With A Cop” Support
Mechanicsburg, PA (December 21, 2023) – This holiday season AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union rallied its employees and partnered with several area police departments to support Shop with a Cop. For ...
Financial Literacy Quarterly Newsletter
AmeriChoice Makes Holidays Brighter for 42 Kids with “Shop With A Cop” Support
Mechanicsburg, PA (December 21, 2023) – This holiday season AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union rallied its employees and partnered with several area pol...
7 Fun Money Saving Challenges to Try in 2023
Is your New Year’s resolution going to be to save more money? Breaking bad habits and increasing your financial security is an admirable resolution – ...
AmeriChoice Digital Wallet
The days of frantically searching for your card when you’re checking out at the grocery store, or groggily paying for your morning coffee are over!
Year 2025 Nominations and Qualifications for Election
Nominations for three positions on AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors are now being accepted for a three (3) year term. The Board c...
Presidents Message
Financial uncertainty can be a scary and challenging time for our members, friends and community. As our world is slowly returning to a new normal, we...
Meet Maryann Payne!
Meet Maryann! She is the newest addition to our Business Lending Team and joined AmeriChoice in May 2022 as the Business Portfolio Manager at our Bumb...
3 Common Car Buying Tips that are Completely False
Whether you’re buying a car for the first time, or you want to undo the terrible experience you had the first time, these are vital things you should ...
Protecting Yourself Against Scams
There are so many scams in our world today, it’s oftentimes hard to determine what actually is legitimate and what is just someone trying to trick you...
New Years Easy Savings
The Christmas decorations are packed away, we’ve rung in the New Year and if you’re looking at your account balances wondering “what happened to my bu...
Credit FAQ
We’re always asked about credit and credit scores and why they’re so important. We asked our Vice President of Consumer Lending, Brad Grissinger, the ...
Auto Loan Q&A with Ryan
A car is not a purchase that members make annually, and even the most experienced shopper still has questions. At AmeriChoice, we want to make sure th...
Strong Passwords to Fight Fraud
Making smart choices when you create a password Passwords are something that we need in almost every aspect of our lives now. From placing an online o...
Visa
A VISA credit card is one great thing you can keep in your wallet, but a VISA from AmeriChoice is probably the best card to keep. From being accepted ...
Benefits Plus- Our Favorite Things
You may have seen details of our Benefits Plus program on our website or social media, and with the vast array of features it may be overwhelming to d...
Personal Financial Analysis
If your boss asked you if you would like to get a raise each month, would you say YES? If you can have your mortgage paid off in half the time, would ...
Card Cash FAQ
Did you know that your AmeriChoice VISA debit card can earn you cash back each month when you use it? All you have to do is use your AmeriChoice debit...
For the Kids
Credit Union Membership is something that could be with a person from their first account until they retire. When we say, “once a member, always a mem...
Auto Loan Refinance 1% cash back
Remember when you bought your car and signed all the paperwork? Buried in the stack of papers somewhere was the information on the financing with the ...
Protecting yourself against scams
Scams are everywhere, in good times and bad, there will always be scammers out there ready to trick you into sending them money or personal informatio...
New Years Savings Goals
“New Year, New Me!” is a phrase we hear constantly from the end of December through January every year. Everyone has big plans about how they’re going...
Home Equity Loans
Over the past year, we’ve found ourselves at home more than we would usually be, or maybe even like. You’re probably noticing things around your house...
eClosings
Give Your Credit Score an Instant Boost
How a Second Credit Card Can Help You in Minutes Figuring out how to achieve a positive credit score and then keep it that way doesn’t have to be hard...
Breaking Out the Piggy Bank
How to Talk to Kids about Finances During Uncertain Times There is no easy time to talk to your kids about finances, money, and economics. Even adults...
Benefits Plus – SavingsXpress
We’re always sharing how Benefits Plus can save you money on so many things, from gift cards to travel and we’re excited to share their newest product...
Why are Mortgages taking so long to process?
Anyone trying to buy a new home or refinance their current mortgage, may be wondering why mortgages are taking so long to process. While historically ...
Save Like a Pro
Does it ever seem like everyone has a much easier time saving money than you do? Like everything else in life, good financial practices need to be jus...
Sharing Living Expenses
Before tying the knot, more and more couples are choosing to live together. While living together can be a great opportunity to see if you and your si...
Can Saving Make You a Millionaire?
Many people believe that saving is the key to becoming a millionaire, or at least to getting rich. Although saving is an important component to growin...
Financial Literacy: Why It Matters and How to Improve Yours Today
In a rapidly changing world, people are less confident than ever with their money managing skills and their financial literacy. Even though thanks to ...
How to Reset Your Emergency Fund after an Emergency
You’ve scrimped and saved for months, finally built your emergency fund to where you want it to be, and then suddenly, your car dies. Or there is a fl...
How to Pay Off Your Student Loans Early and Pay Less in the Process
Student loans are debt that many millennials face. Paying off your loan may seem impossible when you first graduate, but by using this helpful tips, y...
eServices Safety
Staying on top of your accounts is the best way to fight fraud. At AmeriChoice, we have a variety of FREE services members can take advantage of to ma...
Benefits Plus Back to School
Are you a parent happily tossing notebooks, pens, pencils and other various school supplies into your cart while your child sulks behind you because s...
Trimming the Fat in your Food Budget
Everyone has to eat, and the cost of that food consumes a big piece of most people’s paychecks. According to a USDA Economic Research Service report, ...
7 Steps to Follow if You Suspect Identity Fraud
It is easier than ever to fall victim to identity fraud. Whether it’s through an email phishing scam, someone going through your mail, or a skimming d...
Summer Fun that Won’t Break the Bank
The summer heat sets in just in time… to be surrounded by children who want to be entertained. All. Day. Long.
Helping Students Find the Right Career
Catching butterflies. Creating elaborate illustrations. Building a pirate/sea monster/dog park/boat out of Legos. Inventing and organizing a new game.
Kids and Spending Habits
How to Teach Managing Money Wisely from a Young Age
New VISA Credit Card Alerts
The AmeriChoice VISA credit cards are getting a new alert feature!
FOCUS on your Finances
Have you checked out FOCUS, our free personal financial management system in Online Banking yet? Every member who has access to Online Banking has FOC...
Teaching Kids How to Save
Prepare Them for Freedom Instead of Financial Burdens
Starting a Conversation
As Friends and Families Age – You Can Help Make Sure They’re Financially Secure
Are You Prepared to Buy a Home?
Student Loans Don’t Have to Hold You Back: Good Planning Will Get You There Be prepared.
Get Started: Paying off School Debt to Reach Your Goals
You won’t be making payments forever. Promise.
Use Equity to Upgrade Your Home
Use Equity to Upgrade Your Home Make your most valuable asset even more valuable.
10 Tips for Starting a Side Gig
Are you staring at that credit card statement and the interest portion is eating you alive?
3 Tips for Building a Budget You Can Live With
Many people have to work hard to not visibly cringe when they hear the word “budget,” as they conjure up visions of joyless futures lacking in cash fo...
AmeriChoice Cares
How a 529 Plan Can Make a Difference
In the next 20 years, college tuition costs are likely to triple.
Working after retirement: Will it help you or hurt you?
Top 12 Benefits of Working After Retirement If you are approaching retirement age, can you still work after you turn 65?
Comparing Traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs
Are you curious about how traditional and Roth IRAs compare? When it comes to planning your future, you should know how to invest, so you make the mos...
Your guide to understanding home inspections
Buying a home can be an overwhelming process and can leave many people questioning if they are making the right decision. One way to increase your con...
What is the difference between APY and APR?
We have been receiving questions about interest rates with APY and APR. How are they factored in for loans and investments? How can one word make such...
Should You Pay with Debit or Credit when holiday shopping
The holidays are here, and you are ready to go holiday shopping. You’ve read our tips on how to make your holiday budget work and used that informatio...
When is it time to invest in your next vehicle?
There are a variety of factors to consider when deciding if it is the right time for you to invest in your next vehicle. Evaluate the status of your c...
Smart financial planning tips for your winter vacation
Are you thinking about taking a vacation this winter? Perhaps you will be traveling over the holidays to visit family? If you want to stay within a bu...
Tips to make your holiday budget work
When it comes to budgeting and saving money so that you can enjoy the holiday season, it all begins with planning. The goal of this up-front effort is...
Easy Actions to Teach Kids About Money
[Question] What should you consider when teaching your kids about budgets and saving? Teaching children about finance, or anyone for that matter is a ...
Don’t Get Caught Short From Changes in Withholding Laws
In December of 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed into law and made several changes to the tax code. Many of these changes could affect you. Lu...
Is Your Car Ready for Winter? [Checklist]
Use this winterize vehicle checklist to prepare yourself for upcoming bad weather. Preparation not only makes winter less stressful – it could save yo...
MyChoice Teen Club gets an upgrade
As we head into fall, we’ve got some exciting things happening at AmeriChoice for our MyChoice and Dollar Dog members! We always look forward to shari...
Benefits Plus Update- Welcome, Ultimate ID
Did you know that the 4th quarter of the year sees the biggest spike in Identity Theft reports? People are preoccupied with the busy holiday season an...
Audio Response gets an update
Our Audio Response system is getting an upgrade in an effort to serve our members better!
FHA Title 1 Loans Now Available
What exactly is an FHA Title 1 Loan and how can it benefit you? An FHA Title 1 loan is a loan specifically designed for homeowners who do not have equ...
Prepare Your Home for Winter with this Easy-to-Follow Checklist
It may still be beautiful fall temperatures outside, but this is the perfect time to prepare for the inevitable winter weather. We created this winter...
Your Guide to IRS Phone Scams [Part 4 of 4]
Criminals continue to use the IRS phone scam method in 2018. This is because they know they can scare people into paying these fake tax bills. The mos...
Your Guide to Online Dating Scams [Part 3 of 4]
In 2016 alone, almost 15,000 people were scammed out of more than $230 million in various romance scams. Pennsylvania even ranked in the top five stat...
Your Guide to Prize & Sweepstakes Scams [Part 2 of 4]
Prizes, sweepstakes, and lottery scams accounted for 5% of all scams reported in PA in 2017. To help our members avoid falling victim to these scams, ...
Your Guide to Advertising Decal Scams [Part 1 of 4]
Are advertising decals a scam? What about other get-rich-quick job opportunities? Unfortunately, the answer is usually yes. Discover why these opportu...
Try these 11 Easy Money-Making Ideas This Weekend
Looking for side hustles for extra money on the weekend? We’ve put together our 11 favorite ideas for earning extra money in a weekend without a ton o...
What is Identity Theft Protection?
What can I do to protect myself from identity theft? We get this question from our members all the time. It’s no wonder with identity theft ranking in...
Use the FREE Personal Financial Management Tool in Online Banking
Did you know that AmeriChoice online banking includes a free personal financial management tool called Focus? We want all of our members to know and t...
3 Tips for How Millennials Can Make Saving a Habit
Millennials’ saving habits are often criticized by other generations. However, millennials also face many financial burdens other generations have not...
3 Myths That Wrongly Deter Potential Home Buyers
Home ownership isn’t the same American dream anymore. Since the recession, it’s important to understand exactly what’s involved with buying from a pra...
Why a Home Equity Line of Credit is a Good Idea
If you’re a homeowner, your home is likely your single largest investment. You can put that investment to work for you using your hard-earned equity. ...
3 Reasons to Add Credit Union Membership to Your Employee Benefits
Attention small business owners! What can you offer employees that sets you apart from your competitors? Here’s one – credit union membership! Of all ...
Travel Smart with an AmeriChoice VISA
Are you about to head off on summer vacation? While you are making sure that you have your hotel or condo rental, plane tickets, rental car and activi...
Family Fun Extravaganza- Come One, Come All!
We are so excited for our 10th Annual Family Fun Extravaganza this year! The event will be held on Saturday, July 14th from 10:30am-1:30pm at our Bumb...
Burglars Don’t Take Vacations
A message from Liberty Mutual Insurance Liberty Mutual is proud to partner with Americhoice Federal Credit Union to provide you with relevant auto and...
5 Questions to Determine if You Know the Smartest Way to Use a Credit Card
What’s the smartest way to use a credit card? Responsibly. In order to take advantage of credit, raise your credit score, and get rewards through your...
Employee Spotlight: Meet Brit Parker
Meet Brit Parker, our Business Development Specialist. Brit has worked at AmeriChoice for almost 2 years and in that time, she has helped to grow Amer...
What are Wire Transfers & Should I Use One? [The Basics]
Wire transfers are a quick, secure method of transferring money between two parties. The bank wire transfer process is simple, even if you’ve never tr...
New College Grads: Avoid these 5 Financial Mistakes
You finally graduated college – congrats! This is a huge accomplishment but also just the first step in adulthood. The ‘real world’ can often throw yo...
9 Ways to Keep Your Money Safe on Vacation
These travel safety tips cover an often-overlooked precaution – your finances! Read these 9 tips before you go on vacation, whether it’s to the beach ...
5 Smart Ways to Spend Less on College Tuition
Are you nearing the end of high school and starting to question how you’re going to pay for a college education? The average college tuition per year ...
What’s the #1 Riskiest Scam in the U.S. Today? [2017 BBB Report Findings]
Millions of people become victims of fraud every year. The Better Business Bureau decided to collect and study victim reports to help identify and pre...
How to Find the Best Auto Insurance Policy in PA
The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is just over $900 a year. To get the best value for your money, you need to fully understand what goes i...
15 Spending Tips Every College Student Should Know
College students understand the need to be frugal. When you’re dishing out money on tuition, textbooks, and daily living expenses – it can be difficul...
How to Avoid Consumer Fraud for PA Residents
With consumer fraud on the rise, how can you effectively protect yourself? The first step is to know the facts. We’ve compiled information about consu...
Professional Financial Planner & Adviser FAQs
How much does a financial planner cost? Do I really need a professional advisor to help manage my money? We’re answering these frequently-asked questi...
Fraud Protection and Prevention
While we do everything we can to protect your information, there are things you can do to help! Did you know that simply signing up for eStatements is...
FOCUS on Finances
We are always looking for ways to improve our member’s financial pictures and help them achieve their goals. Last year, when we introduced a new Onlin...
3 Proven Strategies for Paying Off Debt Faster
If you are searching for ways to pay off debt the fastest – you are in the right place. These three debt repayment strategies are designed to hasten t...
Your Exterior Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Too often spring cleaning happens inside the home and ignores the exterior. We compiled this spring home maintenance checklist for important exterior ...
The Beginner’s Guide to Starting Your Emergency Savings Fund
In the Federal Reserve’s 2017 survey, 44% of respondents would not be able to cover a $400 unexpected expense with their savings. More recently, this ...
5 Surprising Statistics about Borrowing Equity in your Home
We found some really interesting statistics we want to share with you! These 5 stats could help you decide whether to borrow equity against your home,...
Breaking Down 7 Different Types of Credit Cards
When a google search for the best credit cards yields millions of results – it can be difficult to answer the question ‘what credit card should I get?...
The Top Financial Issues U.S. Families are Facing Today
Overcoming financial hardship is one of the underlying themes of the American dream. Many Americans are concerned with financial problems in their lif...
Do You Believe These 11 False Financial Facts?
These 11 money myths are still believed by many. It’s time to stop the misinformation and provide legitimate financial tips for young adults! Here are...
9 Reasons Why Your Credit Card Was Declined [& How to Fix It]
Why did my credit card get declined? We get this question often, so we compiled a list of the 9 most common reasons your credit card would be declined...
Avoid these 5 Common Spending Mistakes in Your 20s
There’s a lot they don’t teach you in school. One item often missed is responsibly managing money in your 20s. This lack of financial education often ...
13 Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day
Need to cut back on spending this month? Just want a new idea besides flowers and chocolate? Whatever the reason, we compiled 13 cheap Valentine’s day...
15 Items Every Adult Should Purchase in Their 20s
As an adult, there are definitive purchases that can have a positive impact on your life and future. We’ve created a list of the best purchases in you...
Where to File Your Taxes in 2018 [Simple Guide]
t’s almost that time of year – tax season! While the official due date for filing your taxes isn’t until April 15th, it doesn’t hurt to get a head sta...
Where to File Your Taxes this Year [Simple Guide]
It’s almost that time of year – tax season! While the official due date for filing your taxes isn’t until April 15th, it doesn’t hurt to get a head st...
Mortgage Q&A with Vicki
At AmeriChoice, we’re always looking for ways to help members better their financial situation and reach their goals. One topic that always seems to b...
Get Smart About Financial Literacy
Community service and involvement is a big part of what makes Credit Unions so great. Part of being involved in the communities we serve is working wi...
Signature Loans: The Power is at Your Fingertips
January and the New Year mean resolutions, and for many that means a financial change. If one of your resolutions for 2018 is to get your finances in ...
17 Financial Questions You Must Ask Your Future Spouse
Newly engaged? Congrats! While this is an exciting time, it’s also the perfect time to get to know your partner better than ever – and that includes t...
Use these 3 Plans to Save for Your Child’s Future
How soon should you start thinking about your child’s future? Are there even college savings plans for babies? It’s never too early and absolutely. As...
11 Money Saving Life Hacks You Have to Try This Year
Saving money isn’t an impossible task. Sometimes it just takes the right strategy. These are our favorite money saving life hacks that anyone can use....
How to Start a Small Business in PA [Simple Guide]
If you’re considering starting a small business in PA – congratulations! Owning a business can be incredibly rewarding and challenging. We’ve compiled...
11 Heating Energy Savings Tips for Renters this Winter
If you’re a renter, upgrading your heating system or making any major energy-saving repair is probably not an option. Instead, use these 11 heating en...
13 Easy Ways to Avoid Common Holiday Scams
The holidays are one of the most exciting times of the year – for families and scammers. As spending is on the rise in November and December, so are t...
13 Holiday Spending Statistics that May Surprise You
Happy Thanksgiving! Or should we say – Happy Black Friday! You’re probably aware that Thanksgiving is a prime time for Holiday shopping. In fact, you ...
Should You Pay with Debit or Credit at the Cash Register?
When you spend your hard-earned money, you have a few options of how to complete those transactions. You could choose to pay cash, use your debit card...
Use these Seven Strategies Catch Up on Your Retirement Savings
One out of every three Americans has zero dollars saved for retirement, according to a GOBankingRates survey. The survey also found that 75% of indivi...
5 Holiday Budgeting Tips to Help You Keep Your Sanity
It’s no secret that the Holiday season is full of joy – and full of costly expenditures. Use these holiday budgeting tips to make sure you’re not over...
Would You Save Money by Refinancing Your Auto Loan?
According to Experian’s latest data, the average monthly payment for a new car is up to $506! One way you could drop that monthly payment is to refina...
Save the Change- Your Digital Change Jar
We’re always trying to think of fun and easy ways to save money. We wrote about New Year’s Savings Resolutions at the beginning of the year, and those...
Employee Spotlight: Meet Carrie Shaffer!
Carrie Shaffer is the Financial Service Representative at the Sporting Green office. Carrie has held various positions at AmeriChoice since she starte...
How to Keep Your Information Safe During a Retailer Data Breach
The statistics aren’t promising. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported a total of 1,091 breaches in 2016 alone – up 40% from the previous...
First Time Car Buyers: The 5 Steps Every Buyer Should Follow
If you are considering purchasing your first car – congratulations! Making such a large purchase is a huge achievement and something to be proud of. W...
How AmeriChoice Gives Back to the Harrisburg, PA Region
Part of AmeriChoice FCU’s vision is to create a stronger community through a more community-driven financial institution. We strive to give back throu...
11 Pieces of Financial Advice Every New College Graduate Should Read
If you graduated in May of 2017, you’re quickly discovering the reality of budgeting after college. If you used federal student loans, your grace peri...
How Many Transfers Can You Make from Your Savings in a Month? [FAQ]
One of our most frequently-asked questions is how many transfers from savings to checking are allowed in one month. Our savings account transfer limit...
Debt Collection Basics: What to Do if Your Debt Goes to a Collector
Approximately 30 million Americans had a debt in collections in 2013. The debt collection process can seem scary. You hear horror stories about the wo...
Prepaying on your Mortgage: Pros and Cons to Early Payoff
Determining whether to pay off your mortgage or invest those extra funds is a huge decision. There are some definitive pros and cons to paying off you...
How to Get Your First Credit Card as a Teenager
If you’re under 21, how easy is it to open a credit card? Thanks to legislation in the past ten years, not as easy as it used to be – but certainly no...
7 Tips for Creating Strong Online Passwords for Your Accounts
Learning how to generate secure passwords is easy. There are many tips and tricks you can use to protect your online accounts while still being able t...
Online Banks vs. Traditional Banks vs. Credit Unions
With 62% of Americans now listing digital banking as their primary method of banking, it’s easy to see why more online-only banks are popping up by th...
Breaking Down 4 Types of Mortgages for First Time Buyers
First time home buyers are estimated to make up 35% of all home purchases in 2017. Your first venture into the world of real estate can be overwhelmin...
Use These 7 Hacks to Repair & Raise Your Credit Score
While the average American’s FICO credit score is 700, which is considered fair, there are still many who struggle with their score’s limitations. May...
How You Should Use a Personal Loan to Improve Your Finances
Personal loans are incredibly popular due to their low interest rates and how quickly you’re able to get access to the funding. But for those who have...
Save Thousands with the Debt Snowball Savings Strategy
The average American household struggles with over $6,000 in credit card debt, which is small compared to the averages for auto loan and student loan ...
The Pros and Cons of the Store Credit Cards in Your Wallet
How many credit cards do you have in your wallet? Were any of them impulse decisions made at a cash register when offered a discount to sign up? Many ...
7 Questions to Ask Before You Open a Savings Account
Did you know that a staggering 34% of Americans have no money in a savings account? This lack of savings can mean financial ruin in the event of an em...
Busting 7 Common Misconceptions about Credit Unions
Credit unions only make up 7.1% of the financial market share but consistently score higher in customer satisfaction than banks. Why then do so many c...
The Guide to Understanding Your Credit Report
Have you ever wondered how to read a credit report from Equifax, Transunion, or Experian? Credit reports play a huge factor in determining your credit...
The Optimal Timeline for Buying Your First Home
Purchasing a home is a major financial decision. It’s important to come prepared. While the length of time it takes buyers to get from point A to poin...
13 Important Questions to Ask your College Financial Aid Office
Whether you’re getting ready to attend college, or you’re currently enrolled, it’s vital to utilize the financial resources available to you. One of t...
Investigating the Safety of our Online Banking Service
While 71% of adults are now banking online, some of our members have yet to take advantage of this convenient service. They are rightfully concerned w...
How to Change Financial Institutions in Four Easy Steps
Credit unions exist to give people an alternative to a traditional bank. Many of our members have previously banked at large regional or national inst...
How to Find a Checking Account that Fits your Needs
Searching for a new checking account can be overwhelming. There are thousands of financial institutions out there, from online-only banks to local cre...
Is the Mobile Banking App Safe to Use?
One of the most common questions we receive is, “how safe is mobile banking?” Our members are rightfully concerned with the safety and security of the...
Will Consolidating Student Loan Debt Save You Money?
Most college graduates accumulate some amount of student loan debt throughout their time in school. While many lenders provide a grace period after gr...
These New Credit Reporting Changes Could Affect Your 2017 Credit Score
Millions of Americans are set to benefit from new credit reporting laws going into affect by July 1, 2017. In a statement made by the Consumer Data In...
What Every First Time Home Buyer Should Look for in a Home
A starter home has historically referred to a home purchased by a first time buyer, that the buyer only plans to stay in for a specific period of time...
Money Orders Vs. Cashier’s Checks: Which Option Should You Choose?
When a seller wants a form of payment that is historically secure and offers guaranteed funds from a buyer, they turn to money orders or cashier’s che...
Breaking Down the Difference Between a Home Equity Loan and HELOC
There are a multitude of benefits to being a homeowner, but one benefit that is often overlooked is the ability to leverage the equity in your home fo...
What is the FASFA and Why Should every High School Graduate Apply?
FASFA stands for free application for federal student aid. It’s the only way to get access to federally-funded financial aid for college – so every pa...
How to Afford a College Degree in Three Simple Steps
If you’re getting ready to apply for college and know nothing about financial aid, or are simply searching for better ways to pay for college, you’re ...
Pre-qualified vs Pre-approved : What’s the Difference?
There is an abundance of financial jargon used by all types of lenders and financial institutions. You may have gotten a letter in the mail prequalify...
The Beginners Guide to Debt Consolidation
NerdWallet’s 2016 Debt Survey shows that Americans have only increased their total debt in the last decade, with the average household’s credit card d...
How to Sign Up for Text Alerts in our New Online Banking
With our new and improved Online Banking, you can have alerts sent straight to your email or phone. If you prefer SMS alerts, you can convert your pho...
Will a Credit Card Balance Transfer Save You Money?
You have probably received junk mail from a credit card company in the past, many advertising what’s called a balance transfer. These promotions offer...
How to Teach Your Child Money Management Skills
Teaching kids about money can feel like a daunting task. Pennsylvania schools don’t have many state requirements for teaching financial literacy, rece...
Unexpected Costs Every First Time Home Buyer Should Know About
If you are planning to buy your first home, chances are you’ve thought about a down payment and the cost of your mortgage. However, some first time ho...
Don’t Make these 8 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes
Buying your first home will no doubt be simultaneously exciting and stressful. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the home buying process,...
Our Picks for Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Dates in the Capital Region
Valentine’s Day spending is at an all-time high, averaging $146.84 per person in 2016! While there is certainly nothing wrong with shelling out your h...
Use these 9 Tips to Safely Navigate the World of Online Shopping
Last year marked a turning point in the world of e-commerce. Fortune revealed that for the first time, more shoppers are choosing to make their purcha...
New Years Savings Resolution
Did you begin 2017 with a New Year’s resolution? Perhaps you pledged to learn a new language, become healthier by looking out between Kratom Extract v...
Introducing Personal Financial Analysis
At AmeriChoice, we are always looking for new ways to help our members reach their financial goals. In 2015 we introduced our Personal Financial Analy...
Don’t Let Winter Leave You Salty
A message from Liberty Mutual Insurance Salt is a necessity on the road to keep us safe in hazardous winter conditions, but it can also wreak havoc on...
New Online Banking
With innovations in technology, banking has truly become global, with 24/7 accessibility and account management. At AmeriChoice, we have recognized th...
The Real Difference between Credit Unions and Banks
Credit unions have been around since the mid-1800s, yet many consumers are still unaware of what a credit union is or how it differs from a traditiona...
How to Get Pre-approved for a Mortgage on the First Try
First time home buyers often have to jump through additional hoops while applying for their first mortgage. Lenders want assurances that you’re ready ...
Twists on the 52 Week Savings Challenge Finally Make Saving Easy
It’s no secret that many Americans struggle with saving. In fact, this BankRate survey found that only 37% of respondents could pay for a $500 – $1,00...
Holiday Hours
As the holiday season approaches, we would like to wish you and your family a very safe and happy holiday season. We would also like to let you know a...
Saving Money: Where should you be at age 30?
Saving for the future is vital for your financial well-being. Whether you’re preparing to make a large purchase, contributing towards retirement, or s...
How to Use a Credit Card to Improve your Credit Score
Using credit cards wisely is one of the best ways to gradually improve your credit and increase your credit score. However, using credit cards to buil...
Top 9 Ways to Pay Off Student Loans in Less Time
The average college graduate in 2016 owes a staggering $37,172 in student loan debt. This debt can hinder reaching financial milestones like buying a ...
23 Ways to Make More Money and Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
The secret to making more money doesn’t always lie in a specific career path or by paying for a college degree. Sometimes your financial woes can’t be...
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt: One Lump Sum vs. Monthly Payments
Did you know that 38.1% of all American households carry some form of credit card debt? This debt can weigh heavily on your credit score, making it mo...
When is the Right Time to Buy a Car?
The prospect of buying a car can be exciting. However, it can be easy to get so caught-up in the idea of a new car that you overlook if it is the righ...
New vs. Used Cars: Which Vehicle is Right for You?
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you have an abundance of options. In 2015 alone, 17.5 million cars were sold from dealerships across the co...
How to Find the Right Mortgage for You
The most common type of mortgage is the conventional 30 year, fixed-rate mortgage – but there are plenty of other options out there that will cater to...
How to Plan for Unexpected Home Repairs
A recent survey by HomeServe USA revealed that while 51% of homeowners had to deal with an emergency home repair in the last year, a staggering 25% di...
6 Foolproof Tips to Protect your Identity
Realizing that your personal information has been stolen for someone else’s financial gain is incredibly scary, but also happening to more Americans e...
AmeriChoice Introduces Benefits Plus
Each year, cases of Identity Theft increase and fraudsters find new ways to gain access to private information for their own benefit. At AmeriChoice, ...
New Visa Purchase Alerts!
A new service that will track your spending has become more and more useful for VISA card users. When you sign up for our new VISA Purchase Alerts, it...
President’s Message - Membership
There is a lot of uncertainty in the financial world today. With the recent “big bank” account fraud issues there are many people who do not know wher...
Home Equity Loan Breakdown
Could you be in the market for a new home equity loan? A home equity loan is a loan for a fixed amount of money that is secured by your home. You repa...
New Fraud Scheme Targets 717 Phone Numbers
Don’t fall victim to the latest hacking scheme circulating the South-Central PA region. The recently discovered fraud attempt uses an extremely common...
13 Financial Terms You Should Know
When FINRA Investor Education Foundation distributed a 5-question survey to test financial knowledge to over 25,000 adults, only 39% were able to answ...
The Importance of Banking Locally
With over ten banks and credit unions operating just in Mechanicsburg, PA, and dozens in the greater Central PA area, it can be difficult to narrow do...
Top 5 Ways To Prevent Insufficient Funds on your Debit Card
We’ve all been there. Ready to buy a huge pile of groceries which have already been bagged, when the cashier quietly informs you that your debit card ...
Travel Checklist: 10 Essential Tips to Prep before Traveling Abroad
After all the time spent booking hotels, rental cars, and vacation activities, it can be easy to forget what financial items need to be taken care of ...
Travel Tips: How to Exchange Money Before Traveling
Whether you’re traveling out of the country for business or for vacation, you will have to decide how or if you would like to exchange your dollar for...
How to Properly Write a Check
The rise in electronic payments and mobile banking technology has quickly overshadowed traditional check-writing. In 2013, the Federal Reserve found t...
Know BEFORE you Pokémon Go
The latest Pokemon Go craze has gotten millions of people captivated in trying to “catch ‘em all” – this smart phone app uses the camera to place Poké...
Let New Adventures Begin
Summer is right around the corner, which means sunny days, road trips, and new adventures. No need to daydream about how you’d look in that brand new ...
AmeriChoice Student Loans
The time has come for your child to spread their wings and head off to college. What is typically an exciting time for a young person can begin with c...
Message From The President
Summer is here and along with the beautiful weather comes projects like home repairs, new vehicle purchases, and preparing to send children off to col...
Visionary Award Nominee
Each year, the West Shore Chamber of Commerce honors two local extraordinary female professionals for both the Visionary Award and the Shining Star Aw...
Employee Spotlight: Mora O’Malley
Mora O’Malley is an Ohio native, who began her financial career in 2010 at a bank in her hometown. She switched to a Credit Union in 2014 and has been...
Did You Fall Off Track with Your Financial Goals?
The end of June is upon us, summer is officially here and you may be thinking of that New Year’s resolution you made to get a grip on your personal fi...
Benefits to Having Multiple Credit Cards
In the modern world we live in, it’s nearly impossible to walk around without at least one credit card handy. So the million dollar question now is: s...
Are Your Financially Ready to Move Out?
According to a recent study posted in The Wall Street Journal by PEW Research Center, “the percentage of 18- to 34-year-olds living with their parents...
The 5 Reasons You Should Buy an Extended Auto Warranty
Buying a car is one of the largest purchases people make in their lifetime. With such a significant investment at stake, it’s important to understand ...
Choosing the Right Loan: Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
If you’ve decided now is the right time for you to invest in a home, it’s also time to decide what type of mortgage works best for your unique situati...
Buying vs. Renting: Are you Ready to Own a Home?
Owning a home was once the pinnacle of the American dream. While that sentiment still rings true for many, since the housing bubble burst, people have...
Tiny House Seminar
Spring has sprung, and perhaps so have those pesky repairs in your home! AmeriChoice is here to help with our upcoming seminar “Fix your Fixer Upper” ...
Message From The President - Spring Events
Spring is upon us and with April hosting both National Credit Union Youth Month and National Financial Literacy Month, AmeriChoice has been busy out i...
Youth Savings and Financial Tips
Soon you’ll be planting that financial seed in your young one’s mind to watch them grow into a responsible young adult who makes great money choices. ...
Help for First Time Home Buyers
When it comes to milestone purchases, your first home will always be at the top of the list. At AmeriChoice, we have researched and requested informat...
Financial Stress Management
Adult financial education is a touchy subject. We all know the basics of saving, planning for retirement, and getting a loan, but often asking for hel...
How CU Services Can Help Avoid Fraud Tactics
The 2016 Identity Fraud Study from Javelin Strategy & Research found that many consumers who do not trust their financial institutions are engagin...
Online Payday Loans From Direct Lenders
A detailed description of all the right away payday loans online texas. They are available between 6am and our to make in current loan. The need fast....
5 Secrets to Sticking to Your Budget
You know that budgets are important, and you may have already created a personal budget spreadsheet, but the true test is if you can stick to your own...
3 Reasons Why Budgeting Will Change Your Life
Can you remember the last time you tracked how much money you spent in a month? Can’t remember? You’re not alone. In fact, only 32% of households in t...
The Beginners Guide to Creating a Budget
If you’re looking to take control of your personal finances, creating a budget is the first place to start. A budget tracks your income and expenses a...
Why Switch? The Top 3 Reasons to Join a Credit Union
Credit Unions have been a part of the world’s financial system since 1849 and have swelled to include over 100 million members in America alone. The p...
Common Fraud Tactics and How to Avoid Them
At AmeriChoice we pride ourselves in providing the best products and services for our members. We also want to keep our members educated on the most p...
10 Ways to Tell if You Have Good Finances
A new study by CNBC finds that 8 in 10 people in America are in some form of debt. With such a large number of the population dealing with these finan...
Successful Home Buying Tips
Purchasing a home is a big decision, but with the experts at AmeriChoice on your side, we’ll ensure the decision is a sound one. So, before you go sho...
Making Auto Buying Easy
Buying a new or “new to you” vehicle can be a very overwhelming task. If you do not know the type of vehicle you would like there is a lot of research...
New Referral Program
Beginning in February 2016, AmeriChoice is introducing a new way to “share the wealth” with our members! Our new referral rewards program makes it sim...
Youth Ambassador
Every year young people from local credit unions throughout Pennsylvania compete in regional chapters’ Youth Ambassador Contests. Every participant sp...
President’s Message
The New Year is upon us and along with that comes a renewed sense of financial well-being as we make plans and resolutions for 2016. At AmeriChoice, i...
Caution: Holiday Fraud Tactics
The holiday season is the biggest shopping time of the year. This is also considered a “money-making” season for fraudsters to not only go after your ...
Free Apps to Help Breeze Through the Holidays
Many of our members are looking for additional ways to save and make their holiday shopping easier and more efficient! Aside from the standard holiday...
HSA: Why Should I Have One?
Healthcare in today’s world can be very confusing and even scary. If you are one of the many folks who does not have “conventional” health insurance o...
Financial Tips for Prospective Parents
Preparing for that next chapter in your life? Long before the bump makes your news obvious, you and your significant other will be creating a “master ...
Member Mondays: We want to hear from YOU!
What is a credit union? A credit union is a body of people (or members) who pull their money together to help one another! That means a credit union i...
New Improved Online Banking Coming Soon!
We are excited to bring you our new and improved AmeriChoice Online Banking! Later this fall, you will experience online banking in a newer and cleane...
Message From the President
Fall is in the air! As we welcome the 4th quarter of the year, we are very excited to bring you new technology to make managing and protecting your fi...
Chip Technology is Here: FAQ
Chip Technology Has Arrived Starting this fall, your AmeriChoice Visa® Credit Union credit and debit cards will begin arriving with chip technology bu...
Make Memories, Not Worries… Convert Debt Into Savings!
When the bills come in every month, it becomes increasingly more difficult to focus on your true financial goals. The average American household carri...
Message from the President - Summer Community Events
Now that we are in the thick of summer, we encourage our members to attend the many community events we have planned. Our annual Family Fun Day at Bum...
Tough on Fraud
You hear about it on the news every week. You’re constantly warned about being careful, and it may have even happened to you. Fraud is becoming more c...
AmeriChoice’s Loan Protection Program
Help preserve your standard of living. Long-term unemployment (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) has accounted for more than one-third of the total ...
Grilling Safety Tips
Tips for the Summer Cookout Season Outdoor grilling goes hand-in-hand with summertime fun. So it’s easy to forget that open flames pose serious fire h...
Motorcycle Safety and Maintenance Tips
At the beginning of riding season, doing some routine motorcycle maintenance can help you ride happier, longer, and safer. Here are some tips to get y...
Credit Scoring System Updated
Breaking News.
Summer Travel Tips
Make travel easy. As the warm weather arrives, we know many of you are getting ready for your summer vacations and other travel plans. Travel can be u...
Sharpening Kid’s Savings Skills
Learning to save money takes practice. By saving, you can spend money on what’s important to you—whether that’s a new video game, a trip to the movies...
Teach Your Children Financial Independence
Are your kids on the right track to financial independence? For many of today’s young adults, the weakest link lies in learning the basics. According ...
Tasks to Complete After You Get Married
Getting married is one of the most exciting things you will do in your life. But after you say “I do,” there are certain tasks that most newlyweds nee...
Consumers to Benefit With Credit Bureau Change
Breaking News. For decades, consumers have been complaining about the challenges with disputing items with the credit reporting agencies. Finally, the...
Monkey See, Monkey Do: Teaching Financial Literacy
Teaching Financial Literacy We’d be “lion” if we said saving was easy. Teach children how to save for their goals and they’ll have one of the most dif...
Message from the President - Spring Clean Your Finances!
Spring is in the air! After a long winter, many participate in the tradition of spring cleaning their home. Why stop there? This is a perfect time of ...
Help Celebrate National Credit Union Youth Month™
Youth Get Wild About Saving This April, youth can take a walk on the wild side at the credit union. Whether they’ve been to the jungle or not, the cal...
The Financial Challenge: Step Two
In January we introduced you to the idea of tracking your income and expenses. Recording these findings should have helped you to better understand yo...
Message from the President - New Year
It’s common practice to make resolutions in the New Year to improve your life. Don’t overlook one of the most important aspects, your finances!
Bad Weather and Banking
The weather may ruin your plans, but it doesn’t have to ruin the way you bank. If the roads are too slick or snow-covered to risk a drive to our branc...
Googolplex is Hiring Youth!
Googolplex, a division of the Credit Union National Association, is seeking responsible young people with diverse backgrounds for 12 paid positions on...
Frauds, Scams, and Cyberthreats: Part Two
The fight for member security continues! Educate yourself about possible threats and ways you can prevent fraud on your account.
Have you made your New Year’s Resolution?
Well the New Year is finally here. The month of “resolutions” begins!
Frauds, Scams, and Cyberthreats: Part One
Frauds, scams, and digital hacking are becoming more common each year. How do you protect yourself? The National Credit Union Administration is tackli...
Why you shouldn’t pay for college with retirement savings
College costs rise every year and leave many parents worried how they’ll be able to help their child achieve a degree. In 2011, 4% of those parents wi...
Life Insurance: 3 Major Misconceptions
People come in all shapes and sizes. We are all different and unique, from our nationality and religious background to our individual opinions and sen...
Where did ALL the Free Checking Accounts Go?
Have you checked the fees on your bank checking account lately? In the recent economic climate, the number of banks that offer free checking has dippe...
Top 7 Reasons Your Debit Card was Declined
Updated: February 14, 2017
AmeriChoice Participates in Miracle Jeans Day
AmeriChoice wore jeans to fundraise for our local Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Thank you to Credit Unions for Kids for coordinating Miracle Je...
How to Make a Deposit at an ATM
Did you know that you can make a deposit at our ATMs? Or maybe you knew, but didn’t know how to make the deposit No worries!
Message from the President
You hear us say it all the time. Experience the credit union difference. But what does it really mean? Credit unions have maintained a market share of...
Planning Your Legacy
Your First Aid Kit Like most families, I keep a First Aid Kit in my home… just in case. If some part of my daily plan goes awry (the slip of a knife w...
The Car Buying Experience
AmeriChoice wants to make your next automobile purchase enjoyable and easy. We want you to be able to do everything from the comfort of your home – on...
Movin’ on Up!
What do rising interest rates mean to YOU? Are you a saver? A borrower? An investor? Perhaps each of these categories represents a fragment of your fi...
The Sky is Falling!
Protecting Yourself from “Bad Investment” Advice Is there such a thing as a bad investment? Each type of investment was created for a reason – to fill...
How to Establish Credit as a Young Adult
Breaking into the world of credit can be an intimidating process In order to get a credit card, financial institutions want to see that you have good ...
Is Free WiFi Really Free
You’re sipping your coffee at your local Starbucks, browsing the internet, deciding whether or not to purchase that killer deal on Amazon. But before ...
Preserve Your Standard of Living
Did you know that just over 1 in 4 of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67? Whether you’re taking out a loan to make home ...
Message from the President - Take AmeriChoice to School with You!
Take Us Along Going away to college can be stressful for many different reasons. Let us help simplify the process by making it easy to take AmeriChoic...
Tips to Relieve Stress
It’s National Stress Awareness Day! With hectic schedules full of work, friends, and family, it’s easy to become downtrodden and feel the effects of s...
Making the Most Out of College
With students graduating with an average student loan debt of $35,200, according to CNN Money, it’s important to make the most out of a college educat...
Recovering from Winter
With the total amount of snow this season above a staggering 37 inches, it’s no doubt that many homes are succumbing to the hazards of winter weather....
A Simple Guide to Income Tax
Your accountant hands you your completed tax return. You pull out your checkbook to pay the accountant’s fee that you pay every year. But wait…WHAT? Y...
The Next Step in Fraud Prevention
In light of the recent data breaches, we are hearing a lot in the media about EMV. What is EMV? EMV stands for Europay MasterCard VISA (EMV) and is th...
Why do I receive Junk Mail after applying for a Loan
Be wary of mortgage “Specials” sent to your home after applying for a loan! Privacy laws and requirements have become a hot topic in recent years, res...
Improve your Credit Score
Do you know what your credit score is? Or how you can improve your credit score? Today people understand less and less about their credit score, espec...
A Message from the President
As your credit union, we’re constantly striving to be your best resource for financial literacy, community assistance, and all of your lending and mon...
It’s Payback Time!
We’re starting the New Year off with a bang, by offering a competitive debit card reward program that other banks and credit unions just can’t compete...
Introducing our New President and CEO
Anna May Nauss is stepping into AmeriChoice’s top leadership position, and is ready to take on the challenging role of President and CEO. Her dedicati...