What is a personal loan? And when does it make sense to take one out? Simply put, it is a means of quickly getting a lump sum of money for several different purposes.
If you want to learn the ins and outs of how you’re being insured, it can be beneficial to have your own insurance agent to do the work for you. Here are a few ways it pays to have your own agent.
To commemorate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, SELCO's Information Security team reviews common threats to the safety of your personal and information online.
With interest rates so low, it could make sense to refinance the mortgage on your home—even if you already did so recently. Check out the various ways you can save.
Investing in cryptocurrency can make you a quick buck; but it also can mean losing it all just as quickly. You may consider more methodical options to make the most out of your investments.
Ready to grow your business? Need help managing the day-to-day operations? A small-business loan may be what you need. Let us help guide you through the complex application process.
Trying to decipher certain mortgage terms can be downright confusing. In Part I of a two-part series, we help demystify terms you'll encounter during the loan-approval process.
In Part II of this series, we explain other terms you'll hear during the entire mortgage process. Learning what all these terms and acronyms mean will make for a smoother home-buying process.
A relatively new service called Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) allows you to find something you like, “buy” it, then pay for it later. Incredibly convenient, right? But is there a catch?
Carvana is all the rage these days. Check out a few pros and cons about the online-all-the-time used car retailer and ways SELCO can help should you choose to go down that path.
In today’s seller’s market, buying a home has been challenging. It’s only amplified as a first-time homebuyer. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process.
SELCO cards are going contactless. Gone are the days of swiping or inserting your Visa cards. Follow this guide to confidently tap to pay.
At SELCO, we believe everyone deserves to live a good life. Membership truly matters at SELCO, and we're dedicated to helping you achieve your good life goals.
New to the home-buying game? One important step in the process is obtaining homeowners insurance. Know what is and isn't covered so you can enjoy your new home for years to come.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers are a quick and convenient way to send and receive money. Check out these tips for making it a smooth process.
Are you left scratching your head trying to figure out the inner workings of Medicare? Let us help you decipher this complex insurance so you're better prepared.
While purchasing a new home in today's seller's market may be out of the question, now is a great time to take advantage of rapidly rising home values by upgrading in place.
Your legacy is much more than the material things you pass on to your heirs. Legacy planning gives you the opportunity to create a lasting gift by telling your story to future generations.
If you’re planning a home-improvement project, you may need to hire a contractor. Before making your choice, follow this checklist to help find the best candidates for the job.
It's never too early to start planning your financial future. From paying down debt to creating and following a budget, there are several ways to get prepared.
Spring is a great time to take stock of your financial situation. While you're busy sprucing up your home, do a hard reset on your finances by following these helpful tips.
We all do it: Use familiar usernames and passwords over and over, all across the internet. But check out these tips for securing your information with hard-to-guess phrases.
SELCO is a financial hub where you can see your full financial picture and have experts from across multiple departments help you reach all your goals—all under one roof.
Identity theft is on the rise. There are protective measures you can follow - such as setting alerts in online banking - to prevent yourself from becoming the next victim.
Need to get out of debt? Focusing on one debt at a time, the snowball and avalanche methods start with your smallest balance and highest interest rate, respectively. Both methods are all about small wins along the way.
As COVID-19 vaccines continue to be distributed, scams have risen to the surface. From offers to “cut the line” to fake medical professionals, these scams have been rampant in 2021.
With so much information floating around in cyberspace, it's more important than ever to set up personal firewalls. Follow these steps to ensure your accounts are safe.
A credit card is much more than a piece of plastic used to buy cool stuff. Credit cards offer several benefits you may not even be aware of. Here are seven.
SELCO's digital services continue to evolve with the times. Check out the latest enhancements to online and mobile banking that will help you manage your finances on the go.
Trying to understand APR and APY can be confounding. They aren't simply interest rates but something far more complex. Let us help you figure them out.
When it comes to the topic of money, it’s not always easy to tell reality from myth—even when you’re expected to be financially independent. Let’s see if you can spot the fact from the fiction.
The weather may be turning colder, but that doesn't mean the adventure needs to end. If you're itching to get away, maybe it's time to go to the snow with a snowmobile, ATV, or RV.
Some home-improvement projects are best left to the professionals. But for others, a little sweat equity could mean considerable savings. Let us help you make the DIY vs. The Pros decision.
By practicing safe driving habits, you could potentially pay less for your auto insurance. Telematics-based insurance rewards safe drivers by setting premiums based on how you actually drive, not how you’re likely to drive.
As it became apparent that older Americans were the most susceptible to serious illness from COVID-19, Medicare ramped up its coverage and services. See how Medicare can help you during this crisis.
Under the CARES Act, Congress relaxed rules for withdrawing funds from your retirement plan. See if this special distribution makes sense for your situation.
Need to deposit a check and don't want to drive to your local branch or ATM? SELCO's mobile check deposit feature is convenient, secure, and simple.
As your children prepare to go back to school this fall—in person or remotely—give them a head start with these organizational schoolwork and financial literacy apps.
Did you know you can refinance a vehicle loan? Under the right circumstances, you could enjoy considerable savings by restructuring your loan.
The SELCO Mobile Banking app is your one-stop shop for managing your money on the go. Here are five ways our app makes your banking life easier.
College life will start to resemble its old self this fall with the return to in-person classes. To prepare, check out our College Buying Guide for tips on what you will and won't need during what likely will be a short time on campus.
Are you a veteran looking to buy your first home or upgrade your current living situation? A VA loan is one of the more significant benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. All along, con artists have been waiting in the weeds. Protect yourself by following these tips.
Under the CARES Act, the student loan forbearance was extended all the way through January 31, 2022. Which way do you go? Take a break from paying or cut into the principal balance?
Teach your kids how to count change and understand the value of earning money with a fun, educational game called Loose Change Stack-Up.
Current market volatility has resulted in dramatic fluctuations in mortgage interest rates. Even so, the time might be right to refinance.
SELCO Select Checking is your personal financial hub, with far more benefits than a traditional checking account.
Whether you’re farming as a hobby or running a large-scale operation, farm and ranch insurance can be custom-built to fit all your needs.
It's more important than ever to take advantage of SELCO's comprehensive suite of digital tools. Create your own virtual branch by setting up online and mobile banking.
Mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. If you’re able to afford a higher payment each month, refinancing to a 15-year mortgage can make good financial sense.
Be on high alert for fraudulent ploys this tax season. Phishing emails, phone scams, and inflated refund claims are but a few tactics to be aware of while you’re preparing your taxes.
Thinking about getting a pet? Be sure to factor in unexpected expenses of pet ownership before bringing your new best friend home.
It's only natural to feel anxious before a job interview. Hopefully, you can allay some of your fears by incorporating these three mindsets into the process.
SELCO's latest mobile banking app update has fresh features for everyone. Included in the new version are multi-account access, more visible routing and account numbers, mobile push notifications, and more.
Being a credit union member-owner has many benefits, not the least of which is a commitment to co-operative values. When credit unions profit, so do you.
The calendar has turned to a new year (and decade). What better time to get your "financial house" in order. Use this guide to make sound financial resolutions for 2020 and beyond.
Spring and summer may be the most popular times to buy a home, but winter can be a surprisingly hot season for house-hunters. Motivated sellers and increased negotiating power are among the many benefits.
The world of peer-to-peer (P2P) payment systems has exploded. Venmo, PayPal, and Apply Pay Cash are among the services that have made it easy and efficient to pay back friends and family from your mobile device.
Understanding your credit score can be confounding. But you have more control over it than you think—your credit score is more of a track record than a snapshot.
Despite delays in the global supply chain, the forecast calls for retail sales to hit nearly a trillion dollars during the holiday season. All the more reason to exercise caution during the shopping frenzy.
Natural disasters such as flooding are unpredictable. What can be controlled is making sure your home and finances are in order before disasters hit.
The simplest advice is to set your retirement income as a percentage of your current income. But that approach doesn't account for your specific plans.
Solar panels are an increasingly popular way to shrink your footprint and boost your home's efficiency. But how do you cover the upfront cost?
Going out of town for awhile? Kaydie shares her top 5 tips for prepping your finances for vacation. Plan ahead, stay safe, and avoid surcharges at the ATM.
CD rates are the highest they've been in a decade and SELCO’s certificates are offering some of the best returns available. See for yourself how we compare.
Owning a boat is a major commitment. Best to know what's in store before deciding what you're buying, when you're buying it, and your plan for financing.
It's easy to accrue debt these days. Steer away from the "living paycheck to paycheck" path by checking yourself for these red flags.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 goes into effect this year. What are the biggest changes and what do they mean for you and your expected return?
Burdened by high-interest credit cards? A home equity line of credit can be a great way to consolidate debt and minimize monthly payments.
Many insurance carriers require extra coverage for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t realize it.
There's no shortage of opinions about the housing market for 2019, but these three overall trends seem certain.
How do certificates of deposit work? Think of CDs (a.k.a., share certificates) as the "set it and forget it" approach to savings.
The average American ends the holidays with an extra $1,000 in debt. A manageable budget is the best way to keep that stressful debt from piling up.
Young people's familiarity with technology—specifically, social media—can create a false sense of security when targeted by online scams.
While people don't typically associate autumn with home buying, it can be less competitive, less frantic, and more flexible than the peak seasons.
Losing (or leaving) your job is stressful enough, but figuring out health insurance during this gap can be overwhelming. Here's a guide to your options.
Between drafty windows, leaky faucets, and power-hungry appliances, you might be spending hundreds more in energy each year than you need to.
College tuition has tripled over the past 30 years. All the more reason to take advantage of savings tools (like 529 College Savings Plans) early.
Is it better to purchase coverage you might not need or risk covering maintenance expenses yourself?
Robocalls come in many forms, and have gotten smarter about tricking you into answering. Here's how to slow them down.
Student loans inevitably mean debt, but with the right choices, you can make the most of the money and minimize what you’ll have to pay back.
Used car sales through private sellers don't have the same protections as through a dealer. So it's important to make sure you're not misled.
In terms of major life purchases, an RV lands somewhere between a car and a house. So the more you know before you buy, the smoother things will go.
The relative calm of a guaranteed return on investment from savings is a bit more appealing when the stock market becomes less predictable.
Not all virtual purchases are equal. Understanding the differences is key to helping your kids spend responsibly.
Conventional savings accounts offer the easiest access to funds but the lowest interest rates. Don't overlook these alternatives.
Nobody ever wants to drag out the process of home selling. Here are a few tips from our mortgage team on getting it done ASAP.
From changes in the tax code to the state of the housing market, 2018 brings with it a series of financial questions that have yet to be answered.
Searching for "how to earn money online" generates something like 217,000,000 results, but if you look closely they all fit into three basic categories.
Natural disasters common to the Pacific Northwest, like flooding or fallen trees, aren't always covered by your default insurance policy.
Now that the days are getting longer, put that extra daylight to use to declutter your home and make sure it's safe. Here's where to start.
In this year like no other, people are looking for value around every corner. There’s a lot to be said for the value of a local relationship. How does SELCO provide this?
The future has a habit of sneaking up on you. Keep an eye out for these all too common—but avoidable—financial miscalculations.
Do your mobile deposits keep getting held up for "review"? Here are some tricks to make sure your money shows up in your account right away.
In the moment, it can be hard to tell the difference between what you need and what you want. That's the beauty of having a budget to fall back on.
It’s natural to let your security slip a little when spending a lot. That's why scammers step up their game during the holidays.
Switching from a bank to a credit union is surprisingly easy, and can often be completed in just minutes.
Be careful not to confuse being caught unaware with fraud if there's an unexpected charge on your account.
Scammers aren't going away anytime soon, even if their methods change with the times. Here are a few tips for avoiding their hooks.
’Tis nearly the season to spend more money than you normally do. Here are a few tips for stretching your budget.
Don't be fooled by these common myths and misunderstandings about life insurance.
Be careful when getting your first off-campus apartment with friends. There are some key questions you need to ask and precautions you need to take.
Credit unions provide the same services as banks, but these myths sometimes make people miss out on lower rates and local service.
You like to take risks when investing. Your partner would rather play it safe. So where do you go from here?
Home equity can be a useful resource for home improvements, but make sure the value added by the project is worth the cost.
Over the past five years, the auto insurance industry has seen a slow but steady increase in cost. What's causing it?
Payment Protection is the simplest safeguard for your loans in the event of a life-altering change.
If your car is stolen or totaled, your insurance settlement won't always cover the amount you still owe. GAP coverage waives the rest.
In the late 1960s, Stanford University conducted a now-classic psychology study called the Marshmallow Test ...
The sooner you get into the habit of saving for retirement, the more time your money has to grow.
For those of us who aren't early adopters, what's so special about mobile wallets?
Car buyers have a TON to keep in mind. That's why we've narrowed it down to the fundamentals.
No matter how minor or severe, there's a universal checklist for how to best ensure everyone’s safety and contact the people who need to know.
Excess liability coverage isn’t just for the super-wealthy! Learn how this extra protection can keep your finances secure if you’re found liable for damages.
Responsibly managing debt is one of the most valuable processes in building your financial identity.
Owning a home may be more attainable than you think. Here's how to tell when it's time to start hunting.
Talking to your kids about money can be difficult. Here are suggestions on how to get the discussion started.
Discover how your credit score is calculated, plus helpful tips on achieving excellent credit, paying down credit card debt, and more!
Take SELCO with you, wherever you go, with the CO-OP Shared Bralench network.