Building Your Dream: A Step-by-Step Guide to Securing a Construction Loan
June 2025 Building your dream home is an exciting endeavor, but securing financing can seem overwhelming. Construction loans offer a path to realizing your vision, and with careful planning, the process can be smooth and successful. How Construction Loans Work Construction loans are short-term loans designed to finance the building of a new home. Unlike…
Read MoreYou’re More Than a Number: Why Your Credit Score Isn’t the Whole Story
By Abbey Ramsay, VP of Lending June 2025 We’ve all encountered websites with catchy slogans like: “Your Credit Score: From Blah to Fab!” or “Breathe Life into Your Credit Score.” What does this mean, and why does this number, which varies across different sources, hold so much importance? We’re here to explain and provide some…
Read MoreHow Credit Unions Offer Auto Loans for a Range of Credit Scores
Understanding the Credit Union Difference at UCU May 2025 Shopping for a car should be exciting—not stressful. But for many people, especially those with less-than-perfect credit, the idea of applying for an auto loan can bring a lot of anxiety. At UCU, we want to change that narrative. U Are More Than a Credit Score…
Read MoreCombating Title Fraud: Lender’s Blog
April 22, 2025 Title fraud is on the rise across the country, staying informed is one of the ways you can work to protect your property. Likely, you have seen this trend in the news, where land or property is sold in a fraudulent transaction. This is most typically done as a cash sale, where…
Read More*New* Shared Branch IDCheck
Stay One Step Ahead of Fraud with IDCheck At UCU, we understand it’s crucial to help protect you from account takeover fraud. That’s why we are introducing a new ID proofing measure for in-person visits to Shared Branch locations. This new fraud prevention measure allows us to make certain it is YOU trying to access…
Read MoreUCU Celebrates National Volunteer Week
ORONO, Maine (April 22, 2025) – For National Volunteer Week, the UCU team celebrated volunteerism in a variety of ways. On Patriot’s Day, the UCU team dedicated time to impact communities across Maine with their credit union-wide Here for U Day of Service. In its third year, the day of service offers time to learn…
Read MoreAuto Loan 101: How to Choose the Right Car
March 2025 Choosing the right car is an exciting milestone, but it also requires careful planning and consideration. With so many makes, models, and financing options available, it can feel overwhelming to narrow down your choices. Know Your Needs and Plan Ahead The first step in choosing the right car is identifying your needs. Think…
Read MoreAuto Loan 101: Tips for Getting the Best Auto Loan Rate
March 2025 Shopping for a new or new-to-you vehicle is an exciting experience, but choosing the right financing is crucial to ensure your purchase fits within your budget. Securing a favorable auto loan rate can significantly affect your monthly payments and the total cost of the loan. At UCU, we’re here to help you understand…
Read MoreUCU Has Earned the AARP BankSafe Seal for 2025
March 2025 We’re proud to share that we have received AARP’s BankSafe Trained Seal in recognition of our commitment to safeguarding older adults from financial exploitation through rigorous training and strong policies. The BankSafe designation is earned after over 80% of an organization’s front line staff completes AARP’s comprehensive BankSafe training. Jilenne Gunther, National Director…
Read MoreUCU Board of Directors Appoints Steve Baillargeon as Board Chair
Orono, Maine (February 26, 2025) – The UCU Board of Directors has elected its newest slate of officers including Steve Baillargeon as Board Chair. Baillargeon succeeds Ency Whitehill as she steps down as Chair to fulfill the remainder of her term as a Director. UCU would like to recognize Whitehill’s 29 years of service. We…
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