Financial Literacy Blog
Putting U First
UCU’s message to members in light of the recent bank failures. March 14, 2023 Since 1967, UCU has been here for our members. For Maine. And for you, wherever you see yourself today and through every stage of life. As a not-for-profit financial institution, we’re owned by our members, not outside stockholders. This means you’re…
2022 President’s Message
February 15, 2023 Throughout 2022, we were faced with some of the most challenging economic conditions in decades, including an uncertain rate environment and rising inflation. UCU navigated all of this with dedication and focus to be here on an individual level for each of our member-owners. Despite the challenges, in 2022 UCU continued to…
Best Way to Buy a House in 2023
February 21, 2023 In 2020, the experience of buying a home in Maine seemed to evolve overnight. From bidding wars and price hikes to properties getting snapped up in minutes, the challenges were endless. Fortunately for first-time home-buyers, the 2023 home buying season will likely be very different than what buyers experienced over the last…
Preparing for the holidays, and how your UCU credit card makes it easy
December 15, 2022 The holiday season is officially in full swing, bringing with it many opportunities for gatherings, traditions – and spending. With so much to do, bake, eat, make, wrap, give and buy, we know it’s nice to have a little help, something to make all your holiday preparations convenient, rewarding, and secure. That’s…
Money Maximized. Benefits Boosted.
How to make the most of your checking account benefits. November 15, 2022 Checking accounts are part of a busy life’s essentials, but that doesn’t mean they should provide only the essentials. Thankfully, at UCU, checking accounts have moved beyond the basics to provide a wide range of options with an assortment of benefits. Let…
First Time Home Buyer Courses are Back In-Person
October 26, 2022 We are glad to share that the popular First Time Home Buyer Courses are back in-person! That’s right, now you can learn the ins and outs of the entire home buying process, ask questions, and talk to experts all in a classroom setting again. Although it was an incredible effort by all…
Don’t be Spooked by Cybersecurity Month
October 21, 2022 October is usually a spooky time of year, as everyone prepares for Halloween, and for us Mainers, winter (AHH!) The month is also eerie for another reason though, it is Cybersecurity Month! Although Cybersecurity itself isn’t spooky, the thought of falling victim to a cybercriminal certainly is. So how do you avoid…
Scams & Fraud: Understanding Risks and Avoiding Traps
July 12, 2022 Scams and fraud are more common than we think. It is important to stay up to date on trending scams to help protect yourself and stay ahead of fraud before it happens. Understanding Risks Associated with Common Scams & Fraud: Medicare/Health Insurance Scams: Attempts to ‘verify your identity’ asking you to providing…
5 Home Improvement Hacks for Less
June 22, 2022 In today’s competitive housing market, renovating your existing home may be a more appealing and affordable alternative to buying new. With the right home improvements, you can make your home more enjoyable for living and may also realize a return on your investment. The key is to pack as much value into…
Easy Tips for Trimming Your Extra Spending
January 31, 2022 For some people, spending is merely a necessity, a way to obtain life’s essentials and nothing else. For others, spending is more of a hobby, resulting in splurges that can cause a build-up of overwhelming debt. Fortunately, most of us fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. We know that spending…