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This week, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (AFCE) holds its annual International Fraud Awareness Week from November 14–20, 2021. The ACFE is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and works with its partners to provide training and prevention education.

For many veterans and military members, that may include buying their first or next home, or refinancing the one they’ve got. And the VA loan program — a valuable part of your VA benefits — could be a great way to get there.

Beat the lines, the “sold out” signs, and get every item on your list by getting ahead of this year’s crowd. November marks the start of holiday shopping for many – and you should aim to be among them this year.

In this series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with expert Kristine Belser, who brings her diverse human resource management experience and ideas to the associates at American Heritage.

International Credit Union (ICU) Day® has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948. For its 73rd anniversary, this year’s theme is “Building financial health for a brighter tomorrow.” ICU Day® is brought to you by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and Credit Union National Association (CUNA), two organizations that have helped support the credit union mission for decades.

When should you start thinking about your estate plan? According to many experts, the answer is as soon as you’re an adult. However, only 1 out of 3 adults has taken care of estate planning essentials like creating a will. If you’re not one of them, it’s time to start thinking about your estate plan.

Your smartphone is a fantastic tool. Where else can you stay in touch with friends, make a work call, manage your checking account, and book a vacation – all while on the go? These portable devices make everyday tasks quick and easy, but they certainly carry with them some risk. After all, they’re often used to enter or view personal and financial information, making them prime targets for identity theft and phone scamming.

In this series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with expert Mike Dinneen, who oversees American Heritage’s Marketing Department and leads member communication in digital and print media.

From September 22nd through December 21st, it is officially fall! Make up for lost time this autumn by partaking in the season’s best outdoor activities, festivals, and events. Many events have reopened with new features after taking the last year to adapt to new safety requirements or controlled crowds. Be sure to visit the website of anything that catches your eye to purchase tickets in advance or secure your timeslot.

Nothing beats spending time in the great outdoors, but having the right equipment on hand can make each outing more fun and exciting. If you’re thinking of buying your first outdoor toy – whether it’s a boat, motorcycle, ATV, or RV – congratulations! It’s a big step toward helping you and your loved ones have fun away from the TV.

For the seasoned homeowner, researching how to fund your next big project or life event can bring up a variety of complicated terms. Many of these terms are presented together, but they often work very differently from one another. In this article, we compare a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) to refinancing your existing mortgage. To learn how each option works and when you would want to choose one over another, continue reading.

In this series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with expert William Mello, who has brought an industry’s worth of experience to American Heritage’s business lending teams.

Buying a house is a great investment in your future. But the process can be a bit confusing when you’re first starting out. If you’re not careful, or let your emotions get the better of you, it’s possible to make mistakes that can derail the homebuying process or lead you to a home that isn’t the best fit for you (or your finances). Be sure to avoid these common homebuying mistakes from the beginning.

Going to college is a big step. You’re able to stretch your legs and develop the skills you need to be independent once you graduate. One of the most important skills you’ll need to learn isn’t taught in the classroom: how to manage your finances in college. Here are a few key tips to help you learn how to save money in college, build a solid budget, and help keep your checking account growing rather than shrinking each month.

The gap between paydays can seem to stretch on and on. To combat this, some app developers have stepped in with a proposed solution: paycheck advance apps. A way to get your paycheck early sounds like a dream come true, but what’s the catch?

In this series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with expert Bryan Eichenbaum, an expert on all things lending at American Heritage.

Everyone knows that saving money is essential if you want to build a financially secure future. But having a general savings account may not be enough to help you get through those lean times (such as losing a job) or to cover a surprise bill (such as medical expenses or car repairs). You need to develop a solid emergency savings fund if you want to keep your finances in good shape.

Credit cards are one of the most versatile tools you can carry in your wallet. From getting extra rewards when swiping at gas stations or grocery stores to building your credit score, these pieces of plastic can impact your financial health. With so many options available, how do you choose?

Sometimes we find ourselves no longer in need of the things we keep around the house. Gently used or good condition items can find life in a new home — a much more environmentally friendly solution than ending up in the trash. Before you reach for the online marketplace, consider the value of giving the item away for free. This simple action can create a large positive impact on interpersonal relationships and your surrounding community.

In this series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with expert Brian Shotwell, whose passion for building relationships with members helps shape the service culture at American Heritage's branches.