Online Banking Server Issues April 23, 2021 Online Banking continues to be down for all users as of 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 23. We became aware of the issue on Thursday morning and are working with our service provider to troubleshoot. At this time, we are told by FISERV (our banking software provider) that the [...]
Webinar: Score a better future | credit basics with FICO Friday, April 23 @ 11:00 a.m. (CST) We all have financial goals but knowing how to get there can be a challenge. Don’t understand how credit scores impact your financial health, or know your FICO® Score? We want to help! In celebration of Financial Literacy [...]
3 Ways to Teach Kids Good Money Habits Spend, Save and Share Jars Many parents teach their kids the value of hard work by paying them for chores. You can take this a step further by talking about what they can do with their hard-earned cash. Get three jars and add the label spend, save [...]
Forgiveness conditions of the Paycheck Protection Program The funds from your PPP loan can be used for the following purposes: Payroll—salary, wage, vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave, health benefits Mortgage interest—as long as the mortgage was signed before February 15, 2020 Rent—as long as the lease agreement was in effect before February 15, [...]
Am I eligible for the new round of PPP? Companies with 300 or fewer employees who suffered a 25% drop in any quarter’s revenue from 2019 to 2020 are eligible for the second round of PPP. This means a 25% or more reduction in gross income from any quarter in 2020 relative to that same [...]
Need pandemic assistance for your small business? Here's a rundown of several economic relief programs that are available. Despite the improved numbers for new cases and deaths compared to the peak of the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to have an outsized impact on small businesses. The passage and signing of the American Rescue Plan Act in [...]
Teen checking account – 4 tips to keep in mind A checking account can help teach your teen important money basics. Get them started in high school to help them learn money management at an early age. You may have opened a savings account for your children as a way to sock away money [...]
Teens and Money: Checking and Savings Account One of the first steps toward real freedom (and adulthood) is having a checking and savings account in your own name. These accounts allow you to save money, make purchases, and pay bills efficiently. Both, however, require you to take an active management role, so that you can [...]
Money Missteps - A Great Thing to Happen to a Kid? You Spent Your Money on What?! Any parent with a child old enough to have control over money has probably at least thought that, if not shouted it across a dinner table. While the outrage at a teenager spending an entire pile of birthday [...]
Teens & Money Podcast Do you have 10 minutes? Listen to our quick podcast: teens and money. We're covering things like making a budget, setting goals, buying a car, and credit cards. Can't listen today? Download the transcript here.
HOW TO: Fold Bunny Money This is a wonderful idea for an Easter basket, or to give older kids who feel they are too old for Easter baskets. Materials. Crisp, New Dollar Bill (or any other denomination) Wiggly Eyes (Optional – but it looks more bunny-like with them) Small Pink Circle (Card [...]
If you missed it last week, don't worry, you can still register for the 2nd broadcast of this highly informational teaching tool. Session 2: Thursday, April 22, 2021 Time: 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET Sign Up If you can't view it live at 7:30 p.m. (CST) you will still have access to the [...]
Spring Webinars Upcoming Online Educational Webinars: APRIL – BUILDING YOUR FIRST BUDGET A smart budget helps you cover your expenses and still buy some of the things you want. Find out how to make—and maintain—a budget based on your needs. This session is specifically geared toward teens and pre-teens as part of Youth Financial Literacy [...]
Homeless Americans who don’t have a fixed address or bank accounts will have to jump through an array of hoops to claim their payment If you are homeless, you can go to a tax return office where they will file something called EIP return. They will put the money on a debit card after, What [...]
6 Things to do with your Stimulus Check (if you've already paid your bills) Pay off (or Pay Down) High-Interest Debt Interest rates are low for student loans, mortgages, and savings accounts, but if you're carrying credit card debt, you're probably paying upwards of 15%. You can free up a lot of cash by paying [...]
Stimulus Checks Round 3 Arriving Soon: Key Things To Know The IRS and Treasury will begin processing and sending the $1,400 stimulus checks as soon as this weekend. But not everyone will get their money at once. The $1,400 stimulus checks are officially arriving this weekend -- that is, for some of the people qualified to receive [...]
Annual Business Meeting - Online Recapping 2020 Green Country FCU Statement of Condition Re-nomination for two expiring terms on the Green Country FCU Board of Directors There are two (2) terms expiring on the Board of Directors. The following Directors have been re-nominated for election by the Nominating Committee: Marcia Haley (Incumbent) Running for a [...]
Free Educational Webinar: Women & Money Whether it’s having children, career advancement, divorcing, or becoming a widow, there are certain pivotal times in women’s lives that can occur. This special educational session addresses considerations for budgeting, credit, and insurance. Let's celebrate International Women's Day. Session 1: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 @ 11:30 a.m. (CST) [...]
Paycheck Protection Program Application Deadline Extended Through May 31 UPDATE March 26, 2021 | Small businesses scrambling to stay afloat as a result of COVID-19 are getting extra time to apply for low-interest, forgivable loans. Congress extended the deadline for Paycheck Protection Program applications through May 31, 2021. The popular Small Business Administration program was [...]
Self-employed and gig workers could get bigger loans under new PPP rules. It just got easier for businesses with less than 20 employees to obtain a PPP loan. The Government changed how the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program calculates forgivable loans for the smallest firms and sole proprietors. The updated formula — which will likely [...]
Six Factors That Could Hurt Your Credit Score It's no secret that maintaining a good credit score is essential to strong financial health. It is a must if you ever wish to take out a substantial loan or need to apply for rental properties. Most people know the basics of what may hurt and what [...]
What to do if you see something wrong on your credit report Under the FCRA, both the credit reporting company and the information provider (that is, the person, company, or organization that provides information about you to a credit reporting company) are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report. To take advantage [...]
13 Interesting Facts about Credit Reports According to a study from the Federal Reserve, the larger the gap between your credit score and your spouse’s score, the greater you are at risk for divorce. Speaking of spouses and credit scores, you can now find a date based on credit score at CreditScoreDating.com. After all, they [...]
How do I get a copy of my credit reports? You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). You can request a copy from AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request and review your free report through one of the following ways: [...]
Dear Green Country family, I wanted to give everyone an update on the continuing online banking outage we’re experiencing and hopefully explain a little as to why this is such a big incident. This unprecedented winter weather event is affecting everyone across the U.S., and Oklahoma and Texas are getting hit especially hard. We utilize [...]
Green Country Moves to Winter Hours Due to Severe Weather and Road Conditions February 17, 2021 We are still operating under winter weather hours - our drive thru's are open 8:00 - 5:00. We also made the decision to close our Coweta branch today. February 15, 2021 In anticipation of hazardous road conditions continuing into [...]
Remote Services Offline February 18, 2021 8:00 a.m. | Online and mobile banking are back up but there are still intermittent issues. Fiserv is continuing to work toward a complete and full restoration or services and we expect more updates as the morning progresses. February 17, 2021 4:00 p.m. | Our latest update from Fiserv is [...]
Winter Weather Hours in Effect Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 | 1:30 p.m. Green Country FCU is moving to winter weather hours for the remainder of the week. Our drive-thru's in Sand Springs will open at 8:00 a.m. and close early at 5:00. Saturday our drive-thru's will be open for normal hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 [...]
Lobbies Now OPEN! As of Monday, March 1, 2021, all Green Country FCU lobbies are re-opened for in-person banking services. We are a community credit union, and the health and well-being of our communities continues to be our top priority - including making the decision to close our lobbies back in January. By limiting access [...]
Free Webinar SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF CREDIT REPORTS Credit report scores hold a lot of power—they can help buy that first home but can also take away financial opportunities. This session provides an overview of credit bureaus, credit scoring, guidance to dispute inaccuracies, improving credit scores, and dealing with identity theft and fraud. Join us [...]
As the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out continues, it’s important to be on the lookout for scams. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN) recently issued a new warning about vaccine scams: Beware of scams offering early access to vaccines for a fee. Keep an eye out for phishing scams where scammers email or text you with phony [...]
Farmers gain greater access to small business support as PPP reopens Farmers who run their operations as sole proprietors, independent contractors, or otherwise self-employed individuals will have newly expanded access to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under changes made in the COVID stimulus package Congress approved last month. Producers who were denied PPP loans or [...]
Notice: Paycheck Protection Program resumed January 11, 2021 at 9am ET SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA will begin accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021. I'd like more information about PPP [...]
Update January 14, 2021 Paycheck Protection Program applications are open again There are two applications available: First Time Borrower Application - You did not receive a PPP loan in 2020 APPLY NOW - PPP First Time Borrower Second Time Application - You received a PPP loan in 2020 2nd Time Borrower Application [...]
Green Country FCU will be closed the following federal holidays in 2021: 2021 New Year's Day Friday, January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, January 18 President's Day Monday, February 15 Memorial Day Monday, May 31 Independence Day Sunday, July 4 Labor Day Monday, September 6 Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day Monday, October 11 [...]
Credit Card Makeover A look at our first financial education webinar of the year. Quick - without looking it up, do you know how much you owe on all your credit cards? If you're not sure, it could be a sign that you're getting into credit card trouble. Not knowing how much you owe, or [...]
New stimulus package makes it easier to qualify for food stamps. Here’s what you need to know Millions of Americans report not having enough money to pay for food during the pandemic. The latest Covid relief package expands food benefits, giving further aid to millions of Americans who are facing financial difficulty because of the [...]
People can check the status of both their first and second payments by using the Internal Revenue Service's Get My Payment online tool. When will you get your stimulus payment and how? A second round of stimulus payments are on the way and many eligible families are expected to receive the money this month. The first payments started [...]
UPDATE 2/15/2021 - Lobbies will ReOpen March 1st Now that staffing levels are back to almost normal and we're seeing a decline in community-wide COVID-19 cases, we will reopen our lobbies for in-person services on Monday, March 1st. UPDATE 1/28/2021 - LOBBIES CLOSED After reviewing staffing levels and community case levels, we have decided to [...]
WEBINAR Credit Card Makeover: Getting Out of Debt Please join us for a free educational webinar. Credit Card Makeover: Getting Out of Debt Credit cards can be a great financial tool, but for some, can lead to debt and financial trouble. This session provides an overview of credit card usage, warning signs of credit issues, [...]
Will you get a stimulus check? And when? Check your payment status here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment The $600 stimulus checks from the latest Covid relief bill are officially on their way to bank accounts. The IRS also confirmed that initial direct deposits began December 30th and will continue through next week. “Some Americans may see the direct [...]
Online Shopping Safety In today's electronic world, it is extremely easy to shop and purchase goods or services on your computer, without ever leaving your home. Certainly, there are many benefits — cyber storefronts are always open and bargains are abundant. It is simple to comparison shop with the click of your mouse, and sellers [...]
Get Creative! Ways to Lower Holiday Spending Holiday spending is often a spending plan-buster. The expenses can be numerous: presents, wrapping paper, cards, decorations, food, and travel, to name a few. Yet very few people have an unlimited holiday budget. If you do not have the funds to buy everything you want, there is no [...]
Cyber Monday: 7 tips for safer online shopping Are you one of the many shoppers planning to click for holiday gifts this year? Don’t let the numerous Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and distractions cloud your judgment. It’s always important to pay attention to signs that your online shopping transactions are secure. The holiday [...]
Updated - Friday, November 27, 2020 Sand Springs City Ordinance Now Requires Masks in All Local Businesses In accordance with the recently passed City Ordinance No. 1359, face masks or coverings are now required in all Sand Springs businesses. We ask that you please help us comply with this new regulation by wearing a face-covering [...]
Tips for safe Cyber Monday shopping (or really any day) Are you one of the many shoppers planning to click for holiday gifts this year? Don’t let the numerous Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and distractions cloud your judgment. It’s always important to pay attention to signs that your online shopping transactions are secure. [...]
A step-by-step guide to making a holiday budget Ah, the holidays. It’s a time for seasonal cheer, catching up with family, and for some—financial panic! If you recently looked at the calendar and realized gift-buying season is closer than you thought, don’t worry. We are here to help you organize your finances by making an [...]
Bubbles burst, the economy falters, companies downsize, and personal disasters happen which can result in a reduced paycheck. Perpetual salary growth or even maintenance is simply not guaranteed. However, by adopting the right tools and attitude, you can make the most of a reduced paycheck and not just survive, but thrive. Determine whether your situation [...]
If you are like me, you are completely blindsided by the end of the year. Wasn’t it just the 4th of July? Why is it so cold all of a sudden!? December is here, and it’s human nature to get stressed out by the holidays, the shopping, the parties, the travel… and put thinking about [...]
Ever notice how your monthly expenses always seem to equal whatever salary you’re making, even after you get raises? The phenomenon is called “lifestyle creep” and it can keep you from reaching all kinds of financial goals, from paying down debt to saving for retirement. One way to get lifestyle creep under control is to [...]
3 Ways to Refinance to a VA Loan A VA refinance is brand new loan, not just an adjustment of a current one. A VA refinance will require a new loan application, a new title report and depending upon the type of VA refinance, more paperwork. Today, there are three different VA refinance loans. The [...]
VA Loan Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for a VA loan, you or your spouse must meet the basic service requirements set by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), have a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and satisfy credit and income requirements. You may be eligible for a VA loan by meeting one or more of the [...]
When Veterans Should Use a VA Loan VA loans are federally backed loans available to eligible military service members who are looking to buy a house. In many cases, it will be your best option thanks to the perks like no down payment, competitive rates, limited closing costs, and no private mortgage insurance premium (PMI). [...]
The Application The 3508S is a one-page application, with a second page for demographic information. Instead of having to show your forgiveness amount calculation as you do on the 3508EZ, you simply certify seven things: The dollar amount for which forgiveness is requested does not exceed the principal amount of the PPP loan and: a) [...]
If you lost your source of income or had reduced income because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, making payments on your federal student loans may be nearly impossible. With the extension of The CARES Act, those borrowers have relief from paying through December 31st. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says if you have qualifying student [...]
National Grandparents Day was this weekend and we know that more older adults have primary responsibility for raising grandchildren or other young relatives. If this describes you or the older adults you work with, here are a few financial tools that can help. Get a clear picture of monthly income and expenses. If you’re raising [...]
shared from the Wall Street Journal Whatever shape your business is in, here are tax moves to consider now Note: All are likely to require professional help but could provide big benefits. If you’re a small-business owner, don’t overlook tax breaks that could help this year—whether your business is on the ropes or is booming. [...]
We're sharing a post from A Daily Dose of OPTIMISM! recorded with Guy Kawasaki on LinkedIn Live. We hope you find this enlightening! In today’s conversation with Guy Kawasaki, entrepreneur, author of 15 books, marketing expert, and Silicon Valley venture capitalist—we discuss some of the tactical ways that entrepreneurs and CEOs can navigate leadership during the [...]
There are so many COVID-19 scams circulating right now. Everything from stimulus money fraud to imposter contact tracers and everything in between. Stay aware and keep your personal information safe. Here are some tips from the FTC. KEEP CALM & AVOID CORONAVIRUS SCAMS Learn how to tell the difference between a real contact tracer and a scammer. [...]
As we see an increase in coronavirus cases around us, we wanted to check in and let you know that your safety and that of our employees continue to be of utmost importance. Our lobbies have been open for close to 60 days and while it will be a long time until everything is "normal," [...]
Green Country FCU is part of the National Credit Union Administration and thereby adheres to policies and regulations set forth by the Federal Reserve and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The Federal Reserve and CFPB in late June finalized amendments to Regulation CC to implement a statutory adjustment to adjust the dollar amounts under [...]
Even when rates are low, refinancing your mortgage isn't always the right choice. Here are some points to consider before you refinance. Deciding when to refinance your home loan depends on several factors besides whether you can get a better mortgage rate than you already have. And though there are many reasons people refinance their [...]
No doubt about it—buying a home is a big investment. You’re on the hook for a long-term mortgage, and responsible for repairs and any other unforeseen expenses. But don’t get discouraged just yet. If you have strong money management skills (and cash saved up), you may be ready for homeownership. Here are three signs that [...]
Buying a home is at once an exciting and challenging venture. With commitment and planning, you can become a successful homeowner. This post covers everything you need to know to start the home buying process off right, including: Preparing for Homeownership Understanding Mortgages Getting a Loan Searching for a Home and Making an Offer Closing [...]
Refinancing is the process of paying off an existing loan with the proceeds from a new loan and using the same property as collateral. Usually, the interest rate on the new mortgage will be less than the old, the loan will cost less and you will save money. However, refinancing isn’t appropriate for every homeowner. [...]
If you have been impacted by the national COVID-19 health crisis and are having trouble paying your mortgage payment, forbearance may be an option for you. Forbearance is offered by some lenders to borrowers who have experienced a financial hardship such as a loss of income or increased medical expenses. Eligible borrowers approved for forbearance [...]
Applications are no longer being accepted for this program. Oklahoma Business Relief Application & Guidelines Green Country is participating in the Oklahoma Business Relief Program (OBRP) which is a one-time grant for up to $25 million for qualified businesses. The OBRP is a state-level program administrated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. OBRP requires that [...]
Think back to how you formed your financial habits. Did you learn everything you needed in school? From your parents? If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what financial pitfalls would you tell yourself to avoid? If you have children of your own, you may be wondering how and when to [...]
5 tips for social media security and privacy Social media accounts are powerful tools in the wrong hands. We’ve recently seen hackers take over the Twitter accounts of media outlets and large corporations, using them for anything from basic spam to drawing attention to global issues. Your own accounts might seem too small to tempt [...]
Green Country FCU Board of Directors Annual Business Meeting Saturday, June 20, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m. Virtual Business Meeting As you know, Green Country FCU is member-owned and part of that ownership includes annual reports from the Board of Directors, along with elections/re-elections for Board positions. We will be holding our Board of Director's Annual [...]
We're pleased to offer free absentee voter services to assist Tulsa area voters with absentee ballot affidavit verification. We have notaries at both our Morrow Road and Prattville locations. Here’s some general voter information: OKLAHOMA PRIMARY ELECTIONS – JUNE 30th Mail Absentee Request Deadline: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 @ 5 p.m. Here’s what’s on the [...]
Tip #1: Use the Covered Period for Payroll Costs A first tip to maximize PPP forgiveness? Use the eight-week covered period that starts when you get the PPP loan. Not the alternative covered period which starts the day the next payroll period starts. (You get to choose which eight weeks you look at.) The reason? [...]
Effective Monday, June 1, our lobbies will reopen for member access. For the health and safety of everyone, we highly encourage the continued use of the drive-thru for all teller and simple transactions, whenever possible, as well as remote banking services. If you do choose to come into the lobbies – welcome! It’s good to see [...]
Paycheck Protection Program Update Our commercial lending team has worked tirelessly since late March helping our small business members and new relationships stay afloat by utilizing the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program. To date, we've helped 90 business owners receive an average of $35,010 in what should be forgivable loans to pay employees and utilities. We've [...]
UPDATE May 1, 2020 Green Country FCU lobbies will continue to be closed to the public until further notice. We are working on a re-opening plan to keep members and employees safe. Keep an eye on this page for updates. Appointments can be made for safe deposit box access and more, please call (918) 245-1301. [...]
We want you to know that we’re not going anywhere, because at its core, our credit union is not a building or a business, its people unified for a common goal of financial well-being. We’re always here for you. These are difficult times for everyone, and we know that some of your biggest payments are [...]
When will you see your Stimulus Check? Please note that Green Country FCU cannot see your stimulus payment until it is direct deposited or until you deposit a paper check. We do not have control over when these funds are deposited. The Internal Revenue Service started sending out stimulus payments this week and while some [...]
► APPLY for the Paycheck Protection Program What is the Paycheck Protection Program? The Paycheck Protection Program is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This is a nearly $350-billion program intended to provide American small businesses with eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans. Program highlights All [...]
As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt life and cancel plans across the world, people are finding creative ways to celebrate. From drive-by weddings to birthday car parades to virtual graduation ceremonies, there are so many ways you can celebrate while still maintaining proper social distancing. Let’s take a look at some of the [...]
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many of us into financial situations that we could never have predicted. Country-wide shelter-in-place orders have left many without work, and businesses without customers. Now more than ever, it’s important to think about the way we spend or save every dollar we make. In some cases, the quarantine orders have [...]
