Fort Financial blog

How can Fort Financial drive satisfaction among 18-25 year-old members? That was the question that was posed to over 350 students from North Side High School in mid-October as they embarked on their most recent 3DE case challenge from Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana.

Investing in our communities is at the heart of what we do and a driving factor behind our partnership with Junior Achievement, 3DE, North Side HS and Fort Wayne Community Schools. We are committed to fortifying the lives of our members and communities through every interaction.

In today's competitive real estate market, navigating the path to homeownership can be daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers unfamiliar with the process. From saving for a down payment to understanding mortgage options and closing costs, there are numerous challenges along the way. Recognizing these obstacles, Fort Financial walks side-by-side homebuyers to guide them through the entire process.

In today's digital age, protecting your identity and personal information is more crucial than ever before. With the increasing frequency of data breaches and identity theft incidents, we understand the importance of providing you with comprehensive solutions to keep your financial assets and personal data secure.

All Fort Financial members are eligible for identity theft recovery services, a fully-managed identity fraud research, remediation and recovery service, performed by certified, licensed recovery advocates.

In an increasingly competitive financial landscape, Fort Financial stands out as an institution that prioritizes personalized service, community focus and ethical banking practices. For existing members, the decision to refer others to join Fort Financial goes beyond financial transactions; it's about sharing values and building stronger communities.

To thank you for trusting us with your financial wellbeing and recommending us as a financial partner to those you know, Fort Financial members who refer family and friends to open accounts will be rewarded – up to $500 a year!*

Summer is here and that mean's that baseball is on center stage. But, believe it or not, America’s national pastime can actually teach you valuable money management lessons. Let’s take a look at six money takeaways you can learn from baseball.

In today's competitive real estate market, navigating the path to homeownership can be daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers unfamiliar with the process. From saving for a down payment to understanding mortgage options and closing costs, there are numerous challenges along the way. Recognizing these obstacles, Fort Financial walks side-by-side homebuyers to guide them through the entire process.

Happy Shared Branching Awareness Week!! Fort Financial partners with other credit unions across the country to provide you convenient access to your accounts and money, creating the CO-OP Shared Branching network that allows members of other credit unions to use their branches to conduct basic transactions.

For many, the mere mention of the word “money” sparks feelings of stressed anxiety. At the same time, living a financially responsible life can help one maintain optimal mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to take a look at the connection between money and mental health.

Just as Fort Financial implements rigorous protocols to safeguard your finances and maintain stability, we’re looking out for you as you prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th. It’s important to prioritize your safety and well-being during this rare event. By staying informed and prepared with these safety guidelines, you can be confident knowing that you’ve taken the necessary precautions to safeguard yourself during this astronomical phenomena.

The staff at the Fort Financial branch in Churubusco certainly had fun in 2023 representing the credit union in our wonderful community! There were so many amazing events that we had the pleasure of participating in throughout the year.

The Fort Financial staff at the Corinth, MS branch was delighted to participate in several local community events and fundraisers throughout 2023. The Corinth staff is always willing to come together to make our local events successful and continue supporting our community.

Fort Financial recently partnered with Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana as one of their inaugural business partners with the 3DE by Junior Achievement educational model that is in its second year of curriculum with Fort Wayne Community Schools. 10^th grade students at North Side High School get to engage, learn, research, and innovate, offering solutions to area businesses and applying key skills to real business challenges through 3DE and their latest case study question, “How can Fort Financial Credit Union drive satisfaction among 18-25 year-old members?”

At Fort Financial Credit Union, we are committed to serving our community. One of the many ways in which we do that is through supporting our sponsor corporation, Dana Corporation & USW Local 903, as they help to raise money for Toys for Tots. Dana has been supporting the yearly fundraiser, led by the Marine Corps since 1992. Each year they raise funds through raffles, donations, and a little extra help from their friends at Fort Financial.

Fort Financial Credit Union began fortifying members over three-quarters of a century ago on December 9, 1946, when members of Salisbury Axle came together to apply for a credit union charter for their Fort Wayne plant. That charter was approved on February 5, 1947 and it’s been our mission to fortify their lives of our members ever since.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every Friday this month, Fort Financial employees wore pink to raise awareness around cancer. Breast cancer – like all cancers – is a disease that doesn’t play favorites and can affect anyone. Fort Financial is made up of a dynamic group of employees. Some have battled cancer firsthand while others have supported loved ones diagnosed with cancer.

Happy National Online Bank Day! Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to safely access your credit union accounts or transfer money anytime from your computer or smartphone? Guess what? You can with our mobile and digital banking tools.

Your credit score is a crucial component and indicator of your financial health. When you apply for a large loan, like a mortgage or an auto loan, or for a new line of credit, lenders look at your credit score to help determine whether you can afford the requested loan. These three little numbers indicate whether you will be able to repay the loan based on your past behaviors.

Many people have realized how inconvenient it is to carry cash and are carrying just debit cards in their wallets. Debit cards are great, but there's another option--show your wallet some love! Compared with debit cards, credit cards are:

• Accepted in more places
• Have fraud liability protection built in
• A great way to build your credit score, if used responsibly

With inflation soaring and prices for everyday necessities rising, it can be overwhelming keeping your finances in order while making sure you’re putting enough money into your savings. Now is a great time to review your personal financial situation with the tips below.

Being founded and headquartered in Northeast Indiana, Fort Financial is deeply committed to serving the residents of our region and supporting our local communities. Our Auburn branch is proud to once again partner with the Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) Festival to bring some exciting events to DeKalb County.

May 26 is National Road Trip Day! After a long hiatus from traveling during the pandemic, many Americans are once again pulling their suitcases out of storage. While the impulse to go crazy with plans may be strong, you probably don’t want a vacation-debt hangover that lasts for months after your trip. And don't forget you can set a travel notice for your debit or credit card through online/mobile banking or by contacting us.

Learning is encouraged growing up, but then adulting happens! We transition from curious to routine, experimental to structured. Learning at work became a nicety, not necessity and training became extravagant, not essential. The Learning is a Luxury model prohibits businesses from effectively tackling market disruptors and inhibits organizational growth. Developing employees sustains business, maximizes retention, engages employees and ultimately outperforms competition.

You can be reassured on one point, and that’s the security and stability of your credit union and your accounts at Fort Financial. Fort Financial offers a safe place for credit union members to save money, has sound financial policies and receives high rankings from regulators for safe and sound practices. Deposits at federally insured credit unions like Fort Financial are protected by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund and insured up to at least $250,000 per individual depositor – the same as any other federally insured financial institution. That means backing by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.