Fort Financial blog

Buying your first home is an exciting journey, and Fort Financial is here to make that dream a reality. We understand the challenges first-time homebuyers face, from saving for a down payment to navigating mortgage options. That’s why we’re by your side, offering personalized support every step of the way. Through the Launch - Down Payment Assistance Program from FHLBank Indianapolis, we’re proud to help you with up to $20,000* for your down payment, closing costs, and counseling. This program is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait, let us help you get the support you deserve!

We live in an increasingly digital world. People use devices and technology to shop for everything from groceries and clothing to furniture and electronics. We sign in to multiple websites and apps to communicate and share photos with family and friends, manage personal and business finances, plan vacations, and everything in between. While increased accessibility helps make so many activities quick and convenient, having so much of our personal information online leaves us vulnerable to cyber criminals who are eager to steal and benefit from our personal information. As the multitude of online services has expanded, so has the rate of fraudsters engaging in identity theft.

As the calendar flips to a new year, many people take the opportunity to reflect on their lives and set resolutions for personal growth. Whether you want to bolster your savings, grow your investments, or simply gain better control over your finances, setting achievable resolutions can help you pave the way for a more secure financial future. Here are some smart savings and investment resolutions to consider for 2025:

Fort Financial Credit Union will host its Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at our corporate office, located at 8815 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana. This event is free and open to all members. To reserve your seat, please use the form linked in the full article or call Kelly Moore at 260.435.5153.

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.

Are you ready to stretch those financial fitness muscles? We hope so, because it’s time to get financially fit! Being financially fit means living a life of complete financial responsibility. The four basic components of financial health are: Spend, Save, Borrow and Plan. Like physical fitness, you can beef up those fitness muscles a little bit more each day.

Fort Financial Wealth Management is excited to invite you to a special seminar on Thursday, November 14 at 6:00 PM. This informative event will be held at our corporate office on Lima Road in Fort Wayne and is designed to help you make the most of your Social Security retirement benefits.

Experts from Ash Brokerage and Fort Financial Wealth Management will share their insights on optimizing your retirement strategy. 

Fort Financial invites you to join us on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. for an informative and engaging seminar with renowned speaker Tom Hegna, as seen on CNN, Fox Business News, Forbes and other publications, who will present his popular seminar, Don't Worry, Retire Happy. This is a free, in-person event at our corporate office in Fort Wayne and seating is limited, so RSVP today!

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.

Summer is winding down and while that usually conjures up images of back-to-school shopping, there are still plenty of opportunities to take that last-minute summer trip or start thinking about that fall getaway. But you don’t have to rely on your credit card and take on unnecessary debt to have an enjoyable trip! Consider these 5 money-saving tips as you start planning your next travel adventure.

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.

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.

Happy World Password Day! Your passwords are the keys to your life. And when it feels like there’s another big security breach every week, you want to be sure those passwords are strong and safe. Check out these six steps for super-strong passwords that will keep scammers guessing.

In today's fast-paced world, convenience and security are paramount when it comes to managing your finances. Direct deposit stands as a prime example of how you can leverage technology to simplify your financial transactions while bolstering your peace of mind. At Fort Financial, you’re empowered with the tools you need to streamline your banking experience, including direct deposit.

Most people have walked into their home at some point and just felt like moving. It can happen more often if your home has outdated finishes. A whole home remodel would do the trick, but that may not be in your budget. Don’t worry, here are a few projects that can bring a lot of new life to a home without breaking your budget.

In our ongoing commitment to your financial safety, Fort Financial is dedicated to providing you with valuable insights on how to protect yourself from potential financial fraud. While fraud is a year-round challenge, being informed and vigilant can significantly reduce the risk to your financial well-being.

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.

It’s that time of year again! When your mailbox is stuffed with official-looking forms of all kinds, and the countdown toward April 15th starts ticking. Yeah, that’s right … it’s tax time! The good news is, tax prep doesn’t need to be confusing or stressful. Here are our top 10 do’s and don'ts to help make tax season this year smooth and efficient.

If you need to steel yourself before looking at your monthly utility bill and you’ve been known to throw a fuse when someone leaves on the light for seconds more than necessary, you need to read this blog. Here, we’ll share nine realistic and helpful ways to save on energy costs. 

If you’re heavily in debt, betting on a horse or a round of blackjack might appear to be your last hope for staying afloat. But, statistically speaking, it’s a bad bet. One look at the Las Vegas strip proves it's not the casinos that are losing. Most gamblers  can walk away after losing a moderate amount of money. But for problem gamblers, the result can be financial and family ruin.

Millions of Americans will be hosting a party to watch and celebrate the "big game" on Sunday, February 11. Whether you're cheering for the 49ers or the Chiefs, just there to watch the commercials and Usher's halftime performance or just tuning in to see if Taylor Swift makes an appearance, one thing is consistent...parties are fun but they can cost a lot! To help cut the costs, we’ve compiled some hosting hacks so you can pull off the party of a lifetime without breaking your budget.

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.

It's more important than ever to develop and maintain good financial habits with the high, and continually rising, cost of living. But figuring out where to start can be a daunting task—especially if you feel like you're already struggling with your finances. The thing to remember is that it's never too late to ask for help from your financial institution, and it’s never something you should be ashamed to do.

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.

The holidays are here and so is all those online deals! But are they too good to be true? Buying fake products online is a common concern for many shoppers. Often if an online offer sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some tips to help you avoid purchasing counterfeit items:

The holidays are just around the corner, and there’s a whole heap of things that are going to appear on your to-do list soon! It probably seems like your stress level keeps rising while the money in your wallet keeps dwindling. It doesn’t have to be this way. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a stress-free and affordable holiday season. Don’t believe us? Well, continue reading to find out how.

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.

Few of us can imagine going a day without using our cellphones. For many people, it’s become their preferred method of communicating and doing business. Scammers take advantage of our reliance on cellphones and use them to trick us into giving them our personal information. It’s important to be aware of the kinds of scams they use.

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.

The holiday season is officially here as October brings about Halloween and other fall fun activities before the traditional holiday season arrives in November. While the last three months of the year can be a drain on your wallet, utilizing some cost-savings tips for your goblins and ghouls will pay off for your turkeys and stocking stuffers!

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.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are a convenient way to access your funds using your debit card. That convenience also appeals to crooks. For that reason, it’s important to learn how to access your funds safely and protect them from being accessible by others.

Certificate laddering is a great way to save and take advantage of higher dividend rates. Certificates, also known as share certificates or certificates of deposit, are like a savings account where you can’t withdraw the money for a certain period of time. In return for agreeing to keep your money in a certificate for a longer period of time, you get rewarded with a higher rate of return.

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 Churubusco branch is proud to once again partner with the Turtle Days Festival to bring some exciting events to Whitley County.

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.

When our founding members began what is now known as Fort Financial Credit Union, they were driven to help those in need. That original motive was financially-focused, and while helping our neighbors, friends, families and businesses with their finances still remains our number one priority more than 75 years later, we also take our responsibility to the communities we serve very seriously. We understand the connection that maintaining a vibrant community has to the area’s economic health and to residents’ financial well-being. That’s why you’ll see us sharing our time, supporting local causes and partnering to bring events to the places where we serve.

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.

Buying your first house is an exciting time, but it can be a little scary as well. To minimize your anxiety, we've collected some tips, tricks and resources to help you prepare for your fist meeting with a mortgage loan officer. Our mortgage department would love to walk alongside you in your home buying journey and can guide you through the process, no matter how long it takes.

The deadline to file your federal taxes is coming up, and the bad guys pretending to be the IRS are popping back up as well. Being contacted by the IRS is probably one of the scariest things most people can think of, whether it be for an audit or collections. The truth is, it shouldn’t be scary at all. You have rights, and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has strict guidelines they must follow. However, scammers have taken advantage of that fear to trick people out of millions of dollars. Here are some things to know to avoid scams.

How do you define wealth? Is it “a large amount of money and possessions"? But consider this definition: wealth is the financial security that comes from managing your money wisely. Most of us want to be rich because we think it'll make our financial problems will go away. Sadly, research shows that people who suddenly come into large sums of money, like lottery winners, are more likely than average Americans to declare bankruptcy within 3 to 5 years.

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.

The 50th annual Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show was last week and hope everyone who attended got some good ideas for their next home improvement project! Hopefully you were able to stop by our booth inside the Allen Count War Memorial Coliseum and talk to some of our team members about how Fort Financial can partner with you on that project with a home equity loan or line of credit. And for a limited time when you apply for a home equity loan or line of credit we'll waive the application fee! Learn more or contact us for more details.

February 27 – March 3 is America Saves Week and while we don’t have Danny Zuko and the T-Birds to serenade you, we wanted to share some tips for getting you and your savings transformed from a clunker to an automatic, systematic (not really hydromatic) machine. Systematic savings is the process of automatically setting aside a specific amount of your income on a regular basis, whether that’s weekly, biweekly or monthly. Rather than waiting to put money away when you have extra cash, with systematic savings you pay yourself first and make building your savings a priority.

Are you looking for a place where you can set funds aside for long-term savings? A certificate of deposit, or CD, might be the answer you’re looking for. What is a CD? A CD is a deposit account that pays a higher interest rate than a standard savings account and requires a higher opening balance. Unlike a standard savings account though, the access to your funds is restricted until the certificate reaches maturity, which is often between 90 days and five years. If you have funds you don’t need access to and want to earn a higher rate, than a CD is a great solution.

Fort Financial is offering two limited-time specials on CDs. View our rates here.

A business loan can help you grow your small business—it can get you the funds to invest in equipment, more retail space, new employee talent, additional goods for sale, and much more. Before you rush into your local lender to fill out a loan application, you need to make sure the loan makes good business sense for your company and for the lender. After all, lenders want to ensure they’ll be repaid! Fort Financial's business banking team has more than 50 years of combined experience and is committed to strengthening the communities where our members live, work and serve. We offer term, real estate, construction, business vehicle and agricultural loans along with lines of credit. Learn more about how Fort Financial can help fortify your business here.

Are you buying your vehicles backward? Most people seem to. What do we mean? This: most people, when shopping for a new vehicle, go to the dealer, pick out their car, and then figure out financing. How is that backward? You might think they don’t know their budget until they start talking numbers, but the result is almost always spending more than they intended to. How can you avoid this costly mistake? Keep reading for a few tips and a few things you should keep your eye out for when starting your journey to buy a new vehicle. In the market for a new vehicle? Check out Fort Financial's auto loans and apply for your loan today.

Identity theft happens to millions of people each year, no matter how high or low their checking account balance. No one is immune. And with over 15.4 million identity theft cases in 2016, it’s one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. Depending on how long the fraudulent activity (that means it’s illegal and done by someone claiming to be another person) has gone on undetected, it can take months or years to sort out the mess and get the victim’s life back on track.

Time isn’t the only cost of identity theft. Victims also suffer two forms of financial loss: direct and indirect. Direct loss is the money stolen or misused by the thief from banking or savings and investment accounts. Indirect loss includes other costs like legal fees, overdraft charges, harm to their credit score, or time missed from work to combat the fraudulent activity. 

What is a credit union and why should you consider joining one? Simple answer – ownership. Credit unions are community-focused financial institutions owned by their members. Why does this matter? Because as an owner, your membership gives you a share in the organization’s profits, driving cost savings directly to you. Credit unions typically offer lower fees, higher savings rates and a more personalized member-service experience. They operate to promote the well-being of their members, improve the financial well-being of their membership base and add value to their communities.

We have been made aware that members are receiving scam calls from people impersonating Fort Financial employees. The scammers are spoofing the Fort Financial number in the caller ID and telling members that their debit card has fraud on it and that they need to get it shut down. The scammers are telling members that the fraud is happening in Georgia and asking for their account and Social Security numbers in order to get access to their accounts.

As important as business credit is to the life and future of small businesses, a shocking number of small business owners don’t know about this important financial asset and instead turn to personal credit cards when they need to pay for advance purchases. Even before the pandemic, surveys by the National Small Business Association revealed that up to 27 percent of businesses said they were unable to obtain the funding they needed. This means a lack of funding was the primary reason they were unable to grow their business.

Hot air balloons dotted the skyline during the annual Angola Balloons Aloft (ABA), that took place July 8-10 at Angola High School, and it was another amazing event to be a part of!

Being a productive and active contributor to the Steuben County community is very important to Fort Financial. Our community is the reason we are here, and as the manager of the Angola branch, my staff and I look forward to continuing that relationship with everyone we can.

Fort Financial’s founding is rooted in the principle of People Helping People. It’s something credit union leaders feel strongly about  -- so strongly that every Fort Financial employee is given the opportunity to live out this principle with a unique employee benefit.

Each year, every Fort Financial employee is awarded Community Service PTO (Paid-Time Off). This time allows employees to select a community service project of their choice and give back to the community through volunteering.

The small communities around northeast Indiana are unique, but they are all full of charm, bursting with hometown pride and are always ready to welcome to visitors. One such small town is Leo-Cedarville, a few miles down the road from our Dupont Road branch.

In 2022, Fort Financial partnered with the Leo-Cedarville Foundation to sponsor the Market on Main during the town's annual Freedom Festival, which takes place the last weekend in June.