Self-Help Credit Union January News

New Year Inspiration + Disaster and Shutdown Relief

View this email in your browser
Forward to a friend

Open an Account | Home Loans | Business Loans | Annual Report | Blog

A New Year's Message from our President

Dear Members and Friends:

The word "awesome" gets over-used, but we at Self-Help Credit Union are truly in awe of our members and partners. Not only do you make our work possible, you teach us and inspire us. Working side-by-side with you in 2018, we expanded our services and moved forward in creating more economic opportunity in more locations. ... READ MORE

A New Start in South Carolina

Last fall, Self-Help CU was happy to bring our services to South Carolina by merging with two SC credit unions: CommunityWorks Federal Credit Union in Greenville and Palmetto Trust Federal Credit Union in Columbia. Together, these credit unions come to us with 3,700 members.

Our Greenville systems have been fully converted, allowing those members full access to Self-Help Credit Union's services and products. Columbia members have access to many of those same services today, with final conversion set for early June 2019.

Making it Through the Government Shutdown

We are hearing from our members who work for the federal government—many are already feeling the financial strain of not being paid.

In Columbia, SC, Palmetto Trust Federal Credit Union, which primarily serves members who work for the federal government, offers a specific "government shutdown loan." (As noted above, Palmetto Trust joined the Self-Help CU family last fall.) In all our locations we offer other loan programs that could help members through this kind of situation.

"Listening to our members is heartbreaking," said Lucille Beckwith, president of Palmetto Trust. "We are hearing from members who are not only worried about their finances but also about the Americans they serve as civil servants as their work is getting further and further behind."

We encourage members to contact their local branch to discuss how we can best help them.

Disaster Relief for Members

We are committed to assisting members who are suffering financial hardships as a result of the 2018 hurricane season. If you are struggling to recover, please let us know. You may qualify for a Disaster Relief Loan or relief on an existing loan. Find more information at www.self-help.org or call 919.956.4404 and select any representative.

Helping Small Businesses Grow into Success

A few years ago, Alejandro Quillares began his residential landscaping business with only 25 clients. With a Self-Help loan in 2013, he purchased a riding lawn mower. Since then, his business has grown, and he now serves 75 homes in the Apopka/Orlando area.

Boosting growth for small businesses and nonprofits is a key part of building stronger communities. If you're looking for a lending partner, find out more.

Serving Workers in the Fields

For oil refinery workers and farm workers in the Bakersfield, CA area, access to a credit union meant greater economic independence. A new video, produced by our affiliate, Self-Help Federal Credit Union, features renowned activist Dolores Huerta. The video tells the stories of Kern Central Credit Union and the Farm Workers Credit Union, and how they ultimately came together to bring fair financial services to workers in the fields.

This video is part of our ongoing series documenting the histories of credit unions and banks that have joined the Self-Help family. See all of them at "Stories from Self-Help's Vault."

The Fight Continues Against Debt-Trap Lending

This promises to be a key year at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as the CFPB plans to revisit payday rules passed in 2017. The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) and many allies are preparing to defend sensible protections against debt-trap lending. To see how payday and car title loans can affect families who are already struggling, watch a new documentary, Let My People Go, produced by the CRL and partners. The film tells the story of how a bipartisan, largely faith-based group worked for change—and won.

Free Sessions for People with Disabilities

These days there are wonderful devices to help people with disabilities, but the price tag can be high. Next month in western NC, Self-Help CU and partners are offering two free information session on these topics:

- Learn about disability rights.
- See demonstrations of assistive technology devices.
- Get information about Self-Help loans for devices.

A session will be held in Morganton on Feb. 26 and in Asheville on Feb. 27. For more information, call our Asheville Branch Manager Dawn Lierman at 828.255.0809. Huge thanks to Disability NC for sponsoring these events!