Skip to main content

With Inflation High and Rates Rising, LAFCU Introduces New Adjustable Rate Mortgage

 LANSING, Mich. — As inflation remains high and the Fed continues to push up rates, Lansing Area FCU (LAFCU) has introduced a 10/6 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

In announcing the new offering, the $970-million credit union noted ARMs were a hallmark of the 1980s inflationary period and the mid-2000s mortgage crisis, and the product is now making a “comeback.”

The loan has a fixed rate of interest for the first 10 years of the loan, after which it adjusts once every six months over the remaining 20 years. The terms apply to both new and refinanced mortgages.

LAFCU Family

The Stanton familiy in their new home.

“LAFCU’s 10/6 ARM loan is a low-cost option that allows members to purchase more house for less out-of-pocket monthly expense,” said Rob Boomershine, LAFCU vice president of lending. “It was developed to help our members in this period of inflation and rising interest rates.” 

LAFCU said its 10/6 ARM loan is typically priced up to two percentage points less than a 30-year fixed loan. 

One Family’s Experience

The credit union shared the story of members Amber and David Stanton, who had been living in a 900-square-foot mobile home for four years with their five children while trying to get approved for a mortgage.

“We had been trying to work with another lender but had never met their requirements,” said Amber Stanton. “After working with a loan officer at LAFCU, we were pre-approved and able to pursue our dream of owning our own house. The 10/6 ARM saved us $200 a month on our mortgage. Knowing the monthly payments will be stable for 10 years made us much more comfortable with buying a house.” 

LAFCU added that it also has a program in which it assists physicians in obtaining mortgages under which student loan balances do not negatively impact the member’s debt-to-income ratio.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sunday Reading - Individual Retirement Accounts

  Individual Retirement Accounts     Inside IRAs Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, are tax-advantaged   investment accounts that help individuals save for retirement. The money you put into an IRA is used to invest in stocks, bonds, and other assets. Anyone who earns an income—regardless of whether they are a full-timer, a part-timer, or a contractor—can open and invest in an IRA. IRAs are often good solutions for people who don’t have the option to invest in a 401(k) ( 1440 Topics )—or for those who want to put even more money aside for retirement.   Depending on the type of IRA someone gets, they will have access to either a tax-deferred or...

Sheehans Consulting LLC - "We only have one goal in mind!"

We have one goal in mind: “What is best for you? We achieve strategic initiatives, develop products, optimize profitability and productivity through best practices, and make our firm a strong asset for professional services.  With over 30 years of experience in public administration, credit union, and association management, I have developed a solid track record in leadership and development.  Please visit us at https://www.sheehansconsultingllc.com/ to learn more about what we can do for you.   _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Trump Administration Reverses Course, Restores CDFI Fund Staff In Major Win for Credit Unions

WASHINGTON—In a sharp reversal of the Trump Administration’s earlier move, the mass reduction-in-force (RIF) notices issued to all employees of the CDFI Fund last month have been rescinded, according to internal emails reviewed by Punchbowl News. The notices had threatened terminations in December as part of a broader effort by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Director Russ Vought to pressure congressional Democrats to drop their objections in the budget-funding fight. For the credit-union movement, the signal is loud and clear: critical community-development infrastructure may yet be preserved, sources stated. “Reinstating the entire CDFI Fund staff is an essential and welcome step toward restoring a program that has proven itself indispensable to underserved and military communities,” said DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jaso Stverak. “The CDFI Fund isn’t just another federal initiative—it is a lifeline for servicemembers, veterans, and low-income families who rely on miss...

Best Places to Retire

  List: Best Places to Retire Midland, Michigan , was ranked the best place to retire , according to a ranking of 850 cities by U.S. News . The top locations had the best mix of affordability, quality of life, health care access, and other benefits. The top five were rounded out by Weirton, West Virginia , Homosassa Springs, Florida , The Woodlands, Texas , and Spring, Texas . Midland scored top marks on walkability , culture , retail establishments , and restaurants . The town is just a short drive from beaches at the edge of Lake Huron . The top 25 included nine cities in Florida and six in Texas. See the full list here . _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Now Available - "Financial Literacy" From NCOFCU

https://www.ncofcu.org/financial-literacy The National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) is dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among our members, members, particularly targeting the Millennial and Gen Z demographics. We are excited to share our engaging financial education video series, designed to address their key concerns regarding earning, saving, and spending money wisely. Here are several critical financial lessons that can significantly impact your personal finance management and long-term financial health. Discover how staying informed and educated about financial products and market trends can empower you to make smarter financial decisions. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT3lzRTXnHw4LjHuOIk31eTDxaQ7J7B0f   _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Existing home sales fell for the 11th consecutive month in December, hitting the slowest pace since November 2010

Sales of previously owned homes dropped 1.5% in December from the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales ended the year at a seasonally adjusted, annualized pace of 4.02 million units, which was 34% lower than December 2021. It is the slowest pace since November 2010, when the nation was struggling through a housing crisis brought on by faulty subprime mortgages. Total sales for the year were down 17.8% from 2021. Home sales have now fallen for 11 straight months, due to much higher mortgage rates, which began rising last spring and had more than doubled by fall. Sky-high prices, driven by high demand during the first years of the pandemic, weakened affordability even further and caused supply to fall sharply. “December was another difficult month for buyers, who continue to face limited inventory and high mortgage rates,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Realtors. “However, expect sales to pick up again soon since mortgage rate...

Fed Governor Warns ‘Global Stablecoin Glut’ Could Reshape Monetary Policy

  NEW YORK—Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran believes the rapid rise of stablecoins could become a major force shaping U.S. monetary policy. Once seen as a niche digital tool for crypto traders, stablecoins have evolved into a global conduit for dollar-denominated transactions, enabling users worldwide to store value and move capital more efficiently. Their growing prominence, Miran noted during his speech at the BCVC Summit 2025 at the Harvard Club, reflects continued demand for dollars—and with the GENIUS Act now providing a clear regulatory framework for U.S.-issued stablecoins, the sector is poised for broader adoption across payment systems. Stephen Miran Stablecoins’ link to the U.S. dollar is reinforcing the currency’s global dominance while simultaneously creating new implications for monetary policy. Miran argued that stablecoins are already increasing demand for U.S. Treasury bills and other dollar-based assets, especially from investors outside the United States. Th...

Trump Administration Declares CFPB Funding Illegal, Bureau’s Cash To Run Out By Early 2026

WASHINGTON—Credit-unions face a potential regulatory vacuum as the Trump Administration formally has determined the CFPB’s current self-funding mechanism unlawful—a move that could put the agency on a path to closure in early 2026 unless Congress steps in. For credit-union leaders, who rely on the Bureau’s oversight of consumer-finance markets and enforcement of unfair practices, the decision signals a major disruption to the regulatory environment CUs navigate daily. In a court filing released late Monday, the Administration declared that the CFPB is now legally barred from seeking additional funds from the Federal Reserve System—the agency’s usual funding source under the Dodd‑Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, POLITICO reported. That means the Bureau’s remaining resources will likely carry it only through the end of the year, after which it “anticipates exhausting its currently available funds in early 2026.” CUToday.info has tracked this story, noting in  Oct...

Sunday reading - What's the story behind Thanksgiving?

What's the story behind Thanksgiving? While European settlers in North America had long observed days of thanks, prayer, and reflection, the “ first Thanksgiving ” most often refers to a 1621 meal between the Pilgrims and the native Wampanoag people.   In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day on the final Thursday of November to be celebrated each year. A large meal shared with loved ones is the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving celebrations, where the average gathering size is seven and most people consume 3,150-4,500 calories .   What began as a neighborly meal to celebrate a successful harvest has transformed into an annual economic and cultural powerhouse: The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for air travel as Americans prepare to eat upward of 40 million turkeys  and 80 million pounds of cranberries. ... Read what else we  learned about the holiday here . ...

Vehicle Shortage Wreaking Havoc with Car Buyer’s Pocketbooks

Washington, D.C. – As Americans begin to see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel, record numbers of buyers are venturing back into auto showrooms. “The problem,” says Jack Gillis, CFA’s Executive Director and author of The Car Book, “is that vehicle inventories are way down which means it’s a sellers’ market. Limited supply is a price-conscious car buyer’s biggest enemy.” Vehicle inventory is down by about 30 percent which means car dealers have little incentive to negotiate. “The rule of thumb that nobody pays ‘sticker price’ for a new car has fallen by the wayside as dealers stick to the manufacturers suggest retail price (MSRP) on the vehicle label,” said Gillis. In fact, for some particularly popular vehicles in short supply, dealers are charging prices above sticker price. Gillis’s advice on the best way to deal with this reality: “If you don’t need to replace your car right now, you should wait.” The widely reported computer chip shortage and other repercussions from th...