Firefighter Credit Union Newsroom

  WASHINGTON — More than half of U.S. consumers are conducting their banking via mobile apps more often than any other method, according to a new survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Bankers Association. The national survey found that consumers continue to embrace digital banking channels, with 55% of bank customers using apps on phones or other mobile devices as their top option for managing their bank account and 22% using online banking via laptop or PC the most in the past 12 months. The next most popular banking methods include visiting a branch (8%), ATMs (5%) and telephone calls (4%). The percentage of mobile app users is the highest since ABA and Morning Consult first started conducting this survey in 2017.  Age Breakdown A breakdown of age demographics shows preferences vary among different generations. About two-thirds of Generation Z (64%) and Millennials (68%) use mobile banking apps most often, while more than half of Generation X (55...

WASHINGTON—Existing home sales are now expected to rise only 4% next year from a 2024 pace that is on track for a nearly 30-year low, according to the  November 2024 commentary  from the Fannie Mae Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group. The downward revision to the existing home sales outlook, which was previously forecast to rise 11% in 2025, is the result of significant upward movement in mortgage rates and other long-duration bonds in recent weeks, Fannie Mae said. ‘ “Whereas previously the ESR Group had expected mortgage rates to dip below 6% in early 2025, the revised forecast now shows mortgage rates ending 2025 at 6.3% and remaining above 6% through 2026. The ESR Group does expect a significant improvement in existing home sales of around 17% in its inaugural 2026 forecast, as affordability conditions improve, the lock-in effect weakens, and pent-up demand to move materializes. Furthermore, the ESR Group continues to expect new home sales to improve on already-rob...

NEW YORK—Consumers are finding it is more difficult today to get a loan—especially auto and mortgage—as lenders tighten their standards, new data show. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data has released results from its latest  Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE) Credit Access Survey , which provides information on consumers’ experiences with, and expectations about, credit demand and credit access. The survey is fielded every four months, most recently in October 2024. The latest  SCE   Credit Access Survey  reveals largely stable credit demand but increased rejection rates on credit applications in 2024. Reported rejection rates for credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, credit card limit extension applications, and mortgage loan refinance applications all rose in 2024, with those for auto loans and mortgage refinances reaching new series highs since the module was first fielded in 2013. The proportion of respondents reporting volunta...

  www. NCOFCU .org National Council of First-Responder Credit Unions "By firefighters for all first responders."   ...

CUFR HEALTH MARKETPLACE POWERED BY ALLSTATE HEALTH SOLUTIONS Contact Murray Halperin for more information (561) 393-3770 murrayh@financeresponders.com

Dear President-Elect Trump, On behalf of the  National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc.(NCOFCU), we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations on your election as the 47th President of the United States. This monumental achievement reflects the confidence the American people have in your leadership and vision for our nation. At NCOFCU, we represent a dedicated community of credit unions committed to serving the needs of first responders and their families nationwide. Our mission is to promote financial education for their directors and staff and security for their members and advocate for the interests of credit unions serving first responders nationally. As you prepare to take on this critical role, please know that we stand ready to assist you in any initiatives that will benefit first responders and their communities. Should you require support or collaboration in areas related to the first responder credit union community, we are here to help. We wish ...

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.—Used vehicle values increased in October, according to Black Book. The company’s Used Vehicle Retention Index increased 0.5% (0.8 points) in October to 147.1, up from September 2024 (146.3). The Index is 8.7% below where it was at the same time in 2023. “Activity in the auction lanes in October was strong, with conversion rates consistently in the high 50% range with the larger independent buyers actively engaging in the bidding and securing a fair amount of inventory,” said Laura Wehunt, vice president, data and analytics for Black Book. “As for valuation trends, the overall market reported consistent declines throughout the month that were on par with traditional October depreciation rates.” Wehunt added that moving into November, the industry is closely monitoring how the presidential election outcome may impact demand for new and used vehicles. The Black Book Used Vehicle Retention Index is calculated using Black Book’s published Wholesale Average value on two- t...

It’s been an incredible journey, but it’s bittersweet to announce that Friday marked my last day with New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union. We've accomplished so much together in my six years as Chief Administrative and Development Officer. Some of the highlights: Implemented a data-driven marketing strategy that delivers over 1,800% annual ROI. Developed automated triggers to ensure members receive the right offers at the right time. Grew assets by 61% and increased products per new member from 1.88 to 2.62. Converted online banking to enhance the member experience. Introduced a loan origination system for faster and more efficient loan processing. Transitioned to a mobile-first financial institution to meet members where they are. Pioneered the first Cancer Care loan pause program in the nation (in collaboration with Andy Janning ) Secured nearly $17 million in grants for our impactful work. Expanded our field of membership to 35 parishes and counties and added numerous fi...

As we navigate our everyday communications, I want to emphasize the importance of practicing good email and text message etiquette. This enhances clarity and ensures that everyone feels respected and valued in our interactions. Email Etiquette: 1. Use a Clear Subject Line: A subject line that accurately reflects the content of your email will help recipients know what to expect. 2. Greet Appropriately: Start with an appropriate greeting, such as "Dear [Name]", "Hello [Name]," or "Hi [Name], which sets a positive tone. 3. Acknowledge Receipt: If you receive an email that requires a response, action, or information, please acknowledge its receipt. A simple reply confirming that you have received the email helps the sender know their message was received and provides an opportunity to clarify expectations. 4. Be Concise: Keep your emails clear and to the point. Avoid excessive details unless necessary. 5. Professional Language: Use respectful and professional l...

  Posted: November 5, 2024   by  Pieter Arntz The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has  issued a warning  that cybercriminals are taking over email accounts via stolen session cookies, allowing them to bypass the multi-factor authentication (MFA) a user has set up. Here’s how it works. Most of us don’t think twice about checking the “Remember me” box when we log in. When you log in and the server has verified your authentication—straight away or after using MFA–the server creates a session and generates a unique session ID. This session ID is stored in a session cookie (or a “Remember-Me cookie” as the FBI calls it) on your browser, which is typically valid for 30 days. Every time you return to that website within the time frame, you don’t need to log in. That’s really convenient… unless someone manages to steal that cookie from your system. If someone steals the session cookie, they can log in as you—even if you have MFA enabled. This is particularly relev...

   First Responder Credit Union Academy www. NCOFCU .org   As we approach Veterans Day on November 11th, we would like...