Category: Education

How-to-Guide: Avoiding (or Breaking Free From) Predatory LendingPredatory lending isn’t always easy to spot, and if you’ve already found yourself stuck in a high-interest loan, you’re not alone. This guide will help you recognize the warning signs and provide steps to escape if you’re already caught in the cycle.What Is Predatory

How-to-Guide: Building Credit for Gen Z—A Real-World Guide to Getting Started  For many Gen Z-ers, building credit can feel like one of those “adulting” tasks that you should be doing, but for many, no one really explains how crucial credit is for your financial future! Whether you're dreaming of renting your first apartment,

How to Use AI as a Smart Tool for Your Financial Planning Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in our daily lives—from personalized playlists to voice assistants. But did you know it can also help you take control of your financial future? At CSE, we believe in giving you the tools to make informed, empowered decisions. That’s

  What Happens When a Lender Checks My Credit Score? (And 5 Tips to Keep It Strong) If you’ve ever applied for a loan, credit card, or even a new phone plan, chances are the company said, “We’ll need to check your credit.” But what does that actually mean? And can it hurt your credit score? Let’s break it...

  Understanding Buy Now, Pay Later Services What You Need to Know Before You Click “Pay Later” Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are popping up everywhere — from online shopping carts to your favorite clothing apps. They promise a simple solution: break up your purchase into smaller payments, often with “no interest”...

  HOW TO GUIDE: STAYING SAFE FROM AI SCAMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we live, work, and manage our finances. While AI has many benefits, scammers are also using this technology to create more convincing and sophisticated fraud schemes. As your trusted credit union, we want to ensure you know how to protect yourself....

  Attention Shared Branch Users: Enhanced Security for In-Person Verification Your security is our top priority—both at CSE and through our Shared Branch partners. With the Shared Branch network, you can access your CSE accounts at over 5,000 credit union branches nationwide. New Security Step for Out-of-State IDs: Beginning May...

  A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Finances to Gen Alpha As parents, we want to equip our children with the skills they need to succeed in life, and financial education is one of the most important lessons we can pass down. But for Gen Alpha — kids born between 2010 and 2025 — the way they learn is already drastically different...

  How-to-Guide on How Money Management Accounts Works 1. What Is a Money Management Account? A money management account (MMA) is a type of bank account that lets you save money while earning a bit more interest (or dividends) than a regular savings account. It’s a good place to put money you want to keep safe and grow, but still...

  A How-to-Guide on Your First Credit Card Getting your first credit card is an exciting step toward financial independence, but it’s also a huge responsibility. At CSE, we want to set you up for success with these essential tips: The Do’s DO: Pay on Time, Every Time Your payment history is the single greatest factor...