2025 Wrapped: Our Top 5 Blogs
We’ve had a year full of learning, growth, and connection with our members. At CSE, we know people have more choices than ever when choosing where to bank – not to mention where to find educational information. We’re honored that you choose a place where banking isn’t just banking, it’s Banking that Means More.

One way we bring that to life is through our education efforts, whether it be in-person presentations, social media fun, our blog and more! This year, we shared stories, guides, and tips designed to make finances simpler, smarter, and more meaningful. These posts are written for real people, like you. They’re easy to understand, practical and educational, because helping our members navigate real-life financial moments is what we do best.

Here are our top five blogs from 2025:

1. How-to-Guide: Avoiding (or Breaking Free From) Predatory Lending
Predatory loans, like payday or title loans, can trap people in cycles of debt. This guide helps members spot the red flags and explore safer, more affordable options, like refinancing or credit counseling.

Why it matters: Knowledge is power, and understanding your options can be literally life-changing.

Read Now


2. How-to Guide: Building Credit for Gen Z — A Real-World Guide
Credit can feel confusing for young adults, so we broke it down into simple steps: secured cards, authorized users, smart usage, and credit monitoring.

Why it matters: Building credit early opens doors to future opportunities, and we make it feel achievable.

Read Now


3. Using AI for Financial Planning
From budgeting bots to AI-powered insights, this post shows how anyone can use modern tools to manage money and plan for goals, without being a tech expert.

Why it matters: AI is part of everyday life now, whether we like it or not and we want our members to use it wisely to their advantage.

Read Now


4. What Happens When a Lender Checks My Credit Score (And 5 Tips to Keep It Strong)
This post demystifies hard inquiries, explains how they impact credit and shares actionable tips for keeping your score healthy.

Why it matters: Understanding credit gives you confidence to make the right decisions at the right time.

Read Now


5. Understanding Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Services
BNPL services are convenient but not always risk-free. We break down how they work, potential pitfalls, and how to use them responsibly.

Why it matters: Being informed helps our members spend smarter and avoid surprises.

Read Now


Looking Ahead
2025 was a year of sharing stories, building confidence, and helping our members take meaningful steps toward financial well-being. In 2026, we look forward to bringing you more Moments that Mean More, from practical guides to real member stories, because at CSE, your journey is our story.

Thank you for choosing us, trusting us, and sharing your story with us. Here’s to another year of Banking that Means More, together.