Canton School Employees Federal Credit Union (CSE)

What Happens When a Lender Checks My Credit Score

Posted On: June 25, 2025 by CSE Federal Credit Union in: Auto Loans, CSE, Education, Lending

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 down in a way that’s easy to understand — and give you 5 simple tips to keep your score healthy.

First:...

Understanding Buy Now, Pay Later Services

Posted On: June 11, 2025 by CSE Federal Credit Union in: Budgeting, CSE, Education, Lending

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” or “no fees.” It sounds like a great deal, right?

But like many things that sound too good...

5 Tips with an Expert | Auto Loan Edition

Posted On: June 5, 2024 by CSE Federal Credit Union in: Auto Loans, CSE, Education

5 Tips with an Expert | Auto Loan Edition

At CSE we are dedicated to empowering you on your journey to finding the car of your dreams. When you’re in the process of finding a new vehicle and taking care of the financing, it can often feel like a daunting task. But fear not, our team of auto loan experts has chimed in to help guide you through the process with ease.

Whether you're a first-timer or looking to upgrade, we've simplified the...

To Consolidate...or Not to Consolidate?

Posted On: January 2, 2021 by CSE Federal Credit Union in: General, Lending

Exploring When Debt Consolidation Makes Sense

Debt affects nearly every consumer, no matter what financial situation you find yourself in. According to the Federal Reserve1, American's hold nearly $4.2 Trillion (yes, with a T) in consumer debt, or, roughly $38,000 per person. This number excludes mortgage debt but includes everything else: student loans, credit cards, vehicle loans, personal loans, and other debts.

If digging out of debt is on your financial to-do list,...