COVID-19 has changed the way all of us do business. For the past few weeks, 1 ^st Cooperative employees have been conducting credit union business from their homes. The same great service you’ve come to expect is still available to all members, it’s just being done remotely.

Whatever you need, the credit union staff is ready to help. Call them today at (803) 796-0234 or email them here.

With a name like Chris Wiser, you'd have to imagine this Berkeley Electric warehouse supervisor is pretty smart. Turns out he is--especially when it comes to financing vehicles.

Chris made the smart move and contacted 1 ^st Cooperative about a vehicle loan.

"It was the easiest vehicle purchase I’ve ever made," said Chris. "From the first time I spoke to John Middleton at the credit union, he treated me like more than just a customer. I have told everyone about 1 ^st Cooperative and will be looking forward to doing more business with them in the future."

To see how John can help you with your next vehicle purchase, give him a call at (803) 796-0234.

Photo: Chris Wiser pictured with his 2016 Ford F150 he financed through 1 ^st Cooperative.

The second decade of the 21st century brought another security consideration for users of paper checks and other dated paper documents.

Online (digital) banking is easy and convenient, but many of us still pay with paper drafts—that’s what a check is, one way to draft money from your account. And, security is important either way.

Consider this: If you write a date on a check in this format — 5/1/20 — and a mischievous person obtains the check, you’ve provided an easy path to a scam. The “20” in the date is not only the year but also the current century. That means a scammer could add “19” to the “20” you wrote and have a check ready for cashing. Or they could add “21” to make “2021” and have a check ready to cash next year.

So, 5/1/2020 is the way to go ... or better yet May 1, 2020.

Circumstances in life can derail even the best money management plan. If you can’t keep up with your bills, you’ll need to take an inventory of your resources and prioritize your financial obligations.

Here’s the first of seven steps to financial freedom available at 1stCooperative.com:

Improve your credit score

Your history of credit management can affect the interest rate you pay on a loan, your ability to rent or buy a home, the insurance rates you are offered, and even your future employment opportunities. By understanding the world of credit reports, you can create a positive credit standing that will allow you to achieve your goals quickly and inexpensively.

If your credit score isn’t what you want it to be, 1 ^st Cooperative can review your credit report and provide advice on how to address problems and build strong credit. The service is free.