Good Living Building a Good Life for today and Tomorrow

Behind every money win is a story of bouncing back and leveling up.

Here we are again, sharing some wins and “ah-ha” moments from our credit union members. But it’s not always all about those success stories. Sometimes, there are real obstacles to overcome before reaching those money goals, and we’re here for those moments too. It’s never too late to start understanding your money, and everyone can use a helping hand and a plan to get back on track. The crucial financial decisions made during tough times usually set the stage for future success. We’re here to support each member through both the good times and the challenging ones, helping you navigate your unique financial journey, even if things get a little bumpy.

The Good Life Starts Here

Think about it, life involves more than just money. And banking should be about more than just transactions. It should mirror our values and tap into the deeper emotions guiding our financial choices and goals.

This is why we’re focused on the good life for each and every one of our members – that’s you! We want to be more than just a place for you to keep your money—more than just a chore you need to get done.

We’re a partner for helping you create the life you want.

5 Stars for that Good Credit Union Experience

Sometimes you’ve got to give a shoutout to that good stuff. Check out some of the 5-star reviews we’ve recently received from our members.

That New Member Feeling? We’re Totally Here for It!

We love showing new members how awesome credit union life can be and how it can change things up for them. Whether you’re just starting out with building credit, figuring out how to budget, or looking to consolidate debt, we’ve got you covered. It’s never too late to learn more about your money, and that great feeling you get when you finally get it all figured out and crush your money goals? Well, we’re totally here for it!

From Big Bank Frustration to Credit Union Celebration

Ms. Roberta discovered us through a family recommendation. She’d been with a big bank for years but was growing increasingly frustrated with their impersonal customer service. She struggled with their app, didn't like the restrictive deposit limits, and wanted more of a personal touch that they simply didn’t provide. When she joined Members Choice, she felt an immediate sense of belonging and appreciation. It was a relief for her to find a patient, hands-on approach here. She was warmly greeted by Breuna Glenn, our member advocate, who went the extra mile by helping her set up a personalized budget to ensure everything ran smoothly.

She decided to become a part of the Members Choice Credit Union family. She opened a savings account to kick off her membership, signed up for a Members Choice Complete Checking®️ account, and even refinanced her auto loan with us. The literal icing on the cake? The member was so pleased with the exceptional service she received that she baked Breuna a homemade strawberry cake as a heartfelt thank you.

From High School Grad to Credit-Building Queen

A new member walked into our branch, ready to open her very first bank account. At just 18 years old, she had just graduated high school and was gearing up for college. Celina Agyeman, our member advocate, took the time to walk her through how membership works here and introduced her to the idea of a shared secured loan—a smart way to start building credit for future milestones like renting an apartment, buying her first car, and even securing student loans. With a plan in place to save $1,000 over the next 12 months, she left excited and confident about building her future.

We stood out not only because we offered the best options compared to the other banks she considered, but also because her mom, a loyal Members Choice Credit Union member, strongly encouraged her to choose us over a big bank. That motherly advice led her right to our doors.

How a Teacher Found Real Support and Better Savings at Our Credit Union

A new member, a high school teacher who recently relocated from Mississippi to Texas, walked into our branch initially just to ask a few questions. She wanted more than just a place to make transactions; she was searching for solid financial advice and meaningful relationships with people who could genuinely help her. Christ Rodriguez, our member advocate, guided her through the process and got her started by opening a savings account to kick off her membership. She was also set up with a Members Choice Complete Checking® account and a Maximum Money Market™ account to help her save faster and reach her goals. As a teacher, she even qualified for our Helping Heroes discount.

When she returned to the branch, she shared with Christ, "I'm glad I decided to open a credit union account with you all. I wish I would have known more about credit unions a long time ago because I'm not liking the bigger banks, and I'm looking to transfer all my funds here."

Just this summer, Members Choice has helped over 300 members get access to extra cash for those unexpected moments in life. Here are a few of their stories.

Supporting You Through Life’s Toughest Moments

Life throws unexpected curveballs, and they often hit your wallet too. We’re here to help you navigate those tough times, weigh your options, and make a solid plan. We’ll think outside the box to keep your monthly payments low and get you the funds you need. The last thing you should deal with during an emergency is the added stress from not having enough money. From creative solutions to financial reviews, we’ve got your back with a long-term plan to get you back on track.

A Fresh Start with a Local Touch

A new member who recently moved to town from San Antonio, visited our branch with his wife and baby, feeling anxious about not having a local checking account due to his credit score. Louis Corona, our member advocate, took the time to walk him through the benefits he would receive here and despite his worries, he decided to give it a shot and was thrilled to be approved for a checking account. Relieved to have a local bank he can trust; he is now planning to apply for a debt consolidation loan.

A Path to Healing with Financial Relief

A long-time member, struggling with high rates, came to us for help. We discovered he had a title loan with a Cash Store that wasn’t included in his current debt relief program. After going through a tough divorce and the heartbreaking loss of his child, he had been burdened with a steep monthly payment. We were able to get him approved to pay off the title loan, saving him nearly $1,000 each month—money he can now put towards reducing his debt relief balance.

A Creative Solution Saved a Struggling Business-owner

A member came into the branch, and he was worried about his business taking a dip and not having enough personal funds to get through the next month. Louis Corona, our member advocate, first tried to help with a personal loan. Louis didn’t stop there—after learning that the member had two vehicles with clear titles, he recommended applying for a clear title loan instead. He agreed and was approved for $10,000, giving him the relief he needed for that short-term cashflow.

When members come to us worried about their finances, we often start with a financial review. We pull their credit report and take a close look at all their credit cards and interest rates to see what the best solution for them might be. Whether it’s a line of credit, a debt consolidation loan, an auto refinance, or another option, we’re here to help them save money and find the right financial path. - Louis Corona, member advocate at Members Choice Credit Union

Building Good Money Habits

Emergencies are never fun, and they usually come with a big price tag. That’s why having an emergency fund—what we like to call “wealth-protecting money”—is key. It’s your safety net for when life throws you a curveball, so you won’t have to mess with your paycheck or daily spending. Ready to be prepared for whatever life brings? Log in or create an account in our financial literacy hub, Good Money Habits, and check out the tools you’ll need to build your own emergency fund.

It's never too early to start learning about money!

Teaching kids about money is super important because it sets them up with the financial know-how they’ll need down the road. Whether it’s buying their first car, renting an apartment, or landing their first job—credit checks can pop up in all those situations. By understanding money early, they can tackle these milestones with confidence, minus the stress! We’re here to help—get your kid logged into our financial learning hub and have them check out our learning playlist made just for them!

Doing Good

At our Red, White & YOU member appreciation event earlier this year in July, we enjoyed sharing hot dogs and sweet treats with our members at each of our local branches. It was our way of saying “thank you” for choosing us as your place to bank. We know each of our members has many options, so we are thrilled you continue to choose us year after year.

That’s it for now! Can’t wait to hang out again soon.

Remember, just getting started is the first big step on your money journey. If you’re reading this, then you’re already doing better than you were before. We’re here to continue guiding you every step of the way. Think of us as your financial BFF, ready to help you learn the skills and stay on track. Here’s to making progress together.

Got some thoughts to share? We'd love to hear them! Contact us online with your feedback and suggestions. Tell us what you'd like to see in our upcoming newsletters. Until next time, take care!