Spirit Quarterly Newsletter

The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2024. The meeting will be held at the Niceville Community Center at 204 Partin Drive North. Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m. Please check our website, eglinfcu.org, for updates.

The Nominating Committee confirmed current Directors Barbara Patty and James Pitts, whose terms are set to expire. Both are willing to serve another 3-year term. There were no Nominations by Petition; therefore, a mail ballot is not required, and no nominations from the floor will be taken.

As financial institutions continue to evolve in the digital age, credit unions are emerging as leaders in the realm of financial literacy. With our focus on community and our commitment to helping members make sound financial decisions, we are uniquely positioned to provide members with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve financial success.

EFCU offers a range of resources to educate members on personal finance, including workshops, seminars, online courses, and online financial counseling services through BALANCE. These resources cover a wide range of topics, from budgeting and saving, to investing and retirement planning. By providing these resources, we empower members to take control of their financial futures and make informed decisions about their money.

In addition to our educational offerings, credit unions also prioritize transparency and openness in their communications with members.

•  EFCU often works closely with local schools and community organizations to promote financial literacy and provide educational resources to youth and adults alike.
•  EFCU also prioritizes inclusion by making our services accessible to underserved communities.

Through our focus on financial literacy and inclusion, we are helping to build stronger communities by creating a more equitable and prosperous landscape for all.

To learn more about financial literacy resources available, please visit eglinfcu.org/education.

The holidays may be over, but you can give yourself one last gift – financial peace of mind. Don't let those holiday bills get you down. Take a deep breath, make a plan, and tackle those payments like a boss.

A credit card from Eglin Federal Credit Union can help you consolidate the holiday bills with a low interest rate. You may have some store credit cards with a high interest rate. If you transfer those balances to an EFCU credit card with a lower rate, you can:

•  Pay down debt faster. When you pay less in interest charges, you can whittle down the balance quicker without increasing the amount you pay each month.
•  Enjoy smaller monthly payments. Maybe your budget needs a little breathing room. Consolidating credit card debt can mean that you only make one payment instead of several. You can pay the minimum amount, the full balance or anything in between.
•  Simplify bill paying. Instead of a pile of bills all with different due dates, you have just one payment to make each month, one due date, one login and password.
•  Improve your credit rating. The amounts you owe on your accounts make up 30% of your FICO® credit score, so paying down balances can boost your credit score.

Rates are as low as 7.9% APR* for EFCU's Platinum Mastercard® and as low as 8.9% APR* for our Platinum Rewards card.

•  No balance transfer fee
•  No annual fee
•  No cash advance fee
•  No international transaction fee

Manage the bills from the holidays more easily with an EFCU credit card. You can apply online at eglinfcu.org/mastercard.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate

If you receive a call or text you aren't expecting, hang up - don't reply. Call the company back using a number you trust, and verify that the call or text was legitimate. Imposters may pose as trustworthy institutions like banks, utility companies, law enforcement agencies, or even family members, using high-pressure tactics to trick you into acting quickly. Don't fall for their fear tactics!

 Be on the lookout for suspicious emails. Phishing emails often look like legitimate communications from reputable companies. They can appear to be bills, security alerts, Zoom calls, etc. Exercise caution if you are not expecting that email, and do not open any attachments. Look for spelling mistakes, a lack of personalization, a suspicious link or a request for personal information. If you receive a phishing email, delete it immediately and report it to the actual company it appears to be from. It's important to take these threats seriously and protect yourself and your assets.

 Be suspicious of financial offers that sound too good to be true. These offers are often accompanied by empty promises of high returns, low risk and one-time opportunities.

 Beware of the grandparent scam! Grandparents often have a hard time saying no to their grandchildren, and scammers are taking advantage. They often call and impersonate a grandchild in trouble or in an accident, needing financial assistance immediately. Scammers can even mimic a familiar voice using artificial intelligence to convince their victims.

 Do not share your PINs or passwords. EFCU will never ask for your PIN, password, card security code, one-time passcode or any other personal identification information, and you should never share these numbers with others – even family members.

If you suspect fraud on your account, please contact Eglin FCU, even after business hours, at 850.862.0111, Option 1, to turn off your card immediately. You can also turn your cards off with EFCU CardControls.

• Austin Moving and Storage, Inc., Fort Walton Beach
• Beast Code, LLC, Fort Walton Beach
• Caliente Crew, LLC dba Hotworx Studio, Fort Walton Beach
• Family and Child Development of Northwest Florida, Inc., Fort Walton Beach
• 5 Star Nutrition, LLC, Fort Walton Beach
• Johnny Huston's, Inc. dba Johnny Huston's Grille & Bar, Navarre
• Navarre Gardens, LLC, Navarre
• Navarre Montessori Academy, LLC, Navarre
• Electric Cart Company, LLC, Santa Rosa Beach
• Ledford Rice, Inc. dba Bamboo Sushi Bar Hibachi Express, Crestview
• Soleil Destin, LLC, Destin
• Bamboo FWB, Inc. dba Bamboo Sushi Bar Hibachi Express, Fort Walton Beach
• The Montessori Learning Center of Fort Walton Beach, Inc., Fort Walton Beach
• Renovation Flooring, LLC, Fort Walton Beach
• BJL Sources, Inc. dba Ye Olde Brothers Brewery, Navarre
• Bamboo FWB, Inc. dba Bamboo Sushi Bar Hibachi Express, Niceville
• Chick-fil-A, Inc. dba Chick-fil-A Beal Parkway #1447, Fort Walton Beach
• Embr Hair Salon, LLC, Fort Walton Beach
• Props Craft Brewery, LLC, Fort Walton Beach
• Skyla's Beauty and Barber Lounge, LLC, Fort Walton Beach
• Mama Clemenza's, LLC, Miramar Beach