Spirit Quarterly Newsletter

At Eglin Federal Credit Union, we believe it’s never too early to build great financial habits. That’s why we’re excited to kick off our annual Teach a Child to Save program, running from April 1 through June 30. This initiative encourages children and teens to learn the importance of saving and gives them fun opportunities to win prizes along the way.

Open a youth account for a chance to win $100

During the program period, every new youth account (or new suffix on a youth account) opened will be automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win $100. We will select one winner per branch at the end of the summer. It’s a great incentive for young savers to begin their financial journey with Eglin FCU.

Earn entries through savings deposits

We’re also encouraging steady saving habits through our partnership with Okaloosa Saves in a deposit based drawing for a chance to win $50. Each time a youth makes a deposit in branch, they can fill out an entry form for a chance to win one of 10 additional $50 prizes. Young members may enter once per day. Each deposit equals one entry, offering multiple chances to win while building their balance.

Whether making their first deposit or learning how to grow their savings, we’re excited to support our youngest members and help them build strong financial skills that last a lifetime.

See rules.

Eglin Federal Credit Union is excited to host our annual Community Shred Day on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at our Fort Walton Beach Branch. This free event is open to everyone in the community and is one of our most popular services each year. Mark your calendar, spread the word and follow our social media pages for any updates!

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your routines, and that includes your financial habits. Just like clearing out a closet or reorganizing a room, a little financial “spring cleaning” can help you feel more organized, confident and in control heading into the rest of the year. Here are a few simple steps to tidy up your financial life with tools and services available right here at Eglin Federal Credit Union.

Check in with your credit score

Your credit score plays an important role in your financial health, and checking it regularly helps you stay aware of changes or potential issues. With Credit Score by SavvyMoney, Eglin FCU members enjoy free, unlimited access to their credit score and full credit report, right inside Online Banking or the Eglin FCU Mobile App.

You can track score trends, see what affects your rating, determine your debt-to-income ratio and receive personalized tips to help you build or maintain strong credit. It’s one of the smartest ways to strengthen your financial foundation. Sign up for Credit Score by SavvyMoney through your Online Banking access or the Eglin FCU Mobile App.

Go paperless with eStatements

If you’re looking to clear out clutter, switching to electronic statements (eStatements) is an easy win. eStatements provide fast, secure online access to your monthly account Periodic and Mastercard statements, tax documents, notices and disclosures. They’re environmentally friendly, convenient and a great way to keep your Eglin FCU financial records organized in one place. Signing up takes only a moment in Online Banking or the Eglin FCU Mobile App.

Review your spending and reset your budget

Spring is a great time to take a fresh look at your expenses. Review your transactions to see where your money is going, identify unused subscriptions and make sure your budget still matches your goals. Additionally, setting up Activity Alerts through Online Banking or the Mobile App can help you stay on track by notifying you of low balances, large purchases, upcoming loan payment due dates and much more. To set up Activity Alerts in the Mobile App, tap “More” in the main menu, select “Alerts” and choose the notifications you want to receive.

Organize your accounts and payments

If you’re juggling multiple due dates, consider signing up for Bill Payer to simplify the process. It’s secure, efficient and keeps all your bills in one place. You can schedule one-time or recurring payments in advance, helping you save time and avoid late fees. Bill Payer is free with a minimum of three completed transactions per calendar month. If you complete fewer than three transactions each month, a $5 fee will be assessed to your checking account on the last day of the month.

For members who want a streamlined approach to paying Eglin FCU loans or moving funds, digital tools like member to member transfers and scheduled recurring transfers also make staying organized easier than ever.

A little financial spring cleaning can give you real peace of mind. With the right tools, keeping your finances tidy doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

Fraudulent text messages are on the rise. They may make claims like “You have an outstanding traffic fine,” or otherwise look legitimate, but their intent is to trick you into sharing your personal information.

What to look for:

• Texts that use urgent language like “pay now to avoid penalties.”
• Links that lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal or financial information.

How to protect yourself:

• Legitimate agencies do not request fine payments via text message.
• Never click on links in unsolicited texts or share personal information.
• If you receive a suspicious message, use your phone’s “Report Spam” feature or forward the message to 7726 (SPAM).

Stay safe:

• Verify any fines through official government websites or by contacting the agency directly.
• Monitor your accounts regularly and enable alerts.
• Report scam texts claiming to be from a government agency requesting payment to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Learn more about protecting yourself from scams on our Safety and Security webpage at eglinfcu.org/security, or call us any time if you are concerned that your account information may have been compromised.

Eglin FCU will never contact you asking for your password, PIN, one‑time code or other logon information.

Your security is our priority - stay alert and protect your information!