Under the open-ended response area of the survey, there was a request to “Please list any suggestions you may have to further enhance your member experience.” Some suggestions we received are benefits or services that we already offer. We want to shed light onto some of those offerings to make sure all of our members are aware.

Financial Literacy

We are very passionate about education and financial literacy. We have partnered with Banzai to offer online courses and resources for teachers to utilize with their students to educate them on the importance of financial health. Currently, we sponsor the program in 16 schools, and that number is still growing! We have also worked with teachers in some local schools to teach a money management course. A Pittsford FCU team member goes in person to teach this lesson, educating students on topics such as the difference between debit and credit, what interest is, what loans are, and much more. We have also partnered with GreenPath Financial Wellness to offer financial education options to all of our members. To learn more, please visit GreenPath.com/Pittsford.

Coin Counters

While we have had a coin counter in the Pittsford branch for a while, we also added one to the Mendon branch last year! Please feel free to bring in your loose change to be counted at either Pittsford FCU branch.

ATM Options

Not only do members receive six (6) free* Pittsford FCU ATM transactions per month as a Pittsford FCU ATM or Debit Card holder, but you also have access to a nationwide surcharge free ATM network! Pittsford FCU is part of the CO-OP and SUM ATM Networks providing surcharge-free access to Rochester’s largest Surcharge-free network and over 30,000 Surcharge-free ATMs nationwide and parts of Canada. Locating one of these ATMs is as easy as using the Locations feature in the Pittsford FCU Mobile App or texting your street address, zip code or city and state to 91989.

*There may be a fee associated with these transactions imposed by other financial institutions.

Pittsford FCU has always been dedicated to supporting education. One way we do this is to present college-bound high school seniors with the opportunity to compete for scholarship awards. Not only will the Rochester Chapter of New York State Credit Unions be awarding a minimum of $10,000 in scholarships, but Pittsford FCU will also award five additional $1,000 scholarships exclusively to Pittsford FCU member-applicants. The process is simple; students wishing to be considered can begin the application process on our website at PittsfordFCU.org/Scholarship. Best of luck to all applicants!

We recently received the results of our most recent Member Satisfaction Survey, and the insight respondents provided was very informative. Pittsford FCU members continue to score their Credit Union near the top of all participating credit unions in categories across the board, including courtesy, accuracy, and response time. Respondents also indicated that our overall service levels remain very, very high, and our Lending Service continues to improve (this is the fifth consecutive survey with an improved Loan Team Service score).

We are delighted with the results, and sincerely appreciate the time respondents invested to respond. If you did not receive an invitation to participate, please know that the process is random, and you may receive a request to complete a survey in the future.

When asked to rank interest in current services we offer, 24-hour deposit ATMS, Car Fax Reports (used car condition reports), and Online Loan Applications were the clear leaders. Additionally, mixed denominations of currency in our ATMs, ATM surcharge refunds, and mobile control for plastic cards were the services under consideration that were of most interest to those completing the survey. Watch for additional information about new services soon.

One of the most rewarding elements when reviewing the survey results are the comments submitted when responding to “Why did you just give (whatever score) in response to ‘Would you recommend Pittsford FCU to family and friends?’”. Here are a few examples:

 “All of my family has used PFCU for years. PFCU is highly dependable, trustworthy, helpful and convenient.”

“Excellent range of services, knowledgeable staff, local company, can talk to a real person at any time, ease of access with mobile banking.”

“The friendliness of your staff as well as your awesome loan rates. I have already recommended you to family and friends and some have already followed through and become members! They are already happy that they did.”

The survey report includes, literally, over 200 similar comments, and it’s a pleasure to read each one.

We are grateful for the feedback and will continue to do our best to earn your trust and support. Should you have any questions or concerns about the survey, or Pittsford FCU’s performance, please reach out to Brian Scudder, General Manager.

We are excited to announce that, for the third time, we will be offering a Balance Transfer Promotion! This newest promotion is a bit different, as the interest rate is lower than the 1.99% previous offer. This year you can take advantage of 1.49% Introductory APR* for 24 months, through February 2024 (after that 9.49% APR). Did you know that in the last two balance transfer promotions, Pittsford FCU members transferred over $1,700,000 worth of higher interest rate debt? We are excited to offer another opportunity to help our members get ahead, financially!

What you need to know: Current eligible Pittsford FCU VISA Platinum members may receive an offer to consolidate their higher-rate credit card balances to their Pittsford FCU card. The offer grants a 1.49% Introductory APR* through February 2024 (24+ months!) on eligible balance transfers and convenience check purchases. The rate will increase to 9.49% APR* after the March 2024 billing cycle. The promotional APR begins January 1, 2022 and will apply to qualifying transactions through February 28, 2022. Our hope is that this will enable members to take advantage of low rates after the busy holiday shopping season. Members can also use the convenience checks included with the offer to make new purchases. If a larger credit limit would help, we invite you to apply for an increase. If you have been considering applying for our credit card there is still time to apply and take advantage of this offer. It’s easy to do. You can apply online by visiting PittsfordFCU.org; you can stop by one of our branches; or you can reach out to us by phone at (800)836-8010.
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate

BY GreenPath Financial Wellness

The New Year is a time for powerful new beginnings. It also presents an opportunity to look at our everyday habits – whether those habits relate to our health and fitness or our money habits as we manage any financial challenges.

What is a habit? A good working definition is that a habit is a routine behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur without a lot of conscious thought.

Many of us already have healthy habits that we do by routine – like brushing our teeth or washing our hands.

We might also have healthy money habits. Carefully reviewing your credit card statements each month could be a habit you already have in place, for example. As [a new] year gets underway, there are opportunities to reinforce healthy money habits that already work for you. And it’s an opportunity to create new habits like writing down financial goals or building savings.

Make It a Habit

Building positive money habits can affect your entire wellbeing. Here are a few ideas to try as the New Year gets underway.

1. Make a Goal (and Write It Down)

Goal-setting gives you direction. You can decide on your destination and make a plan to get there. This action might seem small, but it’s not. Make it a habit to look at monthly finances and jot down one or two goals. The goal could be taking a bite out of your credit card balances or setting aside a small amount each month for a large purchase.

2. Set it and Forget It

You likely have many of your outgoing bills set to “automatic payment,” which is a positive money habit. Setting up “auto pay” on monthly utilities, cable, and other bills lets you be sure bills are paid on time. Consider setting up “auto save” as well. If you set a goal to save for a big purchase, like the down payment for a car, automate monthly savings to help you achieve your goal. Set up automatic transfers or use direct deposit from your paycheck to automatically place funds in your goal account.

3. Spend with Care

Mindful spending is a powerful financial habit to build. If you don’t already have one, build the habit of using a monthly spending or budgeting plan. You’ll learn how much money you have to work with, the amount that is going out each month for bills and expenses, what you need to set aside for other bills and living expenses, and how much you can devote to your goal from each paycheck.

4. Deal with Debt

Think about your habits when using your credit card and when considering your total debt situation. Are most of your purchases made with consumer credit cards? What are your current credit card balances and other debt balances? Listing out all your monthly debt payments helps you stay aware and act if needed. If you are in the habit of only making minimum payments on your credit card balances or experiencing collection calls, consider learning about how a Debt Management Plan can get help support healthy money habits.

5. Celebrate Your Progress

As we noted, you likely have many positive habits already. That’s something to be proud of, as you can apply those lessons to building new money habits. Make it simple. Tackle one habit at a time and celebrate your wins. The New Year is sure to be a success when you tackle one habit at a time and make it work for you.

Ready to build new money habits? Our partner GreenPath specializes in helping people improve their financial wellness. Learn more about building healthy financial habits here: GreenPath.com/Redesign-Financial-Habits.