horizonfcu.org
4 - Home Buying To-Do | 5 - Valentine's Day on a Budget | 6 - Community News | 7 - Employee Corner
Enlighten
WINTER 2022
2 - Year in Review | 3 - Budeting for the New Year
2021 Year in Review
New Branches in Muncy and Williamsport. Last fall, Horizon doubled our branch footprint with the addition of branches on Lycoming Creek Road in Williamsport and in Muncy. State College FCU Operational Merger. After completing a merger with State College FCU the end of 2020. the credit union continued to operate as its own entity until early October 2021. The operational merger resulted in welcoming 1,800 new members to Horizon, extending our footprint into Centre County. We relocated the branch to a new location on East College Ave. after Thanksgiving. Fall in Love with Horizon. To celebrate our new branch locations, Horizon ran an extensive promotion on TV, radio, digital, and print. A total of $3,000 was awarded in our New Checking Sweepstakes as part of the promotion. Over $1 Million in Member Savings. Through refinance loan promotions, members have saved $1.1 million by refinancing existing loans at other financial institutions to a better rate and term with Horizon. Added 12 New Positions. In addition to staff for the new branches, we added a Director of IT & Facilities, Facilities Manager, and an additional Lending Professional to our team. Celebrated a Retirement. Long-time employee Judy Harris from our Third Street branch retired after 24 years of dedicated service. Judy will be missed by members and our team. Community Involvement. After a year of cancellations, we were excited to see community events start to return in 2021. Horizon was a proud sponsor of the Builders Assoc. Home Show, Cutters 5k, Clinton County Fair, Lock Haven Concert Series, Autumn Fest at Camp Susque, and the Lycoming County Veterans' Day Parade.
Now open to serve our members in Centre County!
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2021 was a very busy and productive year for Horizon. We couldn't have accomplished a fraction of what we did without the tremendous performance of our dedicated staff, and support of our membership.
2541 East College Avenue State College, PA 16801 Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 4:30pm Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm Saturday 9:00am - 12:00pm
The beginning of the year is when most people set goals. After improving health and physical fitness, the next most common New Year's resolution is improving financial fitness. If you are planning a brighter financial on your horizon, here are three financial goals for 2022: Start creating a budget. Most financial struggles have less to do with the amount of income as it does with amount of expenses. A budget includes fixed expenses like rent and car, variable expenses such as food and utilities, and discretionary spending including entertainment and eating out. When creating a budget, make sure you plan for seasonal changes. For example, utilities are usually higher in the winter and summer than they are in the spring and fall. Pay down your debt. The average American has over $90,400 in debt according to a 2021 report by CNBC. This includes credit cards, auto loans, student loans, and mortgages. To pay down your debt, start by creating a list of all outstanding balances with corresponding interest rates. In many cases, you can refinance loans to a lower rate or term to save money each month. Last year, Horizon saved members more than $1.1 million by refinancing loans they had at other financial institutions. Use that savings and any extra money you have, to increase payments on your highest interest loans. Start saving money. Financial experts recomend having a six-month emergency fund. If your monthly expenses are $3,000, that equates to a $18,000 balance in savings. As you lower your monthly debt, you lower the amount needed in an emergency fund. When not putting extra cash towards payments, start increasing your monthy deposits to savings.
Financial Fitness
Look out for our monthly Financial Fitness article on NorthCentralPA.com. January's article provides tips for dealing with holiday debt. Submit your questions for a future article by emailing them to info@horizonfcu.com and enter the subject line Financial Fitness Question.
If your auto loan is not with Horizon you may be paying too much! Last year, our members saved over $1 million by refinancing their existing loan to a better rate and term at Horizon. Often, car buyers shop based on their monthly payment, not realizing they could get a better deal on the rate and term. If you purchased a car in the past three years, contact us today to see if we can help drive some cash back into your wallet!
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Establish Your Budget. Determine how much you can afford . Typically. most people want to keep their monthly mortgage payment to be no more than 30% of their monthly income. The mortgage payment should include principle, interest, taxes, and insurance. Check Your Credit Report. Review a copy of your credit report for any discrepancies. You can access a free copy at www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtain a Pre-Approval. In today's highly competitive housing market, a pre-approval is a must. One of our Mortgage Specialists can easily walk you through the pre-approval process. Select a Realtor. Your realtor is your guide to find the perfect home for you. You need to select the right one who you feel comfortable with discussing your wants and needs, financial details, and have trust they will provide you with the best advice when it comes time to make an offer on a home. Know Your Terms. While a 30-year mortgage is popular, Horizon offers many different terms and programs to meet your individual home buying needs. Talk with our Mortgage Specialists to determine the best term and program for you. Buying a home may be the biggest purchase you ever make. While the process may seem intimidating, we are here to help. Contact us today to get started in finding your new home.
This is the year; you've made a decison to purchase a home. That's a big step, both personally and financially. At Horizon, we share in your excitment in reaching this milestone and are dedicated to help guide you through the process. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or have taken this journey before, this simple To-Do List will help you get started.
Home Buying To-Do List
Savanna Pick NMLS# 1443511 Phone: 570-932-0918 Email: savanna.pick@horizonfcu.org
Terri Musheno NMLS# 754052 Phone: 570-560-7178 Email: tmusheno@horizonfcu.org
Valentine’s Day is a beautiful time of year, dedicated to celebrating love with that special someone as well as friends and family. On average, Americans are expected to spend around a whopping $163 on Valentine’s Day this year! Here are some ways to make sure you are staying on budget while still having a lovely Valentine’s Day: Eat in instead of eating out. Eating out can cost a pretty penny- especially on a holiday! Cooking your own meal is much cheaper, and you can still get the restaurant ambiance in your own home. Light a few candles, dim the lighting, and enjoy your home cooked meal! You can still eat out and save money! If eating out is your favorite part of Valentine’s Day, or you don’t want to deal with the hassle of cleaning dishes, there are other ways to eat out and still save. Consider a less expensive meal such as breakfast or brunch instead of dinner; it’s cheaper! Eat dinner home and go for a luxurious dessert instead. Make a handmade card. Compose a personal handmade card instead of buying an expensive store-bought card. Traditionally, Valentine’s Day cards were handmade; honor the history, add something unique, and save money! Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a different day. As with most holidays, the day after Valentine’s Day has just about everything on sale. Get super cheap candy and miss the busy restaurants. Have an at-home streaming marathon. Watching a movie is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day, but with movie theatre snacks, it can quickly become expensive. Get more snacks and enjoy a movie from the comfort of your home by having an at-home movie streaming marathon. Start a savings account for the kids. Parents often get children gifts for Valentine’s Day. Instead of a gift they might only appreciate now, put the cash into a savings account and give them the gift of early financial responsibility.
We Love Our Members
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Celebrating Valentine's Day Without Breaking Your Budget
They're back! To celebrate Valentine's Day, members who stop into one of our branches on Monday, February 14 will be treated to a chocolate candy bar with a custom We Love Our Members wrapper. Candy bars are available at all of our branch locations, while supplies last.
New Checking Sweepstakes
In celebration of our new branch locations, we invited the community to Fall in Love with Horizon through loan and checking account specials. Everyone who opened a new rewards-based checking account from September - November were automatically entered into a drawing to win $1,000. Congratulations to our checking account sweepstakes winners!
Community
June H from Muncy
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Tracy K from Lock Haven.
Thanksgiving Gobble Giveaway Winners!
Fern S - Williamsport
Branden W - Jersey Shore
Horizon held a Gobble Giveaway contest during the first two weeks of November. Two lucky winners received a 20lb frozen turkey with all the sides, and a $50 Weis gift card for anything we may have missed.
Kimberly G - Williamsport
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Please join us in welcoming the following new team members to Horizon! Stephanie Bixby; Member Service Representative, Third Street Devany Jones; Member Service Representative, State College Katie K.; Credit Solutions Professional Cheryl Kwasney; Financial Service Professional, Third Street Dylan Snyder; Marketing Professional
Melissa Confer; Lock Haven Dina Proper; State College
Each month, Horizon recognizes employees for going above and beyond. These brand ambassadors best exemplify Horizon's core values.
Credit Union growth has created tremendous new career opportunity for employees. Please join us in offering congratulations and wishes of good luck to the following team members: Miranda Flores-Ross; Compliance Officer Jody Frantz; Training Professional Devany Jones; Member Service Representative, Lock Haven Megan Wheeler; Branch Manager, Lock Haven
Rebecca Cortright; Credit Solutions Manager Valerie Johnson; Account Solutions Professional Dina Proper; Financial Service Professional, State College
Employee Corner
New Employees
Promotions & Transfers
Monday, January 17 - Martin Luther King Day (closed) Monday, February 21 - Presidents' Day (closed) Tuesday, March 15 – Annual Membership Meeting Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day (closed) Monday, June 20 - Juneteenth Observed (closed) Monday, July 4 - Independence Day (closed)
horizonfcu.org 570-326-3636
Lock Haven Branch 217 West Bald Eagle Street Lock Haven, PA 17745 Lycoming Creek Road Branch - Williamsport 1930 Lycoming Creek Road Williamsport, PA 17701 Muncy Branch 867 Lycoming Mall Drive Muncy, PA 17756 State College Branch 2541 East College Avenue State College, PA 16801 Third Street Branch - Williamsport 1007 East Third Street Williamsport, PA 17701
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Important Dates in 2022
Monday, September 5 - Labor Day Day (closed) Monday, October 10 - Columbus Day (closed) Friday, November 11 – Veterans' Day (closed) Thursday, November 24- Thanksgiving Day (closed) Friday, November 25 - Black Friday (closed) Monday, December 26 - Christmas Observed (closed)
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