How to Establish Credit
Whether you are new to credit or are trying to “clean-up” past mistakes
to re-establish a favorable record, you may encounter a frustrating
paradox: you must have and use credit to create a credit history, yet
many financial institutions are reluctant to extend credit to someone
without an established record. But don’t despair - there are several
good remedies for both situations.
Summer 2005
Secured credit card. You are granted a credit line based on a percent-
HARRIS
COUNTY
FCU
age of a cash deposit you make to your financial institution. Because
deposits are usually low, so too will be your credit limit. Application and
annual fees for secured cards are often higher then those associated
with unsecured credit cards.
Local retailer’s credit card. Their criteria are often less rigorous then
Get into the
fast lane...
With a quick and easy auto loan from Harris County FCU!
1400 Franklin Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 755-5160
Fax: (713) 755-8982
larger credit issuers. Be sure they subscribe to the major credit reporting
agencies though - if not, you won’t be establishing a credit history.
Have someone with a positive credit record cosign an account for
AUDIO RESPONSE
you. This requires a great deal of trust on the part of the cosigner - if you
(713) 755-3900
fail to pay, he or she is responsible. You could end up jeopardizing a
OFFICE HOURS
relationship as well as a credit record.
Monday through Friday
Finally, if you have damaged credit, you’ll need to rectify the past as
LOBBY HOURS
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
you’re building your future. Pay old debts and correct errors as soon as
possible.
Holiday Closings
DRIVE THRU HOURS
7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Harris County Federal Credit Union
will be closed in observance of the
following holidays:
Your Lifeline
for a Better
Tomorrow.
Once you have a credit line, establish a good history by using it
responsibly. Keep balances low, always pay on time, don’t pursue
unnecessary credit, and stick with a few good credit instruments of
various types.
Independence Day
Monday, July 4th
Labor Day
Monday, September 5th
Member Alert
If you have
moved recently,
please update your
address with
Harris County FCU.
Thank You!
Auto loan rates
as low as
3.5% APR!*
The stress of buying a new auto is often compounded by questions like,
“Am I getting the best price for my trade-in?” or the question,“Is the
dealership giving me the lowest price for the purchase auto?” Purchasing
a new auto is filled with many doubts, but financing your new car
shouldn’t be a difficult question.
Let Harris County FCU be the solution to financing your next auto. With
low rates, easy terms, and quick approvals… Harris County FCU is the
answer to the question of auto financing!
Call us before you shop and be assured of an upper hand with the
dealership. Harris County FCU matches rates to qualified buyers. We also
offer Extended Warranty and GAP Insurance Contracts.
Call 713-755-5160, or come in and see one of the many helpful Harris
County FCU loan officers today.
harris5011-DHA06/05
www.hcfcu.com
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Normal credit standards apply. Subject to
terms and conditions.
Getting Away Made Easy
SAVE a TREE!
Financing a recreational vehicle (RV) has never been easier than
with a Harris County FCU RV Loan. New or used—we offer low
rates, flexible terms, and we even tailor payments to fit your
particular lifestyle.
register for E-statements.
Fast
E-statements are available much
sooner than mailed copies of
your monthly account statement.
Safe
Advanced security keeps your
data intact.
For more details—call, click, or come in to Harris County FCU.
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Normal credit standards apply. Subject to terms
and conditions
RV Loan rates as low as
Convenient
APR*
Eco-friendly
%
Easier to Read
More Convenient
More Powerful
View recent statements from any
web connection.
Conserve resources by printing
only what you need.
E-statements are available much
sooner than mailed copies.
Advanced security keeps your
data intact.
View recent statements from any
web connection.
Log on to www.hcfcu.com
for information on receiving
your Harris County FCU E-statements.
Plug Spending Leaks:
How to Save
drop...
The list of reasons for choosing E-statements keeps growing.
With a simple and convenient RV loan, you’ll be on the road in
no time!
5.5
Shop ‘til you
This year, Texas shoppers will get a break
from state and local sales taxes on August
5th, 6th, and 7th —the state’s sixth annual
tax holiday.
Take advantage of this special “tax-free”
weekend with an unsecured signature loan
from Harris County FCU. You can receive an
approval on your loan in as little as 24-hours,
and receive up to $10,000*. Then you can
shop until you drop!
For more information, contact a member
services representative at 713-755-5160 or
stop by the credit union.
Hundreds, One Dollar at a Time
Most of us give in to temptation from time to time—buying on impulse, choosing name brands rather than generic, taking a taxi instead of
a bus, or splurging on an expensive meal.
with a Signature Loan
from Harris County FCU!
Of
Interest
*Normal credit standards apply. Subject to terms and conditions.
Indulging is fun and even healthy in moderation, but watch out. Not enough attention paid to the small purchases will result in big money
lost. The path to savings (for things that you really do want) is paved with pennies. It starts with awareness. Each time you make a purchase,
consider the cost. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Use coupons at grocery stores and buy
house brands instead of name brands
whenever possible.
Substitute water for juice. A family of four
can save over $500 a year by cutting just
one glass of juice per person per day.
Review your phone bill and drop
unnecessary services like Caller ID
and Call Forwarding.
“Health” bars run about $2 a piece, and
are often no more than glorified candy
bars. Switch to a banana and wholewheat bagel for half the price.
Throw pocket change in a jar and cash it
in when it’s full.
Prepare meals in advance and freeze
them to avoid the temptation of ordering
pizza at the end of a long workday.
Cooking at home will make your food
budget go much further.
Cut your cable television down to basic.
Brown bag your lunch. $7 per day totals
$140 a month.
Hand wash instead of dry cleaning
.
Sam’s Club
representatives
will be on site
Thursday, July 28th
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Coming late August!
Credit card balance
transfer special
at a rate of
5.9% APR
until the March 2006
billing cycle
Be looking for details!
Saving money is a habit worth adopting. As a member of Harris County FCU you have access to many types of savings solutions. Contact a
member services representative for more details.
Check out our current
selection of
previously
owned autos
on www.hcfcu.com.
Contact Carlos Perez
at 713-755-4552
for more information.