Celebrate ICU Day with Education First FCU and explore 10 perks that make membership more rewarding!
International Credit Union (ICU) Day is Thursday, October 16. Each year, credit unions around the world join in this celebration of the credit union movement and the impact it has on members. According to the National Credit Union Administration, there are over 143 million credit union members in the United States as of Quarter 1 in 2025.1 That’s a big number , and to help you celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of 10 perks that Education First Federal Credit Union members get with their membership.
Picture this: Your favorite artist is going to be in concert, or your air conditioning peters out on the hottest day of the summer. Our Buy Now, Pay Later feature allows you to make purchases on your timeline while spreading the cost. This option is convenient for managing unexpected expenses or treating yourself without the immediate financial burden, offering peace of mind and convenience. Best of all, you are dealing with the same people you know and trust for all your financial decisions.
Imagine having a Certified Financial Counselor at your fingertips, guiding you through every stage of your financial journey. These professionals offer personalized advice tailored to your specific needs, whether that’s crafting a budget, improving your credit, planning a family vacation, or saving to buy a home. Best of all, it’s free! Book your appointment today –our financial pros are ready to assist you!
Owning a car becomes significantly more affordable with Education First FCU’s member-exclusive discounts on auto loans. We offer up to a 1% discount when you finance your next vehicle purchase with us, a unique perk for members. Whether it's your first set of wheels or time for a new ride, this discount adds up to big savings over the life of a loan. These discounts can help reduce monthly payments and enhance your overall purchasing power.
Education First’s Belong Referral Program offers more than just a financial perk—it builds community. By referring to friends and family, you not only receive a monetary reward ($50 for you and $50 for the new member you refer to us), but also strengthen the credit union network. This helps to support a community-oriented financial ecosystem where members are owners and profits come back to you in the form of lower rates on loan and higher dividends on savings. Belong encourages the sharing of financial success within your social circles, amplifying positive outcomes for everyone involved. Additionally, you can earn up to $500 per year. Money + friends? Count us in! What are you waiting for? Spread that credit union love!
Life comes with extra – and often unexpected expenses. The Skip-a-Pay option allows Education First members to skip a loan payment every 12 months.2 This can come in handy when you have extra expenses packed into a short window of time – like the holidays. This flexibility ensures you can enjoy the festivities and handle other holiday costs without stress, keeping your financial plans on track despite the seasonal splurge. Best of all, Skip-a-Pay allows you to request a skip through online banking – when it's most convenient for you.
There’s no getting around it. Changing market conditions have a significant impact on your mortgage payments and total repayment amount. However, remember that as an Education First member, you have access to exclusive solutions in unpredictable markets. 😉 The Rate Escape gives you the flexibility to drop your mortgage rate one time within the first five years of funding your home, lowering your monthly payments. 3 This adjustment could translate into substantial savings and financial relief over the years, making homeownership more affordable and sustainable in the long run.
Education First members benefit from insights and guidance offered by local lending and financial experts who understand the economic landscape of Southeast Texas better than anyone. Our employees provide advice tailored to the nuances of the local market, ensuring decisions are not only financially sound but also aligned with local economic conditions. Their understanding of local market trends means you receive actionable, relevant advice. Whether you have a question about personal accounts, loans, wealth management, or even commercial lending, a member of our team can connect you with the right person.
We understand that searching for a vehicle can be stressful, and sometimes you don’t know where to begin. That’s why we’re happy to partner with AutoSmart, a free online tool for members to browse inventory at Southeast Texas preferred dealers. This tool is a live platform that allows you to browse local options for new and used vehicles – ranging from a large variety of brands, makes and models. And when dealers offer incentives like rebates, you'll find them in Auto Smart too.
Both our totalREWARDS VISA® Debit Card and totalREWARDS VISA® Credit Card allow you to earn points while shopping for everyday and big-ticket items. These rewards can be combined or used separately towards gift cards, travel, cash back, and more. And at least twice a year, members earn 3x rewards on every Tap, Click or Swipe when you use your Education First VISA®. Our members don’t have to worry about activating promotions or opting in – and it’s easy to keep track of your points accrual directly through Online Banking. Start taking advantage of totalREWARDS today.
Have you ever thought, “I wish money would just appear in my savings?” Well, our Boost! Round-Up program actually helps to grant that wish. When you use your totalREWARDS VISA® Debit Card, every purchase you make with your card can be rounded up to the next dollar (or two!) - and transferred directly into your Education First savings account. This allows you to get a leg up on that rainy day fund without feeling the pinch. Since we launched the program last October, members have collectively saved over $219,000 with us. That’s a number we all can cheer about! Start building your savings faster with Boost!
If you are a member and reading this, we truly appreciate your membership- Education First FCU is who we are because of people like you. We encourage you to check out more information on each perk listed above if you are not already enjoying them!
If you are not a member, what are you waiting for? Membership at Education First allows you to tap into a treasure trove of financial benefits designed to simplify your life and save you money. So, let’s go! Join today, online or in-person at one of our convenient locations.
Sources
1 Kyle Hauptman, Chairman, in NCUA Releases Second Quarter 2025 Credit Union System Performance Data (NCUA, Sept. 2025)
2 Mortgage loans (Land, Interim Construction and Home Equity), Business Loans, Buy Now Pay Later, Classroom Cash, Polar Express, and Summer Fund$ are not eligible for Skip-A-Pay. For Credit Cards and Line of Credit, members must call in to request Skip-A-Pay.