New Hampshire Credit Unions Donation Totals $2.7 Million to Make-A-Wish New Hampshire

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The New Hampshire Credit Unions, including Bellwether, recently presented a $200,000 donation to Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, an organization that grants the wishes of children facing critical illnesses. This marks a 22-year total of more than $2.7 million raised by the New Hampshire Credit Unions, members of the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA). The New Hampshire Credit Unions remain the largest corporate partner of Make-A-Wish New Hampshire.

Six Reasons To Get A Personal Loan

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6 reasons to get a personal loan

In a dream world, we'd never need to worry about expenses popping up and we'd be able to pay things off quickly and without worry. However, that isn't always possible for everyone. Sometimes it's necessary to borrow a little money to keep our lives going, and there's no shame in that! Personal loans exist just for this reason, and can really help you out when you're in a bind. Read on to learn more about personal loans, and the reasons to look into getting one for yourself. 

Bellwether Takes Stand Against Elder Financial Abuse

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Bellwether takes stand against elder financial abuse

Bellwether Community Credit Union is proud to announce that 100 percent of their frontline staff are now certified by the CU Senior Safeguard, an educational platform for credit union employees to learn more about elder financial abuse, how to detect it and how to prevent it. Certification provided by this program supports requirements outlined in the Senior Safe Act to allow a credit union safe harbor when possible elder financial abuse has been detected.

“Bellwether takes the financial security of our members extremely seriously,” said Michael L’Ecuyer, President and CEO of Bellwether. “The peace of mind and trust of our members is of the utmost importance to us, and that is why we are so proud to have the entirety of our member facing staff certified by this worthwhile program.”

Introduced by the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) and produced in collaboration with EverFi, a leading national technology company that provides education through innovative and scalable digital learning, the CU Senior Safeguard program equips credit unions with the information needed to defend elderly members as well as their caregivers and families.

In CCUA’s 2017 national survey, data showed over two-thirds of familial caretakers reported their elderly relatives had been the target of a fraud or scam, and that 28% of the elderly surveyed had actually been the victim of a scam. According to National Adult Protective Services, one out of nine seniors experiences financial exploitation but only one in 44 will ever report it.

Bellwether Announces Executive Promotion

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Bellwether Community Credit Union is proud to announce the promotion of Nathan Saller to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Saller's role will be to align company strategy with people and processes in order to drive execution and move Bellwether towards long-term growth.

"Nathan has been an integral part of our management team for over 20 years. Under his leadership in the areas of sales, marketing and lending the credit union has enjoyed strong growthin an environment of exceptional member service," said Michael L'Ecuyer, President and CEO of Bellwether. "As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Nathan's vision, creativity and commitment to excellence will have a positive impact on our employees, our members and our community for many years to come."

Mr. Saller joined Bellwether in 1997 first in a marketing role, then leading the company's retail banking and call center teams, and finally leading corporate strategy before being named COO. Prior to joining Bellwether, Mr. Saller began his career at Ford Motor Credit Company.

Mr. Saller received his Master of Business Administration from UNH Manchester and has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Evangel University. He is also a graduate of the American Bankers' Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the Wharton School of Business/University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and as a member of the Executive Committee for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Board of Advisors and on the Development Committee for StayWorkPlayNH, and chairs the marketing committee for America's Credit Union Museum in Manchester.

Understanding Home Equity Lines of Credit - Should You Get One?

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Understanding helocs

A Home Equity Line of Credit is something a lot of people consider at some point. However,a lot of people have only limited understanding of what one actually is and why you should get one.

What is a Home Equity Line of Credit?

A Home Equity Line of Credit, or HELOC, is designed to give you immediate access to cash, namely in the equity you have built up in your home. A HELOC does not give you a lump sum, but rather the ability to draw on the line of credit for a period of time (usually ten years) up to a specified limit. What you choose to draw is then repaid over a longer period, usually twenty years. Like mortgages, HELOCs can have variable or fixed interest rates. There is generally a cancellation fee if you choose to open the line of credit and then not use it. It should not be confused with a home equity loan, which does give a lump sum that is then paid off over a set amount of time.