THE CREDIT UNION PHILOSOPHY
WHAT IS A CREDIT UNION?
* A credit union is a not-for profit financial institution that is owned and run by its members.
* The Board of Directors is democratically elected by the membership.
* All members of the credit union have one vote, regardless of the amount on deposit.
* The prime function of the credit union is to serve its members.
* Credit unions focus on the needs of all their members instead of a limited number of stockholders.
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A CREDIT UNION?
* Typically, credit unions return their profits to the members by giving higher savings rates, lower loan rates and additional services.
WHO REGULATES CREDIT UNIONS?
* Federally-insured credit unions, including El Paso Employees FCU, are examined by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the Federal Government.  Credit unions are subject to much the same consumer regulations as other financial institutions.

SIMPLE TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE
1. Pay bills on time: One of the biggest factors in determining your credit score is your past payment  history. Late payments lower your credit score. Paying your  bills on time show that you are a responsible money manager.
2.Make at least the minimum amount required: This will avoid negative reports and  paying more than the minimum will reduce interest charges and improve your credit score.
3. Keep your debt levels low. To build a good credit history, don't max out your credit cards, and try to pay off the balances each month. If you owe a lot of money on credit cards and other obligations, creditors will question your ability to obtain any new loan or credit cards you may wish to apply.
4. Do not own or apply for credit cards you really don't need. Even if you rarely or never use them, owning a stack of credit cards and department store cards can damage your credit score.
5. Alert current or potential creditors if you've moved or changed names. If you don't provide your new address promptly you could end up missing payments on your bills. Late or missed payments will damage your credit score.
6. Check your credit report annually. Inaccurate or missing information could damage your credit score.