Counseling Important Service of Keystone Credit Union
Martin Hyland* is a smart guy. He’s a doctor in his final year of residency. As such, he spends most of his waking hours at the hospital doing rounds or studying medical journals and texts. What little free time he has is with his fiancé planning their upcoming wedding.
He does not spend much time pondering his credit score.
When Hyland recently contacted Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union to get a VISA credit card, he spoke with CEO/Treasurer Patti Columbe. Since becoming a member as a teenager, Hyland has often chatted with Columbe about his life and plans. Although he a promising future in medicine, Hyland’s credit score was not sufficient enough to obtain a mortgage. After discussing the particulars of Martin’s financial history, Columbe counseled Martin to consolidate his debt into one lower interest loan to free up some of his available credit on his existing credit cards and eventually reflect a responsible payment history.
Many people need a little help to whip their credit history and score into shape. “These are good, responsible people,” said Columbe. “They just don’t happen to understand the ins and outs of credit scores.”
Columbe and the Keystone Credit Union are finding more and more need to educate members on how best to manage their finances. While the requests for personal credit counseling have increased, so too have requests from churches for a seminar to help their members. To this end, Columbe and Conference Treasurer Pat Morris have teamed up to offer financial workshops throughout the Conference.
“Keystone continues to provide our churches and individuals with sound fiscal counsel, supportive financial assistance and vital education in areas such as credit score enhancement and debt consolidation,” said Morris. “Their ministry is essential today and into the future.”
Keystone works in partnership with the Conference in financial ministry. Membership in the credit union is open to all United Methodist churches and agencies in Western PA and their staff, members and their extended family. To learn more about the Keystone Credit Union or to schedule a seminar at you church, call 800-886-3382, ext. 257 or visit the website below..
*The name was changed to protect this Keystone Credit Union member’s privacy.