If banking with Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union is your first experience with a credit union, one of the earliest questions you may have is, “What is a share account?” This type of account is not unique to CBCTFCU, but it is specific to credit unions like ours, so most of our shareholders are not familiar with them until they start working with us. The easiest comparison among the financial options most people are familiar with is to savings accounts at banks. Read on →

IRAs are among the most common retirement tools, providing financial security through individual and employer-connected accounts. They are an attractive option, with accounts that offer tax deferrals now or in retirement, and the possibility for significant annual returns. The bad news is many Americans don’t have nearly enough saved for retirement, and 15% of us have no retirement savings at all. The good news for you is you can get started with a CBCTFCU IRA today and take yourself out of one or both of those categories. Read on →

With fall settling into the Tennessee Valley and Halloween just around the corner, this is the perfect time for some seasonal crafts. Whether you’re with students in the classroom or passing them supplies for group projects conducted in a virtual setting, here are some ideas elementary students will love that only take a few supplies and a little effort. One thing in plentiful supply in fall is leaves. Put them to good use in this spooky craft that turns leaves into haunting, cheerful or goofy ghosts; it’s all up to the kids! Read on →

Buying a home can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be a very confusing one. There’s a tree’s worth of paper you have to read and sign, math you have to consider and more inscrutable acronyms than should be allowed under law. At Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union, we work every day to help educators get the financing they need to buy the homes of their dreams while also ensuring they know what they’re getting into. Read on →

Whether you’re just trying to get on a better financial footing, are facing uncertainty due to pandemic-related turmoil or you want to have money to cover the holidays, fall is a great season to find ways to save. Keeping more money in your pocket doesn’t have to mean major lifestyle changes, though. Here are a few simple changes you can make to boost your bottom line: Do your own yard work. Read on →

OK, we know we’re probably far from the first to tell you it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your credit scores and report. For good reason: They’re vitally important, weighing in on everything from whether you get a loan to what kind of apartment you can lease. Unfortunately, those scores are moving targets. It’s not as though you get one rating that sticks with you for life. Read on →

Most Americans have heard of credit unions and have at least some understanding they’re different from banks, but our experience suggests that’s as far as it goes for a majority. That’s why we’re always happy to share a little bit about what credit unions do and how the service we provide is different. We can start with perhaps the most significant distinction: Credit unions are non-profits. When we bring in more money than we disburse, we return that money to our members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings interest returns and lower interest rates on loans. Read on →

The summer of the virus means a lot of cancelled plans and disappointment, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little effort, you can put on a home summer camp that can keep your little ones entertained, whether you’re there with them all day every day or want to make the most of those precious hours you are. Our team at Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union has some tips to help you do that! Read on →

You likely already know your credit valuation is used as a quick assessment tool by a seemingly ever-growing list of people and organization who control the important things in life. Not confined to judging your worthiness for a loan, credit scores are sometimes required of hopefuls for apartments, jobs and potentially even dates. Given all that, it’s obvious how important it is to ensure your credit score is accurate and paints as positive a picture of you as possible. Read on →

As we head into the summer months in a world of economic and health uncertainty, we’re all looking to save a few dollars everywhere we can. Fortunately, there are some easy and, in some cases, even fun ways to do just that as southeast Tennessee moves into the dog days. Use a programmable thermostat. We all know cutting down on the amount of work your air conditioner has to do can reduce your monthly utility bills, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in sweat all day. Read on →