BRANDSTORY FEATURE | SRQ MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021
ACHIEVA CREDIT UNION WH O S AYS YO U N E E D A B A N K TO B A N K?
This past year has thrown unimaginable challenges at all of us, but the way our community has responded to these challenges has been nothing short of incredible. We are so proud to be part of this community, and we are committed to the success of Sarasota’s residents and businesses. Achieva has always focused on what matters most — you, your family, and your financial well-being — but this past year, that focus has been even more important. We have had to constantly adapt to new circumstances, work harder to help our clients as they navigate difficult challenges, and find new ways to serve our community when getting together wasn’t possible.
Above left to right: Inside of Achieva Credit Union with state of the art teller pods. The seven Pinellas County teachers who formed Achieva Credit Union in 1937. Giving back to All Faiths Food Bank.
A TRU E “ C ENTS” O F CO M M UNI T Y SUPPORTING BUSINESSES
Jen and Chris Mannering have owned and run an inflatable party/play center for kids for seven years, so they’re used to ups and downs in their business. But nothing could have fully prepared them for the challenges of the pandemic.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, they were forced to close Bounce Down Under, located off North Beneva Road in Sarasota, for six weeks. Their future was uncertain, so they turned to their financial partner - Achieva Credit Union. Achieva has been there during two key times in Bounce Down Under’s history – first, when they got their business started with an SBA loan, and then, when the pandemic shut them down during their busiest season. As the Mannerings sought out resources to help navigate the unknown, they were also keeping on top of the news. “I applied for everything in terms of possible financial help,” said Jen Mannering. “Thankfully, I was in touch with Achieva Credit Union early on and their customer service was incredible.” An Achieva employee walked her through the Paycheck Protection Program application, and Mannering still remembers her appreciation in that moment. “He just brought me to tears,” she recalled. “He was just so supportive and reassuring.” It took some time, but the Mannerings got funding in the first round of the PPP, which Mannering attributed, at least in part, to the responsiveness and help of the Achieva team. The funding helped them keep all of their employees at full pay through their closure. Now, Jen Mannering is optimistic. Bounce Down Under reopened in early June, and the Mannerings are working on special promotions to attract customers while educating them on the safety procedures the facility has put in place. “The kids had been bouncing off the walls at home before we reopened,” she said, “so the people coming in have been very cooperative and grateful.”
Above: Bounce Down Under
BRANDSTORY FEATURE | SRQ MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021
GET ACCESS TO CASH FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT, BILLS OR EXPENSES With record low interest rates, now may be a good time to look into a home equity line of credit (HELOC) - a loan that gives you access to cash based on the value of your home. The most common use is for home improvement projects, but a HELOC is flexible — it can also be used to pay for education expenses, bill consolidation, medical expenses, or even a swimming pool! Unlike a Home Equity Loan, where you get one lump sum that you pay off like a mortgage (over 5, 10 or 15 years), with a HELOC, you make payments only on the amount you actually use, similar to a credit card. Reach out to Achieva Credit Union at 800-593-2274 to get connected with a mortgage banker who can help you with a HELOC and get you started on that home improvement project (or ready for that vacation).
For more information about Achieva Credit Union, visit www.achievacu.com
GET YOUR FINANCES IN SHAPE It’s hard to know what challenges might be on the horizon in 2021 that could affect your finances, but taking a few key steps now can help you be ready for whatever comes. Whether you’re holding steady financially or trying to bounce back from a tough year, here are two tips for getting on the right foot this year: Pay yourself first. Choose a percentage of your monthly income (1-5% or so) to go automatically into your savings before you make any payments. After a few pay periods, you won’t even notice it, and you’ll have built up an emergency fund. Clean up your credit. Pop quiz: What is your credit card’s Annual Percentage Rate (APR)? If you don’t know, you’re not alone. More than half of all Americans are in the dark on their APR. Review your statement, and consider switching cards or transferring your balance if you’re not happy with your current rate and save money in the long run.
BRANDSTORY FEATURE | SRQ MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021
B E IN G PA RT O F O U R CO M M U N I T Y Being a part of our community is in our DNA, and while the pandemic may have prevented us from getting together, it couldn’t stop us from giving back. This year, more families than ever needed assistance with putting food on the table. To help, we donated $275,000 to area food banks by engaging with our members and community, including nearly $90,000 to All Faiths Food Bank in Sarasota and The Salvation Army in Bradenton. Traditionally, the Achieva Foundation’s fundraisers support classroom grants administered by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. We couldn’t hold fundraisers this year, but our Foundation board of directors elected to continue our support of the classroom grant program with a $25,000 donation in a time when teachers need assistance more than ever. We also helped make sure families in our community had a bright holiday season, no matter what challenges they faced. We hosted a number of Salvation Army Angel Trees in our branches – a program that provided more than 1,400 gifts, including bicycles, to nearly 500 children across our community. Above: Salvation Army Angel Trees generated more than 1,400 gifts, including bicycles, to nearly 500 children across our community.
OUT WITH THE OLD WAYS OF BANKING When you stop by an Achieva branch, you won’t see any old-school teller lines or receive stuffy service. You’ll get personalized service from real, live humans who know you’re a member of the family – not just an account number. When you walk in to a branch, you aren’t left wondering where to go. You’re always greeted by one of their friendly Branch Ambassadors. Achieva is all about service and making sure all members are well taken care of.
Additionally, Achieva has a full suite of products and services for every stage of your life, including: • • • • • • •
Checking and savings accounts Credit cards Auto, bike, boat and RV loans Mortgage and home equity loans Personal loans Wealth management Business banking and lending
Visit online or stop by a local branch to join Achieva. 3000 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota | 5881 Fruitville Road, Sarasota | 4254 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton | 1485 East Venice Avenue, Venice CHARLOTTE, COLLIER, DESOTO, GLADES, HARDEE, HENDRY, HERNANDO, HIGHLANDS, HILLSBOROUGH, LEE, MANATEE, MONROE, PASCO, PINELLAS AND SARASOTA.
941.907.4000 | www.achievacu.com BRANDSTORY FEATURE | SRQ MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021
