Terms of Use Table of Contents 1. Obtain information from several lenders 2. Obtain all important cost information 3. Obtain the best deal that you can 4. Remember: Shop, compare, negotiate 5. Fair lending is required by law 6. Credit problems? 7. Glossary 1. Obtain Information from Several Lenders Home loans are available from several types of lenders-- thrift institutions , commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions. Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you sh  More...

Terms of Use What is a Coverdell ESA? A Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) is a type of IRA that allows you to make nondeductible contributions up to $2,000 annually for anyone under the age of 18 or a special needs beneficiary of any age. Assets in a Coverdell ESA must be used for qualified education expenses before your child (the designated beneficiary) turns 30 in order to be withdrawn tax-free. With a Coverdell ESA: The maximum contribution amount for a beneficiary is $2,000 per ye  More...

Terms of Use: Your Get out of Debt Step-by-Step Roadmap You've heard the old saying, live within your means. Easier said than done for some. The important thing is that you've reached a point where you realize your life would be a lot less stressful if you didn't have bills to worry about. Short of winning the lottery, what can you do? Here's help. Four rules to live by: 1. Be realistic! If you are spending $500 a month now on food, don't expect to cut your grocery bill t  More...

Debt consolidation and credit counseling have been a hot topic in today's market. Attached is an article from MSN Money that covers the basics on the good and bad side of credit counseling. For local information on a non-profit credit counseling agency, please visit Consumer Credit Counseling Service of NEPA. The consumer's guide to credit counseling Credit counselors are falling all over themselves to help you out of debt, but some do more harm than good. Here’s what you need to know,   More...

Check 21 is a federal law that is designed to enable financial institutions to handle more checks electronically, which makes check processing faster and more efficient. Before October 28, 2004, original paper checks were physically moved from the financial institution where the checks were deposited to the financial institution that paid them. This transportation was inefficient and costly. The law allows the recipient of the original paper check to create a digital version of the original chec  More...

Terms of Use The credit card you pick can save you money Table of Contents: Credit Card Interest Rates How Much Will You Pay? Credit Card Shopper's Checklist Deciphering the Application Glossary For More Information Smart consumers comparison shop for credit, whether they're looking for a mortgage, an auto loan, or a credit card. Comparison shopping is important because it could save you money. When you're looking for a credit card, be sure to consider the costs and terms. They c  More...

The Prime Interest Rate is the interest rate charged by banks to their most creditworthy customers (usually the most prominent and stable business customers). The rate is almost always the same amongst major banks. Adjustments to the prime rate are made by banks at the same time; although, the prime rate does not adjust on any regular basis. The Prime Rate is usually adjusted at the same time and in correlation to the adjustments of the Fed Funds Rate . The rates reported below are based upon   More...

Terms of Use Federal PLUS Loan ( P arental L oan for U ndergraduate S tudents) is designed for parents who need to borrow money to pay for their child's post-secondary school expenses. The PLUS loan allows parents to borrow up to the full cost of education, less any financial aid received, has a variable interest rate, and may be used in conjunction with other student loan products. The Federal Stafford Student Loan is for a student who needs to borrow money to pay for their post-second  More...

Our routing # is 231387602. You can always find it at the bottom of all of our web pages at www.service1.org in case you need it at a later date.

Terms of Use If you're good at planning ahead, you may have thought about it before your child was even born, perhaps while you were shopping for a bassinet and teddy bears. At any rate, you probably started thinking about it when your child was very young. After all, it's one of the major responsibilities you face as a parent: your child's college education. Personal growth and expanded horizons are reason enough to send a child to college, but there are more practical considerati  More...