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Advancial is saddened by the loss of Carl Young, longtime credit union advocate and Advancial’s Chairman of the Board, who passed away on July 24, 2019.
 
Carl joined Advancial in 1963 when he was a young executive at Atlantic Richfield. He began his service to the credit union more than 40 years ago when he was asked to serve on the Supervisory Committee in 1977. A few years later, he transitioned to the Board of Directors and rose to Chairman where he has served ever since.
 
Carl’s dedication and commitment to Advancial and our members has been a vital part of our growth and success. His wisdom and long-term perspective helped guide and shape Advancial through many transitional moments in our history. We have been privileged to have his service for more than four decades and he will be forever remembered as a great leader, colleague and friend.
 
Advancial extends its deepest sympathies to Margaret, his beloved wife of nearly 62 years, and the entire Young family.  Thank you for being part of the Advancial family and for sharing Carl with us all this time. We are honored to have known him.
 

Steep cab fees and car rentals are some of the best ways to kill a vacation budget. Read on for five ways to get around for less while on your dream vacation. 
 
1.) Share a ride 
Ridesharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, are changing the way people get from point A to point B all around the world. If you haven’t already done so, download each service’s app and input your information so you can order and pay for a ride in just seconds while on vacation. To compare prices from both services at a glance, check out apps like RideGuru and RideshareApps. 
 
2.) Hop on a bus or board a train 
Buses and trains can be an affordable, convenient and enjoyable way to get around in many countries. Western Europe, in particular, is famous for its super-efficient public transportation system. 
Do your research before using public transportation. It may be worth your while to purchase a daily or weekly pass for unlimited rides on the city’s bus or train system. If you’ll be visiting several different countries in Europe, consider purchasing a Eurail pass to help you get from country to country in an easy, inexpensive way. 
 
3.) Rent or borrow a bike 
Pedaling your way through town is becoming increasingly popular in major cities throughout the world. For a nominal fee, you can explore the city up close, help keep the air clean and get a wonderful workout at the same time. 
 
4.) Take a walk 
Instead of calling a cab or Uber, consider walking. In many crowded cities with an impossible traffic problem and expensive parking fees, this can actually be a faster way to get around. 
 
5.) Rent a car 
Sometimes, the best way to get around when on vacation is by rental car. This is especially true if you’re traveling to a city that is not known for its efficient public transportation system and/or if you’ll be staying in your vacation spot for a while. 
 
Before you sign up for a rental, keep these tips in mind: 
 

• Book early. For the best deals, keep a watch on car rentals in the area you’ll be visiting in the weeks (or even months) leading up to your vacation. Car rentals sometimes offer random deals on their rentals, but only for tourists who book during a specific window.
• Don’t rent a car at the airport. On-the-spot car rentals at the airport tend to inflate their prices according to demand.
• Go small. A compact car will be cheaper, easier to maneuver through narrow roads and simpler to park in crowded spaces.
   

Happy travels! 
 
SOURCES:
https://travelmamas.com/tips-saving-money-vacation-transportation/
https://ordinarytraveler.com/save-money-travel-transportation
https://www.mintnotion.com/travel/10-travel-expenses-youre-forgetting-vacation-budget/
 
 

In honor of National Love a Tree Day we are sharing our Lafayette live oak survivor story.

Advancial served members in the Lafayette area for a number of years, but finally took formal roots with our first branch in 1985. We relocated to 306 E. Kaliste Saloom Road in 2006 and, after much success, a second location opened in South Lafayette in 2012. Acadiana is the foundation of Advancial’s business in Louisiana and we’ve made a name for ourselves in the community, being voted Best Bank in the Times of Acadiana Best of 2018 and being nominated in 2019.

When Advancial began strengthening our roots in Lafayette in 2005 and started the process of building our new branch, part of the lot we chose was already occupied by a large live oak tree estimated to be 288 years old. An arborist was called out to examine the condition of the tree and reported that the tree was sick and would be dead in a couple of years if left alone. Despite the tree’s grim prognosis, cutting it down didn’t sit well with the local Advancial team. With commitment to community and business strategy in mind, Advancial saw no reason to cut the tree down immediately.  

Fast forward to 2019 and not only is the oak still standing, but it is alive and well! It provides a fitting metaphor because much like Lafayette, this beautiful tree carries its long and rich history into the future, thriving and growing stronger every year.
 

If you’re hiring a contractor to make improvements on your home, be alert! Home improvement scams are more common than you may think, and they can cost you a lot. 
 
Read on for eight ways to spot a home improvement scam:
 
1. The contractor insists on being paid up front
Be wary of any contractor demanding that you pay most of the fee up front. This is likely a scammer who is trying to cover their bases in case of shoddy work or even a no-show. 
 
2. The contractor refuses to supply references
Never hire a contractor without speaking to someone who’s used their services. If a contractor is in middle of another job, ask if you can check out their work yourself. If a contractor refuses to furnish names and contact information of previous clients, move on to other options. 
 
3. There’s negative information about them on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) site
Before hiring any business you’ve never used before, check them out on the BBB website. You’ll be able to read reviews and ratings and see if complaints have been filed against the company. 
 
4. The contractor demands payment in cash
Cash leaves no trail and makes it easy for scammers to walk away without doing much–or any–work. 
 
5. The contractor will work for an insanely low price
If you’re offered a bid that is a lot lower than the going price, ask questions. There’s a good chance you’re dealing with someone who will cut all corners. If you only get evasive answers, look elsewhere. 
 
6. They show up at your door … uninvited
Don’t fall for every contractor knocking on your door and claiming to have done recent work in your neighborhood. If the contractor does seem legit, look them up on the BBB site and ask for references. 
 
7. The contractor refuses to put anything in writing
Never hire anyone to do work on your home without a written contract. Include as many details as possible in the contract, like payment terms, a definitive date for the work’s start and completion, warranty information and a clear description of the job. 
 
8. They try to avoid permits
A contractor who tries to convince you there’s no need to pull permits is one who wants to avoid the authorities. You’re likely dealing with an unlicensed worker or one who will cut corners. 
 
 
SOURCES:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/home-improvement.html
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/the-ultimate-list-of-the-years-worst-scams/
https://www.thespruce.com/common-home-improvement-scams-4163354
 

Hackers often try to take advantage of unsuspecting people by posing as their financial institution, which is referred to as spoofing. They often use common communication methods such as phone call, email or text message.

The phone call, email or text may look like it’s coming from an Advancial number or email address, but it is better to be cautious and contact Advancial directly to verify the legitimacy of the communication.

An Advancial employee will never call, email or text you and ask for your personal information.  If we call you, we may ask some questions to verify your identity but they will not involve your account numbers, personal identification number (PIN), social security number, online banking password, or any other sensitive information.

Here are some key fraud words and definitions that can help shed some light on this type of fraud:

Phishing – This is a form of fraud in which an attacker masquerades as a reputable entity or person in email or other communication channels.  The attacker uses phishing emails to distribute malicious links or attachments that can perform a variety of functions, including the extraction of login credentials or account information from victims. 

Social Engineering – Techniques employed by cybercriminals designed to lure unsuspecting users into sending them their confidential data, infecting their computers with malware or opening links to infected sites. 

Spoofing – The act of disguising a communication from an unknown source as being from a known, trusted source.  Spoofing can apply to emails, phone calls, and websites, or can be more technical.  Spoofing can be used to gain access to a target’s personal information or spread malware through infected links or attachments.

Fraudsters will try to exploit a consumer’s trust and catch you when you’re unsuspecting. Stay alert and if something seems fishy, it probably is!

If you receive a call, text or email from someone claiming to be an Advancial representative and that person begins to ask you questions about your personal information (i.e your card number, pin number, password, account information), immediately cease the communication, do not respond or click any links, and contact Advancial directly at 1.800.322.2709 or msc@advancial.org.