The Core
Join your host and Financial Educator, Colten Hibbs, as he visits with various ECU team members to discuss crucial topics like building credit, navigating retirement planning, and honing effective saving strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting your financial journey, “The Core” has valuable insights for everyone. Tune in to empower yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex world of finance. It’s time to take control of your financial journey, one episode at a time.
Episode 1: What are the Benefits of Banking at a Credit Union?
On this episode of The Core, Financial Educator Colten Hibbs and his guests, Claudia Burkett and Tina Hunter, shed light on what it means to work for a credit union. Our guests discuss how these institutions go beyond finances by shaping communities and fostering meaningful relationships with members.
Episode 2: What Accounts Are Right For You?
On this episode of The Core, Colten Hibbs and his guest, Melissa Gutierrez, Director of Retail Operations at Education Credit Union, discuss the best ways to understand what accounts are right for you. Melissa provides unique insight on the best products at ECU, and further, how ECU develops products to better benefit members and their needs.
Episode 3: Keeping Yourself Cyber-Safe
On this episode of The Core, Colten Hibbs and his guest, Jennifer Ufford, Senior Vice President of Member Experience at Education Credit Union, discuss cybersecurity. Jennifer provides unique insight on the best ways for members to protect themselves against identity theft, fraud, spoofing, and other cyber-attacks.
Episode 4: The Best Steps to a Happy Retirement
On this episode of The Core, Colten Hibbs and his guest, Laura Rea, Buff$mart Assistant Branch Manager, talk through the best steps to achieve a happy retirement. Laura acknowledges common struggles and concerns about retirement, as well as her personal hopes for when she leaves the workplace.
Episode 5: What Do I Need to Know About Home Loans?
On this episode of The Core, Colten Hibbs and his guest, Brittnie Aguirre, ECU’s Mortgage Manager, converse about all things home loans. Brittnie supplies helpful information about the difference between conventional and government mortgages and what credit score and DTI (debt-to-income) ratio are preferred by most lenders.
Episode 6: Tax-Season Essentials
On this episode of The Core, Colten Hibbs and his guest, Amy McClenny, ECU’s Assistant Branch Manager of the AmTech branch, discuss tax-season essentials. Amy provides information on why the general public must pay taxes, how those taxes are used, and finally, how ECU can help members file their taxes for free.