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Premier America Spotlight Q1 2025

  • January 2025
  • Premier America
Before we get into New Year’s Resolutions and goal-setting and renewing of gym memberships, I first want to thank you for being a member of Premier America Credit Union. I know you have many choices on where to put your money, and your trust, and I personally take that to heart. 

As we near the beginning of our 68th year as a credit union, I want to remind you of our shared purpose: Making it easier to meet today’s needs and reach tomorrow’s dreams. That has been and remains our north star for all our members. 

For us, that means early payday for all members. Access to free checking for all members. And coming soon: Access to a Fast Cash Loan for all members. 

Our passion for member experience is unmatched and we strive to ensure you experience the best member service each time you interact with Premier America. That passion for member experience is followed closely by our value of giving back to our communities. 

Last fall, over 400 team members joined our second annual Give Back Day to support six local  organizations. Team members sorted food and packed meals, replaced mulch, and planted strawberries. At Food Share Ventura County, team members packaged 1,200 unhoused food bags and boxed up 1,080 senior food kits. There was a similar effort at Houston Food Bank where 31 pallets of food were packaged, adding up to 27,562 pounds of food equaling 22,968 meals.

This year, we will continue to add features and benefits for all our members, new products and services to serve our communities, and expand our small business offerings to empower the entrepreneurial spirit spread throughout our neighborhoods. 

We are excited for what lies ahead and thank you for your membership with Premier America.

Celebrating the Success of Our 2nd Annual Give Back Day!

For the second year in a row, our team members came together in an amazing show of community spirit on Indigenous People's Day to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities: making nutritious food accessible to everyone.

Over 300 of our team members volunteered their time at local fields and food pantries, joining forces to fight hunger and food insecurity. Did you know that more than one in four residents in Southern California and Harris County, Texas, struggle with food insecurity? Hunger affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, and the impact is profound, limiting student learning, causing stress, and even increasing the risk of chronic diseases.

Our amazing team worked with six nonprofit partners, including:


Completed 1,920 Food Paks

Planted approximately 7 rows of strawberries. Which comes to about 2,100 strawberry plants

Senior Kit Packing 18 pallets = 1,080 boxes

Completed 31 pallets = Total of 27,562 pounds providing 22,968 meals.

Stocked the pantry
as donations arrived. 

Made 27 encouragement cards. Cleaned & repaired bikes.

They rolled up their sleeves and got to work, sorting food, packing meals, and even planting strawberries for future harvests!

Give Back Day has now become a beloved annual tradition at Premier America, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in our communities. Since its launch in 2023, Premier America team members have dedicated hundreds of hours to local charities and helped package over 50,000 meals for those in need! Learn more about all the ways we give back to our communities: Premier America - Giving Back

Thank you to everyone who made this day so special, and we look forward to continuing to make a difference in the year ahead!

    

Join Us for Premier America Credit Union’s Annual Meeting!

We’re excited to invite you to Premier America Credit Union’s Annual Meeting on March 27, 2025, at 5:45 PM at our main office, located at 19867 Prairie Street, Chatsworth, CA. This is your chance to connect with fellow members, learn about the future of Premier America, and be part of the decision-making process that helps shape our credit union's growth!

At the meeting, we will be filling three director positions for two-year terms. The Nominating Committee has selected the following candidates for your consideration:
  • Gary Holmen
  • Joann Klonowski
  • Larry Martin
We also invite you to participate in the process! If you’d like to nominate someone else for a director position, you may do so by submitting a petition signed by at least 100 members entitled to vote. Petitions must be submitted to the Secretary of Premier America by February 4, 2025.

If the number of nominees matches the available positions, those nominated will be declared elected at the Annual Meeting.

This is your opportunity to help guide the future of Premier America. Don’t miss out, join us and make your voice heard!

For more information or if you have any questions, please reach out to Marci Francisco at (818) 772-4072.
We look forward to seeing you there!
 



5 Key Reasons Why Teaching Your Kids to Save is Crucial for Their Future

Teaching children the importance of saving is one of the most valuable lessons you can impart. By helping them develop healthy money habits early on, you’re setting them up for a secure and independent future. Whether it’s starting with a Youth Savings Account or investing in a Youth Launch Certificate, there are plenty of ways to make saving an exciting and impactful journey for your child. Here are five important reasons why teaching your kids how to save is essential:
  1. Empowers Financial Independence 

    When kids learn the importance of saving, they develop the skills needed to manage their finances wisely. Starting with a Youth Savings Account gives them a safe space to set goals, track their progress, and learn about budgeting. As they grow, a Youth Launch Certificate can help them understand the power of growing their savings over time through higher interest rates, fostering a sense of financial independence as they move toward adulthood.
  2. Builds Discipline and Patience 

    Saving teaches children the value of patience and delayed gratification. Instead of spending money impulsively, they learn to wait for something they truly want or need. By setting goals for their savings and watching their balance grow over time, whether in a Youth Savings Account or through the steady interest of a Youth Launch Certificate—they gain a sense of accomplishment. These habits build lifelong discipline that will benefit them in other areas of their lives.

  3. Prepares Them for Financial Challenges

    No one can predict the future, but teaching kids to save equips them with the tools to handle the unexpected. Having savings set aside for rainy days helps them navigate emergencies without stress. Whether it’s setting aside small amounts in a Youth Savings Account or locking in a higher interest rate with a Youth Launch Certificate, they’re learning that savings are essential for managing life’s uncertainties.

  4. Fosters Smart Decision-Making

    By teaching kids about the importance of saving, they also learn how to make informed decisions about how and when to spend. A Youth Savings Account allows them to track their balance and visualize their progress toward a goal, while a Youth Launch Certificate encourages them to make decisions about long-term savings that will grow over time. Understanding how to prioritize needs over wants is an important skill that will carry them into adulthood.

  5. Promotes a Sense of Responsibility and Generosity

    Saving is not just about accumulating wealth, it’s also about giving. When kids understand the value of managing their money, they also learn the joy of contributing to their community. By using their savings to give back, whether to a charitable cause or a friend in need, they experience the rewards of generosity. This mindset can be nurtured by helping them set aside part of their savings for donations, teaching them how small efforts can make a big difference.

Start Saving Today: A Pathway to a Bright Future

Teaching your kids how to save from a young age is more than just a financial lesson; it's a life skill that will help them thrive. By opening a Youth Savings Account, you give them a simple way to start saving, while a Youth Launch Certificate offers an excellent opportunity for long-term growth. These accounts are designed to be safe, engaging, and beneficial, setting your children up for success as they learn to manage their finances and plan for their futures.

Empower your children today with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed financial decisions, and watch their savings grow for tomorrow. Open an account today by visiting one of our branches. For more information on Youth Savings Accounts and Youth Certificates, visit Youth Accounts