Winter Newsletter 2023

You’re going to fall in love with our digital banking upgrade!

Coming in February 2023, exciting upgrades will be made to our MidSouth Mobile app and online banking platform which promises more functionality, an improved user experience and enhanced security controls. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, be sure to visit our online Resource Center for more information and for steps you can take to help make the transition easy and seamless.

 

Feeling anchored down by holiday debt?

Release the anchor with a Debt Consolidation Loan. A consolidation loan is a solution to managing multiple payments and higher interest debt. Consolidate debt into one, lower-cost payment to simplify your finances and pay down debt faster.

Borrow up to
$30,000*

Rates as low as
9.90% APR**

Apply online or speak with a Lending Specialist at 478.475.7819.

*Loans subject to credit approval. **Annual Percentage Rate | Rates as low as 9.90% APR & based on credit approval & our underwriting standards. Actual interest offered may be higher depending on applicant’s credit rating & our underwriting factors. Rates, terms & conditions are subject to change. Membership requirements apply. Equal Opportunity Lender.

 

Save the date for this year’s Annual Meeting

MidSouth Community FCU members are invited to participate in our 2023 Annual Meeting. We will share about the progress we made throughout 2022 and outline the goals and plans we have for the future.

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2023
Location: W.S. Hutchings College & Career Academy
1780 Anthony Road, Macon
R
egistration begins: 3:30 pm
Business Meeting begins: 4:00 pm

Mark your calendar now and plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you!

 

There’s a New Way to Pay

Now you can easily, securely, and privately pay for your everyday items in stores, in apps, and on the web using your mobile device. With our Digital Wallet, you can make purchases with the tap of your finger in a simple, secure, and convenient way.

Save time making touchless payments with your mobile device. Now pay with Apple Pay®, Google Pay®, or Samsung Pay®.

Visit us online to learn more.

 

Now accepting scholarship applications

MidSouth Community FCU is now accepting applications for the 2023 Tom Bentley Memorial Scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded to a graduating high school senior and a continuing education student.

Graduating High School Senior Scholarship – A $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 per year) will be awarded to one winning applicant.

Continuing Education Scholarship – A $2,000 scholarship (not exceeding $500 per semester) will be awarded to one winning applicant.

Completed applications and required documentation must be received by 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 28, 2023.

Applications can be downloaded online.

 

Avoid Falling Victim to Text Scams

The Federal Trade Commission estimates text fraud cost consumers $137M in the first half of 2022. Scammers are using text messages to pose as representatives from financial institutions to steal your money or personal data.

The texts are often fake messages that indicate they have information about your account or a recent transaction. The messages might ask you to give some personal information such as how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number. They might prompt you to call a number where a “representative” is ready to take your information or tell you to click on a link to learn more about the issue leading you to a spoofed website that looks real but isn’t. If you log in, the scammers then might steal your username and password.

How to protect yourself

  • If you get a text message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give personal or financial information, don’t click on any links. Legitimate companies, including MidSouth Community FCU, won’t ask for information about your account by text.
  • Do not reply to a suspicious message. Even typing “STOP” will indicate to a scammer that your phone number is active.
  • If you think the message might be real or you aren’t sure, contact us (or the company the text is spoofing) using a phone number or website you know is real, not the information in the text message.
  • Visit www.ctia.org to see what spam filter and blocking options are available on your phone and/or from your wireless provider.
  • If you do receive an unwanted text message, you can:
    • Copy and forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar message in the future.
    • Report it on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
    • Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
 

Read for the Record

Each year Read for the Record brings together millions of adults and children as they read the same book on the same day, building an intergenerational community through reading. In partnership with United Way of Central Georgia’s Read United initiative, volunteers read the book Nigel and the Moon to elementary students of the Bibb County School District.

Pictured: MidSouth Community employees reading to various elementary classes.

Nigel and the Moon

 

Johnny Appleseed

Congratulations to 6 year old, Lily Brown, for being selected as the 3rd Quarter 2022 Johnny Appleseed Birthday Winner. Lily received $50 deposited into her Johnny Appleseed account.

Johnny Appleseed

 

SAVE MONEY.
ACE TAX SEASON.

Enjoy the perks of being a member.

We love having you as one of our valued members, which is why we’re bringing you special discounts on tax prep services that will help you ace tax season.

TurboTax – Hand off your taxes, get some help from experts or file on your own — with TurboTax, you can count on getting your maximum refund, guaranteed. Enjoy up to $15 off – the discount will automatically be applied when you sign up or log in to your TurboTax account.

H&R Block – Get expert tax help from H&R Block professionals who can prepare your taxes in person, with or without the office visit. New clients save $25 in-office tax prep services and returning clients of H&R Block get the Tax Identity Shield® add-on for FREE ($35 value).

Get your discounts today!

 

Which budget is best for me?

The dawn of a new year coupled with continued inflation may have you searching for a new budgeting method. Consider the following tried and true strategies that can help you achieve your financial goals.

1. Envelope Budget – Figure out how much you want to spend in discretionary categories like groceries, dining out, clothing, and miscellaneous purchases, and then put the cash into separate envelopes that are designed for the different types of spending. Once the monthly cash for each category is gone, it’s gone.

2. Zero-Based Budget – Calculate your total earnings in one column and total expenses in another. Whatever is left is then allocated toward goals such as debt repayment, savings, or investments down to $0.

3. 50/30/20 Budget – 50% of your total income goes to needs (housing, utilities, insurance); 30% goes to wants (dining out, entertainment) and 20% goes to savings to include investments or debt repayment.

4. Debt Repayment Budget – Decipher your income and compare to your expenses and minimum amounts due on loans. You pay all bills you need to pay and then allocate the extra toward paying off debts – focusing heavily on those with the highest interest rates first.

No matter which budget method you choose, creating one can help you to better manage your spending and further your progress toward your long-term financial goals.

 

Holiday Closings

New Year’s Day (observed): Monday, January 2, 2023

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 16, 2023

Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 20, 2023