As a valued member of HCCU, we are committed to serving you. And as a benefit of your membership, we are providing you with FREE access to money management and financial education services.

HCCU has teamed up with Accel, a financial education and counseling program. Through comprehensive education and exceptional service, this organization has been assisting individuals for more than 45 years.

Through our partnership with Accel, you will enjoy unlimited access to financial counselors without paying anything – it’s free!

 As a member of our credit union, you can receive assistance with:

• Personal and family budgeting                                                      
• Understanding your credit report and how to improve your score
• Money Management
• Debt Repayment
• Avoiding Bankruptcy, foreclosure and repossession

 Accel can give personalized answers to your individualized needs. Ranging from a proactive savings plan to saving a home from foreclosure, advise is only a phone call away.

If you would like additional information on this services or to speak to an Accel financial counselor, call toll-free:

1-877-33ACCEL

www.accelservices.org

Accel financial counselors, all of whom are certified and have at least a bachelor’s degree, are available Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Features- Free to HCCU Members

Toll-Free Information Line

You can contact the Accel program for immediate help with any financial question. Financial counselors are available Monday through Saturday. No appointment is necessary. An appointment can be scheduled for a second assessment with your counselor or for a progress review.

Financial Counseling Sessions

Counseling sessions are focused entirely on your concerns and needs. You are not limited in the number of sessions you may have. Your counselor will help you develop a customized budget and a detailed action plan based upon your financial goals.

Credit Report Review

The Accel program provides credit report reviews to assist you in understanding your personal credit report and credit score. Accel financial counselors will help you resolve inaccurate information, understand how bureaus report information and how to become more credit worthy. Additionally, you can get a copy of your personal credit report from Accel for a nominal fee (state restrictions may apply.)

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

Working with you, an Accel financial counselor will contact your creditors to negotiate concessions and/or work out loan payment agreements. Typically, credit card companies will agree to lower interest, eliminate fees, and cease collection activity.

Housing Counseling

As a HUD-approved housing counseling organization, Accel financial counselors can help you with pre-purchase education, reverse mortgage counseling or foreclosure prevention issues. Whether you have questions about the home-buying process or how to manage a budget once you get into your home, an Accel counselor can assist you.

Additional Free Products and Services

• BudgetSmart – BudgetSmart is a new and exciting software program now available on our website. This easy-to-use software tool uses simple graphics, "pop-up" boxes and bar charts to help you manage your money more effectively. You can use the program to:
        * Establish a budget
        *Track spending
        *View tips for improving areas of overspending or inadequate saving
        *Experiment with "what if" scenarios to determine how a major purchase or change in income impact your budget                                                 

Click on the budget smart logo or  click here to download the program to your computer FREE of charge, and you're on your way to creating your own personalized budget!

• CheckRight - A web-based checking account management education module designed to teach you how to manage a checking account.  Use CheckRight if: 

  • you are looking to open a checking account for the first time or
  • you have had difficulty handling an account in the past.

   

  Among other things, CheckRight will help you learn how to: 

  • open an account
  • write checks
  • make deposits
  • maintain a check register
  • reconcile an account
  • create a spending plan

   

  CheckRight is a self-study program that allows you to learn at your own pace.  Once you have read through the chapters, you will be directed to a quiz that will test your knowledge on checking accounts.  You will be able to view the results and you have the option to send the results to the credit union via e-mail. Please Click below or visit http://www.checkright.org

                                                            

• Web Videos - The web video series targets the entire financial lifecycle and the situations that can impact your finances during each one of them. The helpful advice is relevant to everybody — youth, those in their middle years, and those planning for retirement.

  Each program focuses on what you can do to implement your own sound financial management plan. Because money management is a life-long activity, good habits in handling our finances can’t start too early. Nor can they ever end, regardless of our age.

  As you look over our video offerings, choose the topics that interest you in whatever order you wish. Banking Is features young people and their experiences with personal finance. Life is What Happens While You’re Making Plans provides insights into balancing issues like making a living, starting a family, and dealing with major life changes. Planning for the New Future looks at the problems and opportunities of retiring or planning for retirement. The news magazine, Fast Forward on Finances presents more in-depth information on a number of specific topics.
  

  Accel Newsletter

        Click here to view informative Accel newsletters regarding topices such as holiday budgets, advice for the new year, etc.