To save money, you have to spend less than you earn. Simple enough, right? The truth is that it’s easier said than done. Saving money takes discipline, especially when you’re fresh out of college. No more classes and no more homework, but there are bills to pay and plenty of opportunities to spend your hard-earned money now that you’ve entered “the real world.” 5 money-saving tips for college graduates To save money, you have to spend less than you earn. Simple enough, right? The truth is that it’s easier said than done. Saving money takes discipline, especially when you’re fresh out of college. No more classes and no more homework, but there are bills to pay and plenty of opportunities to spend your hard-earned money now that you’ve entered “the real world.” To save money, you have to spend less than you earn. Simple enough, right? The truth is that it’s easier said than done. Saving money takes discipline, especially when you’re fresh out of college. No more classes and no more homework, but there are bills to pay and plenty of opportunities to spend your hard-earned money now that you’ve entered “the real world.” Here are five simple tips for how to stay on top of your savings after you graduate college. Start with a simple budget You can certainly keep a running list of expenses and then add it up at the end of the month to see if you spent less than you earned, but making a budget might be more helpful. Consider the 50/30/20 approach to budgeting. Set aside 50% of your budget for your “needs” like rent, utilities, and groceries, 30% for your “wants” like road trips, tickets to concerts, and pizza on Friday nights, and the last 20% for savings. The idea is to figure out how much you have to spend on what you need, so that you know how much you can afford to spend on what you want. Make your student loan payments According to the most recent statistics, about 45 million Americans have student loan debt. If you’re one of them, the sooner you start making payments, the better off you’ll be. Most student loans have a six-month grace period after graduation, but you’ll save on interest if you can start paying off that debt sooner. Most importantly, make sure you are making your payments on time. If you have federal student loans and are struggling to make payments, it might be worth considering applying for an income-driven repayment plan. Work on building your credit Need another reason to make your student loan payments? Well, aside from the fact that that debt isn’t going anywhere unless you start paying it off, making payments helps build your credit. It’s an opportunity to show lenders that you are a responsible borrower, improving your chances of being approved for a mortgage or a car loan. You should also explore other ways to build your credit, like applying for a credit card. Just remember to spend responsibly! Keep enough in your savings for emergencies Not all savings is for retirement. And considering you’re a recent college graduate, it’s safe to say retirement is probably not in your immediate future. Savings at your age is about creating breathing room, because a budget will only get you so far before an unexpected expense wrecks your budget. You can start by aiming to save at least 20% of your paycheck and setting it aside in a high-yield savings account. Consider that your emergency fund. If you can reach the point where you have at least $500 set aside for emergencies, you’ll have a great start. Understand the basics of investing The next best thing to saving your money is investing it. Now before you start dreaming about trading on Wall Street, there are simpler ways to invest than buying individual stocks. You can invest your income in a retirement account like a 401(k) or IRA, allowing your money to grow over time due to compound interest. Retirement may be in your distant future, but your future self will almost certainly be thankful you invested as early as you did. If you are interested in learning more about how you can start saving post-graduation, please get in touch with us . The learning never stops, even after college! Previous Item Next Item

With interest rates high, now is a great time to consider adding a CD to your financial portfolio. Is a Certificate of Deposit (CD) right for you? With interest rates high, now is a great time to consider adding a CD to your financial portfolio. You shouldn’t expect to become fabulously wealthy by opening a Certificate of Deposit (CD). But if you’re looking for a safe place to earn a guaranteed return on your savings, right now is a great time to consider adding a CD to your financial portfolio. With interest rates rising, many CDs are paying the highest rates consumers have seen in more than 20 years. How is a CD different from an ordinary savings account? In simple terms, a Certificate of Deposit is a type of savings account—one that pays higher interest on your balance in exchange for your promise not to withdraw any funds for a set period of time, which at Vibrant can range from 3 months to 5 years. Further, so long as your deposit balance doesn’t exceed NCUA insurance limits ($250,000 in total deposits per account holder at a single credit union), those returns are guaranteed so long as you don’t need to withdraw your cash early—and it never hurts to have an extra level of assurance considering recent volatility in the banking sector . Talk to us if you’re interested in depositing more than $250,000 for cost-free strategies for maximizing your deposit insurance coverage. The kinds of people who should consider investing in a CD If your current financial goals fall into any of the following categories, a CD might be the right solution for you. You’re saving for a short-term goal If you’ve been setting aside money for a down payment on a home, a new car or boat, a dream vacation, or a wedding, then putting your savings in a CD is a good way to grow your nest egg faster without committing to a long-term investment. You want to jump-start your retirement savings Even if retirement is a long way off, you can invest in an IRA CD at any age—and, right now, potentially earn a better rate of return than you would through your 401(k). With an IRA CD, your investment itself is tax-deductible (similar to the way that 401(k) contributions are made with pre-tax dollars). And, unlike a conventional CD, an IRA CD enables you to put off paying taxes on the interest income you earn until it’s time to make a withdrawal from your retirement plan. You can even roll over your IRA into a different retirement savings plan without tax penalties once your 401(k) starts earning more. You want to protect your cash against inflation When inflation is high, the value of your savings decreases. Putting your savings into a CD can help protect your money by locking in a fixed interest rate until the economy improves. You want a safe and secure place to park your savings CDs are a low-risk way to grow your money. The interest rate is fixed, so you know exactly how much money you will earn. Further, Vibrant CDs are insured by the NCUA, which means your money is protected up to $250,000 per account holder (and you can talk with a banker about strategies to maximize your NCUA coverage if you want to invest more). You want a great rate but don’t have a lot of money to invest While many financial institutions require a minimum deposit amount in the four figures to get their best CD rates, all of Vibrant’s CDs are available with a minimum $5 deposit. The bottom line Before you put your savings in a CD, think carefully about when you will need to access the money you’re setting aside. All financial institutions charge some kind of early withdrawal penalty if you need to close a CD before it reaches maturity—up to and including giving up all the interest you’ve earned to date. Once you decide how long you can afford to set aside your savings, compare your options to find the term and interest rate that work best for you. See Vibrant’s current CD rates, then reach out to one of our personal bankers for help opening an account or open an account online . Disclosures Before you open a Certificate of Deposit, be aware that there may be penalties imposed if you withdraw your money before the end of the term. Unless you specify otherwise, Vibrant's certificates will automatically renew at the end of the term—the 13-month CD automatically renews into a 12-month CD at maturity. Vibrant will contact you before your CD reaches maturity to help you choose not to renew or if you'd prefer to renew for a different term. All Vibrant CDs are federally insured by NCUA. Previous Item Next Item

Want to earn more on your savings without locking up your money? Learn how to keep your cash accessible while still earning competitive interest. How to Earn Interest on Your Money Without Locking It Up Want to earn more on your savings without locking up your money? Learn how to keep your cash accessible while still earning competitive interest. How to Earn Interest on Your Money Without Locking It Up For a long time, earning higher interest meant giving something up. Usually, that meant locking your money away in an account you couldn’t easily access. But that tradeoff isn’t as necessary as it once was. The Tradeoff People Assume Exists Many people believe: If you want higher returns, you need to lock your money up If you want access, you have to accept lower interest That used to be true—but it’s not the full picture anymore. Why You Don’t Have to Lock Your Money Away Today, there are savings options designed to give you both: Competitive interest rates Easy access to your money This means your cash can stay flexible while still working for you in the background. What to Look for Instead If your goal is to earn more without sacrificing access, focus on accounts that offer: Strong, competitive rates No unnecessary restrictions Easy transfers when you need your money A high-yield savings account is built around exactly this idea. Explore flexible savings options: High-yield savings account A Smarter Way to Think About Savings Instead of choosing between access and earnings, you can prioritize both. Your money should be: Available when you need it Growing when you don’t That balance is what makes modern savings strategies more effective. The Bottom Line You don’t have to lock your money away to earn more on it. With the right account, your savings can stay flexible while still delivering meaningful returns. See how your savings can work harder—without losing access: High-yield savings account Previous Item Next Item

We all start a new year with the best of intentions, but building new habits is hard. If you want to take better control of your personal finances in 2022, here are a few things you can do that won’t require a lot of time—or a lot of willpower. 5 New Years resolutions that will be easy to keep We all start a new year with the best of intentions, but building new habits is hard. If you want to take better control of your personal finances in 2022, here are a few things you can do that won’t require a lot of time—or a lot of willpower. We all start a new year with the best of intentions, but building new habits is hard. If you want to take better control of your personal finances in 2022, here are a few things you can do that won’t require a lot of time—or a lot of willpower. Resolution #1: How to save more money One reason New Year’s resolutions fail is because they are too easy to break. You can turn regular savings into a habit by automating the process. Set up an automatic transfer each pay day that transfers a small amount of cash into your savings account. It’s okay to start small—you don’t want to be tempted to cancel your transfer because you suddenly need that money for something else next month. You can always increase the amount in the future. Time required: 2 minutes to log in to online banking and set up a new automatic transfer Resolution #2: How to reduce your debt One of the fastest ways you can reduce your monthly debt expenses is by reducing your borrowing costs. With interest rates still near record lows, it’s a great time to explore refinancing your mortgage, your auto loan, or consolidating your debt into a single monthly payment. Right now, for instance, credit card rates average about 16% APR (annual percentage rate). If you have good (or better) credit, you can probably find a personal loan that charges considerably less. Time required: 60 minutes (and often far less) to fill out an application, talk with a banker, and sign documentation Resolution #3: How to reduce your spending Are you spending money right now on things you don’t even use? Take a look at your subscriptions—streaming services, magazines and newspapers, websites—and think hard about the value they provide. Do you watch enough baseball to justify a $129 subscription to MLB? Are Spotify’s ads really that annoying? Time required: 5 minutes or less to cancel an account, depending on whether it's one of those companies that makes you call instead of letting you cancel online (definitely stop giving those guys your money) Resolution #4: How to earn more money (easy mode) First, an easy thing you should check right now: Are you earning your full employer match on your retirement savings? Many employees, including Vibrant, will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar up to a certain percentage. If you’re not contributing at least that percentage of your salary to your retirement plan, you’re essentially telling your employer to keep an extra 1, 2, or even 5 percent of your annual salary for themselves. Time required: 15 minutes or less to ask your HR department what you need to do to increase your contribution Resolution #5: How to earn more money (advanced) Second, there’s never been a better time to think about changing jobs—or renegotiating your current salary. The latest economic data shows there are more than 10 million open jobs right now, while the number of Americans collecting unemployment is lower than 2 million. Lots of people are finding better jobs right now—which could mean that your current employer might be more willing to increase salaries to keep experienced workers from moving on. It’s probably a good time to mention that Vibrant is hiring—and we offer a 401(k) match up to 6 percent of your salary. Check out our current openings . Time required: As little as a couple of weeks to six months or longer, depending on your field and your location Previous Item Next Item

New to Vibrant Equipment Lending? Send us an email to set up your account and gain access to the dealer portal. Email us to get started Go to portal Standard Financing for New Equipment No down payment required; eligible for additional cash rebates. Rates current as of March 16, 2026. For rates with a credit score below 660 or low-rate financing options with either a consumer down payment or dealer participation, talk with your relationship manager. Credit tier A+ (820+) A (780–819) B (740–779) C (700–739) D (660–699) 36 months 5.99% 5.99% 5.99% 6.99% 9.99% 48 months 5.99% 5.99% 5.99% 6.99% 9.99% 60 months 5.99% 5.99% 5.99% 6.99% 9.99% 72 months 5.99% 5.99% 5.99% 6.99% 9.99% 84 months 6.99% 6.99% 6.99% 8.99% 10.99% 96 months 6.99% 6.99% 6.99% 8.99% 10.99% 120 months* 6.99% 6.99% 6.99% 8.99% 10.99% *"APR" = "Annual Percentage Rate." The above rates assume a Loan-to-Value ratio of 80% or less (add 1.00% for LTV 80.01-110% or add 3.00% for LTV above 110%). Not all buyers will qualify. **Loan Term is determined based on the amount financed - $15,000 loan minimum/120 month. Standard Financing for Used Equipment We now offer financing for used equipment, too—annual percentage rates ("APR") are one (1) percentage higher than standard financing for new equipment. Loan terms and amounts are based in part on the age and/or total usage of the equipment being financed. Age/Hours Max Term <500 Hours 84 <5 Years 84 6–10 Years 72 501–1000 Hours 72 11+ Years 60 1001+ Hours 60 Loan Portal Create new applications, check on the status of applications in progress, and more. Open the Loan Portal Business Hours M-F 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT Note, hours adjust seasonally. Questions? Reach out to your relationship manager. Or email us at loanprogram@vibrantcu.org . Quick Resources Loan Portal Standard Rates Insurance Information ACH User Guide Video Resources Cale VanGenderen SVP, Equipment Finance Natalie Newcomb Equipment Finance Manager nnewcomb@vibrantcu.org Jessica Voges Account Manager 800-479-6206 jvoges@vibrantcu.org Kari Neff Account Manager 800-479-6206 kneff@vibrantcu.org Shawn LaBarge Account Manager 800-479-6206 slabarge@vibrantcu.org Brayden Sechser Relationship Manager AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY 503-851-4895 bsechser@vibrantcu.org Carson Thomas Relationship Manager CT, DE, IN, KY, OH, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV 309-269-1586 cthomas@vibrantcu.org Chuck Ellis Relationship Manager LA, NM, OK, TX 817-999-3717 cellis@vibrantcu.org Marc Brown Relationship Manager AR, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, SD, TN, WI 563-514-4844 mpbrown@vibrantcu.org Cale VanGenderen SVP, Equipment Finance Natalie Newcomb Equipment Finance Manager nnewcomb@vibrantcu.org Jessica Voges Account Manager 800-479-6206 jvoges@vibrantcu.org Kari Neff Account Manager 800-479-6206 kneff@vibrantcu.org Shawn LaBarge Account Manager 800-479-6206 slabarge@vibrantcu.org Brayden Sechser Relationship Manager AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY 503-851-4895 bsechser@vibrantcu.org Carson Thomas Relationship Manager CT, DE, IN, KY, OH, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV 309-269-1586 cthomas@vibrantcu.org Chuck Ellis Relationship Manager LA, NM, OK, TX 817-999-3717 cellis@vibrantcu.org Marc Brown Relationship Manager AR, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, SD, TN, WI 563-514-4844 mpbrown@vibrantcu.org Cale VanGenderen SVP, Equipment Finance Natalie Newcomb Equipment Finance Manager nnewcomb@vibrantcu.org Jessica Voges Account Manager 800-479-6206 jvoges@vibrantcu.org Kari Neff Account Manager 800-479-6206 kneff@vibrantcu.org Shawn LaBarge Account Manager 800-479-6206 slabarge@vibrantcu.org Brayden Sechser Relationship Manager AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY 503-851-4895 bsechser@vibrantcu.org Carson Thomas Relationship Manager CT, DE, IN, KY, OH, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV 309-269-1586 cthomas@vibrantcu.org Chuck Ellis Relationship Manager LA, NM, OK, TX 817-999-3717 cellis@vibrantcu.org Marc Brown Relationship Manager AR, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, SD, TN, WI 563-514-4844 mpbrown@vibrantcu.org Cale VanGenderen SVP, Equipment Finance Natalie Newcomb Equipment Finance Manager nnewcomb@vibrantcu.org Jessica Voges Account Manager 800-479-6206 jvoges@vibrantcu.org Kari Neff Account Manager 800-479-6206 kneff@vibrantcu.org Shawn LaBarge Account Manager 800-479-6206 slabarge@vibrantcu.org Brayden Sechser Relationship Manager AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY 503-851-4895 bsechser@vibrantcu.org Carson Thomas Relationship Manager CT, DE, IN, KY, OH, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV 309-269-1586 cthomas@vibrantcu.org Chuck Ellis Relationship Manager LA, NM, OK, TX 817-999-3717 cellis@vibrantcu.org Marc Brown Relationship Manager AR, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, SD, TN, WI 563-514-4844 mpbrown@vibrantcu.org Frequently Asked Questions What’s the relationship with Vibrant Credit Union? Vibrant Equipment Lending is an exclusive loan processing and servicing partner for individual consumer and small business in the United States. We're here to make it faster and easier for your customers to get the financing they need to complete their purchases — and give you immediate access to funds. We worked to build a secure lending platform that fits your needs, and we're continually refining that technology based on feedback from you. As a member-owned nonprofit, we're committed to offering affordable loans to our members based on a holistic appraisal of their financial situation, and we've created a portfolio of flexible financing products to fit practically any budget. What information will I need to provide to set up my dealership account? Get in touch with your Relationship Manager or email us here . How long does it take to receive a decision on a loan application? Over half of applications are auto-approved on the spot with our flexible, risk-based scoring model. On those occasions when an application is not automatically approved, our lending team individually reviews the customer's financial information before making our final decision. Most of the time, we find a way to say yes in 30 minutes or less! Do you finance purchases of used equipment? We do! Loan terms and amounts will be based on the applicant's creditworthiness as well as the age/usage of the equipment being financed. See the table above for details. Where should I direct customers to manage their loan account and make payments? Vibrant has created an online account portal for customers where they can manage their accounts. They have three options for paying their loan: Pay online with their debit card. They can pay online with an ACH transfer from another bank account. Or, they can just mail us a check! Remind them to include their account number on the memo line for faster processing. Vibrant ATTN: Payments PO Box 1550 Moline IL 61266 I need help with my account. When is your dealer services team available? We run on seasonal hours (see above). You can reach us at 1-800-479-6206 during office hours or email us any time at loanprogram@vibrantcu.org . What do I need from my customer to obtain financing? Your customer will need to provide their government-issued ID (driver's license or U.S. passport). You'll also need a sales order with the year, make, model, and SN/VIN for all equipment being financed. Complete an application in the dealer portal and get a decision within minutes. I have a question about the program, who do I contact? Vibrant has a dedicated relationship management team to assist dealers with any loan program or banking needs. Our relationship managers are ready to answer all your questions! See above to find your RM! Who are the Account Managers and what do they do? Our account management team is here to work every loan application from start to finish with you. After you submit an application, one of our account managers will email or call you within a couple of minutes to update you on the initial loan decision and requirements and confirm your sales order is complete (including year, make, model, and VIN/SN for all equipment). Once we have all that information, we can issue a final approval and send documentation to your and your customer to complete online via DocuSign.

Download our app For Apple Users On your iPhone or iPad, open the App Store app. In the bottom search bar, type Vibrant Credit Union. Tap the "Get" button Confirm the installation with your side button and double tap to install. Use your online banking credentials to sign in. Not signed up yet? Get started here . From Google Play Open Google Play.On your device, use the Play Store app On your computer, go to play.google.com . Search for "Vibrant Credit Union" Tap Install Previous Item Next Item

Not all savings accounts are the same. Learn the difference between high-yield and traditional savings accounts and how to earn more on your money. High-Yield Savings vs Traditional Savings: What’s the Real Difference? Not all savings accounts are the same. Learn the difference between high-yield and traditional savings accounts and how to earn more on your money. High-Yield Savings vs Traditional Savings: What’s the Real Difference? At first glance, most savings accounts look the same. They hold your money. They’re safe. They earn interest. But once you look a little closer, the difference between a traditional savings account and a high-yield savings account can be significant—especially over time. What Is a Traditional Savings Account? Traditional savings accounts are what most people are familiar with. They’re typically offered by banks or credit unions and provide: A safe place to store money Easy access to funds A small amount of interest They’re simple and reliable—but often come with lower interest rates than newer alternatives. What Is a High-Yield Savings Account? A high-yield savings account is designed to do the same thing—but more efficiently. You still get: Security Accessibility Stability But you also get: a more competitive interest rate , which allows your money to grow faster over time The core difference isn’t how the account works—it’s how much your money earns while it sits there. Explore high-yield savings options: High-yield savings accounts Key Differences That Matter The differences between traditional and high-yield savings accounts come down to a few key areas: Interest Rate: Traditional savings accounts typically offer low interest rates, while high-yield savings accounts are designed to provide more competitive returns. Growth Potential: With lower rates, traditional savings accounts may see minimal growth over time. High-yield savings accounts allow your balance to grow more meaningfully, especially as it increases. Accessibility: Both types of accounts generally allow easy access to your money when you need it. Safety: Both traditional and high-yield savings accounts are designed to keep your money secure. Why Many People Are Switching More people are starting to question whether their savings account is doing enough. The shift toward high-yield savings is driven by a simple idea: If your money is going to sit in an account anyway, it should be earning as much as it reasonably can. There’s no added complexity. No added risk. Just a better return on the same type of account. Which One Is Right for You? If your priority is: Keeping your money safe Maintaining easy access Earning more on your balance A high-yield savings account is often the better choice. If you haven’t reviewed your savings account in a while, it may be worth taking a second look. The Bottom Line Not all savings accounts are created equal. The difference between a traditional account and a high-yield account may seem small at first—but over time, it can have a meaningful impact on how your money grows. See how much more your savings could be earning: High-yield savings account Previous Item Next Item

If you've purchased equipment and financed it through a Vibrant loan, find out how to manage your payments, update your account, and more. Can't wait to get back to work? Don't worry—managing your equipment loan is fast and easy. Manage your account Add a Title Can't wait to get back to work? Don’t worry—managing your equipment loan is fast and easy. Manage your account Set up your account Access your account online to view statements, manage payments, and review your payment history. Pay by ACH transfer... Set up an ACH transfer from your financial institution to your loan account using your account and routing number. ...Or pay by debit card Set up automatic payments or make a one-time payment online using your debit card. Go to our loan payment portal Getting started Getting started Set up your account Access your account online to view statements, manage payments, and review your payment history. Pay by ACH transfer Set up an ACH transfer from your financial institution to your loan account using your account and routing number. ...or pay by debit card Set up automatic payments or make a one-time payment online using your debit card. Manage your account FAQ Am I a Vibrant Credit Union member? Yes! You are now eligible for all our products—checking, credit cards, and more! Visit our website to learn more. How will I get my loan documents? You will receive your loan documents through DocuSign. Please save a copy of your documents at the time of signing. Where are you guys located? Our headquarters is located in Moline, Illinois, and we have branches in Iowa and Illinois. Can you help me set up an ACH transfer? Absolutely! If you're not comfortable setting up a transfer through our online portal we're glad to set it up for you. Call us at 800-323-5109 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT on Saturday. How can I make a payment? You have three options for paying your loan: You can pay online with your debit card (where you can also access your account statements and payment history if you set up an account). You can pay online with an ACH transfer from your bank account. Need help setting up your transfer? Call us at 800-323-5109 and we'll take care of it. If you prefer, you can just mail us a check! Vibrant ATTN: Payments PO Box 1550 Moline, IL 61266 How can I set up an automatic payment? Log in to your loan account and choose "Pay my bills" under your latest invoice. When you enter your payment information, you can choose a one-time payment or a recurring payment. Can I pay by mail? Yes! You can send a check to the address below if you prefer to pay by mail. Remember to include your account number on the memo line for faster processing. Vibrant ATTN: Payments PO Box 1550 Moline, IL 61266 FAQ Business hours Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – noon CT Need a hand? Get personal support from our team. Call 1-800-323-5109 or send an email to connect with us.

Interest rates are interesting. See what we did there? Word play is fun. Interest rates? Maybe not so much. Like we said, interesting is a more appropriate descriptor. They can often be an obstacle when you’re trying to get approved for a loan. Everyone wants a lower interest rate, but not every lender is willing to offer one. In most cases, lenders will use your credit history to determine your interest rate, but there are outside influences that can also affect interest rates. Understanding why interest rates change Interest rates are interesting. See what we did there? Word play is fun. Interest rates? Maybe not so much. Like we said, interesting is a more appropriate descriptor. They can often be an obstacle when you’re trying to get approved for a loan. Everyone wants a lower interest rate, but not every lender is willing to offer one. In most cases, lenders will use your credit history to determine your interest rate, but there are outside influences that can also affect interest rates. Interest rates are interesting. See what we did there? Word play is fun. Interest rates? Maybe not so much. Like we said, interesting is a more appropriate descriptor. They can often be an obstacle when you’re trying to get approved for a loan. Everyone wants a lower interest rate, but not every lender is willing to offer one. In most cases, lenders will use your credit history to determine your interest rate, but there are outside influences that can also affect interest rates. If you’re willing to follow along as we peel back the curtain, you can get a better understanding of what interest rates and how they are impacted by the world around us. What is an interest rate? Interest rates are the cost of doing business. If you want to borrow money from a lender, they’re taking a risk and expect a reward in return. You might be able to borrow money from a friend with nothing more than a promise to pay them back, but lenders don’t work on an honor system. The interest rate determines how much of a reward the lender gets. If you are approved for a loan with a 2 percent interest rate, in the end the lender will get back the total amount borrowed for the loan, plus an extra 2 percent. Think of that extra 2 percent as a tip for services rendered. One term you might see mentioned alongside the interest rate is Annual Percentage Rate (or APR). The APR is the total amount you pay each year to borrow money. Not only does that include the amount of interest paid, but it also considers any fees charged for the loan. Why do interest rates change? The answers you’ve been waiting five paragraphs for are here. Now that you know exactly what an interest rate is, you’re ready to see who is pulling the strings. Government. If the economy is a train, the U.S. Federal Reserve is the conductor. It wants to keep the train moving. If the economy is starting to slow down, the Federal Reserve can lower interest rates. When the interest rates are lower, people are more open to borrowing and spending money, which helps fuel the economy. Lower interest rates also make it cheaper for businesses to borrow money and use it to invest and create new jobs, reducing unemployment. The Federal Reserve is also known as the “central bank” of the U.S. It can create more money and deposit it with commercial bankers, increasing their supply of money. With more money in the bank, lenders can often lower interest rates to their borrowers. Supply and Demand. We all know the feeling of opening up the refrigerator, only to find it empty with nothing inside to satisfy our hunger. Well when you apply for a loan from a lender, they might not have money for you to borrow. They don’t have an infinite supply of cash. If the demand for money is greater than their supply, lenders will charge higher interest rates. Because they may have to borrow from another lender, they will be charged a fee, which the borrower ends up paying for. Inflation. Remember when a ticket to the movies was 25 cents? You probably don’t because that was the price of admission in 1920. Unless of course you’ve invented time travel, in which case we’d love to hear more about that. But back on topic, inflation has dramatically affected the value of our money over time, and that has consequences. Lenders will consider future inflation when figuring out interest rates to ensure that their return will still be profitable at the end of your loan. If you have any questions about interest rates or are in fact a time traveler willing to share your secrets, please get in touch with us . We’re here to help you! Previous Item Next Item

Your emergency fund should be safe, accessible—and earning interest. Learn the best place to keep your emergency savings and how to make your money work harder. The Best Place to Keep Your Emergency Fund (Without Losing Access) Your emergency fund should be safe, accessible—and earning interest. Learn the best place to keep your emergency savings and how to make your money work harder. Where Should You Keep Your Emergency Fund in 2026? An emergency fund should give you peace of mind—not sit in an account earning next to nothing. But that’s exactly what’s happening for a lot of people right now. Even as interest rates have increased, many traditional savings accounts are still paying very little. Which means your emergency fund may not be working as hard as it could. So where should you keep it? Let’s break it down. What an Emergency Fund Needs to Do Before choosing where to keep it, it helps to define the job. Your emergency fund should be: Accessible — You can get to it quickly Safe — Your balance isn’t exposed to market risk Earning — It should grow, even while sitting idle If an account misses one of these, it’s not doing its job. Option 1: Traditional Savings Accounts Traditional savings accounts are familiar and easy to use. They offer: Security Simple access No surprises But many still come with very low interest rates, which can limit how much your money grows over time. For an emergency fund, that tradeoff matters more than most people realize. Option 2: High-Yield Savings Accounts This is where more people are starting to make a shift. A high-yield savings account is designed to do the same job as a traditional savings account—but with significantly better earning potential. You still get: Easy access to your money A safe place to store your funds But you also get: a more competitive rate that helps your balance grow over time For most people, this is the best balance of access and earnings for an emergency fund. Explore your options: High-yield savings accounts A Simple Way to Approach It For most people, the goal isn’t to find the most complex place to store an emergency fund—it’s to find the most efficient one. That usually means: Keeping your money fully accessible Earning a competitive rate Avoiding unnecessary restrictions A high-yield savings account checks all three boxes. Some people choose to keep a small amount of cash readily available for immediate needs, while storing the rest in a higher-earning account. This approach keeps your money both accessible and working for you. The Bottom Line Your emergency fund shouldn’t just sit still. It should: Be there when you need it Grow quietly in the background The good news is you don’t have to choose between access and earning potential anymore. See current savings options and rates: High-yield savings account Previous Item Next Item

Add external accounts instantly Add your checking or savings account with an external financial institution to your Vibrant dashboard in a matter of minutes with our new upgrade. Scroll below to check out the desktop and mobile directions. Note: The names on the accounts you're linking must match. On Your Phone Sign in to your mobile app . Click the Transfers widget.Note: The tab bar on iOS devices may display differently on your settings. Additional widgets will display by clicking the More widget. Tap the Add Account option. Tap the External Account tab at the top. Select the Add account instantly option. Select from one of the financial institutions listed or search for yours in the search bar below the list. Log in to the external financial institution's account. Select one or more accounts to add for transfers and click the Submit button. The Verify screen will display. Click the Continue button. Once the accounts are verified, they will immediately be made available. Hitting an error message? Don't worry; you can still add your account manually ! On Your Computer Sign in to online banking. Not enrolled yet? Click here . Navigate to the Transfers widget here . Note: The widget menu may display differently based on your settings. Additional widgets will display by clicking the More... widget. Click the Classic tab on the top. Click Add an account to make a transfer link. The Add an Account window will display. Click Add an account instantly. Select from one of the financial institutions listed, or search for yours in the search bar below the list. Log in to the external financial institution's account. The Verify screen will display. Click the Continue button. Once the accounts are verified, they will immediately be made available. Hitting an error message? Don't worry; you can still add your account manually ! Previous Item Next Item

Deposit a check There are three ways to deposit a check: at a Vibrant branch, at Vibrant ATMs located at our Moline (South Park and Vibrant HQ ) branches, or via the Vibrant mobile app. Download the mobile app for Anroid or Apple devices. Open the app and choose DEPOSIT CHECK from the menu at the bottom of the screen. Endorse your check, along with the words “For Mobile Deposit Only.” Choose the account where you want the deposit to go, enter the amount of the deposit, then take a photo of the front and back of the check. Submit your deposit! (If it’s before 4 p.m. CT on a business day, your deposit will appear by 6 p.m. at the latest. If it’s later, your deposit will post at noon on the next business day.) You'll receive an email from enstenta.monitor@jackhenry.com confirming your deposit. Previous Item Next Item