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  • Enable second-factor authentication (2FA) | Vibrant Credit Union

    Enable second-factor authentication (2FA) When you use 2FA, you’ll automatically receive a verification code via text or email when you try to log in to your Vibrant account. Before you can access your information, you’ll have to enter that code into your smartphone or browser. 2FA verification codes are set to expire within 10 minutes, and they change every time you request one by logging in. Step 1: Log in to your Vibrant account. Log in from your browser or use the Vibrant mobile app (available for Apple or Android ). Step 2: Access your security settings. For mobile app users Select MORE from the options listed across the bottom of the screen. Select FULL SITE. Select TOOLS. Select SETTINGS. Select SECURITY. Go to the section labeled TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION. Toggle the switch to the right from OFF to ON. Choose the channels through which you prefer to receive your verification code (text, email, voice call). For browser users Select TOOLS. Select SETTINGS. Select SECURITY. Go to the section labeled TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION. Toggle the switch to the right from OFF to ON. Choose where you want Vibrant to send your verification code (text, email, voice call). Previous Item Next Item

  • Why savings rates are changing — and why that’s still good news for you

    When the Federal Reserve changes interest rates, it affects nearly every part of the financial world — including your savings account. So, if you’ve noticed an update to our deposit rates, here’s what’s happening and why Vibrant Credit Union remains one of the best places to grow your money. Why savings rates are changing — and why that’s still good news for you When the Federal Reserve changes interest rates, it affects nearly every part of the financial world — including your savings account. So, if you’ve noticed an update to our deposit rates, here’s what’s happening and why Vibrant Credit Union remains one of the best places to grow your money. What Happens When the Fed Lowers Rates When the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, it encourages more borrowing and spending to help the economy grow. Lower rates make it cheaper for businesses and consumers to borrow money — but they also reduce what financial institutions earn on loans and investments. That’s why you’ll often see banks and credit unions adjust deposit rates shortly after the Fed makes a change. It’s not about cutting corners — it’s about staying aligned with the larger economy. How Rate Changes Affect Your Savings Deposit rates tend to move in the same direction as the Fed’s benchmark rate. When the Fed cuts rates, the “cost of money” across the financial system drops. To keep everything balanced, banks and credit unions adjust savings rates too. This ensures they can continue operating responsibly while offering competitive returns. Why Lower Rates Aren’t a Bad Sign A lower savings rate doesn’t mean something’s wrong. In fact, it’s a sign that we’re managing funds wisely. Staying in step with the market helps Vibrant maintain financial stability, protect member value, and continue offering strong deposit rates within our suite of products such as our Premier Checking and Preferred Savings accounts, along with services that benefit everyone. A Quick Term to Know: Basis Points You’ll often hear changes described in basis points . One basis point equals one one-hundredth of a percent (0.01%). So, if the Fed lowers rates by 25 basis points, that means a quarter of a percent (0.25%). Using basis points makes it easier to describe small but meaningful shifts clearly and consistently. Balancing Member Value and Stability Every rate change is about balance. By managing what we pay on deposits, we can also keep loan rates low — helping members borrow affordably while still earning a fair return on savings. It’s part of how we make sure the credit union stays strong for the long haul. There’s More to It Than the Fed While the Fed’s rate plays a major role, it’s not the only factor we look at. We also consider market trends, liquidity (how much cash we have available to lend), loan demand, and how other financial institutions (both big banks and credit unions) are adjusting their rates. Our goal is always the same: to stay nationally competitive, responsible, and member-focused. Part of a Bigger Financial Strategy These rate adjustments aren’t quick reactions — they’re part of our long-term financial strategy. By maintaining a healthy balance between deposits, loans, and investments, we can keep earning enough to reinvest in our members, our products, our team, and our communities. What to Tell Friends (or Yourself) Who Miss the Old Rate It’s natural to feel a little disappointed when savings rates go down. But it helps to remember that your rate reflects larger economic trends — and that we’re doing everything we can to stay transparent, consistent, and competitive. Your money is still working hard here. Especially in Vibrant’s Premier Checking , Preferred Savings , and our CDs accounts. When Rates Rise Again We monitor the market closely and respond thoughtfully — never rushing, but never lagging either. Our goal is always to make smart, sustainable choices that benefit our members. Still Among the Best Even after this adjustment, our deposit rates remain among the top tier in the nation compared to many other credit unions and big banks. In fact, many large institutions offer significantly lower returns on savings accounts — and fewer personalized benefits. The Vibrant Difference We’re proud to be digitally led and human assisted — giving you powerful online tools backed by real people who care. That balance lets us stay efficient and innovative while never losing sight of what matters most: you. Even as rates shift, we stay focused on total member value — trusted services that keep you confident in your financial future. With industry-leading rates and our promise of no hoops, no hassle, and always great rates , Vibrant makes banking refreshingly simple. It’s a difference that’s been recognized nationally — The Wall Street Journal’s Buy Side named us one of the best for deposit rates , a testament to the value and experience our members enjoy every day. In Short: Rates change. Our commitment doesn’t. We’ll always make thoughtful, transparent decisions that balance market realities with what’s best for our members. Your money remains in a secure, competitive, and community-focused place — exactly where it belongs. Vibrant — No hoops. No Hassle. Always great rates. Federally insured by NCUA. Previous Item Next Item

  • Tips for choosing a savings account

    Did you know that it only takes a deposit of $5 to start a savings account at Vibrant? Go ahead and pluck that five dollar bill out of your wallet, where it’s more likely to end up spent than saved. By putting it in a savings account for safe keeping, you’re planting a seed. How quickly that seed sprouts and grows into a beautiful flower depends on where you’ve planted it. Tips for choosing a savings account Did you know that it only takes a deposit of $5 to start a savings account at Vibrant? Go ahead and pluck that five dollar bill out of your wallet, where it’s more likely to end up spent than saved. By putting it in a savings account for safe keeping, you’re planting a seed. How quickly that seed sprouts and grows into a beautiful flower depends on where you’ve planted it. Did you know that it only takes a deposit of $5 to start a savings account at Vibrant? Go ahead and pluck that five dollar bill out of your wallet, where it’s more likely to end up spent than saved. By putting it in a savings account for safe keeping, you’re planting a seed. How quickly that seed sprouts and grows into a beautiful flower depends on where you’ve planted it. To help you find the best place to grow your savings, here are four tips for choosing a savings account that is going to turn your five dollar bill into so much more. Aim high for your interest rate Opening a savings account is about growing your money, and how quickly that money grows will depend on the interest rate . The higher the interest rate, the more you’ll earn from your deposit. Most lenders will offer a basic savings account with interest rates as low as .01%, but keep an eye out for high-interest savings accounts that could help you earn more at a faster rate. Pay attention to minimum balance requirements Behind every savings account are a set of terms and conditions. You might be tempted to skim them, but do yourself a favor and give them a read. Different lenders will have different minimum deposit requirements, ranging from $1 to $10,000. You might also be expected to maintain a minimum balance to earn interest. There could even be fees for dropping below the minimum required balance. Always take the time to read the terms and conditions. Shop local for the best rates No two savings accounts are the same. Different financial institutions are going to offer different types of savings accounts with different interest rates, fees, and minimum balances. It’s up to you to look around and find the best savings account for you, and the best place to start is your local credit union or community bank. Because they’re nonprofit and member-owned , credit unions generally offer higher interest rates than banks, so be sure to give them a look. Ask about mobile banking Having a brick-and-mortar location close by is convenient, but in this day and age, most people expect to be able to handle the bulk of their financial transactions through their phone. You should be able to manage your savings account from anywhere, so be sure to ask about online and mobile banking services when kicking the tires on different financial institutions. If you’re interested in opening a savings account, get in touch with us ! Previous Item Next Item

  • Meet the new Vibrant: The best place to move your money

    Relentlessly focused on the products it knows it does better than its competitors, Vibrant is devoting its energy and investments into building up the service channels its members prefer to use, especially its digital banking platforms and its Moline-based call center. Meet the new Vibrant: The best place to move your money Relentlessly focused on the products it knows it does better than its competitors, Vibrant is devoting its energy and investments into building up the service channels its members prefer to use, especially its digital banking platforms and its Moline-based call center. Moline, IL — April 3, 2024 Last fall, Vibrant Credit Union decided it was time to start offering members something they couldn’t find at any other local financial institution: interest on their savings and checking balances that adds up to more than a handful of pennies a year. Interest rates on consumer borrowing, especially car and home loans, have risen significantly over the last 2+ years as the Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds rate to combat inflation. At the same time, interest rates on consumer deposits—the funds that financial institutions use to make many of those loans—have remained stubbornly low. Most big banks still offer a measly 0.01 percent annual percentage yield on consumer savings—meaning that if you deposit $10,000 in a savings account, by the end of the year, you’ll earn a single dollar in interest. Put that same $10,000 in Vibrant’s new Preferred Savings account, though, and you’ll earn $450. Further, the account has no monthly service fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no hidden conditions about setting up direct deposit or making a certain number of debit card transactions each month to qualify. It's a strategy that’s proving wildly successful for the credit union. In February alone, current and new members moved an additional $26 million in deposits to Vibrant. So why aren’t other financial institutions following suit? Matt McCombs, Vibrant’s president and CEO since 2015, thinks it’s because Vibrant’s new model goes against the conventional wisdom of what a credit union is supposed to look like. “Over the last few years, we’ve taken a long hard look at where we’re spending our members’ money and how well that aligns with what they actually want us to spend money on,” says McCombs. “For instance, a decade ago, more than half our members did at least some of their banking in person at one of our branches. Last year, that number was down to about 16 percent, and it’s continuing to drop. “So we asked, what if we invested more in the technologies and services our members are actually using—like our online banking platform and our call center? What if we close some of our branches outright and use the savings to pay our members more interest on their deposits?" That’s the new Vibrant: relentlessly focused on the products it knows it does better than its competitors and devoting its energy and investments into building up the service channels its members prefer to use, especially its digital banking platforms and its Moline-based call center. “It’s a matter of understanding our strengths and doubling down on them,” says McCombs. For now, it means that Vibrant doesn’t look like anyone else in the area. But McCombs is confident Vibrant’s model is the way of the future. “The days of getting all your financial needs met by a single institution are over. When someone wants to buy a house, they can get on Rocket Mortgage. When they want to buy a car, they go straight to the dealership. We don’t mind if our members get the best deal on their loans from someone else, because that means we’re able to give them the best deal on their deposits.” Even given the rise of so many internet-only financial institutions, McCombs also sees an important place for credit unions like Vibrant. “In general, people prefer to do business with local people,” McCombs says. "When they have questions, they want to be able to talk with someone they know. They want to support local jobs. They're just not going to do it at the expense of passing up a much better deal online. Our savings and checking options give people an excellent reason to keep their money here in our communities.” About Vibrant Vibrant was founded in 1935 as a federally insured credit union with its roots in agricultural manufacturing. Now an industry-leading deposit rate competitor, customers across the country can bank with the best utilizing easy access apps and money movement-friendly accounts with top earning rates. In the community, Vibrant strives to bring specialized products to nonprofits and small businesses to foster all to "be the good." Not far from their roots, Vibrant also provides relationship- and education-focused equipment financing programs to outdoor equipment manufacturers nationwide. Previous Item Next Item

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