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.

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

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

(Not our words, the WSJ's.) Award-Winning. Again. (Not our words, the WSJ's.) Awards season is back—and so are we. We’ve been named a Best Credit Union for 2026 by The Wall Street Journal Buy Side Awards, adding to our 2025 recognition for Best for Deposit Rates. Two years. Two categories. Same result. When The Wall Street Journal recognizes a financial institution two years in a row, it means something. The Buy Side Awards aren’t based on marketing or surface-level positioning. They evaluate financial institutions across the country based on how they actually perform for the people who use them every day. What that recognition really reflects The interesting part isn’t the headline—it’s what sits behind it. Because awards like this don’t come from a single feature or a short-term offer. They come from how everything works together over time. Rates, yes—but also how accessible they are. How easy it is to manage your money. Whether the experience holds up after the first impression. That’s the part people don’t always see upfront—but definitely feel later. Why Vibrant shows up here A lot of financial products are built to get your attention. High rates that don’t stick around. Fine print that shows up later. Extra steps between you and the thing you actually signed up for. That’s never been our approach. What we build is meant to hold up over time. Competitive rates that stay competitive. Products that work the way people actually use them. A banking experience that feels straightforward from the start—and stays that way. It’s a little different than what you’ll find in most places. Not always louder. Just more consistent. And over time, that tends to stand out. Still the same approach—just easier to spot We’ve always believed banking should feel like it’s working with you, not against you. That idea hasn’t changed. What’s changed is how many people are starting to recognize it—including through awards like these. So, we’re honored to be recognized again by The Wall Street Journal Buy Side Awards—now for a second year, across two categories. But we’re more excited to know that our products and services are working just like their supposed to: No hoops. No hassle. Always great rates. Previous Item Next Item

Foundation invites community organizations to apply for future funding through the Vibrant Credit Union website. Be The Good Foundation Awards Inaugural Grant to Living Lands & Waters Foundation invites community organizations to apply for future funding through the Vibrant Credit Union website. Moline, IL — February 26, 2026 Be The Good Foundation proudly presented its inaugural grant to Living Lands & Waters , marking an exciting milestone in the Foundation’s mission to strengthen and serve our communities. Living Lands & Waters, a nationally recognized environmental nonprofit dedicated to river cleanups, watershed conservation, and community engagement, was selected as the Foundation’s first grant recipient in recognition of its meaningful impact and ongoing commitment to protecting natural resources. The $500 grant was formally presented during a check ceremony with representatives from both organizations. The event celebrated a shared commitment to service, stewardship, and creating positive change. “Launching Be The Good Foundation with Living Lands & Waters as our first recipient reflects exactly what we stand for — action, impact, and community,” said Tiffany Haedt, President of Be The Good Foundation. “We are proud to support organizations that are making a tangible difference.” Be The Good Foundation was established to invest in initiatives that uplift communities, support meaningful causes, and embody the spirit of doing good in both big and small ways. Now Accepting Grant Applications Be The Good Foundation invites nonprofit organizations and community groups to submit grant requests via the Vibrant Credit Union website. Organizations with missions aligned to community improvement, service, and positive impact are encouraged to apply. To learn more or submit a grant request, visit the Be The Good Foundation page . Together, we can continue to build stronger communities — one act of good at a time. About the Be The Good Foundation Be The Good Foundation, founded by Vibrant Credit Union, supports programs that expand financial literacy, empower young people with life and career skills, and strengthens communities. The foundation operates with a simple belief: when you put more good into the world, the world responds in kind. About Vibrant Credit Union Founded in 1935, Vibrant Credit Union is a federally insured credit union built on strong roots and a forward-looking mindset. Vibrant delivers competitive deposit rates, intuitive digital banking, and fast, flexible money movement designed to make everyday finances easier. Beyond products, Vibrant is deeply committed to giving back — supporting nonprofits, strengthening communities, and championing its call to Be The Good through meaningful partnerships and measurable impact. Because great financial tools matter, but what you do with them matters even more. Previous Item Next Item

Plan your next visit to SouthPark Branch - Moline. Get hours, services, and driving directions. SouthPark Branch - Moline 4400 16th St Moline, IL 61265 United States (800) 323-5109 Get directions ITM (digital banking) hours Lobby hours Mon 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tue 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wed 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thu 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sat 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sun Closed Services Coin machine Night drop Branch lobby open Drive-thru open FAQ

“Smishing” sounds cute, right? Like what you do when someone lets you hold their new baby or when your grandma envelops you in a big hug. But it's actually the name cybersecurity experts have given text-based frauds. (“SMS” and “phishing” equals “smishing.” Get it?) Protect yourself from smishing “Smishing” sounds cute, right? Like what you do when someone lets you hold their new baby or when your grandma envelops you in a big hug. But it's actually the name cybersecurity experts have given text-based frauds. (“SMS” and “phishing” equals “smishing.” Get it?) “Smishing” sounds cute, right? Like what you do when someone lets you hold their new baby or when your grandma envelops you in a big hug. But it's actually the name cybersecurity experts have given text-based frauds . (“SMS” and “phishing” equals “smishing.” Get it?) There are all kinds of text scams going around—free vacations, text “XXXXX” to donate to disaster relief—but the most common are focused on stealing your personally identifiable information, including account logins and passwords, Social Security numbers, security codes, birthdates, and more. Often, the senders impersonate reputable brands, like Microsoft, Amazon, or the financial institution where you bank, to gain your trust. Smishing is effective because the messages are short (so there’s less opportunity to say something that sounds fake) and because it’s hard to preview a link without clicking on it. Further, many mobile numbers are available in public databases, making it easy for scammers to hit up a bunch of potential victims without a lot of effort. 3 smishing warning signs Pay extra attention to texts that include: Links to websites. While there are times when legitimate senders will include a link in their message (for instance, Hy-Vee wants give you access to the receipt for your online order), most senders will tell you to call (and you should verify that number belongs to the sender before you do!) or ask you to reply to the message. Blocked, unknown, or incorrect Caller IDs. If you can’t see who’s sending the message, there’s a good chance it’s an attempted smishing attack. Appeals to respond quickly. Scammers don’t want you to think before you act. So they rely on messages designed to make you feel as though you’re at risk. How to respond if you're being smished Don’t reply “STOP” if it’s offered as an option. When you do, you confirm to the scammer that they’ve reached a valid number with an attentive person on the other end. This particular conversation may stop, but you’ll likely be hearing from them again. Don’t give out any personal information. No reputable organization will request your date of birth, Social Security Number, address, or payment information via text. Report scam texts to your mobile phone company and the FTC. You can forward scam texts to your mobile provider by forwarding the text message to 7726 (that’s SPAM). And you can share your scams with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-382-4357. How to minimize your risk of being smished Actively block or filter spam messages from your phone. On Android’s Messages app , click the menu in the upper right corner and choose DETAILS, then choose the BLOCK & REPORT SPAM option. On iPhone's Messages app , if you’ve opened the message, scroll to the bottom, select REPORT JUNK, then click DELETE AND REPORT JUNK. Make sure your phone software is up-to-date. Don’t put off those software updates! Back up your phone data. If you have an Android phone, it’s easy to move your photos and data to Google Drive. Apple iPhone users can use iCloud or back up to your PC or Mac via iTunes. Previous Item Next Item

Vibrant employees get all the usual benefits, including affordable health, dental and vision care. But there's a lot more, from time off to volunteer to tuition reimbursement. Look forward to going to work Not just because you'll love what you do, but also because the new Vibrant HQ is a great place to spend the day. Apply now Add a Title Look forward to going to work Not just because you'll love what you do, but also because the new Vibrant HQ is a great place to spend the day. Apply now Go out and make a difference Paid time off for volunteering Get 8 hours a year to contribute to the organization of your choice. Participate in a neighborhood clean-up, help out at a community event, volunteer at a shelter. Leadership development Every year we offer two different courses to help our employees collaborate better, prove themselves with special projects, and take their leadership skills to the next level. Keep yourself and your family healthy Medical Get affordable Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage for yourself, your spouse, and your family. PPO plan with low physician co-pays, savings on prescriptions, and a lower deductible HSA options with lower monthly premiums that enable you to pay out-of-pocket health costs using tax-free contributions to your health savings account Dental Save big on preventive care, major services, even orthodontics for the kids. PPO plan allows you to choose your own dentist Flexible plans built to cover just you, or everyone at home. Vision Get low-cost annual vision exams plus great savings on lenses, frames, and contact lenses. Includes laser vision correction through a network of providers Individual and family coverage available. Prepare for a secure financial future 401(k) retirement plan Automatically contribute to your plan each paycheck, up to the IRS maximum limit. Choose between traditional (pre-tax contributions) and Roth (after-tax contributions, with no taxes when you withdraw) options Create a custom portfolio from a range of leading mutual funds from top investment firms Vibrant will match your 401(k) contribution dollar for dollar, up to 6% of your salary Basic life/AD&D insurance All eligible employees receive group life insurance coverage for themselves and their eligible dependents at no additional cost. Employee: Benefit pays twice your annual salary, up to $350,000 Spouse: $10,000 benefit Children: $5,000 benefit Apply now Supplemental life insurance You can also purchase additional life insurance, based on your age and the amount of coverage you want, for yourself and your family Employee: Up to $500,000 (in increments of $10,000 only) Spouse: 50% of employee coverage, up to a maximum of $150,000 Children: $1,000 - $10,000 (in increments of $1,000)

Find the nearest Vibrant branch or one of more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the United States. Locations Bank in person at one of our Moline branches or enjoy full-service digital banking with our ITMs. Plus, Vibrant members now have access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Find an ATM For a list of nearby ATM locations delivered right to your inbox, text your ZIP code to 91989. Vibrant HQ Branch Vibrant Credit Union 6600 44th Avenue Moline, IL 61265 More details SouthPark Branch Vibrant Credit Union 4400 16th St Moline, IL 61265 More details Vibrant ITM* Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen 3230 Ridge Pointe Bettendorf, IA 52722 More details *This location features a full-service ITM (interactive teller machine) that connects you with our Vibrant team via video. ITMs are available Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and can be used as a standard ATM any time the location is open. Learn more about how our ITMs work here.

Managing money shouldn’t feel like a part-time job. 5 Smart Habits That Make Managing Your Money Easier (Not Harder) Managing money shouldn’t feel like a part-time job. 5 Smart Habits That Make Managing Your Money Easier (Not Harder) Previous Item Next Item

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