And how to know when you can keep scrolling How to Know When a Financial Tip Online Actually Applies to You And how to know when you can keep scrolling Scroll any social feed long enough and you’ll see it: “Everyone should be doing this with their savings.” “If you’re not using this account, you’re leaving money on the table.” “This one move changed my finances forever.” Some of it is solid advice. Some of it isn’t wrong, exactly. It’s just not right for you . And that’s the part that doesn’t get enough airtime. Because here’s the truth: good financial advice is rarely one ‑size ‑fits ‑all (even when it’s trending). If you’ve ever wondered whether a money tip you saw online actually applies to your life (or whether you can safely ignore it), you’re not behind. You’re paying attention . And that’s a good place to start. Why So Much Financial Advice Feels Urgent (and Generic) A lot of online financial content is designed to do one thing: catch attention fast. That leads to advice that’s extremely simplified, framed as universally applicable, and delivered with a sense of urgency (“Do this now!”). The problem? Personal finances are, well… personal. Your income, goals, risk tolerance, timeline, and comfort with technology all matter. Advice that works beautifully for someone in their 20s with flexible expenses may be totally unhelpful (or even stressful) for someone with a different setup. Urgency gets clicks. Context gets results. Unfortunately, context doesn’t always fit neatly into a reel. A Simple Rule of Thumb Before You Take Any Financial Advice Before acting on a tip, ask yourself this one question: “What assumptions is this advice making about my life?” You’d be surprised how quickly things become clear when you slow it down. A lot of financial advice quietly assumes things like: Your income looks the same month to month Moving money requires effort or delay You have to choose between access and growth Money should sit still to work effectively None of those assumptions are good or bad. They’re just assumptions. If advice only works when life is predictable, money is hard to move, or access comes at the expense of earning, it may need adjusting (or skipping altogether). The best guidance fits how you already live —not how someone else says you should. Signs a Financial Tip Might Actually Be Helpful Not all online advice is noise. Some of it is genuinely useful (especially when it checks these boxes): It explains why , not just what It allows for tradeoffs It gives options , not ultimatums Good advice respects context (and the fact that real lives are rarely perfectly optimized). Signs You Can Probably Scroll Past It’s okay to let go of advice that sounds like: “Everyone should be doing this” “If you don’t have this, you’re behind” “This works for anyone, no matter what” Financial confidence doesn’t come from copying someone else’s setup. It comes from understanding your own. How to Personalize General Advice (Without Overthinking It) If a tip seems interesting but not obviously relevant, you don’t have to accept or reject it outright. Try this instead: Match it to your goal (growth, stability, convenience, or security) Check the timeline (short‑term flexibility or long‑term payoff) Consider how hands ‑on it requires you to be If it doesn’t fit your life right now, that’s useful information, too. Why It’s Okay to Ignore “Popular” Financial Advice There’s a lot of pressure online to optimize every dollar, every account, every decision. The implication is that standing still is falling behind. But here’s something worth saying out loud: The best financial setup is the one you can actually live with. It’s okay if: You prefer simplicity over constant optimization You value access as much as growth You choose fewer tools instead of more Confidence grows when your system works for you (not when it looks impressive on the internet). One Last Thought Financial advice is a tool, not a test. You don’t earn points for following it perfectly, and you don’t fall behind by choosing differently. The goal isn’t to do what everyone else is doing. It’s to make decisions that support your life, your priorities, and your peace of mind. If a tip helps with that? Great. If not? Keep scrolling. That’s not apathy, it’s judgment. Previous Item Next Item

Schedule an appointment online to meet with a Vibrant banker at Vibrant HQ to open a new account, get a financial review, or make changes to your existing account. Add a signer to your account Need to add a signer to an existing Vibrant deposit account? Schedule an appointment at Vibrant HQ to complete the paperwork. Schedule an appointment > Get a personal financial review Get personalized advice on which Vibrant products are right for you. Talk one-on-one with a personal banker at Vibrant HQ. Choose the date and time that work best for you! Get a financial review > Open a Certificate of Deposit (CD) Schedule an in-person meeting at Vibrant HQ with a personal banker. Choose the date or time that works best for you! Schedule a meeting > Schedule an appointment with a banker Trying to decide what product is right for you? Schedule time to talk with a Vibrant Personal Banker. Open a checking or savings account Meet one-on-one with a Vibrant banker to open a new checking or savings account at a time that works for you. Open an account > Open a Certificate of Deposit (CD) Set up time to open a CD with a Vibrant banker at our Vibrant HQ location. Choose the date or time that works best for you! Open a CD > Open an account for a minor Schedule an in-person meeting with a member of our team to open a new savings or checking account for a minor. Open a minor account > Add a specialty account (Trust, IRA, HSA, POA) Book time to meet with a member of our team for assistance with specialty accounts including Trusts, IRAs, HSAs, and Power of Attorney (POA) accounts. Get started > Financial wellness check‑in Meet with a member of our team to talk through your financial needs and explore products and services that may be a good fit for you. Book a meeting > Add a signer to your account Need to add a signer to an existing Vibrant deposit account? Schedule an appointment at Vibrant HQ to complete the paperwork. Get started > Decedent account services Meet with a member of our team for assistance with handling a deceased member’s account and related banking needs. Schedule a time >

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

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

New to Yanmar Finance with Vibrant? 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 Credit Union is Yanmar's 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 closely with Yanmar 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 Yanmar 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.

Detect potential scams Want to make sure your Vibrant accounts stay safe? We've put together some helpful tips for helping you recognize fraud attempts before it's too late. Unsolicited: If a person, business, or organization you don't have an existing relationship with asks you for money or personal information, be on guard. Make sure they are who they say they are. Unexpected: If you’re contacted out of the blue by an organization you DO have a relationship with, don’t respond directly. Instead, contact the organization via their publicly available phone number or email address so you can verify it's a legit request. Urgent: Scammers know the more time you have to think, the more questions you’ll ask. Even in a genuine emergency, no one will ask you to disclose personal or financial information before you do anything else. Watch out for spoof calls and text messages Your Caller ID may tell you Vibrant is calling, but it could be a scammer. If a caller asks you to provide any of the information below, this could be an attempt to access your personal account. Say nothing and hang up! Anything more than the last 4 digits of your debit or credit card Any security or verification code you receive via text or email Your account or routing number Your complete Social Security Number Your account password Your PIN Does Vibrant ever verify my identity by texting or emailing me a code? If you’ve set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account—and we highly recommend it—you will receive a code via text or email when you try to log in to verify it’s really you. While you'll need to enter that code on your browser or mobile app to complete your login, Vibrant will never ask you to tell us what the code is. Can a scammer access my account even I don't tell them my password? Unfortunately, yes. Scammers may find your login information through a data breach, on the dark web, or through other phishing tactics. Two-factor authentication (2FA) offers additional protection, but it's not foolproof. A common scam is to try bypass 2FA by pretending to be a legitimate caller who wants to verify your identity by sending you a security code, which they'll ask you to read back to them. If you tell them the code, unfortunately, they can use it to log in from their device How do I set up my two-factor authentication on my account? Log in to your account and go to Settings, then choose the Security tab. Toggle the on/off switch next to Two-Factor Authentication to ON to require a second security code via email, text, or voice call (you'll have the option to choose the method that works best for you any time you log in). What if a caller tells me I owe money and they need immediate payment? Legitimate organizations, including the IRS, your local tax assessor, or your financial institution, will never ask you to provide payment via a gift card, prepaid debit card, or wire transfer. If you get a a call demanding immediate payment and they want you to use one of these payment methods, it's a scam. In addition, a legitimate caller will never threaten to alert law enforcement, immigration officials, or other authorities to collect a debt. What should I do if I think I may have been scammed? Contact us immediately to report the incident. We’ll place a fraud alert on your account and help you reset your login information. (And no, we won't ask you to tell us your new password.) Previous Item Next Item

The new foundation deepens our mission to bring more good into the communities we love. Vibrant Credit Union launches the Be The Good Foundation The new foundation deepens our mission to bring more good into the communities we love. Moline, IL — January 13, 2026 Vibrant Credit Union announced the official launch of the Be The Good Foundation , a philanthropic initiative designed to power more kindness, more opportunity, and more “good stuff” in communities across the Midwest. For years, Vibrant has believed that doing good shouldn’t be a side project — it should be part of who we are. The Be The Good Foundation brings that belief to life, supporting organizations that are building brighter futures through financial literacy, youth development, and community enrichment. “Good doesn’t happen by accident,” said Tiffany Haedt, President of the Be The Good Foundation. “It happens when people roll up their sleeves, show up for each other, and decide that doing the right thing is worth the effort. This foundation lets us invest in the people and nonprofits already making that kind of magic happen.” The Foundation’s focus areas reflect Vibrant’s long-standing belief that thriving communities start with strong building blocks: Financial Literacy: Because understanding money is a superpower everyone deserves. Youth Development: Preparing the next generation of leaders, creators, helpers, and big thinkers. Community Enrichment: Supporting programs that make our neighborhoods feel safer, healthier, and more connected. Guided by values like optimism, integrity, joy, and compassion, the Foundation chooses projects that don’t just sound good on paper — they make a real difference. “We’re here for the changemakers,” said Megan Anderson, Vice President. “The people who get up every day and do the work. If we can fuel that, we’ll gladly bring the spark.” The Foundation is led by a volunteer Board of Directors — Matt McCombs, Amy Henderson, Marsha Wolff, Nick Tarpein, and Trista Beise — who believe in transparency, responsibility, and the power of small actions that become big outcomes. Nonprofits can now submit grant proposals. Application materials, eligibility details, and FAQs are available at: VibrantCreditUnion.org/BeTheGood “Communities thrive when people lift each other up,” said Marsha Wolff, Secretary/Treasurer. “The Be The Good Foundation is here to help that lift go farther.” 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

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

Opening a checking account is a big deal for a lot of people. Suddenly, you have a place to put your money besides your wallet, your piggy bank, or under your mattress. But what does a checking account mean for your credit? It may not be as important as you might think, but knowing what does and does not affect your credit score can be helpful as you start to build your credit history from scratch. Will a checking account affect your credit score? Opening a checking account is a big deal for a lot of people. Suddenly, you have a place to put your money besides your wallet, your piggy bank, or under your mattress. But what does a checking account mean for your credit? It may not be as important as you might think, but knowing what does and does not affect your credit score can be helpful as you start to build your credit history from scratch. Does opening a checking account affect my credit score? Even though opening a checking account is usually the first box you check when you first take steps into the financial world, the cold hard truth is that your credit score does not care. As far as your credit score is concerned, your deposits and withdrawals are your business. There are a handful of exceptions, though. The lender you open your account with may perform a hard inquiry on your credit report. To be clear, this isn’t the norm. Most financial institutions will only make a soft inquiry before opening a new checking account. Soft inquiries have no impact on your credit score, but a hard inquiry could drop your score a few points. Lenders have also been known to make hard inquiries if you sign up for overdraft protection. On that same note, not signing up for overdraft protection and then overdrawing your checking account could impact your credit score. Should you fail to repay the amount in a timely fashion, the lender could turn the matter over to a collections agency. The same thing could happen if you close your account with a negative balance and don’t pay the lender back. Long story short, your credit score is not as excited as you are about your new checking account, but it will be paying attention if you mismanage that account. What affects my credit score? What exactly is a credit score? And who exactly is keeping score? Two good questions that not everyone knows the answer to — even if they might pretend like they do. “Credit score” is such a common financial term today that many people never even question it, when actually understanding how it is calculated can help you boost your score. Credit bureaus are the ones who calculate your credit score. Each of them has their own unique algorithm for calculating credit scores and they are all as tight-lipped as a magician’s assistant when it comes to revealing the specific math behind their algorithms. But what we do know is that five basic financial categories are the keys to determining your score: Payment history. Your payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score. Credit utilization. The amount of credit you have available to you and the percentage of that credit you are using regularly accounts for 30% of your score. Length of credit history. The age of your accounts is 15% of your credit score. The longer your credit history, the better your score, usually. Types of credit. The different types of credit you utilize — credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, etc. — accounts for 10% of your score. New credit. The final 10% of your credit score is determined by how many new lines of credit you have applied for. Opening multiple new accounts in a short period of time can be seen as a sign of financial troubles to a lender. What is a good credit score? Your credit score is a number between 300 and 850. If your score is less than 600, you have what is considered a poor credit score. The sweet spot is between 661 and 780, which is where the good credit scores live. If you’re an overachiever, aim for 781 or higher. If ever you find yourself with a credit score higher than 781, you have done pretty well for yourself. You deserve a gold star, but you’ll have to settle for a great credit score instead. If you are interested in opening a new checking account or have questions about your credit score, please get in touch with us . Math is our specialty! 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)

Manage your QuickBooks or Quicken software Vibrant will undergo scheduled maintenance to our online and mobile banking system on February 4, 2025. This will require you to make changes to your QuickBooks or Quicken software. Please follow the instructions below to ensure a smooth transition. First action date: February 3, 2025 A data file backup and a final transaction download should be completed by this date. Transaction history may not be available after February 3, 2025. Second action date: February 5, 2025 You will need to deactivate and reactivate your online banking connection to ensure that you get your current Quicken or QuickBooks accounts set up with the new connection. Conversion Instructions Choose the software you are using for step-by-step instructions on connecting your Vibrant accounts. Quicken QuickBooks Desktop QuickBooks Online Please carefully review your downloaded transactions after completing the instructions to ensure no transactions were duplicated or missed on the register. Previous Item Next Item

Finance your new or used vehicle with competitive rates through Vibrant Credit Union’s trusted dealership network. Fast, easy, and convenient auto loans to get you on the road. One Stop for Your Vehicle and Your Loan Enjoy a simple, streamlined financing experience — all handled right at the dealership. Find a dealership GetMyCash How it works Financing your next vehicle through Vibrant is simple, fast, and designed to keep everything in one place. Here’s what to expect: Visit a participating dealer— Head to one of our trusted dealerships (see list of dealerships ). Find your vehicle— Shop new or used vehicle with confidence, knowing you have Vibrant financing options available on the spot. Apply and get approved at the dealership— Complete your financing application right there with the dealer — no extra trips or paperwork. Drive away the same day— Once approved, you can take the keys and hit the road immediately. Manage your loan with ease— Track payments, view your balance, and stay on top of your loan anytime through your Vibrant online account or mobile app. Find a dealership We're proud to partner with some of the best dealerships in the region Kunes CDJR Belvidere 1615 N State St. Belvidere, IL 61008 McGrath Chevy CR 1600 51st St. Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Yemm Chevy 2195 N. Henderson St Galesburg, IL 61401 Interested in becoming a dealer? Join a growing network of dealerships partnering with Vibrant to deliver simple, competitive vehicle financing—right at the dealership, with the support and speed your team expects. Learn more Competitive rates designed to fit your budget Convenient on-site financing apply and get approved at the dealership Money in your account fast with same-day funding available Fast, easy process no extra steps, just a smooth path to your next ride Manage your loan anytime directly through your Vibrant account and mobile app Managing your vehicle loan Buying a vehicle is exciting, but there are a few important things to keep in mind after you drive off the lot: Submit proof of insurance While you're paying off your Vibrant loan, the financed vehicle must maintain full coverage insurance. Send us the declarations page from your insurance provider—visit www.myinsuranceinfo.com or c all 800-523-6404. Questions about y our vehicle title Vibrant holds your vehicle title until the loan is paid in full. If you have questions about title status, our team can help guide you through the process. Optional Vehicle Protection Products If you need to cancel ancillary product—such as extended warranties, GAP coverage, or service contracts—contact the dealership or product provider where the coverage was purchased. If you're unsure who to contact, our team can help point you in the right direction. Find a dealership Frequently asked questions How long does approval take? Approvals are almost instant. Once you complete the short application at the dealership, most financing decisions come back within minutes, so you can finalize your loan and drive away the same day. Can I manage my loan online? Yes — you can make payments, view your balance, and track your loan progress anytime through your Vibrant account or mobile app. Can I finance both new and used vehicles? Absolutely — financing is available for both new and pre-owned vehicles. Are the loan terms flexible? Yes. Terms vary based on vehicle age, mileage, loan amount to vehicle value and your credit history. Where can I find a participating dealer? We’re expanding our dealer network rapidly across Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. New dealerships are joining Vibrant every month, giving you more places to shop, finance, and drive away with ease. Check back soon for our up-to-date list of participating dealers — chances are, your favorite lot will be on it soon. Do I need to be a Vibrant member to finance my vehicle? Yes — but becoming a member is easy. When you finance through a participating dealer, anyone can join. As part of the loan process, the dealer makes a $5 donation on your behalf to the Be the Good Foundation, so you automatically become a member while supporting community programs.