Our favorite Quad Cities holiday light displays of 2022 We knew that Quad Citizens love holiday lights displays—after all, there are dozens of them running every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But we honestly didn’t realize how much they love them until we posted our updated Quad Cities Lights Finder map on Facebook and it got nearly 110,000 views in the first week. (We’re even more excited that more people have reached out and asked for their displays to be added. Send them our way, please!) We knew that Quad Citizens love holiday lights displays—after all, there are dozens of them running every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But we honestly didn’t realize how much they love them until we posted our updated Quad Cities Lights Finder map on Facebook and it got nearly 110,000 views in the first week. (We’re even more excited that more people have reached out and asked for their displays to be added. Send them our way, please !) Frankly, you could go out light-peeping every night during the holiday season and not run out of new displays to visit. But for those of you who aren’t up to that level of commitment, we’d like to call out some of our favorites. If you want to be totally overwhelmed by holiday magic The Quad Cities boasts three public holiday displays with truly staggering numbers of lights. Be prepared to linger to get the full experience. Holiday Lights at Fejevary Learning Center City of Davenport Government | Facebook Where: 1800 W 12th St, Davenport, IA 52804 When: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., November 26, 2022 through January 8, 2023 Admission: Free Tune in: 107.5 FM Shows last 15 minutes and start at the top and bottom of the hour Park in the lot on the east side of the Learning Center and cross the street to the viewing area (where there’s also accessible parking available for those who need it). Be prepared current hits as well as more traditional holiday tunes, with trees, buildings, fence posts, and even the giant Mother Goose lit up and dancing in time. Get more information about Fejevary’s Holiday Lights . Vander Veer Conservatory Poinsettia and Holiday Lights Display Where: 215 W. Central Park, Davenport IA 52803 When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturdays (closed Mondays and holidays) | Nov. 26, 2022 to January 13, 2023 Admission: Free While the entire 33-acre expanse of Vander Veer Park is beautifully decorated for the holidays, you’ll want to visit the Conservatory in particular to see its vast poinsettia collection and get a close-up look at the lights in the greenhouse. Heads up—they'll be giving poinsettias away at the end of the season, on January 14 and 15. (The larger park closes half an hour after sunset. Parking is available at the Central Park entrance.) Get more information about the Vander Veer Conservatory Poinsettia and Holiday Lights Display . Quad Cities Botanical Center’s Winter Nights Winter Lights Where: 2525 4th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201 When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday until December 11, then 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily through January 1 Admission: $10 adults/$6 youth under 16, with free admission on Wednesdays for members In 2022, the Botanical Center is decked out in more than 160,000 lights—good thing the display is sponsored in part by MidAmerican Energy! Organizers caution that it takes about 45 minutes to walk through the entire display, but you can pause to buy cocoa and other warm drinks as you stroll. Get more information about Winter Nights Winter Lights . If you want to see a neighborhood display so impressive the designer went pro Kall Christmas Lights Where: 1852 Westminster Circle, Davenport IA When: 5:30 to 10 p.m., November 26, 2022, through December 31, 2022 Admission: Free Tune in: 100.1 FM Shows last approximately 7 minutes and start at the top and bottom of every hour The Kall family has been putting up increasingly lavish holiday light displays for nearly two decades. Several years ago, Aubrey Kall took her interest in music and animation to start choreographing and programming custom light shows, synced in time with some of the banging-est tunes you’ll ever encounter at a Christmas display. Visitors were so impressed with the animated displays that she quickly started getting inquiries from other businesses who wanted her to work for them. She started her own company, Luminous Harmony, and started creating displays for clients across the United States. But her first client is still one of her most important—this year, the Kalls have three different animated shows running on alternate nights. Get more information about Kall Christmas Lights, including parking information and playlists. If you’re introducing your little ones to the magic of Christmas Mickey’s Christmas Yard Mickey’s Christmas Yard 509 13th Ave Orion | Facebook Where: 509 13th Avenue, Orion IL 61273 When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, through Christmas Admission: Free (though donations are welcome to help cover the cost of providing visiting kids with gifts and goodie bags) Looking for a display featuring an ample supply of holiday inflatables? Mickey’s Christmas Yard includes an entire receiving line of them, from Christmas Minions to Will Ferrell in his Elf costume. While the lights are beautiful, they’re not the main event. This year, that might be Santa’s Workshop, where the family hopes to provide every young visitor with a gift when they stop in. Get more information about Mickey's Christmas Yard, including special events. If you’d rather stay home and have the holidays come to you EVS Mobile Repair’s Grinch Truck EVS Mobile Repair | Facebook Where: Watch their Facebook page for announcements! When: Tuesdays through Sundays through Christmas Admission: Free (and you can reach out to them with requests if you’re hoping they’ll come by your neighborhood) Rock Island’s EVS Mobile Repair spends its days making house calls to diesel engines in need of attention, so it's not surprising they’ve got some pretty substantial trailers in their fleet. This year, they’ve commandeered one to set up a full tableau of Grinch-themed inflatables, added Grinch-green underlighting, and put the actual Grinch behind the wheel to spread cheer across the Quad Cities and surrounding towns. We love this idea and hope it catches on! If you’d rather stay in your car Vibrant Nights 2022 Where: Vibrant Credit Union, 3230 Ridge Pointe Drive, Bettendorf IA 52722 When: 4 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week, through December 31, 2022 Admission: Free Tune in: 87.9 FM Want to slowly cruise past an extravaganza of flashing, chasing lights without irritating the entire neighborhood while you do it? Our holiday lights display in Bettendorf, back for a second year, is perfect for you. Circle the display as often as you like, or park and enjoy. If it’s not too chilly and you’re feeling inspired by all the festivity, the giant Christmas ball at the building entrance makes the perfect backdrop for your holiday family photos. (Tag #bevibrant if you post any online!) Chart your own tour of holiday lights Check out our Quad Cities Lights map (updated as new information becomes available!). Next Item Previous 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 isdevoting 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, ILLINOIS (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 repurposed some of those spaces that were being underutilized as branches and turned them into revenue-generating coffee shops that also offer video banking? What if we close some of those 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." With a belief in the spirit of human connections and partnership, Vibrant brings banking together with coffee to operate Vibrant Coffeehouse + Kitchen throughout the Midwest, which provide house-roasted coffee and offer a space for work, community, and fun. Not far from their roots, Vibrant also provides relationship- and education-focused equipment financing programs to outdoor equipment manufacturers nationwide. Next Item Previous Item

What is a certificate of deposit and how does it work? What’s a CD? For some, CD stands for compact disc, which was used to record and play music once upon a time, in an age before smart phones and iPods. But that’s not the type of CD we’re talking about here. In the financial world, "CD" stands for "certificate of deposit." What’s a CD? For some, CD stands for compact disc, which was used to record and play music once upon a time, in an age before smart phones and iPods. But that’s not the type of CD we’re talking about here. In the financial world, "CD" stands for "certificate of deposit." If you’re unfamiliar with certificates of deposit, it’s an investment tool that allows you to turn the tables on the lender. Instead of paying interest on a loan, the bank pays you interest on a deposit. What is a certificate of deposit? As the name suggests, a certificate of deposit is a deposit. You deposit a specific dollar amount with a lender, but you agree not to withdraw that deposit for a certain length of time. It could be three months, a year, or even as long as 10 years. For as long as you agree to leave the deposit with the lender, you will earn interest on that deposit. Once your certificate of deposit has reached what’s called its “maturity date,” you can withdraw that money, penalty-free. Like a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, you’ll also get to pocket the interest. How does a CD work? The most important parts of a certificate of deposit are the interest rate and the length of the deposit. Generally, the longer you are willing to leave your deposit with a lender, the better the interest rate they’re going to offer you. CDs are an appealing alternative to a traditional savings account because the interest rates are often higher and the rates are fixed. It’s considered a safe investment tool because you’re not at the mercy of the market. CDs are also federally insured, so your deposit is protected. You also have the freedom to shop around and find the lender that offers the best CD interest rates. Is a CD right for you? Do you have a chunk of cash tucked away that you don’t need right now? Instead of collecting dust, that money can collect interest in a CD. It can grow into a bigger chunk of cash that you can then use toward a home, a car, or even a boat if you’re looking to set sail. The risk is obviously that, in the event that you find yourself in a bind, you can’t withdraw the funds without paying a penalty. So it’s best not to think of this deposit as an emergency fund. On the flip side, it can remove the temptation to spend that money. You can consider the CD as safekeeping for savings you might be tempted to spend under the right circumstances. If you’re interested in a Certificate of Deposit, get in touch with us ! The sooner you make your deposit, the sooner you can start growing that deposit into something more. Next Item Previous Item

Why Vibrant turned its Bettendorf branch into a coffeehouse In late 2023, following the kind of light remodeling it takes to transform a credit union into a full-service restaurant, Vibrant will reopen its Bettendorf branch as the newest location of Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen. In late 2023, following the kind of light remodeling it takes to transform a credit union into a full-service restaurant, Vibrant will reopen its Bettendorf branch as the newest location of Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen . Naturally, people have a lot of questions. Here are a few answers. How does a credit union decide to start a coffeehouse? People used to choose where to bank based largely on which financial institutions had the closest branches—because every time you needed to make a deposit or get cash, you had to visit in person. Now that nearly 80% of Americans prefer to bank online, there’s a lot less need for multiple branch locations in every city. So a few years ago, we started looking at other ways we could maintain a presence in the community that went beyond traditional banking. How will the Bettendorf Coffeehouse compare to the Moline location? The menu will be the same, and the look and feel are similar—but the vibe is a little different. While our Moline location is in a mostly commercial area, the Bettendorf Coffeehouse will have more of a neighborhood feel—with a large patio and plenty of space for after-school hangouts and family gatherings. Can I bank there? One of the highlights of the new space will be a new interactive teller machine (ITM) that can handle all your banking transactions and connect you to a live representative when you need assistance. What will happen to the people who work at the Bettendorf branch? Don’t worry, we’re not going to make them learn how to brew coffee (unless they really want to!). Our branch employees will be moving into similar roles either at Vibrant HQ or at one of our other branches. Next Item Previous Item

Your Guide to the Best Guides to 2023 Black Friday Deals Is it just us, or does Black Friday feel more like Black Autumn lately? If your inbox is like ours, you’ve been receiving early holiday deals from your favorite retailers since the first week of October. Is it just us, or does Black Friday feel more like Black Autumn lately? If your inbox is like ours, you’ve been receiving early holiday deals from your favorite retailers since the first week of October. We’re all for getting your shopping done early and staying home watching football and eating leftover turkey sandwiches instead of braving the crowds before sunrise—but, especially this year, it makes sense to try to get the maximum bang for your holiday buck. Whether you prefer to shop online or in person, the good news is that there’s now a whole cottage industry devoted to evaluating the newest products and tracking down the latest deals. Here are some of the most useful. The best guide when you’re shopping for the best (fill in the blank): The Wirecutter Thinking about getting someone you love a digital piano? An espresso maker? A new bike? If you haven’t got your heart set on a specific make and model, a great place to start your search is The Wirecutter . The site offers buying guides for everything from down jackets to insulated coffee mugs to computers and kitchen appliances—and not only offers readers the best options based on value or overall quality, but also provides up-to-the-minute pricing information from big retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. The only downside is that the site produces such thorough, easy-to-use reviews that it was purchased by The New York Times a few years ago, which has recently started charging for a separate subscription to the site. Now, you can only view 10 articles for free each month—but the good news is that unlimited access only costs $5 a month. (Even better, The New York Times now allows you to cancel your subscription online, without speaking to a customer service representative, if you plan to log in for the holiday season only.) Do they publish specialized Black Friday deal finders? Yes! Typical review: The best fitness trackers The best guide when you need a little gifting inspiration: The Strategist Are you the kind of person who wants to know which products your favorite celebrity can’t live without? Or perhaps someone who wants gift suggestions for teenaged girls made by actual teenaged girls? How about an introduction to the best choices for some luxury item (velvet duvet covers, cashmere socks, fancy moisturizers) you never considered buying before? Then New York Magazine ’s shopping blog The Strategist offers exactly the kind of advice you’re looking for. One of the site’s specialties is combing through all the latest sales and compiling all the best available deals in a single list—which is a great way to find yourself suddenly buying a $400 state-of-the-art cordless vacuum and a cute ceramic pie plate when you had no previous intention to purchase either. Beware, impulse shoppers! On the bright side, you can read their content without paying for a full New York subscription. Do they publish specialized Black Friday deal finders? Yes! Typical review: The Best Secret Santa Gifts on Amazon under $25 The best guide when you’re making a major purchase: Consumer Reports Consumer Reports is the granddaddy of product review sites—in fact, it got its start as a print magazine that it still publishes. It’s still the gold standard for evaluating big-ticket items from refrigerators to trucks. Of course, they review smaller appliances, as well as some truly unusual items like flooring, paint, and portable generators. Their monthly subscription rate ($10) is pricier than The Wirecutter, but an annual subscription is only $39.95. What’s more, Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization that puts all the money it earns back into its labs, scientists, researchers, and technicians. Think of them as the only credit union in a market full of banks. Do they publish specialized Black Friday deal finders? Yes, and organized by category and price (for those of you who don’t want to spend more than $50 on Aunt Hilda) Typical review: All-Season Tires (searchable by year, make and model of vehicle) The best guide for checking whether you’ve found an actual bargain: Google Shopping As a review site, Google Shopping offers minimal content—just the average consumer rating from Google's own review system, as well as advertisers, sellers, and other third-party sites. But once you think you know what you want, it’s a fast and easy way to check if there’s a better price available. Just plug in the name of the product you want to buy, and it will bring up listings from multiple retailers and their current advertised price. Google also understands that all retailers aren’t created equal—and that many consumers are afraid of getting ripped off if they purchase an item from a retailer they don’t recognize. If Google finds reviews attesting to fast shipping, an easy return process, and good user ratings, it will indicate that a retailer is a “trusted store.” Do they publish specialized Black Friday deal finders? No, but they can find you a deal on a DVD of the horror movie Black Friday Typical listing: Diptyque Feu du Bois Scented Candle (available for $40 compared to a list price of $72) The guide for wasting your time: BuzzFeed Shopping It should come as no surprise that when BuzzFeed shops, it shops in clickbait-y headlines: “30 ShopDisney Products So Good, You’ll Be Tracking Delivery Until They Arrive. ” “37 Travel Products that Will Make You Want to Book Your Next Flight ASAP .” “33 Things To Help You Fit Way More Stuff In a Small Space .” Most featured products don’t include original reviews, just links to purchase the product and a couple of representative consumer reviews copied from retail sites. But, hey, it’s free, so long as you’re willing to put up with a dozen different banner ads flashing past as you scroll and to reward this kind of lazy content with your precious clicks. Do they publish specialized Black Friday deal finders? Yes, but their coverage of early Black Friday specials is … not great Typical review: Target Finds (sponsored by Target) The guide that’s not a guide, just a really good place to spend Black Friday: Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen This is the Black Friday destination that has everything: ample parking, delicious coffee and food, comfortable seating, and a wide assortment of everything from hoodies to mugs to locally made earrings for sale. Grab a holiday mocha and sip while you browse—or stake out a booth and use our WiFi to shop online while you enjoy free refills of house-roasted P.O.B.C. (that’s “plain old black coffee”). Do they offer special Black Friday deals? Well, members save 20% on food and drinks when they pay with a Vibrant credit or debit card every day—but keep an eye out on social media for some last-minute surprises and exclusives! Next Item Previous Item

SouthPark - 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 Deposit-taking ATM Branch lobby open Drive-thru open FAQ

Danville 323 North Gilbert St. Danville, IL 61832 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 Cash-dispensing ATM Coin machine Night drop Branch lobby open Drive-thru open FAQ

How to set up direct deposit You'll need to know your full checking account number and Vibrant's routing number (grab a check or your Member Service Agreement). Contact your HR Department, or log in to your HR system to update your information. Confirm your changes and keep an eye out for your deposit. We're committed to creating opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs and supporting organizations like Junior Achievement of the Heartland . You'll need to know your full checking account number and Vibrant's routing number (grab a check or your Member Service Agreement). To direct-deposit your paycheck: Contact your HR department or log in to your HR system to update your information. To direct-deposit other recurring payments, contact the brokerage or other entity that issues the payment for instructions. Confirm your changes and keep an eye out for your deposit. Frequently asked questions What is Vibrant's routing number? The routing number at Vibrant Credit Union is 271183646. How much does direct deposit cost? It's absolutely free. I just set up a new account and have not seen my money come in yet? It can take 3-5 business days for an electronic deposit. How do I get a blank check sent to my employer? You can use one of your Vibrant checks. If you don't have any, please refer to the question below. Where can I get a direct deposit form for my employer? Call us at 800-323-5109 or message us . How do I order checks? If you've had checks with us before, you can order through your online banking account . If this is your first check order, you can call us at 800-323-5109 and an agent can help you with ordering them. Frequently asked questions

4 tips for better money management Have high prices got you looking for ways to stretch your dollars? We’re sharing our money management best practices to help you stretch your dollars, create an inflation-proof budget, and increase your savings. Discover how you can manage your money wisely in any economy. Want to be more financially savvy? These tips will help you skillfully manage your money Have high prices got you looking for ways to stretch your dollars? We’re sharing our money management best practices to help you stretch your dollars, create an inflation-proof budget, and increase your savings. Discover how you can manage your money wisely in any economy. Create an inflation-proof budget Rising prices can make it feel impossible to create a budget that allows you to enjoy life and still build your savings. But it is possible. Here's how to get started. Review your expenses. The first step to creating a budget is to review your bills and expenses. This is a great way to track where your money goes each month. Are you spending too much on dining out? Could you get a better deal if you switch cell phone providers? Are you paying for music and video streaming services that you don’t use anymore? Reviewing expenses gives you a better understanding of how your money is being spent and how you can modify your choices to live a more financially successful life. Increase your income. Take a look at your current salary and compare it to other people in similar roles (Glassdoor's salary index is a great place to start). Is it in line with industry averages for your role? If not, consider negotiating a higher salary with your current employer. Another option is to move to a different company. Protocol reports professionals who job-hopped in the past few years “received a 30% increase in salary.”If increasing your salary isn’t possible now, there are other ways to grow your checking account balance. Many individuals are starting side-hustles to supplement their income. If you have many years of experience in an industry, you can offer consulting or training services. If you have musical talent, you can perform at gigs or give music lessons. And, if you’re on social media all the time, consider that social media management and blogging are considered some of the most profitable side jobs. Expand your professional skills. Learning new skills can open up new job opportunities—and access to industries where you may not have experience. Start saving In addition to modifying your budget and increasing your income, saving money is a vital part of money management. Set aside a fixed amount to deposit into your savings account each month. It doesn’t have to be a large amount—you can start with 5 percent and increase that amount as your earnings increase. What’s important is to make savings a habit. Consider setting up an automatic transfer to savings every time you get paid. Invest for the future Investing can sound scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Investing is simply making your money work for you instead of having it sit in your bank account. Even if you’re not ready to invest in the stock market, putting your money in a high-yield savings account or a certificate of deposit can produce profitable results. If you’re not sure how or where to start investing your money, talk to a financial adviser for help evaluating your various investment choices. Review your retirement options Planning ahead for your golden years ensures your retirement will be enjoyable and relatively stress-free. If your employer offers a retirement plan like a 401(k), it’s a great idea to start investing in it as soon as you can, especially if they offer a matching contribution. If you don’t have access to an employer plan, or if you want to save more than your employer’s plan allows, you have two options for opening an individual retirement account (IRA). Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) A traditional individual retirement account is funded with pre-tax money. This means you have the benefit of getting a tax deduction on your contribution. Be aware: This means you may owe taxes on the money when you withdraw it. You will also not be able to withdraw funds until you reach the age of 59½. Expect your retirement savings needs to change over time, especially if you change employers. Investopedia notes, “Rolling your money over into an IRA will often reduce the management and administrative fees you've been paying.” Your financial advisor can counsel you on the best course of action to take for your retirement funds. Sign up for Vibrant Credit Union’s personal banking services Transforming into a financially savvy superstar is easy when you take advantage of Vibrant’s personal banking services. Our friendly and knowledgeable team makes banking services easy to understand so you can achieve your financial goals. Contact us to discuss all that we can help you achieve. FAQs Q: What do I need to open a Vibrant checking or savings account? A: To open an account, you’ll need to provide the following: Full name Address Social Security Number Valid, government-issued photo ID: driver’s license, passport or military ID. Minimum deposit of $5 to activate your account. Every Vibrant member must open a membership savings account with a minimum $5 deposit before they can take advantage of other products and services. Q: How much money should I keep in my checking account? A: We recommend keeping 1–2 months of living expenses in your checking account. Q: How do I open an IRA? A: Schedule an appointment with a Vibrant personal banker to review your goals. They'll set up your account and help you choose a portfolio that's the right fit. Next Item Previous Item

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! Next Item Previous Item

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 Next Item Previous Item

How to set a wedding budget and stick to it According to an Investopedia survey, American couples spent an average of about $20,000 on their weddings in 2021—a decrease of about $9,000 from the previous year, but still enough to buy a decent new car or pay for a year of tuition and board at your state’s flagship university. How much is a realistic wedding budget? According to an Investopedia survey, American couples spent an average of about $20,000 on their weddings in 2021—a decrease of about $9,000 from the previous year, but still enough to buy a decent new car or pay for a year of tuition and board at your state’s flagship university. Yet even with that five-figure budget, many brides and grooms will admit they still had to scale back their wish list to avoid spending even more—by inviting fewer people, having a cocktail reception instead of a sit-down dinner, or hosting the event in a park instead of a hotel ballroom. Many of us expect a wedding to be the most perfect day of our lives, a day when every detail is the most beautiful it can be. This is a risky way to approach wedding planning—partly because there are so many opportunities for things to go wrong, but mostly because couples can wind up spending a lot more than they planned on. The fact is, you can throw a pretty wonderful wedding for $10,000, $5,000, or even $1,000. (For that last amount, it helps if the bride already owns an appropriate dress, and you’re okay with a wedding reception that takes the form of dinner for 12 at a favorite restaurant.) Start with a dollar figure and plan your wedding accordingly Wedding planners generally advise that, no matter the size of your budget, you should plan to allocate your expenses along the following lines: 50% – venue, food, and drink (including your wedding cake) 12% – photography 9% – clothes, makeup, hair, and accessories 8% – décor 7% – entertainment 3% – wedding planner or coordinator 2% – invitations and thank-you cards 2% – officiant and license 2% – transportation 2% – wedding bands 2% – gifts for guests and attendants If you’re absolutely certain that you’ll be happy with an MP3 player and a Bluetooth speaker instead of a live band or that you won’t need a wedding planner, congratulations! That’s more money for your food and drink budget. Now it’s time to see how to get the most bang for your buck with the items you do want. Save money on your wedding venue by choosing the right date You really can get married on a day other than Saturday and in a month other than June. In fact, your venue rental could be significantly less expensive if you choose to get married in January, March, April, or November. In addition, Mondays are generally the least expensive day of the week to rent a venue, with prices rising the closer you get to the weekend. Of course, it may be difficult for your out-of-town guests to make it to a Wednesday wedding—or for locals to make it to work the day after if you do it up right. Save money at your reception by offering a limited selection of alcoholic beverages If you plan to serve alcohol at your wedding, you don’t need to resort to a cash bar to keep it affordable. Consider limiting your selection to beer and wine only. If you can’t imagine getting married without sipping a Negroni because that’s what you drank on your first date, make them your signature cocktail. Mixing just one type of drink will make it easier on your bartender and minimize your total bar bill. If you don’t plan to serve alcohol at your wedding, imagine the people who you know will grumble about the lack of booze, and then … Save money on your reception by trimming your guest list Think back on the weddings you’ve attended. Even setting aside the ceremonies where you served as someone else’s plus-one, you can probably think of a few where you were invited because your parents are friends with the couple’s parents, because you're good friends at work, or because the groom is your cousin, and your grandma would be sad if you weren’t there. Cutting your guest list can be one of the most painful negotiations you’ll ever make with your spouse, your parents, and your in-laws. It’s also a guaranteed money-saver. Finally, choose carefully now, and maybe you won’t feel a pang 10 years from now when you realize the last time you saw your old college friends was at your wedding reception—that happens more often than you’d think. Save money by skipping a fancy cake Those multi-tiered wedding cakes are expensive—and after they're sliced, there’s not a lot of difference between them and any other cake. In fact, they’re as much décor as they are food—they cost more not because they taste better than regular cake, but because it’s a practical challenge to bake a single cake large enough to serve 50 people. Still want a dessert that will look lovely on display at your reception? Consider getting a tiered stand (or a couple!) and filling it with cupcakes. Save money by understanding your priorities While the guidelines above offer a good starting point for how you’ll spend your budget, take a look at your priorities. If you’ve always looked forward to wearing a beautiful custom-fitted dress that makes you feel like a princess, but you don’t care as much about floral centerpieces on every table, go ahead and adjust accordingly. If you’ve always imagined stepping out for your first dance as a live band plays "Wouldn’t It Be Nice", but you don’t care about fancy invitations, skip the save-the-date cards and multiple envelopes and choose a design from a big-box office supply store. One more thing to keep in mind: Most couples are so busy preparing for the ceremony, posing for photos in their wedding finery, and visiting with guests that they actually have very little time to enjoy the food or the decorations. So, make sure you have a good photographer so you can enjoy the details later, remind yourself your guests aren't there for the food, and remember: You’re getting married to someone you love enough to imagine spending the rest of your lives together. Your day is already perfect. Next Item Previous Item