Your Loan Payment. Your Way.

Introducing a New Freedom FCU Payment Portal

Freedom is pleased to introduce a new easy-pay option for you, our members, to make one-time payments on your Freedom-issued loans. The new Freedom Federal Credit Union. Payment Portal is a self-service tool that allows you to make one-time loan payments using debit cards from another financial institution. Pay via Express Pay as a guest or register to make a payment more quickly in the future and view your pending payments along with past transactions.

First time users will need to provide their 4–6-digit member number, loan suffix, last 4 digits of the loan holder’s social security number, birthdate, and an email address to authenticate the loan. Skip this step next time, by registering with the portal. Payment information does need to be entered with each use.

Once in the Payment Portal, use a Mastercard or VISA debit card to make up to a $5,000 payment on your Freedom loan. There is no fee for members to use the Payment Portal, which can be used on any Freedom-issued loan (excluding credit card bills and first mortgages). For a same day payment, please submit your payment on the portal by 5 pm (EST). After 5pm (EST), the payment will be posted the following business day.

Members may access the Payment Portal here or find it under our FAQ: “HOW CAN I MAKE MY LOAN PAYMENT?”

At Freedom we offer many other convenient ways to pay your loan:

Online/Mobile Banking: You can make one time or recurring automatic payments from your Freedom account by using the transfer feature in Online/Mobile banking. You can also pay your loan from another financial institution using online/mobile banking. Click here for more information on making a transfer from another financial institution.

Recurring ACH Payments: You can set up recurring payments from another financial institution by completing this ACH authorization form, calling us at 1-800-440-4120 or visiting any branch location.

Debit Card Payment: You can make your loan payment using a debit card through our self-service Payment Portal. Payments by debit card can also be processed by calling us at 1-800-440-4120 or visiting any branch location.

In Person: You can make your loan payment using cash, check or debit card by visiting any branch location. Checks and cash are accepted for loan payments through the night drop.

At Freedom Federal Credit Union, we strive to make your experience with us exceptional. To provide us with additional feedback or to ask us questions about our new Payment Portal service, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 1-800-440-4120.

New Benefits for Educators

Freedom Federal Credit Union Introduces New Financial Program Exclusively for Educators

Freedom Federal Credit Union is pleased to introduce a new financial program exclusively for educators in Harford and Baltimore Counties. The Golden Apple Program was created to provide financial products and services to employees working within public and private schools in the two counties.

Among the benefits of the Golden Apple Program, Freedom offers the new Educator Visa® credit card, which provides teachers and school support staff a way to organize and save on school supply purchases. Once approved for the credit card, educators will have access to a $1,000 credit line at an annual percentage rate (APR) equal to the rate of prime, currently 3.25%, as of December 9, 2020.

According to the Harford County Education Foundation, 99.5% of teachers purchase basic school supplies for their students out of their own pockets. Additionally, teachers spend approximately $500-$1,000 each year on school supplies from their personal funds. The Educator Visa credit card is intended to lessen the burden of these purchases by providing educators with a way to organize all their school-related purchases on one card, and avoid paying an APR on those expenses that is double or triple the rate of prime, if not higher.

In conjunction with the new Educator Visa, Freedom is also updating their Educator Savings Program, which now offers school employees a much higher annual percentage yield (APY) on their savings. At 2.50% APY*, educators can earn interest well above the national average for savings accounts, which the FDIC is currently reporting to be just 0.05% as of December 2020. Freedom requires no minimum balance or fees for the account, just initial proof of employment with a school.

“Those who know us well, know that our support for educators extends well beyond our community-based sponsorships. Our real involvement comes from being there on a personal level for each and every educator and support employee that we can assist,” states Mike MacPherson, President and CEO of Freedom Federal Credit Union. “As we look ahead to the rest of the school year, we know that our school employees are under immense pressure, and we can’t think of a better time to reach out to help in our own way – to ease financial stress and assist in securing their future financial well-being.”

Also included in the Golden Apple Program, new Freedom members can receive a $100 bonus with direct deposit and eStatement enrollment, a high yield checking account, 2 free Skip-A-Pays on certain loans, auto refinancing specials, a mortgage bonus, matches on new youth accounts, and eligibility to apply for Freedom’s annual classroom grant awards program. Additionally, Harford County Public School employees are able to access their pay a full day in advance of their standard payday. For full Golden Apple Program details and requirements, please visit freedomfcu.org/golden-apple/.

LEARN ABOUT THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS OFFERED TO HARFORD COUNTY EDUCATORS- EXPLORE THE REST OF THE GOLDEN APPLE PROGRAM!

* Qualifying applicants will earn 2.50% APY on balances up to $10,000 and 0.35% APY on balances of $10,000.01 and higher. No minimum balance requirements. No minimum to open account. Membership eligibility applies. Federally insured by the NCUA.

MoneySmart

New! A Better Way to Manage and Save Money

Introducing our new budget management tool—Money Smart! Now, it’s easy to manage money, monitor spending and actually see where your money goes. If you want to save money, improve financial health and make financial management easier, MoneySmart is a great tool for you.

With MoneySmart:

Get your complete financial picture.
Sync accounts with nearly 17,000 financial institutions.
Understand spending habits with automatically tagged transactions.
Make informed choices with the cash flow calendar.
Visually track your progress, reach financial goals quicker and easier.

Add a Goal and Stay on Track

MoneySmart makes it simple to stay on track. Set goals, and maintain your finances responsibly.

Step 1: Select “Add A Goal” on the goal dashboard.
Step 2: Select your desired pay off or savings goal.
Step 3: Fill in the required information.
Step 4: Click the “Create” button to complete the process of adding a new goal.

Keep in mind, your Goal Summary at the bottom of the page will update your completion date and the amount needed per month according to your preferences in the form.

Goals will automatically update your progress and will reflect your day-to-day account balances.

Try MoneySmart by logging in to Home Banking today!