The CU 4 Reality Education Program, sponsored by local credit unions, has given students at middle schools in the United States and US Armed Forces installations in Germany a chance to learn about managing finances and how to calculate earnings and expenses. CU 4 Reality is a program cooperatively developed across a number of credit unions and is now in its fourth year. The partnership between the CU 4 Reality program and credit unions has benefitted approximately 9,000 students worldwide.

The program uses an in-class curriculum during the school year to teach participants important skills that will equip them to handle money responsibly, set and adhere to budgets, and avoid the pitfalls of debt.  The program culminates with a simulated real-world CU 4 Reality Fair, where the student participants create a spending plan based on a salary, and balance needs versus wants, to make sure they are living within their means.

To complete their course of studies, the students attend a fair where they speak with representatives of auto dealership, cable TV, clothing, food and utility representatives and others to help them understand the many expenses they will face in adulthood. 

According to recent reports, nearly a third of all high school seniors use at least one credit card or use ATM cards. In addition, more than three-quarters of seniors have a savings or checking account.  However, just 20% of high school seniors graduate with any formal instruction in personal finance.

The CU 4 Reality curriculum creates a fun and interactive learning environment where students can practice specific financial management skills and learn early on the consequences of debt when it comes to financial matters.

Developed by the Financial Literacy Education Committee of Americas Credit Union Museum, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Credit Union League, the CU 4 Reality Program, which is in its fourth successful year, gives students the opportunity to participate in a hands-on event that propels them through the personal financial management process, including career selection, budgeting for housing, transportation, luxuries, and more.

At the CU 4 Reality Fair, each student receives a file detailing the personal information specific to their career choice. It includes their monthly gross income and students calculate their take-home pay and create a monthly spending plan as they progress through booths representing various categories of expenses they can expect to incur. Students make decisions about what they would spend on various items such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, insurance, home furnishings, savings, investments, entertainment and credit.

Americas Credit Union Museum promotes the heritage of the credit union movement through the preservation of credit union industry history.  Additional information about CU 4 Reality program and the museum can be found at www.acumuseum.org and www.cu4reality.org.

The 23 credit unions headquartered in New Hampshire have seen growth in assets, deposits, loans and membership according to data compiled from year end reports released recently by the National Credit Union Administration.

Over the year these credit unions had aggregate growth in assets of 11.74% growing to $4.22 billion from $3.8 billion at the first of the year.  This figure exceeds the national growth rate of 7%. 

Savings in New Hampshire credit unions are up by 9.13% since the beginning of the year.  Nationally savings grew by almost 7%.

Some of that money may have been deposited by new credit union members.  The data show that New Hampshire credit unions have added approximately 23,000 new members in 2009 which represents a 5.7% increase.

Despite the fact that consumer has been hearing a great deal about the credit crunch Granite State credit unions are ready to meet their borrowing needs.  Loans outstanding at New Hampshire credit unions have grown by 7.5% or $330 million dollars since the beginning of the year.  Loans were up nationwide by 6.7%

The New Hampshire Credit Union League will be participating in the Invest in America credit union loan partnership with General Motors and Chrysler corporations. The Invest in America program, launched in Michigan by the Michigan Credit Union League, has expanded to all 50 states, providing discounts and affordable loans to 90 million credit union members.

Throughout 2008, NHCUL members have been busy making auto loans and this new initiative Invest in America, is another example of the ongoing commitment of the NHCUL members to meet the auto financing needs of New Hampshire residents.

Credit unions of New Hampshire have a reputation for offering competitive, no-nonsense rates, and couple these rates with Invest in America incentives, New Hampshire consumers can do exceedingly well.

The General Motors Credit Union Member Discount Program and Chryslers Credit Union Member Cash discounts were negotiated independently and offer unique and distinct terms.  The programs, running from now through June 30, 2009, offer General Motors supplier price discounts or Chrysler rebates of $500 or $1000 on eligible vehicles.  For specific terms, please stop by your local New Hampshire credit union or visit http://www.lovemycreditunion.org

The 23 credit unions headquartered in New Hampshire, which hold some $4.1 billion in assets, have seen growth in assets, deposits, loans and membership according to data compiled from quarterly reports released last week by the National Credit Union Administration.

Over the first nine months of the year the NH credit unions had aggregate growth in assets of 10% growing to $4.1 billion from $3.8 billion at the first of the year.  This figure was nearly double the national growth rate of 5.7%. 

Savings in New Hampshire credit unions are up by 7.5% since the beginning of the year.  Nationally savings grew by 5%.

Some of that money may have been deposited by new credit union members.  The data show that New Hampshire credit unions have added approximately 18,000 new members in 2009 to date representing a 4.5% increase.

Despite the fact that consumer has been hearing a great deal about the credit crunch New Hampshire credit unions are ready to meet their borrowing needs.  Loans outstanding at New Hampshire credit unions have grown by more than 10% or $250 million dollars since the beginning of the year.  Loans were up nationwide by 5.6%