2019

GrooveCar Direct Announces 15 New Credit Union Partnerships in Q4 2019

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GrooveCar Direct Announces 15 New Credit Union Partnerships in Q4 2019

The leading program for credit union member engagement continues to grow!

GrooveCar Direct, the innovative solution for credit union engagement & auto loan growth with existing members, announces 15 additional partnerships to close out 2019:

  • Acadian FCU, based in Lafayetter LA, with assets of $16 million, serving 3,241 members
  • Allegius CU, based in Burns Harbor IN, with assets of $166 million, serving 16,156 members
  • Carter CU, based in Springhill LA, with assets of $376 million, serving 27,013 members
  • Eagle FCU, based in Baton Rouge LA, with assets of $113 million, serving 13,222 members
  • Maine Family CU, based in Lewiston ME, with assets of $172 million, serving 21,675 members
  • Mission City FCU, based in Santa Clara CA, with assets of $108 million, serving 4,956 members
  • NE PA Community FCU, based in Stroudsburg PA, with assets of $127 million, serving 13,651 members
  • Ontario Montclair SEFCU, based in Ontario CA, with assets of $119 million, serving 9,076 members
  • Premiere Source FCU, based in East Longmeadow MA, with assets of $63 million, serving 5,032 members
  • I.A. FCU, based in Rock Island IA, with assets of $438 million, serving 43,570 members
  • Rock Valley FCU, based in Loves Park IL, with assets of $116 million, serving 18,635 members
  • SMW 104 FCU, based in San Leandro CA, with assets of $103 million, serving 10,100 members
  • South Carolina National Guard FCU based in Columbia SC, with assets of $74 million, serving 6,361 members
  • Vicksburg Railroad CU, based in Vicksburg MS, with assets of $11 million, serving 1,182 members
  • West Branch Valley FCU, based in Williamsport PA, with assets of $42 million, serving 4,998 members

GrooveCar Direct is the nation’s top platform for member experience and auto loan engagement. Built exclusively for credit unions, GrooveCar Direct delivers the crucial ability to reach existing members from day one of their car shopping journey, while additionally providing each credit union partner with consultation services and marketing support.

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GrooveCar Direct Announces 17 New Credit Union Partnerships in Q3 2019

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GROOVECAR DIRECT ANNOUNCES 17 NEW CREDIT UNION PARTNERSHIPS IN Q3 2019

GrooveCar Direct, the innovative solution for credit union engagement & auto loan growth with existing members, announces 17 new program partnerships in Q3 2019:

  • Actors FCU, based in New York NY, with assets of $223 million, serving 24,467 members
  • Calcasieu Teachers & Employees FCU, based in Lake Charles LA, with assets of $38 million, serving 4,979 members
  • Century CU, based in St. Louis MO, with assets of $111 million, serving 9,437 members
  • Clearpath FCU, based in Glendale CA, with assets of $129 million, serving 12,520 members
  • Cone CU, based in Neenah WI, with assets of$28 million, serving 1,530 members
  • CU of Georgia, based in Woodstock GA, with assets of $345 million, serving 33,386 members
  • Freedom CU, based in Provo UT, with assets of $40 million, serving 3,716 members
  • Health Care CU, based in Oshkosh WI, with assets of $19 million, serving 2,382 members
  • Kellogg Midwest FCU, based in Omaha NE, with assets of $48 million, serving 3,025 members
  • Latrobe Area Hospital FCU, based in Latrobe PA, with assets of $11 million, serving 2,052 members
  • Legacy FCU, based in Joplin MO, with assets of $17 million, serving 1,619 members
  • Lincoln S.D.A. CU, based in Lincoln NE, with assets of $10 million, serving 1,214 members
  • Marisol CU, based in Phoenix AZ, with assets of $42 million, serving 6,770 members
  • Mid Carolina CU, based in Lugoff SC, with assets of $134 million, serving 14,761 members
  • Salem VA Medical Center FCU, based in Salem VA, with assets of $81 million, serving 10,467 members
  • Tampa Postal FCU, based in Tampa FL, with assets of $84 million, serving 7,802 members
  • Xplore FCU, based in New Orleans LA, with assets of $142 million, serving 8,718 members

GrooveCar Direct is a leading member experience platform exclusively for credit unions, delivering the crucial ability to engage members throughout the entire car purchase journey. When combined with the credit union’s trust and reliability, GrooveCar Direct provides a dependable channel for strengthened relationships, member engagement, and incremental auto loan growth from existing members.

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Top 5 Money-Saving Driving Tips

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TOP 5 MONEY-SAVING DRIVING TIPS

When purchasing or leasing a new vehicle, it is important to remember that a vehicle costs more than just the price tag on the window. Gas, insurance, and routine maintenance (i.e. oil changes) quickly add up and can consume a significant portion of your monthly budget. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditures study, transportation costs increased 12.2 percent (or $1,334) over the previous year. Vehicle expenses (not including the actual purchasing or leasing of the vehicle) cost consumers an average of $6,954 per year. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize driving expenses. Here are our top five money-saving driving tips:

1. Find the Cheapest Gas in Your Area

The purchase of gas tends to be very similar to the purchase of groceries: both are necessities and tend to be purchased on a weekly basis. However, the way consumers go about purchasing both is very different. Consumers research the dynamic pricing of groceries each week to learn which store is offering the best deals and sales, but rarely research which gas station has the lowest price. There are many apps, including GasBuddy, that allow you to instantly compare gas prices in your area in the palm of your hand. So next time before you fill up, make sure you are paying the lowest price for gas.

2. Avoid Idling

Even if you are paying the lowest price, there is no financial recovery for wasting gas. Idling, the act of leaving your engine running while the vehicle is parked, wastes about 1/5 to 7/10 of a gallon of gas per hour. Idling is also detrimental to your engine’s health, as well as to the environment. Idling cars produce as much pollution as moving cars, per the Environmental Defense Fund.

2. Avoid Idling

Even if you are paying the lowest price, there is no financial recovery for wasting gas. Idling, the act of leaving your engine running while the vehicle is parked, wastes about 1/5 to 7/10 of a gallon of gas per hour. Idling is also detrimental to your engine’s health, as well as to the environment. Idling cars produce as much pollution as moving cars, per the Environmental Defense Fund.

3. Don’t Speed or Slam on the Gas

Speed kills…your fuel efficiency. That’s right, speeding and rapidly accelerating do more damage than good when trying to save on your driving expenses. According the U.S. Department of Energy, both aggressive driving tactics can lower your gas mileage by up to 30% at highway speeds and 40% in stop-and-go traffic. Furthermore, gas mileage also decreases when your vehicle reaches speeds above 50 mph. Expect to burn an extra $0.19 per gallon of gas for every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph. From a cost-cutting and safety perspective, it’s better to ease into acceleration and stick to the posted speed limit.

4. Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated

If you find yourself at the gas station more often than normal, it might be time to check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause lower fuel efficiency, as well as extra wear and tear on your tires. Low tire pressure can result from cold weather, over inflation, slow leaking punctures, and osmosis (natural passing of air through the tire over time). Be sure to reference your car’s owner manual to ensure your tires are inflated to the recommended PSI. Also, be sure to inspect the tread of your tires to confirm that they are still in good shape.

4. Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated

If you find yourself at the gas station more often than normal, it might be time to check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause lower fuel efficiency, as well as extra wear and tear on your tires. Low tire pressure can result from cold weather, over inflation, slow leaking punctures, and osmosis (natural passing of air through the tire over time). Be sure to reference your car’s owner manual to ensure your tires are inflated to the recommended PSI. Also, be sure to inspect the tread of your tires to confirm that they are still in good shape.

5. Don’t Overpay for Insurance

Like shopping for groceries and now gas, make sure you are not overpaying for car insurance. Shopping for the right policy might seem overwhelming at first, but resources like The Zebra allow you to compare quotes easily and efficiently. Be sure to also ask your insurance company about any potential discounts for organization affiliations, safe driving history, specific car features, and complete safety training.

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GrooveCar Direct Announces 20 New Credit Union Partnerships

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GROOVECAR DIRECT ANNOUNCES 20 NEW CREDIT UNION PARTNERSHIPS

GrooveCar Direct, the credit union industry’s leading solution for direct auto loan growth, announces 20 new program partnerships in Q2 2019. Joining the program in Q2 2019 are:

  • 20th Century Fox FCU, based in Los Angeles CA, with assets of $47 million, serving 3,607 members
  • Agriculture FCU, based in Alexandria VA, with assets of $332 million, serving 25,551 members
  • Changing Seasons CU, based in Hampden ME, with assets of $24 million, serving 2,017 members
  • Community CU, based in Lewiston ME, with assets of $57 million, serving 10,231 members
  • Corrections FCU, based in Soledad CA, with assets of$16 million, serving 2,479 members
  • Elga CU, based in Burton MI, with assets of $656 million, serving 72,063 members
  • Emporia State FCU, based in Emporia KS, with assets of $96 million, serving 6,982 members
  • Equishare CU, based in Wichita KS, with assets of $33 million, serving 4,147 members
  • Jacksonville Fireman’s CU, based in Jacksonville FL, with assets of $35 million, serving 2,599 members
  • Listerhill CU, based in Sheffield AL, with assets of $790 million, serving 91,237 members
  • Ouachita Valley FCU, based in West Monroe LA, with assets of $239 million, serving 30,801 members
  • Palmetto Health CU, based in Columbia SC, with assets of $68 million, serving 12,576 members
  • PartnerShip Financial CU, based in Morton Grove IL, with assets of $177 million, serving 13,372 members
  • Peach State FCU,based in Lawrenceville GA, with assets of $492 million, serving 60,167 members
  • Peru FCU, based in Peru NY, with assets of $21 million, serving 2,806 members
  • SharePoint CU, based in Bloomington MN, with assets of $235 million, serving 22,468 members
  • Shoreline CU, based in Two Rivers WI, with assets of $95 million, serving 8,492 members
  • TruService Community FCU, based in Little Rock AR, with assets of $39 million, serving 5,290 members
  • United CU, based in Mexico MO, with assets of $170 million, serving 23,467 members
  • United Financial CU, based in Bridgeport MI, with assets of $216 million, serving 24,957 members

GrooveCar Direct is a leading member experience platform, providing credit union partners with the ability to engage members from day one of their car purchase journey. When combined with the trust and reliability of the credit union, GrooveCar Direct provides a reliable channel for deepened relationships, member engagement, and incremental direct auto loan growth.

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Leasing 101: Terms to Know Edition

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LEASING 101: TERMS TO KNOW EDITION

Shopping for a new car can be a stressful experience, especially when deciding whether to buy or lease the new vehicle you pick out. While both options have their own distinct benefits, leasing a car may be the best decision if you are looking for more flexibility. Some of the benefits of leasing include:

Lower Monthly Payments

Leasing a car will almost always provide you with a lower monthly payment because you are paying for the depreciation of the vehicle that occurs during the term of your lease, plus sales tax. When you finance a car, you are paying off a loan for the retail price of the vehicle plus interest (sales tax is paid at time of purchase). A lower monthly payment means more financial flexibility. Leasing also may allow you to get a more loaded car for the same monthly payment as financing the base model.

New Car Every Few Years

One luxury of leasing a car is the ability to get a different vehicle every few years. Of course, you must wait until your current lease agreement is up, but you will never have to deal with the hassle of selling or trading your old car. When you lease, you are not the owner of the vehicle; the leasing company or bank is. They allow you to drive the vehicle for the duration of your lease agreement, a similar process to renting an apartment. With the flexibility to change vehicles every time you enter a new lease agreement, you can enjoy the latest models, tech and safety features the industry has to offer.

New Car Every Few Years

One luxury of leasing a car is the ability to get a different vehicle every few years. Of course, you must wait until your current lease agreement is up, but you will never have to deal with the hassle of selling or trading your old car. When you lease, you are not the owner of the vehicle; the leasing company or bank is. They allow you to drive the vehicle for the duration of your lease agreement, a similar process to renting an apartment. With the flexibility to change vehicles every time you enter a new lease agreement, you can enjoy the latest models, tech and safety features the industry has to offer.

Even if you determine that leasing is the right option for you, reading through and understanding every word in the agreement can still be a stressful process. The automotive leasing industry may seem to have its own language, but its not as complicated as you think. Below are the most common leasing terms with explanations to help you successfully master the car leasing process.

Acquisition Fee

The fee charge by leasing companies and banks to cover expenses of administrating the lease

Disposition Fee

The fee charged to cover expenses of cleaning, preparing and selling the vehicle after you return it at lease end

GAP Waiver

Agreement to waive the difference of what you owe on the lease and what your insurance company will reimburse if your car is stolen or destroyed

Mileage Allowance

The number of miles you can drive during the duration of your lease agreement. Exceeding the allowance will result in an excess mileage charge because the number of miles affects the residual value of the vehicle.

Residual Value (RV)

Set at the beginning of the lease, this is the vehicle’s estimated value at lease end. The RV is used to calculate your monthly payment. The higher the RV, the lower the monthly payment (less depreciation). 

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