Peace of Mind from an Auto Loan: Michael's Story
After losing both their father and brother, Michael found support, stability, and a seamless auto loan experience through Affinity Plus when it was time to move forward with a new vehicle.
Michael Vang needed an auto loan.
It sounded simple, but it felt like much more than just a loan: It would mean moving on from the car Michael and their dad bought together before their dad passed away.
As a young person, Michael, who use they/them pronouns, had moved to California to earn a college degree – a first for that generation in their family. But first, they joined Affinity Plus on the advice of their sister.
“I was looking for a new bank, and I had heard great things about the credit union,” Michael said. “I still remember the people I worked with that day at the University branch in Minneapolis. The experience has not changed; the level of commitment and great service has stayed the same.”
Happy with their banking choices, Michael chose to keep their Affinity Plus accounts after moving across the country.
But in 2014 and 2015, their dad got sick. At the time, Michael was looking for a graduate program, but decided to move home to Minnesota.
“I came back home and I got two more years with my dad,” Michael said. “I really got to know him. When my diploma came in the mail, was the proudest day of my dad’s life.”
Moving home would mean they’d need a car. There wasn’t a need for one in San Francisco thanks to public transportation, but Minnesota would require a vehicle to get to work and their dad’s appointments.
“My dad was very generous and went in half on the car,” Michael said. “That thing got me to work, got me to where I needed to go, it was such a gift.”
After their father died, Michael wanted to hold on to the car as long as possible, but it was proving difficult.
“The car was breaking down, and I didn’t know what to do. When anything went wrong with my car before, my dad was there,” Michael said. “It was the last thing my dad gave me, and now I had to let it go.”
After many costly repairs, the idea of a new car took root.
“I spent so much money fixing it. And then I remember thinking, ‘My dad wants me to get a new car, he wants me to be safe,’” Michael said.
They turned to Affinity Plus for an auto loan, going to the Roseville branch to ask what they might qualify for, and got everything they needed.
“The process at the dealership was long, but Affinity Plus was there. It was so seamless,” Michael said.
Not long after, Michael’s brother also passed away.
“My mom was there when I purchased my new car. That car got my mom and me through some hard times,” Michael said.
Driving around without the fear of breaking down gave them peace of mind during a rough time, Michael said, and the caring service at Affinity Plus helped them find the loan they needed to move forward.
“It was the best decision to go with Affinity Plus, to get my loan there,” Michael said.