April 2023

Affinity Plus has a mission to put people over profit, and we like to show our members exactly how we do that. Each year, we release an annual report detailing how the credit union’s year went, from financials to member stories and more. We published the latest report about 2022 on our site for all of our members – be sure to give it a look and see how Affinity Plus makes a difference in our communities across the state 

In March, Affinity Plus officially had our 250,000th member join our credit union. It’s a milestone we’re proud of, one that marks the confidence our members have in us and how working toward a better future for all is a draw for potential new members. 

The quarter-million moment happened at our new Midway branch in St. Paul. Vosiney Wiley-Smith was coming home from grocery shopping, slightly upset with a recent situation at another financial institution. 

Since she lives nearby the new branch, Vosiney walked past with her groceries and financial frustrations, and decided to stop in and see what Affinity Plus was all about after being waved in by the Midway team. And she was met with smiles, friendly conversation, and a team of people who genuinely wanted to help make her life better. 

Vosiney signed up for membership on the spot. She said she was thrilled to find Affinity Plus, and that her membership could help strengthen her recent journey into sobriety. She wants to build a better life for herself and her family, and our team is there to help her do just that. She also commented on the marketing signage in the branch and shared she would be on those one day.

When she visited the branch a week after joining the credit union, the Midway staff told her that she was our 250,000th member at Affinity Plus, and celebrated with a little party! 

“See everyone, I told you that I’d be your next star!” Vosiney told the staff after the celebration. 

Thank you to all of our members who got us to this incredible milestone, and thank you to our employees who show up with care, integrity, and consideration each day. We’re all working toward building up our communities, and we’re stronger together. 

April is Financial Literacy month. Financial skills are important to have at any stage of life. As you evolve through opening your first checking account to enjoying your morning coffee on the beach, finances matter. You can rely on Affinity Plus to help you through every stage of the financial journey. You can review our starter list of resources below or contact us directly.

Starting a Budget
Savings Hacks
How to Build and Improve Credit

With the 2023-2024 school year on the horizon, it’s time to apply for college scholarships from the Affinity Plus Foundation! These scholarships are a continued focus on supporting access to education, helping Affinity Plus member students achieve their dreams.

Foundation Scholarships

Applications for the Foundation Scholarships will be accepted from April 1 – May 31.

All primary member students attending or planning to attend college in 2023-2024 who are in good standing with Affinity Plus and attending one of our partner college campuses are encouraged to apply.

• Each scholarship recipient will receive $4,000 towards tuition and books for the 2023-2024 school year
• Must be attending one of our eight partner college campuses:
  • Bemidji State University 
  • Lake Superior College
  • Minnesota State University – Mankato 
  • Minnesota State University – Moorhead 
  • St. Cloud State University 
  • University of Minnesota – Duluth
  • University of Minnesota – Twin Cities 
  • Winona State University

Apply Now!

Final Deadline is May 31

Once you’ve graduated from college and begun repaying your student loans, you may start to truly realize the cost of your education. The good news – if you’re making one or more student loan payments, refinancing and consolidating with Affinity Plus can simplify your payments and potentially save you money over time.  

With our refinance solution, you can consolidate all your private and federal student loans (including PLUS loans) into one manageable loan, potentially lowering your monthly payment and reducing your interest rate in the process. Refinancing could be the right choice for you if: 

1. You're paying a high interest rate on your loans 
2. You have multiple private student loans and/or higher rate federal loans 
3. You have a good credit history or a strong co-signer 

Our student loan refinance option comes with: 

• Competitive interest rates - Check them out!
• Loan limit up to $100,000 
• Flexible repayment terms to fit your needs 
• Easy online application and instant credit decision
• A relationship with a local, not-for-profit lender you can trust 

Whether you want to lower your interest rate, pay your loans off sooner, or reduce your monthly payment, we’ve got options to fit your needs. Don’t delay – take control of your student loan debt today by refinancing with Affinity Plus!   

IMPORTANT NOTICE: By refinancing federal student loans, you may lose certain borrower benefits from your original loans, including interest rate discounts, principal rebates, or some cancellation benefits that can significantly reduce the cost of repaying your loans. 

There are tons of perks and benefits to having a checking or spending account with Affinity Plus. But did you know having an Affinity Plus Visa® debit card could mean going on an Irish adventure for 2?

Until May 17, each Affinity Plus debit card purchase is an automatic entry in our Taste of Ireland sweepstakes, offering an 11-day, guided tour of the Emerald Isle. 

One lucky winner will receive a trip for 2 to Ireland from September 14 – 24, 2023, for an 11-day, carefully curated one-of-a-kind tour, including airfare and lodging.

On this journey, the winners will explore many of Ireland’s iconic and historic sites. Visit the cities of Dublin, Belfast, Killarney and Galway, and take in the natural beauty of the Giant’s Causeway, the Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher. All for making your everyday purchases!

If you don’t yet have a checking account with us, join us today and start making your own luck. Who knows, it might just take you overseas on an adventure!

*See official rules for details. Some exclusions apply. No purchase necessary.

When you apply for credit, soon after you may notice an influx of telemarketing calls from other lenders.

Did Affinity Plus Sell My Information?

Affinity Plus does not sell your information to third parties for marketing purposes. But credit bureaus do.

When you apply for credit, we request your credit information from the major national credit bureaus. This is a standard process that most financial institutions follow. When it happens, you’re identified as being in the market for a loan. Credit bureaus have event-based trigger programs that allow other lenders to buy this information. These lenders will contact you once a credit event is reported to win your business before you close on your loan.

Bothersome as they may be, event-based trigger programs are legal. They meet all Fair Credit Reporting Act regulations and are offered by all three national credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Lenders can buy your name, address, inquiry type, credit score, and other information. They might also buy your phone number from a third party.

How to Opt Out

The good news is that you can opt out of these programs. You can opt out for 5 years, or permanently if you wish.

• Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) toll-free.
• Visit OptOutPreScreen.com.

You’ll need to provide your phone number, name, Social Security number, and date of birth. This info will be used to opt you out of communications. Opting out has no effect on your credit score or your ability to apply for credit and insurance. Once you opt out, it can take up to 60 days until you stop receiving telemarketing communications. If you have joint credit relationships, like a mortgage or car loan with a spouse, you might still receive telemarketing communications until you both opt out.