With so many financial obligations and options, money management may seem difficult and confusing at times. That's why Cal State L.A. Federal Credit Union has partnered with BALANCE, a financial education and counseling service that can help you get on track, review and improve your credit report, get out of debt, set up a spending and savings plan that works for you, or prepare to buy a home. Call a BALANCE counselor at 888-456-2227, Monday through Thursday 5am–8pm, Friday 5am–5pm, and Saturday 8am–5pm and let them know you are a Cal State LA Federal Credit Union member.
Who Is BALANCE?
Cal State LA Federal Credit Union partners with BALANCE to provide our members with professional assistance with all aspects of personal finance. In many cases, BALANCE counselors can answer your questions immediately. All BALANCE counselors are required to successfully complete 160 hours of training and become certified as credit counselors. The certification examination and corresponding study materials were developed in conjunction with Purdue University, and cover consumer protection, spending plans and budgeting, creditor and legal policies and practices, credit and debt management, and counseling principles. BALANCE staff includes BAs, MAs, JDs, MSWs, Certified Financial Planners and certified credit report reviewers. Ongoing training for the entire BALANCE staff is conducted monthly on topics ranging from student loan repayment regulations to techniques for helping our clients manage a financial crisis.
Your credit report can affect your ability to purchase a home, rent an apartment, buy a car, receive favorable insurance rates, or even get a new job. Further, checking your credit report regularly is a crucial step in protecting yourself from fraud or inaccurate reporting.
BALANCE can help you get a free or low-cost copy of your credit report and provide a free and confidential credit report review to ensure you have the tools necessary to improve, maintain and protect your credit standing.
FREE Money Management Planning and Budget Assistance
A well-designed, realistic spending plan is the most important step to take in your journey to reach your financial goals.
If you're not completely comfortable with your spending plan, or would like some guidance with this or other financial issues, consider a free and confidential money management counseling session with a BALANCE counselor.
If you are having trouble keeping up with your bills, one of your options might be a Debt Management Plan, made available to BALANCE clients through a Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Through a special arrangement with BALANCE and Cal State LA FCU, there is no monthly fee for the service, as is typical through most CCCS plans. Frequently, creditors will stop collection action, lower payments and, in some cases, reduce or eliminate interest and fees. This allows you to make just one payment to all your creditors. Learn more by calling 888-456-2227.
