Let's CU Succeed

On this episode we talk with Amie Aesoph, Chief Human Resources Officer, about being humble, how and when to talk about your successes & failures and much more. Thanks for listening!

On this episode we talk with Cody Clark, Mortgage Loan Officer in Bismarck, about all of the in's and out's of a construction loan. Building a home may be within closer reach than you think with the awesome loan programs we offer at First Community Credit Union. Thanks for listening!

On this episode we were lucky to have our very own Alex Fortney, Ag/Commercial Lender in Devils Lake, on to talk about teaching your kids how to save, the value of a dollar and how important it is to start them young. Thank you for listening!

On this episode we sit down with Derek Holt, Grand Forks Market President, to discuss our new partnership with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. He talks about what it means, why it's important and how it benefits everyone involved, including our members! Thanks for listening.

On this episode we sat down with Jacob Sullivan of Auto Link to discuss the benefits of car shopping with Auto Link on the myFCCU.com website. Thanks for Listening!

On this episode of Let's CU Succeed, we talk with Cody Clark, Mortgage Loan Officer in Bismarck. Cody gives us an update on what the housing market looks like right now and what you should expect if you are planning to buy a home in 2024.

On this episode we talk with Chris Reinicke, founder and owner of Kitchen Refresh. We covered different levels of kitchen remodels, costs, why your kitchen is so important and more!

Thank you for listening!

On this episode we talked with Keyera Vannett, FSO in Mandan, about Certificates of Deposits, how they work and what the current rates are as of 12/18/2023.

NOTE: rates and terms are subject to change, this podcast is for informational purpose only.

**Disclaimer: This episode discusses sensitive topics that may not be suitable for all audiences, listener discretion is advised.**

On this special episode of the podcast, we visit with Samantha Christopherson, Executive Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ND & SD Chapters. We cover mental health issues, local statistics, ways you can help and much more in this very important episode.

On this episode of Let's CU Succeed we had Cali Sailer, Fargo Market Retail Manager, on to take a deeper dive into home equity loans. Cali did a podcast about Home Equities back in season 1 that gives a more brief overlook of what they are and how they are used. On this episode we talk about some of the finer details, what the process looks like, why it might be a good option and much more. Thanks for listening!

On this episode we sit down with Zachary Dosch, Market President of the Bismarck/Mandan market. Working in the financial industry and having a large family himself, Zach is very aware of the effects of inflation, why it happens and how we can all continue to prosper through it. In this episode Zach covers reasons why inflation happens, who controls it, ways to combat it and much more. 

Thanks for listening!

Welcome back to another episode of Let's CU Succeed! This week's episode features Senior Tax Manager at Eide Bailly, Jess Nehl, CPA. You may have connected the dots here, and yes, Jess is the husband of our fantastic host Katie Nehl! He is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to taxes, and he shares some great tips and information on this episode that you won't want to miss out on. Thanks for listening!

On this episode we talked about the USDA Home Loan program with Tanya Nenow, Mortgage Loan Officer in Jamestown. She covers what a USDA Home Loan is, who qualifies, the pros & cons and more! You'll want to tune into this one and learn all about this amazing program.

On this episode we had the opportunity to sit down with Chelsey Francis, Risk & BSA Officer at FCCU. Chelsey talks about fraud, identity theft and of course identity theft protection with IDSafe Choice, on this one. Thank you for listening!

This episode is all about paying off debt, so who better to talk about that than our very own Chief Financial Officer, Sean Rinkenberger. He talks about what kind of debts are acceptable, methods to pay them off, things to be thinking about and more. Thank you for listening!

On this episode we had the opportunity to get an update from our President and CEO, Steve Schmitz. Steve talks about the ups and downs of the last couple of years, the current focuses of FCCU, Inflation and what he is looking forward to in the coming year. Thanks for listening!

On this episode we dive into GAP coverage, what it means, who its for and why you would need it. FCCU is able to offer these products to our members in order to protect them in the worst case scenarios. Contact your local branch to find out how you can also add an extra layer of protection on your next auto loan. Thanks for listening! **Clayton Lilleby no longer works at First Community Credit Union.

This weeks episode breaks down Veteran Affairs Loans. VA Loans are a fantastic option for any active military or veterans looking to purchase a home. We sat down with Darin Engstrom, Mortgage Lender in Fargo, who is a veteran himself to break down the program, who qualifies and what kind of benefits you can expect to receive. Please share this podcast with any one who has served our country so that they do not miss out. Thank you for listening!

Most people expect their car will break down at some point in life, but what we don't expect, is for it to break down at the worst possible time. That's when having a warranty comes in handy. This weeks episode covers warranties and how they can be a lifesaver to you. 

*For informational purposes only, information subject to change

**Clayton Lilleby no longer works at First Community Credit Union

On this episode we sat down with Josh Fettig, Financial Services Officer in Bismarck, to talk about Credit Cards. Credit Cards can be intimidating but they don't have to be. If used properly they can help improve your credit score, provide rewards and protect you from fraud. Josh breaks down all the pros and cons of credit cards in this weeks episode Let's CU Succeed. Thank you for listening!

Part two of our travel series features Brandi Van Gilder of Jamestown Travel to talk about travel tips, how to plan, where to go and more. If you have been wanting to go on a vacation but worry about the planning, this is the podcast for you. Whether you travel on your own or utilize a travel agent, there are tips, tricks and things to think about in this episode. Thanks for listening!

On this episode of Let's CU Succeed we had a quick chat with Financial Service Officer, Keyera Papka, about refinancing your auto loan. An auto loan refinance can do so much more than just lower your monthly payment. Listen in and find out how it could help make a significant impact on your personal financial situation. Keyera even shares a story of how an auto loan refinance truly helped a young couple get back on their feet, you don't want to miss it. Thanks for listening!

Have you been wondering how to add value to your home in today's crazy market? This is the episode for you! Whether you are buying, selling or just looking for some change, Chad Mastrud, Internal Evaluation Specialist, has some things to look for when its time to evaluate a property. With over 25 years of home evaluation experience he was the perfect guy to sit down and have a chat about what does and does not add value to your property. We talked about long term, short term, expensive and cheap ways to make your home a little more buyer friendly in this weeks episode. Thanks for listening!

On episode 3 of season 2, we sat down with Janna Bergstedt, Chief Marketing Officer at FCCU, to talk about travel, budget tips, money saving ideas and more! If you are looking to take a trip but feel overwhelmed by the costs, listen in to this podcast so that your next vacation is stress free. Thank you for listening!

On this episode of Lets CU Succeed we sat down with the University of Jamestown's President, Dr. Polly Peterson, to talk about scholarships and paying for further education. Dr. Peterson is not only the president of UJ but she is also a mother and an FCCU scholarship board member, making her a very reliable source of information when it comes to this topic. Thanks for Listening!

On episode one of season two we have a conversation with our Risk and BSA Officer, Kathy Mushet. Kathy is on top of it when it comes to all things fraud, you will hear the latest ways people are being targeted and how you can avoid becoming the latest victim. This stands a as great reminder that if you are unsure about something, have questions or see suspicious activity, we are just one phone call away.

We are honored to have had Veteran Neil Morkassel on the Let's CU Succeed podcast to talk about Honor Flights and his time in the service. Neil, speaking on first hand experience, talks about what the Honor Flight is, who can go and why it is so important to him and so many other Vet's. This podcast comes during our fourth quarter charity (2021) which is Supporting Veterans. Check out our website below to find out how you can help, thanks for listening!

On this podcast we go back in time a little bit to talk about the creation of Credit Unions and why they are so important with special guest Jeff Olson, President/CEO at the Dakota Credit Union Association. Credit Unions have been around for a long time and they have always been about you, the members, from the very beginning. Listen in and help us celebrate International Credit Union Day on the third Thursday of every October. Thank you for listening, please leave a positive review or even better yet recommend us to a friend.

On part two of this two part podcast, Tom and Parker talk about home building tips, industry trends and much more. If you haven't heard part one yet be sure to go back and listen to that podcast where Tom and Parker introduce themselves and their business of Epic Homes. Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of our podcast drops.

This episode features Tom and Parker of Epic Homes to talk about their story and how the business of Epic Homes came to be. Tom and Parker do incredible work that many of you have probably already seen in your neck of the woods. On part one of this two part episode you will get to learn more about their background, story and what exactly they do. Part two will feature more home building tips, industry trends and more. Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe!

*Special Note: Nate Medhus is pursuing business ownership and therefore has left his role as Fargo Market VP with FCCU.

On this episode of Let's CU Succeed we talked with Nate Medhus and his wife Kerri. Nate and Kerri run a divorce care counseling class through their church, both having gone through it they are now using their experiences to help others. Believe it or not, finance plays a large part in a healthy relationship and while money isn't everything, it is very important to make sure you have healthy conversations about it. Nate and Kerri did a great job in this podcast explaining what works for them and what didn't, how you can potentially prevent problems from ever arising in the first place and much more. Just about everyone can find a take away from this one. Thanks for listening!

On this episode we sit down with Ben Watkins, Wahpeton Branch Manager, to discuss goal setting at an early age, what works for him and his family and much more. Setting goals is important but figuring out how you're going to get there is equally as important. Ben has a great attitude and personality, among other positive traits. This is a fantastic podcast that has many takeaways that you wont want to miss. Thanks for Listening!

On this episode of Let's CU Succeed we tackle the monster that is student loans with Tom Ternes. Tom is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things student loans and financing your education. If you or someone you know is planning on attending college or even in college now this is a must listen. From saving well before college to how to get them paid off, this podcast covers a little bit of it all. Thanks for listening!

Internships are arguably one of the most important stepping stones a college student can take to move towards a successful career after school. In this podcast we sat down with Chief HR Officer Amie Aesoph and Dr. Heidi Larson with the University of Jamestown to talk about the importance of internships, what to look for, how to get one and even talk about some of their own experiences. While this podcast targets a younger demographic it is still applicable to those looking to start an internship program of their own. This is a must listen for people looking to build  their future career path.

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Regardless of the financial institution you go to, the first thing you are going to hear about are the rates. But who sets those rates, how do they determine them and why are they all different? On this episode we talk to CFO Sean Rinkenberger about the rates and how they work. This is an interesting topic and while rates aren't everything, they are very important so we decided to provide a quick look behind the otherwise closed doors. 

On this episode we talked with DeAnn Roaldson and Jeremy Forester from Jamestown about budgeting. Budgeting isn't always a popular topic but it can be a serious life changer. If you want to have peace of mind, always have a plan and want to make changes to your financial well being, this is the podcast for you. Topics discussed: How to start a budget, why you should have a budget and personal budgeting stories. 

Who is Roger Maris you may ask? Well listen to this podcast to find out who he was and his relevance to the Fargo cancer center. On this episode we sat down with Amy Hinkemeyer, executive director at the Sanford Health Foundation, to talk about what the Roger Maris Center means to the people going through their toughest times in life. We talk about what exactly they do and how you to can lend a helping hand. From lemonade stands to hats, there is a way for everyone to get involved. 

When it comes to finance, credit score is everything. On this episode we talk to Carrie Lick, Financial Services Officer in Fargo, about all things Credit. Credit can be a tricky and scary topic but it doesn't have to be. Carrie broke down what goes into credit, how it works, who decides what your score is, the factors that do and do not go into it and much more. This is a must listen podcast.

On our 10th episode of Let's CU Succeed we sat down with Detective Tonya Jahner, with the Cass County Sheriff's Department to talk about cyber crimes. These crimes are very common and unfortunately everyone who uses technology could be a target of an attempted scam. Throughout this podcast, we talk about the common ways the bad guys steal your information, who wants it and how to make sure it never happens in the first place. Listen in and take notes, this is a podcast that could save you a headache down the road.

On this episode we talk with Rod Braun, Retail Manager in Devils Lake, to chat about Kasasa. We say it time and time again that Kasasa is the best checking account out there and the rates may look too good to be true, but they aren't. Rod breaks down what Kasasa is, how it works and everything else you need to know before you sign up for a Kasasa account. This is one you don't want to miss!

On this episode of Let's CU Succeed we had the opportunity to talk with Chief Human Resources Officer at FCCU, Amie Aesoph. Amie is a valuable resource of information when it comes to all things jobs and people. Topics Discussed: Career paths, interview advice, finding jobs and more!

On this episode we talked with Craig Ventzke, Mortgage Loan Officer in Grand Forks, ND, about buying your first home. Topics discussed include: Available Programs, Budget Factors, How to Apply and more.

On todays podcast we sit down with Cali Sailer, Retail Manager in Fargo, ND to talk about all things Home Equity Loans. If your looking to start a remodel project or looking to consolidate your debt for lower interest rates, and everything in between this podcast is for you.

Equal Housing Opportunity. Insured by NCUA.

On this episode we sat down with Janna Bergstedt, Chief Marketing Officer, to talk about FCCU's commitment to the community. Topics covered: donations, sponsorships, people helping people and community engagement.