FROM THE CEO MESSAGE
Sweater Weather Has Arrived!
Autumn is a season of transformation–one that reminds us of the strength and value of community. Whether it be gathering together with friends and family, cheering on our favorite sports teams, or providing genuine support of others, this is the perfect time to cherish those connections, express appreciation, and embrace the warmth of togetherness.
It is hard to believe 2025 is already winding down. It has been a busy and productive year at Erie FCU, as you will discover in my remarks and throughout this edition of the fall newsletter.
80,000 Members Strong
“Thegreatest
Erie FCU is now 80,000 members strong—and growing! Of course, we had to celebrate this exciting milestone with the member who helped us reach it! You will find the full story later in the newsletter. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do—serving our members and building meaningful connections. Here’s to every member, every story, and a future we are proud to build together.
rewardscomewhen yougiveofyourself. It’saboutbetteringthe livesofothers,beingpart ofsomethingbiggerthan yourself,andmakinga positivedifference.”
~Nick Vujicic
Erie’s Choice
What a night!!! On the evening of October 9th, the Erie community made its voice heard for the thirteenth consecutive year and chose Erie Federal Credit Union as Erie’s Choice in Credit Unions during the 2025 Erie Community’s Choice Awards gala. With your support (and gracious votes), we were honored to be named Erie’s Choice in Mortgage Lender (6th straight year), a six time winner for Erie Advisors at Erie FCU as Erie’s Choice in Financial Advisory Group. In addition, Erie FCU was truly honored to be voted Erie’s Top Employer in the 101–500 employee category—and for the first time ever, Erie’s Best Place to Work! We are thrilled to share that Erie FCU won all five categories in which we were nominated— what an incredible honor!
Receiving such positive recognition from our members and the community is truly the highest compliment we could ask for. Moments like these inspire us to keep striving for excellence in everything we do. It was a true honor to be acknowledged among so many outstanding local businesses for a night filled with celebration and community pride. We remain deeply grateful for this recognition—and we know it would not be possible without the everyday dedication and excellence of the entire Erie FCU team, as well as the incredible support from our members, community partners, and everyone who voted for Erie Federal Credit Union. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Hello World
In the spirit of working together, Erie FCU teams continue to integrate new and innovative products and services to support the financial well-being of our membership. Do you have a question about your account or credit union hours? Do you need a little guidance on how to apply for a loan or how to join the credit union? MAE is here to help you get the answers you need, instantly, 24/7! Earlier this year, we introduced MAE—our AI-powered Member Assistance Expert chatbot. MAE is here to help! She can answer general questions and guide you through our website, making it easy to find the information you need. Ready to chat with MAE? Click the chat icon in the bottom right corner of our website to say hello. And don’t worry—if you have specific questions about your account during regular business hours, you can speak directly with a member of our Support Team by phone, live chat, or email. We are here to help!
Fall Savings
Ready to roll into fall with BIG savings? On October 1st, Erie FCU introduced members to our newest auto loan refinancing promotion. If you are looking for more financial freedom and lower monthly expenses, refinancing with our low interest rates may be a great place to start—check out the details on the limited-time auto loan refinance special in the “2 Good 2 Pass By” advertisement!
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Renovations
If you have stopped in or driven by our East 38th Street or downtown State Street branch locations, you may have noticed some changes. The East 38th Street branch office was given a much-needed facelift with the installation of new, energy-efficient windows, a few coats of paint, and some new flooring, with more renovations coming soon. We were excited to say goodbye to the old green canopy and welcome fresh, vintage-inspired signage at our 4th and State Street office—honoring the rich heritage and history of the former Exchange Building. Our commitment to a comfortable banking experience goes well beyond the services we provide—it’s reflected in the welcoming, thoughtfully designed spaces our members enjoy.
Giving Back
Erie FCU continues to make a positive impact through a variety of community outreach initiatives. This past summer, we were out and about at dozens of local events—sharing our credit union values, connecting with neighbors, and highlighting the awesome benefits of membership. For example, we recently collected over 650 pounds of PB&J for the Second Harvest Food Bank and shredded nearly 10,000 pounds of personal documents during our September Member Shred Day event. I am happy to share that all shredded documents will be recycled and repurposed into various paper products—helping to save more than 75 trees. We were also excited to take part in the first “Books with Bankers” event for the 2025–2026 school year! Erie FCU volunteers joined several local banking partners at Lincoln Elementary School for a special day of reading and connecting with students. Our team had a fantastic time engaging with the kids.
Thank You
As we move into the fourth quarter, Erie FCU continues to perform well—thanks to your ongoing trust and support. With Thanksgiving approaching, we would like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to you, our valued members, for choosing Erie FCU as your financial partner. Thank you for your continued support.
Wishing you and yours a joyful and relaxing holiday season!
Brian J. Waugaman, CEO
Invite Your Friends to Join Our Family!
Do something nice for your friends! Refer them to the Erie FCU family. By introducing them to Erie FCU, they’ll enjoy all the benefits and financial rewards of the area’s most trusted and respected financial institution. What a great way to build a relationship –for everyone!
Don’t wait. Let your friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers know about Erie FCU and the benefits of joining: top-quality service, lower interest rates on loans, higher returns on savings, and lots more! So spread the word about us today! Your friends will thank you for it…and so will we! If you value the financial services provided by Erie FCU, why not Pass It On to a friend, family member, or even a co-worker. If someone you refer joins, you’ll both earn $25.
For more information: www.eriefcu.org/resources/programs/pass-it-on-referral-program
In September, we were thrilled to congratulate John K – our “official” 80,000th member!! Erie FCU CEO, Brian Waugaman and State Street Branch MSO, Alex Carrasquillo, had the honor of celebrating with him. John shared that he believes in the Credit Union philosophy, and we are excited to support him every step of the way on his financial journey.
Congratulations John and thank you for being a part of the Erie FCU family! And, a HUGE thank you to all of our amazing members who have helped to make this incredible milestone possible. We our members! 80K members and growing!
Erie FCU is proud to announce that it was named a winner of two MIC Awards at the CrossState Evoke Marketing Conference, an annual event celebrating excellence in credit union marketing. Top honors were given for best Newsletter and Annual Report! This year, our Director of Marketing and Communications, Ron Hickoff, had the honor of attending the conference at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, PA. This award acknowledges our Marketing teams’ creativity and dedication to improving our members’ experiences.
The Erie Reader “Best of” awards are taking place beginning in November! Nomination runs now through 11/14 with voting 11/17 – 12/15. Please nominate and vote Erie FCU in the following categories: “Best Bank/ Credit Union”, “Best Local Business” and “Best Place to Work”. Click for more info: https://bestof.eriereader.com/
In photo LR: Erie FCU MSO, Alex Carrasquillo, 80K Member, John K and Erie FCU CEO, Brian Waugaman
Beginning a Budget for Your Small Business
Lisa Reinhart, Director of Business Development and Services
Starting a business requires navigating a new financial situation. Top of the to-do list is ensuring your business can earn more than it spends. Many small business owners are creative visionaries, so figuring out finances and deciding on the details of a budget feel like downright drudgery. If you can think of a business budget as a roadmap for growth, getting started may seem more exciting.
Here are some tips:
• Keep personal and business funds separate. Make sure you understand the difference between personal and business expenses. Use a business checking account and a business credit card.
• Get organized. That might mean using a spreadsheet or an accounting software program. List your potential expenses and create categories for them, like fixed, variable and one-time. Also, consider taxes, an emergency fund, investing in future growth, advertising, paychecks and giving.
• Leave some margin. Overestimate the cost of time and materials. You may find it helpful to check industry standards.
• Account for busy and slow seasons. Plan on saving more during the busy season to cover your expenses during the slow season. Related, consider your risks. For example, are you dependent on weather?
• Look for savings. Do some research and compare prices for your supplies.
• Review your budget regularly. Things change. Businesses grow. Keep your budget relevant to what’s going on right now and what you want to work toward.
Looking for a loan to help you get started? Erie FCU is eager to see our local businesses succeed. We offer business loans, credit cards and checking/savings accounts that can help create a smooth path forward. Contact Lisa Reinhart today at 814-825-2436 or contact us online at: www.eriefcu.org/bank/business-banking/contact
Let’s set off on this journey together!
Fall Fixes for the Home
Fall is a welcome reprieve from the oppressive heat of summer. It also offers homeowners across the country a chance to ready their homes for cold weather, hard rains, and all cold seasons have to offer.
As the seasons change, once again it’s time to perform some home maintenance. Here are nine yearly tasks that will help keep your household in working order when the temperatures drop.
1 Clean gutters: Do so frequently. Clogged gutters can result in standing water and roof damage. Plus, if you clean them frequently, you’re less likely to have to deal with decomposing leaves.
2 Mow and trim: It seems counter intuitive, but fall is a wonderful time to both fertilize and reseed your lawn. Use this time to trim shrubs and grass one last time so your yard stands out, even in a dormant season.
3 Prune trees: With winter comes ice. With ice comes broken limbs. Take advantage of nice weather and cut back or remove precarious limbs. It only takes one heavy snow or ice to weigh down a limb and damage property.
4 Power wash: Driveways, sidewalks, decks and patios can get quite grimy during the summer months. Invest in a power washer and you’ll be surprised how clean you can get them!
5 Outdoor living: Some furniture is made to be stored during rainy or snowy seasons. Clear a place in your garage or shed for these items. Consider covering them with a tarp and storing cushions in vacuum-seal bags.
6 Heating systems: Check furnaces and change filters. Not only will it boost efficiency, but it will also save you money in the process.
7 Check for leaks: Re-caulk around windows and doors to help prevent heat from escaping.
8 Fireplace: You don’t want a chimney fire. Be sure to have your chimney swept or cleaned each year.
9 Piping: Check pipes for insulation to prevent freezing and bursting. Every season holds different responsibilities for a homeowner. Be sure to stay on top of tasks each season to maintain your home’s value!
Enhance Your Employee Benefits with ErieFCU@Work
We are proud to serve employees in Erie and Crawford Counties by bringing a diverse array of banking solutions to the workplace. Local employers can enhance their benefits package at no cost, while their employees enjoy exclusive perks through our ErieFCU@Work program.
Contact Director of Business Development and Services, Lisa Reinhart, at lreinhart@eriefcu.org to discuss. Learn more: www.eriefcu.org/eriefcu-at-work
Whether you’re saving for your children’s education, planning for your retirement or securing your family’s financial future, you can depend on Erie Advisors to help you find strategies to address your long-term financial objectives. Unlike some financial companies, our focus is in investment strategies and service. You can feel confident that you’ll receive the same level of personal service together with the knowledge you need to make sound financial decisions.
Through LPL Financial, Erie Advisors offers a vast array of exceptional wealth management products and services including:
Comprehensive Financial Guidance
Retirement Planning and Income Strategies
Get a Jump on Your Holiday Budget
Sure, the holidays are still a short time away, but they will creep up on us before we know it! Planning now will help you manage your spending in the coming months.
Here are some tips to save you some cash:
• Set aside just $10 or $20 each week, and you’ll have more cash to spend by early December. That’s a small amount to set aside each week that could equal many gifts in just a few weeks. Plus, using cash instead of credit cards will help you avoid interest charges (but if you need to use credit, check out our holiday credit card purchase special detailed in this newsletter!).
• Look for sales NOW on things your friends and family might like as gifts. Doing this will help you get a jump on all the other holiday shoppers who won’t be snagging all the best bargains until months from now.
• There are few things more thoughtful than homemade gifts, so start making them now to give you plenty of time to finish before the holidays. The possibilities are endless – you could knit scarves or sweaters, make candles, produce jam out of fresh fruit, create stationery out of photos you’ve taken or anything you can imagine. The internet is full of ideas. And your one-of-a-kind homemade gifts will surely be treasured by your recipients!
Remember–planningandbudgetingforholidayspendingnowcan saveyoumoney,soconsiderstartingyourplanofattacktoday. ComeDecember,you’llbesogladyoudid!
Congratulations to Melissa Mizikowski!
We’re thrilled to celebrate VP of Operations Support, Melissa Mizikowski’s achievement in earning the Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) certification! As an APRP, Melissa will be our “go-to” payments expert!
Accredited Payments Risk Professional is a Nacha, formerly National Automated Clearing House Association, certification issued through our partnering vendor, Epcor. As the credit union continues to grow and electronic services continue to advance, the need for certified experts in these areas will be critical. The APRP program consists of nearly six months of studying, course taking, seminars, and concluded with a hundred and thirty question exam that was timed for three hours. Melissa’s work towards this designation will truly benefit the credit union and its future advancements.
Way to go Melissa!
We’re very proud of your hard work and dedication in pursuing this achievement.
Dave Garres Financial Advisor
#TeamAOK
Kindness in the Community!
A little kindness goes a long way. Our #TeamAOK volunteers are the heart of Erie FCU! They are always going above and beyond dedicating their time to community service. We’re proud of our employees’ commitment to making a difference where it matters most!
Here is our team in ACTION!
We saving our Members money! Enjoy BOGO nights for the Erie Otters and the Erie Playhouse!
Erie Otters: www.eriefcu.org/BOGOnights Erie Playhouse: www.eriefcu.org/special-offers/playhouse-member-only-bogo-nights
To receive the above BOGO discounts, Erie FCU members must use their Erie FCU Platinum Mastercard, Debit Card or show their “member ID” (for cash purchases) at the box office to “buy one” ticket and get the 2nd ticket free! (Offer not available for online purchases.)
Get Your Mitts on More Cash!
Need more cash for the holidays?
How about an Erie FCU Personal Loan?
It’s never too early to start crossing things off of your holiday list with Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year right around the corner! Find the funds for traveling, holiday gifts, family vacation or whatever your year-end needs may be. Take advantage of our Holiday Personal Loan low interest rates and flexible, affordable monthly payments. Apply online or at any office location today.
*Loans subject to credit approval. Membership eligibility required.
Statistics Financial Data as of September 30, 2025
80,294
Office Locations & Hours of Operation
38th Street Office 1109 East 38th St. Erie, PA 16504
Lobby Hours
Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM
Bayfront Office 1005 Greengarden Rd. Erie, PA 16501
Lobby Hours
Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM
Mon-Wed: 9AM-5PM • Thur-Fri: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM Drive Thru Hours:
Buffalo Road Office 2436 Buffalo Rd. Erie, PA 16510
Lobby Hours Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM
Mon-Wed: 9AM-5PM • Thur-Fri: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM
Edinboro Office 101 Washington Towne Blvd. Edinboro, PA 16412
Hours Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM
Drive Thru Hours: Mon-Wed: 9AM-5PM • Thur-Fri: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM
Erie FCU No Surcharge & No Fee ATMs
Fairview Office 7141 West Ridge Rd. Fairview, Pa 16415
Lobby Hours
Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM
Drive Thru Hours: Mon-Wed: 9AM-5PM • Thur-Fri: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM
9AM-5PM
Glenwood Office 3503 Peach St. Erie, PA 16508
Lobby Hours
Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM
9AM-5PM • Thur-Friday: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM Drive Thru Hours: Mon-Wed: 9AM-5PM • Thur-Friday: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM Drive
As an Erie FCU member, you can make withdrawals and deposits at our ATMs or Fast Branch/ATMs using your Erie FCU Debit Mastercard ® and you will not be charged a surcharge or Out-of-Network Fee. For a current listing of all ERIE FCU ATMs, visit www.eriefcu.org/atms
State Street Office 518 State St. Erie, PA 16501
Lobby Hours Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM
Peach Street Office (Walmart Supercenter Peach & I-90 ) 1825 Downs Drive Erie, PA 16509
Lobby Hours Mon-Tue: 9AM-5PM Wed-Thur: 9AM-6PM Friday: 9AM-7PM Saturday: 9AM-3PM
Important Information
Routing Number: 243380927
Website: eriefcu.org
E-mail: memberservices@eriefcu.org
E-Z Phone: 814.825.2436, Option 9
Toll Free: 800.480.0494
Lost/Stolen Debt & Credit Cards
Debit Mastercard® or ATM Card: 1.866.820.2868 (After Hours)
Mastercard® Credit Card: 1.866.611.4864 (After Hours)
Erie FCU NMLS #414454
Privacy Policy Notice - The Erie FCU privacy policy has not changed. You may obtain a copy at www.eriefcu.org/pp or contact us at (814)-825-2436 or (800)-480-0494.
Holiday Hours & Closings
Veteran’s Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
All offices will be closed
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 27, 2025
All offices will be closed
Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Branch lobbies and drive thrus will be closed at 1PM.
Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25, 2025
All offices will be closed
New Year’s Eve
Hours Mon-Thur: 9AM-5PM Friday: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-1PM
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Branch lobbies and drive thrus will be closed at 1PM.