BECU Blog

Your source for BECU stories and information to help you reach your financial health goals.

About 30 people stand outside in front of tall glass doors. A man in the middle of the photo holding oversized scissors has cut through large red and white ribbons. A red BECU logo is centered at the top of the image.

Expanding Access 

BECU is adding locations to meet demand in growing communities.

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BECU Spotlight | Advancing Equity | Budgeting | Credit & Debt | Spending & Shopping | Mortgages & Home | Security, Scams & Fraud | Hear From Our CEO | Taxes | Jobs & Income | BECU in the Community | Business Banking Tips

Featured

What Can I Use a Personal Loan For?

A woman sits cross-legged on a fuzzy rug on a wood floor with her laptop open in front of her. She's looking at a piece of paper she's holding up. A bright turquoise arm chair, houseplant and window are behind her. Trees and sunlight fill the window.

Learn when a personal loan might help you cover a big expense.

Teller vs. Tellerless: What To Know

A BECU member consultant shows a brochure to a member. The member consultant is sitting on a couch and smiling at the member who is seated across from her in a cushioned chair facing away from the camera.

Compare teller and tellerless options at BECU locations.

Create a More Affordable Life in 8 Steps

Two people sit at a dining room table, sharing food, with bookshelves behind them.

Tips to stretch your budget when life becomes less affordable.

Most Recent

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How BECU is Rallying for Pride

BECU employees march in the Seattle Pride Parade wearing matching white tee-shirts with a colorful design. Two people at the center of the photo are wearing rainbow colored tutus, have colorful hair and are carrying a rainbow umbrella. A Pride flag waves in the background.

Employee voices and community partnerships shape Pride at BECU.

The Financial Significance of Juneteenth

A green and white street sign. The green street sign says "Greenwood Ave" and the white sign says "Black Wall Street" with a key near the name. In the background is a brick building and trees.

Learn about barriers to Black Americans' financial health.

How a Home Equity Line of Credit Works

A man and woman engage in a flooring project. The man is kneeled over and is measuring flooring on the ground and the woman is sitting behind him on steps. There's a paint can on the steps next to the woman, She has a paint brush in her hand. Both of them are smiling.

Learn how you can use your equity for home improvement projects.

BECU Spotlight

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2025 Year in Review: More Value for Members

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See BECU's 2025 highlights for members and communities.

BECU CEO Honored for Supporting Education

BECU President and CEO Beverly Anderson speaks at a podium during a formal event, with stage lighting and floral decor in the background.

UNCF recognizes Beverly Anderson for leadership and education access.

Credit Union Support Tops Washington, D.C. Agenda

Nine professionals stand together in business attire inside a wood‑paneled government building, with a red carpet and a U.S. flag in the background.

BECU advocated for members at national conference. Learn what it means for you.

Advancing Equity

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How BECU Supports Sustainability

More than 25 BECU employees stand and kneel in the sun in front of a red tent with the white BECU logo that is set up on a sidewalk. Bushes, trees and the Tukwila Financial Center are in the background.

BECU supports sustainability through volunteer and operational efforts.

Women and Money: How Learning Builds Confidence

A smiling woman stands at a table with a promotional sign behind her. She has a light blue name badge and is wearing a black shirt.

Learn how women increased money confidence through education and empowerment.

7 Asian American Financial Influencers

A woman on a bench, using a laptop, with a park setting in the background. She's wearing a teal blazer and has long dark hair.

Learn about these "finfluencers" and their platforms.

Budgeting

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How To Save Money

Two individuals seated at a table in an office setting, collaborating over a laptop. The woman, on the right, is holding a pen and has short blue hair. She's wearing a white top. The man, on the left, has dark hair and is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt.

Learn smart ways to save more money.

Emergency Funds: Your Financial Safety Net

Two people stand in an auto repair shop reviewing a clipboard beneath a car on a lift.

Learn what an emergency fund is, why you need one and how much you should save.

Year 1 Baby Costs: More Than You Think

Two adults sit on the floor with a young child while one adult cradles a newborn, all seated closely together.

Prepare for necessary and optional costs in the first year of your baby's life.

Credit & Debt

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Federal Student Loan Repayment

Two young college-aged students sitting at a table inside located in front of large windows. Trees are in the background outside. The two students are looking together at the screen of a laptop that's in front of one of the students, who is typing on the laptop keyboard. The other student not in front of the laptop is holding a pen in one hand and has a book in their other hand resting on the table, open to a page.

Learn more about changes to student loans.

Credit vs. Debit Card Options for Kids

Mother holding a mobile phone sits next to her child who is holding a credit card. They are sitting at a table, smiling. A large green plant is in the background.

Learn how to help build kids’ credit and teach them about managing finances.

How To Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Two women in an office setting, one gesturing as if explaining something while the other listens attentively. A laptop sits on the desk in front of them.

Get tips for paying off debt and saving for the future.

Spending & Shopping

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Exercise Your Options Before Joining a Gym

A man is smiling and riding a stationary bike indoors. In the background is fitness equipment. He is looking at a screen while riding the bike. Both of his hands are on the handlebars and he is wearing a red crewneck sweater. The photo has a Consumers' Checkbook logo and the bottom right-hand corner.

Consider your exercise goals and learn how to save money on fitness.

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

A smiling woman wearing sunglasses and a green top lies in a hammock while looking at her phone. A sandy beach, blue ocean and bright blue sky are in the background. The Consumers' Checkbook logo is in the upper right corner.

Get tips to help you decide if insurance makes sense for your trip.

How To Get the Best Deal on a New Car

A woman stands next to a white SUV in a parking lot setting, she's wearing a black top and black plaid pants. She has one hand on her hip and is smiling proudly. There are trees and another parked car in the background.

New car shopping requires savvy strategies.

Mortgages & Home

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How To Win a Bid in a Seller's Market

Three people sit at a kitchen island with documents and a laptop, discussing a possible sale. One man appears to be signing papers while his partner looks at the papers and smiles.

Even in a tough market, buyers can win a home.

First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Two women sitting on the steps of a house. The woman on the right has one arm wrapped around the other. She has red long curly hair and is wearing a blue long sleeve cardigan and jeans. The woman on the left has black curly hair. She is wearing a periwinkle-colored long sleeve and black shorts. The home is blue with white trim around the windows and the steps are wooden. On the left are bushes with yellow flowers.

From credit score to the front door, navigate homebuying with these steps.

Homebuying as an Unmarried Couple

Three people standing in front of a brick house, one person is holding and showing a document to the other two. The woman holding the document has curly black hair and glasses. She's wearing a green top and beige pants. The couple, are standing next to each other, looking at the document. A man, in the middle, is wearing a beige top and brown pants. He has dark hair. The woman, to the right, is wearing a white top and light jeans. She has blonde hair. To the left are some plants.

Learn about legal agreements and title options to protect both of you.

Security, Scams & Fraud

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2025 Holiday Shopping Scams To Avoid

A woman wearing a tan coat, carrying shopping bags walks through a mall.

Learn about the latest online holiday shopping scams so you can avoid them.

Password Phishing Scams: How To Avoid Them

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Protect your personal and financial information from online attacks.

Voice Cloning AI Scams Are on the Rise

A woman in a yellow hoodie sits on the floor in a living room setting, holding a credit card and a smartphone, likely making an online purchase. There is a wooden bookshelf and gray couch in the background.

Watch out for AI scams that use the voices of family and loved ones.

Taxes

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Big 2025 Income Tax Updates

A woman sits at a kitchen counter with a laptop open in front of her. The Consumers’ Checkbook logo appears in the upper right corner.

Learn about big tax law changes and what they could mean for your return.

What’s the 2026 Gift Tax Limit?

A family enjoys a meal together at a picnic table. A man is seated passing out chips and other family members are gathered and seated around the table with burgers.

Learn about taxes on gifts.

2026 Tax Extension: Deadline, Rules, How To File

A man sits in his kitchen looking at papers he's holding in his right hand and punching buttons on a calculator with his left hand. A laptop is open on the table in front of him.

Need more time for your taxes? Learn about tax extensions.