We can all probably agree that we are ready to put 2020 in our rearview mirror and get a fresh start in the new year. There is something about the new year that energizes us and causes us to view things in a different light. We approach each new year with optimism and hope for greater things to come.
As we prepare to ring in the new year, lets reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. when he said “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” Dakota West Credit Union's commitment to our members during 2020 will show how history has made us a stronger and more resilient financial institution that is poised to move into the new year with vigor and optimism.
May you and your family have a safe and happy New Year! Our holiday hours are as follows:
- New Year's Eve
Close at 4pm - December 31, 2020
- New Year's Day
Closed All Day - January 1, 2021
Please check our February calendar to see which holidays throughout the month our branches will be closed, and other credit union events planned for the month. And, be sure and follow our Facebook page for all the happenings at DWCU!
Credit Reports And Credit Scores
It’s easy to check your credit score, especially using a variety of online tools, but knowing what to do if you find something wrong on your credit report requires a bit of legwork that is worth the effort to help you protect your financial record.
First, by checking all three of the reporting agencies, you may find an error on just one. For example, one credit agency received an incorrect report of a credit union member as deceased, which certainly required a little effort to correct a credit report, but obviously made a big impact on a credit report. Look at all three agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.
Second, know what your score means. Congratulations, your credit score is 715, but if you can improve it to 735 or 750, that can give you better options when it comes time to borrow. Your credit may be ideal for an auto loan, but if you’re planning for a 30-year mortgage, a little difference could mean a lot of savings in the long run. If you want to know how you can improve your score so you can plan for better interest rates of a larger line of credit, be sure to speak with a Dakota West loan officer at your local branch.
Third, if you’re young, start building credit sooner rather than later. If you have well-established credit and most of your debits are paid down, allow yourself to maintain lines of credit, even if you keep the balance paid off, to keep the credit rating you’ve worked hard to earn. Establishing credit and maintaining your credit go hand in hand to develop a long-term credit score that helps you reach your financial goals.
The focus of all credit unions is “people helping people,” so it’s no surprise that Kraig Blahoski has spent his career helping people. As Dakota West’s Chief Operations Officer, he guides the services that our members see and experience every day.
From his first job providing originating and second mortgages at People’s Community Credit Union in Hopkins, Minnesota, his goal of helping others was right there in the name. He grew in experience and accepted opportunities to grow and mentor others when he began supervising tellers. From the beginning, he recalls, “I liked it because I was able to help people.”
His guidance and leadership skills brought him to Dakota West, and over time, his family has followed. He finally hosted the majority of his family under one roof here in North Dakota this Thanksgiving. Now Watford City feels even more like home.
In addition to providing development and growth for Dakota West employees, including Khadero Taylor, with whom he partnered to develop a close-knit team at our New Town branch, he enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for Dakota West products, such as shared branching and rewards checking, with new employees encouraging them to, “be extraordinary.” It’s the perfect way to describe Kraig: extraordinary.
Member Calendar - January 2021
How often do we look back on a year and remember all the wonderful events that happened? Saying farewell to 2020 may not bring the cherished thoughts of Auld Lang Syne as in years past, but we can still celebrate the arrival of a new year as we look to the promise of 2021.
As we sing in the lyrics of the traditional New Year’s Eve song, this is the time to think about all our acquaintances, old and new, and give thanks for having memories to share with one another. Whether you’re relatively new to Dakota West, or you have been with us since ‘old long since,’ as the song translates, we drink a cup of happiness to all our members.
Please check our January Calendar to see which holidays throughout the month our branches will be closed, and which holidays we will be open. Thank you for being our cherished members for another year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
