In Review: Horizon Federal Credit Union

“Selected an Excellent Choice Credit Union, Horizon Federal CU located in Williamsport and Lock Haven PA is an incredible two branch credit union with many great service offerings available."

By: Allan R Kirby

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We review Credit Unions:

Mysmallbank.com feels compelled to find the best credit unions and community banks in order to write a small review. These reviews are to help you learn more about community banks, possibly one that's in your area that you might be interested in. In this review we are choosing the following local Credit Union:

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Name: Horizon Federal Credit Union

Location: Williamsport

Headquartered: 2849 Reach Road, Williamsport, PA 17701

Branches: 2

Year Established: 1955

Review:

We found Horizon Federal Credit Union a great two-branch credit union located in Williamsport and Lock Haven Pennsylvania. Although HFCU is considered small in size, they nevertheless have a long history of providing high-quality financial services to members in 11 counties in central Pennsylvania. We made the decision to review this credit union after taking the time to look at reviews, services offered as well as their commitment to their membership and the communities they serve. We think potential members will not be disappointed by making the decisions to the bank at Horizon Federal CU.

Horizon Federal Credit Union currently has close to $83 million in assets, two branches, and nearly 11,000 members. ibanknet. Additionally, they have a history of providing services to their members since the Credit Union's founding in 1955.

When we checked this credit union we did find it difficult to find reviews, but this is not a concern, the few reviews we did find were overall very positive. Secondly, we did not find any reviews from employees as well, which is not a surprise given how small the credit union is. However, looking at products and services we found a lot to like and the following provides details on some of the products and services we liked.

Helping out the Younger Generations.

We were pleased to see Horizon is providing banking services to younger members, which is a great idea to help younger generations develop good financial habits early. Their services offered include the following:

Money Bags

Designed for young members, ages 0-12. Each account holder will receive 1 free gift for a $5.00 monthly deposit into their account.

• Great savings account for kids ages 0 through 12

• Competitive dividend payouts on all balances $30 and up

• Receive 1 free gift for a monthly $5.00 deposit

Money Rules

This club teaches financial responsibility to our members 13 through 17. The savings account will help young adults learn the importance of savings and money management.

They can even open a Holiday Club account to save for holiday shopping. Details of the service include:

• A financial club for members 13 through 17

• Competitive dividend payouts on all balances $30 and up

• Can apply for a Checking account at age 16 (with a parent or legal guardian who will be legally responsible for the account)

• Free online banking

• Free mobile banking

Scholarship

Horizon is Socially Responsible by giving back to the community by having available a Scholarship award. To eligible members who are in their senior year of high school and accepted as a full-time college student.

Insurance

Horizon Federal Credit Union has partnered with TruStage: Insurance that provides a variety of insurance products to members such as:

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)

Life Insurance Policies

Health Insurance Policies

Auto Insurance Policies

Home Insurance Policies

Identity Theft Protection

Horizon Federal Credit Union provides a service (Horizon Shield, powered by EZShield®) that helps protect members' identity, monitor your accounts, view your credit score, and more for a small fee.

Preferred Auto Dealers

This is something that we also like to see, the ability for members to get quick and affordable financing for their vehicles. Members just need to visit any of Horizon Federal CU preferred dealers below and apply for an auto loan on the spot. Members get an immediate decision and can drive away in a new vehicle that day. This is a great idea to work with other businesses in the community while also helping members.

See the complete list of preferred dealers that Horizon Federal Credit Union works with at the bottom of this article.

Credit Cards

We reviewed Horizons credit cards and particularly like the Mastercard cash back credit card which provides rewards of 3% on Air Travel, Dining, Fitness Clubs, Mobile Phone Service, Cable/Satellite/ Streaming TV & Music, Taxi/Ridesharing and 1% on everything else. The interest rate is even low.

Financial Success Center

This was of particular interest to us, a section of Horizon FCU's website dedicated to up-to-date financial information. This is done through their Financial Success Center, which provides articles, videos, infographics to help members on a number of issues such as, Money Management, Starting Out, Getting Married, Starting A Family, Buying a Home, College Planning & Life.

Excellent Choice Credit Union

With all the services provided, it's not hard to see why this is such a great Credit Union. This is why Mysmallbank.com believes Horizon Federal Credit Union is well deserved to receive the designation of Excellent choice, Credit Union. (Note 2) . So if you're looking for a great community-based credit union and you live or plan to live in the areas Horizon Federal CU operates this could be a great financial institution for you.

Finally, we found that Horizon Federal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union through NCUA (Note 1).

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Who is Eligible

As per their website: If you live, work, worship, or attend school in the eleven counties of Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga, or Union, you are eligible to join.

Apply Now to become a member.

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The following provides additional information on Horizon Federal CU services, branches as well as fees.

Services Offered:

Full-Service Credit Union: Yes

Part of the CO-OP Shared Branch network: No

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Horizons Federal Credit Union Routing Number: 231387026

Banking:

Checking Accounts

Savings Accounts

Certificates

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

Credit Union Loans:

Mortgage Loans

Home Equity Line of Credit

Home Equity Loan

Auto Loans

Preferred Auto Dealer*

Recreational Vehicle & Equipment Loans

Share Secured Loans

Personal Loans

Student Loans

Business Banking

Business Checking Accounts

Business Savings Accounts

Business Certificates

Business Account Services

Business Lending

Business Service

Credit Card: Master Card

Cash Back Card (Recommended)

Low Rate Card

Secured Card

Student Card

Horizon Federal CU Online

Online and Mobile Banking: Yes

Horizon Federal CU Branch Location:

Williamsport Branch

1007 East Third Street Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: (570) 326-3636

Hours:

Monday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Wednesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Friday: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Drive Up Hours:

Friday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

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Lock Haven Branch

217 West Bald Eagle Street Lock Haven, PA 17745

Phone: (570) 326-3636

Hours:

Monday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Wednesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Friday: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Drive Up Hours:

Friday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

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(Check location for hours of service).

Fee Schedule:

Yes: Click Here

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*Preferred Auto Dealers

Fairfield Ford of Williamsport

3600 W. 4th St.

Williamsport, PA 17701

Fairfield Ford VW

5071 Lycoming Mall Dr.

Montoursville, PA 17754

Fairfield Chevrolet

400 N. Derr Dr., Route 15

Lewisburg PA 17837

Horsepower Harley-Davidson

1910 E. Third Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

K&L Auto Sales

Rt 120 North Bend

Renovo, PA

Bill MacIntyre Chevrolet Buick

10 E Walnut St.

Lock Haven, PA 17745

Murray Motors Ford

910 Bellefonte Ave

Lock Haven PA 17745

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Are Federal Credit Unions Better vs Banks?

Federal Credit Unions banks are local banks that provide financial services to smaller communities and tend to be better than major banks for a number of reason which includes:

1. Better rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposits.

2. Competitive mortgage rates.

3. Fees tend to be lower at community banks.

4. Local deposits are used to make loans to local businesses.

5. Federal Credit Unions tend to have a better understanding of the communities they serve.

6. Federal Credit Unions tend to have a more personalized customer service experience and have higher customer satisfaction rates.

7. Federal Credit Unions provide local jobs and support local charities.

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Notes:

1. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is one of two agencies that provide deposit insurance to depositors in U.S. depository institutions. NCUA's standard maximum share insurance amount at $250,000.00.

2. Periodically Mysmallbank.com will name a credit union as a top choice (Top credit union) based on a number of criteria such as customer and employee reviews, complaints, satisfaction, growth, locations, brand and social responsibility. We only select the best credit unions, so they must meet minimum standards of excellences (Excellent Choice) in order to be reviewed by Mysmallbank.com

In Review is a segment of the MySmallBank.com blog written by Allan R Kirby, who writes and produces Personal Finance articles and videos along with My Success Magazine.

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Disclosure: mysmallbank.com nor the author received any compensation from the mentioned credit union for this article. The article is our opinion only and is written to help readers learn more about local credit unions.