Giving Your Teen a Financial Head Start

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to think beyond the school supply list. While you’re stocking up on notebooks and backpacks, consider giving your teen something that will outlast the school year: the tools to confidently manage money. 

Get a $100 Bonus for Signing Up

Bellco’s free Student Checking Account was built with young members in mind. Right now, there’s an extra incentive to get started. For a limited time, every new Student Checking Account holder between the ages of 13 and 24 will receive $100 automatically deposited into their account just for opening one.* It’s a simple, rewarding way to put your teen on the path to financial independence. 

Starting on the Right Foot

One of the most helpful lessons a parent can teach their child is how to develop smart money habits early. A Bellco Student Checking Account makes that easy. With a free Bellco Visa® debit card, access to mobile and online banking, and the ability to deposit checks right from their phone, your teen gets real-world banking experience in a low-stakes environment. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no hidden fees, and no minimum balance requirements, so there’s nothing standing in the way of getting started. 

Staying in the Loop

For members ages 13-17, an adult must be listed as a joint owner on the account, keeping you connected and in the loop while your teen builds independence and learns to budget, track spending, and make informed financial decisions. It’s hands-on financial education that goes beyond the classroom. 

Whether your student is navigating high school, working a first job, heading off to college or recently graduated, the Student Checking Account is available to Bellco members aged 13-24. 

Don’t miss out on this limited time opportunity! Visit Bellco’s Student Checking page to learn more and open an account today.

*To receive the $100 bonus, the student must (i) qualify for Bellco membership, as well as the checking account, (ii) open the Student Checking account between August 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026, and (iii) be aged 13-24. Students under the age of 18 must have an adult as joint owner on the account. Not valid with any other offers. Limit of one bonus per student. There is no minimum balance required to obtain the bonus. The bonus will be deposited into the new student checking account within 90 days of account opening, provided that the account is still open and active at that time. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association.

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The Benefits of Visiting Your Local Branch

With the advantages of online and mobile banking available to all our members, you might be wondering why Bellco is continuing to open new branches throughout Colorado. The answer is we want to continue giving members the choice of personal connection and online convenience. If you haven’t visited your local Bellco branch for a while (or ever), here’s a few reasons why banking in-branch can still be a good decision.

Great Service from a Friendly Face

While routine transactions can be easily completed using an ATM, Online Banking, or the Bellco app, sometimes you might have a complex request that’s not so straightforward. You might need to withdraw or deposit an amount of cash greater than an ATM allows or need to get a cashier’s check. Or maybe you have a problem and are not even sure what your request should be. Either way, our local representatives at branches are fully versed in all of Bellco’s products and services and are ready to help you with your financial needs.

Avoiding Fraud

Bellco’s digital banking tools are designed with security in mind, helping members manage their finances safely and conveniently. In addition to our online services, our branch teams provide an extra layer of support when our members have questions about unusual account activity, complex transactions, or requests that don’t feel quite right. Our trained representatives can help review situations, answer questions, and provide personalized assistance so you can move forward with confidence. Combining secure digital banking with access to in-person expertise gives members the flexibility to bank in the way that works best for them.

One-on-One Financial Advice

Sometimes a search bar isn’t as effective as speaking with an expert face to face. Everyone’s financial situation is unique and so too is the amount of advice they could use. As members of Bellco, you’re always welcome to visit a local branch to discuss your financial situation with a representative to help plan for the future or help you achieve the goal in mind. Remember, as a not-for-profit credit union, our net income is used to benefit our members. This means you won’t get pressured to sign up for anything you’re not comfortable with. We’re here to make sure you stay on the right track in your financial journey.

If you haven’t visited a Bellco branch in a while, these are just a few of the benefits you can get there. We encourage our members to find the branch most convenient for them and experience how Bellco representatives can assist you firsthand.

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Staying Ahead of Back-to-School Scammers 

August can be one of the busiest and most expensive times of year for families. Between back-to-school supply runs, registration forms, and scholarship searches, there’s a lot happening at once and scammers know it. Every August, scammers target students and parents who are distracted, spending heavily, and momentarily letting their guard down. 

Here are the most common back-to-school scams to watch for and how to protect your family: 

Fake Scholarship Offers  

If an unsolicited email, text or social media message promises your student a guaranteed scholarship, especially one that requires a fee to apply or claim, that’s a major red flag. Legitimate scholarships never require a payment from the recipient to obtain the scholarship. Scammers use these offers to harvest personal information, Social Security numbers, and financial details from hopeful families. 

Fraudulent School Supply Deals 

Too-good-to-be-true deals on back-to-school essentials flooding your inbox or social media feed may be traps. Fake storefronts collect payment and personal data without ever delivering a product. If a seller requests payment by gift card, wire transfer, or peer-to-peer payment app from an unknown source, that’s a warning sign worth noticing. 

Phishing Emails Disguised as School Communications  

Scammers send convincing emails designed to look like they’re from a school district, university financial aid office, or government agency, complete with official-looking logos. They may ask you to verify registration, update payment details, or click through to a fake login page. Always navigate directly to your school’s official website rather than clicking links in unexpected emails. 

How to Stay Protected 

• Legitimate businesses do not make unsolicited calls or send unsolicited messages asking for personal or sensitive information. If you receive one, it’s likely a scam. 
• Never share your Social Security number, banking credentials, or passwords in response to an unexpected message.  
• Bellco will never contact you asking for your card number, online banking username, password, or Social Security number.  
• If you suspect fraud on your Bellco account, call our Fraud Department immediately at 303-689-7548.  

Bellco is committed to keeping our members informed and empowered. For a full library of fraud prevention tips, including resources on phishing, identity fraud, online security and peer-to-peer payment fraud, visit our Fraud Prevention page.

Stay alert, stay informed, and enjoy a safe start to the school year! 

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Could an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Work for You? 

Article by Bellco Home Loans

When it comes to home financing, most people gravitate toward the familiar comfort of a fixed-rate mortgage. However, it’s worth understanding another option that can offer real financial advantages in the right circumstances. It’s called an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (or ARM) and it may be more useful than you think. 

Historically, ARMs have been misunderstood by borrowers who aren’t fully prepared for how they work. Today’s ARMs are more transparent, come with built-in protections, and can be a genuinely smart financial tool for the right borrower in the right situation. 

What is an ARM? 

An ARM typically starts with a fixed interest rate for an initial period, often 5, 7, or 10 years, and then adjusts periodically based on market conditions. A 5/1 ARM, for example, keeps your rate fixed for the first five years, then adjusts once per year after that. 

The Benefits Worth Knowing 

When used thoughtfully, ARMs offer compelling advantages worth considering as you explore your home financing options. 

• Lower initial interest rates – ARMs typically start lower than a comparable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which can mean meaningfully lower monthly payments in the early years of your loan. 
• More purchasing power – A lower starting rate may allow you to qualify for a higher loan amount or keep more cash available for other financial priorities. 
• Strategic flexibility – For borrowers who plan to sell or refinance within a few years, an ARM can deliver real savings without long-term rate exposure. 
• Built-in rate caps – Modern ARMs include caps that limit how much your rate can increase at each adjustment and over the life of the loan, offering an important layer of protection. 

A Powerful Option for the Right Borrower 

With 30-year mortgage rates remaining elevated, many borrowers are actively searching for smarter, more strategic solutions. Bellco Home Loans’ 7-year ARM is answering that call. Offering one of the most competitive interest rates available in the state right now, this product delivers seven full years of rate stability at a significantly lower rate than traditional 30-year options, creating a real pathway to affordability for home purchases and debt consolidation alike. 

For buyers looking to make homeownership more accessible, or for homeowners seeking to consolidate debt at a lower rate, this is a solution worth considering. The combination of meaningful rate savings and a seven-year fixed-rate period provide a level of predictability that makes this ARM stand apart.

Bellco Home Loans is ready to help you explore whether an ARM aligns with your needs, walk you through the terms in plain language, and make sure you feel confident in whatever direction you choose. Visit BellcoHomeLoans.com and reach out to a Bellco Home Loans advisor today to get started. 

Bellco Home Loans is a joint venture between Bellco Credit Union and Guild Mortgage Company, LLC, an independent mortgage lender that has helped families attain home ownership since 1960. Bellco Home Loans, LLC, NMLS #2085298, is an affiliate of Guild Mortgage Company LLC, NMLS #3274; Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. All loans subject to approval.