John Scharff is the Digital Marketing Lead at People Driven Credit Union, where he helps create clear, practical financial content for members and the communities PDCU serves. He focuses on making financial topics easier to understand, from loans and savings accounts to digital banking, fraud prevention, and everyday money management.
Bank vs. Credit Union: What Is the Difference?
When comparing a bank vs. credit union, the biggest difference is ownership. Banks serve customers and may be owned by private investors or shareholders. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives owned by their members. Both can offer checking accounts, savings accounts, loans, credit cards, digital banking, and other financial services. The right choice depends on the products, rates, service, access, ...
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The Rule of 72
How long will it take your money to double? You do not need a financial calculator to get a quick estimate. The Rule of 72 is a simple formula that shows how time and compound growth can work together. How Long Will It Take Your Money to Double? The calculation takes only a few seconds. Divide 72 by the annual ...
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What Is a Community Credit Union?
A community credit union is a member-owned financial cooperative that serves people connected by an approved field of membership. That field may include a geographic area, employers, organizations, family relationships, or a combination of eligible groups. People Driven Credit Union serves eligible members across Michigan. Members can use local branches and support, while also managing accounts through digital banking and ...
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What Is Shared Branching and How Does It Work?
Credit union shared branching gives you access to in-person services when you are far from your credit union’s locations. Through a participating network, eligible members may visit another credit union and complete certain transactions as if they were at their home branch. For People Driven Credit Union members, shared branching adds another way to manage money while traveling, attending school, working ...
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ATV Loan Calculator: How Much ATV Can You Afford?
An ATV loan calculator can help you estimate how the purchase price, down payment, trade-in value, APR*, and loan term may affect your monthly payment. The payment is only part of the answer, though. Insurance, title and permit costs, protective gear, a trailer, maintenance, and fuel also belong in your ATV budget. Before you shop, calculate both numbers: the estimated ...
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How Much Motorcycle Can You Afford?
A motorcycle affordability calculator can help you estimate a monthly loan payment, but affordability involves more than the payment alone. A realistic budget should also leave room for insurance, registration, riding gear, routine maintenance, and the occasional repair. Before you choose a motorcycle, decide what total monthly ownership cost fits comfortably alongside your housing, utilities, groceries, savings, and other debt ...
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Why Local Loan Decisions Matter
Local loan decisions can give borrowers access to a team that understands the financial institution’s products, lending policies, and the communities it serves. That does not remove underwriting requirements. It can make the process easier to understand and give you a clear place to ask questions. What is a local loan decision? A local loan decision means the financial institution ...
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ATV Loan Rates: What Determines Your Rate?
ATV loan rates can vary based on your creditworthiness, the amount you borrow, the loan term, the ATV’s age and collateral value, your down payment, and whether you qualify for an automatic-payment discount. Understanding these factors can help you compare financing offers and choose an ATV that fits your budget. No single factor determines your rate by itself. People Driven ...
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3 Smart Moves for Meeting a Financial Challenge
Financial challenges for families can include rising everyday costs, growing debt payments, and difficulty finding affordable housing. Start With the Numbers You Can Control When several financial pressures hit at once, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Start by looking at three parts of your finances: What comes in each month What must go out What can ...
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How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Remember
A strong password is one of the first lines of defense for your online accounts. Learn how to create passwords that are long, unique, difficult to predict, and easier to manage without relying on risky shortcuts. Guidelines for Strong Passwords Help Protect Your Accounts Passwords protect access to your email, financial accounts, social media, shopping accounts, and other personal information. ...
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