In episode 18 of the Good Money Moves podcast, “What is an ITIN Loan and How does ITIN Lending Work?”, host Jenna Taubel, AVP of Marketing at First Alliance Credit Union, sits down with Chelsy Lara, Community Development Advisor and specialist in ITIN lending. Chelsea draws on her expertise to break down:

• What an ITIN loan is and who qualifies

• How ITIN lending replaces SSN verification in loan applications

• The types of loans available—auto, personal, manufactured home, and small business

• How on-time ITIN-based payments build your credit history

• Common misconceptions and transferring your ITIN credit history when you obtain an SSN

Whether you’re new to credit, starting a small business, or planning for home ownership, this conversation gives you the clear guidance and tools to use your ITIN with confidence—without the confusion or guesswork.

More helpful resources from First Alliance Credit Union

• What is an ITIN? - https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/what-is-an-itin

•What are Secured Credit Cards? - https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/what-are-secured-credit-cards

• All member resources: https://www.firstalliancecu.com/

First Alliance Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender.

In episode 17 of the Good Money Moves podcast, “Overcoming Financial Fears,” host Jenna Taubel, AVP of Marketing at First Alliance Credit Union, sits down with Kristina Kovacevic, AVP of Retail Experience. Drawing on years of front-line member service, Kristina breaks down:

• Why Money Feels Scary and First Steps to Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle

• Intentional-Spending Hacks (Color-Coding Statements, Trimming “Coffee Leaks”)

• Building an Emergency Fund and Prepping for Job Loss With a 3-Month Cushion

• Handling Sudden Big Expenses Without Wrecking Your Budget

• Smart Ways to Crush High-Interest Debt and When Debt Consolidation Makes Sense

• Credit-Score Myths—Utilization, History, and Quick Moves to Raise Your Rating

• Fraud Red Flags, Mobile Alerts, and Gut-Check Steps to Avoid Scams for Good

Whether you’re new to paychecks, juggling gig income, or just want peace of mind, this conversation gives you practical tools to conquer your biggest money fears—no guilt trips required.

In Episode 16 of the Good Money Moves podcast, “What Is a Business Plan and Why You Need One,” host Jenna Taubel - AVP of Marketing at First Alliance Credit Union, sits down with Mark Thien - Regional Director of the Southeast Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Mark brings decades of experience helping entrepreneurs and startups turn big ideas into sustainable realities. In this episode, Mark breaks down:

• What a business plan actually is and why every startup needs one

• The key sections of a business plan, including the narrative and financials

• How to use a business plan to grow strategically and avoid costly mistakes

• Common missteps people make when writing their first plan (and how to fix them)

• Real tools and free resources from the SBDC and SCORE to get started fast

• How financial institutions use your business plan when deciding to lend

Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur with a dream or already side-hustling your way to self-employment, this episode gives you the clarity, confidence, and tools to write a plan that works—without getting overwhelmed.

First Alliance Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender.

In episode 15 of the Good Money Moves podcast, "Overdrafts & How to Avoid Them,” host Jenna Taubel AVP of Marketing at First Alliance Credit Union, sits down with Kim Ferraro Branch Manager of the Lake City branch and leader of our Contact Center Lenders team. Kim draws on her 17 years of experience to break down:

• What an overdraft actually is and why it happens

• True cost of fees—and how they can derail your budget and long‑term goals

• Quick daily habits (mobile‑app balance checks, alerts, and good old‑fashioned check registers) that keep you in the green

• How Courtesy Pay, overdraft lines of credit, and linked savings accounts work—plus when each option makes sense

• Step‑by‑step moves to recover fast if you do go negative, and budgeting hacks to stop the cycle for good

Whether you’re living paycheck‑to‑paycheck, juggling gig income, or simply want peace of mind at the checkout line, this conversation gives you the practical tools to protect your money—without the guilt trips.

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More helpful resources from First Alliance Credit Union

• Understanding the Overdraft Line of Credit: A Lifeline for Families - https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/overdraft-line-of-credit

• Download Your Free Budget Calculator - https://www.firstalliancecu.com/budgeting-calculator

• Explore all member resources: https://www.firstalliancecu.com/

In episode 14 of the Good Money Moves podcast, "Three Rivers Community Action: Community Organization Spotlight,” host Jenna  Taubel,  AVP  of  Marketing at First Alliance Credit Union, sits down with Courtney Dugstad, Chief Operations Officer at Three Rivers Community Action. Courtney shares powerful insights into the mission and programs of this long-standing nonprofit that’s been serving Southeast Minnesota for 60 years.

You’ll learn about:

• How Community Action Agencies were formed to fight poverty by listening to the people they serve

• The Achieve Homeownership program and how it helps first-generation and first-time homebuyers with education, coaching, and down payment assistance

• Programs that support renters facing eviction or struggling to afford monthly housing

• Mobile home rehabilitation efforts and weatherization assistance to maintain affordable housing

• Mentorship and post-purchase support to keep families successful in their homes

• The organization’s role in building equity and generational wealth through housing

Whether you're renting, buying, or simply trying to stabilize your financial life, this episode shows how Three Rivers meets people where they are and walks with them toward long-term stability.

More helpful resources from First Alliance Credit Union

• Homebuying Help & First-Time Buyer Tools – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/mortgages

• Free Budget Calculator – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/budgeting-calculator

• Learn More About Community Partnerships – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/30k-grant-to-three-rivers-community-action

First Alliance Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender.

Ready to drive off the lot — and into your next chapter — with zero buyer’s remorse?

In this extended Good Money Moves episode, host Jenna Taubel sits down with Jordan Kaehler, Loan Portfolio Manager at First Alliance Credit Union**, to pull back the curtain on every piece of the auto-loan puzzle. From interest-rate math to “negative equity” traps, they walk you through each decision point so you can pick a payment plan that fuels your life instead of draining your wallet.

Whether you’re buying your very first ride, upgrading to a family SUV, or looking for a smarter refi, this conversation will leave you feeling confident, informed, and fully in the driver’s seat of your finances.

In episode 12 of the Good Money Moves podcast, titled "How to Turn Your Dream into a Business," Jenna Taubel, AVP of Marketing, is joined by Danielle Sommerfeldt, AVP of Business Development & Lending at First Alliance Credit Union, to walk you through the first—and often scariest—part of entrepreneurship: turning a bright idea into a real-world business. Danielle shares the exact steps she coaches local founders through every day, from crafting a rock-solid business plan to choosing the right legal structure, opening the right accounts, and funding growth without drowning in debt. Whether you’re still dreaming or already filing paperwork, you’ll learn how to set yourself up for long-term success (and avoid the most common rookie mistakes).

What You’ll Learn

Idea → Plan → Launch – How the Small Business Development Center process turns a napkin sketch into a full business plan you can take to any lender.

Must-Have Plan Elements – Market research, startup costs, break-even math, insurance, inventory, and the “what-if” analysis lenders love.

EIN & Business Structure 101 – Why an EIN matters, when an LLC protects you (and when a DBA is fine), plus the tax and liability trade-offs.

Separate Your Money – The risks of co-mingling funds and the sanity-saving power of a dedicated business checking, money-market, and digital banking tools.

Funding Without Regret – Bootstrapping, SBA-style micro-loans, tapping home equity, and when unsecured credit makes sense—for the business and your personal credit.

First Alliance Credit Union

Build Credit Day One – Simple habits that create a positive payment history even before your business earns its first dollar.

Real-Life Success – Danielle’s favorite member wins (and the best “no… for now” she’s ever delivered).

Community Resources – SBDC, Collider, and other Rochester partners ready to help you move from concept to ribbon-cutting.

Resources & Next Steps

How to Start a Business: Your Guide to Turning Dreams into Big Success - https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/how-to-start-a-business

4 Ways to Fund Your Small Business Idea -https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/4-ways-to-fund-your-small-business-idea

The Basics of SBA Loans – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/the-basics-of-sba-loans

How to Form an LLC in Minnesota in 4 Steps – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/how-to-form-an-llc-in-minnesota-in-4-steps

For more tools and personal guidance, visit First Alliance Credit Union: https://www.firstalliancecu.com/

#smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #businessplan #startupfunding #goodmoneymoves #creditunion #financialfreedom #llc #businesscredit #rochestermn #firstalliancecreditunion

First Alliance Credit Union is federally Insured by NCUA & an Equal Housing Lender

In episode 11 of the Good Money Moves podcast, titled "Credit vs Debit Card: Which One Should You Use," Jenna Taubel, AVP of Marketing, is joined by Nate Finney, Account Services Manager at First Alliance Credit Union. Nate breaks down the key differences between credit cards and debit cards, including how they impact your spending habits, the fraud protections each one offers, and when to use one over the other. From everyday purchases to online shopping, this episode provides practical guidance to help you choose the right payment method for every situation. Plus, Nate shares tips to avoid common pitfalls and keep your finances protected—whether you’re swiping a card or tapping your phone.

You’ll learn:

- The core difference between credit and debit

- When to swipe your own cash and when to tap into a credit line

- How credit cards can build (or tank) your score, and the true cost of “minimum payments”

- Why holds at gas pumps and car rentals can wreck a checking-account budget

- The fraud-fighting power of First Alliance’s "My Cards" controls, real-time alerts, and same-day card replacement

Helpful Resources

How to Use Credit Cards Wisely – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/how-to-use-credit-cards-wisely

Mastering Credit Cards When to Use Credit Cards vs Debit Cards –https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/mastering-credit-cards-when-to-use-credit-cards-vs-debit-cards

What are Secured Credit Cards – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/what-are-secured-credit-cards

Round Up Savings Program – https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/round-up-savings-program-press-release

For more helpful resources, visit First Alliance Credit Union: https://www.firstalliancecu.com/ .

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#creditcard #debitcard #goodmoneymoves #firstalliancecreditunion #creditscore #personalfinance #budgeting #financialtips #moneymanagement #creditunion #buildcredit

First Alliance Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA & is an Equal Housing Lender.

In episode 10 of the Good Money Moves podcast, titled "Home Equity Loans | Everything You Need to Know," Jenna Taubel, AVP of Marketing, is joined by Andrea Allen, Chief Revenue Officer at First Alliance Credit Union. Andrea shares expert insights on how home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) work, who they’re right for, and how to use them wisely. She explains the key differences between the two options, how to qualify—even after financial setbacks—and how to avoid common pitfalls. From remodeling your kitchen to consolidating high-interest credit card debt, this episode offers practical, plain-English guidance for making confident, informed decisions about tapping into your home’s value. Plus, Andrea outlines what to expect during the application process and how a HELOC can save you money compared to traditional credit card debt. Stick around for practical tips on qualifying (even after a rough patch), what the application costs really look like, and why a HELOC can beat a 25 % credit‑card rate every time.

You’ll learn:

The difference between a home equity loan and a HELOC

How each option works (and what the risks are)

Real-world examples of how people use them smartly

What it takes to qualify—even if you’ve had financial setbacks

Why a HELOC can be a smarter move than racking up 25% interest on your credit card

📚 Resources & Next Steps

What is a Home Equity Loan? The Burns Family Example — https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/what-is-a-home-equity-loan

How to Estimate HELOC Payments How to Estimate HELOC Payments —

https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/how-to-estimate-heloc-payments

Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC: What's the Difference? — https://www.firstalliancecu.com/blog/home-equity-loan-vs.-heloc-whats-the-difference

For more helpful resources, visit First Alliance Credit Union: https://www.firstalliancecu.com/

First Alliance Credit Union is federally Insured by NCUA & an Equal Housing Lender

In this episode of Good Money Moves, titled "Your Podcast Episode Title Here," we dive into the critical topic of identity theft. Join us, Jenna Taubel and Cesar Cortez, as we explore how identity theft occurs and its devastating impact. Cesar, our AVP of Risk Management, explains the various tactics used by cybercriminals, such as phishing and data breaches, to steal personal information. We discuss warning signs of identity theft, like unexpected credit score drops, and share proactive steps to protect yourself, including credit freezes and strong passwords. We also highlight the importance of vigilance and utilizing tools like transaction alerts. If you suspect your identity has been compromised, we guide you on the immediate actions to take, including contacting the Federal Trade Commission and your financial institution. Tune in to stay informed and financially empowered. Visit firstalliancecu.com for more resources.