The average cost to earn a college degree in the U.S. is over $500,000 according to National Center of Education Statistics, which is no small amount of money. Many students turn to private student loans and specialized scholarships to help cover the funding gaps left after savings and federal student aid. Here’s where to find those funding sources and what … Continue reading
The concept of student loan forgiveness can be alluring, especially given that 12% of our population has an average of $33,153 in student loan debt. It’s important to be cautious as there are legitimate forgiveness programs as well as scams. It’s crucial to be aware of the warning signs and know how to steer clear of these scams. Not All … Continue reading
Earning a college degree can boost your lifetime earnings by 287%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but it can cost over $500,000, on average. That’s an eye-opener, and student loans likely won’t cover it all. Explore these college funding alternatives to help fill the funding gap. Start with a Community College Save big by tackling the first … Continue reading
Missoula, MT (July 22, 2024) – Clearwater Credit Union, Montana’s leading solar loan lender and the second-largest credit union in Montana, is pleased to announce it is launching a new Clean Energy Certificate of Deposit (CD), making it the first financial institution in Montana to offer such a savings product. Clearwater’s 24-Month Clean Energy CD provides depositors with an opportunity to … Continue reading
3 EV Charging Station Scams to Avoid Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations are popping up all over Montana. While that’s great for drivers, it’s also a prime opportunity for criminals looking to scam EV owners and steal your personal information. Let’s look at the top EV charging station scams and how criminals could charge you instead of your vehicle. Fake … Continue reading
Considering an Electric Vehicle (EV) in Montana? Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in Montana and across the country, with over 1.2 million sold in 2023 according to Kelly Blue Book (KBB). Thinking about switching to an EV for your Big Sky adventures? Let’s explore the benefits and challenges you might encounter driving an EV in our beautiful state. … Continue reading
H1: Watch Out for These First-time Homebuyer Scams Buying your first home is an exciting adventure. However, criminals can take all the joy out of that experience by tricking first-time homebuyers out of their money, information, and sense of security. Let’s take a look at today’s first-time homebuyer scams and how you can avoid them. Fake Down Payment Assistance or … Continue reading
Jack Lawson, Clearwater President and CEO, Awarded 2024 Professional of the Year A Decade of Visionary Leadership In 2014, Jack became Clearwater’s President and CEO and spearheaded our adoption of values-based banking, a revolution in our approach to banking. Our core values—responsible banking, inclusivity, empowerment, and impact—are not just words on a page but the guiding principles of every decision, … Continue reading
Home affordability is a top concern for many Montanans. With prices high and availability low, many see home ownership as out of reach. Please don’t give up yet. There are many types of mortgage loan options and programs available to help you buy a home. However, it can be time consuming to research and confusing to know which one is … Continue reading
We’re proud to announce Clearwater’s 2024 Scholarship Program Winners. This year we received countless incredible applications making the selection process one for the record books. Although it was tough, we’ve awarded a total of $23,500 in scholarships to ten graduating high school seniors across Montana. Brooklyn Ludemann – Big Sky High School Dawsyn Brewer – Stevensville High School Ethan Alexander … Continue reading