A non-member came into the branch after being referred by an existing member, looking for help with an unsecured loan to pay off collections and back taxes. They shared that they were struggling to keep up with multiple payments while still covering basic living expenses. The financial strain began after an unexpected major surgery that put them out of work for a couple of months, and the missed income created a hole of debt they hadn’t been able to climb out of.
We started by pulling their credit and going over the report together, line by line. As we talked, I asked questions about other debts that might not be showing on the report. Through that conversation, I learned they owned a vehicle outright and had the title in hand, which changed the direction of the solution since we were no longer limited to an unsecured option. With that collateral available, we were able to complete a secured auto loan using the paid-off vehicle.
The proceeds allowed them to pay off collections, back taxes, and even subprime loans that were not appearing on their credit report. Instead of juggling multiple high-cost obligations, they moved into one manageable payment that fit their budget. Beyond the loan, we also spent time on financial counseling, building a realistic budget, starting an emergency savings fund, and setting short-term goals.
The biggest impact was stability and a clear path forward.
