Blog

This Saturday, the heart of downtown Douglas will come alive with music, heritage, and community spirit as the Douglas Mariachi Festival takes place on G Avenue in front of the historic Gadsden Hotel. We…

Get Paid Early with American Southwest Credit Union Early Pay Payday can feel too far away when bills are due, plans come up, or unexpected expenses hit. That is why American Southwest Credit Union…

We’re excited to announce that American Southwest Credit Union has opened a new branch in Thatcher, Arizona, reaffirming our commitment to the people and future of the Gila Valley. This new location signifies more…

Giving back to a place that shaped you has a special meaning. Recently, our Kearny branch team had the chance to do just that by presenting a $2,000 donation to the Hayden-Winkelman Little League…

At American Southwest Credit Union, we believe strong communities are built by investing in the next generation of leaders. With that in mind, we were proud to support the Douglas High School National Honor…

Your Local Guide: Navigating a Government Shutdown in Southern Arizona *Update as of Oct. 11, 2025: The President has directed DoD to use available funds to ensure active-duty military are paid on Oct. 15.…

ASCU recently donated to the Pioneer T-Shirt campaign, which raises funds for the Chamber. The Chamber supports local businesses and the community by promoting Kearny, attracting visitors, and fostering a thriving economic environment. Purchasing…

Are you prepared for the future? Life is full of unexpected turns, and planning for those moments is crucial. Join ASCU for a vital webinar on March 6th and gain the knowledge you need…

Zelle® Is Now Available to American Southwest Credit Union Members American Southwest Credit Union is proud to offer Zelle® — now live inside ASCU Digital Banking for all eligible members. If you've been looking…

Investing in our community's future, one swing at a time! American Southwest Credit Union is excited to announce our donation to the Hayden-Winkelman Little League. They're dedicated to providing a memorable season for local…

Donating to the Pioneer T-Shirt campaign is a small way to make a big difference in Kearny! These shirts help raise funds for the Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce, which supports our local businesses…

American Southwest Credit Union (ASCU) is proud to announce a donation to the Huachuca City Lions Club. This contribution will help support the club's many community service projects, including providing vision care to those…

Great things happen when community partners come together! American Southwest Credit Union is proud to team up with Winkelman Preparatory School & Mooseknuckle Prints. They're the ones behind school spirit wear! Supporting local businesses…

At American Southwest Credit Union (ASCU), we are committed to helping you plan for a secure future. To support you in protecting your loved ones, we’re offering two free virtual webinars focused on estate…

Important Notice: Temporary Debit Card Restrictions in Phoenix Area We understand that some members in the Phoenix area may be experiencing temporary restrictions on their debit card accounts. Background: To proactively protect all our…

[caption id="attachment_10585" align="alignleft" width="300"] ASCU | Sahuarita/Green Valley branch donation to Green Valley Rotary Club[/caption] We’re excited to announce that American Southwest Credit Union has made a donation to the Rotary Club of Green…

[caption id="attachment_10582" align="alignleft" width="300"] Donation to Douglas Class of 2025 Senior Night[/caption] American Southwest Credit Union (ASCU) is proud to announce a donation to the Douglas High School Class of 2025! This contribution will…

[caption id="attachment_10575" align="alignleft" width="300"] Gila Rose Dance Studio Kearny AZ[/caption] American Southwest Credit Union (ASCU) is proud to announce a $200 donation to the Gila Rose Dance Studio in Kearny, Arizona. This talented group…

[caption id="attachment_10563" align="alignleft" width="641"] Green Valley firefighters with ASCU Green Valley / Sahuarita Branch staff.[/caption] American Southwest Credit Union, Green Valley/Sahuarita Branch is proud to announce a donation to the Green Valley Firefighters Foundation!…

Update: 12/09/2024 We are pleased to inform you that the online service to access your ASCU statement is now back online. You may now access your statement at your convenience. We apologize for any…

ASCU is proud to support Reading Across Cochise County, a county-led initiative promoting early literacy for children in Pre-K through 3rd grade. About the Initiative County-wide focus on daily reading and family engagement. Works…

[caption id="attachment_10489" align="alignleft" width="300"] ASCU is proud to announce a donation to ABC Guidance[/caption] ASCU is proud to announce a donation to ABC Guidance, a valuable resource for middle and high school students in…

[caption id="attachment_10474" align="alignleft" width="300"] Donation to the Jesus Cordoba Memorial Fund[/caption] A big shoutout to our amazing Green Valley/Sahuarita Branch President, Yesenia Porras, for presenting a donation to the Jesus M. Cordova Memorial Foundation…

[caption id="attachment_10428" align="alignleft" width="381"] Beth Shalom Temple Center donation by ASCU[/caption] ASCU is proud to support Beth Shalom Temple Center in their mission to strengthen Jewish identity, foster community, and promote ethical values. By…

[caption id="attachment_10418" align="alignleft" width="300"] photo of donation to BHS Athletes Fund Organization.[/caption]   ASCU is thrilled to contribute to the BHS Athletes Fund Organization. Our donation aims to help provide essential resources and support…

Want a better financial life?  Make habits around your money. Many of us want to lead a better financial life with less stress.  Does that mean working 80 hours a week, never taking a…

Debit card face lift!  ASCU now offers beautiful local images of the desert and animals of Southern Arizona as the background art for our debit cards.

Sometimes we have to force our leadership to take a photo together.  They look great with their ASCU colors! Read more at https://www.ascu.org/leadership      

Yesenia Porras is our branch manager in Green Valley/Sahuarita.  She is also active in the Green Valley Rotary club, attending meetings and volunteering her time to assist with their group's fundraising efforts.  ASCU is…

ASCU proudly donates to community groups, school groups, and athletic clubs. Kristin Gray presents check to the Sierra Vista Wolverines.

The FTC has valuable information about scams and scam prevention. It's a great resource to have in your security toolbox. by Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist: December 14, 2023:  When you order something online,…

Often we let brushes with fraud go unreported.  We see them, but we haven't lost any money so they become insignificant in our lives. But reporting scam and fraud events, if reported by everyone,…

Voice cloning technologies can generate a near-perfect voice clone based on a short audio clip or snippet of someone’s voice. The technology has potential to help people—for example, people who've lost their ability to…

There are so many things to think about when you are in a serious relationship and thinking about marriage or moving in together.  No one would rate finances as the most exciting thing to…

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It's the old "Your Account has Been Blocked" scam again. If you receive an email suggesting your account has been blocked, Stop. Think. Do not react.  Amazon wants you to shop.  Why would they…

SHOULD MY TEEN HAVE A CHECKING ACCOUNT? The short answer is YES! About the time they become interested in buying larger items, even as young as 11, 12 or 13, you should consider opening…

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When you buy a car, there’s a lot of paperwork that everyone has to deal with. Below is a description of the various documentation types involving the sale of an auto. Registration:  The registration…

With more people working from home, families are struggling to upgrade their home offices or convert a garage or unfinished basement into a usable space to get their work done. It's hard to work…

When someone is looking into refinancing a car, there is always a financial reason behind the decision.  They are usually looking for lower monthly payments to improve monthly cash flow, reduce interest rates to…

The Boys and Girls Club are a vital part of our community's success.  Our youth play such an important role for our community and their success means the future success of our community.  ASCU…

Thanks Army!  We support you and wish you the very best this summer!  The Army Emergency Relief Fund provides assistance to military families in need.

Meeting Note:  Our Main Branch in Sierra Vista will open at 10 AM instead of 9 AM on Saturday May 13th, so our employee/members can attend this event. 68TH ANNUAL MEETING AND REPORTS Date:…

Changing for the better! I have always believed organizations are either going forward or going backward, there is no such thing as status quo. I also very much believe in listening to our members.…

Our Benson Branch has a mural!  We launched 2023 with a creative mindset and a colorful twist on nature.  Doug Quarles, resident and artist of Benson, painted the mural at 654 E. 7th Street. …

Emergency Fund Boot Camp It’s time to get your savings in shape—and having an emergency fund in place is a solid step toward a fit financial future. Fitting an emergency fund into your budget…

American Southwest Credit Union is a member of the AllPoint ATM Network. This enables our members fee-free access to cash as long as they use an AllPoint ATM (in addition to our own).  The…

American Southwest Credit Union is a member of the Shared Branching network!  This program enables you to use other credit union branches throughout the United States for services. It's like having over 5,500 credit…

TruStage provides our members with discounts and perks for insurance.  TruStage designs their insurance policies to be affordable and helps offer protection to the financial futures of your loved ones. Check out their rates…

Janet Burel of Sierra Vista has won our drawing for the Pet Photo contest.  "Ladybug" graciously accepted her gifts and goodies.

Congratulations Sahuarita and Graciela for meeting your goals!  Uber Eats here we come!

We love what the Real Wishes foundation does in our community.  Their annual event "Dancing Like the Stars" is a really great fundraiser.  We are donating this basket of bath and beauty products for…

We are proud to share that American Southwest Credit Union recently donated to support its girls' basketball program. It was a pleasure welcoming the Walden Grove HS team to our office to present the…

Love being a part of Green Valley Rotary Club.  They are great people and always willing to lend a helping hand.  We know this small donation will be used for their charity or outreach…

It's great to make a budget.  But one of the hardest things to do when initially starting out is just listing all the things, big and small, that we spend our money on.  Sometimes…

Mental Illness is often overlooked in our communities. ASCU is donating $250 to the SE Arizona chapter of National Alliance of Mental Illness to help out.

Guess who's got 4.8 - 5.0 Star Reviews?  Our Online Banking & Mobile Banking system! It's simple to use with the latest features you desire. Make ASCU's mobile or online banking portal your personal…

Tom Wiederstein picks up a donation from ASCU in support of their Vernon White Golf Tournament.  The Tournament will be held on June 5, 2022 at the Mountain View Golf Course on Ft. Huachuca.

Anna picks up a check for Operation Toothbrush, a 501c3 Charity right here in Sierra Vista.  Operation Toothbrush provides toothbrushes and personal hygiene kits for homeless veterans. You can find out more about them…

This poor kitten was found on the highway near Benson, but she's getting better and better every day!  Thanks to Benson Animal Hospital for staying late on a Friday to see her.

Saving Wasn't Easy I remember a time in my history when saving wasn’t easy.  In fact, it was almost impossible.  I wanted an emergency fund, but I literally didn’t have the money to even…

There is a lot of hype about credit card rewards or low interest credit card that can entice you into purchases.  If you choose to use a credit card, it is important to understand…

Many people have made a 2022 goal of trying to budget better and save for an emergency fund.  It's a difficult task for those of us who have a fear of not being able…

Did you know that scammers often request payment with a gift card?  Stop and think before you buy gift cards as a payment for a product or service.  Once you hand over a gift…

Yesenia, our branch manager in Green Valley/Sahuarita, is always reaching out.  Whether it be helping out with projects for the Rotary of Green Valley, meeting with local volunteers and charity groups, or helping our…

Another successful Rage Against Scams workshop at the Sierra Vista Library.  We love providing people with insight into scams and fraud and concrete ways to protect themselves.

Budgeting can be a challenge for a lot of us.  We, as Americans, don’t save nearly as much as we should and with all of the gadgets available that connect us to the world,…

We always want to give back to the community when we can. Ft. Huachuca is such an integral part of our community and Cochise County.  This year we wanted to help out the Army…

American Southwest Credit Union is at a Rotary Club meeting! Yesenia will officially join with the Green Valley Rotary Club soon! Rotary is a community service organization that connects a diverse group of professional…

Supporting local charities is one of the ways we contribute to our communities. This year, American Southwest Credit Union is proud to donate $500 to We Care Pregnancy Center. The goal of We Care…

American Southwest Credit Union proudly participated as an exhibitor and presenter at the Innovations in Education Conference, hosted by the Cochise County Superintendent's Office. Our engaging session, titled "Money Moves: How Money Affects Your…

Douglas is a town rich in history, and we take pride in contributing to its vibrant cultural heritage. Recently, we visited the Douglas Art Association, located in the charming old library building, and made…

In a strong show of support for higher education in Southeastern Arizona, representatives from American Southwest Credit Union (American Southwest) have made a substantial contribution to the Eastern Arizona College Foundation. American Southwest, including…

American Southwest Credit Union believes in and supports higher education.  Representative Kristin Gray from American Southwest Credit Union (ASCU), presents a check for $1,000 to the the Cochise Education Foundation. Foundation board member Eric…

Is it time to polish your financial to-do list?  We know financial tasks are not what people want to do after a busy day.  It’s stressful and time consuming to say the least.  But…

Beware of scams promoting misconceptions about contactless cards being less secure than chip cards. Some scammers are trying to scare consumers into believing they need additional protection for their contactless cards. They offer a…

We are rolling out our new contactless debit and credit cards which include the latest Tap-To-Pay technology. New accounts opened Dec. 16th 2021 or later will receive contactless cards. Existing account holders will receive their…

Episode 002  Relationships and Money Relationships: Building Growth & Stability w/ your Partner Through Financial Health & Communication Explore the importance of financial health in relationships for dating couples, newly engaged or already long-term…

Financial mistakes are something everyone encounters at some point in their lives, whether it’s poor investment choices, missed payment deadlines, or overspending to keep up with peers. Fortunately, better financial knowledge can lead to…

With more and more people working from home, people are looking to upgrade their offices or convert a garage or an unfinished basement into a useable space away from the family to get their…

We are proud supporters of our military families.  This year we donated to the Chaplains Tithes and Offerings Fund on Ft. Huachuca.  This fund helps enlisted and in-need military families with food for the…

Does Comparing Prices at the Grocery Store Make You Crazy? Make it easy with your smart phone! We all want to save money.  Some people want to put a little more into their Rainy…

Zero percent interest credit card offers are constantly being dropped in our mail boxes and email accounts.  But they are not always the best way to assist you with your finances.  People may think…

We love being a title sponsor for the Cochise County Sheriff's Charity Ride every year, raising money for local charities in Cochise County.  The Sheriff's Department did an amazing job raising money to support…

We were happy to partner with the Cochise County Superintendent's Office this year to present "Money Moves" financial education curriculum to Cochise County Teachers.  We are going to be at their annual training day…

No matter how many cars you buy, you will never be as good at buying a vehicle from a dealership as the salesperson is at selling them.  Even a mediocre salesperson will sell at…

Q: I am in the process of buying a new set of wheels, and I’m being pushed to take out an extended warranty plan on my car.  Is this a good idea? A: The…

Our financial education program was kicked off this year with a workshop in Douglas AZ.  Special thanks to Angie Luna who works for the Youth Quest Program in Cochise County. Angie brought the students…

Our local community is really working hard to bring awareness and compassion to those suffering.   Join the walk for awareness on October 23rd.  More information at: OutoftheDarknessWalk

Proud to donate to National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeastern Arizona.  Don't forget to register for their event, the Sky Island Bike Tour on October 2nd. Show your support and ride!  https://www.skyislandtour.com/

For a clickable PDF with active links, click here: 2021.07.09 cfpb_landlords_rental_assistance_help                     For a clickable PDF with active links, click here:  2021.07.09 cfpb_landlords_rental_assistance_help

SCAM ALERT: Recently, we have been made aware of postcards being mailed to our members referring to a recently closed mortgage you may have with ASCU. The postcard asks you to call a phone…

We value our youth at American Southwest Credit Union and this year, we've made a $1000 donation to the Miss Sierra Vista Scholarship Foundation.  These girls represent the community of Sierra Vista and develop…

Our ASCU team attended the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce Dinner.  It was great to meet new people in the business community. We hope to attend next year!

Our amazing Yesenia in Sahuarita takes the mic.  Inspiring, positive, and funny, she is an asset to ASCU.  Thanks Yesenia for sitting down to chat with us!  Don't leave before the out takes! [audio…

In a month or two it will be time to plan out the summer! Just because you're going on vacation, doesn't mean your budget has to take a hike. Use these tips to save…

Randy Graf from the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce talks about his time in the area and gives us an inside look into developing the GVS Chamber into an information resource and support…

Accelerated. Automated. How do I register for Fraud Alerts? There’s no need to register for automated fraud alerts. As a member of ASCU you are automatically eligible to receive fraud alerts via SMS, phone…

LIVE at American Southwest Credit Union  Dates:  Friday March 12th, and Saturday March 13th @ SIERRA VISTA BRANCH Date: Tuesday March 16th @ GREEN VALLEY/SAHUARITA BRANCH *Friday March 12th Session Start times:  4PM and…