2026 Spring Possibilities

Spring at Ascend Federal Credit Union can really be called a season of learning — in April, we celebrate both Financial Literacy Month and Youth Month! It’s the perfect time to focus on financial education and the importance of establishing healthy savings habits early.

As a local, not-for-profit credit union, part of our mission is to provide our members and the communities we serve with resources and guidance to help them become better financial stewards. Opening a youth account is incredibly beneficial for teaching good financial strategies at a young age, such as budgeting properly and tracking your finances. If you have a loved one under 18 years old who doesn’t have an account, April is the best time to open one for them at Ascend.

Youth accounts are just part of our commitment to financial education. We offer the premium online financial literacy platform Banzai to teachers and students across Middle Tennessee, which makes learning about finances fun and engaging.

Spring is also usually a busy season in the housing industry, with families starting their home searches as the school year winds down. If you’re preparing for a move, now is a great time to get prequalified for the perfect mortgage before you start your search. That way, you’ll know how much you can afford ahead of time and be ready to jump when you find the right home.

We have an expert mortgage team ready to help you through the prequalification process. They’ll help you get the right mortgage, and they have a wealth of knowledge about the local housing market if you need a resource as you search.

If you’re starting to save for a future move or simply just want to start saving more, keep reading for simple tips in honor of America Saves Week from April 6-10.

Thanks again for being a member of Ascend! We’re so grateful to have your trust and hope you have a safe, successful spring.

Regards,
Matt Jernigan
President & CEO

One of the best ways to start teaching your loved ones about finances at a young age is to help them open a youth account. April is the best time to do that at Ascend — during our Youth Month promotion, we’ll make the first $100 deposit into newly opened primary youth savings accounts!

Youth accounts help teach valuable financial lessons at a young age, such as budgeting, account monitoring, banking basics like withdrawals and deposits, and how to set and reach financial goals. When good habits are established early, they can help build confidence and teach responsibility.

At Ascend, our youth accounts are opened in the minor’s name, with a responsible party as a joint owner on the account. Youth savings accounts can be opened for anyone under 18, with the option to add a youth checking account for those ages 13-17. Full promotion details and terms and conditions can be found at ascend.org/youth.

To open an Ascend Youth Account, visit your nearest Middle Tennessee branch and speak with a financial services representative.

It’s never too early to begin a financial journey — help your loved one get started today!

The Ascend team gathered on President’s Day for our inaugural All-In Day — an opportunity to come together as an organization and re-focus our goals, celebrate accomplishments, and give back to our community.

Our leadership panels and open discussions were powerful reminders of where we’re headed and how every team member plays a role in getting us there.

We were also inspired by a powerful keynote speech from Team Agar, as Johnny Agar and his parents shared a moving story of perseverance, grit, and refusing to accept limits.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was serving together. In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Ascend team members packed 20,000 food and hygiene kits for neighbors in need.

Serving our members is our mission at Ascend. Everything we do and every decision we make is guided by what we believe is in your best financial interest. It’s part of the benefit you get from choosing a trusted, local credit union.

To help put more money back in your wallet, we offer great rates on our products, including the Ascend High-Yield Checking account. You can earn 3.04%* Annual Percentage Yield** on balances up to $15,000, which means you can boost your savings just by having an account.

Opening an Ascend High-Yield Checking account is easy — visit your nearest Middle Tennessee branch, apply online at ascend.org, or call us at 800-342-3086 to get started today.

Of course, great rates are just a portion of our commitment to service. We also provide all Ascend members with:

- Expert, always-local service to help with your unique needs
- Extended banking hours at our branches (7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Saturday)
- An easy-to-use mobile app to manage your funds
- Tools to help you build credit

If it’s been a while since one of our experts has looked at your financial plan, consider scheduling a financial health checkup by visiting a branch or going to ascend.org/schedule. This is a valuable free service for Ascend members to review where you are on your financial journey and get personalized tips from a certified financial counselor.

Thanks again for being a member of Ascend!

*Rate effective November 1, 2025, and is subject to change at any time.

Buying a home is one of the most significant decisions a person can make. That’s why it’s crucial to have the right mortgage provider in your corner — someone located in your area who is looking out for your best financial interests.  

Ascend has mortgage programs that make it easy to turn your homeownership dreams into reality, and our personalized service extends beyond closing. We choose to keep most of our mortgage servicing in-house*, meaning if you have a question about your loan payment, balance, escrow, etc., our local staff is here to assist you.  

The specialized mortgage programs** we have available at Ascend all require little to no down payment as well as other additional benefits, including:  

First-Time Homebuyer Loan: No private mortgage insurance (PMI) required, as little as $500 down payment, financing up to 102% of the sales price, and no income limitations.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs): Typically offer a lower initial interest rate for the first 5, 7, or 10 years, after which the rate adjusts on a set schedule (every five years or annually) and is subject to annual and lifetime caps. They can also reduce monthly costs by sometimes eliminating PMI and are often a good option for borrowers planning to refinance or sell within 5–10 years.

Fixed-Rate Mortgages: Lock in your interest rate for the entire loan term (such as 30 years), providing consistent monthly payments unless you refinance. While they typically start with higher rates than ARMs, they’re especially appealing in low-rate environments and are best suited for homeowners planning to stay long term. 

No manufactured/modular/mobile homes are permitted. Applicants with no credit score may be eligible with acceptable alternative credit. Normal closing costs apply.

With nearly 75 years of trusted service in Middle Tennessee, Ascend is committed to finding a mortgage solution for you.

Ready to take the next step towards homeownership? Contact an Ascend representative by email at mortgages@ascend.org, by phone at 931-454-1300, or start your application online. 

* Ascend services all loans in-house, excluding FHA and VA loans. 

**Restrictions apply. Contact an Ascend Mortgage Loan Officer for complete details.  

Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#451452. All loans are subject to credit approval.  

Estate planning is becoming increasingly more important as more assets are moving across generations than ever before. If you don’t have a plan for how your assets will be managed in the future, Ascend can help get you started. 

What is estate planning? 

Estate planning is the process of preparing how your assets — savings, property, and personal belongings — will be managed and distributed after your lifetime. It may also include documents such as a power of attorney, typically one for financial matters and another for medical decisions in the event you can’t communicate your own wishes.   

Wills vs. Trusts 

When you create an estate plan, you’ll generally have two approaches to consider: creating a will and establishing a trust. Both help to ensure your wishes are honored, your loved ones are cared for, and unnecessary stress or costs are avoided. It may even be recommended that you have both, since they serve slightly different purposes:   

Wills are legal documents that take effect at death and direct how assets are distributed.

- Wills name guardians, designate where your assets go, and specify your final arrangements
- Offer more limited control over the distribution of your assets
- Wills often must go through a probate process, which is a court-supervised proceeding that validates a will after you’re deceased and disperses assets, debts, and taxes

Trusts are arrangements that can take effect during life, hold and manage assets, and can help streamline asset transfer and provide privacy. They can be more complex to set up and maintain.

- Trusts allow for greater control over when and how your assets are distributed
- Only apply to assets that are held in the trust
- Trusts may help minimize or, in some cases, avoid probate, which can sometimes be costly and take years to complete     

Receiving an Inheritance 

If you’re expecting to receive an inheritance, you should consider talking with a financial expert before doing anything with it. As an Ascend member, you have access to free virtual or in-person financial health checkup appointments with a certified financial counselor who can help discuss general financial considerations and next steps. Appointments can be scheduled at a branch or online at ascend.org/schedule. 

Estate plans can help you feel confident that your assets are secure. Don’t wait any longer — get started today. 

Ascend is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice. The information provided by Ascend is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional.