Your 2026 Credit Score Playbook: The Biggest Changes (and What They Mean for You)
If you have been hearing that credit scores are changing, you are not imagining it. 2026 is shaping up to be a transition year for how lenders evaluate borrowers, especially for mortgages. Fortunately, most of the habits that help your credit stay healthy are not...
Bowater Credit Union Donates $1,000 to Bowater Goodfellows
Pictured from left to right: Nikki Black, Bowater CU Mortgage Loan Manager; Paul Woodward, Goodfellows President ; Danielle Collins, Goodfellows Volunteer; Ginger Carter, Bowater CU CEO; Nicole Andrino, Bowater CU Marketing SpecialistBowater Credit Union member...
Bowater Credit Union Donates $1,000 to Grace and Mercy Ministries Inc.
Pictured from left to right: Brad Alexander, Bowater CU Athens Branch Manager; Shelby Mathews, Bowater CU Marketing Coordinator; Erika Galish, Grace and Mercy Ministries Executive Director and Bowater CU member; Nikki Black, Bowater CU Mortgage Loan ManagerBowater...
Do This, Not That: Plan Your 2026 Finances with Ease
According to a recent WalletHub survey, nearly 3 in 4 people say their financial situation impacts their mental well-being, and 69% of Americans feel insecure about their finances. It is no wonder so many of us are tired of traditional “new year, new budget” advice....
Your Paycheck-to-Paycheck Holiday Survival Guide
The holidays should bring joy. However, when every trip to the grocery store or gas station feels more expensive than the last, the season can also bring a heavy dose of stress. In 2025, 67% of Americans report living paycheck to paycheck. Even households with steady...
Government Shutdown Assistance
At Bowater Credit Union, we are here to make unforeseen circumstances Better. We understand the government shutdown may have caused financial challenges for our members. Read below about the support we are providing at this time. For members with a Bowater Consumer...
Bowater Credit Union Donates $1,000 to Foster Village East Tennessee
From left to right: Brad Alexander (Bowater Athens Branch Manager), Nichole Dyer (Board Member of FVETN), Whitney Reynolds (Board Member of FVETN and Bowater CU Member-Owner), April Randolph (Board Member of FVETN), Sharon Wilson (Executive Director), and Shelby...
Stay Ahead of Seasonal Home Costs
As the seasons shift, so do the expenses that come with keeping a home comfortable and running smoothly. It’s easy to underestimate how much utility bills can fluctuate. Add in other expenses —like gutter cleaning in the fall, storm prep in spring, or lawn care during...
Bowater Credit Union Annual Fall Festival! 🍂
Join Us for Our Third Annual Fall Festival! 🎃 We’re excited to invite you to our Fall Festival on Friday, October 24, at Hiwassee Meadowland Park, Calhoun, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM! Enjoy a fun-filled evening with carnival games, bounce houses, a maze, face painting,...
30 Days to a Better Budget
It’s the perfect time to put fresh eyes on your finances. Ever checked your account balance and thought, Where did all my money go? You’re not alone. A well-structured budget doesn’t have to be about cutting back – it’s about gaining control, reducing stress, and...
Why Credit Unions Are Better
If you owned a business, you would do everything you could to create and drive income to grow that business and make it stronger, right? Well, your Credit Union is a business and you are an Owner! So, when you actively use the Credit Union’s products and services, you are investing in your own business, making it stronger for you and all of its other Member-Owners..
Credit Score Tips
Your credit score is calculated from 5 major categories: Payment history: 35%, Amounts owed: 30%, Length of credit history: 15%, New credit: 10%, Types of credit used: 10%
Here are some ways to improve your score in all categories: Payment History
Pay your bills on time. Delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on your FICO score…