BALANCE Financial Fitness Program
Pee Dee Federal Credit Union is dedicated to helping you realize your financial goals – reducing your debt, saving for higher education, buying your first home, or planning for retirement.
We are excited to announce your newest benefit of membership: BALANCE Financial Fitness Program.
Through BALANCE, you have access to free, unbiased money management information and assistance. All you have to do is make a toll-free phone call.
BALANCE counselors can answer many of your questions immediately – from how long an item stays on your credit report to whether it's better to lease or buy a car. For more complex issues, such as debt elimination or budget development, an appointment will be scheduled – giving you the personal attention you need to meet your objectives.
If bills have gotten out of hand, your counselor may be able to arrange a Debt Management Plan. BALANCE negotiates with creditors to reduce interest and fees so you can pay your debt quickly and efficiently. As a member of Pee Dee FCU, program’s monthly administration fee of $20 is waived.
To use the new program, simply call 888-456-2227. Counselors are available Monday through Thursday, 5am to 8pm, Friday, 5am to 5pm, and Saturday, 8am to 5pm (PST) or visit www.balancepro.net for more information.
We recognize that money concerns have a serious effect on our quality of life. Now, through our newest partnership, you have access to the very best professional guidance – so you can achieve financial security faster than you ever thought possible.
Credit CARD Act Toll-Free Counseling Line for BALANCE Partners
To assist our partners in compliance with the Credit CARD Act, we’ve established a phone number for use on statements to refer to credit counseling agencies as required by the Act. The number is:
877-847-2155
To comply with this aspect of the Act, creditors must list either three phone numbers to credit counseling agencies, or one number that will provide the caller information on at least three different agencies that are approved under the standards set forth in the Act to provide service in the state the caller indicates. As many statement processors have allotted space for just one phone number, we recommend you provide them this number.
We understand that some of our partners may have chosen to use the regular BALANCE toll-free number, or based on our past recommendations, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco toll-free number. It is our understanding now that neither of these will be in compliance with the Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee for using this number?
No. This is a free service we’ve put in place to support our partners. It is only for the use of our partnering credit unions.
Is this the new number for other BALANCE services?
No. This number is not to replace the general BALANCE number. Please continue to use the general BALANCE number in your other marketing efforts. This number is strictly for compliance with the Credit CARD Act.
In what languages and hours will this service be available?
The information provided through this number will be in English or Spanish. Information will be provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How will the information be delivered?
The system is automated. The caller will be prompted to enter a zip code. The caller will then receive the name, address, and telephone number of three credit counseling agencies approved to provide service in the state associated with the zip code entered.
Will you ensure that any agency included in your database maintains the necessary approval for inclusion in this initiative?
Yes. We will periodically review each agency in our database to ensure they continue to meet the standards set forth in the Act.
What are those standards?
Any credit counseling agency listed as a referral under the Credit CARD Act must be approved by the EOUST (Executive Office of US Trustees) to provide bankruptcy counseling in the state the consumer lives or indicates.
