How MECU Helped An Air Force Serviceman Catch The Ride Of His Life.
posted: 06/28/2012
This is the first in a series of real-life stories about MECU members who have talked with us about their personal experience with the credit union. If you have an experience you would like to share, let us know!
It’s one thing to expect a battle when you’re stationed in Afghanistan. Quite another to have to confront big obstacles when you’re back home on friendly turf. This past April, Barbara Murray was delighted when her son Clayton returned home to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
After several months of deployment in the Middle East, Clayton and his military buddy couldn’t wait to celebrate in a way that a lot of energetic young men dream. They each wanted to buy their first car — a gorgeous new pickup. Having saved some cash for a down payment, Clayton started looking around for a $12,000 loan.
Checking various lending institutions near his home base, Clayton discovered his lack of an established credit history would put him at a severe economic disadvantage. There he was, an active military service professional who couldn’t find an interest rate on a vehicle loan under 24%. Clayton chalked it up as just another real-life experience he would have to endure.
Fortunately, Mom was keeping close tabs on her son’s progress all along. When Clayton reported back to her on the loan search for his truck, Barbara immediately told him to put on the brakes.
Having had loans from MECU in the past, she knew there was hope. There was also Karen Flores, MECU lending representative, who was about to enter the picture. When Barbara called the main number for MECU, she was connected to Karen, who coincidentally four years earlier had taken extra measures to ensure Barbara could close escrow on her Florida condo when time was of the essence.
Now that’s all good. But Mom knew Clayton was raring to go and wanted to be cruising Las Vegas without wasting a precious minute of his time back on U.S. soil.
Karen at MECU set up Clayton with the right loan and, within two hours, he was approved, with a rate under 2% APR. Funds were immediately wired to his local Air Force credit union, and before he knew it, Clayton was the proud owner of a shiny black 2012 Dodge pickup truck.
Turns out that Friday the 13th in April was Clayton’s lucky day. His buddy? Well, as we’re told, not so much. Having no MECU member in his family, he settled for a dealer-financed loan with an interest rate of 24%.
Some people would call the effort made by Karen Flores at MECU going above and beyond the call of duty. We simply call it “Putting you first.”
Barbara Murray lives in greater Los Angeles, and has been a member since 1992. Over the years, she has received two mortgages, a home equity line of credit, a vehicle loan and a Visa Platinum Rewards Card from MECU.
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