Who says classrooms are only for twenty-somethings? Whether you’re chasing that long-postponed degree, picking up new skills for a career change or showing your kids that learning never stops, continuing education as an adult can be one of the smartest investments you’ll ever make.

Going back to school later in life isn’t just about earning credits. It’s about gaining confidence, opening new doors and proving to yourself that it’s never too late to grow. Plus, studies show lifelong learning helps keep your mind sharp.

Of course, tuition bills don’t care how motivated you are. That’s where Cross Valley comes in. We offer affordable student lending options designed to fit your life—whether you’re balancing work, family or both. Unlike credit card payments that only weigh you down, investing in your education builds real value for the future.

So go ahead, take the leap, crack open the books and show the world (and maybe your kids) that the best role model is one who keeps learning.

Keep Learning

Exciting news—your Primary Share Savings is about to grow faster! Starting on October 1st, we’re permanently raising the dividend rate from 0.05% APY to 0.25% APY*, giving you a 400% boost on every dollar you save. It’s our way of rewarding your membership with even more value.

We know you work hard, so we do everything we can to help your money work harder for you.

Don’t have a Share Savings Account? What are you waiting for?

Open yours today.

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. 0.25% APY applies to the savings balance of members’ Primary Share Savings account and is subject to change without notice. No minimum balance required. Rate is subject to change without notice. Credit union membership required. See credit union for more details.

Each year, the Cross Valley Nominating Committee considers the petitions for nomination for the Cross Valley Board of Directors. And this year, the committee officially nominates the following members for open positions on the Board of Directors.

Thaddeus Prekel | Position: Secretary
Mr. Prekel has been involved in the credit union movement since 1976, a member of Cross Valley since 1993 and has been active on the Board of Directors since 2001, serving as Secretary since 2016. He is retired from the United Parcel Service Supply Chain Solution, Atlanta, GA.

Paul Dreabit | Position: Director
Mr. Dreabit has been involved with Cross Valley since 2018, serving on the Supervisory Committee before being appointed to the Board of Directors in 2023. He retired from executive leadership positions, including CFO, Corporate Secretary/Treasurer and Board Advisor for GWC Warranty; and CEO, President/Treasurer and Chairman of the Board for Global International Insurance Company RRG.

Other nominations may be made by obtaining a nomination form from any Cross Valley branch location. Before obtaining a nomination form, we ask that you present a formal resume. The form must be signed by at least 1% (172) of the current membership of the credit union, which is 17,162. Current employees are not allowed to sign the petition.

For any additional questions or to submit your resume, please email our Chief Experience Officer, Jill McGlynn at jmcglynn@crossvalleyfcu.org, or call (570) 823-6836 ext.1071.

Please note that completed forms must be returned to the credit union’s Main Office at 640 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, no later than 3:00 PM on Friday, February 20, 2026.

And don’t forget to save the date! Our Annual Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026. Keep an eye out for future details on this event, including time and location.

The holidays are magical…until the January credit card bill shows up and suddenly you’re wondering if Santa takes returns. Between gifts, travel and enough cookies to feed a small army, it’s easy to overspend during the holiday season.

That’s where a Personal Loan can step in—especially when used wisely.

Here’s what to keep in mind before borrowing:

Know the numbers: A Cross Valley personal loan comes with a fixed rate and fixed term. That means predictable payments and no credit card interest creeping in like the Grinch.

Check your timeline: Personal loans are meant to be manageable with flexible terms and payments you can plan for. If it’ll take you three Christmases to pay it off, it’s probably too much.

Have a plan: Decide on a holiday budget before borrowing so the money goes where it’s supposed to (not into impulse buys or endless streaming subscriptions).

Bottom line: A personal loan can be a smart alternative to high-interest credit cards if you keep your borrowing merry and mindful. Otherwise, you risk unwrapping debt instead of joy.

Explore Personal Loans

We recently had a chance to sit down with Cross Valley’s newest board member, William Andahazy, to learn how he discovered Cross Valley and how he finds time in his very busy schedule to wear so many hats.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you first discovered Cross Valley?
I’ve been a northeastern PA resident for the past 20 years. I work for Penn State University as part of the Invent Penn State Initiative. I teach an Entrepreneurship class and am the Regional Coordinator for the Launchbox in Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre.

In this role, I work with entrepreneurs to de-risk their business plans and build sustainable small businesses.I became involved with Cross Valley through my professional networking and discovered we were reaching out to the same potential client base. I attended some of Cross Valley’s outreach events, became a credit union member and joined the advisory board in 2023.

What’s something about you that members might be surprised to learn?
I once participated in a garlic-eating contest and finished 2nd, eating 33 whole cloves.

Outside of your role on the board, what are some of your hobbies or interests?
I love being outdoors—fly fishing in many of our country’s trout streams and rivers, taking a walk in the woods or walking the banks of the Susquehanna River in search of Native American artifacts. I am also the current Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation. This council is responsible for advising the Governor on legislative issues affecting the recreational use and conservation of Pennsylvania’s wildlife and natural resources.

What do you think sets Cross Valley apart from other financial institutions?
Trust. It is built in the community by being visible in the community, and Cross Valley Credit Union is committed to this, not only through financial assistance, but by seeing Cross Valley’s employees volunteer their time in local schools, helping students build financial literacy early in life.

What inspired you to join the board of Cross Valley Federal Credit Union, and how long have you been involved?
I always believe in stepping outside of your comfort zone. The challenge of reviewing financial statements and understanding how all the parts fit into a healthy organization enables me to work better with my small business clients on a daily basis. I joined the Cross Valley Advisory Committee in 2023 and joined the Board of Directors in 2025.

What professional or personal experiences do you bring to the board that help guide your decision-making?
I’m excited to bring my expertise in small business startups and economic development to the board. Small businesses make up 99% of ALL businesses in the United States and contribute to almost half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It’s these businesses that need committed financial partners to keep them sustainable.

What’s one initiative or goal you’re passionate about for the credit union’s future?
Our expansion into growing parts of our credit union’s service area, which could benefit from a personalized approach to financial literacy and financial well-being.

If you had to describe the credit union in three words, what would they be and why?

1. Member-focused: Cross Valley is constantly looking at product and service offerings that are in the best interests of our members. In a digital world, our members can still go to a well-maintained branch location near their home and receive personalized service from knowledgeable and friendly staff.
2. Community-oriented: Our credit union is continuously involved in community events through sponsorships, scholarships and event participation.
3. Purpose-driven: Through education and personalized programs, Cross Valley is committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for our members to achieve financial success.

If you could give one piece of financial advice to our members, what would it be?
Invest early and often. Even small investments in your 20s can grow significantly over time. Participate in your company’s retirement savings plans. And keep improving your financial literacy so you can manage your personal finances, invest wisely and use credit wisely.

Wilkes-Barre is known for plenty of things: the Susquehanna River winding through town, Pierogi Fest filling our plates and even its old nickname,“The Diamond City.” But long before anyone was debating whether Old Forge or Wilkes-Barre has the better pizza, it was coal that kept our local economy burning bright.

In the 1800s, anthracite coal mining was the industry. It heated homes across the East Coast, powered factories and kept local paychecks rolling in. But not all that glitters is anthracite. Many miners were paid in “scrip”—company-issued play money only usable at the boss’s store. Imagine working a back-breaking shift and then realizing your paycheck was more like a gift card with fine print.

As industries shifted and families looked for more secure futures, something better started to take root: credit unions. These weren’t faceless corporations. They were community-built, neighbor-to-neighbor financial safety nets. Instead of outside stockholders calling the shots, members actually had a say—and a share—in how things were run.

That’s the real financial glow-up of Wilkes-Barre; from a world where paychecks were controlled by the coal companies to one where people could pool resources, support each other and build true financial independence. It’s an idea (and ethos) that we’re still huge fans of.

Today, Cross Valley Federal Credit Union is proud to carry that legacy forward. We may not hand you a pickaxe (thankfully), but we do offer fair loans, smart savings and financial tools that put members first. It’s proof that the city’s story isn’t just about what came out of the mines. It’s about how our community came together to create lasting wealth.

So the next time you check your balance, swipe your card or get approved for a loan, remember you’re part of a hometown tradition that turned coal dust into collaboration. And that’s something worth celebrating.

Fun Facts:

• The first credit union in the USA was the St. Mary’s Cooperative Credit Association, established on April 6, 1909, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
• Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was first settled in 1769. The city was officially laid out in a diamond-shaped grid plan in 1770 by Connecticut settlers.
• Cross Valley was formed back in 1969 and was originally known as Wilkes-Barre Federal Employees Federal Credit Union (say that five times fast). Back then, we were just a local group of employees that wanted a better home for our money. Today, we’re still local (and love it here) but offer much, much more.
• In 1972, Wilkes-Barre became the very first city in the U.S. to broadcast HBO on cable TV, thanks to a deal with Service Electric Cable.

Another holiday season, another pile of gift cards and sweaters destined for the “donation” bin by February. But what if you could give a present that doesn’t just make someone smile now, it keeps paying off down the road?

Enter: the financial gift guide. These ideas might not get squeals like a new gadget, but trust us, “future you” will be grateful.

• Stocking up...literally.
  Instead of socks, buy a share of stock in a company your loved one uses every day. Disney, Starbucks, Apple—suddenly the gift feels fun and potentially profitable. Bonus points if you frame the stock certificate.
• The savings starter pack.
  Open (or contribute to) a savings account or youth account. It’s like giving cash, except it earns interest instead of being lost in the laundry.
• Precious metals > Precious Moments mugs.
  Silver coins or small gold pieces are unique, tangible and might actually rise in value over time. Plus, they look a lot cooler than another “#1 Grandpa” mug.
• Timepieces that keep more than time.
  Certain luxury watches (think brands like Rolex or Omega) can actually increase in value. Just don’t confuse them with novelty “singing Santa” watches.
• Education funds = life-long returns.
  Contributing to a 529 college savings plan may not seem exciting now, but someday it’ll be worth more than the latest toy that’s stuck under the couch.
• Good old-fashioned financial wisdom.
  Books on money, investing or even minimalism can spark habits that last a lifetime. Wrap it with some humor (“Yes, I bought you a book instead of AirPods…you’re welcome!”).

So this year, skip the stuff that fades and give gifts that, like your uncle’s holiday stories, only get better with time.

There’s a lot Cross Valley has to offer. From tech upgrades and interactive teller machines all the way to rewarding our members with a 1.00% APR discount on their next loan, giving you the tools and services you need to bank better is part of the job.

In order to help you better understand the products and services we offer, we’ve created Cross Valley University: an educational video series that will cover the ins and outs of Cross Valley. Class today starts with a look into mobile deposits made right through the Cross Valley app—no homework required.

How your love for the credit union could save you 1.00%* on your next loan.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a loyal member of Cross Valley (yay!). But, we believe loyalty should go both ways. That’s why we created Cross Valley Edge, our new member loyalty program that rewards you for making us your go-to financial partner. And to celebrate your loyalty, we’re kicking things off with a one-of-a-kind offer, only through Cross Valley Edge!

Here’s how it works: When you have four or more of our qualifying products or services (like a loan, direct deposit, debit card or online banking) you’ll be eligible for a 1.00% APR* discount on your next qualifying loan.

A 1.00% loan discount? Yep, you read that right. If you’ve met the qualifications, next time you’re applying for a loan, you can take 1.00% off your rate, potentially saving you thousands over the life of your loan. Want to see what that might look like? Try our loan savings calculator.

It’s our way of saying thank you for choosing Cross Valley. Whether you’re financing a car, consolidating debt or planning your next big move, Cross Valley Edge gives you the advantage you deserve, every step of the way.

Learn more

*1.00% loan discount available to qualifying members based on utilization of Cross Valley Federal Credit Union products and services. To qualify for the discount, a minimum of four accounts or activities must be met: (1) Have an existing Cross Valley loan or line of credit. This includes a loan refinance from another institution. (2) A minimum of 30 debit card transactions per quarter tied to a Share Draft Checking account. (3) An established direct deposit totaling more than $500.00 per month. (4) Enrolled in at least one auto pay. (5) At least one of the following: (a) Active Share Certificate. (b) Active Money Market Account. (c) Active Club Account (Vacation Club or Holiday Club). (6) eService use such as active Online Banking login, mobile app usage or enrollment in eStatements. Loan discount may not be combined with other loan discounts and applies to new, qualifying loans only. Partial discounts are not available. Rate discount not available for Cross Valley employees. Cross Valley may apply the rate discount once within six months of the loan closing date provided qualifying criteria is met. Offer subject to change without notice and is valid through December 31, 2025. Credit union membership required.