Military Essentials

Wright-Patt Credit Union® is here to serve those who serve our country

Whether you’ve just enlisted or have years of service under your belt, it’s challenging to keep up with your finances. At Wright-Patt Credit Union (WPCU®), we understand those unique challenges and we can help make it easier for you to manage your money in the military.

  • Ensure Your Financial Obligations are Met

    You can count on us to provide you with the service you need whether you're at home or deployed:

  • Setting Up Your Financial Flexibility and Freedom®

    Check out these money-management tips to help you keep up with your finances:

  • Avoid Unwise Borrowing Practices

    Here are three ways to help stay in control of your debt:

Ensure Your Financial Obligations are Met

You can count on us to provide you with the service you need whether you're at home or deployed:
  • Choose someone to oversee your non-automated finances. Appoint someone you trust to handle these matters in your absence. 
  • Set up automatic bill payments through WPCU Online Bill Pay and find out which expenses you can put on hold while gone—such as phone bills, cable or Internet service. 
  • Create a savings plan. You get certain benefits with deployment (such as hazardous duty pay), and you’ll have fewer things on which to spend your money. Look into WPCU high-rate savings account options. 
  • Take care of life necessities. Make sure to update life insurance forms and wills with the proper beneficiary information before deployment.

If you are relocating to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright-Patt Credit Union can help make your transition to our community easier by helping you finance your new home, open a checking account and move your direct deposit, and find a new car if you are leaving your old one behind.  We have three Member Centers on WPAFB and more convenient Member Centers in the surrounding communities.

Visit us today and have one less thing you’ll need to worry about when you leave. 

Setting Up Your Financial Flexibility and Freedom®

Check out these money-management tips to help you keep up with your finances:
  • A budget is a smart way to keep your monthly spending and savings on track. Check out this useful Budget Tool to help keep you on track.
  • Keep up with your credit. Your credit can be used to grant (or deny) access to many things, including loans, insurance and even future employment. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get an annual free copy of your credit report. 
  • Save for retirement. Sign up for the TSP (Thrift Savings Plan), which is the military version of a retirement account. You can also speak to a Financial Advisor on WPCU’s Retirement Solutions Team.

Avoid Unwise Borrowing Practices

Here are three ways to help stay in control of your debt:
  • The practice of borrowing to make ends meet, such as using credit cards to cover the basics or taking out payday loans to make it to the next paycheck is a bad habit to get into. Know that payday loans often have astronomical interest rates. The Military Lending Act is there to shield deceptive practices of payday lenders should you get in trouble.
  • An important part of taking on debt is figuring how much you are truly paying for a loan. Length of the loan, interest, penalty fees, and more should be taken into consideration. The WPCU Loan Calculator will help you understand the entire cost of your loan. 

At the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a valuable resource is the Airmen & Family Readiness Center.  

If you have additional questions about debt, borrowing or the services available to our military families, we’re here to help. Simply Contact Us or visit a near-by Member Center.

  • First-Time Auto Loans for the Military

    To ensure our military members get the financing they deserve, we offer this loan program that will save you money and get you a car you can count on.

  • Financial Learning Center

    There is a wealth of free financial learning seminars, webinars, online resources and more at the WPCU Financial Learning Center.

  • Brochures/Documents

    Learn more about the products, services and resources available from Wright-Patt Credit Union that can help you on your Financial Flexibility and Freedom® journey.

  • Airman Essentials

    We’re the official on-base credit union at WPAFB and you can count on us to always have your best interests in mind. Learn more.

  • Budget Worksheets

    Start a budget and create a monthly spending plan with our easy-to-use financial worksheets.

  • Financial Calculators

    Use our financial calculators to estimate monthly payments, refinance needs, estimated savings and more.