Summer in the Fox Valley has a way of filling up the calendar fast. And honestly, we’re not mad about it.

One event we’re especially enjoying is the Live & Uncorked concert series at Blackberry Farm, presented by the Fox Valley Park District and proudly sponsored by Earthmover Credit Union. The series combines live outdoor music and summer evenings that somehow feel both lively and laid-back. It’s one of those events that reminds you why Midwest summers are worth waiting through winter for.

Around the area, local farmers markets are also back in full swing, including seasonal markets in Aurora, Batavia and Oswego featuring fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and local vendors. Free summer concert series are popping up across parks and downtown spaces throughout the western suburbs, along with community festivals, food truck nights and outdoor movie events for families.

In other words: this is the season to stay out a little later, support local businesses and enjoy the communities we call home.

We hope to see you out there this summer.

In honor of Shelli (our mortgage loan originator) celebrating 15 years with Earthmover Credit Union, we had the opportunity to sit down and pick her brain on the housing market, first-time homebuying and tips to make buying a home easier this summer.

Is now actually a bad time to buy a home…or does it just feel that way?
Not a bad time, but a challenging one. Home values are high and inventory is limited. There are more people buying homes than there are homes available. With that said, there are things that we can offer to help, such as down payment assistance. With the right lender and team, it’s possible to buy a home. Also, even though rates are elevated, at least from what people were used to in the 2015 to 2022 range, there is always the option to refinance when rates come down, assuming the payment is affordable for now.

What are you seeing right now in communities like Batavia, Aurora, Yorkville and Romeoville that homebuyers should know about?
Growth. Cities like Chicago and other larger areas are mostly developed. It appears that these towns/cities and the counties they reside in are growing commercially and residentially. The right kind of growth can help hold and increase home values, and it is evident that these places are doing it right.

A lot of first-time buyers feel like they’ve been priced out. What would you say to someone who’s feeling discouraged?
We would suggest that they keep trying and, if possible, reevaluate who they are working with as a real estate agent, or lender, if different than us. Having the right team on their side is crucial in the challenging housing climate we face in this area. They also need to make sure they have the maximum purchase price and payment amount in mind when looking for a home, as there may be multiple bids on properties. If they’re prepared and have the right team, the process becomes much easier.

What’s one mistake you see people make before they even start the mortgage process?
There are two. Not knowing exactly what they are dealing with regarding their credit scores (as they differ between what we pull and what is available to them personally), as well as not understanding how much in assets they need for closing. Some mistakenly think it is just their down payment, or just their closing costs, and not both. It’s imperative that credit is checked before they are ready, to ensure nothing needs to be addressed and they know what they are dealing with, and they have an understanding of whether they have enough funds to be ready to buy a home, or if they need to save more, get a gift from family, see if they qualify for down payment assistance, etc.

People hear ‘down payment assistance’ and assume there’s a catch. How does the Downpayment Plus Program® through Earthmover and FHLBank of Chicago actually work?
We have helped several borrowers receive $10,000 each in down payment assistance through the Downpayment Plus program. The program offers forgivable grants to help income-eligible homebuyers with both the down payment and closing costs. The program is based on the borrower(s) total household income. When borrowers apply for a mortgage, we review their total household income to determine whether they meet the program's eligibility requirements.

For someone trying to buy their first home, what’s more important right now: waiting for lower rates or finding the right home and budget?
The right answer here is finding the right home and budget. Waiting for rates to come down can take quite a bit of time. Also, while waiting, home values could increase, which offsets any benefit of a slightly lower interest rate. They could also miss out on their dream home. Refinancing their loan later, when rates are lower, is quicker and much less costly than when they bought the home.

What are some things buyers can do today — even six months before buying — that can make a huge difference later?
Often, prospective homeowners see a home for sale but are unaware of the monthly payment. Running numbers together and discussing principal, interest, property taxes, home insurance and mortgage insurance can help them better prepare. Also, review their credit. Not just for their scores, but for anything reporting that’s erroneous, or collections they may not have known about, etc. Give us a call to go over their options and what to expect, even before applying. That’s exactly what we’re here for. We can help them understand what to expect and review their specific situation to prepare them. Unlike loan officers in the industry, we’re not commissioned and are solely a member service here to help them.

If someone’s nervous about buying in today’s market, what’s the first conversation you’d want to have with them?
We would let them know we completely understand. This is what we deal with every day and we understand the nervousness. We will talk about their budget and what monthly payment amount is comfortable for them. We would do our best to explain everything to them and how best to position themselves to obtain the home they are looking for. Knowing we are here to answer all questions is what helps our members feel more comfortable about what to expect.

Any last words of advice for our readers you'd like to share?
We believe it’s very important to surround yourself with a knowledgeable team that understands your goals, offers a variety of high-quality programs, and guides you every step of the way. Your team should consist of your lender and realtor. They’ll work together in your best interests to make a strong offer that results in a home. Contact us when ready to discuss what to do or expect if interested in buying a home. We share all our knowledge with our members or soon-to-be members so they understand anything that may not be common knowledge about the pre-approval process, the roles of everyone involved, when to do what, etc. If unprepared and they wait to apply until they’re ready to make an offer, there may be issues with their credit report, they may not have enough funds for closing and they may have unrealistic expectations about how long the process takes. We’re here to help!

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This summer, a little breathing room could go a long way. With Earthmover Credit Union’s Summer Skip-A-Pay program, qualifying members can defer their next fixed-rate loan payment and move it to the end of the loan term for a one-time extension fee of just $30.

That means you may be able to take a month off from your auto loan, personal loan or other qualifying fixed-rate loan payment — freeing up extra funds for summer travel, family plans, home projects or simply a little less financial stress.

Because sometimes the best summer memories start with a little extra room to breathe.

Learn more

Fraud doesn’t always look like someone stealing a credit card anymore. In 2026, scams are smarter, faster and often designed to feel completely normal.

Across communities like Aurora, Batavia and Yorkville, more people are being targeted by fake text messages, AI-generated phone calls, payment app scams and fraudulent emails pretending to come from trusted companies — or even their financial institution.

One of the fastest-growing scams right now? Text messages claiming there’s suspicious activity on your account, followed by a phone call from someone pretending to be fraud prevention. The caller may sound professional. They may even know personal information. But their goal is often to pressure you into sharing login credentials, security codes or payment information.

Another common tactic involves fake online marketplace listings, concert tickets, rental properties or job offers designed to steal deposits or personal data.

Earthmover Credit Union reminds members to slow down whenever a message creates a sense of urgency. Never share secure codes over the phone, avoid clicking unfamiliar links and contact your financial institution directly if something feels off.

The technology behind scams may keep evolving, but one thing hasn’t changed: a little skepticism still goes a long way.

Supporting education has always been an investment in something bigger: the future of our communities.

This spring, Earthmover Credit Union awarded $10,000 in college scholarships to five graduating high school seniors, with each student receiving a $2,000 scholarship to help continue their education. The expanded program represents a significant increase from previous years, when $4,000 was awarded across four scholarship levels.

Applicants submitted transcripts, completed an application and wrote a two- to three-page essay reflecting on a time one of their beliefs was challenged — a prompt designed to encourage thoughtful self-reflection and personal growth.

This year's scholarship recipients are:

Lucas Orozco, attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study mechanical engineering

Ruth Oudyn, attending Waubonsee Community College before transferring to University of Illinois Chicago to study nursing

Lucas Schuster, attending Northern Illinois University to study biomedical engineering

Saralisse Morales, attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study speech and hearing science

Owen Cousins, attending University of Notre Dame to study economics

From engineering and nursing to economics and health sciences, these students represent a remarkable range of interests and ambitions. We congratulate each recipient and look forward to seeing the positive impact they'll make in their communities in the years ahead.

Earthmover Credit Union recently welcomed a new face to its Board of Directors, one with deep roots in education, leadership and community impact.

Dr. Jamal Scott joined the board this spring, bringing with him years of experience in higher education and organizational leadership. He currently serves as vice president of undergraduate education and dean of the Undergraduate College at National Louis University and will soon step into a new role as president of Highland Community College.

Throughout his career, Dr. Scott has focused on improving student success, removing barriers to education and creating stronger support systems for students and families. His background also includes leadership roles throughout the Fox Valley region, including serving as chair of the board for the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce and as a board member for the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He currently serves as secretary on the board of trustees for The Morton Arboretum.

Earthmover President and CEO Janel Cabadas said Dr. Scott’s perspective and leadership experience will help support the credit union’s long-term strategic direction and continued commitment to the communities it serves.

As Earthmover continues to grow across the western suburbs, bringing in leaders with strong community ties remains an important part of that mission.

When people think about a school district, they usually think about students. But behind every classroom, school bus and graduation ceremony are thousands of employees helping shape the future of an entire community.

That’s one reason Earthmover Credit Union was excited to welcome Indian Prairie School District 204 as a new Earthmover Employer Partner in 2025.

Serving more than 26,000 students across communities including Aurora, Naperville, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, IPSD 204 is one of the largest and most respected school districts in the region. The district includes one preschool, 21 elementary schools, seven middle schools, three high schools, one alternative high school and a transition program — all supported by more than 3,000 staff members.

For Earthmover, partnerships like this are about more than banking. They’re about supporting the educators, administrators and staff members who help local families and communities thrive every day.

The partnership also reflects Earthmover’s continued growth throughout the western suburbs, including areas connected to the credit union’s upcoming Romeoville branch expansion.

As both organizations continue investing in the future of local communities, the partnership feels like a natural fit: people helping people, close to home.