Financial Counseling Sessions
Members can request free and confidential counseling appointments by calling the Accel Toll-Free Information Line at (877) 33-ACCEL. Financial counseling appointments are focused entirely on the member’s concerns, and are conducted over the phone for one hour at a time. Most members will request multiple sessions with the same financial counselor before they find the resolution to their concerns. After setting the appointment, an Accel financial counselor will call the member back at the scheduled time and devote each hour to helping the member with their financial needs. Members are not limited in the number of appointments they may have, and all appointments include a detailed worksheet and action plan provided by the counselor.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)
The DMP is another free service provided to members as a benefit of the Accel partnership. Members who are having difficulty paying bills or staying current on credit cards may sign up for this valuable service. Working with your members, Accel counselors will contact the member’s creditors on their behalf to negotiate concessions and/or work out loan payment agreements. Typically, credit card companies will agree to lower interest, eliminate fees, and cease collection activity. The member would then make their payment to Accel, and we would pay their creditors. Through our disbursement process, payments are sent out daily (electronically via ACH whenever possible). Members participating in a DMP are required to close all unsecured accounts and are typically debt-free within 60 months. Accel financial counselors will encourage each member to re-establish their credit and will promote your credit union’s financial products as appropriate.

BudgetSmart
This easy-to-use software tool uses simple graphics and bar charts to help members manage money more effectively. Members can use the program to establish a budget, track spending habits, view tips for improving areas of overspending (or inadequate saving), and experiment with “what if’” scenarios to determine how a major purchase or change in income would impact their budget. BudgetSmart can even be co-branded with your credit unions name and logo. The Accel program includes a link to your credit unions website that will enable your members to download the BudgetSmart program free of charge. CD-ROMs are also available at an additional cost.

Credit Report Counseling
The Accel program provides free credit report counseling to assist members in understanding their personal credit report and credit score. Accel financial counselors will help members resolve inaccurate information, understand how bureau’s report information and become more credit worthy. Accel will provide a free credit report to members participating in the Debt Management Plan, and all others can obtain a credit report for a nominal fee. Members can obtain a report simply by calling (877) 33-ACCEL.