1. Make Managing Your Money Easy — Even When You're Gone

Confirm who can access your accounts

• Decide whether you want joint accounts, separate accounts, or both for you and your spouse or partner.

Set up or update direct deposit

• Ensure your pay goes directly into the right APGFCU checking or savings account.

Review your everyday bills

• List rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, subscriptions, and other recurring charges so nothing is missed while you're away.

Choose how your loan payments will continue

• Set up automatic loan payments before deployment through Online Banking using recurring transfers, external transfers, or Bill Pay. You may also contact us at 410-272-4000 or 1-800-225-2555 to arrange automatic payments on your APGFCU loan.

2. Set up Trusted Access to Your Finances

Establish or update a financial Power of Attorney

• Work with legal assistance to create a Special Power of Attorney that clearly outlines who can act on your behalf for banking and loan matters.

Share logins the safe way

• Create or update credentials for secure tools so your designated person can view pay and benefits if needed.

Decide how you'll communicate about money

• Agree on how often you'll check in about bills, savings goals, and any financial surprises that may come up at home.

3. Tune Up Your Pay, Allotments & Savings

Confirm where your pay lands

• Double-check your direct deposit so your paycheck goes exactly where you need it — your main checking, a savings account, or a mix that supports your goals while you're away.

Review or set up allotments

• Consider automatic allocations for savings, loan payments, or support for family at home so those obligations run smoothly during deployment.

Build or boost your emergency fund

• Set a realistic savings target for unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, medical costs, or travel.

4. Protect Your Credit, Loans & Leases

Ask about SCRA protections on eligible pre-service debt

• If you have loans, credit cards, or other debts taken out before entering active duty, you may qualify for SCRA protections such as a 6% interest-rate cap and certain foreclosure and repossession safeguards.

Understand how to monitor and protect your credit

• Regularly review your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to reduce the risk of missed fraud activity during deployment and to support long-term financial health.

Contact creditors early

• Notify APGFCU and other lenders about your upcoming deployment. Some may reduce or adjust interest rates or offer modified payments as a courtesy.

Review your housing and vehicle leases

• Check your lease terms. If you receive qualifying activation or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, you may have options under SCRA or landlord/lessor policies to end certain leases without penalty.

Explore APGFCU relief options (outside SCRA)

• Ask about programs such as Skip-a-Pay or temporary payment assistance APGFCU may offer to ease cash flow during deployment. These are separate from SCRA but can still help.

5. Secure Insurance & Protections

Review life insurance coverage

• Confirm that beneficiary information is current and coverage matches your family's needs.

Check auto, home, and renters insurance

• If your situation is changing (car in storage, new caregiver at home), update your policies accordingly.

Turn on fraud and account alerts

• Enable text, email, or app alerts so you and your trusted person can quickly spot unusual activity.

6. Map out a Shared Spending Plan

Create a simple deployment budget

• Capture expected income, fixed bills, savings, and a reasonable amount of flexible spending for the household.

Make a plan for daily costs

• Establish a simple framework for everyday expenses — groceries, children's needs, household supplies — so each person knows their responsibilities.

Decide how big decisions will be made

• Determine in advance how you'll handle large purchases or new debt (car, appliances, travel), so there are no surprises

7. Know Where to Turn for Help

Save key contacts in one place

• APGFCU Member Service Center
  • 410-272-4000
  • 1-800-225-2555
• Your installation's legal assistance office
• Military OneSource and other support programs

Keep copies of important documents

• Orders, Power of Attorney documents, lease agreements, loan paperwork, insurance policies, and your checklist.

If you're unsure, ask

• Deployment looks different for every family. When something isn't clear, reach out — we're here to help.

Deployment reshapes daily life, but you don't have to navigate the financial side alone. With a few thoughtful steps now, you can set your household up for steadiness, support, and fewer surprises while you're away. And if questions come up — before, during, or after deployment — APGFCU is right here to help you make sense of the details and access every benefit you've earned. You serve with commitment; let us help keep things steady on the home front.