Texell QUARTERLY
January 2026
INSIDE: Texell Serves: A Year in Review Financial Resolutions for the New Year
WELCOME
Welcome to the first issue of Texell Quarterly in 2026. The new year is the perfect time to take a deeper look at your financial plans, budget, and goals. Our main feature discusses financial resolutions to reach for and includes a budget worksheet to help you plan. Since this is also tax season, we’re covering frequent questions and tips on tax preparation, and our scam alert section discusses tax season fraud. This includes scams targeting the IRS rule changes that affect retirement David Borden Chief Financial Officer
accounts, as criminals use these opportunities to prey on fear and create a false sense of urgency. As the Treasurer of the Texell Serves Foundation, I’m proud of the philanthropic efforts that Texell Serves produced in 2025. The year in review article shares statistics of how employees supported worthy causes in our communities and highlights that January is National Blood Donor Month. Winter is a critical time for donations, and Texell regularly hosts blood drives at our headquarters. Finally, we’d like to celebrate team members who provided decades of service to the credit union. Diana Cespedes and Kathie Meinen are retiring from the lending department after a combined 60+ years, and Stephanie Gaines celebrated her 30th anniversary in November. Hear about their experience and suggestions they have for anyone who is thinking about working at Texell. Thank you for your membership, and we wish you a prosperous new year.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 Texell Events 5 Scam Watch
6 Feature: Texell Serves
8 Financial Resolutions 11 Tax Prep Q&A 12 Meet Texell
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2026.800.Q1
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TEXELL EVENTS Join us at these upcoming Texell events. February 12 @ 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Homebuying Seminar Learn about the steps of buying a home with Mortgage Loan Officer Josué Alvarez, held in the 1948 Room at Texell’s Headquarters, 7083 Members Parkway in Temple.
February 25 @ 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Small Business Summit Gain key insights at Texell’s Small Business Summit from Jason Dorsey, bestselling author, researcher, and expert on marketing to Gen Z.
COMPLAINT NOTICE If you have a problem with the services provided by this credit union, please contact us at: Texell Credit Union, PO Box 983, Temple, TX 76503, 254.773.1604. The credit union is incorporated in the State of Texas and under state law is subject to regulatory oversight by the Texas Credit Union Department. If any dispute is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may also file a complaint against the credit union by contacting the Texas Credit Union Department through one of the means indicated below: In Person or U.S. Mail: 914 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752-1699, Telephone Number: (512) 837-9236, Facsimile Number: (512) 832-0278; email: complaints@cud.texas.gov, Website: www.cud.texas.gov.
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SCAM WATCH
2026 Tax Season Scams By Kristen Reichert
Tax season not only brings the stress of collecting documents and filing taxes properly but also being aware of criminals using this time to target taxpayers. The use of artificial intelligence, or AI, in these scams increases the number of attacks and pulls information from old data leaks or brokers to personalize messages. Read about common tax scams and new ones to look out for in 2026. Phishing, Smishing, and Fake Phone Calls These scams use unsolicited emails, texts, or social media either offering free tax preparation, claiming there’s a problem with your return, or that you have an unclaimed refund. Do not click links in any messages or upload any documents, even if they appear to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the IRS needs to contact you, they will reach you by mail. They will never initiate contact through email, text, or social media messages to request personal or financial information. They will also not call to demand payment over the phone or threaten legal action. Ghost Tax Preparers Scammers may pose as tax preparers to either steal your personal information or file a fraudulent return in your name. Some may also claim they can get you a much larger refund than what you’re due. Avoid any preparer who provides estimates that seem too good to be true or asks you to sign a blank tax return. Search for tax preparers by credentials and other qualifications on irs.treasury.gov.
Retirement Account Scams The IRS rules are changing to allow an increase in contributions to 401(k) plans, IRA catch-up limits, and catchup contribution limits on 401(k) plans for those 50 and over. With this change, scammers are targeting retirees and those preparing for retirement with fraudulent plan updates asking victims to verify their information. These messages use a false sense of urgency, asking the victim to act now to avoid losing benefits. Before acting on any requests, verify plan changes with your provider. Read more about the 2026 changes at irs.gov. Tips to Avoid Scams Only file your taxes through the IRS or a reputable tax professional. File taxes as early as you can to prevent criminals from filing a fraudulent return using your information. Verify communication through the IRS website at IRS.gov or by calling them at 1-800-829-1040. Report a scammer to the IRS by calling 800-3664484 or by email to phishing@irs.gov with “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.
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Texell Serves
20 25
Year in Review By Kristen Reichert
Since 2015, Texell’s employees have volunteered at meaningful causes through Texell Serves, the credit union’s philanthropic efforts. In 2025 alone, more than 214 team members dedicated nearly 1,200 hours of their time by helping thousands at food pantries, making blankets for children’s hospitals, and making beds at Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Employees also made donations to Foster Love of Bell County and Home Instead’s “Be a Santa to a Senior.” While supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, team members raised funds and showed support at the annual event. Employees also rolled up their sleeves and donated 188 units of blood for Carter BloodCare and Baylor Scott and White.
TEXELL SERVES - A YEAR IN REVIEW “We are passionate about making Central Texas a better place. Texell Serves initiatives bring our team members together with a shared purpose, supporting something bigger than themselves,” stated Mary Ann Nickolai, Texell’s Vice President of Marketing. The credit union reached a milestone with the formation of the Texell Serves Foundation in July 2025. The Foundation partners with local charities that improve the financial education and the social well-being of our communities through donations and volunteer participation. “Texell makes a difference in all the communities we serve, and the formation of The Foundation allows us to increase these efforts,” said Monica MacKay, Texell Serves Foundation Board Member at Large.
“The deep work at Family Promise where they take people to independence through dignity is so meaningful,” said Tony Hale, Chairman of the Texell Serves Foundation Board of Directors and President and CEO of Texell Credit Union. “We’re so excited to be supporters of this great cause.” As the credit union continues to grow, the opportunities to give back to the community also expand. If you have a volunteer opportunity that you would like to share with the foundation, contact foundation@texell.org. To learn more about Texell Serves Foundation and Texell Credit Union, visit Texell.org.
The foundation gave its first donation to Family Promise in October at the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Promise Homes, a set of transitional homes that provide necessary shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
Did You Know? On December 31, 1969, President Nixon signed a proclamation declaring January as National Blood Donor Month. The winter months bring critical need for blood, and most blood banks offer donor appreciation gifts and host blood drives to encourage more donations. Texell hosts several blood drives throughout the year at the headquarters in west Temple, and 15 current employees have achieved “Gallon Giver” status.
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Financial Resolutions for the New Year By Kristen Reichert
As you plan for the new year, it’s a good time to review your financial habits and set financial goals. To make them easier to achieve, make sure your goals are SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-oriented. For instance, instead of saying you want to pay down your credit card debt, you would set a specific goal: “I want to pay off $1,200 of credit card debt in twelve months by paying $100 per month.” Having a specific target in mind makes this goal achievable. Review Spending & Budget The cost of groceries increases over time, so the new year is a good reason to review how much you’ve been spending and revise your budget as needed. While you can’t change the price of groceries, you can adjust the percentage you spend on other non-essentials, like restaurants or fast food. Use the budget worksheet below to track areas of spending and
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decide where you can adjust. Review this sheet at the end of each month to make sure you’re on track. Set Goals to Pay Down Debt While most people must take on a mortgage loan, with planning and discipline you can avoid other types of debt. The interest added to credit cards is money wasted, and it’s best to pay off the balance each month to avoid this expense. If you have built up a balance, stop spending with your card and set a goal to pay off the balance. Once you’ve paid off your debt, you can shift the monthly payment you were making to reach other financial goals. Your credit score will also go up as your debt utilization decreases. For an in-depth look at two popular methodologies to paying off debt read our article Popular Strategies to Get Out of Debt.
FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS 2026 Contribution Limits
Automate Savings Set up automatic transfers to your savings account to help build your emergency fund. Automated saving helps you pay yourself first and makes saving effortless and less of a chore. As you experience unexpected expenses, like home or car repairs, this emergency fund is a necessity to avoid using a credit card or taking out a loan.
35,000 30,000 $24,500
25,000 20,000 15,000
Set Savings Goals Automated saving works great as you establish your emergency savings account, but it also works well for major purchases also, like a wedding, a down payment on a house, or a vacation. Rather than dipping into debt and charging these purchases on a credit card, set up a separate savings account for these goals. Determine how much you need to add to the fund each month to reach your goals.
10,000
Review Retirement Contributions The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is increasing contribution limits for 401(k)s, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), and other retirement accounts. The contribution catch-up limit for those 50 years and older also increased, so it’s a good time to review your contributions in 2026.1
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$32,500**
$8,600*
$7,500
5,000 0
Under 50
50 & Over
IRA
Under 50
50 & Over
401K
Visit irs.gov to learn more about these changes. As you set your financial resolutions for 2026, use the Credit Score and Report tools available for free in Texell’s Digital Banking app. You can view your credit score, set monitoring alerts, set goals, and track your progress. If you need help getting your credit score or have questions about your account, contact Texell’s Member Services at 254.773.1604 or send a secure message in Digital Banking.
Consult your financial planner or tax advisor
*$7,500 + $1,100 catch-up
**$24,500 + $8,000 catch-up
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Make Sure You Check All the Boxes with These
2026 Financial Resolutions! Use the sample resolutions below and fill in the blank with your goals for the new year.
1.
Review my budget and adjust every _______ days.
Build my emergency fund by putting $________ into
2. my savings account with every paycheck. 3. Check my credit score every _______ days. 4. Check my credit report every ______ days.
Pay down debt by putting _________% to _________
5. debt account with every paycheck.
Decrease spending on fast food, shopping, and
6. other non-essentials by $________ each month. 7.
Increase contributions to my 401(k) to _________% by __________ date.
Projected Savings
Total Savings
TEXELL BUSINESS
Tax Preparation Q&A By Kristen Reichert
Getting ready for tax season can be overwhelming, but these common tax preparation questions and answers can help guide you through the process. How do you know if you’re required to file a tax return? If your gross income is at least as much as your Standard Deduction for the tax year, you’ll need to file a return. Even if you don’t meet this requirement, you’ll want to file taxes if you qualify for refundable credits. Read more about tax credits below.
What documents do you need? You’re required to provide personal identifiable information, like social security numbers, for everyone on the return, including children if you’re claiming the Child Tax Credit. You’re also required to provide tax forms for income reporting, like W-2s or 1099s. You’ll need to include records for deductions or credits if you’re itemizing taxes. For a comprehensive list of documents, visit irs.gov.
What deductions or credits should you apply for? If a tax credit is refundable, you can get the full amount back as a tax refund, even if you don’t owe any taxes. The most common credits to apply for include:
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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to help low- to moderate-income workers and families.
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Child Tax Credit (CTC) for any child or dependent you claim on your return.
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American Opportunity Tax Credit for qualified education expenses.
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Premium Tax Credit for those who purchase insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
IRS.gov Quick Links
Which filing status should you use? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has five filing statuses: Single, Married Filing Jointly (MFJ), Married Filing Separately (MFS), Head of Household (HOH), and Qualifying Surviving Spouse. To determine which status results in the lowest tax, use the questionnaire on irs.gov/help/ ita/what-is-my-filing-status.
Most taxpayers file for the standard deduction using form 1040 for a simpler tax return process. Those who are self-employed, or who can claim numerous deductions or credits, may want to itemize deductions by listing qualifying expenses. You can deduct charitable contributions if you file an itemized return. For more questions, use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool at irs.gov or consult a trusted tax advisor or Certified Public Accountant (CPA). If your income is below a certain threshold ($67,000 or less for filing 2025 taxes) you may request free tax assistance through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Assistance is also available for those with disabilities, people 60 years old or older, or limited English-speaking taxpayers.
Tax Documents To Gather: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-filing-step-1gather-all-year-end-income-documents Find Your Filing Status: https://www. irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status
Tax Assistance Tool: https://www.irs.gov/help/ita Free Tax Prep Help: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-returnpreparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
Meet the Team – Diana Cespedes, Kathie Meinen, & Stephanie Gaines By Kristen Reichert
Texell celebrated two retirements of long-time employees and the 30th anniversary of a current employee in 2025. Diana Cespedes started at Texell as a high school senior and will retire on January 9th after 44 years. Kathie Meinen retired on December 31 after 18 years, and Stephanie Gaines celebrated her 30th anniversary in November.
Meet Diana Cespedes Consumer Loan Underwriter
Diana started part-time while taking an office education class in high school back in 1981, when the credit union was known as Temple Federal Credit Union. After she graduated, she accepted a full-time position as a loan secretary. She held numerous positions at the credit union: Teller and Teller Supervisor, President’s Administrative Assistant, and briefly in collections and mortgage lending before coming back to lending as an Underwriter. “I came back home to consumer lending, and that is what I love to do,” Diana said. "I love trying to help our members with finding ways to say ‘yes’.” When Diana first started, the credit union was at 200 W. Ave G and had around 20 employees. The credit union now has eight branches across central Texas and a 3-story headquarters in west Temple that has capacity for over 200 employees. “I’ve met a lot of good people on this 44-year journey,” Diana said. "Some are still like family to me. I’ve had really great managers, and they’ve always been very supportive of me.” Diana said it’s bittersweet to retire. She’s going to miss her coworkers, but she’s ready to take time for herself. For anyone who is thinking about working at Texell, her advice is to do your job to the best of your ability, do what’s right, be flexible, and have fun along the way.
Take the next step in your career at Texell! 12
Interested in joining a great place to work? Check out our current openings at: Texell.org/careers.
MEET TEXELL
Kathie started in 2007 and worked in several departments at Texell, including the contact center, retail, lending, mortgage, and training before coming back to lending as an Underwriter. When she started at the contact center, she worked with five representatives. But she returned to underwriting because she enjoys looking for opportunities to help people. “I love that at Texell you have the opportunity to work hard, and everyone has an opportunity for growth,” Kathie said. “You can work hard and have all the success you want.”
Meet Kathie Meinen
Kathie said she would miss the people and perks of working at Texell, like employee appreciation gifts, the annual awards banquet, and family day. Her advice for new employees and those thinking about applying is to work hard, be honest, own your mistakes, and you can do anything here at Texell.
Senior Underwriter Stephanie was born and raised in Temple and graduated from Temple High School. She started at Texell in 1995 and is now a Teller Supervisor. During her 30 years at the credit union, she has seen it evolve in size and business model, creating so many new opportunities and paths for growth and success. “I love the people and the culture at Texell,” Stephanie said. "It feels like family. Everyone works together to make a difference for our members.” In her free time, Stephanie enjoys hitting the gym, shopping, and spending time with family and friends. She also encourages coworkers who want to get active but feel hesitant by joining Texell’s hiking club that she helped create. “It’s a fun way to encourage each other, meet new people, and enjoy the outdoors together.” One of her favorite parts about working at Texell is attending the annual awards banquet where Texell celebrates employees for their outstanding service. Stephanie is consistently recognized at the banquet, and she attributes this to her dedication to going beyond and performing at the highest level. She enjoys helping others and loves seeing others succeed knowing she contributed to making their day easier.
Meet Stephanie Gaines Teller Supervisor
“Texell is an amazing place to grow, meet new people, and be part of a team that truly cares about you and your success.”
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EARN CASH BACK
with a Signature Business Credit Card¹
Earn $750 when you spend $7,500 or more in the first 90 days and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Your card also earns 2% on one of the five categories of your choice:
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Business membership required. Texell uses Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) to determine if a purchase is within your 2%
cashback category. This means a purchase that appears to fit in your 2% category may not because the merchant has a different MCC. Texell does not assign MCCs to merchants. Cashback is deposited into your Business Savings Account on the first calendar day of the following month and your total 1% and 2% cashback will be included on your monthly Business Signature Credit Card statement. Please contact Texell for more information.
Insured by NCUA 2026.743