[photo credit: Pasadena Federal Credit Union]
The initiative comes as Americans nationwide face substantial post-holiday financial strain. Holiday retail spending in the United States hit record levels in 2025, with consumers spending hundreds of billions of dollars both in stores and online for gifts, meals, and experiences for loved ones, according to Reuters.
Credit card reliance during the holidays has become widespread among American shoppers. Approximately 74% of holiday shoppers plan to use credit cards for at least part of their gift buying, according to NerdWallet. More concerning, about 31% of those who used cards in the previous year still hadn’t paid off those balances by the following year.
The financial burden extends beyond the initial purchases due to high interest rates. The average credit card interest rate in 2025 hovers around 21—22% APR, according to LendingTree. These rates mean any balance carried forward begins accruing interest immediately, potentially turning small December purchases into larger debts in subsequent months, particularly for cardholders making only minimum payments.
PFCU’s Holiday Loan offers an alternative with a fixed rate typically far lower than credit card APRs. The loan allows borrowers to consolidate holiday spending into a single manageable payment, potentially saving money on interest charges and providing a clear repayment timeline. Borrowers gain peace of mind and a fresh financial start for the new year.
The credit union positions the loan as a solution for those still managing holiday debt or planning additional purchases. Interested borrowers can visit PFCU’s website or apply online by selecting Personal Loans through the credit union’s application portal.
Terms and conditions apply to the Holiday Loan program. Additional details are available on PFCU’s website.
Pasadena Federal Credit Union. Phone: (800) 445-PFCU (7328). Website: https://www.pfcu.org/
