Which Loan Is Right for You?

Choosing how to borrow can feel as big as the decision you are borrowing for. The right fit depends on how much you need, how predictable the expense is, and whether you want to use your savings as collateral. This guide breaks down how each option works in plain terms so you can walk into a conversation with a Tidemark loan officer already knowing your direction.

How the options compare

Personal Loan Personal Line of Credit Share Secured Loan Credit Builder Loan
How it works One-time lump sum you repay in fixed installments A reusable credit limit you draw from as needed You borrow against your own savings, which stay on deposit A set amount you repay over time to build a track record
Best for A planned, one-time expense or consolidating debt Ongoing or unexpected expenses when you want access to funds as needed Borrowing at a lower rate while keeping savings intact Establishing or rebuilding credit
Funds access All at once Draw, repay, and draw again All at once Held until the loan is satisfied
Rate style Fixed Variable Tied to your savings rate Fixed
Collateral None None Your Tidemark savings None
Repayment Equal monthly payments Flexible, based on your balance Equal monthly payments Equal monthly payments
For current rates and terms on any of these, see the individual product pages linked below.

What Our Members Are Saying

Real experiences from people who trusted Tidemark with one of life’s biggest decisions.

Still not sure?

That is exactly what our local team is for. A Tidemark loan officer can look at your full picture and help you choose the option that fits your budget and your goals, with no pressure and no jargon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Loan Rates Disclosures

Show All
Show Less
1Rates displayed are "as low as" for Primary residence purchase loans. Displayed rates include discount points. Rates are subject to change. Rates vary based on creditworthiness, loan-to-value (LTV), occupancy, property type and loan purpose, and/or other factors. Down payment and loan-to-value (LTV) requirements may vary depending on the occupancy, property type, loan purpose, your creditworthiness, and/or other factors. All loans subject to credit approval.

2A fixed-rate loan of $256,000 for 30 years at 6.500% interest and 6.568% APR will have a monthly payment of $1,618.09. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $1,798 loan origination fee and processing fees. Discount points are included. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

A fixed-rate loan of $256,000 for 20 years at 6.250% interest and 6.339% APR will have a monthly payment of $1,871.18. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $1,798 loan origination fee and processing fees. Discount points are included. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

A fixed-rate loan of $256,000 for 15 years at 5.750% interest and 5.859% APR will have a monthly payment of $2,125.85. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $1,798 loan origination fee and processing fees. Discount points are included. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

3Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) are variable, and your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may increase after the original fixed-rate period. The First Adjustment is based on the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) index, plus a margin, rounded to the nearest 1/8 percent. The annual rate cap is 2%; lifetime cap 6%. Properties limited to the Delmarva Peninsula. All loans subject to credit approval.
4Loan amounts above $600,000 may require PMI.

5A 5/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) $320,000 for 30 years at 6.000% interest and 6.053% APR will have a monthly payment of $1,918.56. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $1,798 loan origination fee and processing fees. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

A 7/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) $320,000 for 30 years at 6.250% interest and 6.303% APR will have a monthly payment of $1,970.30. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $1,798 loan origination fee and processing fees. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

A 10/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) $320,000 for 30 years at 6.500% interest and 6.554% APR will have a monthly payment of $2,022.62. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $1,798 loan origination fee and processing fees. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

6A 10/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) $320,000 for 30 years at 7.000% interest and 7.094% APR will have a monthly payment of $2,128.97. Payments are interest only during construction based on amount advanced. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $2,998 loan origination, processing, and construction admin fees. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

A fixed-rate loan of $320,000 for 30 years at 7.000% interest and 7.094% APR will have a monthly payment of $2,128.97. Payments are interest only during construction based on amount advanced. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $2,998 loan origination, processing, and construction admin fees. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.

7Rates displayed are "as low as" for purchase loans. Rates are subject to change. Rates vary based on creditworthiness, loan-to-value (LTV), and/or other factors. Contact us for terms for refinances. All loans subject to credit approval.
8Adjustable Rate Mortgages are variable, and your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may increase after the original fixed-rate period. The First Adjustment is based on the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) index, plus a margin, rounded to the nearest 1/8 percent. The annual rate cap is 2%; lifetime cap 6%. Minimum loan amount $50,000. Maximum Loan amount $600,000, 80% Loan to Value. All loans subject to credit approval.
9A 10/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) $320,000 for 20 years at 6.625% interest and 6.697% APR will have a monthly payment of $2,409.44. Taxes and insurance not included; if applicable, actual payment will be greater. Includes $1,798 loan origination fee and processing fees. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes the purchase of unimproved land, 780 FICO, down payment of 20% up to the conforming loan amount limit.
10 Rates displayed are "as low as" for primary residence only. Rates are subject to change. Rates vary based on creditworthiness, loan-to-value (LTV), and/or other factors. All loans subject to credit approval.
11 Net appraised value is appraised value less 1st lien balance. Limited to Loans in the Delmarva Peninsula. If TFCU is not first lien holder, the loan amount is limited to 80% LTV. Minimum loan amount $25,000. Maximum $400,000. Other terms available if TFCU is first lien holder. Primary residence only. Additional limitations may apply.
12 Rate changes monthly based on Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal plus a margin. Interest only payments are made during the 10-year draw period then the remaining balance is amortized over 15 years.
13  

14 Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) with interest only payments at 6.750%, Prime interest and 6.798% APR would require a minimum monthly payment of $5.63 per $1,000.00 borrowed during the draw period. Taxes and insurance not included. Includes a $299 loan processing fee. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes cash-out on a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, minimum 20% equity up to the conforming loan amount limit.

A fixed-rate loan of $100,000 for 20 years at 7.125% interest and 7.164% APR will have a monthly payment of $782.82. Taxes and insurance not included. Includes a $299 loan processing fee. All loans subject to credit approval. Loan assumptions: Advertised rate assumes cash-out on a single-family primary residence, 780 FICO, minimum 20% equity up to the conforming loan amount limit.

15 Rates may vary based on term, down payment, credit worthiness and age of unit.
16 Rates are 3% above share/certificate dividend rate; adjusted with the dividend rate. For share secured loan funds must be held in the Prime Share. Retirement certificates are not eligible to be pledged.
17 Variable rate adjusted quarterly based on Prime.
18 Variable rate adjusted monthly based on Prime.
19 Rates based on the Prime Rate of 07/01/2026 (Visa®)
20 Rates based on the Prime Rate of 06/17/2026 (Line of Credit)
ANew Vehicles are defined as the two (2) most recent model years that have not been previously titled and include automobiles, trucks, and vans. Rates, terms, and financing are subject to credit approval and may vary based on creditworthiness, loan term, loan-to-value ratio, down payment, and other underwriting factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rate. Additional restrictions and conditions may apply.
BUsed Vehicles are defined as automobiles, trucks, and vans that have been previously titled and are up to fifteen (15) model years old. Rates, terms, and financing are subject to credit approval and may vary based on creditworthiness, loan term, loan-to-value ratio, down payment, vehicle age, and other underwriting factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rate. Additional restrictions and conditions may apply.
CRecreational Vehicles (RVs) and Boats are eligible for financing if they are within the most recent ten (10) model years. Boat financing must include the boat hull and all associated motor(s). A trailer may be included as part of the financing package when applicable. Rates, terms, and financing are subject to credit approval and may vary based on creditworthiness, loan term, loan-to-value ratio, down payment, collateral type, age of collateral, and other underwriting factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rate. Additional restrictions and conditions may apply.
DMotorcycles are eligible for financing if they are within the most recent ten (10) model years and include motorcycles, sport bikes, cruisers, touring motorcycles, trikes, and similar street-legal powersport vehicles. Rates, terms, and financing are subject to credit approval and may vary based on creditworthiness, loan term, loan-to-value ratio, down payment, collateral type, age of collateral, and other underwriting factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rate. Additional restrictions and conditions may apply.
EClassic Automobiles are eligible for financing if they are at least twenty-five (25) years old and meet the current J.D. Power definition of a classic vehicle. The vehicle must remain substantially consistent with its original factory design and configuration and may not be undergoing restoration at the time of application. Borrowers are required to provide current photographs of the vehicle for eligibility verification. Rates, terms, and financing are subject to credit approval and may vary based on creditworthiness, loan term, loan-to-value ratio, down payment, vehicle condition, and other underwriting factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rate. Additional restrictions and conditions may apply.
FPowersport vehicles are eligible for financing if they are within the most recent four (4) model years and include All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs), and Personal Watercraft (PWCs). Personal Watercraft financing must include a trailer as part of the collateral package. Rates, terms, and financing are subject to credit approval and may vary based on creditworthiness, loan term, loan-to-value ratio, down payment, collateral type, age of collateral, and other underwriting factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rate. Additional restrictions and conditions may apply.
Rates are subject to change without notice and are accurate as of the date listed above. Additional rates and terms may apply. Members may contact any Credit Union staff member for details on applicable fees and terms. The rates shown apply only to new money and new loans with Tidemark Federal Credit Union. Existing Tidemark loans may not qualify for the advertised rates if refinanced internally. Rate eligibility is determined by multiple factors, including loan type, creditworthiness, and the terms of the current loan agreement.