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Community Heroes Mortgage Program

Community Heroes Mortgage

Serving Those
Who Serve Our
Community

Helping those who serve and protect our communities achieve the dream of homeownership.

Exclusive Mortgage Offer

$1,000closing credit²

Eligible first mortgages of $250K+

Purchase

Refinance

Offer expires 12/31/26. See disclosures below.

Smiling paramedic, firefighters, police officer and soldier standing together in front of a fire truck and ambulance

Hometown Heroes

Every Hero’s Road Leads Home

You answer the call for the Hudson Valley every day. Now TEG is answering yours, with a $1,000 closing credit toward your next home.

Illustration of a fire truck, ambulance and police car driving past the Mid-Hudson Bridge toward a new home, while a veteran salutes the American flag and a soldier walks home $1,000 credit SOLD! POLICE

Combine and Maximize Your Savings

Eligible borrowers may combine the Community Heroes mortgage credit with other programs for even greater savings.

Community Heroes

$1,000

Closing Credit2

On eligible first mortgages of $250,000 or more, purchase or refinance.

Talk to an officer

First-Time Buyers

$500

Closing Cost Credit

Attend TEG’s FREE First-time Homebuyer Webinar and gain valuable homebuying insights from TEG mortgage experts.

Join the webinar

Grant Program

Homebuyer Dream Program®

FHLBNY Grants3

Qualified homebuyers may be eligible for grants that help first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing costs.

Learn about the program

Who Qualifies for TEG’s Community Heroes Program?

Active

Volunteer

Retired

Police Officers

Eligible

Firefighters

Eligible

EMTs & Paramedics

Eligible

Military

Eligible

Veterans

Eligible

Simple verification. The program is open to eligible first responders, active-duty military, veterans, and retirees. Employment or military status is verified with ID, pay stub, pension, or other proof.1

Your Path Home in 4 Steps

Local guidance from people who know the Hudson Valley, from pre-approval to closing.

1

Meet Your Officer

Connect with a local TEG Mortgage Officer to get pre-approved.

2

Verify Your Service

Share ID, a pay stub, pension, or other proof of status.

3

Become a Member

Membership is required before closing. Join TEG with a $5 deposit.

4

Close and Save

Your $1,000 Community Heroes credit is applied at closing.

Where You Bank Matters

At TEG, you’re not a number. You’re a member.

It’s a place where people know your name, take the time to listen, and genuinely care about helping you achieve your goals.

That’s the TEG difference.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

At TEG, we’re proud to serve the people who strengthen our communities every day. As a member-owned credit union, your success is our success.

That’s why we offer You-First Banking with local decisions, trusted guidance, and a genuine commitment to helping you achieve your financial goals.

Your Next Mission: Homeownership

Through our Community Heroes Mortgage Program, eligible borrowers can take advantage of exclusive benefits designed to make homeownership more affordable and within reach. Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or planning your next move, TEG is here to help every step of the way.

Experience the TEG Difference.

A place where you belong. A place where people know your name, take the time to listen, and genuinely care about helping you achieve your goals.

Local. Personal. You-First.

Why Choose TEG?

Local Mortgage Experts

Work with professionals who know and serve the Hudson Valley because they live here too.

Local Decisions

Fast, local underwriting and decision-making from people who understand your community and goals.

Guidance You Can Trust

From pre-approval to closing, we’ll help you navigate every step with confidence.

You-First Banking

We focus on what’s best for you, helping you keep more of your hard-earned money and reach your financial goals.

A Credit Union That Cares

As a member-owned credit union, when our members succeed and thrive, our communities grow stronger.

Together Everyone Grows.

Meet Our Mortgage Officers

Local experts who live and work in the Hudson Valley. Call, text, or email any TEG Mortgage Officer to find out if you qualify.

Jeffrey "JJ" Shields, TEG Mortgage Officer

Jeffrey “JJ” Shields

Mortgage Officer

NMLS# 1466211

Contact

845.790.6605 x1505

845.464.4692 (Mobile)

Email JJ

Jessica Schoen, TEG Mortgage Officer

Jessica Schoen

Mortgage Officer

NMLS# 22486

Contact

845.452.7323 x1508

845.656.7552 (Mobile)

Email Jessica

Darren DiBenedetto, TEG Mortgage Officer

Darren DiBenedetto

Mortgage Officer

NMLS# 404038

Contact

845.790.6606 x1125

914.629.8687 (Mobile)

Email Darren

Matthew Bannan, TEG Mortgage Officer

Matthew Bannan

Mortgage Officer

NMLS# 404022

Contact

845.452.7323 x1273

914.589.9907 (Mobile)

Email Matthew

Scott McNally, TEG Mortgage Officer

Scott McNally

Mortgage Officer

NMLS# 1841508

Contact

845.452.7323 x1904

845.728.4419 (Mobile)

Email Scott

Prefer to talk to someone right away? Call 845.452.7323 and ask for the mortgage team.

Community Heroes Mortgage FAQs

Who qualifies for the TEG Community Heroes Mortgage Program?

Active, volunteer, and retired police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, military members, and veterans. Employment or military status must be verified with ID, pay stub, pension, or other proof.

How much is the Community Heroes closing credit?

$1,000, applied at closing on eligible first-lien purchase and refinance mortgages of $250,000 or more.

Can I use the Community Heroes credit to refinance?

Yes. The $1,000 credit is available on eligible first-lien purchase and refinance mortgages of $250,000 or more.

Can I combine the credit with other programs?

Yes. Eligible borrowers may combine it with other programs, such as the $500 closing cost credit for attending TEG’s FREE First-time Homebuyer Webinar and FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program® grants, which have limited availability.

Do I need to be a TEG member?

Yes. You must be a current or new member before closing. Membership is open to people who live, work, worship, or attend school in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, or Westchester County with a $5 deposit. Buying a primary residence in these New York counties also qualifies.

When does the Community Heroes offer end?

The offer expires December 31, 2026, and may change or end without notice.

Can the credit be applied to a mortgage that already closed?

No. The credit applies at closing and cannot be applied retroactively to previously closed loans.

Who can I talk to about the program?

Any TEG Mortgage Officer: Jeffrey “JJ” Shields, Jessica Schoen, Darren DiBenedetto, Matthew Bannan, or Scott McNally. You can also call TEG at 845.452.7323.

Community Heroes Mortgage Program

Your Next Mission Starts Here. Apply Today!

Call 845.452.7323 or visit TEGFCU.com

Disclosures

Membership eligibility requires being a current or new member before closing the mortgage. Open to residents, workers, worshippers, or students in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester with a $5 deposit. Buying a primary residence in these NY counties also qualifies.

1Community Heroes Program is open to eligible first responders, active-duty military, veterans, and retirees. Employment or military status must be verified with ID, pay stub, pension, or other proof.

2Mortgage Closing Credit available on eligible first-lien purchase and refinance mortgages of $250,000+. Eligibility documentation required before closing. Credit applies at closing and cannot be applied retroactively to previously closed loans. Subject to credit approval and program requirements. Offer expires 12/31/26 and may change or end without notice.

3Homebuyer Dream Program® grants have limited availability and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility, funding, and program rules. The grant is an FHLBNY program, and funding approval is required.

Find Your OfficerCall 845.452.7323
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