topic Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience in Personal Finance

My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:52:30 GMT

After seeing the recent spate of approvals for BECU membership and credit products , I decided to apply for membership on 12/28/19. The membership eligibility options indicated that I could join BECU by making a $20 donation to Northwest Credit Union Foundation. I made the donation and received a confirmation email from NWCUF after about 10 minutes. I then completed the BECU online membership app but at the end all I got was the “Unable to Proceed Online” screen.

I then tried applying again through the BECU mobile app (Android) and got the same "Unable to Proceed" message. Oddly enough, the link to the Membership Application Packet did not work on either occasion so I called up BECU customer service and a rep directed me to the correct location of the application form on their website (all the while sounding incredulous that I’d want to join from out of state).

I completed and signed the membership application; scanned color copies of my driver’s license, social security card, current utility bill, NWCUF confirmation email, and front two pages of my passport (for good measure) and mailed it all to BECU via USPS Express Mail on 12/30/19 with an estimated delivery date of 1/3/20. However USPS tracking showed that the package was delivered one day early on 1/2/20.

On Saturday 1/4/20, I called BECU for an update on the status of the application and the rep informed me that he could see the two previous apps I had submitted earlier. But he didn’t think that they had gotten around to processing the mailed in application. A week later I still have not heard anything from BECU and I’m ready to write the entire thing off as a loss.

Has anyone else who made a membership application by mail had a similar experience?

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

AllZero — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 23:56:31 GMT

My first and only membership application attempt was by USPS mail. I had great success with it because I was approved for membership within a weeks time.

Perhaps, they are backlogged and will give you an answer soon?

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 00:07:26 GMT

@AllZero wrote:
My first and only membership application attempt was by USPS mail. I had great success with it because I was approved for membership within a weeks time.

Perhaps, they are backlogged and will give you an answer soon?

I honestly don't know what to think at this stage. In my fairly long credit history I've never had an experience like this.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

AllZero — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 00:16:03 GMT

From the data points on membership and CC approvals I've read, the website membership application appeared to be working for some myFICOers. Not sure why their portal is having glitches or the delay in membership approvals.

They're a great credit union. Hopefully, you'll be approved soon.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Shooting-For-800 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 00:35:38 GMT

I had to upload DL, SS card and utility bill.

2 weeks later, no one has a clue.

I applied for other cards in the meantime.

Gave up..

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 04:25:13 GMT

Their processes can be infuriating to deal with and they really do seem to have a chip on their shoulders about out of state applicants in general which really makes you wonder why they opened up the NWCUF route to begin with.

Everyone who has actually passed their verification seems to be quite happy with them though so stick it out if you can. I wish I had done so back in March.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 06:42:53 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Their processes can be infuriating to deal with and they really do seem to have a chip on their shoulders about out of state applicants in general which really makes you wonder why they opened up the NWCUF route to begin with.

Everyone who has actually passed their verification seems to be quite happy with them though so stick it out if you can. I wish I had done so back in March.

@Anonymous I'm finding that out now. Although I've practically given up on the idea now maybe I'll be surprised with an approval. I've never run in to this kind of roadblock to simply open a bank or credit union account.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 07:29:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Their processes can be infuriating to deal with and they really do seem to have a chip on their shoulders about out of state applicants in general which really makes you wonder why they opened up the NWCUF route to begin with.

Everyone who has actually passed their verification seems to be quite happy with them though so stick it out if you can. I wish I had done so back in March.
@AnonymousI'm finding that out now. Although I've practically given up on the idea now maybe I'll be surprised with an approval. I've never run in to this kind of roadblock to simply open a bank or credit union account.

It's certainly a lot more work than any other account I have ever opened. I mean SSFCU and DCU wanted documents but they just sent me to a secure document upload service and I was done.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Gmood1 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:44:58 GMT

Sorry to hear of you guys troubles. I've also battled with them. Had a couple of arguments with CSRs.
Requested to talk to their supervisors. Both supervisors were nice and courteous.
I've MOST definitely had better experiences from the majority of the other CUs I've joined over the years as a whole.
These folks make you feel like a cyber criminal at times.😂
I'm starting to wonder if this CU is too big for the britches they're trying to wear.😆
Just letting you guys know, you aren't alone.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

M_Smart007 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:24:13 GMT

@AllZero wrote:
From the data points on membership and CC approvals I've read, the website membership application appeared to be working for some myFICOers. Not sure why their portal is having glitches or the delay in membership approvals.

They're a great Antique credit union. Hopefully, you'll be approved soon.

Had to add my 2 cents worth ..

Yes I had to do snail mail for the same online experience, eventually they got it and I was approved.

Sent USPS priority mail with tracking and signature. While I did not get a $40K approval .. I got $35K

I had opened about 16-17 cards at the time .. just prior.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 21:35:59 GMT

(Mod cut - not here please, inappropriate comments are not acceptable per our TOS)

My apps made it safely to Washington and back.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Remedios — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:41:41 GMT

A sudden influx of out of state apps will not go unnoticed. I'd expect joining troubles to increase over time.
Wouldn't be the first time MF crowd broke something.

With that said, likening plane crashes in which hundreds of people lost their lives even in jest to being unable to join CU is just.. I dont know what it is

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:58:26 GMT

I joined from out of state without much dificulty. I was then turned down for a credit card with 750+ TU Fico.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

creditfan — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:23:18 GMT

Has anyone else who made a membership application by mail had a similar experience?

applied by mailing in too, no problem

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Personal-Finance/BECU-Eligibility-Question/m-p/5489512#M58588

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:32:41 GMT

@M_Smart007 wrote:
@AllZero wrote:
From the data points on membership and CC approvals I've read, the website membership application appeared to be working for some myFICOers. Not sure why their portal is having glitches or the delay in membership approvals.

They're a great Antique credit union. Hopefully, you'll be approved soon.
Had to add my 2 cents worth ..

Yes I had to do snail mail for the same online experience, eventually they got it and I was approved.
Sent USPS priority mail with tracking and signature. While I did not get a $40K approval .. I got $35K
I had opened about 16-17 cards at the time .. just prior.

@M_Smart007 Congrats. Hopefully I'll hear from them soon. As of now I don't plan on applying for any credit products but I like the option of having them there in the event I change my mind.

16-17 cards???

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:34:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I joined from out of state without much dificulty. I was then turned down for a credit card with 750+ TU Fico.

Sorry to hear that. What was the reason for the decline?

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:35:55 GMT

@creditfan wrote:

Has anyone else who made a membership application by mail had a similar experience?
applied by mailing in too, no problem
https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Personal-Finance/BECU-Eligibility-Question/m-p/5489512#M58588

You were an early adopter and it appears that more recently they have been really scrutinizing applications.

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

M_Smart007 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:58:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@M_Smart007 wrote:
@AllZero wrote:
From the data points on membership and CC approvals I've read, the website membership application appeared to be working for some myFICOers. Not sure why their portal is having glitches or the delay in membership approvals.

They're a great Antique credit union. Hopefully, you'll be approved soon.
Had to add my 2 cents worth ..

Yes I had to do snail mail for the same online experience, eventually they got it and I was approved.
Sent USPS priority mail with tracking and signature. While I did not get a $40K approval .. I got $35K
I had opened about 16-17 cards at the time .. just prior.
@M_Smart007 Congrats. Hopefully I'll hear from them soon. As of now I don't plan on applying for any credit products but I like the option of having them there in the event I change my mind.

16-17 cards???

@Anonymous , Yes , wanted to get it all out of my system and age together

(was really more of a challenge than anything)

It actually ended up being 21 in total over 12-13 months.

More at the beginning of the year than the latter part. I have several old accounts, and a pretty thick ~~head~~ profile, so I managed to keep my AAoA at 2.6 years (did dip to 2.5 years briefly) My last app was NFCU Platinum right after Chase Marriott. (Black Pre-Approved)

I have had ZERO AA. Although I had a brief call from Chase UW. A Few questions, all was OK.

Last 2 approval's in the string of things...

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Approvals/NFCU-Platinum-Approval-15-000-00/m-p/5835660#M643551

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Approvals/Chase-Marriott-Approval-LOL-24/m-p/5811610#M638611

I currently have No goals other than Garden for a while, want to get AAoA back above 3.0 years.

Also would like to get AoYA over 1 year (Next December)

If you don't hear back from BECU, I would call them. As Mine was just sitting in Que. The phone call got things rolling.

Take Care!

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

M_Smart007 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:00:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I joined from out of state without much dificulty. I was then turned down for a credit card with 750+ TU Fico.

I am shocked, Did they give a reason?

Re: My BECU Membership App by Mail experience

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:37:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I joined from out of state without much dificulty. I was then turned down for a credit card with 750+ TU Fico.
Sorry to hear that. What was the reason for the decline?

This was in October 2019 and I'm not totally sure. I think it was due to me being actively adding multiple new accounts, but I can't swear to that. My profile didn't match their criteria. Much like with Penfed.