topic Re: Best Credit Union in Personal Finance

Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:06:33 GMT

I am interested in a credit union but I am not sure which one would be best. I don't know all the ones I can join yet, (seems like you can join a lot of them with a donation) let alone if they are even good. I would like one that is well rounded with what it offers if possible, but most importantly one that has a good mortgage program. I won't be getting a mortgage for a while but I would like to join who ever I intend to get it from before hand. Maybe a credit union wouldn't even be best, I have always been told they are better by my family and friends (a lot of people on this forum seem to like to CU as well), but I never got one. I have just been with wells fargo and haven't felt like moving somewhere. I want a credit union regardless, (for the savings if anything) but if they aren't best for getting a mortgage let me know.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:12:44 GMT

I don’t have any experience with mortgages but DCU is an excellent credit union that anyone can join and they offer more benefits the more services you have with them.

NFCU is one of the best credit unions around but you need to have military affiliation somewhere in your family to join.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:56:32 GMT

A nice starting point would be your local area. You could just do a search for 'credit unions' and see what comes up in your area.
Another way to find a suitable CU is to do a search of your profession and the words 'credit union'. This is nice because some are industry specific such as Teachers Credit Union.

Have fun

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 21:03:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
A nice starting point would be your local area. You could just do a search for 'credit unions' and see what comes up in your area.
Another way to find a suitable CU is to do a search of your profession and the words 'credit union'. This is nice because some are industry specific such as Teachers Credit Union.

Have fun

I was going to go with a local one (specifically iccu) but a short search shows me they aren't the best I could get. I still might get them but I do want the best option, and I don't feel like they are. I am fairly certain there is no credit union for my line of work as well.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 21:29:18 GMT

You'd be surprised. I have FedEx Credit Union from when I worked a season as a package handler. They even have grocery store credit Unions, like Safeway Credit Union and all kinds of others.

Re: Best Credit Union

SouthJamaica — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 22:18:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I am interested in a credit union but I am not sure which one would be best. I don't know all the ones I can join yet, (seems like you can join a lot of them with a donation) let alone if they are even good. I would like one that is well rounded with what it offers if possible, but most importantly one that has a good mortgage program. I won't be getting a mortgage for a while but I would like to join who ever I intend to get it from before hand. Maybe a credit union wouldn't even be best, I have always been told they are better by my family and friends (a lot of people on this forum seem to like to CU as well), but I never got one. I have just been with wells fargo and haven't felt like moving somewhere. I want a credit union regardless, (for the savings if anything) but if they aren't best for getting a mortgage let me know.

Often your best bet will be a local credit union or one limited to your affiliations or employment.

But some very good credit unions which are fairly open to everyone are Langley FCU, PenFed, DCU, Unify FCU, Affinity FCU, Hanscom FCU, and Andigo CU.

Re: Best Credit Union

creditfan — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 23:54:57 GMT

Alliant CU

https://www.bankrate.com/banking/best-credit-unions/

Re: Best Credit Union

AverageJoesCredit — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 00:11:17 GMT

Best is always subjective to the user. For instance , Penfed is one of the biggest open Credit Unions in the nation . Some will swear by them while others like myself feel pushed over . You wont know if you like a CU until you try one. As South Jamaica said , there are a few biggies that many of us here use so you just have to read each CU to see what they offer snd if you like it for your needs. Good Luck

Re: Best Credit Union

Kforce — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 01:08:03 GMT

All CU's have strong and weak features and rates.

I have a few CU's and have had others I closed.

One has exceptional vehicle loans but worthless credit cards and online banking.

Another a convenient brick&mortar location for taking in cash, change, or using the free notary service.

Still another has exceptional Bill-Pay and online features, but poor credit cards and loans.

Another good savings and CD's but everything else less than ideal.

None that I have had, have it all.

I love a couple of my CU's, and feel most give you higher service and better rates than major banks.

List what is most to least important for you, and do some home work.

Check both the local CU's and larger ones.

If you are willing to share a little info, members will flood you with recommendations.

List the top 2-3 important features, your location, and profession.

Most CU's are employment, location, school, or work restricted.

With out knowing what is important to you, you are getting results of what is important to the poster.

I might recommend a sports car while you need a family suv.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 13:35:36 GMT

@Kforce wrote:
All CU's have strong and weak features and rates.
I have a few CU's and have had others I closed.
One has exceptional vehicle loans but worthless credit cards and online banking.
Another a convenient brick&mortar location for taking in cash, change, or using the free notary service.
Still another has exceptional Bill-Pay and online features, but poor credit cards and loans.
Another good savings and CD's but everything else less than ideal.
None that I have had, have it all.
I love a couple of my CU's, and feel most give you higher service and better rates than major banks.

List what is most to least important for you, and do some home work.
Check both the local CU's and larger ones.

If you are willing to share a little info, members will flood you with recommendations.
List the top 2-3 important features, your location, and profession.
Most CU's are employment, location, school, or work restricted.
With out knowing what is important to you, you are getting results of what is important to the poster.
I might recommend a sports car while you need a family suv.

I have looked into most of the credit union around me, and I will join one of them if a better one isn't mentioned by someone on here. I have been with wells fargo for a 10 years and so I don't want a down grade, it needs to be the same level if not better. I want a credit union that I can do a mortgage from, however I don't want to get one from a credit union unless they are good in these other aspects listed below.

1) Amazing online banking, specifically bill pay is very important to me and direct deposit as well.

2) A nice savings account

3) customer service needs to be good, I don't need to be able to go in to a bank, but they need great customer service over the phone.

4) Credit cards and/or loans, this is nice but without the other three it doesn't matter if these are good.

I still don't think there is a credit union for my profession, there might be from a simple search but I can't tell for sure. I work at CenturyLink, and I live in Idaho.

Re: Best Credit Union

SouthJamaica — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:42:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Kforce wrote:
All CU's have strong and weak features and rates.
I have a few CU's and have had others I closed.
One has exceptional vehicle loans but worthless credit cards and online banking.
Another a convenient brick&mortar location for taking in cash, change, or using the free notary service.
Still another has exceptional Bill-Pay and online features, but poor credit cards and loans.
Another good savings and CD's but everything else less than ideal.
None that I have had, have it all.
I love a couple of my CU's, and feel most give you higher service and better rates than major banks.

List what is most to least important for you, and do some home work.
Check both the local CU's and larger ones.

If you are willing to share a little info, members will flood you with recommendations.
List the top 2-3 important features, your location, and profession.
Most CU's are employment, location, school, or work restricted.
With out knowing what is important to you, you are getting results of what is important to the poster.
I might recommend a sports car while you need a family suv.
I have looked into most of the credit union around me, and I will join one of them if a better one isn't mentioned by someone on here. I have been with wells fargo for a 10 years and so I don't want a down grade, it needs to be the same level if not better. I want a credit union that I can do a mortgage from, however I don't want to get one from a credit union unless they are good in these other aspects listed below.

1) Amazing online banking, specifically bill pay is very important to me and direct deposit as well.
2) A nice savings account
3) customer service needs to be good, I don't need to be able to go in to a bank, but they need great customer service over the phone.
4) Credit cards and/or loans, this is nice but without the other three it doesn't matter if these are good.

I still don't think there is a credit union for my profession, there might be from a simple search but I can't tell for sure. I work at CenturyLink, and I live in Idaho.

Since you're lucky enough to live in Idaho, you should check to see if you're in one of the Idaho counties that would make you eligible for BECU. That is one of the best credit unions in the country.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:01:49 GMT

I just checked and don't live in the correct county to join them.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:20:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Kforce wrote:
All CU's have strong and weak features and rates.
I have a few CU's and have had others I closed.
One has exceptional vehicle loans but worthless credit cards and online banking.
Another a convenient brick&mortar location for taking in cash, change, or using the free notary service.
Still another has exceptional Bill-Pay and online features, but poor credit cards and loans.
Another good savings and CD's but everything else less than ideal.
None that I have had, have it all.
I love a couple of my CU's, and feel most give you higher service and better rates than major banks.

List what is most to least important for you, and do some home work.
Check both the local CU's and larger ones.

If you are willing to share a little info, members will flood you with recommendations.
List the top 2-3 important features, your location, and profession.
Most CU's are employment, location, school, or work restricted.
With out knowing what is important to you, you are getting results of what is important to the poster.
I might recommend a sports car while you need a family suv.
I have looked into most of the credit union around me, and I will join one of them if a better one isn't mentioned by someone on here. I have been with wells fargo for a 10 years and so I don't want a down grade, it needs to be the same level if not better. I want a credit union that I can do a mortgage from, however I don't want to get one from a credit union unless they are good in these other aspects listed below.

1) Amazing online banking, specifically bill pay is very important to me and direct deposit as well.
2) A nice savings account
3) customer service needs to be good, I don't need to be able to go in to a bank, but they need great customer service over the phone.
4) Credit cards and/or loans, this is nice but without the other three it doesn't matter if these are good.

I still don't think there is a credit union for my profession, there might be from a simple search but I can't tell for sure. I work at CenturyLink, and I live in Idaho.

Depending where in Idaho, BECU may be available to you.

https://www.becu.org/members-matter/about-membership/Membership

-Edit- Oops, too slow with the post...

Re: Best Credit Union

Kforce — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 16:07:04 GMT

@Kforce wrote:
If you are willing to share a little info, members will flood you with recommendations.

Shows how wrong I can be.

I guess Idaho is not full of exceptional CU's.

On the good side, it is a beautiful state, at least when I was last there.

Might need to look at the large open CU's.

Posted : Some very good credit unions which are fairly open to everyone are

Langley FCU, PenFed, DCU, Unify FCU, Affinity FCU, Hanscom FCU, and Andigo CU.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 16:24:38 GMT

@Kforce wrote:
@Kforce wrote:
If you are willing to share a little info, members will flood you with recommendations.
Shows how wrong I can be.
I guess Idaho is not full of exceptional CU's. That seems accurate from my search for credit unions around here
On the good side, it is a beautiful state, at least when I was last there. It is still very nice as well, if you like mountains and wild life, which I do.

Might need to look at the large open CU's.
SouthJamaica

Posted : Some very good credit unions which are fairly open to everyone are
Langley FCU, PenFed, DCU, Unify FCU, Affinity FCU, Hanscom FCU, and Andigo CU.

That is what keeps coming up when I search on google. I am looking at all of them now to see, which one would be best.

Re: Best Credit Union

CAS2019 — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 16:41:03 GMT

Just a note re PenFed, they have very limited brick and mortar branches. I found them to be abysmal with day to day services, but like everything else, YEMV.

Re: Best Credit Union

SouthJamaica — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 18:24:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I just checked and don't live in the correct county to join them.

I would call and check. It's that good a credit union that it's worth a few minutes to make sure.

Even if you're not eligible by Idaho county they might think of another path to membership.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 01:59:12 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I just checked and don't live in the correct county to join them.

I would call and check. It's that good a credit union that it's worth a few minutes to make sure.

Even if you're not eligible by Idaho county they might think of another path to membership.

I was able to join BECU through snail mail application and I'm a Utah resident.
https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Personal-Finance/BECU-Eligibility-Question/m-p/5489512/highlight/true#M58588

I don't have any personal experience but America First and Mountain America are big around Idaho and Utah.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 02:38:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Kforce wrote:
All CU's have strong and weak features and rates.
I have a few CU's and have had others I closed.
One has exceptional vehicle loans but worthless credit cards and online banking.
Another a convenient brick&mortar location for taking in cash, change, or using the free notary service.
Still another has exceptional Bill-Pay and online features, but poor credit cards and loans.
Another good savings and CD's but everything else less than ideal.
None that I have had, have it all.
I love a couple of my CU's, and feel most give you higher service and better rates than major banks.

List what is most to least important for you, and do some home work.
Check both the local CU's and larger ones.

If you are willing to share a little info, members will flood you with recommendations.
List the top 2-3 important features, your location, and profession.
Most CU's are employment, location, school, or work restricted.
With out knowing what is important to you, you are getting results of what is important to the poster.
I might recommend a sports car while you need a family suv.
I have looked into most of the credit union around me, and I will join one of them if a better one isn't mentioned by someone on here. I have been with wells fargo for a 10 years and so I don't want a down grade, it needs to be the same level if not better. I want a credit union that I can do a mortgage from, however I don't want to get one from a credit union unless they are good in these other aspects listed below.

1) Amazing online banking, specifically bill pay is very important to me and direct deposit as well.
2) A nice savings account
3) customer service needs to be good, I don't need to be able to go in to a bank, but they need great customer service over the phone.
4) Credit cards and/or loans, this is nice but without the other three it doesn't matter if these are good.

I still don't think there is a credit union for my profession, there might be from a simple search but I can't tell for sure. I work at CenturyLink, and I live in Idaho.

Looks like you would be eligible for MACU through your employer.

They have Zelle.

I believe it is a hard pull on experian to join.

They give you your experian mortgage FICO score quarterly.

The credit cards are nothing special.

Savings rate isn't great either but there aren't many CUs out there that are.

Re: Best Credit Union

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 02:44:27 GMT

List of the largest CUs with branches in ID.

https://www.depositaccounts.com/banks/assets.aspx?instType=cu&stateType=branch&state=ID