topic Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks? in SmorgasBoard

Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:07:10 GMT

Hi All,

I'm considering opening a new bank account. I'm looking for a bank/cu with great products and that rewards relationships, etc. I already have NFCU and am pleased with them. Ideally, I'd like to open an account with another credit union & bank as strong as NFCU. If I open a CU account now, I'm planning to open another bank account towards the end of the month, so please feel free to chime in about your banking experiences. Which credit unions/banks are you really happy with?

***At the beginning of the year, I'll also be looking to open a new business account so if you have any feedback for ideal banks for businesses, that would be great too!***

Here are some credit unions/banks I've considered:

Credit Union

Alliant
Veridian
First Tech Financial
Andrews FCU
United Nations
Affinity FCU
Unify Financial FCU
SDFCU
SECU
PenFed
Langley
DCU
NIH Credit Union

Banks

BB&T
US Bank
TD Bank

***Not interested in BOA, Chase or Wells Fargo***

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 02:22:53 GMT

NFCU and SECU/MD

NFCU for obvious reasons

SECU, 670+ EQ5 with no recent major derog, and fair DTI, and they give you soup, no long-term relationship nor DD needed. Very good credit cards and fair PLOC from them. Online banking is alright.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

blindambition — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 03:07:39 GMT

I love NFCU for their service and products, as well as AOD for their tremendous customer service. I believe some loan types may be geofenced.

For bank, I've always loved Chase. The savings rates are atrocious, but reps are on the ball. Fast transfers, and they've always treated me well. I've had them since I was a teenager.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

wasCB14 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 05:01:54 GMT

BofA certainly rewards relationships with Preferred Rewards, but delays can still be awful.

"Thank you for being a Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards member. Your estimated wait time to speak to a representative is 30 minutes."

That sort of thing.

I should add I've only had to call twice, but had long delays both times.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 05:22:32 GMT

I'm happy with NFCU and Service CU and highly recommend you look into Service CU as well. DCU is great until you need customer service - then you're looking at hours of hold time. Langley has outdated tech but is serviceable. Alliant is meh all the way around IMO.

I also have accounts with SSFCU and AOD. AOD I put below NFCU and Service CU but above DCU. SSFCU has outdated tech but they're otherwise okay.

US Bank is the only large bank I do business beyond credit cards with and I don't have any complaints about them. If you have a 740 TU VS3, you can sign up for their Because You've Earned It program that gives you their Gold checking account and waives the $14.95 monthly fee.

I have a checking account with BBVA that gets no use and I don't recommend them.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:09:17 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
NFCU and SECU/MD

NFCU for obvious reasons

SECU, 670+ EQ5 with no recent major derog, and fair DTI, and they give you soup, no long-term relationship nor DD needed. Very good credit cards and fair PLOC from them. Online banking is alright.

@Anonymous Thank you for your feedback. How would you rate their customer service?

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:10:42 GMT

@blindambition wrote:
I love NFCU for their service and products, as well as AOD for their tremendous customer service. I believe some loan types may be geofenced.
For bank, I've always loved Chase. The savings rates are atrocious, but reps are on the ball. Fast transfers, and they've always treated me well. I've had them since I was a teenager.

@blindambition Thank you for your feedback. Yes, I was interested in AOD, but concerned about geofencing.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:12:18 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
BofA certainly rewards relationships with Preferred Rewards, but delays can still be awful.

"Thank you for being a Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards member. Your estimated wait time to speak to a representative is 30 minutes."

That sort of thing.

I should add I've only had to call twice, but had long delays both times.

@wasCB14 Thank you for your feedback. Yes, that's one of things I've been looking out for regarding my next banking relationship. I so enjoy being able to get things done at NFCU at 9p! LOL!

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:25:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm happy with NFCU and Service CU and highly recommend you look into Service CU as well. DCU is great until you need customer service - then you're looking at hours of hold time. Langley has outdated tech but is serviceable. Alliant is meh all the way around IMO.

I also have accounts with SSFCU and AOD. AOD I put below NFCU and Service CU but above DCU. SSFCU has outdated tech but they're otherwise okay.

US Bank is the only large bank I do business beyond credit cards with and I don't have any complaints about them. If you have a 740 TU VS3, you can sign up for their Because You've Earned It program that gives you their Gold checking account and waives the $14.95 monthly fee.

I have a checking account with BBVA that gets no use and I don't recommend them. I will definitely look into Service CU. Do yo

@Anonymous Thank you for your feedback and these details. Customer service is definitely important to me.

What do you like the most about Service CU?

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

pinkandgrey — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:51:02 GMT

Citi has always been great for me.

Discover as well.

Those are probably my two favorites. I'm a member of Ent Credit Union, but I don't have any CCs from them.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 18:12:54 GMT

@credit8502020 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm happy with NFCU and Service CU and highly recommend you look into Service CU as well. DCU is great until you need customer service - then you're looking at hours of hold time. Langley has outdated tech but is serviceable. Alliant is meh all the way around IMO.

I also have accounts with SSFCU and AOD. AOD I put below NFCU and Service CU but above DCU. SSFCU has outdated tech but they're otherwise okay.

US Bank is the only large bank I do business beyond credit cards with and I don't have any complaints about them. If you have a 740 TU VS3, you can sign up for their Because You've Earned It program that gives you their Gold checking account and waives the $14.95 monthly fee.

I have a checking account with BBVA that gets no use and I don't recommend them. I will definitely look into Service CU. Do yo
@Anonymous Thank you for your feedback and these details. Customer service is definitely important to me.
What do you like the most about Service CU?

They have excellent customer service and their technology isn't as far behind as many CUs. If it wasn't such a hassle to change bank accounts with Medicaid, I would switch from my local bank 1stBank to Service because they offer 2 day early direct deposit, they have Zelle support, free checks, free transfers from savings if you overdraft, no fees for transfers and they're quick about them, and they offer 5% on the first $500 you put in the savings account.

Not something that I can see myself using but they also offer SEPA support if you conduct business with Europe to allow international banking. I don't think even NFCU has that.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 18:13:18 GMT

@pinkandgrey wrote:
Citi has always been great for me.
Discover as well.

Those are probably my two favorites. I'm a member of Ent Credit Union, but I don't have any CCs from them.

Ent is so ghetto 😂

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

Wrigley2172 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:17:29 GMT

I have an account as well as CC with baxter CU. I love them thus far, joined in january. Their cc rewards are pretty standard but their interest on the checking account up to 15k is hard to beat. Ive had to call them a few times but havent had to wait for more than 5-10 minutes to talk to a rep. They are geofenced however. If you qualify though i would highly recommend them.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

pinkandgrey — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 22:40:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@pinkandgrey wrote:
Citi has always been great for me.
Discover as well.

Those are probably my two favorites. I'm a member of Ent Credit Union, but I don't have any CCs from them.
Ent is so ghetto 😂

Lol at least I've never had any problems with them! I've had two car loans through them but I don't care to expand my membership at all.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

wasCB14 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 23:23:30 GMT

I use Schwab for checking and some brokerage activity.

I once called Citi to link my existing CC login with a new checking account. The rep on the phone managed to disable my access to both as well as delete my autopay settings. Eventually someone in a branch was able to give me a new login.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

cr101 — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 23:51:26 GMT

I bank with a few of those.

If I had to choose just 1, believe it or not, I'd recommend DCU, even though I've blasted them on this site a few times for their mistakes. They've been very genereous with issuing credit to me, which is what I care about. They've owned up to their mistakes, even though it literally took months to fix. Their savings rate is STILL high, at 6.17%, even during COVID. They have been gracious to members during COVID. The downside is that they are sooooo slow at reporting to credit bureaus and at responding to service issues. Another plus is that they have chat if you do need to reach them. If you need to call and there's a long wait, 9 times out of 10, they'll let you request a callback. Nothing like waiting on hold for your bank. So, that's an awesome feature IMO. One of my favorite perks is the ability to get a cash advance from my CC straight into my DCU checking account.

I don't recommend BB&T. They're too dysfunctional. Their site looks really nice, but if you ever need to talk to them, you're likely to get different, contradictory responses from half of the reps and supervisors that you speak to. Full disclosure: I have an ongoing service issue with them.

Oh, I forgot about Discover. I still love them, but I had one blowup with them when I was interrogated about why I wanted my ATM withdrawal limit increased. So, now, I only use them for their quick ACH transfers to other banks. They typically have stellar service. I don't recommend them for the savings acct bc there are other banks offering higher interest rates. They do have a 1% cashback debit card for their checking account, though.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 04:16:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@credit8502020 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm happy with NFCU and Service CU and highly recommend you look into Service CU as well. DCU is great until you need customer service - then you're looking at hours of hold time. Langley has outdated tech but is serviceable. Alliant is meh all the way around IMO.

I also have accounts with SSFCU and AOD. AOD I put below NFCU and Service CU but above DCU. SSFCU has outdated tech but they're otherwise okay.

US Bank is the only large bank I do business beyond credit cards with and I don't have any complaints about them. If you have a 740 TU VS3, you can sign up for their Because You've Earned It program that gives you their Gold checking account and waives the $14.95 monthly fee.

I have a checking account with BBVA that gets no use and I don't recommend them. I will definitely look into Service CU. Do yo
@Anonymous Thank you for your feedback and these details. Customer service is definitely important to me.
What do you like the most about Service CU?
They have excellent customer service and their technology isn't as far behind as many CUs. If it wasn't such a hassle to change bank accounts with Medicaid, I would switch from my local bank 1stBank to Service because they offer 2 day early direct deposit, they have Zelle support, free checks, free transfers from savings if you overdraft, no fees for transfers and they're quick about them, and they offer 5% on the first $500 you put in the savings account.

Not something that I can see myself using but they also offer SEPA support if you conduct business with Europe to allow international banking. I don't think even NFCU has that.

@Anonymous Thank you for providing those details. I appreciate it.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 04:18:23 GMT

@Wrigley2172 wrote:
I have an account as well as CC with baxter CU. I love them thus far, joined in january. Their cc rewards are pretty standard but their interest on the checking account up to 15k is hard to beat. Ive had to call them a few times but havent had to wait for more than 5-10 minutes to talk to a rep. They are geofenced however. If you qualify though i would highly recommend them.

@Wrigley2172 Thank you! I will look into Baxter CU.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 04:19:06 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I use Schwab for checking and some brokerage activity.

I once called Citi to link my existing CC login with a new checking account. The rep on the phone managed to disable my access to both as well as delete my autopay settings. Eventually someone in a branch was able to give me a new login.

@wasCB14 Thank you for your feedback.

Re: Your Favorite Credit Unions/Banks?

credit8502020 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 04:30:11 GMT

@cr101 wrote:
I bank with a few of those.

If I had to choose just 1, believe it or not, I'd recommend DCU, even though I've blasted them on this site a few times for their mistakes. They've been very genereous with issuing credit to me, which is what I care about. They've owned up to their mistakes, even though it literally took months to fix. Their savings rate is STILL high, at 6.17%, even during COVID. They have been gracious to members during COVID. The downside is that they are sooooo slow at reporting to credit bureaus and at responding to service issues. Another plus is that they have chat if you do need to reach them. If you need to call and there's a long wait, 9 times out of 10, they'll let you request a callback. Nothing like waiting on hold for your bank. So, that's an awesome feature IMO. One of my favorite perks is the ability to get a cash advance from my CC straight into my DCU checking account.

I don't recommend BB&T. They're too dysfunctional. Their site looks really nice, but if you ever need to talk to them, you're likely to get different, contradictory responses from half of the reps and supervisors that you speak to. Full disclosure: I have an ongoing service issue with them.

Oh, I forgot about Discover. I still love them, but I had one blowup with them when I was interrogated about why I wanted my ATM withdrawal limit increased. So, now, I only use them for their quick ACH transfers to other banks. They typically have stellar service. I don't recommend them for the savings acct bc there are other banks offering higher interest rates. They do have a 1% cashback debit card for their checking account, though.

@cr101 Thank you for your feedback. DCU was high on my list. However, I recall being on hold with them earlier this year when I called to get more information about opening an account. I may just park funds there and build a relationship with them. Hopefully their customer service will get better and they will continue to have the higher savings rate. Thank you!