SF Fire Credit Union: Expanded Membership

[djc1puno]

crashem...you know if this cu does HP for opening check/savs?

[Anonymous]

---

@djc1puno wrote:

crashem...you know if this cu does HP for opening check/savs?

---

Yes they do if you do it online.  Relative got HP from doing online because they were remote.  I didn't get HP as I did it in person.  Pretty sure any HP can be used for credit products.

[rlx01]

SFFireCU are fantastic. You can even email the CEO directly and he'll respond same day!

I recommend this CU for banking and credit products to anyone who qualifies. It's the greatest banking experience I've had in the US.

[TATATA]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

@lhcole77 wrote:

Thanks for the info, Crashem!

I'll keep them in mind when/if I make my move to SF. I'm there almost every other weekend...does that count? lol

---

It is if you have an address where you can get mail at even if you never do.

---

I wonder if becoming an active member of the California State Firefighters' Association would suffice for membership....???

[djc1puno]

Thanks crashem! I will keep em in my radar

[TATATA]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

SF Fire is a great little credit union.  Read below for info on why they are good.  In the past it was restricted to those within a limited distance of one of their branches and fire fighters.  Just had my wife join and it looks like they expanded their membership base so take a look at them if you qualify:

• Firefighters of the San Francisco Fire Department

• Firefighters who live or work in San Francisco, San Mateo or Marin County

• Firefighters who are active members of the California State Firefighters’ Association – OR – Active members of the California State Firefighters’ Association

• Family of San Francisco Fire Credit Union members (The Definition of “Family” is as follows: Spouse, Domestic Partner, Father, Mother, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Sons, Daughters, Grandsons, Granddaughters, Great Grand Children, Fathers-in-Law, Mothers-in-Law, Brothers-in-Law, and Sisters-in-Law. It also includes the Spouses, Domestic Partners and Children of the family members listed.)

• Individuals who live, work, worship or attend school in San Francisco, San Mateo or Marin County

The main thing is people in SF, San Mateo, or Marin county so if you live there or have a relative live there..

As for why SF Fire is so good:

Good credit unions "return" their "profits" to their members in various fashion.  Some do low rates, others do other things.  SF Fire seems to return their "profits" to their members by offering low/no fee products.  Also, SF Fire is relatively generous.  Don't think low 600's getting a ton of credit, you can get it.  They gave someone I know 5k with 630 credit rating with no serious recent deliquencies (wasn't at best APR but they gave him best APR later when he hit 680ish).  They pull Experian as FYI. So as to specific things that make them special:

1) VISA: 7.25% APR for 680-700 FICO.  Basically the one of the lowest APRs on a credit card, let alone someone with okay but not great credit.  Basically no fees.  No BT fee.  No AF. No Cash Advance fee.  Rewards is strictly average with 1 pt per dollar with decent redemption options including cash to your account.  Limits up to 50k which is nice although 15k through online system (call them after app is in, but before it is processed to request more).  They will want to see pay stubs for income verification

2) No fee banking: Basically checking/savings have no fees with no minimum balance.  They used to have unlimited foreign ATM fee redemption but now it is limited to some fairly high amount.

3) Quarterly Experian FICO Credit Grade: They used to give you FICO score, but Experian made them stop.  Now you get a quarterly credit grade which gives you Experian FICO score within 20 points.

4) Modern banking via mobile phone/online for deposits etc.  Part of that CU Branches thing as well.

---

Crashem - 

Do you know if you have to live or have relatives in the areas mentioned above to become a member or just become an active member of the California State Firefighters' Association? 

Please advise. Thanks! 

[TATATA]

---

@TATATA wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

SF Fire is a great little credit union.  Read below for info on why they are good.  In the past it was restricted to those within a limited distance of one of their branches and fire fighters.  Just had my wife join and it looks like they expanded their membership base so take a look at them if you qualify:

• Firefighters of the San Francisco Fire Department

• Firefighters who live or work in San Francisco, San Mateo or Marin County

• Firefighters who are active members of the California State Firefighters’ Association – OR – Active members of the California State Firefighters’ Association

• Family of San Francisco Fire Credit Union members (The Definition of “Family” is as follows: Spouse, Domestic Partner, Father, Mother, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Sons, Daughters, Grandsons, Granddaughters, Great Grand Children, Fathers-in-Law, Mothers-in-Law, Brothers-in-Law, and Sisters-in-Law. It also includes the Spouses, Domestic Partners and Children of the family members listed.)

• Individuals who live, work, worship or attend school in San Francisco, San Mateo or Marin County

The main thing is people in SF, San Mateo, or Marin county so if you live there or have a relative live there..

As for why SF Fire is so good:

Good credit unions "return" their "profits" to their members in various fashion.  Some do low rates, others do other things.  SF Fire seems to return their "profits" to their members by offering low/no fee products.  Also, SF Fire is relatively generous.  Don't think low 600's getting a ton of credit, you can get it.  They gave someone I know 5k with 630 credit rating with no serious recent deliquencies (wasn't at best APR but they gave him best APR later when he hit 680ish).  They pull Experian as FYI. So as to specific things that make them special:

1) VISA: 7.25% APR for 680-700 FICO.  Basically the one of the lowest APRs on a credit card, let alone someone with okay but not great credit.  Basically no fees.  No BT fee.  No AF. No Cash Advance fee.  Rewards is strictly average with 1 pt per dollar with decent redemption options including cash to your account.  Limits up to 50k which is nice although 15k through online system (call them after app is in, but before it is processed to request more).  They will want to see pay stubs for income verification

2) No fee banking: Basically checking/savings have no fees with no minimum balance.  They used to have unlimited foreign ATM fee redemption but now it is limited to some fairly high amount.

3) Quarterly Experian FICO Credit Grade: They used to give you FICO score, but Experian made them stop.  Now you get a quarterly credit grade which gives you Experian FICO score within 20 points.

4) Modern banking via mobile phone/online for deposits etc.  Part of that CU Branches thing as well.

---

Crashem - 

Do you know if you have to live or have relatives in the areas mentioned above to become a member or just become an active member of the California State Firefighters' Association? 

Please advise. Thanks! 

---

Hi Everyone -

Being that Crashem didn't answer my question... I decided to take the plunge and apply for membership with SF Fire Credit Union. I'm currently a student. I applied for a student membership with CSFA http://www.csfa.net/web/2006/11/join_csfa_now.aspx which cost $37.50 and became eligible join. I live in Los Angeles county. They checked Chexsystems and softed me on EXP. I only opened a checking and savings account.

CSFA - Membership types and yearly pricing:

Active - $75.00
Associate - $75.00
Explorer - $37.50
Student - $37.50
Retired - $37.50
Retired Life - $375.00 (one time)

Hope this helps anyone that wants to join.

[rlx01]

Congrats! SF Fire CU is the best "bank" anywhere.

[lhcole77]

Thanks for update. Did you app for a cc?

[TATATA]

---

@lhcole77 wrote:
Thanks for update. Did you app for a cc?

---

You're welcome. Only checking and savings.