Closing out DCU and trying someone new?

[NoAnchoviesPlease]

I signed up for DCU a year or so ago to try for a car loan when I was ready to buy a new car. A year ago next month, they gave me an approval WAY above the range the list, and the car manufacturer beat their rate by about 4% so I went with them. 

Over the past year I had most of my pay going to them with direct deposit, and tried doing my bill payments with them. They made my rent late 3 of 6 months (with checks not showing up, or showing up a week late, and no investigation or feedback from the CU). So I moved that back to my local CU, getting tired of driving across the county with a paper check half the time to keep my landlord happy. 

This month I tried for a VISA and a refinance... denied for the VISA because I had too much available credit (so much for saving on APR with them), and the refinance loan was not competitive enough with current rate to go through the paperwork, so I passed on it. 

Does it really matter if I keep my accounts with them open?

Since I don't have a CC with them, there is no AAoA impact... and it sounds like NASA FCU is a good option with an established credit history and good income. I'd like to get a non-bigbank card with a good limit next year, and possibly refi the car next summer as well. 

Thanks for the advice in advance. 

[pipeguy]

I've never had anything but great service from DCU and I should note awful service from NASA FCU (I ended up closing my NASA FCU account and won't look back). That said, if DCU doesn't work for you there are lots of credit unions out there, most are free to join or you can qualify through a minor contribution to a qualified co-op group. 

I know a lot of folks on here love NFCU and PenFed for the big names. I personally got away from PenFed because to day they are too much "cold business" vs "credit union experience" today, but I do have a low interest mortgage loan through PenFed, but don't use them for anything else. 

As far as DCU, personally I'd leave a $10 deposit in basic savings and perhaps the same in basic checking so you can go back to them in the future if you choose without going through reestablishing accounts - in a year or two if you decide you'll never need DCU, close it if you need the $20. There are lots of Credit Unions out there and I'd say almost all are better than banks with perhaps the exception of a small community bank (these always seem to get "merged" with larger banks in my area and lose the benefits). 

Banks and Credit Unions are like credit cards IMO, if they work good if they don't close the account and find another.

[NoAnchoviesPlease]

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@pipeguy wrote:

I've never had anything but great service from DCU and I should note awful service from NASA FCU (I ended up closing my NASA FCU account and won't look back). That said, if DCU doesn't work for you there are lots of credit unions out there, most are free to join or you can qualify through a minor contribution to a qualified co-op group. 

I know a lot of folks on here love NFCU and PenFed for the big names. I personally got away from PenFed because to day they are too much "cold business" vs "credit union experience" today, but I do have a low interest mortgage loan through PenFed, but don't use them for anything else. 

As far as DCU, personally I'd leave a $10 deposit in basic savings and perhaps the same in basic checking so you can go back to them in the future if you choose without going through reestablishing accounts - in a year or two if you decide you'll never need DCU, close it if you need the $20. There are lots of Credit Unions out there and I'd say almost all are better than banks with perhaps the exception of a small community bank (these always seem to get "merged" with larger banks in my area and lose the benefits). 

Banks and Credit Unions are like credit cards IMO, if they work good if they don't close the account and find another.

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Thanks pipeguy. I'm thinking about leaving the 3% amount in DCU savings (I think it's the first $500 earns 3.01% APY now). 

I was tempted by NFCU bigtime, but my only military connection is my late mother who served in the Navy before I was born (not sure if that counts, and I can't get her on the phone to confirm or anything). And my daughter has a few years before she can even consider the military  

[NoAnchoviesPlease]

And as an off-topic aside, I just asked NFCU in chat if I qualified, and apparently I may but it can't be processed online. Have to send in a paper app. And I'm okay with that. 

[Gmood1]

I've had great experiences with Penfed and NASA..no issues at all. NFCU on the other hand has been a NIGHTMARE for me!!! My card was just declined today at Steak n Shake for 4 bucks!!! 

My AU's card works without issue. I've been to the local branch twice and emailed and faxed my identity to fraud dept. at least 6 times!!!

I'm ready to tell them they can take their CC/ Nav check and shove it up their @$$!!

So I totally feel your frustration. Penfed gives awesome rates! Doesn't matter if you're a 680 or 850. You get the same great rate on car loans.

 Customer service and organization is heads and shoulders above NFCU. I think this credit union might be too big to handle the clientele.

[NoAnchoviesPlease]

Sounds like YMMV is the watchword... Sorry to hear about that experience Gmood1 (and pipeguy too). Seems like I'm one of the few disappointed with DCU. I also have Partners, who are great, although they're not as amazing if you're not a current employee or local to their branches (no bad experience, and when I got my final check and vacation payout, from the Mouse they posted it immediately when I presented it at a branch--other banks have done 5 day holds or worse). 

I'm going to poke around, figure out which are most sensitive to inquiries or available credit, who has good auto refi, etc... and wait till after Twelfth Night to actually apply most likely. 

[Gmood1]

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@NoAnchoviesPlease wrote:

Sounds like YMMV is the watchword... Sorry to hear about that experience Gmood1 (and pipeguy too). Seems like I'm one of the few disappointed with DCU. I also have Partners, who are great, although they're not as amazing if you're not a current employee or local to their branches (no bad experience, and when I got my final check and vacation payout, from the Mouse they posted it immediately when I presented it at a branch--other banks have done 5 day holds or worse). 

I'm going to poke around, figure out which are most sensitive to inquiries or available credit, who has good auto refi, etc... and wait till after Twelfth Night to actually apply most likely. 

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LOL...very true! 

Think I'm going to let my AU use the NFCU and I'm going to double app for QS/ Venture(combine in 6 months) as well as Fidelity Cards.

That should give me the limit I crave with the QS. The $5400 limit just doesn't cut it for my household spending..though we love the card.

Oh and good luck with the hunt.

[takeshi74]

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@NoAnchoviesPlease wrote:

I'm going to poke around, figure out which are most sensitive to inquiries or available credit

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This isn't just a matter of creditor but one's credit profile as well.