Anybody use a credit union ?

[fastfredracing]

I don't particularly love my local bank. I just bought a guys truck this week. I had to go in to the credit union he belonged to, to pay off his loan .
Made me think about joining. Looks like they have programs for small businesses just like me .
Loan rates are better, account minimums are smaller, seems like a win , win.
Only real drawback, I will have to travel 8 miles to make deposits, instead of 2.

[stevej37]

I have belonged to one for over 40 years now. Everything they do is better than the banks in my area.

Some have restrictions for membership. Might want to ask them about that first.

[herr_oberst]

I can't remember the last time I had a bank account that wasn't from a c/u. Great rates, good service, the only issue I ever had was the lack of ATM's but I figured out a way around that decades ago.

[stevej37]

^^^ If yours is like mine....you can get a no-fee credit/debit card from your CU..no annual charge.
I use mine at almost any store checkout and ask for green stuff when paying (over the charge)
Works great...never have to find an ATM. (maybe that's what you already do)

[Scott Douglas]

Had an account for over 40 yrs here too. Have had car loans, house second and more all with no problems, great rates.

[MBAtarga]

I've had an account with one CU for at least 43 years - since I was 16 and bought my first car.
We've financed several vehicles there - refinance on at least one mortgage and a HELOC, no fee credit cards, etc. Their car loans automatically come with life insurance on the car loan amount. They are non-profit - so their loan rates are almost always lower than anything else normally available.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I can't remember the last time I had a bank account that wasn't from a c/u. Great rates, good service, the only issue I ever had was the lack of ATM's but I figured out a way around that decades ago.

I can remember it clearly. The day I quit whoring myself out to a bank decades ago. Been with the same CU ever since. They have become more like banks since then ... just not as EVIL .

Banks have their place .... just not in my world .... anymore

[stevej37]

My last days of dealing with a bank were when I was a teenager. The days of using a passbook instead of electronic reporting. (60's)
I had about $50 in my account...hadn't used or added anything to if for a few years.
I went in one day to close it out...the teller told me it was gone. Used up by monthly inactive fees.

[steve185]

Totally ditched my bank for a credit union about ten years ago. Much better service, no regrets.

[Evans, Marv]

^^^^ What everybody else has said. Whichever CU you might happen to choose, one of the things you should look at is which ATM network they are a part of. The more ATM's available to you the less fees if you need to use them.

[stevej37]

^^^ If you use your CU credit/debit card....you don't need an ATM
And no fees on the card or the xtra cash back.

[944 S2]

Check on the CU, but our does electronic deposits up to a certain amount, otherwise 8 miles ain’t too bad. Ours is 33 miles away. Been with them 27 years!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

^^^^ What everybody else has said. Whichever CU you might happen to choose, one of the things you should look at is which ATM network they are a part of. The more ATM's available to you the less fees if you need to use them.

What Steve said... and all the NC CUs offer free ATM usage to other CUs... and on every other corner.

[IROC]

My "company" has its own credit union. We even have a branch on site at work. No brainer. Very pleased.

[Tidybuoy]

I have 2 credit union accounts and I've had for as long as I can remember. No fees and one of my mortgages is with the CU and very easy to get.

However, they won't open a separate account for my business and I had to use Wells Fargo for that - the biggest difference, Wells Fargo charges terrible fees. If you don't maintain a balance of $10,000 (I think), it's $14 per month. Highway robbery if you ask me.

[flipper35]

For deposits, our CU has an app to take a picture of the check and you are done. They are better at everything from mortgages to auto loans.

The local Kwik Trip has fee free ATMs so I never worry about that either.

[stevej37]

Since being a credit union member, I have never used an ATM in 40 years.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Since being a credit union member, I have never used an ATM in 40 years.

I worked for two bigly banks, then my CU (originally company owned) had an office & atms in the building. I used an ATM just about every day for 25 years . I use cash back on debit purchases (free) every other day now for WAM ... walkin' around money.

[wdfifteen]

I was a member of the local credit union until we moved. Our business worked with a regional bank after a few years with USBank and Wells Fargo - awful, impersonal service. I left US bank after I went in one day and the teller asked to see my ID. I'd known her since we were in high school, but it was corporate policy. We found a great regional bank that pays 3% interest on our checking account and 1% on savings accounts. Great personal service, almost as good as a credit union.

[fastfredracing]

Just spoke with the local CU. No fees on my business account, up to 500 transactions per month . One time fee of 19.95 to the local community college to join . Lifetime membership after that .
Minimum balance required is $5.00 on my personal account, there is no minimum on the business account .
My bank spanks me when I dip under 10k. every time, charges me silly money for my checks, and has been really greedy with loans . I have great credit .
Take my money . I will be sitting at the branch ready to transfer everything over Monday morning .
Thank you for the input