YOUR FAVORITE CREDIT UNIONS!

[DHK]

I LOVE MY CREDIT UNIONS! I thought I'd start a thread on the best credit unions. If the thread gets long enough, we'll separate it by regions and eventually by states.

When you post, please post:
1) Credit Union Name
2) Where they're located
3) Membership requirements (especially if it is geographical)
4) Which credit bureau they check (they usually only check 1)
5) What you like best about them
6) Website address (so we can all check them out)

[DHK]

I'll start:

My favorite credit union is: Wescom Credit Union

They are located in Southern California.

www.wescom.org

Membership requirements are to live, work or worship in Southern California.

Wescom checks Experian exclusively.

My favorite thing about them is that they offer FREE accounts to everyone. You can do FREE electronic transfers to and from other financial institutions. When you make a purchase with your debit card, they place a 4 day hold on those funds so you don't spend them twice!

[DHK]

Wescom is my favorite credit union FOR DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.

Digital Credit Union is my favorite credit union for LENDING.

www.dcu.org

Membership is easy if you're a member of their employment groups or join the AAPD (American Association of People with Disabilities) for $8 per year. (You only need to pay $8 once. Then, like with all CU, once a member, ALWAYS a member!)

They are located in Marlborough, MA and are members of the CU Service Center network of branches. Most likely, there's a CU Service Center near you where you can do your in-person transactions.

DCU checks Equifax exclusively.

They also offer a free checking account with no minimum balance requirements or direct deposit (although the benefits increase greatly with direct deposit).

They refinanced my car loan from 8.74 to 4.99% APR and a Visa Gold card for $3k at 11.9% - NO CASH ADVANCE FEES OR CASH APR!

DCU's BillPay system is unique. When you set up your payments, the payment comes out when you want them PAID. So, the money is still in your account until they receive the check. This is GOOD because that means your money is in YOUR account longer (and could be earning SOME interest instead of floating out there in cyberspace). However, if you run your account like I run mine (close to zero) it could be easy to forget which bill payments you've set up and overdraw your account. Solution? Open a second FREE checking account. Schedule your bill payments from this account and transfer all the required funds to it. Problem solved.

Something else that they have is a unique CD system. If you have trouble saving money (like me), you can open a CD with as little as $500. You can ADD money to that CD at any time as long as you chose a 12 month term or less, and you add at least $100 each time. This will "lock" away the money from ourselves until we really "need" it. BTW, if you happen to become unemployed, or emergency strikes, you can break the CD without any fee if you talk to their Financial Wellness dept.

[DHK]

Found another CU in So. California - with NO membership restrictions!

They are Lockheed Federal Credit Union

http://public.lockheedfcu.com/

They check Experian.

You can open an account online.

If your company isn't one of the sponsored companies, choose "Achiever's Club." It's a non-profit organization and there's NO FEE to join the club! ($5 is required for a share savings account)

They are also part of the CU Service Center network, so you can live anywhere and still make in-person deposits at your local CU service center.

[lakpr]

I am a member of Minnesota's Credit Union: http://www.mncu.org

Their membership criteria is to be simply a resident of Minnesota. I became a member when I was previously working in Minneapolis (I moved to NJ in 1999).

Although I don't use their services now as much as I did when in MN -- I switched over to Digital Credit Union as my primary banking institution -- I was impressed with their services. Their CSRs are very courteous, and I got quick resolutions for any of my problems. There weren't many problems in the first place :)

I had my first car loan with them. It was a used car loan, and financed at 8.25% APR -- those were the rates for prime customers then :) It was a 5 year loan, but paid off in a little over an year.

They do check ChexSystems for opening up a checking account, but not for savings. You need to put $5 in share savings account, and a one-time donation of $5 to the credit union to become a member.

When I was in MN they weren't offering mortgage or home equity loans, but now they do. Based on my experiences with MNCU I'd recommend them highly, but I do not have personal experience with their mortgage related loans. If any member of this board is in MN, I'd like to have them join MNCU and give us additional feedback!

[Ravenous Wolf]

Here is another criteria to add to "Favorite Credit Unions:

-->EASY<-- membership requirements.

I have been scouring the credit unions in Texas and almost all of them have either very limited residential requirements (like reside in county of Bum [EXPLETIVE DELETED] Egypt) or quirky professional ones that are very narrow restrictive.

The easy requirements are like the ones that you pay a few clams to join a non-profit organization or in which you belong to something that is nationwide, hence that particular credit union is open to having members outside of their residential requirements.

An example of one I found is:

Texas Catholic Community Credit Union
txcathcu.org

Membership Requirements:
* Catholics living in the existing Dallas and Fort Worth Roman Catholic Dioceses;
* Students, their families, and employees of any religiously affiliated grammar and high schools located in the existing Roman Catholic Dioceses of Fort Worth and Dallas;
* Students, their families, and employees of any Catholic school in the state of Texas;
* Any person who lives or works in the 75238 postal zip code;
* Any member of the Knights of Columbus in the state of Texas;

[Xanathos]

I bank with Mid-Oregon Credit Union. Only requirement is you...live in Mid-Oregon :P. Oh, and have 10 dollars to put in a free account.

They check Equifax. My biggest reason for liking em is that they give me half a point off the lowest rate in the area on any credit lines...and they didn't ask for everything up to and including a DNA sample to borrow money from them.

[dani]

I love our credit union, Kemba Financial.
https://home.kemba.org/

They pulled EQ for our membership, and with the same pull, approved us for a 2K Visa, right out of a Chapter 13.

They are located in Columbus, Ohio. Their requirements are you have to live, work, worship ir volunteer in Frankin or Delaware County.

Their customer service is outstanding and their website is very easy to navigate.

Take care, Dani

[123rich]

I bank at www.usaa.com

The only requirments are that your serve in the US Military or a retired service member.

They only pull a credit report if you apply for a loan and it is always a EQ.

[Lainee]

I love my credit union!!

American Airlines Employees Federal Credit Union
www.aacreditunion.org

Got in through a family member who is an employee, and unfortunately, that is a requirement. Their loan rates are awesome and the customer service is top notch.

HTH!

[DHK]

Gotta add Patelco CU to the Credit Union thread.

Here's the "Monster" thread:
http://debt-consolidation-credit-repair-service.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19181&highlight=patelco+monster

Very generous with approvals for credit cards.

If you choose to have deposit accounts with them, they are also on the CU Service Center network, so you can usually find a BRANCH near you to do in-person transactions.

Most likely NOT BK friendly.

[DHK]

This post is also in "What Credit CC's after BK". Since it related to credit unions, a duplicate posting was in order:

For Southern CA residents (or I should probably say students):

Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union

I believe they check EXPERIAN.

This is for people who have had trouble establishing or re-establishing their credit (even with secured lenders):

http://www.octfcu.org/creditcards/sharesecuredvisa.asp

As of 12/31/2004:
It's simple and easy to open an account - in fact, for credit limits less than $1,000, you don't even need an application.[read: no credit check!] Simply deposit an amount equal to the credit limit you want into a Share Savings account.

The HARD part is finding a way to join! The most lenient way to join seems to be in the school eligibility criteria "A student of selected colleges and universities located in Orange County, California." I'll find out more information on different schools and how our board members can get student ID's, etc. for a college around here. (Shouldn't be TOO difficult.)

[DHK]

Kinecta Federal Credit Union

Note: I'm not yet a member, so I don't know who they pull.

Membership requirements:
Any member of the Consumers Cooperative Society of Santa Monica (CCSSM) - requires $10 nonrefundable membership fee to CCSSM. (Very similar requirement to DCU)

They have a great secured credit card program!
Share-Secured Visa® Classic:
* $100,000 Automatic Travel Accident Insurance at no extra cost
* Credit limits up to $3,000
* 24 hour account access
* 14.25% APR - NO ANNUAL FEE

But the COOL card is the next one.

Share-Secured Visa® Gold:
* $400,000 Automatic Travel Accident Insurance at no extra cost
* Credit limits up to $25,000 :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
* Credit limit is equal to the amount of funds available to be pledged as collateral in the Primary Share account
* 24 hour account access
* Emergency Services (while traveling) (1.800.VISA911)
* Free card replacement
* Fast cash
* Medical and legal referrals
* Transportation assistance
* Auto rental insurance
* Purchase protection
* 9.8% APR - NO ANNUAL FEE!!!

They are a member of the CU Service Center network - so you can access your account at a branch that is a member of that network locally!

[Tourniquet416]

can anyone join the AAPD? you don't have to have a disability?

[DHK]

ANYONE can join AAPD - it's now $15 for a 1 year membership, and that's all you need so you can join DCU.

[Jazz4Cash]

I love ALL my credit union accounts, but NFCU is probably the best. They still offer "share-secured" loans with rates of approx 4%. This way, I can put cash in my account and borrow it back at 4%. The funds in the account earn about 1%, so the loan is only costing me 3%. This is a good way to pay down higher rate loans and still maintain an emergency reserve.

www.nfcu.org

[Lorian]

El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union

I'm self-employed, but I was given the option of joining almost any credit union here in El Paso, TX; Teacher's Credit Union, etc.

I am really, very very happy with them; no mins, no monthly fee's, unlimited checks, transactions, online banking, free overdraft protection - and overdraft doesn't kick in until you have emptied both your checking and savings accounts - at no charge. Recommended!

[workinninetofive]

Thanks DHK. I joined DCU because of your recommendation. They are super nice and very reasonable fees.

[rising_score]

BCU (Baxter Credit Union)
http://www.bcu.org/

https://www.bcu.org/pdfs/bcu-nmk.pdf
Headquarters: Vernon Hills, IL
They Check Transunion

Membership Eligibility Policy
In order to be eligible to join Baxter Credit Union ("BCU"), an individual must submit a membership application, in which he or she agrees to conform to the credit union's bylaws, and amendments and subscribe for at least one share ($5.00). A person seeking membership must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

Is employed by one of the BCU Sponsor Organizations (allso called Select Employee Groups, SEG's). An individual is not eligible to join, if he or she is an ex-employee of a SEG, who did not sign up for membership while employed there. Individuals are also ineligible if they were BCU members when employed by a SEG and then ended their BCU membership and no longer work for a SEG. These individuals would not be eligible for membership again unless they meet the stated membership eligibility requirements at the time of applying.

Lives or works in one of five community charter counties: Lake County, Illinois, McHenry County, Illinois, DuPage County, Illinois, Kane County in Illinois, and Kenosha County in Wisconsin.

Is an immediate relative of an existing member. Person joining may be required to provide proof (i.e. utility bill, paycheck, company ID) of their employment, residence or relationship affiliation. This document may be in addition to the government issued identification (drivers license, state issued ID card, passport) needed to comply with customer identification procedures required by the Patriot Act. The immediate family is defined as a spouse, mother, father, brothers, sisters, and children including adopted and foster (if asked, the spouse must provide the marriage certificate). Those not considered immediate family include aunts, uncles, cousins, good friends and in-laws (if spouse is not a member). In addition, grandchildren are also ineligible as this is not supported by the original by-laws. Note that ineligible persons may become eligible if an appropriate relationship chain is established. For example, if a member would like to sign up their aunt for BCU membership, then they need to have their parent (who is the sister or brother to this individual) become a member first.

*BCU reserves the right to deny membership to those applicants it determines to be in violation of BCU's eligibility terms, bylaws and amendments.[/b]

[happy2sing]

I've loved all 3 credit unions that I have been a member of. The only reason I changed banks is because I moved. Here is their info (in decreasing order of size):

Boeing Employees Credit Union
http://www.becu.org
Membership is open to any Washington state resident. You do NOT need to be associated with Boeing. They only have a few B&M locations, but their ATM network is expanding rapidly, they have great rates, and they have free online bill pay (my favorite benefit!).

Community Credit Union
http://www.communitycu.org
Do not confuse this with communitycu.com, which is a different "Community Credit Union". CCU membership is open to anyone living in the Greater Dallas area or to anyone who is RELATED to anyone ELIGIBLE for membership. So if you have an aunt who lives in North Texas, you can be a member. I was with them for many years and watched them grow to be quite a player in the Dallas area.

Texans Credit Union
http://www.texanscu.org
This cu serves the Dallas and Austin areas. I had a location in my building at my workplace, which is definitely ideal since they don't have a lot of public ATMs. Looks like it's open to anyone living, working, or attending school in one of the listed communities or working for one of the listed businesses.

[BettyRubble]

I've been with my credit union forEVER... well, since college. It's the UWCU - University of Wisconsin Credit Union. I LOVE them.

They're located in Wisconsin - with offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and some of the smaller cities.

Membership requirements are that you went to a UW school - or are a family member of someone who went there.

I'm not sure what credit bureau they check but if anyone wants to know specifically I can find out.

What do I like about them? They are SO friendly... they're always available for questions, their online banking is simple, easy, and never broken (I only say that because I used to work for a company who made a crappy online banking product that broke all the time!). Their fees are minimal, if any...

The site is http://www.uwcu.org

The only thing I wish is that they weren't so local -- the online banking product and nationwide ATMs (yeah, there's a fee though if it's not an actual UWCU ATM) make my banking possible even with the amount of traveling that I do... but it'd still be nice if they were all over the place!

Go Badgers!

[Marquess]

Couple more to add to the list

Pentagon Federal Credit Union
http://www.penfed.com
If you don’t qualify any other way you can join the National Military Families association NMFA for $20.

Penfed often has some of the best mortgage rate programs around as well as offering rewards credit cards, personal lines of credit and auto loans.

They are an exclusive Equifax puller but they are somewhat stringent on credit requirements but if your Equifax is clean they can be a nice addition.
Sometimes they verify income other times they don’t.

Meadows Credit Union
http://www.meadowscu.com

Anyone with an E-Mail address qualifies for membership.

Meadows offers the standard fair of loan products decent on the auto loans and they offer a personal line of credit.

They are an exclusive Transunion puller for their personal line and auto loans.
Their credit card is issued by Infinibank not them directly.
They will require proof of income.

United Services Automobile Association
http://www.usaa.com

It is important to understand that USAA’s banking products are open to anyone their insurance products are only offered to military and military and affiliated.

USAA is known for competitive pricing on their auto loans and generous credit lines on their credit cards including reward cards.
Their free checking account with free checks for life and free bill pay is exceptionally sweet.
Non military members may see increased pricing on the credit card however.

To join you must call and get a member number to browse their products once you have done that you can call again and get a PIN to open deposit accounts which can be funded for up to $500 with a credit card.
USAA states that they put the $500 through as a purchase but it’s best to use a card such as a credit union card that has the same no fee cash advance as it does for purchases.

If you’re non military you will have to call to apply for the loan and credit card products, often if you’re approved for an auto loan they will offer you a credit card.

They are an almost exclusive Equifax puller.

Credit unions are a great asset to have in ones financial portfolio; in the case of USAA and Penfed their member service is second to none.

It’s also worth mentioning that in recent years many local credit unions have extended their membership to geographic areas so might be worthwhile to browse the yellow pages in your area for some local Gems that may not get much play on a national forum.

[jbratx]

How many credit unions is too many to belong to?

Also, I live in Los Angeles, CA. I see all these great credit unions that pull Experian & Equifax, what about Transunion?

Also, does any credit union pull all three?

Does anyone know who Patelco, Aftra-Sag, and Matadors Credit Union pull?

[lazymae]

Has anyone joined Lockheed Federal Credit Union and received a credit line or loan instantly? I mean do they give you a credit line when you first open the account? If someone answers, I'll give more details on why I am asking? Please reply ASAP:idea:

[DHK]

You may want to post your question in a separate thread to attract more responses to your question.

BTW, the answer to your question is YES. Most credit unions only check credit when you apply for CREDIT, not when you apply for deposit accounts.

I believe that Lockheed is one of them.

You do not need to have a checking account to apply for a credit line.

[lazymae]

But I didn't apply for a line of credit. are you given that option when you apply for a deposit account? Or did you get a line of credit durng your initial application?

[msladyindebt]

1) Credit Union Name..Velocity Credit Union

2) Where they're located...Austin, TX

3) Membership requirements (especially if it is geographical)If you wear flip flops you can bank there, if you like margaritas you can bank there and you must live within 10 miles of a local branch...which is not hard since they are all over town. $5 in a savings account that you cannot touch...but it grows interest.

4) Which credit bureau they check (they usually only check 1)...Equifax

5) What you like best about them...They always have food or little giveaways that regular joes can win. The staff is always friendly and remember you...and your family (kids). Lots of discount tickets to amusement parks and events. Totally Free Checking...yes totaly free...unlimited checks, free ATMs at over 200 credit unions in Austin (Austin Credit Union Alliance) Open until 6 PM Mondays and Fridays. Good for the person with no or low credit. We financed our car through them years ago and paid it off...never reported that we were late a couple of times. They also post my direct deposit a day earlier than everyone else here at work. 8-)


6) Website address (so we can all check them out) www.velocitycu.com (http://www.velocitycu.com)

[Jason]

I'll start:

My favorite credit union is: Wescom Credit Union

They are located in Southern California.

www.wescom.org

Membership requirements are to live, work or worship in Southern California.

Wescom checks Experian exclusively.

My favorite thing about them is that they offer FREE accounts to everyone. You can do FREE electronic transfers to and from other financial institutions. When you make a purchase with your debit card, they place a 4 day hold on those funds so you don't spend them twice!

What credit report does Wescom pull?

[DHK]

What credit report does Wescom pull?

Wescom checks Experian exclusively.

[Sultan]

Justice Federal Credit Union http://www.jfcu.org/

Great CU IMO, good rates, slightly conservative and have changed their policy slightly after the bombardment rush from CB, they only offer 5K lines for member who have been with them less than 6 months.

You can join them if you belong to one of their affiliations;

National Sheriffs Association, National Native American Law Enforcement Association, FBI, member of any law enforcement of any justice relation employment, etc.

[Jason]

Wescom checks Experian exclusively.

Shoot that is my worst credit report. I will keep repairing it. Thank you DHK!:D
Great to know!

[rmiller0410]

my favorite new cu is kemba.approved today for a 5000 mc.i ask for 7000 but i am happy with 5000. i only ask for 7000 because i figured if they approved me they would give me maybe 500. doing the happy dance.xdancex:multibounce:i am so done applying now.

[insomniac]

1) Credit Union Name

Argonne Credit Union

2) Where they're located

Headquarters/main location: Romeoville, IL (southwest Chicago suburbs)
Public branches in Woodridge and Lockport
Other branches at two US Department of Energy laboratories (Argonne, Fermilab) in the west/southwest suburbs

3) Membership requirements (especially if it is geographical)

http://www.argonnecu.org/home/mem.mem_ben?#eligible

Live or work in DuPage, Will or parts of Cook counties
Relation by blood or marriage to another member
"Once a member, always a member" philosophy

4) Which credit bureau they check (they usually only check 1)

TransUnion. Their lending standards are pretty strict; my scores have been below 600 for a while and I couldn't get them to extend me credit if my life depended on it! This is my only complaint about them, and it's my fault anyway. :)

I do not believe they use ChexSystems at all, but I could be mistaken.

5) What you like best about them

Pretty much everything is free, so they don't steal my money every month! Free checking, unlimited free withdrawals at their own ATMs, five free withdrawals per month at other ATMs. They're a member of STARsf, Co-Op Network and Allpoint, and I have never had a problem finding a surcharge-free ATM in any major city. "Member Privilege" lets you overdraft up to $500 ($27.50 fee for each overdraft or returned item). Online banking interface is not as nice as larger banks like BofA, but it does what I need it to do. Locations are very convenient for me. Customer service has always been fantastic; I get a real person on the phone immediately, and they have overturned some NSF fees for me in the past. I'm a big fan of small credit unions, and these guys are great!

6) Website address (so we can all check them out)

https://www.argonnecu.org/

[Magdalen77]

1) Credit Union Name
PSECU-Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union

2) Where they're located
Harrisburg, Indiana and Erie, PA, but access all over the state through 7-11 stores, other credit unions' ATMs and ATMs in the STAR network.

3) Membership requirements (especially if it is geographical)
State employees, local government employees, school district employees, members of the PA state teachers association, PA state run university and college employees, anyone who is attending or has attended a PA state run university. Any immediate family members of the aforementioned groups. Any family member of a current member.

Oh and there's a whole bunch of select employer groups, too many to list.

A healthy number of PA residents fall into one of these categories.

4) Which credit bureau they check (they usually only check 1)
Experian. Drat!!

5) What you like best about them
The best and most cheerful CSRs, never found a grumpy one.
The money market account which pays 3.5% on a minimum balance of $500 (it was %4, but has gone down with the Fed cut).
The Visa which has no "screw you" fees (late fee, cash advance fee, over limit fee or rate change due to late payment) and a interest rate of 9.9%

6) Website address (so we can all check them out)
https://www.psecu.com/

[cunclusion]

DONT CHARGE FEES I LOVE IT.
When you post, please post:
1) PALMETTO CITIZENS
2) SOUTH CAROLINA
3) (Live, Work, or go to school) in Richland, Lexington, Newberry and Fairfield counties it might be more now.
4) TU and EX
5) Don't Charge Fee's They helped me raise my Credit Score gave me good low rates on loans that I fully paid back.
6) http://palmettocitizens.org/

[tommy32]

So I wonder if this CU palmetto has got strict with the crunch...anyone applied lately? What a story this whole thread was LOL.....:)

[gourgi18]

1) Credit Union Name..Velocity Credit Union

2) Where they're located...Austin, TX

3) Membership requirements (especially if it is geographical)If you wear flip flops you can bank there, if you like margaritas you can bank there and you must live within 10 miles of a local branch...which is not hard since they are all over town. $5 in a savings account that you cannot touch...but it grows interest.

4) Which credit bureau they check (they usually only check 1)...Equifax

5) What you like best about them...They always have food or little giveaways that regular joes can win. The staff is always friendly and remember you...and your family (kids). Lots of discount tickets to amusement parks and events. Totally Free Checking...yes totaly free...unlimited checks, free ATMs at over 200 credit unions in Austin (Austin Credit Union Alliance) Open until 6 PM Mondays and Fridays. Good for the person with no or low credit. We financed our car through them years ago and paid it off...never reported that we were late a couple of times. They also post my direct deposit a day earlier than everyone else here at work. 8-)


6) Website address (so we can all check them out) www.velocitycu.com (http://www.velocitycu.com)



I wish I would have joined velocity before I moved away from Austin. They are always so busy. I also like that they offer 0 percent loans for energy efficient upgrades.

Anyhow my favorite credit union is also in Austin and is University Federal Credit Union. Lots of perks, pull Equifax, and most importantly dropped my car loan from 8.95% to 4.25% and gave me a sun shade for my car. Not sure about membership requirements because I think I qualified because I opened a loan with them.