angelescrest
Member Profile
I've been wanting to leave Chase for awhile (things went awry with the WAMU takeover), but then BECU has become a bit less accesible.
Are there recommendations?
If you haven't read about the Move your Money movement, well:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/move-your-money-a-new-yea_b_406022.html
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile
Wells Fargo is awesome! Highly recommend them. I had an accuont from my single days @ BECU and it is such a hassle to do business with them. If I didnt have my car loan through them I would abandon them all together.
i suspect it is going to become more difficult for credit unions to maintain store fronts and machines.
At one time there was a network of credit unions called CU Access that would allow you to both withdraw and deposit with any member of their network... i am not sure what happened to that.
Perhaps the new changes in technology which will allow check deposit through scanning will solve the storefront issue.
In the meantime... i get most of my cash with cash back where i do my grocery shopping and love my credit union.
If you ever served in the armed forces with an honorable discharge.. you are now eligible for USAA membership. Their banking and insurance services are difficult to beat.
SarahScoot
Member Profile
I love BECU and do not find them to be a hassle at all. Granted, I don't have much need to actually visit a branch, as my paychecks are direct-deposited and I can deposit any other miscellaneous money at an ATM. Never had a single issue with them, though, and their customer service is outstanding.
B of A has these new ATM's where you can deposit without a deposit envelope. Sort of like the scanning at home. However, I get paid by various health insurances with over-sized checks, mostly ( the kind that are attached to Explanation of Benefits, etc.), and the bank machines reject them every time. The tellers at the bank told me that if I have more than 2 checks on average to deposit, I should stand in line for them to do it. So, no weekend deposits, and doesn't exactly give me a warm fuzzy for their new technology.
All banks have a glitch or two, I'm starting to believe. Sigh.
sam-c
Member Profile
thanks for the link- interesting article. I wish I could leave Chase completely behind, but that's where we have our mortgage. the payments are made directly from the checking account and it's so nice not to think about it. we use it mostly for that, and keep the balance high enough to cover those payments.
I also belong to a credit union (not BECU). the last time I stepped foot inside was to get a car loan- (4 years ago and just paid it off woo hoo). with direct deposit, cash back, and paying bills online, I don't miss not having a storefront. though, the random paper checks here and there do end up at Chase.
angelescrest, thanks for the link to the Move Your Money article - it's an interesting read. As someone who works with banking lawyers, I don't think "community banks" are immune to doing some dumbass things (I've seen the results), but it's something to think about. And why I moved my money to BECU 18 months ago.
We moved from BofA to Baker Boyer Bank, a community bank based in Walla Walla, a few years ago. The personal attention and customer service is beyond compare! They have an agreement with USBank for making ATM deposits, or if I mail a check they receive it and deposit it the next day. I don't get charged any ATM fees - not sure if that is standard or if I got some kind of special deal at the time. Check them out!
Gina
Member Profile
I use the Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union, because I can. Also have a Key Bank account so I can go to the bank and get cash in West Seattle. Nice not to have all the eggs in one basket.
velo_nut
Member Profile
BECU. the only way to fly.
BTW, I just tried BECU's online check deposit - it's awesome! I can't believe I deposited a check without leaving the office!
Crowe
Member Profile
Verity Credit Union is GREAT!
pigeonmom
Member Profile
FWIW-Alaska USA Credit Union just beat out my own WA State Employee's Credit Union on a car loan. When you join a CU you can take advantage of shared branching, it's a breeze. I don't think I've even been to a WSECU branch in person in years.
This is a great movement, and gaining steam. I've just opened at BECU but would like to move my second account to another bank from Chase.
Does anyone have experience with Viking Bank?
Do they have branches in Ballard and Poulsbo?
dawsonct, Viking is in both Ballard and Poulsbo: http://www.vikingbank.com/Page.aspx?nid=128
However, read this as well: http://www.myballard.com/2009/12/29/fdic-places-tighter-oversight-on-viking-bank/
Been very happy with U.S. Bank. No problems... nice folks... W. Seattle branch.
I've been unhappy with Chase since the takeover. I've moved to Watermark credit union - no West Seattle branches, but they're in Burien and downtown, plus they have the online deposit option as well. So far I'm very impressed with the service from them. Unlike some credit unions, you can have a corporate account there.
Wells Fargo just paid out 25 million in bonuses to executives - I am moving my money to BECU. I went to the website and they make it very easy to move your money.
jschu
Member Profile
BECU!!!! They are great.
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