BIZNOTE: BECU now open at The Whittaker

| 4755 Fauntleroy | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

For the second consecutive day, we’ve received an announcement that another business has opened in The Whittaker (WSB sponsor). This time, it’s West Seattle’s first freestanding BECU branch. The credit union’s newest branch is 2,500 square feet, with five employees and one manager, per the announcement, which also says:

At the new location, BECU members can open accounts, apply for loans, and take care of financial transactions. Consistent with BECU’s operating model, the West Seattle location will offer an innovative “tellerless” layout, which empowers members to access their accounts in ways most convenient for them, including ATM, online banking, and mobile banking. Member consultants will be available to assist with these transactions, as well as provide one-on-one support for opening accounts and more complex services like mortgages, personal loans, auto loans and business services.

The branch at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW will be staffed 9 am-6 pm weekdays and 9 am-1 pm Saturdays, and has two 24-hour ATMs.

newnative October 4, 2017 (1:55 pm)

Yayyy!!!

Ken October 4, 2017 (2:56 pm)

Perhaps they will finance the renovation of the “Huling Brothers memorial oil pan remover” protruding manhole cover at the nearby intersection. Construction patches seem to have “enhanced” this local landmark.

Also John October 4, 2017 (3:19 pm)

Visited yesterday. Great to have BECU so close.

Silly Goose October 4, 2017 (3:43 pm)

This is fantastic news welcome BECU.

Diane October 4, 2017 (4:02 pm)

so does that mean if you want to cash checks or dep checks, because that’s not “complex”, you have to do it yourself?

Carol October 4, 2017 (4:38 pm)

You can deposit checks at the ATM and withdraw cash at the ATM. So if you need to “cash” a check, deposit it to your account and pull out the cash. Simple as that. You can also deposit checks on their mobile app… it’s not “complex.” They don’t have tellers at the smaller branches. It’s safer – they don’t get robbed and you can pretty much do any teller transactions without a teller. And for that one time you “have to have” a teller drive 15 min to the Tukwila branch.

Love BECU! So glad they are close.
- Diane October 4, 2017 (7:50 pm)
  
  hmmmm, well I guess after waiting all these years for my Admiral BECU branch to be replaced, to come back, this will be of no use to me; for those of us who do not have a smartphone to use an “app”, that is not an option, and I no longer use ATM’s with all the hacking and fraud; sad; guess I’ll have to continue to cash/dep checks at my other banks
  - Carol October 4, 2017 (8:23 pm)
    
    To each his own.
    
    I’ll take BECU’s awesomeness over the big banks that treat me bad.
    
    If getting hacked at an ATM is your fear you probably shouldn’t use your credit or debit cards to purchase anything..anywhere. Or use the internet, email, credit.. etc. It’s literally everywhere. (Equifax, Yahoo, etc.)

West Seattle Hipster October 4, 2017 (4:05 pm)

Fantastic news. Switched to BECU from BOA 6 years and have been very happy with them.

JayDee October 4, 2017 (5:09 pm)

With the app you can take a picture of a check and deposit it that way. Great deal. Now if they would email me cash…

Chris October 4, 2017 (6:52 pm)

This is so wonderful!!! Only question is, how is the parking around there?

Chris October 4, 2017 (6:57 pm)

We tried to google on Whittaker’s site. to look at parking, etc. …street view and bird eye view are the old Chevrolet dealership???

WSB October 4, 2017 (7:16 pm)

The Whittaker was built with almost 600 underground parking spaces, including a certain amount for the businesses, if that’s what you were looking for.
- NorDel October 4, 2017 (9:14 pm)
  
  We were there today. We parked in the lot. There is a door to the stairs and an elevator from the parking lot to street level, but neither are working now. I asked BECU about an easier way in other than walking up and down the driveway ramp. The gentleman said eventually you can take the stairs or elevator, but you’ll have to go around to get back in the garage since you’ll need a code/key. I’m hoping that changes. Doesn’t make much sense for those of us not residing there unless the garages are for residents only.

Dcn October 4, 2017 (7:34 pm)

Is the BECU at the Roxbury Safeway going to stay? I hope so, as this is my BECU branch. The Whittaker is not convenient for me.

ACG October 5, 2017 (12:06 pm)

Initially (when this new location was first announced), an employee at the Roxbury location told me they were closing once this new one opened up. But, 2 weeks ago another employee told me that they were busy enough that they would be staying open. I hope that is true- they are my preferred location, too.

dhg October 5, 2017 (9:50 am)

I’m very disappointed that it’s not full service. Washington Mutual left a big hole in the WS banking scene and I thought BECU would be perfect to fill it. They finally open in West Seattle and they direct you to atm machines. I don’t like that. Businesses that lose the personal touch risk losing the customer. I know many a restaurant that I’ve stopped going to because of employee turnover. It’s nice to walk in and be greeted by someone who knows you.

PangolinPie October 5, 2017 (10:53 am)

I feel just the opposite. Especially in banking, i’d like to avoid talking to humans at all if possible. It takes longer and can be frustrating. I’m very happy with my credit union, which allows me to pay bills, deposit checks, and monitor balances – and everything else I need to do – all with either the app or the website.
- newnative October 5, 2017 (11:26 am)
  
  I haven’t had any problems with BECU since moving here in 2009. My partner, on the other hand, has another bank where he goes to see them “in person” often and has had many problems-including having his account frozen several times while on vacation. Just because there is a body standing in an office doesn’t make their service any more personal, than if they’re on the phone or manning online banking.

Marty October 5, 2017 (12:24 pm)

I moved to Las Vegas two years ago and still use BECU. Not having access to a brick and mortar location has not been a problem. Depositing checks online is a simple process after you have done it a few times…

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