BIZNOTE: Sound Credit Union to close West Seattle Junction branch

(WSB photo from 2022)

Thanks for the tips. Customers of Sound Credit Union have received the company’s announcement that it plans to close its West Seattle Junction branch at the end of June. Here’s the announcement in its entirety:

As a member-owned financial cooperative, we continually analyze our branch locations to best serve you, our valued members. We have made the difficult decision to permanently close our West Seattle Branch, located at 4730 California Ave (SW), on Friday, June 28, 2024.

That’ll be this year’s second financial-institution closure in West Seattle, following the March closure of Wells Fargo‘s Admiral branch. It’ll be at least the second branch closure for Sound Credit Union, after its First Hill shutdown (corrected date) in March 2023. Sound Credit Union opened in the 4730 California mixed-use building as the first-ever tenant in that space, more than eight years ago. Last year, the branch was robbed three times.

Peter S. April 27, 2024 (4:18 pm)

Got the email and very bummed as a long-time loyal customer of this CU and its predecessor institution(s) to learn this. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful staff. Sound CU also serves as a “shared branch” for at least one other local CU which has no WS physical location, so those customers are impacted, as well.

K in WS April 27, 2024 (7:52 pm)

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Yes, I used this shared branch more than my First Tech CU branches. I’ll miss it :(There’s also a Global Credit Union (formaly Alaskan CU) branch in the Westwood QFC. It also functions as a shared branch.

MercyMoi April 27, 2024 (4:53 pm)

Bummer! Are there any other CUs in the Junction I can use for free cash withdrawalsl from my CU? I know 7-11 doesn’t charge for CU withdrawals… anyone else?

WS Res April 27, 2024 (5:45 pm)

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BECU?
Other Neighbor April 27, 2024 (7:00 pm)

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Verity CU and BECU ATM’s are on co-op.
Eddie April 27, 2024 (7:14 pm)

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VerityAnd not exactly on the junction (junction adjacent?) Is BECU on Fauntleroy.
- Mr J April 27, 2024 (7:44 pm)
  
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  BECU is in the Junction, the junction map stretches a ways. It’s on the WSJ website.
  - WiseWoman April 27, 2024 (9:05 pm)
    
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    Its on Fauntleroy around the corner from whole foods and sorta next to T-Mobile and Mod pizza
Peter April 28, 2024 (1:30 am)

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What is this “cash” you speak of?
- wscommuter April 28, 2024 (10:00 am)
  
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  So true.

David April 27, 2024 (6:27 pm)

I always enjoy how a business does a nasty to their customers and then declares that it is “to best serve” us. Sort of like the old Twilight Zone episode where they discover that the alien book titled “To Serve Man” is a cookbook.

Niko April 29, 2024 (5:19 pm)

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You think closing a branch that’s been robbed numerous times is being nasty to their customers?! How about the safety of their employees?!

Htb April 27, 2024 (6:31 pm)

(Sigh) just when you think things are getting better, another business bails on West Seattle. I should have moved to the Eastside years ago

John April 27, 2024 (7:51 pm)

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Go now! Hurry!
- WSCurmudgeon April 27, 2024 (11:09 pm)
  
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  I second the motion. All in favor?

Millie April 27, 2024 (7:12 pm)

Sorry to hear Sound Credit Union is leaving the West Seattle Junction. However, it is understandable. To be robbed three times within one year does not create a work environment of safety and security. Sound does have a large branch in Burien on Ambaum. Additionally, Verity Credit Union is available to credit union members. So, the Credit Union mission of “people helping people” continues.

Alki resident April 28, 2024 (11:29 am)

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The Burien branch has been robbed a few times as well actually. They’re still there.

tomdist April 27, 2024 (9:53 pm)

I’m a member of both Sound and Verity, and I have found Verity to be much more responsive and helpful. ‘ll keep the automatic deposit and withdrawals already set up at Sound (and they have my safety deposit box in Burien) but Verity will get the bulk of my money. I should add that they are very invested in underserved communities, they take community service seriously.

MrsT April 28, 2024 (10:39 am)

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Last time I went into Varity they told me they don’t carry cash at all. Anybody know if that has changed? I try to use their atm (I’m a member of a different credit union) but it is often out of service.
BAC April 28, 2024 (3:18 pm)

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Thanks for such a helpful post. Good to know of this additional CU option in our neighborhood.

CW April 28, 2024 (6:58 am)

Bummer….will have to go to Burien if I ever need to actually go into the credit union. People always friendly and a lot easier to use than the Burien branch.

valvashon April 28, 2024 (9:24 am)

“I always enjoy how a business does a nasty to their customers and then
declares that it is “to best serve” us. Sort of like the old Twilight
Zone episode where they discover that the alien book titled “To Serve
Man” is a cookbook.”This explains the “How to Cook for Forty Humans” joke on The Simpsons!

BOB April 28, 2024 (2:36 pm)

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Called reality friend; Only Government can loose the money of the
taxpayers with impunity. A business cannot loose money and expect investors to
endure the losses. Seattle needs look no further south than San Francisco, but
lets look at something far more Seattle…96% of new restaurants close within
16 months of opening, their owners broke and swimming in debt. I guess they are
doing their patrons a nasty too?
- John April 29, 2024 (5:20 pm)
  
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  Well said

Gabe Rawlins April 28, 2024 (11:37 am)

Verity CU on the junction (by beer junction) is good. There’s also Global CU (formerly Alaska FCU) inside of the QFC in Westwood and of course there’s BECU