Going from a bank to a credit union?

[Uberjager]

Well, I'm currently using Wells Fargo, and I'd like to switch to a credit union. I've heard that you need "connections" to get into some of them. Anyone have any recommendations for ones in the SW Metro Denver area? Are you happier at a credit union?

[henpecked]

No "connections" to join
And your service will be better

[opie011]

I went from Wells Crapo to Credit Union of Colorado. I always had both, CU for auto loans but Wells rates went to shit on some CCs I had. Anyway, I have great credit and Wells said the floor rate for my CCs was 15% and I switched to CUOFCO at 6.25%. And yes service is way better.[Beer]

[Half Live]

Bellco Credit Union

[SideShow Bob]

Try Denver Community Credit Union, or at least one that is a credit union services member. Then you can use any cu service member credit union like it is your credit union for anything including free ATM service.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

^^^^ what Opie said! I have both also. My CU is Arapahoe CU and they give better rates than most. And Wells , I stoped using that CC but still have it for emergancy only.

[Ah Pook]

Premier FCU! Been with them for 15+ years.

I would prefer a mattress over Wells Fargo, Chase, Wachovia, etc.

[DeusExMachina]

PSCU gave me a bike loan (KeyBank wouldn't) at a good rate, and then I refinanced my car at half what Chase gave me.

All they needed was a $5 donation to some charity and $5 in Savings. I added a checking account and I'll be dumping KeyBank this month.

They're also down the street from my house, so that's convenient.

[Colorado Luckydog]

Some of the credit unions will let you join, others have qualifictions you must meet besides credit. Public Sevice and Belco are the best two for just walking in off the street. You might want to check with you employer to see if working for them gives you any other choices. I have been very happy with Public Service.

[Irving]

Do they have bank like hours though? The bank I'm at now is small, and the only two bank locations that are open on Saturday are a 30 minute drive either north or south from my house.

[DeusExMachina]

Pscu is open till 6 every day and I think 12:30 or 1 on Saturdays. Overall they're open more than Key.

[Irving]

Thanks, that's good to know. I should switch. Be nice to get my credit back on track as well. I used to have Key Bank, but I was getting unauthorized money taken out of my account and they wouldn't do anything about it, so I ditched them. That was about 10 years ago though.

[Busta Prima]

I've been with credit unions for the past 25 years and I'll never go back.

As for Wells Fargo . . . while perhaps not the greatest bank, I have to say their mortgage side is fantastic. Always the best rates, great service and even if they choose to sell your loan, they keep the servicing in house which makes it seamless to you.

[lebru]

ive got a killer rate from wells on my CC and Car loan....I don't think i'll go anywhere else. They are one of the only places I know that actually rewards you for loyalty (customer since 1988)


my CC interest rate is 3% apr and cash advances are 8-10% based on amount. hard to beat that. Not to mention their online banking is the best in the world.


Though, I have heard Credit Unions are a great alternative. For instance, denver fire's credit union has great perks for fire dept employees.

[Irving]

3% is pretty amazing for a credit card. Maybe I should consider Wells Fargo.

[Uberjager]

3% is pretty amazing for a credit card. Maybe I should consider Wells Fargo.

Last time I was in there, I went to cash bonds. I was met with a ton of "sales pressure". Like I was getting hounded to get a credit card, student loans, open up new accounts, et cetera.

ETA: I've been a customer since 1999.

[Irving]

The cross selling at the teller is pretty annoying, especially when you are making a deposit, and you get asked if you want to open an account with them.

[lebru]

3% is pretty amazing for a credit card. Maybe I should consider Wells Fargo.

I've seen some credit unions that low. I had to negotiate my rate down this low after threatening to close my account. Basically, you call and say "I want to talk to an account closing specialist". They transfer you, and you basically just say I want to close my account #XXX . They will offer you some incentives to not cancel, and you can usually negotiate from there. I negotiated this last year after having that line of credit for 5 years, and since I was a customer for 22 years they were extremely generous to me. YMMV. But yes, the tellers being sales people is rather annoying. I stick to online banking and direct deposit.

My rate wasn't very high to begin with, it was like 6.5% or something? I opened it at 8-10% variable and they dropped it after a few years after I opened it because I had a great payment record.

[hammer03]

Been a credit union member since I was a little kid, out of state. Customer service is always fantastic, lots of free perks, car finder service, low interest rates on loans/cards, higher than average rates on cd's and savings... The only downside is if you ever move, and they don't have branches in your new area. Much of my banking can be done online, but since they are so far away I had to get a local bank to get instant access if the need came up.

[ghettodub]

Bellco Credit Union

Same for me. I went from First Bank to Bellco and I'm much happier

[sniper7]

please please please do not use public service credit union. my wife used them for a long time because her mom banks there and I think it is crap. rate on her car loan was not very good, but they did at least give her the loan where chase did not want to. I have since refinanced it.

On top of that, my wife got a check that she went in and cashed, I was with her, and they gave use the money. I took it over to wells fargo to pay her credit card off and I start counting out the money to find they gave us a very clearly FAKE $10 bill. I drove right back over and made them make it right.

and I don't really like the feel of the place.


my dad uses horizons north and they have been great to him for 25+ years.

[Half Live]

Same for me. I went from First Bank to Bellco and I'm much happier
I went there from Chase

[hkOrion]

+1 for Bellco. Went there from Wells Fargo. Switched ~8 accounts and opened a business account, the customer service was awesome.

[Mazin]

WOW Sniper thats crazy, I've been with them about 5 years now and have never had a issue. Wells crapo on the other hand...

[trlcavscout]

I switched from TCF to Chase since TCF doesnt even have ATM's up here anymore. I have been happy with Chase so far especially the ATM deposit etc. But I tried to Refinance my car loan with Chase that WF has at a pretty high rate and they wouldnt. It pissed me off because I have raised my credit since getting the original loan.

[Mazin]

I'll add a big +1 for Navy Fed, They have great Customer Service. I have had an account with them for about 2 years with no issues at all.

[ShooterJM]

I've heard good things about navy fed fwiw. I'm with USAA and love it. Hate BOA and Wells. Likely will be changing my business accounts away from Chase.