Unpopular opinion: My local credit union beats big banks for checking accounts, hands down.

I mean, I switched from a national chain to my local credit union about 8 months ago after getting hit with a $12 monthly fee for not keeping a huge balance. The credit union's basic checking has no monthly fee at all, and their mobile app is just as good for depositing checks. They also refund up to $25 a month in ATM fees from other banks, which is huge for me when I travel. I called them once with a question and got a real person in under two minutes, not a robot menu. Honestly, the only thing the big bank had was more branches, but I never go in anyway. Has anyone else made the switch and found the same thing?

3 comments

3 Comments

masonm7020d ago

How long did it take you to realize you were just paying for the bank's fancy buildings? I moved my accounts over five years ago after a fee argument and never looked back. The tellers actually remember my name, and I got a car loan with a rate the big banks wouldn't even come close to. It feels like they want my money to stay with me, not just go to them.

carter.terry20d ago

Switched to a local credit union after my bank hit me with a random service fee. Got a way better mortgage rate and they actually answer the phone.

barbara_campbell19d ago

Ever check if your credit union offers shared branching? It saved me when I was traveling and needed cash fast.