Visions Federal Credit Union

When Visions fcu used to be Paragon they were really great. Before they were Paragon they were called «East Bergen Federal Credit Union» which was a credit union for teachers. I’ve essentially been a member for over 25 years! It has been extremely sad to watch the slow deterioration of this institution. If I didn’t have a mortgage with them I’d be out in a flash. STAY AWAY from this place! They stink!
There are so many better places to do your banking.

I agree with Michael L — their technology needs to be updated. The user experience with their online banking is horrible. I constantly feel a) that my information isn’t safe, and b) that I won’t accomplish what I’m trying to do, even if it tells me that I have.
The real reason I’m writing this review is because for the past two years I have been living up in the Syracuse area, where Visions has only ONE branch. The hours are awful for my work schedule. Additionally, their customer service phone system hours — are JUST AS AWFUL. I have gone months without being able to talk to a human being because of this, waiting for a ‘day off’ to accomplish these things.
And it’s not like I haven’t attempted other avenues — I have other banks and credit unions, I know how to get a hold of them. EMAIL? Nope. Even once I talked to somebody, I couldn’t get an email address to do any kind of business. And don’t even get me STARTED on the messaging system in their online banking. It makes me sick.
I now actually work for a different credit union and I see how different the finance world can be. I won’t say who they are, but it starts with an S and ends with an EFCU. And they have coverage in the greater Binghamton area. If you want to do yourself a favor and see a completely different and improved (constantly improving) way of doing business, check it out for yourself.
–D

Awful, they used to be called Paragon and then changed their name. Apparently they changed their policies and my account was listed as abandoned and they said the state of NJ took all of my money. When I went into the branch they were of no help and said «you need to call New Jersey to get your money back». They wouldn’t give me any additional information aside from that.
I did some research into this missing money and have turned up nothing. At this point I think they just wanted to pass the blame and took my money. It’s also impossible to get in touch with a human unless you physically go to a branch.

Great ATM coverage in the area. Great rates. Long lines inside? Who cares I never go inside…

Stay far, far, far away. My experiences with this organization have been indescribably horrific — people, processes, and systems all.
Where to start… Hours of operation are convenient for those who do not have jobs. Oh yea, they don’t have paychecks. Good combination for a bank/​credit union. Open your branches later at least one night a week and all on Saturdays.
Modernize your ATM and online banking software. This software appears to be written in the 1970’s and never updated. The user experience is terrible. AND, let me pick my own PIN number and let it be as many digits as I want,
What’s with the requirement to open multiple accounts to get anything done at your institution? And why does my spouse have to have her own accounts then through some mysterious connection, join her accounts to mine so we can just have a basic set of checking and savings transactional accounts? Why can’t we have just two accounts (checking and savings) for the two of us? Screwy! Even your own people can’t clearly explain why.
When I ask questions of your people, they have to disappear off to talk to someone else (who can’t be bothered to come speak to us personally) and each round of questions seems to take at least 10 min. (Vestal ave branch Sat).
The lines, oh, the lines. The wait to see a banker at your Vestal ave branch today was 45 – 55 min. This is unacceptable. I hope someone from your executive staff observes the attrition rate because that’s how fast you’re losing customers.
You’re losing my business. I vote with my feet. You should notice. I also vote with forums like this. You should worry about that because I just cost you at least 10 possible customers.
By the way, I tried to ask for a contact to provide this feedback to your executive management team and was refused. Heck of a way to run a business.