USE Credit Union

I was the victim of identity fraud recently and had to figure out how to protect my accounts, and all of this while I was at work meetings in Chicago so barely had any time to myself. Patrick from USECU handled my accounts over the phone, gave me some good options for maximizing security while we waited for a few checks to clear before I could close my account and move to another one.
The following week I get a call from them and apparently I had accidentally written my checks on an old closed account, these were to the IRS mind you, and they called to say they went ahead and honored them because they knew those were the ones I was waiting to clear before I could close my other account. I was dumb founded, since when does a bank do this, actually remember your back story and use that information to help you out, instead of collect fees?
I’ve been with this bank for over 10 years now, they have always been very good, but now they have moved into my unicorns and rainbows category of consumer experiences. Something I thought no bank could ever achieve.

Forget trying to get someone on the phone. There is also a high employee turn over rate.

Always a smile and hello when I walk in the doors! Charming Location.

This branch is fantastic! Specifically Jahnee and Chandler. They are the best tellers I’ve ever had at any bank. Excellent customer service and advice. Super friendly and helpful. I highly recommend them and USE credit union. Keep up the good work guys!

I hate this bank!
Their phone system is awful! You can’t get ahold of a live person. We had to make an appointment to cash in bonds. But to get the appt we had to call and leave a message and wait for someone to call us back. This is ridiculous. You need to enter your member number and password when you call the 866 number but it never recognizes it. WTF!!! I just want to talk to a person.
Maybe because it’s a small bank, their system sucks but if you want to compete with large banks you need to step it up. DO NOT BANK HERE!!! Closing my account today!!!

If you’re looking for an intimate banking experience, shorter lines, lower fees, and rates, a local credit union may be a good choice. The folks at USE were very helpful in explaining these benefits during my recent visit.

I had a fraudulent charge put on my debit card. I went in today to have them fax in a letter and Marriane (who has been working there for a long time) did it with no problem. She empathized with me and went the extra mile in getting the issue resolved.
I just checked my account and as she said, my account has the money restored already. What would have took ten days, she made take a couple of hours. Excellent customer service by far.
It does get busy there sometimes as many people from shared branches come. But other than that, all the employees here are knowledgable and really good to work with.

I am constantly amazed at how poorly this organization serves its clients. On one occasion I went in with a large CASHIERS check from Wells Fargo Bank, less than a mile away. I wanted to deposit most of it into an SEP IRA and needed the balance in cash or a check made out to me. I explained this immediately. After many delays and phone calls, the IRA was set up. That’s when I was told they would have to put a hold on the balance. (I had about 80,000 in the CU at the time and had done business with them for 25 years with both savings and checking) I closed the checking account at that time. A letter to the general manager received no response.
Recently they did an unauthorized minimimum distribution for 2012, taking money from a high interest CD and putting it into a new savings account,
and charged me $ 5 for inadequate balance. By doing the mRD in April rather than the typical year end, I was denied the approx 3% interest I would have earned for the balance of the year. The manager saw no problem with this. I’m assuming they did this to all clients who had IRA’s and saved thousands of dollars by pulling these funds out early in the year. It’s a very clever scheme. As soon as my final CD matures I’m outta there!

Not a whole lot to say since I only use the ATM… but the good thing is that there is plenty of parking, it’s a good neighborhood, and plenty of people around so you always feel safe withdrawing cash. Not so much at some other ATMs in the area.