State Department Federal Credit Union

I have been a member of the State Dept. FCU for almost thirty years. Since I left the State Dept. I have had accounts with several credit unions and commercial banks in several states. My State Dept. FCU is the only one I have kept through several moves. I have had several loans and various accounts with SDFCU. I have never had any problems with them or with service from SDFCU on its 800 number or by its branch personnel. I have never had to wait more than a few minutes to speak to a customer service representative on the 800 number and have always received courteous and professional service when I went to a branch.
I moved to Florida about two years and thought that opening an account with a local bank or credit union would be helpful. I have found that I don’t need it. With SDFCU’s online banking, 800 number and (since Jan 1 of this year) free ATMs, and with a Credit Union Service Center less than two miles from my home, I can do everything I need to do without opening accounts with any local (or national) bank or credit union.
When I moved to Florida, I received invitations from several national banks, including Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo, to open accounts with them. They all required me to maintain a high minimum balance to get free checking or pay a high monthly fee if I didn’t, and pay a $ 2 – 5 fee if I used an out-​of-​network ATM. I have figured that I save a few hundred dollars a year by keeping my accounts with SDFCU, where I don’t have to do any of that.
Finally, concerning the complaints by George C. and Tony C. Obviously my experience with SDFCU staff has been different from theirs. Otherwise, they complain about few locations and difficult parking. Well, I have lived in DC, Silver Spring and Takoma Park, MD, and Arlington, VA. In my experience, parking throughout the whole metropolitan area is always difficult, even sometimes in suburban shopping centers. And online banking makes bricks-​and-​mortar branches much less important than they were even twenty years ago. If George and Tony want lots of parking and nearby branches, they can get them, but they will pay a lot for that. I prefer to spend my money differently.

Always speedy in telling you what they can’t or won’t do for you. The tellers are in my experience best described as minimum wage «can’ts» and «don’ts» and «won’ts.» Pretty unimpressive talent, in my opinion. Parking is also often difficult.

I just discovered that SDFCU has been charging me a $ 5.00/month fee for a bill pay service I never use since September of 2012. When I called to complain they refunded $ 60 of the $ 80 I feel they stole from me but they could not refund me the $ 20 from more than 12 months ago. This CU has very few locations, horrible phone service wait times, and service worse than my commercial banks including lending. my advice… look elsewhere. My New Years resolutions include closing this account.

I have been a member of this credit union since I was in high school. I’ve had a car loan, personal loan and credit card with them. Their rates are pretty good.
This location is convenient to the King Street Metro Station and has Saturday hours from 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. However, be sure to get there early on Saturday if you need to talk to a customer service associate; the wait time can be a bit long.