Secu

I have banked with SECU for over 5 years and never had a problem, until now. Despite multiple phone calls and emails regarding me going out of the country for a birthday trip, SECU failed to place a travel notification on my account, and after three failed attempts the ATM ate my card. Now, things happen, so if SECU was the least bit helpful I could let this go. But after 40 minutes on hold at 1.50 a minute from overseas, I realized they just don’t care about me as a customer. I am IRATE that I’ve wasted my time with such a careless and inconsiderate institution.

The advantages to having a credit union include low or no fees. If you use ATM machines affiliated with the credit union, you won’t accrue ATM charges. You can open an account with only $ 5 in your savings account. If you have a reasonable explanation when you accrue a fee, the employees are decent about reversing it, especially if it is the first time you have ever been charged. The credit union has a convenient bank application which allows you to deposit checks by using your smartphone. The online banking is easy to use and understand. i never had a problem wiring money to another account or bank.
There seems to be a higher turnover of personnel, making it a challenge to find the same person in your corner each time you have a issue. The local branches seem more wiling to help with issues. I would call a local branch before calling the main bank number.
If you use any services for an IRA, make sure that you get an experienced person who can really help you. Not everyone has the same level of knowledge.
If you prefer the paper bank ledgers that accompany checks, I was told by a manager that they will be discontinued. I like writing down all of my expenses in a bank receipt book, even though I rarely write a check.
If you call headquarters (not Tech Road), the staff will refuse to transfer you to another branch, even if you have a emergency. They act as if they are protecting state secrets. Make sure that you get business cards when talking to employees at a specific branch. If you don’t have their phone number, you can’t get it from headquarters. The automated directory by name is useless if you don’t know the last name of the person who helped you.
I have mixed feelings about the employees at headquarters. Some have been patient and understanding. Some employees have been dismissive and unkind on the phone. There is a manager at the Tech Road branch who was mortified when he learned all of my concerns. I ended up having other issues, even under this manager’s watch.
I have had an account since college and I still don’t feel valued. There have been large, preventable mistakes. I overstayed due to being familiar with the ATM machines and being afraid that I would end up with worse service somewhere else.
I am going to switch my main business to another credit union. i would not feel comfortable taking out a loan or having any complicated transaction, due to all of the mistakes that have happened with SECU.
I would not suggest this credit union to anyone.

I decided to establish my finances here after realizing I am eligible to join due to my employer and separate recommendations by friends.
This branch had helpful employees, Rama M was the consultant who worked with me to set everything up. She cheerfully stayed half an hour after the branch’s closing time to make sure everything was good to go. Excellent service!
The Maryland State Employees Credit Union has several branches and freestanding ATMs around MD and apparently one or two ATMs in DC. However you can use any Allpoints ATM and not be charged a fee. These machines are located in 7 Eleven stores in the Metro DC area and in Maryland. Some CVS and Walgreens stores have them also. However for a small credit they seem pretty cutting edge with technology. You can use their mobile phone app to take a picture of the check which will then be deposited to your account while you can then void out the paper check. Things like that make not having widespread branches less of a worry.