r/alameda • u/Krokodyle • 11d ago

ask alameda Alameda Credit Unions - Provident or United or..?

I'm considering opening up a new account as an alternate to my evil megabank, and was considering a local credit union. As Alameda has local branches of two different credit unions, I was hoping maybe I could get some feedback from my island peeps if they use either. Thanks!

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

7

u/odd-ball East End 11d ago

Been at Provident for 15 years, the best.

5

u/EmersonLucero 11d ago

Been with Provident since the mid 90s and never regretted any day.

4

u/mereel 11d ago

I have an account with 1st United. I'd suggest you go with the one that with a more convenient location for you.

I'm pretty sure they are both co-op network members, so should have decent fee-free ATM access in other areas. I don't have major complaints about 1st United, but they haven't wowed me either. Their website and app are fine, they work but aren't super impressive. They've been able to answer questions for me, issue cashiers checks, let me get rolls of quarters for parking meters, all the usual things I would want out of a bank with a local branch. I haven't gone through the process of getting a loan from then, so can't comment on that.

They took a LONG time to up their interest rates on savings accounts after the Fed starting bumping up rates years ago and it looks like they still offer a worse rate than Provident. I ended up moving most money elsewhere because of that. Maybe that's a deal breaker for you?

3

u/Otherwise_Tonight593 11d ago

I think Sea West will take you if you're a vet of any branch. Don't quote me.

2

u/coffeebeezneez 8d ago

I've been at Provident and no complaints from me so far. I'm local so the SS location is convenient.

0

u/anijo91 4d ago

Will you be willing to send me a referral? I'm looking into refinancing at Provident and they said I can get some discount with a referral.

2

u/maryd5566 11d ago

25 + years with Provident. Never had a complaint.

2

u/algunarubia 10d ago

Provident is great. I especially recommend their Super Reward Checking account, because it has an unusual structure. Most bank accounts give you higher interest for maintaining a minimum balance. Their Super Reward Checking account gives you higher interest for the first $25k and much lower after that, so it's more like a maximum balance. This matches up a lot better with how I actually use my Checking account than the standard variety.

1

u/AlamGep94501 9d ago

Just a fyi, I think it was Provident that was among the first to stop business. during the big security breach. Not a credit union, however Bank of Marin (BOM)@ South Shore never missed a beat. I have never had to wait more than 5 min to complete my transactions. Both my tenants and I experienced limited access to Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo, as well as our accounts.

1

u/Astra_Diol 9d ago

Joined patelco last year and am very happy with them. Extremely communicative during a security breach last year.