WSECU

I have been a member for many years. OK, decades if you really must know. WSECU, and particularly their staff, have been completely awesome through thick and thin. Completely.
So, why only 4 stars? First, I try to resist giving 1-​star and 5-​star reviews. I think they tend to be less credible. (Example: have you ever started reading an online review that began with «I’d give them zero stars if I could»? Yeah, I knew you had.)
And, the interest rates they pay on deposits are generally lower than what you might elsewhere in commercial institutions. Also, their loan products may not be as inexpensive. And, using a credit union in general means more limited access to local branches and (free) cash machines. Stuff like that.
Personally, I very happily use them as my primary financial institution and will continue to do so. And, their staff really do deserve 5 stars. They earn it all the time.

The credit union in general: good God, these people want to help me. On the eve of my one year anniversary, WSECU has given me awesome checking, an emergency person travel loan to get surgery at the Mayo Clinic (which was deposited immediately into my checking account over the phone without a credit check? is this real life?), another small loan when my car got money hungry and figured out how to correct an overdraft by doing six kinds of witchcraft to my account (overdrawing my checking account into my savings account and getting me a low interest loan for the overdraft — I can’t keep track either!). You know the credit union mythology, the people who want to help, who can bend the rules and make their own decisions? I have not experienced it before. What they’ve done for us — and how paying these loans has brought up our credit — is totally amazing.

I don’t understand this credit union. At all. My saga only involves trying to get rolls of quarters. The first time I used the ATM, which I was assured by BECU that they were part of their partner network, I had a surcharge. That was removed by BECU. The second time I used the ATM, I wanted to exchange the cash for quarters (hello laundry!). They told me they were unable to do so as I was not a member. I had to call BECU again to ask and they assured me they would be able to make a «cash for change transfer» The third time, they told me it would be a charge to get quarters for my money that I took out of their own ATM.
What is going on with this credit union?! I understand you aren’t a bank, but really, you can’t give out CHANGE??? What is your purpose other than working with money? It’s a sad day when a credit union nickels and dimes you something as simple as getting a roll of quarters.
The only saving grace is that a Bank of America is across the street. I walk over there for free «change». Funny that they don’t charge me.

I was really hoping for more as a WA state employee. I opened a personal bank account and the employee who assisted got me and my husband’s SSNs mixed up and my birth date wrong. They don’t offer temporary checks or debit cards upon opening the account so in our case we had no idea there was any problem until over a week later when our debit cards arrived. We still have no checks. We called customer service to access our account from our debit cards and were told our SSNs were incorrect and that we would not be able to access our account and would have to call another number to look into this further. We asked them how this could be if the credit union ran our credit in order to open the account and the representative had no answer. (Credit Karma notified us of the hard inquiry done by them within a day of opening the account). Customer service was unable to transfer our call so we had to write the number down and then call back. This seemed odd to us in this day and age. We logged into our account online and that is when we discovered how they had messed up — my birthday was wrong and they had switched our social security numbers. The funny thing was the customer service rep didn’t mention the switch over the phone — he just said the numbers didn’t match up at all as if they were the wrong numbers. He didn’t ask for additional security information to help resolve the issue, just passed us on to the next rep. So, that is our first dealings with this business, and it will be one of our last. Our last will be when we withdraw our money and close our account. First impressions do matter.

After 13years as a member I would still recommend WSECU. I’ve dealt with other banks and we’re always treated professionally here. I appreciate our relationship with the credit union. Thanks!

This is more a review of the credit union than this specific branch, which I’ve only used 3 times in the past 5 years.
I’ve never had any problem with WSECU (and I have accounts here, and at SECUWA). Admittedly, I use them sporadically and my interactions are limited to online only, but I’ve never had a negative experience in calling them, or using their website, and I really like their «transfer between institutions» option, which allows me to easily switch money between my two credit union accounts (without having to hunt down an ATM).
I have a loan through WSECU, and they were very kind and efficient in setting me up with a low interest rate at last minute notice. I did set up that loan through this branch, and despite my having no idea what the terms meant or what documents were needed, the manager was patient without being condescending. I’ve had no problems with the loan, which has an auto-​pay system setup, and will stay with WSECU for many years to come.

UPDATE– got a nice apology. I respect that. I know deeply inside that no one makes these mistakes on purpose.
«We are human and we make mistakes». the refrain. Heard once, ok, heard twice, welll, umm ok. On the fifth time about the same sensitive issue regarding loose and inconsistent training and policy around identity and personal information given out. BAD DEAL.
I do best with them if I go in in person to deposit. Or maintain a balance and do nothing. I am a public school educator and this is my member credit union, but some staff dont seem to get that courtesy and careful attention are vital to maintaining good long relationships. I urge members to document and report errors in policy, judgment and transactions so employeees and managers can review what needs to happen for retraining and customer retention.
Although I spoke with a Manager yesterday the work of the other manager which resulted in frustrating phone calls and her nonpolite communication style. I still lost over an hour fo rTHEIR error.
I URGE members to document everything. Submit in detail errors, waste of time, policy change midstream of your loans, major cash transfres, bungles on your accounts. By doing so, the Credit Union may have a chance to survive by looking at its need fo rretraining and employee review.

I love the free coin counting machine at the branch on Fairview. Very handy and fun to watch. Staff friendly. A great local, non-​profit alternative to big commercial banks.

My debit card was recently stolen and used fraudulently. WSECU was very helpful every step of the way. I turned in my fraud paperwork today and they were able to quickly make the required copies, notarize my forms, and fax it into the corporate office in Olympia. My money was refunded back to me in about four hours. I’m very pleased they handled such a stressful situation so efficiently and quickly.

I love this credit union. Always treated like a human by humans. Shared branching with in the CU network has never left me stranded. Leave your big bank now!

I’ve been a member for about ten years now. I’ve had share accounts, credit card and several personal installment loans over the years. They are pretty conservative with there loan standards, but given the multiple bank failures, that is a good thing. My best friend has joined and they have waived so many fees for her. «This is the last time we can waive this for you» about twenty times over. It’s nice that I can use other credit union ATMs around town without any hassles or fees. This is a member owned, not for profit financial institution. Missing the fifth star for not having such an awesome high interest savings and checking as BECU. You were still my first and I still love you!

I have been a devoted customer since I first started working for the state in 2000, and I love WSECU. Between the «shared branching» that allows me to go to most other CUs to do business and the online banking, I actually rarely have to go in to the branches (which probably differentiates my experience from a few other Unilocalers below).
That being said, when I have had to go in, I have never had a negative experience. I especially like the staff at the U district location – both the drive-​up banking tellers and the regular tellers inside across the street.
WSECU has great rates, and though we are lucky to have so many choices for credit unions here in Seattle, I’m sticking with them because of ho easy it is to manage my direct deposits through work. PLUS, though I haven’t attended one yet, they have so many great, free workshops on financial literacy, retirement planning, and home buying. Hopefully I’ll check one out soon. In the meantime, I’m perfectly happy to remain a devoted – albeit distant – customer and do most of my banking online, at other branches more convenient to me, or via the drive-​up banking tubes.

I had been with Bank of America since I deposited my first $ 25 ten years ago. I’ve had checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards and the verdict is: laaaaaaaaame. I’ve been tired of their refusal to stop paper statements, their insistence on opening extra «security» accounts, their absolutely unhelpful and rude customer service and all-​around pushy attitude. The letter informing me that they would begin assessing me a $ 15 per month «maintaintance» fee was the last straw. Brand loyalty? Huh, what’s that?
But this review isn’t about Bank of America, it’s about who I left them for: Washington State Employees Credit Union. I walked in to their branch on Eastlake the day after I got the fateful letter from BofA and stated plainly that I was sick of my bank and if they could convince me to go with them, I would open an account right then and there. And convince me they did! The customer service was friendly and helpful, they didn’t push anything on me that I didn’t want — they weren’t selling anything — and everyone in the bank actually communicated with eachother: the tellers talked to the loan officers, the customer service guy recognized me the second time I came in. After a quick interview and credit check, and a conversation with the account guy about UW (we both graduated recently), I walked out with a checking account and credit card, and the cards and checks came in the mail the next week. Easy as pie — no fees, no minimum balance, no ATM charges in the extensive credit union ATM network, no transaction fees. No one trying to sign me up for accounts I don’t need, paper statements stopped before they even began, online banking set up immediately and all with a friendly attitude.
My only little problem with them is that they are very strict about credit limits — even with a great credit score they weren’t able to get close to the limit that BofA gave me, so I’ll probably have to have another card on hand. Small price to pay, in my opinion.

While I’d still belong here over a commercial bank, this is a pretty poorly managed credit union. They have a badly organized website, their interest rates aren’t all that impressive for a credit union, they offer payday loans (which I don’t consider appropriate — it’s basically legalized loansharking, even if their still-​horrible rates are better than most payday loan places). Recently, I canceled my card when I lost it and was told I’d get a new one shortly, but later it turned out they didn’t order a new card when canceling the previous one. Huh? Why wouldn’t they do that?
BECU is better, from what I see.

Listen– if I could give this less than one star I would.
This is the worst Bank I have ever had the misfortune to belong to.
The employee’s are barely trained.
–asking them to handle anything other than a deposit or withdrawal ALWAYS REQUIRES THE MANAGER. I actually had the manager teller me to «pay attention» while his employee bumbled along. Neither of them knew what to do but they announced what keys tey pressed and had the gall to tell me t pay attention. Pay attention to your utter incompetence? sure, why the hell not?
–They are very heavy handed, I had a 40+ woman behind the counter lecture me for FIVE minutes because my credit car payment was late.
They have arcane/​limited abilities
–They don’t accept a check from any other bank until your payment is LATE.
–They have an online service you have to spend three fifteen minute phones calls ACTIVATING.
It’s like some kind of social experiment– it really, really is. I feel a prisoner EVERY time I went in. I no longer bank with them.
This whole institution is a testament to WHY you should research «the little guy» before signing up with the, or giving them your business.

Not a member of WSECU but go there on occasion (BECU allows you to use their services for some things). People are always friendly and very rarely is there a wait.

I have been a member of the credit union for over a decade– probably closer to 15 years.
In the past I have been very, very happy with their services, but have found them to be slipping in the last year or so. I was going to the Univeristy District branch and had no problems there, but since moving to Queen Anne almost 2 years ago I have been using the Eastlake branch.
While several of the employees are very friendly, a couple of them probably shouldn’t be working in customer service, including a guy who barely says hello and when asked «how are you doing today» always replies with a mere «fine», with no requisite «how are YOU?’. Now I know that this is just bs small talk, but if I had an employee working for me I would expect at least a modicum of friendly customer service.
IF YOU CANNOT BE FRIENDLY DON’T WORK IN CUSTOMER SERVICE! I am not asking to be treated like royalty, I just don’t want to feel like I am chore to the person whose service I am paying to use.
Another complaint is the lack of staffing. I can usually expect to wait in line there, and several times have for more than 10 minutes. One time I waited so long that I actually sat down in line (I was under the weather), after having waited about 15 minutes. Deciding that I should do something with my time instead of just sitting, I called my sister on my cell. I was then chided for being on the phone when a teller finally called me up to the counter. He (mr ‘fine’) impolitely told me he wouldn’t help me until I got off the phone. Fine, no problem, I thought, I understand, how about apologizing for the agonizing wait first?! Sheesh…
I have also been having problems with other things, like the time recently where I brought in 2 checks to deposit– one for $ 500 and one for $ 300. She ‘forgot’ to deposit the $ 300 check. Thank god I figured it out before I left the bank. She said «they must have been stuck together». Jesus– that’s $ 300 lady!
There are so many other issues I have had with them that they are too numerous to count. Now, I am a sharp, tolerant, understanding, friendly person. I know it’s not just me.
In fact, the last two times I have gone in there, I was greeted by a, well, ‘greteer’ for lack of a better word.
She now sits at the desk facing the entrance and says «hello how are you?» with a big smile to everyone who comes in. I also noticed that they have more tellers working. At least today from what I saw they all seemed to be making a concerted effort to be über-​friendly to the customers. I was totally taken aback but figure that they must have had enough complaints from their members that they finally decided to do something about it. I do want to note that the gal that helped me today (who I frequently get), is awesome. She is very friendly and smart and understands requests, which is very important to me when someone is handling my money.
Hopefully ‘mr fine’ is long gone. :-)
It’s good that it looks like things are changing, it’s too bad it’s too little too late. I’ll be taking my next check to Washington Mutual.
I have heard great things about my branch and they have awesome services for small businesses, something the credit union definitely lacks…
(side note: I will continue to get perssonal loans through the credit union as they have great rates).

Good rates, helpful staff. The only problem is that there are so few branches. This is one of the easier to get to. Its in a large building with lots of light. Staff is friendly. Accounts can be accessed via phone and web as well so its really only a problem when I need to cash a check.

They rock.