Raleigh Credit Unions (good credit, living, move)

[Nene817]

Hi Everyone,

I hate big, national banks. I've always preferred to do my banking at local credit unions. They usually tend to be much more helpful and friendlier, with better interest rates and less ridiculous fees.

I know for many credit unions, you need to somehow be affiliated with a certain company or work within a certain field, etc., but there are others that are public or where the only qualification is simply that you reside in a certain county. Since I'll be new to Raleigh, I won't have any connections to anything in the area when I move down, so I was hoping to find a good credit union that is open to anyone in the area. I'm going to be living near Umstead Park...I guess it's technically Leesville but it's just outside of the Raleigh city limits, still south of 540.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[MrsSteel]

One option is Coastal Federal Credit Union - COASTAL - Experience the Difference.
Many companies in the Triangle are affiliated with CFCU. Here's a link to their eligibility requirements.
COASTAL - Step 1 - Verify Eligibility
I think they used to allow others to join if they paid a small fee (I believe it's $10) but I'm not sure they do that anymore.

There are also a handful of credit unions affiliated with local government agencies. For example, there's the NC State Employees Credit Union - State Employees' Credit Union
Here's the link to their eligibility requirements: Membership Eligibility

To find other credit unions you can use the search tool at the website for the National Credit Union Administration.
National Credit Union Administration - Credit Union Queries

[Bartman]

I agree with you want2leave.... and I am a member of both of the credit unions mrssteel mentioned. I have been very happy with both of them and would recommend either of them... But unless you or an immediate family member will be working in association with the state of NC, you'll need to focus on Coastal Federal Credit Union. and I'm pretty certain anyone can join (see option #4 on the sign up page).

[saturnfan]

State Employees is great. We love banking there.

[lamishra]

We're memebers of both SECU and Coastal. I like SECU way better if you are eliglible. Coastal is OK. I find them to be a little behind the times compared to SECU, a little slower and some of the people working at the branch I go to don't seem to be all that bright for lack of a better description. But I'm happy with the bank itself. It could just be the branch I go to as well, maybe the other ones are better. It's not enough to make me switch banks or anything, i just really prefer SECU. They are always extremely efficient.

[saturnfan]

I agree, SECU staff are both intelligent and courteous.