School Employees Credit Union of Washington

I joined when I took my first teaching job. Had free Advantage checking with free checks until recently when they noticed that I no longer had direct payroll deposit which is required for this type of account (took them a long time to notice - years). Now I keep $300 in my account to avoid a charge.

Always great, friendly service! Have an "other" free local savings bank account just for cashing checks if I am not near a free teller machine like a Boeing CU ATM (SECUWA won't ever charge, but the owner of the ATM might). Never a problem with using the ATMs or mailing in checks. If I make a mistake on the deposit, I just call them up and let them know (another bank charged me $10 once for entering a wrong number during a deposit). Can use the phone or Internet for just about any banking needs.

Services I REALLY LIKE: FREE bill payer, scheduled transfers (even from my overdraft account to my checking), NO FEE cash advance on my VISA (a quick call is all that is needed), get cash up to your account limit (the other bank may limit the amount) by simply presenting your VISA or VISA debit card to the cashier of a LOCAL bank - No more worries about ATM withdrawal limits! Have used this method to get quick cash to buy a car! - It's an instant cash advance with NO FEE! No need to drive into the Seattle branch. Few people know you can do this (you can do this with any VISA actually, but most VISAs charge a cash advance fee).

When I traveled internationally (Mexico, China, Israel), I have never been charged a fee for withdrawing at an ATM (again make sure the owner of the ATM doesn't charge). Very low fees for the few things they do charge for. Good loan rates. I could go on and on...I love this credit union! All it took was discovering a few tricks to get around the lack of physical branches (only two in the state). But well worth it!

WSECU has been the best banking decison I have made. I've been a member for 4 years. I do all my banking online and use their online bill payer program (free). Everything is included...free checks, accounts (at least what I have), overdraft protection. The only downside that I have is if I have a check to cash, I need to use a US BANK cash machine. I do not get charged though. I think there are other options. I just need to read up on it. If you work for a school district in any way, I highly suggest that you check them out!!! www.secuwa.org!!!!

I am a member here, but there is no branch near me. I like them because they allow you to join even if your employment with the school system is not permanent, as it was not for myself. The thing I dislike is in order to make deposits and things like that you need to either mail a check in, direct deposit, or go in to the Seattle branch. Living so far away is not easy for me as a member.

I joined the credit union shortly after starting this job. I knew nothing about them, but was unhappy with my previous bank. I quickly learned why my parents have been banking with the SECU for 35 years. Service is exceptional even better than Nordstrom. My checks are free, they dont charge me for low balance on either checking or savings, and they helped me buy a car.