I opened a checking account at a credit union today. Easy Peasy. No deposit required.

[Devil_Fish]

No minimum balance requirement. No Monthly fee. No Debit card fee. 15 different atm locations in my home town. First book of checks free. My god I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.

I'll get my card with in a week and then it's bye bye Zombie Bank, May you Rot in peace.

D_F

[gateley]

1. Tell everybody you know about the GREAT deal (free!) and how

easy it was. :)

:hi:

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. K&R!

[bluerum]

3. Probably FREE checking too.

[Devil_Fish]

6. Yes Free checking. Did I not mention that? I guess I didn't. NT

[joshcryer]

10. And many of them have free ATM withdrawals at designated ATMs (and free debit).

Sometimes it can be inconvenient to go to one, but once you know where they are you can adapt and use them.

[RebelOne]

25. Well, hate to tell you Bank of America haters,

I have always gotten free checking through Bank of America. Checks weren't free, but I always bought them online. And I very seldom use checks, since all my bill paying is done online.

[Mnemosyne]

4. I belong to two credit unions and had to deposit $5.00 at each. I didn't mind! Good for you

leaving the vulture banks behind!

[joshcryer]

11. Mine was $35, but Wells Fargo and other big banks require $100 or more.

And your debit cards aren't free, checks aren't free, etc, etc.

Note: first checkbook is usually free you have to order the rest, but the actual checking service, it's free. So direct deposit and stuff like that, totally free.

[Mnemosyne]

14. I had a 'free' checking account at PNC many years ago that cost me $16 a month. That is

when I switched to a credit union and never looked back.

[AsherWI]

5. Good for you...

I opened an account with my local credit union in Wisconsin my freshman year in high school.

[juajen]

7. Most of ours seem to have a requirement that I don't meet, i. e.,

graduate from local university; railroad employees; government employees; hospital employees, etc. I couldn't find a general one. Is there something I am missing?

[joshcryer]

9. That's extremely weird. I got mine when I moved to Colorado and I just had my ID.

I didn't even have a job yet and my deposit was $35 (free checking, free debit card with free withdrawals at hundreds of locations in the city).

There are some that require you to 'know someone' who is already a member and stuff like that, basically invite only or something, but it wasn't one I went to.

Where are you located? Unless you're in a really rural town I am sure we can find you one nearby.

[Devil_Fish]

12. Usually your work place will affiliate with a CU.

The one I found is national:

http://www.alliantcreditunion.org/

It's easy to qualify, do you have kids? are you a member of the PTA? It's best if there is a branch in your area that you can walk into. They are very nice. Once your in, your in for life. You can get your whole family in too.

[sarcasmo]

17. Keep looking, I would use the phone book and call and ask the requirements.

You should be able to find one that will allow you to join. Tell them you want to leave a Mega bank and see if that makes a difference.

[joshcryer]

8. Amazing isn't it? I've been using credit unions my whole life.

I never once held a for-profit* bank account.

*I think some credit unions are technically classified as "for profit" but the money stays within the credit union or within a consortium of credit unions. When the housing bubble burst the vast, overwhelming majority of credit unions were unscathed.

[pipoman]

13. I love credit unions

If your card is part of the "coop" network, you can use thousands of ATMs across the country free. Credit unions will figure dealer invoice on new cars and current values of used cars. They will help develop a plan to improve credit scores. They will help with home purchases, investment plans, and do it all for free.

[rbixby]

15. One of the things I love about my CU

is that I can walk into a branch and have them make me a new debit card or credit card on the spot (I seem to have bad luck with breaking them for some reason).

[L0oniX]

16. I just got a 8.9% credit card from my credit union.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. My problem is I can't a credit union that I qualify for.

Maye I am not looking in the right listings or something.

[Earth_First]

21. Do you have a family member or good friend in one?

Our credit union offers free membership to family and up to 2 friends per year...

[dixiegrrrrl]

23. Update: found one.

It had changed names from years ago when I belonged to it.
And it is miles and miles away, but no problem, everything can be done by mail.
Which means eventually I can get rid of bank..yayy.

[joshcryer]

24. Yes! That's the best part. I have only been in my credit union *one time* since I got it here in CO.

I used to go in all the time to do deposits and stuff but as internet technology matured I have done everything, and I mean everything, digitally. I feel so much more secure, especially not having to worry if USPS will lose my money orders or whatnot.

[Earth_First]

19. Our credit union just started offering reciprocals with atms at other CU's

There are 5 other credit unions in our area in the same program, I can almost always find a fee free ATM now...

Power to the CU's

[Earth_First]

20. Our credit union just started offering reciprocals with atms at other CU's

There are 5 other credit unions in our area in the same program, I can almost always find a fee free ATM now...

Power to the CU's

[BrendaBrick]

22. Shared branching among CU with "swirl" logo

I bookmarked this from another DUer (can't recall who):

About Shared Branching

With shared branching, credit unions from all over the country share facilities to give members thousands of convenient locations to perform transactions just as if they were in their home credit union. Whether you are at work, home, or your favorite travel destination, your credit union is always nearby.

Anywhere you see the swirl you can conduct a range of transactions, such as:

Deposits
Withdrawals
Loan Payments
Make transfers between accounts
Purchase money orders, travelers checks and official checks*
And more!

To take advantage of this service, when you enter a shared branch you only need to bring:

Your home credit union's name
Your account number
Valid government-issued photo identification, i.e., State Driver’s license, US Passport

*May not be available at all outlets and locations.

LINK: http://cuservicecenter.com/AboutSharedBranching.aspx