Provident Credit Union (Walnut Creek Community Branch)

Reviews

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  I think Provident Credit Union is the best. Absolutely no complaints. I was on the Board of Directors of Golden Gate Federal CU, which merged with Provident many years ago. Credit unions have advantages over banks --- no checking fees, for one. I believe Bank of America charges about $120/year for checking -- over 5 years that works out to $600! Sure there are fewer teller machines, but you can usually use any credit union teller machine without a fee. Wells Fargo once had the audacity to charge me $1 for getting my checking balance on an ATM instead of online! I like the flexibility of Provident's line of credit. There is a small annual charge ($25?), but I can take money out of my line of credit anytime, for as short or as long as I need. If I need and extra $75 one week before a paycheck, it's available, and the interest meter (7%) stops immediately when I pay back the loan. In other words, I don't get charged interest for an entire month or billing cycle, just the time I actually have the loan. I was at both Bank of America and Provident Credit Union today (Friday afternoon, a busy bank time). The Bank of America branch had only two tellers working, and the line was at least 20 people long. The Provident Credit Union branch line (Walnut Creek) at almost the same time was 3 or 4 persons long, with three tellers working, and a manager who would come out as needed. If you haven't used a credit union before, try it as a secondary account and see if it works for you. You might find that you don't need a big name bank anymore, and get better fees and rates with the credit union!
  By Craig Kauffman, February 21, 2018

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