| Times certainly have changed -- for the better.
3 years ago, I tried to get a car loan from DCU, and to
make a long story short, DCU was the least responsive of all the
banks I dealt with. My other credit union was responsive, but
couldn't make the loan because of their ultra-conservative practices.
Yesterday, I walked into the Taylor Street branch with a bill of sale
for a used conversion van. (There really isn't a NADA book or equiv for
conversion vans that's worth much). Anyway, the branch manager here
worked with someone in HQ who knew conversion vans, and with the dealer to
come up with a "value" for the van ($300 off what I said it was worth after
3 months of looking, comparing, and digging for info).
24 hours later, I had a check in my hands for the van. The numbers aren't as
good as when I bought the car 3 years ago, DCU is the one that came through.
No $400 appraisal as BayBank and FirstNH wanted, no $10k limits as New
Dartmouth bank had as a policy. Paying by weekly deduction keeps the interest
down, and the rate and term are very comparable.
I'm impressed.
The "Information Center" is open past 4:00 pm, and has good people answering
the phone. I had things faxed to me by them. I was on the phone going through
countless (at least it seemed to me) iterations of payments,terms, etc. The
branch people were great - the manager didn't want to make me pay for an
appraisal if it wasn't necessary.
I don't know if the BoD is responsible, or the new President (I'd like to think
both), but I'm impressed.
Next, I'm going to try to refinance my house through DCU. To me, it's worth
doing business with the DCU again!
One more comment -- in talking with Paul K via mail, he made the comment that
the members need to keep their fingers on the pulse of the DCU, or it'll slide
down the same slope as it did before. Sage advice..
Bryan
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