8/12    What are credit unions? Someone said it's easier to obtain a credit
        card through CU's. From what I've gathered, it just seems like
        another word for bank.
        \_ They're co-op banks (i.e. the customers are "members" who are the
           owners, therefore they care more about the individual customer
           than the big banks who care mostly about the big customers).
           \_ Most CU's offer CC's to anyone who is a member. And as a member
              you get to vote on how you want your CU run. --that someone

        \_ They're banks that are much more liberal on lending.  I went to
           CCFCU for a car loan at 2pts better than what BofA would do.  And
           my visa card with them has been at 11.88% fixed for 5 years.  While
           that looked a tad high early in 1999, it's quite low the rest of
           the time.  CUs also have much lower balance requirements, and junk
           fees are minimal.  What they don't have are a lot of atms, branches
           or well established online banking. -jor
           \_ CC's: most CU's offer CC's to anyone who is a member. And
              as a member you get to vote on how you want your CU run.
              However, they may not give you the super-low CC interest-rates
              that some big banks give their "best" customers. But if
              you are starting out (no credit) it is great. (you shouldnt
              be carrying a CC balance anyways so nevermind interest-rate)
              Savings/Checking: note that CU's sometimes have limits on
              the number of withdrawals or checks you can make per quarter
              in order to get your higher-than-bank savings-interest-rate
              and they do not have as many ATMs as some evil, slow, incompetent
              banks like WF or BofA, but CU's are MUCH MORE responsive
              to you. And they also have Holiday specials, car loan
              specials and lower-interest-personal loans available:
              you keep your savings account filled but take a CU loan and
              pay yourself the interest -- this is cheaper, builds credit,
              keeps you under your per-quarter-withdraw-limit --someone
                 patience."  -- kahogan
              \_ Credit unions?  MUCH MORE responsive? Obviously you've never
                 tried to use my credit union's online banking service. Their
                 3-ring binder for dealing with customer complaints contains
                 exactly two answers: "Please upgrade to the latest version
                 of Internet Explorer", or "I've reset your password. Please
                 try logging in again." Sometimes when they want me to feel
                 like they care, they'll throw in "We appreciate your
                 patience."  (What was the problem? Logging in to online
                 banking and getting nothing but a page declaring "SQL ERROR"
                 for multiple days in a row.)  AEA Credit Union.  -- kahogan
                 \_ the 2 i had were responsive but not online. Very low
                    tech, old-style. I called the lady to make withdrawals,
                    and she sent me check. thanks 4 warning, --someone
        \_ They're banks that are much more liberal on lending.  I went to
           CCFCU for a car loan at 2pts better than what BofA would do.  And
           my visa card with them has been at 11.88% fixed for 5 years.  While
           that looked a tad high early in 1999, it's quite low the rest of
           the time.  CUs also have much lower balance requirements, and junk
           fees are minimal.  What they don't have are a lot of atms, branches
           or well established online banking. -jor
           \_ Well, as far as ATMs are concerned, you can usually find an ATM
              that's part of the Co-op Network and you don't get charged any
                fees usually. Another way to get cash without surcharges is to
                pay for groceries via ATM card and ask for cash back.
        \_ credit unions have a few nifty features, they offer a reasonable
           interested rate on your checking account (slightly less than a
           brokerage money market account but better than 1 or 2% at a bank),
           fairly flexible credit cards with low interest rates, and shopper
           services for things like cars.  The shopper services are probably
           worth it, since you can usually get a car for invoice via a credit
           union. I got a mostly loaded corolla for $15k ($100 over invoice).
           I could have got a civic or a low-end corolla (1.6 l) for $11k.
           \_ All new Corollas have 1.8L engines.
              \_ Actually, they've all got 1.6L engines. You only get the extra
                 .2L worth of power if you have the "NEUSPEED" or "Toyota
                 Racing Development" stickers on the outside of the vehicle.
              \_ I got mine in 96. The only reason I got the 1.8 l is that the
                 gas mileage was 3 miles more according to the window sticker,
                 and they had it with green exterior tan interior, while the 1.6
                 l ones had bad interior colors.
                 \_ Mmm.  American consumers.
                       \_ I forgot to add that the 1.6 l drove very badly and
                          could barely handle merging on the highway.
                    \_ YEAH D00D!!1! He should've taken the car with the
                       smaller engine, poorer gas mileage, and colors he didn't
                       like -- because then he could be a HIP, IRONIC, OUT-OF-
                       THE-MAINSTREAM ANTI-CONSUMERIST EURO SOPHISTICATE like
                       yourself!!1!!!!1!! Maybe you should give classes or
                       something so the rest of us don't make the same
                       horrible mistake.