this thread inspired me to create this post:
http://www.creditboards.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t350852.html

So let's create a central post on Credit Unions with the following specifics
1. Credit Union
2. Membership eligibility: Anyone can join or Restrictive to certain locations / organizations
3. Hard Inquiry to join and which CR pulled
4. Pre-Approval for credit products upon joining? Ex: 1 inquiry to join + credit card
OR additional inquiries needed for additional credit products? Ex: Alliant
5. Easy / Strict underwriting criteria
6. Chex System pull?
7. Additional Notes:
---------------------------

K here is what I have so far, please contribute to this thread so we'll know how to pick out the best of the CU's.

1. Penfed:
2. Anyone can join
3. 1 hard inquiry to apply. Equifax
4. Pre-approvals offered
Same inquiry can be used for other credit products
5. Strict underwriting Criteria, Inquiry sensitive, new accounts sensitive, etc
6. No Chex pull
7. Great alternative to NFCU / USAA

1. Alliant
2. Anyone can join
3. 1 hard inquiry to apply. Equifax Pull
4. Pre-Qualifations to other credit products
Additional inquiries required for additional credit products (new policy here)
5. Not as strict as Penfed
6. pulls chex (I believe)
7. Lots of recommended from myFICO Forums

1. Digital Credit Union
2. Anyone can join
3. 1 hard inquiry to apply? Equifax inquiry
4.
5.
6. pulls chex (I believe)
7. CreditBoards lots of members are happy with this Credit Union.

Other notable CU's that we should discuss:
NFCU
USAA
PATELCO
CCCU
ADDISON AVE
JFCU
FINANCIAL PARTNERS
NUVISION

Delta Community Credit Union....like Alliant, use to be just for Airline Employees but expanded their membership....easy to qualify ($5 to join the "Getting Ahead Association")...

Though rates are lower then Alliant (highest rate is in the Money Market Account) it is a terrific CU with lots of nice features....Excellent Online Banking and Bill Pay.....has a very fast ACH system, really great Customer Service and extensive network of Free Atms through COOP and ALLPOINT Networks....they are also a member of CU Shared Branching and deposits can also be made at COOP Atms that accept other CU's deposits (including 7-11 Stores that have VCOM atms)....

Very nice for day to day banking...for sure....

If anyone has information on OBee Credit Union's 7.52% APY Savings Account, please tell me what the catch is.

Eligibility is limited to those who live, work or worship in Washington State or who have a relative who does (and specific employer groups, of course). I'm eligible and intrigued.

ThursdaysChild said:If anyone has information on OBee Credit Union's 7.52% APY Savings Account, please tell me what the catch is.
Special rate applies only to the first $500.00 in your savings account with a suffix of 0001. Amounts in excess of $500 will earn normal savings rate, which appears to be 0.25% APY.

beethovengirl said:ThursdaysChild said:If anyone has information on OBee Credit Union's 7.52% APY Savings Account, please tell me what the catch is.
Special rate applies only to the first $500.00 in your savings account with a suffix of 0001. Amounts in excess of $500 will earn normal savings rate, which appears to be 0.25% APY.
Thanks! I was about to waste time tracking down my wife's Washington relatives...

DCU may not be performing hard pulls via Equifax at this time, though a Chexsystem check is done. YMMV however.

Bauer financial rates Digital only 3 stars out of five.

Five star rated: Alliant, Northwest, Addison Avenue, Delta, Redstone

Four star rated: PFCU, Vystar

http://www.bauerfinancial.com/btc_ratings.asp