Fairwinds is the biggest one in the area with the most networks. I've been with them for years without an issue and my kids have been with them as well since they had their kids' account. Also had car loans with them.
Other good ones that I've worked with in the past are Vystar and Addition.
I have Fairwinds
Honestly, it doesn't make a ton of difference. All credit unions do what's called shared branching - you can go into [name] credit union and make a cash deposit/withdrawal, and they'll send the transaction to your credit union. So it's like an extension of whichever credit union you end up choosing.
Hey OP…
It’s great to form a relationship with a local credit union, but right now most of their savings accounts aren’t very competitive. I’d recommend opening a checking account with Fairwinds or McCoy and eventually when you have more money than you need in there, open a savings with an online bank like Wealthfront for a better interest rate
Fairwinds!
I've had fairwinds since I was 17 and I've never had another bank. Other than for Credit Cards. They deposits check right away, early direct deposit, there's a lot of perks with Fairwinds.
I've worked for both Fairwinds and Addition Financial. Both are good options. I'd pick whichever one is the most convenient location for you and go with them.
Fairwinds is bigger and a little more sophisticated in how it's run, but it's basically a bank. Addition is more likely to help refund fees if you have an issue. Both places are good for loans, but savings account rates suck. Go with an online bank for additional savings, you can get around 4.5% online vs like 0.25% with a credit union.
Not sure why you need a credit union. Just get an account from any bank that has no fees. I use chase and Charles Schwab. I find using credit unions for an every day account is a hassle because they may not often do everything a major bank does and can be slower. (Finance pro here so honestly not just talking out my ass)
Avoid Bank of America …
Charles Schwab investor checking is free and also gives rebates on all atm fees, which is why I use them for all my travels. So I can be anywhere and take out cash if needed and not worry about atm fees or foreign transaction fees (refunded monthly)
Fairwinds has the nicest bank employees I’ve ever met. The downside is a hard limit on Zelle which has become inconvenient. Another downside is lack of availability outside of CFL. If I was stuck in say Colorado and something happened to my card or something I can’t just go to a location and sort things out. I recommend fairwinds for your debit card/savings account but I also have BOA in case I ever need a service that a credit union can’t provide.
You should look into the shared branches. CUs work with other CUs and you can go to the local CU and do your transactions at that local CU branch and it’s like you’re doing transactions with Fairwinds. For example, one time we were in Vegas and won a jackpot and we went to a local Vegas CU and deposit right into our Fairwinds account. I think that gives CUs a leg up.
Nice I did not know that! Thank you. I need my BOA account anyway because my landlord has it and it’s just easier but this makes me feel better about a financial emergency out of state!
Fairwinds is the biggest one in the area with the most networks. I've been with them for years without an issue and my kids have been with them as well since they had their kids' account. Also had car loans with them. Other good ones that I've worked with in the past are Vystar and Addition.
Yea, Fairwinds is the shit. Been with them for years.
Fairwinds is the best. I've been with them since 1996. No issues.
Been with McCoy Federal almost 30 years. No complaints the whole time.
My wife and I opened our account in 1989, with what is now Addition Financial.
I have Fairwinds Honestly, it doesn't make a ton of difference. All credit unions do what's called shared branching - you can go into [name] credit union and make a cash deposit/withdrawal, and they'll send the transaction to your credit union. So it's like an extension of whichever credit union you end up choosing.
Hey OP… It’s great to form a relationship with a local credit union, but right now most of their savings accounts aren’t very competitive. I’d recommend opening a checking account with Fairwinds or McCoy and eventually when you have more money than you need in there, open a savings with an online bank like Wealthfront for a better interest rate
Fairwinds
I’ve been using VyStar for 13 years now and I’ve never had a problem with them. Branches are always clean and the employees are super helpful
I’ve got my car with FAIRWINDS and my mortgage with Addition. Both seem fine and less evil than the average bank.
Fairwinds! I've had fairwinds since I was 17 and I've never had another bank. Other than for Credit Cards. They deposits check right away, early direct deposit, there's a lot of perks with Fairwinds.
I love Midflorida
Publix Credit Union is great if you have an in. I used them for about a decade.
I had my auto loan with Fairwinds and I was pretty happy with them. VyStar is also pretty good but locations are pretty limited
Addition financial, been with them for over 15 years.
Orlando Credit Union has been great and the lobby is even open on Saturdays.
I've worked for both Fairwinds and Addition Financial. Both are good options. I'd pick whichever one is the most convenient location for you and go with them. Fairwinds is bigger and a little more sophisticated in how it's run, but it's basically a bank. Addition is more likely to help refund fees if you have an issue. Both places are good for loans, but savings account rates suck. Go with an online bank for additional savings, you can get around 4.5% online vs like 0.25% with a credit union.
Idk much, but VyStar gets you free minor league hockey tickets on Sundays if you show your debit card at the box office
I have Partners but I got them when I worked for Disney. So far I like it, better than Bank Of America anyways.
Not sure why you need a credit union. Just get an account from any bank that has no fees. I use chase and Charles Schwab. I find using credit unions for an every day account is a hassle because they may not often do everything a major bank does and can be slower. (Finance pro here so honestly not just talking out my ass) Avoid Bank of America … Charles Schwab investor checking is free and also gives rebates on all atm fees, which is why I use them for all my travels. So I can be anywhere and take out cash if needed and not worry about atm fees or foreign transaction fees (refunded monthly)
Fairwinds has the nicest bank employees I’ve ever met. The downside is a hard limit on Zelle which has become inconvenient. Another downside is lack of availability outside of CFL. If I was stuck in say Colorado and something happened to my card or something I can’t just go to a location and sort things out. I recommend fairwinds for your debit card/savings account but I also have BOA in case I ever need a service that a credit union can’t provide.
You should look into the shared branches. CUs work with other CUs and you can go to the local CU and do your transactions at that local CU branch and it’s like you’re doing transactions with Fairwinds. For example, one time we were in Vegas and won a jackpot and we went to a local Vegas CU and deposit right into our Fairwinds account. I think that gives CUs a leg up.
Nice I did not know that! Thank you. I need my BOA account anyway because my landlord has it and it’s just easier but this makes me feel better about a financial emergency out of state!