I've been a member of SCCFCU for many years now...it's an excellent bank.

I normally do not like going into banks...the angry customers just dying to give the teller their "two cents" so to speak, the rude too-good-for-you tellers, the claustrophobia, the miles-long lines, the mixed-up statement issues...but we're talking about SCCFCU here, not your average bank.

From the SCCFCU website: "Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union - County Federal for short - was founded on May 8, 1950 by eight county employees with a vision and $107. The Credit Union was originally chartered in the state of California under the name Santa Clara County Employees Credit Union. Now, County Federal not only serves Santa Clara County employees but San Benito County, many cities within Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Valley Medical Center and many other companies affiliated with the county."

I was born and raised in beautiful Santa Clara County, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. My place of employment qualified me to open up an account with this bank (membership requires that you be an active or retired employee of one of their Corporate Partners...there is a search area on SCCFCU.org). Once a person joins, membership is for life...even if they change jobs or move away.

I won't get into interest rates, monthly fee, etc. details, as these fluctuate...please visit their website for more info.

When I considered buying my first car in the late 90's, I heard that SCCFCU had a great car buying program called Car Connection, so I thought I'd check it out for myself. I spoke to the Car Consultant at the main branch and gave him the info on the car I wanted and how much I wanted to spend. His job was to communicate with sales managers at dealerships and negotiate wholesale pricing. After completing the appropriate bank paperwork, I was soon on my way to the dealership to sign the papers and drove the car off the lot. I also secured a low-interest new car loan with the Credit Union this way and conveniently made automatic payments every month out of my checking account to pay it off.

It was a fast and trouble-free way to buy my first car although I now buy cars using my own research and communicate with the sales managers without using a middleman.

SCCFCU also has ongoing parking lot sales with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where great deals on all sorts of wheels can be had (although I've not purchased cars this way, I've heard from several co-workers about their experiences, and they're always positive).

The Credit Union has an excellent (Basic) Rewards Checking program, free of monthly service charges and minimum balance requirements (subject to change):

-No monthly service charge
-No minimum balance requirement
-No Direct Deposit requirement
-Free ATM or VISA Check Card with ATM Access
-2 free monthly transactions at other financial institutions’ ATMs (Other financial institutions‘ fees may apply)
-Unlimited use of County Federal and CO-OP Network ATMs
-Withdrawal up to $300 per day at an ATM
-Courtesy Pay
-Recognition of tenure on checks and VISA plastic cards
-Free Online Banking with Check Imaging
-Free Online Statements
-A discount on new and used auto loans with a down payment and a discount on new and used auto loans for using Car Connection.

They also offer what is called a "Gets Better Option" that allows qualifying members even more benefits. Most of the qualifications center on keeping a balance in a savings account, on consumer loans, credit cards, etc. that originated from SCCFCU.

The Regular Share Savings account is a basic savings account that only requires a small fee (about $25) to join.

There is also a LOONEY TUNES Savings Club that is a special youth account that resembles a regular savings account but is designed for youngsters (age 12 or under with a valid Social Security # and a relative with membership).

A Boom! Teen Club savings account is also offered that's especially designed for teen family members. Both the LOONEY TUNES and Boom! accounts are great for teaching young ones the value of saving and managing their money early in life. I sure wish I had access to such perks back then...what a wonderful idea!!!

Last of all is a Holiday Club account, which allows members to automatically deposit a designated monthly amount into their Holiday Club account. In early November, the funds are transferred to a Share Savings, just in time to shop. Usually, the Holiday Club Account share rate is a little higher than regular savings.

There are also vehicle, mortgage and personal loans available as well as Share Certificates, IRA's and Money Market accounts through this bank.

Once someone qualifies to join, certain family members (spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, step-siblings, step-children, adoptive relationships, and persons living in the same residence maintaining a single economic unit) are also entitled to join. It's a great way for the whole family to manage their money, all in one location.

I don't recall ever having had a bad experience with this bank in the 8+ years I've been a member and I've never heard one bad thing about their services from any of the members I've spoken to. This bank has an excellent business reputation. The staff are extremely friendly and the service is fast. I've never had to wait more than 10 min. in line (of course, I don't go in on paydays either). If I do get stuck in line, I can watch the commercial-free 24 hour news on the wall-mounted plasma screen monitors (in certain branches only) on the back wall to catch up on the "latest".

Perhaps best of all, there is no ATM fee at any of the CO-OP Network ATM's, which entitle cardholders to surcharge-free access to 17,821 ATMs throughout the U.S. and Canada (or any Washington Mutual ATM, which is surcharge-free). I find my SCCFCU VISA Check card very convenient to use as the funds are automatically withdrawn from my checking account.

The automated phone system is very easy to use and the SCCFCU on-line secure checking site is very convenient and easy to navigate. Members can also sign up for online announcements -SCCFCU will automatically email any news regarding their banking services to them.

SCCFCU also sends out notices (Car sales, etc.) and news flyers via the Postal Service to members on their mailing list and sometimes in monthly statements.

In addition, free informative financial education seminars are held for interested members throughout the year. The seminars are normally less than two hours long. Topics include first-time home buying, saving and investing, protecting investments and retirement planning and are usually held in the Credit Union's main branch.

The only downside to SCCFCU is the number of branches (only four) and the hours of the main branch (not open on weekends).

I'll close with a special note regarding a matter of the heart: Every holiday season (for 10 years now and counting), the Credit Union holds a teddy bear drive called Teddy Bears on Patrol...members can bring a new (tagged) stuffed bear to any branch or can fill out a bear donation form and the Credit Union will buy the bear. The teddy bears are distributed to law enforcement agencies, school districts and county hospitals throughout the county. The toys comfort and console children (and sometimes adults) who have been through automobile accidents, domestic violence situations, or when needed during catastrophic situations. It's an opportunity to help a stranger in need during the holidays and also a reminder of how fortunate we are. It's also a great way to teach those younger members what the true spirit of the holiday season is all about.









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