C U Later, Blandfark

Silent E had some experiences at his credit union that he'd like to share. In the comments section on this post, you'll find out who "Blandfark" is (in case you need help figuring it out).

I should’ve known better. It’s called a Union so I should’ve just stayed away. Teacher’s Union, no. State Employee’s Union, nope. I’m talking about Credit Unions.

A while back I was wooed away from my trusty bank, Grafton State Bank, by lower rates, promises of great service and better locations from a credit union. I don’t want to name names so I’ll just call the Credit Union “Blandfark”.

After switching to Blandfark, I found that about the only benefit that I received was a slightly closer location. That’s it. If you deposit a check that is not from a Blandfark customer, they’ll hold it for 5 days. No ifs ands or buts. I’m not a guy who sports an over abundant amount of cash so this 5 day thing can be a killer. On day 4 of the 5-day process, they bounced me for a $0.04 overdraft. That cost me 25 bucks!! What a load of crap. Grafton has that money in my account the next day. Now that’s service. I recently paid off a couple of loans that I had at Blandfark, one for a van and one for a boat. When I asked about the title clearance, they said “Well, we hold this open for 10 days until the check clears then the titles will clear in about 2 weeks”

What??????

10 freakin' days……… What a load of crap. On top of that, they said that the boat title wouldn’t clear for a month because they only do that on the 1st of every month and she didn’t think this payment would clear in time.

Crap crap crap crap……

If Blandfark should want to become competitive in the banking market, maybe they should update their banking software and try hiring actual bank professionals instead of some 18 year old eye candy with an IQ that’s second numerically only to their shoe size. Stupid ain’t cute. When I went to a branch of GSB in Franklin, all of the employees were dressed professionally and they were all friendly and knowledgeable. As I alluded to formerly, knowledge is not abundant at the Credit Union.

Another thing that bothers me is the fact that these Credit Unions don’t pay their fair share in taxes. I do remember a time when Credit Unions had members of certain labor unions as customers or “members”. (I’m not sure why that made them exempt from taxes but that’s a discussion for another day). The teachers had their own “bank”. When I went to college in LaCrosse, I remember seeing that the employees at the Trane Company had there own “bank”. When you purchase a car at a dealership, the first place they talk to about financing is a Credit Union. If you are approved for financing through that Credit Union you have been approved based on credit score, nothing else. There are no special criteria you have to meet to become a member. The criteria are exactly the same as becoming a CUSTOMER at a traditional bank. This whole premise of being a member has somehow been lost over the age’s .Now, you’re not a member so much as you are a customer, which makes a Credit Union no different than a Bank. Banks pay taxes. Please tell me why Credit Unions are exempt from paying taxes. With all the financial difficulties this state is having, maybe our illustrious Governor should purpose taxing the people who should be taxed, not the people who are already carrying the burden.

What it comes down to in the end is that I’m all about customer service and good business practices and I’m willing to pay a bit more for it.

I’m now banking once again at Grafton State Bank and I’m happy with my decision but I would like to make a suggestion. More branches in Southwestern Waukesha County please!!!!!

I’m looking forward to that day when my “membership” at Blandfark is cancelled for good.