Austin Telco Federal Credit Union

OMG! It just keeps getting worse! They told me the opt-​out does not include ACH transactions. Well I used it as a debit card but they want to process it as an ACH transaction so they can charge the fees! This is not the end of this!
I then went to a branch to close my account. Since I have a full time job I can not get to a branch during normal lobby hours. I accessed a REAL person via drive through. She told me my account could not be closed via drive-​up window. What??? Sorry, I’m not taking time off of work to close my account. Can you send the paperwork through the tube? Nope. But… I can go online, login, send a secure message to close the account. Okay. Will do.
Requested to close the account via message. I get a reply that, since my account has not been open for 90 days there is a $ 10 fee to close the account. Go ahead, take it. I want as far away from this USELESS, DECEITFUL, credit union as possible! The ATMs are pathetic, the drive-​up windows are limited to certain transactions, and customer service is robotic.

I love ATelco! I have personal and business accounts with them and had an auto loan in the past.
The staff is always helpful, highly competent, friendly, and real. If I have a question about a transaction, I submit a secure message, and they always get back to me within 24 hours.
I once had an issue with Paypal withdrawing funds from my savings by accident when there wasn’t enough in that account. I talked to ATelco and they waived the overdraft fee for me. They did a lot of research to find out what went wrong, and I felt very taken care of.
Their new mobile banking apps are awesome. I use them on my iPad and Android phone. The mobile check deposit feature is pretty great, although sometimes a bit finicky.
I haven’t had any issues with their online banking interface. It’s not the prettiest, but it works! Sometimes the check images won’t load, though. It links up to Mint perfectly and it’s easy to set up automatic transfers between my checking and savings.
I’ve traveled overseas and used my debit card frequently. Everything went smoothly and fees were competitive.
I was able to set up additional personal savings accounts pretty easily (like if you wanted sub accounts for specific savings goals). I couldn’t do it online but I live close enough to a branch that wasn’t a problem.
Maybe I’m just lucky, but I’m so pleased with ATelco and have had a great experience without incident for 14 years.

Free checking, friendly local folks at the branch, what could go wrong?
All online purchases with overseas processors, rejected. Including Turkish Airlines, Steam, Disney, Lufthansa.
Debit card stolen, requested a new one. Once I was able to get through that is, they only answer the phone during business hours, branches close at 4. Once, twice, a third time I made the request through their secured message system, never arrived. Nothing wrong with my address, all other correspondence arriving just fine. Was advised that for a $ 35 dollar fee they would send my debit card to the branch for pickup.
I am done.
I would rather pay a monthly fee for a checking account all day long to a bank that will 1) answer the phone 2) provide more than one option for communicating an urgent issue than only a secured message system with max 125 characters allowed. 3) process payments made to any merchant no matter where they park their payment processing operations. 4) Empower and/​or incentivize their employees to show accountability and reach inside their org to get things done when a pattern of injustice is occurring. Empathy is not a customer relationship strategy.

TELCO Credit Union without the Bank! Have done business with them with positive results. Paid an auto loan off early without problem and have walked in or drove thru several branches. Loving Credit Unions over Banks!

Really want to like this credit union, but accessing my account online and mobile has not been easy. Now I have to wait 2 extra days to use bill pay… really? Wonder how long it takes for the payment to get there… not sure I want to find out…

Friendly, responsive, helpful. These words describe the staff. Great rates, easy fees, and good hours of operation make ATFCU my ONLY choice for banking. Free use of ATMs at other credit unions makes for very convenient «cash runs», no matter where you are. If you bank at one of the BIG banks, leave. NOW!

This is my first credit union experience and I’m very impressed.
They offer the free checking conveniences of a for-​profit bank, and have so much more that they don’t. One of my favorite things about this bank is the check ordering. I use 12 checks a year, for rent, and I have no desire to order an entire box for that. They let you buy 4 temporary checks for $ 1 that actually have all of your information pre-​printed on them! You can’t even tell that their temps. Years ago I got temporary checks from a for-​profit bank and they were just these blank checks with my account number. With the temporary checks from ATFCU, I don’t need to order any. I can just pay $ 3 for a year’s worth of checks. The best part is that they offer one free teller check (just like a cashier’s check) per day so they even offer me an alternative to buying temporary checks. I’ve paid $ 7 for such a check at a for-​profit bank in the past.
Cons:
No android app yet
Pros:
Good amount of locations, and some have lobby/​drive thrus open on Saturday
Low fees and no fees on some items that normally cost a ton at for-​profit banks
Only $ 25 to be a member
Friendly employees (I’ve been in several branches)
No ATM fees for withdraws at credit union ATMs (which gives you tons of ATMs since there are a lot of credit unions in the area)
I love this bank!

This credit union is awesome in all aspects.

This has been my bank since 2003. I have never had any problems and they update the website on a regular basis. I’m just waiting for a iPhone app! They don’t have any crazy fees, and partner with so many ATM around Austin.

I joined Austin Telco years ago because they had pretty good rates on car loans, and because a member-​owned credit union seemed preferable to an evil corporate bank. Shockingly, Austin Telco turned out to be even more evil than Bank of America. Since their web banking lags a bit behind the times, they always used to make changing your address a huge pain, where you have to mail or fax a signed update. Well, one time I apparently forgot to update it, and they started charging me a $ 10/​month Bad Address Fee, even though they only mail statements quarterly and they had my correct phone number and email address. 20 months later when I discovered this, these thieves had already stolen $ 200 from me. When I called to get my money back, I got a lecture about «my responsibility to monitor my account». The woman said, «you need to monitor your account to ensure there is no fraudulent activity». I agreed that that would be a good idea, but suggested that perhaps my bank shouldn’t be the one defrauding me. After arguing with this woman for 10 minutes or so, she put me on hold to «talk to her supervisor», and when she came back on the line, said she could give me half of my money back. Well, Austin Telco, you can have half the stars you would otherwise get, thanks to your complete lack of integrity (redeemed slightly by your good loan rates).